Homoeopathic System of Medicine

Homoeopathy, founded by a German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, is based on the idea that ‘like cures like’; substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can also cure those same symptoms in someone who is sick. This so-called law of similar homoeopathy is named ‘homeo’ for similar ‘pathy’ designating disease. In this experiment, Hahnemann developed a method of ‘potentizing’ homoeopathic remedies by diluting them in a water-alcohol solution and then vigorously shaking the mixtures. The result convinced him that a high degree of dilution minimizes the remedies’ side effects and simultaneously enhances their medical efficacy. Most Homoeopathic remedies have undergone ‘proving’ or medical observations in which healthy individuals are given doses of undiluted homoeopathic substances. Mental, emotional, psychic and other patient details are most important; this leads the physician to understand better, that which remedy will best suit a particular set of symptoms.