Homeopathy is a method of treatment from alternative medicine, the main features of which were published as early as 1796 by the German physician and writer Samuel Hahnemann.
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is a method of treatment from alternative medicine, the main features of which were published as early as 1796 by the German physician and writer Samuel Hahnemann. The basis of homeopathy is Hahnemann’s assumption that similar things are cured by similar things, by which he meant that an effective medicine causes similar symptoms in healthy people as the disease it is able to cure. Numerous self-experiments and experiments by others had preceded this realization. The second important principle of homeopathy is potentization, i.e. the finest dilution of medicines, which, according to Hahnemann, not only helps to reduce side effects, but also allows the power of the active ingredients to really unfold. To this day, homeopathy is a popular healing method of alternative medicine and is used against a wide range of disease symptoms.
Function, effect and goals
The list of diseases that can be treated by homeopathy is very long. Whether anemia, exhaustion, mental disorders, cystitis or hemorrhoids: There is hardly an ailment for which homeopathy does not have an antidote. Homeopathy is also used in the field of positive behavioral change, for example, it supports smoking cessation or weight loss. As a rule, even several homeopathic preparations are recommended against one and the same ailment. This is because, according to the rules of homeopathy, it is necessary to find the exact remedy, which depends not only on the particular disease, but also on the constitution and temperament of the patient. In total, homeopathy has more than 250 individual active ingredients of mineral, animal or plant origin, which are used in different potencies depending on the area of application. In homeopathy, a basic distinction is made between low potencies (D 6 – D 12), medium potencies (D 13 – D 30) and high potencies (over D 30). For explanation: the respective number means the number of zeros of the respective degree of dilution. In a potency D 6, the active ingredient is thus diluted in a ratio of 1: 1,000,000. Low potencies are used in homeopathy mainly for clearly physical complaints. If the remedies are to have an effect on the physical and mental level, the medium potencies are recommended according to the rules of homeopathy. For a purely subtle effect, homeopathy uses high potencies, the correct selection and application of which requires a lot of tact. Depending on whether it is an acute or chronic condition, the frequency of use also changes, the possible range of which can range from once an hour to once a day. Preparations from the field of homeopathy are taken as globules (small balls), tablets, drops or subcutaneous injections (injection under the skin). For external treatment according to the principles of homeopathy, remedies are also available in ointment form. Those who are not sure which remedy is best in which form and potency should definitely ask an expert, as self-treatment with homeopathy is not so easy.
Side effects and dangers
Serious side effects are not to be expected with homeopathy. An exception is the so-called first worsening, a short-term intensification of the symptoms of the disease, which is, however, desired in homeopathy, because it indicates the beginning of the healing process. However, it is not advisable to take only slightly diluted mother tinctures (up to potency D 4), which no longer fall under homeopathy in the narrower sense, since the active ingredients are still chemically detectable. The dosage form of homeopathic remedies may also involve a risk that should be known: In drop form, the preparations usually contain alcohol, so should not be taken by children or alcoholics. The main danger of homeopathy lies in the timely recognition of its limitations. Anyone who tries to treat acutely life-threatening illnesses such as a stroke or heart attack with homeopathy may thereby miss valuable time.Also, in the case of severe infections or diseases accompanied by very high fever, one should not dare to experiment with homeopathy, but should go into the hands of a doctor. The same applies to all unclear complaints that persist for a long time and do not improve noticeably even with homeopathy.
