HOMEOPATHY

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathic medicine is an extremely flexible and practical approach to healing that was developed in Germany just over 200 years ago.It was developed by Samuel Hahneman in the early eighteen century and is based on the principle of 'like treats like'.The medicines are of plant, animal or mineral origin and are used in progressive greater dilutions,or potencies, based on either a decimal or centesimal scale.The most dilute remedies have the greatest potency.This is because the shaking at each dilution is thought to energize or potentiate, the ingredient.

The first treatment:

Some patients are astonished to find themselves spending 60-90 minutes talking about the current health problems within the context of their overall medical history.However,seeing how quickly time passes for each new patient once they relax and settle into the consultation is one of the delights of being a homeopath.In fact,many patients say that the initial consultation itself has therapeutic value.

Your homeopath will start by asking incredibly detailed questions about the problem that has brought you for treatment in the first place,such as the factors that make the symptoms feel better or worse,any obvious triggers to their onset,and the existence or quality of any pain.From this information,they can gain a fairly accurate picture of your psychological,emotional and physical well-being within the time available.

The homeopath has then to make sense of all this information by carrying out a case analysis.To do this,they will consult materia medica(books of medicine symptoms),repertory,or increasingly,avail themselves tailor-made computer software for case analysis.Once the analysis is complete,they will be in a position to select the homeopathic remedy that is most appropriate for your overall combination of symptoms.

The remedy may take the form of a single tablet or a course of tablets to be taken daily for a specified period of time. Alternatively, it may be in the form of a liquids,powder,globule(a round pill)or granules

How does homeopathy works?

Because it involves the use of extraordinarily dilute medicines controversy has raged over how this gentle,holistic form of medicine can work.Conventional doctors frequently attribute any benefits to the placebo effect (or mind over matter)but the question remains open.A number of tentative theories have been (and are still being)put forward.One suggests that the molecules of the water used in the process of extreme dilution act as a template,taking on board an imprint or’memory’of the active ingredient.

Unlike conventional drugs,which are usually aimed at suppressing the symptoms of the disorder,homeopathic medicines mimic the symptoms in the belief that they are part of the disorder and should be allowed to run their full course.In this way,they gently but effectively stimulate the body’s own self-healing mechanism.Occasionally a patient may feel worse before they get better.

Homeopathic remedies - some basic rules

If you opt for self-treatment,be guided by the following:

·       Look for the remedy that provides the closest match to your symptoms.

·       Take only one remedy at a time.

·       The most appropriate self dose is 6c(this refers to a centesimal scale of dilution based on 1 part/drop of the remedy to 99 parts of the diluent).These should be available from most high street pharmacies and health food shops or in some supermarket.In Karachi homeopathic medicines are available near Board Office,Nazimabad specially Imran Homeopathic store provides medicines at retail prices. Imtiaz superstore in Nazimabad also have homeopathic medicines.For problems of recent onset,take one dose hourly for upto 3 hours.For more slow-developing,low grade symptoms,take one dose 3times a day for a maximum of 3days.

·       Once symptoms improve,stop taking the remedy,because this is the sign that the body is beginning to cope by itself.If you don't see any improvement after taking 3 doses a day for a maximum of 3 days,you should look for another remedy or another solution.

IIIn our practice we observed that 30C potency works better in almost all acute symptoms and no side effects are observed.