Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle that disease can be cured if a patient is treated with minute quantities of a substance that actually produces symptoms of the disease in a healthy person. Homeopathic medicines are drug products made by homeopathic pharmacies regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States was written into federal law in 1938 under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, making the manufacture and sale of homeopathic medicines legal in this country. Most are available without a prescription and are one of the most widespread forms of alternative medicine in the U.S. today.

Homeopathy was founded by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century. Disillusioned with conventional medical practice and troubled by his inability to provide relief to many of his patients, Dr. Hahnemann abandoned his medical practice and pursued other areas of study. He came across a principle that had been known for centuries that like should be treated by like. Hippocrates had presented this same idea as seen in his famous saying, Similia similibus crantur, or "likes are cured by likes." Hahnemann referred to this principle as the "Law of Similars"; that is, substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can also cure those same symptoms in someone who is sick. Hahnemann further developed this principle into a system of medicine he named homeopathy (from the Greek homeo, which means similar, and pathy, meaning disease). The truth of this law has been verified experimentally and clinically, and been used successfully for the last 200 years.

      There is an important basic difference between conventional medical therapy and homeopathy. In conventional therapy, the aim is usually to control the symptoms of an illness or condition through the regular use of medications. If the medication is stopped, the condition usually returns - there has been no cure. Homeopathy differs in that it stimulates the body's own healing power. In other words, homeopathy heals from the inside out by releasing the toxins that are adversely affecting the body. The focus is on healing the underlying cause of an illness, not just eliminating the symptoms of the illness. The aim of homeopathy is the cure and, as Dr. Hahnemann said, "The complete restoration of perfect health."

      Homeopathic medicines are prepared from plants, minerals, animals, and even from chemical drugs. These substances are carefully diluted over and over again (a process known as "potentiation") until only a little of the original substance remains. Generally speaking, to be considered truly homeopathic, a remedy should have been diluted to 1 part per million. Although such minute quantities of a substance are considered by some skeptics to be no more than placebos, the clinical experience of homeopathy has shown that the infinitesimal dose is not only effective, but that the minute level of the medication can actually strengthen its potency and increase the length of its effectiveness. As for the placebo argument, one need only review the many reported cases and studies about the successful use of homeopathy in treating babies and animals to realize that a cognitive awareness of having taken medicine certainly does not apply in these cases.

      The use of homeopathy requires your active participation. You must be aware of your specific symptoms, then choose the remedy that most closely matches your condition. To obtain the best results and the full benefits of homeopathy, remedies should be taken when you first experience symptoms of illness. Remember, that because these remedies are administered in such small quantities, they are considered safe, non-toxic, and free from side effects. However, since homeopathic healing can sometimes be slow and gentle, you might be tempted to stop the treatment before seeing positive results. The key to homeopathy is to use it consistently until your health and well-being has been restored.

      Please see this additional information on a variety of products available for homeopathic treatment...