One of my classes this semester is Homeopathy and while studying for my midterm tomorrow (Halloween – you’ll see why this is funny later in this blog), I was inspired to write a blog about it!

Homeopathy literally means similar (homeo) suffering (pathos). It is based on the principle that “like cures like” – that a similar, but stronger, energetic force can displace a weaker one. It was discovered by Samuel Hahnemann who observed the relationship between the curative effects and poisoning symptoms of Cinchona (used to treat malaria). His observations were not new; however, he was the first to form these theories into a workable philosophy of medicine.

Homeopathy is energetic, rather than physical. Disease is defined as a mistunement or energetic imbalance of the life force which can be acute (self-limiting) or chronic (ingrained). Most remedies (those at 12C and higher) contain no actual molecules of the remedy substance, but instead carry the energy signature transferred to the solvent (usually alcohol) by the substance as it was sucussed (mixed) and diluted.

The mechanism is cure is this: a similar (but not same) and stronger “artificial” disease (the remedy), which has a signature vibration, is introduced to the life force, which has its own vibration (the disease). The vibration of the remedy is similar to the vibration of the life force, but stronger, so it alters the life force’s vibration (interference). The life force now responds to the artificial disease and in the process is able to throw off the natural disease. The artificial disease is removed when the remedy is completed and the life force returns to a healthy state.

Homeopathy treats people, not problems. No two people have the same disease, they only have some (perhaps many) symptoms in common. They may both be diagnosed with MS (for example), but the symptoms of MS are not the whole story because these people are not even close to being identical. It is their differences which form the unique signature of their mistunement. Therefore, the skilled homeopath must examine the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual symptoms to determine correct remedy. And because these will differ, these two MS patients will not receive the same curative remedy.

Homeopathy is difficult and time-consuming because the practitioner must thoroughly understand his or her patient and form a complete picture of the correct remedy. However, a skilled homeopath can also achieve seemingly miraculous results in so-called hopeless cases. However, it comes the closest (in my opinion) to addressing the true cause of disease and treating the whole individual and as such is a very rewarding modality to practice.

Personally, I didn’t believe in homeopathy either, until I learned about it and proved its efficacy on myself. I don’t believe that it is the answer to all medical woes, but I think it can be a powerful tool in the hands of people who are skilled in its use. I would like to be one of these people.

There is an interesting discussion going in the forum titled Is homeopathy connected to the occult? I have read this discussion with interest, but I haven’t joined in, simply because I have nothing (or too much?) to say! I am not a person who views the world as “bad” or “good” and therefore the word “occult” doesn’t mean much to me either way.

Everyone chooses the boundaries within which they are comfortable living. My desire is to be open enough to try things that I don’t understand/agree with and use my own values and principles to judge them. As many people say about the BTD, the only way to know if something “works” or is right for you is to try it.

I have many studies and articles both for and against homeopathy, including a detailed rebuttal written by some of the world’s top homeopaths in response to a recent article in The Lancet condemning homeopathy. Please leave me a comment if you would like me to forward these to you.