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[[File:Homeopathy.png|thumb|350px|left|Homeopathic Medicine]]
Homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine, is a medical philosophy and practice based on the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. Homeopathy was founded in the late 1700s in Germany and has been widely practiced throughout Europe. Homeopathic medicine views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health.
==Background==
Homeopathy is based on a rule of nature called the Law of Similars. This law states that "like cures like," or that a medicine can cure a sick person if it can cause a similar sickness in a healthy person. For instance, if you peel an onion, your eyes burn, itch and water. You might also have a runny nose and begin to sneeze. If you had similar symptoms during a cold or allergy attack, such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, a homeopathic micro-dose of the remedy Allium cepa (red onion) would help your body heal itself.<br>
The homeopath regards symptoms as the body’s healthy attempt to restore itself to balance. That is why a homeopath will choose a remedy that supports the symptoms—rather than opposing them or suppressing them as in conventional medicine. In conventional medicine, a cold or hayfever sufferer is given an antihistamine to dry up the runny nose and watery eyes artificially. But this medication often comes with unpleasant side effects like sleepiness and constipation. With the correct homeopathic remedy, however, there are no side effects and a person is restored to health naturally. 
Homeopathy also recognizes that each person exhibits his or her disease in a unique and slightly different way. That is why two people with the same disease will not necessarily receive the same homeopathic remedy. A cold sufferer with a stopped up nose and dry eyes would receive a different remedy than one with a runny nose and watering eyes. Unlike the “one size fits all” approach to prescribing often used in conventional medicine, a homeopath chooses a remedy that matches the unique symptom profile of the individual. Conventional medicine seeks to control illness through the regular use of medications; if the medicine is withdrawn, the person’s symptoms return. For example, the daily use of drugs for asthma (or any chronic disease for that matter) alleviates the symptoms but does not cure the underlying problem. In homeopathy the ideal is that a person needs just enough of the homeopathic remedy to stimulate their healing response. In other words, homeopathy seeks to cure a person so that they do not need any medications—homeopathic or otherwise.
==History==
The Law of Similars has been documented since at least the time of Hippocrates (ca. 400 B.C.), but it is Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German doctor and chemist, who is credited with founding homeopathy. He discovered the truth of the Law of Similars by testing small doses of medicine on himself.
By 1900, about twenty percent of doctors in the United States were homeopaths, but due to various political and social changes, homeopathy became relatively unknown in the US until recently. There is wider acceptance of homeopathy in such countries as France, Germany, Mexico, Argentina, India and Great Britain. In fact, the family doctor to England's Queen Elizabeth is a homeopathic physician. In fact, the World Health Organization estimate that it is currently practiced by over 500 million people worldwide.
==The 4 Homeopathic Principles==
Homeopathy has 4 principles that are its foundation. They remain unchanged over the last 200 years as their truth is demonstrated through successful treatment of the sick.
*The cornerstone principle is Similia Similbus Curentur, "Let likes cure likes" Homeopathy actually derives its name from the Greek, homoeo='similar', and pathos='suffering'. Through research and practice Hahnemann verified cure through the use of similars. A substance that can produce disease in a healthy person is used to elicit a healing response in someone presenting with a similar disease. Each person shows symptoms of the body/mind/spirit when they are sick. Some of these symptoms are common to that sickness, others are characteristic of that person in their sickness. The homeopathic practitioner matches the symptom picture of the homeopathic remedy to the symptom picture of the person, with particular attention paid to those symptoms which are unique to the individual.
*The second principle of homeopathy is The Single Remedy. Only one homeopathic remedy is given at any one time. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain the action of multiple homeopathic remedies given all at once. The response of the vital force would be unpredictable and ambiguous. Though Hahnemann experimented with this approach he abandoned it as unsatisfactory.
*The third principle of homeopathy is The Minimum Dose. This refers to the infinitesimal doses of medicine given as well as to the repetition of dose only when necessary. Drugs given to individuals in material doses frequently cause side effects or adverse reactions. To curtail this problem, the homeopath administers the smallest possible dose so as to maximize beneficial effects and minimize side effects. Repetition of dose is determined by the individual's response to the remedy. Unnecessary repetition may lessen the response, even to the correct remedy. In homeopathy, less is better.
*The fourth principle of homeopathy is The Potentized Remedy. Homeopathic remedies, though made from natural substances such as plants, minerals, animals, etc., are manufactured unlike any other medicine. Through a process of serial dilution a very dilute extract is made. With every step of dilution the remedy is vigorously shaken-succussed. This process of succussion is designed to arouse the dynamic nature of the medicine. To affect the vital force, a similarly energetic, homeopathic remedy must be employed.
==Consitutional Types==
“Like can cure like.” The core understanding of homeopathy is that by causing the body to produce the symptoms of dis-ease, can actually cancel out and heal the body of the original unwanted dis-ease and symptoms. Many of these remedies by themselves are poisonous, but the method in which they are diluted and prepared assures that no harm is done to the client. The irony here is that these remedies actually work better when they are further diluted to such fractional potencies, to the point that the remedy only remains in trace amounts. This is what seems to be somewhat puzzling to most when they begin to research the field of homeopathy and they seem to always ask, “How can this work?” The theory is that the body’s natural healing powers, or the vital force will keep a person healthy as long as it is not disturbed. When the vital force is disturbed, then the person is more prone to dis-ease and dis-harmony. The purpose of the symptoms are to alert you and bring the body into harmony with the vital force, and therefore, by introducing a remedy, which produces a similar symptom can allow the body to shift back into balance and harmony.

So, how do we decide which remedy will be beneficial for the client? Your client may need several possible remedies. Typically, for more chronic conditions, a remedy will be selected by assessing the client’s constitutional type. The assessment will include several factors such as physical appearance, personality, fears, food preferences and reaction to stimuli. The following are a brief description of the 15 major constitutional types.

1) [[Argentum Nitricum]] is a silver compound, poisonous and found in acanthite and is used primarily for nervousness and problems with digestion, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Characteristic types include a prematurely aged body and experiences with nervous sweats; weakness in the nerves, mucous membranes, and on the left side of the body; extroverted and anxious personality; enjoys sweet and salty foods but not cold foods; fears heights, crowds, failure and death; feels better in cool, fresh air and worse in warm conditions and at night.
 
2) [[Arsenicum Album]] is arsenic oxide, poisonous and found in arsenopyrite, is used to combat anxiety and fear, as well as digestive disorders, and matches best with the following constitutional type: These types possess a thin body frame with delicate features; weakness in heart, skin, liver, stomach; personality is type “A” perfectionist with intolerance for differing opinions; likes sweet and sour foods, fatty foods, coffee and alcohol; fears poverty, darkness and food poisoning; prefers warm climates and feels worse in cold weather and from cold foods.
 
3) [[Calcium Carbonicum]] comes from the calcium carbonate found in oyster shells and is used to alleviate joint and bone pain and to slow bone and teeth development, as well as combating fear and anxiety, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Physically overweight and lacking energy, with thick hair; weak areas include bones, skin, glands, and ear/nose/throat; possessing a quiet, sensitive nature and always trying to avoid receiving attention, they do not sleep well; prefers sweet, sour and starchy foods, ice cream, but not milk or coffee; fears darkness and death, insanity and poverty; feels better late in the morning and in dry weather, and worse in the cold and springtime.
 
4) [[Graphite]] is used to aid skin problems, ulcers and imbalances in metabolism and works best with the following type: Pale and dry skin with dark hair, generally overweight; weak areas include skin, mucous membranes, metabolism; the personality traits include irritability, lethargy and self-pity; preferences for sour food and beer, but not for sweet or salty foods; fears death and insanity; they feel better with ample sleep and after eating, and away from brightness, worse in cold weather and in the morning and evening. 
 
5) [[Ignatia]] is a remedy made from seeds of Ignatia amara, which contain the poison strychnine, is used for emotional problems and grief, as well as coughs, sore throat and headaches, and matches best with the following constitutional type: These types are usually dark-haired women who exhibit frequent yawns and blinking; weakness comes from the nervous system and a difficulty dealing with deep emotions; they are very sensitive but have difficulty expressing emotions; food preferences include dairy and bread and sour foods, but not sweet foods, fruit and alcohol; fears include crowds, loss of control and emotional pain; they feel better after eating and in warm temperatures, worse from cold air, exposure to tobacco and during emotional stress.
 
6) [[Lachesis]] comes from the venom of the Bushmaster snake, and is used for circulatory problems, wound repair and menopause symptoms, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Physical tendencies include both medium-built or overweight redheads and slender brunettes, with plenty of energy; weak areas include blood circulation, nervous system and female reproductive organs; personalities tend to exhibit jealousy and have difficulty maintaining relationships and like to disagree with others; foods preferred include sour and starchy foods and alcohol, but not wheat products and hot drinks other than coffee; fears of water, poison and suffocation; they feel better in fresh air, from cold drinks and following a bowel movement, but worse from direct sunlight and heat, hot drinks and from tight clothing.
 
7) [[Lycopodium]] is an herb used for digestive disorders, kidney and bladder problems, enlarged prostate and emotional insecurity, and works best with the following type: Physically tall and slender, with premature gray hair or baldness; weakness is in the liver, kidneys and bladder, prostate, brain, skin and lungs, as well as the digestive organs; these types have low self esteem, appear disciplined but have weakness for sweets and infidelity and avoid deep relationships; they enjoy sweet and fatty foods, cabbage and onions and hot foods; fears solitude, crowds, failure and death; they feel better while active, in cool temperatures and fresh air, at nighttime and in loose fitting clothing, worse in the early morning and late afternoon and in tight clothing.
 
8) [[Mercurius Solubilis]] is made from mercury found in the stone Cinnabar and is poisonous, is used for throat, mouth and eye conditions, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Generally with light colored hair and a pinched nose, and a facial expression which hides any inner problems; the personality tends to be anxious and needing order and stability, they are cautious with others and are very sensitive to criticism; food preferences include bread, cold drinks and lemon, but not sweet and salty foods, and meat or alcohol; fears include insanity and death and for the health of their family; they feel better after adequate rest and in moderate temperatures, worse during temperature changes and at night.
 
9) [[Natrium Muriaticum]] comes from sodium chloride found in rock salt and is used to aid with emotional problems stemming from suppressed feelings, colds and migraine headaches, and works best with the following type: Physically stocky or pear-shaped build with brown hair and shiny skin; weak areas include the blood, muscles, digestive system, skin and mind; their personality is a serious demeanor, honest, idealistic and inflexible by nature; preferred foods include sour food and beer, as well as milk and starchy foods but with a tendency to have difficulty with digesting these foods, but they do not like chicken or coffee; fears include death, emotional pain, crowds, being tardy and failure; they feel better with fresh air and sleeping in a firm bed, worse in the morning, in warm conditions and from overexertion.
 
10) [[Nux Vomica]] is extracted from seeds of the tree of the same name and is very poisonous, and is used to help with insomnia and digestive problems, as well as with colds, and works best with the following type: Physically slender and intense, with a sharp fashion sense; weak areas are the stomach, liver, lungs, nerves and bowels; they have type “A” personalities and are energetic and success oriented; preferences are for fatty foods, alcohol and coffee; they fear business failure, death and crowds; feel better in warm conditions and in the evening, worse in cold weather and in around noise.
 
11) [[Phosphorous]] is an abundant mineral used naturally in the bones and bodily fluids and is used to help with fear and anxiety, respiratory and digestive problems, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Physically tall and slender with pale skin, they are typified by colorful clothing; weaknesses includes lungs, liver, circulation, nervous system and digestive organs; personalities are generally optimistic and need to be the center of attention; preferred foods include salty, spicy and sweet foods, ice cream and wine, but do not like fish or fruits; fears include darkness and solitude, water and death; they feel better in colder temperatures and when well rested and feel worse in mornings and evenings and when mentally and physically tired.
 
12) [[Pulsatilla]] is an herbal remedy used to aid depression, digestive problems and gynecological problems, and works best with the following type: Typically having fair skin and hair with blue eyes and slightly overweight; weaknesses in the stomach, veins, bowels and bladder; they play the peacemaker role, with difficulty expressing anger and not assertive; preference for rich and sweet foods, while disliking spicy and fatty foods; fear the dark, death, solitude and crowds; they feel better in fresh air, but worse in the heat and in the evening.
 
13) [[Sepia]] comes from the ink of Cuttlefish, a relative of squid, and is used for exhaustion and gynecological problems, and works best with the following type: Physically tall and slender with dark hair and eyes, usually women but some men fit the type; weaknesses are in the skin, circulation and female reproductive organs; they feel comfortable in public but not in private, and have strong opinions; they enjoy sweet and sour foods and alcohol, but not milk; fears include solitude, poverty and insanity; they feel better in fresh air in a warm environment and with plenty of exercise, but not well in the early morning and evening.
 
14) [[Silica]] is found throughout nature and is a remedy used for undernourishment, nervous system and skin problems, and matches best with the following constitutional type: These types are petite with fine hair and have a neat appearance; weaknesses include the nervous system, skin, bones and glands; they are very determined and conscientious about their duties, but lack leadership and strength; foods preferred are cold foods, salads and ice cream, and they dislike meat, cheese and warm foods; they fear sharp objects and physical exertion; they feel better in warm climates and worse in cold.
 
15) [[Sulfer]] is a mineral found through the body and is used to aid digestion, stress and skin problems, and matches best with the following constitutional type: Physical characteristics are either overweight and red-faced or lean with bad posture, and with messy appearances; weaknesses exist in the skin, feet, and circulation; personality type is strong willed and eager to argue; they prefer sweet, spicy and sour foods and alcohol, but dislike dairy and hot drinks; they fear heights and business failure; they feel better in dry, warm climates and from exercise, but worse in the late morning and from standing too long.

In acute cases, such as a client who comes to you with a cold or indigestion, homeopathic remedies will work quickly and effectively. In such acute cases, it is not necessary to know the constitutional type. On the other hand, when dealing with chronic illnesses, such as arthritis or other recurrent, long-term, degenerative conditions, a constitutional remedy is most helpful. In both cases, we have to study the whole person in order to find the imbalance, which has triggered the dis-ease. Constitutional remedies ensure that the remedies act as efficiently as possible to allow the client heal on a very deep level.