What is homeopathy?

In homeopathy, a substance that causes certain symptoms in a healthy person is said to cure someone who has developed similar symptoms as a result of disease. For example, arsenic is a common homeopathic remedy for diarrhoea and food poisoning.

Stimulating self-healing
Symptoms such as a sore throat or vomiting are seen as a sign that the body’s self-healing powers are fighting infection. Homeopathic medicines are designed not to suppress symptoms but to boost the body’s ‘vital force,’ or self-healing ability.

Despite using plant, animal and mineral substances that in full-strength would be toxic, homeopathic remedies are completely safe because they are diluted thousands of times over until there are only a few molecules left, if any at all, of the original substance. Nevertheless, homeopaths believe that sufficient ‘likeness’ remains to stimulate self-healing processes.

Hippocrates, the ‘father of medicine’, outlined the principle of ‘like curing like’ in the 5th century BC, but it was more or less forgotten until a German physician, Dr Samuel Hahnemann, rediscovered the principle in the 1790s. He dosed himself with quinine and found it produced the symptoms of malaria. The more he diluted the solution to make it safe, the stronger the response.

In 1810, Dr Hahnemann published his theory of homeopathy, from the Greek homoios (same) and pathos (suffering), and went on to test other substances such as arsenic and to use them as cures.

Fit for a queen
Hahnemann’s ideas spread from Germany throughout Europe to Asia and the Americas, and it became extremely fashionable in Britain. The first homeopathic hospital opened in 1850 and Queen Adelaide, consort to William IV, was the first of many members of the Royal Family to consult a homeopathic doctor. This Royal backing helps explain homeopathy’s inclusion when the NHS was founded in 1948.

How does it work?
Hahnemann noticed that his patients got worse before improving. To reduce side effects, or ‘aggravations,’ he developed the ‘Law of Potentisation’, repeatedly diluting doses in the belief that the weaker the remedy, the more potent its ability to trigger the ‘vital force.’