Homeopathy differs from conventional medicine in several ways including how symptoms are defined, how “medicines” are chosen, how much “medicine” is given, and cost.
First, homeopathy regards symptoms as the body’s healthy attempt to restore itself to balance. Therefore, a homeopathic practitioner chooses a remedy that supports, not suppresses, symptoms. Why is this? Homeopathy is based on a rule of nature called the Law of Similars. This “like cures like” Law states that a substance that can cause a “sickness” in a healthy person can help restore health to a person suffering with a similar “sickness”. For instance, when you peel an onion, your eyes burn, itch, and water. You might also have sneezing and runny nose. During a cold or allergy attack, Allium cepa, a homeopathic remedy derived from red onion, can help your body heal itself from runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing. Conventional medicine uses antihistamines to dry up (suppress) runny nose and watery eyes, and the medication often causes drowsiness and constipation.
Second, homeopathy recognizes that each person exhibits “sickness” in a unique and slightly different way. That is why two people with the same illness will not necessarily receive the same homeopathic remedy. A homeopathic practitioner chooses a remedy that matches the unique symptom profile of the individual. For example, a person with upset stomach who is chilly and not thirsty would receive a different remedy than someone with upset stomach who is hot, sweaty, and craves water. This practice is known as Totality of Symptoms, an important homeopathy guiding principle. Conventional medicine prescribes treatments based on a diagnosis.
Next, in homeopathy, a person takes just enough of a homeopathic remedy to stimulate their body’s healing response. When this occurs, the person stops taking the remedy, and the body will continue to heal itself. This homeopathy guiding principle is known as Minimum Dose. Conventional medicine seeks to control illness through the continued and regular use of medications; if the medicine is withdrawn, the person’s symptoms may return.
Finally, homeopathic remedies are less expensive than conventional medicines, costing on average $8–$10 for a bottle that contains multiple doses. Sometimes only a single dose of a remedy is needed to help the body restore health. Remedies have an extended shelf life, and each may be used for several different conditions.
Symptoms are the language of disease — the body’s attempt to balance itself. Without symptoms, a person could have a potentially life threatening illness with no way of identifying it.
Many conventional drugs try to inhibit and suppress symptoms — sometimes leading to even more serious symptoms.
Homeopathy does not seek to remove or suppress symptoms. Its goal is to recognize and remove the underlying cause of these symptoms. This is why a homeopath will work toward understanding the whole person — including their body, mind and emotional state — before recommending a remedy.
Homeopathic remedies cost on average $8–$10 for a bottle that contains multiple doses. Sometimes only a single dose of a remedy is needed to help the body restore health. Remedies have an extended shelf life and each may be used for several different conditions.
No, but I have a remedy for you when you have a cold!
It’s a very important distinction. Homeopathy is always focused on the individual. Why? Because no two people ever experience something the exact same way. The diagnosis of a cold means there’s some kind of snotty something going on with you. But think of all the colds you’ve had in your life and consider how they’ve differed. Sometimes your eyes burn and water. Sometimes it’s your nose that burns and waters! Sometimes you’re stuffed up and can’t get any air in at all. Sometimes your nose is clear, it’s just pouring! Sometimes you have a cough, or a sore throat; sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you’re completely wiped out and drained. Sometimes you feel fine, it’s just that your nose won’t stop running and you have a terrific headache. Every cold is experienced differently by every person and that’s why every remedy selected by a homeopath is carefully selected for you, based on your experience of your symptoms.
No, the name of the diagnosis isn’t important for a homeopath. We need to know how you are experiencing your symptoms – where you feel them, what they feel like, how long they last, etc. We also need to know what else is going on at the same time – for example, usually I love ice water but right now I just can’t stand it and I want something hot. It’s your experience as a whole that matters in homeopathy, not the name given to an illness.
Homeopathic remedies are considered inherently safe, are FDA-regulated, non-drowsy, non-habit-forming, and non-toxic. The remedies also have no known side effects and no known drug interactions.