Definition:
The term Homoeopathy comes from the Greek homois, meaning similar, or the same, and patheia, meaning suffering. Therefore Homoeopathy literally means “similar suffering” and upholds the principle that “like can cure like”.

History:
Present-day Homoeopathy is based on the work of a German physician, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who discovered that quinine, if taken by a healthy person, could produce symptoms similar to malaria. From this awareness he developed the “Law of Similars” or Similia similibus curentur, meaning “Let like be cured by like” and began documenting the effects of taking certain substances. Many tens of thousands of homoeopathic substance remedies exist today. Other notable people who contributed to the development of Homoeopathy include Constantine Herring (1800-1880), Frederick Quin (1799-1879), James Tyler Kent (1849-1916), Dr. James Compton Burnett (1849-1900), and Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936) famous for his Bach Flower Remedies.

Philosophy:
The basic tenet of Homoeopathy is the law of similars, which states that “a medicine that can produce symptoms in a healthy person will cure the same symptoms in a sick person” (Dannheisser & Edwards, 1998, p. 14).
Homoeopathic remedies are prepared by a special process known as potentization, which involves the multiple dilution and succussion of solutions then containing minute portions of the treatment substance. According to Homoeopathic principles the more times a remedy has been diluted and succussed, the more potent the remedy becomes.

Homoeopathy also embraces the concept of Vital Force - or what is called Chi in Chinese Medicine, or Prana in Ayurveda - and aims to restore good health by re-establishing a state of balance and harmony within the body. Disease is perceived as the existence of a “dis-ease” within the body-mind-spirit of the individual that causes stress and results in the manifestation of the resultant symptom picture. In homoeopathy, all beings (people, as well as animals) are considered as individuals. Accordingly, individuals may respond to situations in specific ways. In an effort to catalogue patient behaviours Dr. Kent developed the concept of constitutional prescribing.

Methods of Treatment:
Homoeopathic remedies are made from plant, animal or mineral substances and can be used to treat problems of a physical and/or mental/emotional nature. After an extensive client case history is taken, a remedy will be prescribed at the minimum dose for a particular length of time. The client is asked to take note of any sensations or effects of the remedy. The Practitioner may alter the particular remedy selected based on the client’s ongoing response to treatment. Once the correct remedy to match the symptom picture is identified and taken, the client may experience a rapid relief from the symptoms they were experiencing. In some instances a temporary worsening of the symptoms will occur before they subside, this is known as a healing reaction. According to Herring’s law of cure, healing will occur from the inside of the body outwards, from head to toe, clearing issues from the present right back to the past.

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