Homeopathy 101
Updated Apr. 08th, 2024
Homeopathy is a safe, effective, inexpensive, and complete system of medicine that is suitable for just about anyone – infants, children, teens, adults and seniors alike. Using a variety if diluted substances from minerals, plants, and animals a qualified homeopath can treat many acute and chronic health concerns.
Even the novice user can learn to use homeopathy at home as a first aid tool, and to treat common complaints, such as uncomplicated colds and flus, aches and pains, fevers, rashes, bumps and bruises.
Homeopathy works by introducing a false set of symptoms that closely match the symptoms already present. In this way, it might be compared to a vaccination.
For example, someone with red, water eyes, runny nose, and stuffy sinus might choose to take Allium Cepa (red onion) which as we all know can cause those same symptoms to appear when you cut into one.
For more complicated and chronic issues, a qualified homeopath will take an indepth case that includes all of your symptoms when they occur – taking into account all your likes and dislikes, lifestyle choices, mental and emotional state, and more. Case taking can last often a few hours.
After analyzing your case they will choose a remedy that best fits your symptom picture. With over 3000 remedies to choose from, this can be a challenging task.
Classical homeopathy is homeopathy at its simplest. Only one dose of a single remedy is given at a time. Symptoms are monitored over the next several weeks and the prescribing homeopath will determine from what changes may or may not take place whether the remedy is to be repeated or possibly changed.
Homeopathy does not replace your medications and your practitioner should not suggest you discontinue any prescriptions. Homeopathy works well along side any medication and will not interfere with the effectiveness of any supplements, herbs or drugs.
Non-toxic and gentle, homeopathy offers healing without side effects.
The Power of Homeopathic Dilutions
Substances used in homeopathy can sometimes be poisonous, toxic, or harmful in their natural state. But, by diluting and succussing (vigorously shaking) the substance in a homeopathic way, the gentle healing energy of the substance is increased and the potential harm is elminated.
Generally, remedies are diluted on the 10 scale, indicated by a “D” or an “X” after the number. The 100 scale is indicated by a “C” or a “CH” after a number, and the 1000 scale by an “M” after a number. For each of these potencies, the number indicates how many times the remedy has been diluted. Higher potency remedies are the ones with the greater number of dilutions.
To achieve a 6x potency, for example, 1 drop of the crude substance is added to 9 drops of alcohol or water. The solution is then succussed and we now have a 1x potency. If one drop of this new solution is put into 9 drops of fresh alchol or water, and succussed, we then have a 2x potency. Continue until you have the desired solution. It works the same for all scales, except the number of drops differs. For the C (hundred) scale, 1 drop is diluted in 99 drops and the M (1000) scale is one drop added to 999, and so on. A 200 potency has been diluted 200 times on the hundred scale, each time using a clean container.
Some very experienced homeopaths will actually make their own remedies in this way, but fortunately there are expert homeopathic manufacturers who will prepare remedies in the above way ready for you to buy off the store shelf.
How to Take Homeopathics
Remedies should be taken away from meals and not before or after brushing your teeth with mint or strong tasting toothpaste. It is thought that some remedies may be affected by strong odors, so these practices are recommended as a precaution as a remedy’s effectiveness may be reduced or antidoted. Your homeopath will tell you if there are any particular substances you need to avoid with the remedy thy have prescribed, as this can very from remedy to remedy.
If pellets or globules are taken, they should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth under the tongue. Liquids should be mixed with saliva in the mouth and held for 10-15 seconds before swallowing. Some quick dissolve tablets are available for infants, otherwise for babies globules can be dissolved in water and then administered by a dropper or by spoon.
Homeopathy has always been interesting to me. I love reading articles about it to get a better understanding.
Been a big fan of homeopathy and have been using it for many years. Some of my remedies are available at NN which makes it a lot easier when ordering my other regular supplements.
I have not been a great fan of homeopathy but recently was given a remedy for indigestion and it really did help! Now I somewhat believe in how homeopathy can be helpful. This article does definitely give you some positive points about how it works. I will just have to get more into it.
Hello Roger,
Thank you for sharing, different modalities work better for different people; however, we're glad to hear that you found something to help your digestive health and that our article was able to shed more light on this topic for you.
Have a healthy day.
Thanks for including as much information as you do on here regarding homeopathic remedies. Some websites are very lacking in that department.
Hello Karen,
Thank you for your awesome comment. Indeed, there isn't a lot of information on homeopathy, so we're glad you enjoyed our article. You may enjoy this article as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/homeopathic-flu-remedies/
Have a healthy day!
I have been helped by homeopathic remedies - over and over again. Currently doing a webinar with a beautiful, helpful lady who uses it for horses. Just the other day, put it to the test, yet again. Neighbour's dog came over to attack my dog (on leash, from a walk). I fell on the sloped, paved driveway as no doubt, lost my footing trying to get the dogs apart. Bruises all over, some found days later. Tailbone took the brunt of fall. Between Arnica - both pellets and cream, much pain subsided. For the first time, (upon covering Hypericum in class) - I tried it for tailbone injury. After only 2 doses - it helped. I can go on and on. Due to much soft tissue damage, I continue to use the above a bit longer. So much better - thankfully with homeopathy!
Hello S Paul,
Thank you for sharing. We are sorry to hear about your fall, but it's nice that you found a remedy in Homeopathy that's helping with the pain and bruising left from the impact. It's a good thing nothing got broken! Aside from homeopathy, here are more bone healthy supplements that will keep your bones strong to endure a fall: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/health-concerns/bone-health-osteoporosis/
Stay safe & healthy!