What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a holistic therapeutic system based on the principle that, “Like treats like.” That is, a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat a person suffering with similar symptoms. Homeopaths use specially prepared, highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet or liquid form. Prescriptions are tailored to each individual patient, according to their specific symptoms.

Homeopathy can be described as a holistic approach, which looks at the person as a whole. Homeopathic medicines, often called remedies, are non-toxic and only minute amounts of active ingredients are used in their preparation. They are generally considered safe to be used by all, including babies, children, women during pregnancy and also for breastfeeding mothers.

What Is The Holistic Approach?

Homeopathic philosphy is based on a process of looking at each person as a whole, rather than looking at specific conditions in isolation. This ‘holistic’ approach is one of the main differences between homeopathy and conventional medicine. For example, if during your pregnancy you were suffering from morning sickness, back pain, pelvic pain and itchy skin the conventional route might involve separate courses of treatment for each symptom; by contrast a homeopath will consider all symptoms together as a whole (whether mental, emotional or physical), possibly addressing them with a single prescription.

HOW is your YOUR INDIVIDUAL MEDICINE Determined?

In order to find a homeopathic remedy that matches you and your symptoms, Emma needs a thorough understanding of the symptoms you are experiencing. During a confidential, in-depth consultation, she will consider all aspects of your health and well-being including your medical history, current health problems, prescription medication, supplements, herbs, dental treatment, diet, lifestyle, personality type and any other complimentary or alternative treatments. It is recommended that you let your GP know you are receiving homeopathic treatment.

The initial homeopathic consultation lasts for an hour and a half, with follow-up appointments being an hour. Working as an independent professional, appointments and remedies will need to be paid for, however Emma also offers a pro bono service. If a homeopathic prescription is needed after a consultation, this may come in tablet, liquid or powdered form, which are supplied by the specialist homeopathic pharmacy, Helios.

HOW LONG DOES TREATMENT TAKE?

This depends on what symptoms you are experiencing, how long you have had them and other individual characteristics of your case. Homeopathy focuses on the individual and each case will require a personal treatment strategy, which Emma will discuss with you at the end of your first appointment.

As a guideline, you can typically expect to see Emma once a month, for three months. If you have a long-standing chronic condition, a longer course of treatment may be needed. In this case, follow-ups may be scheduled at progressively longer intervals.

WHAT ARE HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES MADE FROM?

Homeopathic medicines, are non-toxic with only minute amounts of active ingredients used in the preparation of homeopathic medicines called REMEDIES. They are generally considered safe to be used in cases involving babies, children, pregnancy and breast-feeding mothers, when the use of conventional drugs might be inadvisable or contra-indicated. They are most often made from plant, chemical, mineral or animal sources. The original material is diluted, and then shaken vigorously (succussed). The number of times this is repeated determines the strength or ‘potency’ of the remedy e.g. a 6C remedy will have been diluted one part in one hundred, then succeeded six times. Emma’s remedies are prepared by Helios pharmacy.

How can such diluted medicines work?

Homeopathic medicines being highly diluted has led critics to say that they are, “Nothing but water.” However, research suggests that repeated vigorous shaking may cause new water structures to be formed, capturing information about the original substance dissolved in the water.

While science has yet to explain exactly how homeopathic medicines work on a molecular or cellular level, laboratory experiments suggest that ultrahigh dilutions, as used in homeopathic medicines, have biological effects.

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Can I prescribe myself with homeopathic remedies?

Remedies can sometimes be self-prescribed at home for first-aid or for a self-limiting illness, such as a cold. Emma can help guide you through this once your constitutional (bespoke) remedy has been found. She actively encourages you to take responsibility for your health and will help you find the tools to do so.

When nursing, Emma recalls being encouraged ‘how’ to think, rather than ‘what’ to think. Today’s NHS practitioners are overworked and understaffed, often without the luxury of going over a patient’s full case or consideration of how medication will affect their whole body and mind.

Excerpts taken from The Society of Homeopaths.