A system of alternative medicine developed in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on a holistic approach to health, treating the "whole person" rather than just the symptoms of a disease, using highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body's self-healing mechanisms.
Core Principles of Homeopathy
Homeopathic therapy is guided by two main, unconventional principles:
"Like Cures Like" (Law of Similars): This theory suggests that a substance that causes specific symptoms in a healthy person can, when given in a highly diluted form, treat similar symptoms in a sick person.
"Law of Minimum Dose" (Law of Infinitesimals): This belief states that the lower the dose of the medication, the greater its effectiveness. Remedies are prepared through a process of "potentization" (serial dilution and succussion/shaking), often to a point where none of the original substance remains.
What Conditions Are Treated?
Homeopaths claim to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, including:
Allergies, asthma, and hay fever
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
Mental health issues, including anxiety and depression
Musculoskeletal pain, headaches, and migraines
Digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome
Reference: Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials