The word homeopathy is derived from the Greek words homoios, meaning similar and pathos, meaning suffering. Classical homeopathy, the fastest growing health care system in the world, is a complete, natural healing system discovered over 200 years ago by the German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on the principle that like cures like, called « The Law of Similars ».
Classical homeopathy is a holistic therapy. The individual is considered as a whole and symptoms from the body, mind, and spirit are considered when choosing a homeopathic remedy. Homeopathy takes into consideration a person’s environment and lifestyle, providing individualized treatment for the person. Classical homeopathy most closely matches the totality of the individual’s symptoms and personality with the homeopathic remedy in order to stimulate the body’s own natural healing response. In classical homeopathy, the use of a single remedy at a time is a basic principle.
Homeopathic remedies are made from infinitesimal amounts of substances from the plant, animal, mineral kingdoms and biological sources. There are more than 3,000 known remedies available. Each specific remedy is made from only one plant, animal, mineral, or biological source. Homeopathic remedies have been approved by the FDA since 1939 and are manufactured in strict accordance with the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and Drug Manufacturing Practices.
These remedies have been diluted by as much as one part in ten billion and beyond. All potencies above 12C have none of the original molecules of the mother tincture. Remedies with potencies of 30C and higher have retained the energy of the original substance. This is energy medicine. Repeated dilution with succussion (shaking the remedy vigorously with impact) releases the « potency » of the substance, while eliminating any potential side effects or toxicity. This is referred to as the « law of the infinitesimal dose ».
Combination remedies, mixtures of two or more remedies at a time, move away from the holistic or classical approach. These combination remedies are usually prepared in low potencies and are mainly used in acute cases, treating a specific disease and not the person as a whole.