effects of a previously poor diet. And while susceptibilities can be acquired or inherited, homeopathy is capable of balancing and correcting that state also, particularly in chronic disease.
Why is homeopathy misunderstood? The reason homeopathy is misunderstood is because it is viewed as being some sort of “mystical hocus- pocus” rather than having a scientific basis. I believe this view will gradually change, as more and more evidence is accumulating to show that homeopathy has a positive effect (British Homeopathic Association), and is an evidence-based practice. Homeopathic remedies are rendered
non-toxic by the ultra-high dilution process, whether it be derived from animal, plant or mineral sources. However, the very fact that homeopathic remedies are prepared in this way means that science does not yet understand how it could possibly work when it no longer contains any of the original substance. A study conducted in 1998 stated that, if this phenomenon were not so controversial, the scientific community would be convinced of homeopathy’s effectiveness (Vallance 1998), as there is enough evidence to show a positive outcome beyond the placebo effect. Even though the mechanism of action of Paracetamol is also unknown (Bonnefont et al. 2003; Toussaint et al. 2010), it is accepted as being effective. Scientific exploration means that the answers are not always self-evident, but that we need to keep searching. Thankfully, new advanced studies
have provided a foundation to the theories behind homeopathy by discovering “nanoparticles” (Bell & Koithan 2012) and the role they play in the mechanism of homeopathic remedy actions. These are ultra-fine particles finer than an 8,000th of the width of a strand of human hair, which have been discovered to be present in these ultra- high dilutions. However more studies are needed in this area before it can be fully accepted by the majority of scientists.
What to expect when taking a homeopathic remedy For a homeopathic remedy to work it must have an affinity to the illness being treated and it must also influence the root cause of the illness. There are many scenarios as to what may happen after taking a homeopathic remedy. You may: • Improve rapidly • Temporarily worsen before beginning to improve
• Have a return of old symptoms • Experience nothing • Produce new symptoms, attributed to the remedy itself
• Deteriorate in health Ideally, the first three responses
are preferred and are the signs of a correctly chosen remedy. The last three responses are signs that the remedy did not resonate with that particular person’s frequency and a new remedy needs to be chosen. In a chronic case, the return of old symptoms is a positive sign. It can be likened to pealing back the layers of an onion, one at a time. These symptoms can take the direction
the placebo effect. When a homeopathic remedy is administered repeatedly to a healthy person, they will begin to show signs and symptoms of that remedy. In the world of homeopathy, this kind of drug trial is called a “proving” that is conducted with the addition of each new medicine. The purpose is to build a repertoire of information that has been recorded for over 200 years (Teut et al. 2010) as a valuable resource for homeopaths. This is filled with symptoms which are referred to when choosing a remedy, offering clues as to which medicine will heal the patient when applied to illness of a similar nature. The very fact that these provings produce symptoms of the remedy, provides evidence that much more is occurring than merely a placebo effect.
Conclusion Homeopathy is a powerful, effective,
from inner to outer organs, such as from the liver to the skin. They can also take the direction from the upper to the lower body parts or in the reverse order of the symptoms manifesting in the first place. This is called “Hering’s Law of Cure”. Quite often the skin can be the last symptom to clear, especially if the symptom was originally suppressed by drugs in the past. Can a placebo do all of this? I think
not, and it amazes me how so many people can accuse a homeopathic response as being nothing more than
yet subtle form of healing. Although we are seeing the beginnings of a health revolution in the evolutionary path of mankind, we have not reached the goal of perfect health just yet. The answer to the “war” we have waged against many modern illnesses may lie in the wisdom of an ancient philosopher called Hippocrates (460-375 BC) on which Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, based these principles over 200 years ago — wisdom that focused first and foremost on “doing no harm”. With the many toxins and stresses we are exposed to in this day and age, balance and equilibrium is what is needed to bring us back on track to live a life that is not only free from disease, but a life with boundless joy, vibrancy in health, happiness and well- being. This is a vision of a future that I believe homeopathy will be a part of. References can be found on our online and app versions of this article. n
Juliette West, BHSc (Homeopathy), completed her studies in homeopathy at Endeavour College of Natural Health, Brisbane,
and is now practising from clinics in Capalaba and Beenleigh as well as doing online consultations Australia-wide.
JULY 2015 45
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