Basic Info on Homeopathy

Here's some info I got from http://nccam.nih.gov about the subject:

"The term homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos, meaning suffering or disease. Homeopathy is an alternative medical system. Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory and practice, and often have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. A Homeopathy takes a different approach from conventional medicine. Medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses in diagnosing, classifying, and treating medical problems.

Key concepts of homeopathy include:

Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.

Treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that, according to homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses.

Treatment in homeopathy is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other factors."

Homeopathy Explained

Homeopathy is a form of medicine based on the law of similars, according to the National Center for Homeopathy's Web site. Homeopathy attempts to stimulate the body to recover on its own and uses a person's symptoms to treat an illness. Laws governing the practice of homeopathy vary throughout the USA.

Homeopathic medicines are drug products that may be made from plants such as aconite, dandelion, plantain; from minerals such as iron phosphate, arsenic oxide, sodium chloride; from animals such as the venom of a number of poisonous snakes, or the ink of the cuttlefish; or even from chemical drugs such as penicillin or streptomycin.

"Homeopathy is a very safe and very effective way to choose to work with your body's healing," Sue Smith said. "Its goal is to stimulate the body to heal itself."

Smith of Ridgeland was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and choose homeopathy to treat it.

"I didn't know too much about homeopathy before my cancer was diagnosed," she said.
After her doctor diagnosed her and discouraged her from seeking natural healing, she made the decision.

"I was working in the health industry and dealing with supplements and I made the decision myself to go naturally," she said. "I did have help from a friend who's a naturopathic in Arkansas."

She said after nine months on a "full-blown" homeopathic regimen of natural medicines specifically suited for her body, the malignancy was gone.

Her treatment was specific to her body and the natural elements. The selection of any homeopathic remedy is made on the totality of the symptoms presented by a patient.

"It's not a universal treatment," she said.

Smith said now her body is stronger. When people ask her about homeopathy, she tells them her experience.

"People choose different ways of taking care of themselves and some people are not interested in going totally naturally," she said. "I make suggestions according to what they tell me and make referrals if they are open to it."