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How does Homeopathy work?
Homeopathic remedies trigger the body's ability to heal itself by stimulating a precise reaction in the body against the symptoms.
The body naturally reacts against attempts to make it behave differently. So homeopaths give a medicine (called a remedy) which in healthy people is able to cause a set of symptoms which are the same as the symptoms being treated in the patient. When the body reacts against the remedy it reacts against the symptoms too, and the patient gets better.

What are the key homeopathic principles?
What will cause symptoms in a healthy person will trigger the cure of a sick person with those symptoms (like cures like).

All the patient's symptoms need to be taken into account when choosing a medicine (totality of symptoms). Only one remedy should be given at a time in order to avoid confusion about what is happening. The dosage should be the smallest that will work
Symptoms are part of a continuous process of change and indicate movement towards greater health or illness (law of cure)

What are the key benefits of Homeopathy?
Homeopathy uses the body's own healing mechanisms, so there are no side effects or rebound effects. Homeopathy speeds up the process of recovery. Homeopathy does not force the body to do anything, so its action is as gentle as possible. Homeopathy is based on full and detailed records of the case and its progress

How long will homeopathic treatment take?
This depends on how chronic (long lasting) the illness is. A person who has had a chronic problem (e.g. an under-functioning thyroid) for a long time, will take several months, sometimes years to regain good or even total health. Acute problems, such as food poisoning, injuries, burns etc. may be helped within a few hours or even within seconds.

What happens when I see a homeopath?
During the first consultation the homeopath will take a detailed history of the case. The more details you are willing to share about your health, your lifestyle, your likes and dislikes and your emotions, the easier it becomes for her/him to find the right remedy for you.

Is it safe for children/babies/pregnant women?
Yes, homeopathic remedies use the body's own healing process, and so they do not force the body and do not have any side-effects.

Is there any evidence for homeopathy?
Yes, there is lots of evidence both historic and modern, in the form of randomized control trials (RCTs), meta-analyses of trials, outcome studies, in-vitro (test-tube) research and - most of all - clinical observations and records.

Will homeopathy work for any illness?
Yes, but with the following restrictions. If organ damage is so severe that it cannot be reversed, but homeopathy may be able to palliate the symptoms. If surgery is needed (e.g. as the result of an accident), but homeopathic remedies can greatly assist the healing process and are used in many German hospitals for this purpose, and in some UK hospitals too.

If there is a "maintaining cause" that does not allow the body to heal itself, such as poor diet or living conditions, or continual exposure to the triggering effects of an allergen (such as wheat or dairy products for many people). In these cases it may be necessary to remove the problem at least temporarily until the person has recovered enough to be unaffected by it.

If the symptoms of the illness are regularly suppressed by conventional medicine (e.g. period problems suppressed by the pill or problems suppressed by steroids).

Will homeopathy work with conventional medicine?
Yes, homeopathy can work well with conventional medicine. However, it is essential that your homeopath is aware of any conventional medication you take, whether prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter, including vitamins and other supplements.

There can be conflicts between the two systems of treatment, and so it is important for the homeopath to be able to identify when this is happening. There may come a point when these conflicts mean that you need to decide which treatment you are going to rely on.

At the same time:
No responsible homeopath will ask you to come off your conventional medication without consulting with your GP.

In some cases, where conventional medicine is suppressing a major system of the body (such as steroids and hormone treatments) homeopathic treatment may be more difficult; remedies may have to be given more often or over a longer period of time; or sometimes homeopathy fails to work at all.