Homeopathy- A "like-cures-like" formula dates back to the early 19th century, where an ill-person is treated with minute quantities of natural substances which produce the symptoms of disease in the healthy person. Homeopathy was founded in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann who based his homeopathic treatment with the formulation of a good diet, exercise, fresh air and his own natural medications. This was something that was uncompromising for the medicine practiced during that era.

What should you know about homeopathy?

Stemmed from the Greek word "homois" (like) and "pathos" (suffering), the term homeopathy was coined. Classical homeopathy is a therapy where the remedy given to the person matches to the set of symptoms exhibited by the client. The homeopath conducts a detailed interview of the person and after the detailed session, he/she prescribes the homeopathic medications. No diagnosis is needed in this therapy. Constitutional homeopathy is a therapy where the remedy is prescribed on the principle that the remedy matches the personality traits the person would be exhibiting in the detailed session of interview. Unlike classical homeopathy, constitutional homeopathy focuses on the treatment of long-term health problems. Personality attributes may correspond with the right constitutional remedy to refurbish the person's balance and health. Constitutional homeopathy is often regarded as the homeopath's best tool to prescribe the right homeopathic medications.

Which is the right remedy for you?

A homeopath can say this better. If you would like to have a personal approach towards homeopathic treatment, homeopathy has three levels of therapies: First Aid, acute homeopathy and Constitutional homeopathy. First Aid therapy includes the treatment of household happenings such as bruises, stings, bites, rashes, teething e.t.c. First aid remedies, when rightly chosen, remedies act safely and quickly. Acute homeopathy is useful in treating ailments in which the symptoms will wear off without any treatment. For example colds, coughs, sports injuries e.t.c. Since homeopathic remedies are safe and are without any side-effects, it is safe for pregnant women and infants. Constitutional homeopathy aims at long-term treatment of persistent health problems. For instance, a child with a persistent ear infection, when given an anti-biotic therapy would recur again leading to a state of impaired health. In case of homeopathy, homeopathic medications are prescribed in such a manner that it would not only relieve the child from the current infection but would also strengthen the system to prevent any future infections.

Your individualized and holistic approach towards homeopathy

This depends on the kind of therapy one chooses for an ailment and a homeopath can prescribe the best for you as he/she is knowledgeable of the best treatment which would match your symptoms or personality. Classical homeopathy focuses on finding a single remedy for the symptoms exhibited by the person. Here, the remedy that is chosen is either 200C or higher in its potency. Fortunately, this takes matching symptoms with the remedy which does not leave any space for error. The dose and the remedy MUST match exactly as it is for getting the maximum benefit and even the slightest symptoms exhibited should be taken into account before administering any remedy. Combination remedies are the ones found in health stores which are produced in low doses such as 6X or 30X. This range does provide a wide therapeutic value but it constricts the effectiveness. Lower doses don't address the deeper problem but would only take care of one or two strong symptoms. Constitutional homeopathic remedies either match the personality exhibited by the person or it matches the person's whole physical and emotional symptoms. Constitutional homeopathy does require an extensive case-taking to administer the right remedy. Both physical and psychological factors are kept in mind before administering any remedy. What we should know here is that, that symptoms are not the focus of either classical or constitutional homeopathy. They are only cursors that point to the correct remedy. Lower potencies range from 6X-30C, medium ranges from 30C-200C and higher potencies account from 200C-1M. Homeopathic medications with lower potencies can be administered several times a day but those with higher potencies should be administered only at one time and should not be repeated for a week or a month. Low potencies have a quick effect while those with high potencies may take several days to have an effect. Based on the approach- whether it's constitutional or classical, one can administer the homeopathic medications based on it.

Why homeopathy?

For your benefit- for long-term healthcare, we need homeopathy. Homeopathy is free of side effects. A homeopath's aim is to help you to restore your balance and normal life by bringing about the deep changes which would decrease the recurring chances of any ailment. As we see, homeopathic case-taking is an extensive procedure and each one is administered a different remedy according to his/her constitutional type. In other words, in homeopathy, there is no such thing as same medication for all exhibiting the same symptoms. From the moment the person enters the door to have an extensive check-up from a homeopath, he/she concentrate on every behavior that you may exhibit in the entire session and this is noted by the homeopath. From physical symptoms to mental behavior- each one of it is accounted. Therefore, homeopathy honors you as a person first and a patient later when it comes to the prescription of homeopathic medications. Homeopathy does not only address physical, mental and emotional planes but homeopathic medicines also stimulate an internal readjustment towards the balance of the body. Homeopathy is not for you if?

• If you only want to have symptoms cured and want your practitioner to concentrate only on your symptoms.
• If you are looking out for an instant relief of a long-term health problem, sorry, homeopathy is not for you.
• If you can't abstain from caffeinated food items and can't follow the diet prescribed by the homeopath. Homeopathy is for you if?
• You want to have yourself treated on both physical and psychological basis to get rid of the problem.
• You want to strive for a healthy and side effect free lifestyle.
• You know that your long-term problem has not only one cause but several causes and you are patient enough to let the cure take its own time to have the best effect on you as much as possible.
• You are willing to have a change to help your body have the best that nature has to offer. Now the choice is yours?

Homeopathy is your choice. There is no harm in trying anything which voids side-effects. Give it a try and feel a new 'you' with improved health status.