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Homeopathy is a form of natural medicine that uses immeasurably
small doses of medicines to stimulate the body's own healing
ability. It is based on a systematic application of the principles
of health and healing. These principles and their application
are as true today as they were 200 years ago when homeopathy
was developed.
Homeopathy
was developed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755
- 1843). Hahnemann
became dissatisfied with the conventional
medical treatment of his time. So he gave up medical practice
and became a medical translator. His curiosity and desire to
find the laws of healing led him to experiment with cinchona
bark (quinine), which was used then (and is still used today)
in conventional medicine to treat malaria. To his surprise,
he found that taking very small doses of quinine, until his
body reacted to the drug, created in him similar symptoms as
those suffering from malaria. Hahnemann continued to perform
meticulous drug tests called "provings" to bring
out what symptoms different substances cause in a healthy person.
This was
the beginning of the medical application of what is known
as "The Law of Similars." This
law states that a substance can cure a disease if it produces
in a healthy
person symptoms similar to those of the disease; like is cured
by like. It is a law of nature that was earlier recognized
by both Hippocrates and Paracelsus. Hahnemann was the first
to test the principle systematically and establish it as the
foundation of a system of medicine.
Hahnemann
continued his testing to discover how small a dose of a drug
could
be given to stimulate the healing response
and yet eliminate the toxic effect. He developed a process
known as "potentization," which involves successive
dilution alternating with succussion (vigorous shaking) or
trituration (grinding). These small doses are called "potencies." Potentization
renders medicines nontoxic and without side effects while increasing
their potential for cure.
Homeopathy is a truly holistic system of medicine. It recognizes
that all parts of the body, as well as the mind and emotions,
are interdependent. Therefore, all symptoms of the person are
taken into account in order to find the single curative medicine.
Homeopathy aims to restore the individual to a greater overall
state of health, vitality, and freedom. Symptoms of disease,
according to the homeopathic philosophy of healing, represent
the body's best effort to heal itself. Symptoms are seen as
positive, adaptive responses to the various stresses experienced
by the individual. Therefore, homeopathy does not suppress
symptoms; it stimulates the body's overall defenses or vitality
to complete the curative process. The result, in most cases,
is the elimination of the symptoms of disease along with an
improvement in overall health.
Today,
homeopathic medicines (remedies) are prepared by homeopathic
pharmacies
as specified in the "Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia
of the United States," the official manufacturing manual
recognized by the FDA. Most remedies are made from plants,
but minerals, metals, animal venoms and by-products, as well
as chemical drugs are used. Remedies are prepared in the form
of small sugar pellets, lactose tablets, or liquid.
Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive and safe to use. The
layperson can learn to effectively handle many common nonemergency
illnesses for which they would usually seek conventional medical
care. It is well suited for those who want to assume greater
personal responsibility for their health.
Homeopathy is practiced in nearly every country in the world.
It is particularly popular in England, France, India, Mexico,
Brazil, Argentina, and the former U.S.S.R. The English Royal
Family has been under the care of homeopathic physicians since
the 1930's. Two hundred years of worldwide, successful clinical
experience continues to prove homeopathy safe and effective
in the treatment and prevention of disease.
The history of homeopathy in the United States is a fascinating
one. It was extremely popular here in the nineteenth century.
The first national medical association of any kind was the
American Institute of Homeopathy, founded in 1844. By the turn
of the century, one out of four physicians used homeopathy.
There were 22 homeopathic medical schools and over 100 homeopathic
hospitals. Then came homeopathy's decline in the United States
due to a number of factors. These included the acceptance of
a more mechanical, as opposed to holistic, view of disease
and the body; advances in surgical and pharmaceutical medicine;
strong opposition by the A.M.A. (American Medical Association,
founded in 1846) whose Code of Ethics prohibited members from
consulting with homeopathic physicians and whose orthodox physicians
influenced the passage of legislation detrimental to homeopathic
training and practice; as well as infighting among homeopaths
regarding doctrine and politics. Today, homeopathy is again
experiencing a tremendous resurgence in popularity due to renewed
interest in the natural laws of healing, as well as disillusionment
with standard medical treatment.
The information presented in this book will, step-by-step,
give you access to the safe and effective use of homeopathy
and its potential for supporting the birth process.
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