Homeopathy Definition: What Is This Alternative Treatment And Does It Really Work?

A basic homeopathy definition states that this form of medicine uses the principle of “like cures like”. Small amounts of substances, that are believed to produce the same symptoms that the patient already exhibits, are used to help relieve those same symptoms.

Homeopathic remedies are generally natural, and are extremely diluted versions of the specific substances mixed with water or alcohol. Through their preparation, the ingredients go through a form of vigorous shaking, which is thought may cause a reaction between the main ingredient and the water to create the remedy. The remedies are usually given in tablet form, though can also be taken as granules, creams, powders and so on.

Homeopathic remedies are not to be confused with herbal remedies – they are two distinct types of alternative medicine.

What Does It Mean To Treat Like With Like?

Homeopaths treat a wide range of conditions based on the homeopathy definition of treating like with like. An example would be to treat someone who was allergic to pollen with a diluted version of the pollen prepared into a remedy. Or an extract of raw onion could be used to treat illnesses with the symptoms of watery, red eyes (such as colds and flu).

There is no “one size fits all” remedy in homeopathy. Every remedy is prepared according to the exact symptoms of the individual patient.

What Are The Benefits and Risks Involved With These Treatments?

Homeopathy was first devised with a major benefit in mind: to avoid treatments that created unpleasant side effects and to work on healing the body in less harsh ways. Many people turn to homeopathy when they feel conventional medicine produces unwanted side effects, or when they are looking for new avenues after having failed to cure their condition by other means.

Despite the perceived benefits there are some risks with homeopathy. As the homeopathy definition states, this is an alternative medicine which means that it hasn’t been tested as much as conventional methods. The main complaint is that symptoms get worse before they get better, though homeopaths state that this is a necessary part of the treatment.

In general there are few risks, since remedies may not even contain any of the active ingredient. If they do, it’s extremely diluted. However, some homeopaths may advise against taking some forms of conventional medicine, which could put your health at risk.

Does Homeopathy Work?

So far research has failed to prove that homeopathy cures illness, and many studies state that it simply works as a placebo. Anecdotal evidence may show that it works for a range of illnesses, but there is poor scientific evidence to back this up.

Understanding the homeopathy definition gives you some insight into whether this treatment is right for you, but there are no guarantees that it will do anything at all to help. If you wish to try it, make sure you choose your homeopath carefully after looking at their background and certifications.

Alternative Herbal Medicine: What Is It And Should You Use It?

Alternative herbal medicine makes use of plants or plant extracts to treat a huge range of ailments, conditions, complaints and diseases. Some herbal medicines are more mainstream than others, but it’s safe to say that the vast majority of us have tried a herbal remedy in our life. In fact, even some conventional medicines make use of active ingredients from plants, including aspirin.

More and more conventional doctors are now using a range of herbal medicine to complement existing drugs. In this case, herbal remedies are collectively known as “complementary medicine”. When the use of herbal remedies goes against conventional medical practice, it’s known as “alternative medicine”.

Popular Herbal Remedies

Some herbal remedies have become so popular that you can buy the treatments in most pharmacies alongside more conventional over the counter medicine. Here are a few examples (note, just because these are common does not mean they are safe for everyone to use):

St. John’s Wort: This is a popular remedy for mild depression. Studies are still inconclusive when it comes to other depressive illness.

Ginger: Ginger has long been used to treat feelings of nausea and vomiting. It can be taken in the form of tablets, or chewable candied ginger.

Eucalyptus: This is commonly inhaled to ease congestion during a cold or when suffering from allergies.

Aloe Vera: Used to reduce inflammation from burns and sunburn.

Cayenne: Often used to aid metabolism and help treat diarrhea.

The Benefits Of Herbal Medicine

There are a number of reasons why people may opt for herbal remedies over conventional medicine. These include:
* Natural – many people prefer to use 100% natural treatments, believing them to be healthier overall.
* Chemical-free – following from the point above, using herbal remedies helps to avoid the use of chemicals,
* Easy to prepare – certain remedies are extremely easy to prepare, such as raw garlic to boost the immune system,
* Cost – herbal remedies are often cheaper (though not always),
* Abundance – certain herbal remedies may be widely available in your area,
* Last resort – you may have tried everything else. Herbal remedies give you a new range of opportunity to cure your condition.

Is Alternative Herbal Medicine Always Safe?

Despite the fact that alternative herbal medicine may use ingredients from nature, this doesn’t mean that they’re always safe! A number of natural ingredients can have unwanted side effects when taken on their own. And those that may seem safe alone could have negative interactions with other medicines or herbal remedies that you’re already taking, or may not be safe to take if you’re pregnant. That’s why it’s just as important to understand the side effects in herbal medicine as it is with any other medicine.

Another reason why doctors may be hesitant to recommend herbal remedies is due to the fact that they may not have gone through the same rigorous testing as more conventional medicine. A number of herbal remedies have been tested, but not to the same degree as conventional medicine. And, if your herbal practitioner recommends you forego conventional treatment from your doctor, you should always be wary.

In short, there are a number of benefits to using alternative herbal medicine – if studies have shown them to help, and if you take them under the advice of an expert who knows of any possible side effects and conflicts with other medication.