Frequently Asked Questions
Will homeopathy help me?
Which conditions can homeopathy help?
Why use Homeopathics?
What will the homeopath do?
Does it take a long time to work?
How safe is homeopathy?
Will homeopathy mix with other medication?
Speaking for myself, I have great faith in homeopathy because I have seen so many people benefit. However, not everyone responds so no promises or guarantees can be made.
Homeopaths successfully treat many and varied conditions, and improvement is often seen in cases which have failed to respond or keep recurring under conventional treatment.
Homeopathy treats the whole person, so the remedies are prescribed to match not only your symptoms but your personality too. The more I can understand about you, your habits, thoughts, feelings and moods, preferences and dislikes, responses and sensations, sleep patterns and so on, the more precisely I can match the remedy.
Which conditions can homeopathy help?
Homeopathy can address a wide range of health concerns, whether physical, mental or emotional. It is effective in first aid; for temporary discomforts, such as morning sickness; and longer term problems which have not responded well to conventional treatment.
Homeopaths successfully treat skin conditions like eczema and nappy rash; allergies such as
hayfever; acute illnesses; and more long-standing problems such as asthma, digestive troubles (IBS),
catarrh, cystitis, thrush and arthritis.
Many women find relief from pre-menstrual syndrome, and menopausal women often find homeopathic
remedies support them through the transition by relieving or reducing hot flushes and insomnia, for
example. There are many remedies to assist with the common discomforts of pregnancy and birth-kits
are available to assist in labour and the post-partum period. If you are trying to become pregnant,
homeopathic remedies can assist by supporting your constitution and alleviating some of the common
obstacles to conception.
Homeopathy is an especially safe and gentle route for infants and children, and frequently has good results in typical problems such as ear, nose and throat infections; bedwetting; colic; teething; tantrums; chest problems; skin conditions; and childhood diseases.
Homeopathic treatment can also assist with anxiety, insomnia and depression. Sometimes these
problems are temporary or due to a specific cause - examination nerves, fear of flying or the like -
and of course significant transitional events like moving house, divorce, changing school, an
accident or bereavement. Sometimes the feelings about something like this have never really gone
away. Sometimes we can even track the onset of a physical ailment to a time like this in your
life. Whatever the cause, in these situations it is often "good to talk", perhaps even better to
have someone impartial and caring to listen to you, and your homeopath will take the time to listen
and work with you on your path to recovery.
Please see About Homeopathy to see a list of conditions commonly treated by homeopaths.
Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Its growth in popularity in the United States has been around 25 to 50 percent a year throughout the last decade. This success is fueled by several factors:
- Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid, complete and permanent.
- Homeopathy is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant women can use Homeopathy without the danger of side effects. Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medication without producing unwanted side effects.
- Homeopathy is natural. Homeopathic remedies are normally based on natural ingredients.
- Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike some conventional medicines which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex, which is your body's attempt to clear the lungs)
- Homeopathic remedies are not addictive - once relief is felt, you should stop taking them. If no relief is felt, you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.
- Homeopathy is holistic. It treats all the symptoms as one, which in practical terms means that it addresses the cause, not the symptoms. This often means that symptoms tackled with Homeopathy do not recur.
Your homeopath will take the time to listen to you, and treat you as a unique individual, taking
into account your mental and emotional state as well as your physical condition, and will prescribe
the remedies that are most appropriate to you.
Does it take a long time to work?
In first aid and acute illnesses, homeopathy can be extremely quick and effective. In longer term conditions, because homeopathy works with your body, strengthening your constitution and immune system, a safe and gradual return to health may require several appointments. I like to work by taking an initial case and following up at least twice, whilst many of my clients like to return on a regular basis for a "tune-up" because they find that they benefit in terms of sleep quality, energy levels and raised immunity. Typically I will see someone for between three and six monthly appointments.
Homeopathy is extremely safe, gentle and non-invasive. The remedies are made from a range of substances, such as plants and minerals, and are highly refined to the minimum dose required to stimulate the body's own natural healing systems, so they are non-toxic with no danger of overdose or addiction. This means that they are safe in pregnancy, for example, and can be used for any age group, from babies onwards.
Will homeopathy mix with other medication?
Homeopathy is a complementary medicine, meaning that it works alongside conventional treatments. People who are taking an over-the-counter, self-prescribed medicine on an "as-needed" basis often find that homeopathic remedies work just as well, enabling them to reduce or dispense with it. However, prescribed medication for more serious or complicated illness which is under the control of the GP should never be reduced unless this has been carefully discussed and checked with your healthcare provider. I always ask which medicines you are currently taking so that I can take these into account.
Taking Homeopathic Remedies:
Ideally, the tablets should not be touched by anyone except the person taking the medicine, and should be dispensed into the cap of the bottle and placed directly into the mouth. The pills should be sucked, preferably under the tongue, and not chewed or swallowed whole. For small babies, the pills can be crushed between two spoons and dissolved in a little cool, boiled water. Homeopathic medicine is absorbed through the mucous membrane in the mouth, which is why we advise that the remedies are taken on a 'clean mouth'. This means that you should not eat or drink anything for at least fifteen minutes before or after taking the medication. Toothpaste and cigarettes have been known to affect the absorption of the medication, so we advise that cleaning the teeth and smoking be confined to at least twenty minutes before or after dosing with homeopathic medication. Should you need to take more than one remedy at a time, leave a gap of five minutes before taking the second remedy.
Frequency of Dosing:
This can vary enormously. A rule of thumb is the more acute the condition, the more frequently the remedy may be taken so, for example, if you were dosing for a bee-sting, the remedy could be taken every 15 to 30 minutes initially to deal with the acutely painful symptoms, then the frequency gradually reduced until the symptoms improved. Many homeopathic practitioners suggest taking one dose and waiting for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lapses significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated daily; and, in many situations, one dose a fortnight (or less) is sufficient. If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy. Once the desired results have been obtained, stop taking the medication. It is not necessary to take it until the bottle is empty. Prolonged use of a remedy, well after it is needed, could end up aggravating the condition.