Definitions
of Homeopathy
A
therapeutic system of medicine that is based on the principle
of similars - like cures like - which means that a substance
that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure
similar symptoms in an unhealthy person. Homeopathy aims to
aid and stimulate the body's own defense and immune processes.
Homeopathic medicines are derived from a variety of plants,
animal materials and minerals. These medicines are prescribed
to fit each individual's needs, given in much smaller and
less toxic doses than traditional medications, and are used
for both prevention and treatment. Established 200 years ago
by German physician Samuel Hahneman, and is recognized by
the World Health Organization as the second largest therapeutic
system in the world.
Based
on the hypothesis of like cures like and
a deep emphasis on the principles of holistic medicine (treat
the whole person), homeopathy first flourished in North America
and Europe during the mid-19th century, when many physicians
believed it to be an effective treatment for cholera. Homeopathic
remedies work by stimulating the body's own healing power
by introducing tiny doses of natural substances that should
trigger a persons body to correct itself naturally. Extremely
popular throughout the world today, naturopathic physicians
and other trained homeopaths have led a resurgence of this
therapy in the last decade.
A
system of medicine based on giving patients very dilute amounts
of a substance that, in larger amounts, would produce similar
symptoms to the illness being treated.
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