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Home  Tutorials Tutorial 12 - Homeopathy and Other Medicinal Therapies
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Tutorial 12 - Homeopathy and Other Medicinal Therapies |
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What's the Difference?
(Homeopathy and Other Medicinal Therapies)
As discussed in previous tutorials, Homeopathy is a complete medical
system based on the Law of Similars or "like treats like". In this
tutorial, we will look at some of the other medicinal therapies that
are available today and how they compare to homeopathy.
Conventional Medicine (Allopathy)Allopathy is what most people
refer to as 'mainstream' medicine. It uses chemicals manufactured by
drug companies. A common example is Panadol (paracetamol) - a drug used
to reduce fevers. It takes about half an hour for the chemicals of
Panadol to 'kick in' and lower your temperature. Once they leave your
body the fever returns and you have to take another dose. Most of the
medicines you buy from a chemist work this way.
Are there similarities?
Both homeopathy and allopathy try to relieve suffering and restore health.
What is the difference?
Where homeopathy is based on the 'Law of Similars', allopathic drugs
are prescribed according to the 'Law of Opposites'. For example,
chronic diarrhoea is treated by drugs that produce constipation if
given to the healthy - they produce the opposite of the symptom to be
treated. Prescribing in this manner however, only suppresses symptoms
for a short time and never really cures them. As soon as the effect of
the medicine wears off, the problem returns, often in a worse form -
the well-known rebound effect of many conventional drugs.
In contrast, homeopathy uses "similars" to stimulate the body to cure
its own symptoms. Remedies are chosen for their ability to mimic rather
than oppose the symptoms of the unwell person. Chronic diarrhoea, for
example, would be treated with a remedy that produces diarrhoea if
given to a healthy person. This stimulating rather than suppressive
approach triggers a rebound effect from the body that restores health.
Another difference between allopathy and homeopathy is that allopaths
treat different symptoms as different diseases even though they are
occurring in the one person. For example, recurrent migraines and
diarrhoea would be treated with two different allopathic medicines.
Homeopathy would see these problems as part of an overall disorder that
needed to be treated as the one illness, commencing with just one
remedy.
Finally, allopathic medicines are dangerous compared to
homeopathic remedies. Because allopathic medicines are chemically
based, the patient runs the risk of drug interactions and toxic side
effects especially if more than one medicine is prescribed. Homeopathy,
on the other hand, uses safe energetic remedies that do not produce
chemical side-effects, poison, or interact with other medications.
Bach Flower (and Other Flower) Remedies Edward Bach was a
doctor who believed that negative emotions affect our physical health.
In the early 1900s he developed 38 flower remedies to rebalance these
emotions, so the body was free to return to health.
Are there similarities?
Bach Flowers and other flower remedies are similar to homeopathy in
that they are energy medicines - they do not depend on chemicals for
their effects. They are non-toxic and safe from the young to the
elderly, during pregnancy, and even for pets or animals. They have a
similar taste to liquid homeopathic remedies and so are pleasant to use
and easy to take.
What is the difference?Bach "intuited" the emotions
different flowers and plants could treat by the feelings they produced
in him as he walked among them. Because they have not been through
standard homeopathic provings (trials) it is hard to tell whether
flower remedies work by suppressing symptoms through the Law of
Opposites or by curing them through the Law of Similars. Their effects
are weaker and gentler than homeopathic remedies and they have a direct
effect on the emotions. In contrast, homeopathy works on physical and
emotional areas at the same time.
Schuessler's Tissue SaltsTissue salts were prepared in the
1800s by a German homeopath named Schuessler. They are also known as
Biochemic remedies, celloids, or cell salts. Schuessler believed that a
deficiency in one or more of these 12 salts led to disease in the body.
He also felt these salts would be absorbed more easily if prepared as
weak homeopathic potencies.
Are there similarities?
People are often surprised to find that tissue salts are not
supplements but weak homeopathic remedies. The amount of salt left in
each remedy is too small for any nutritional benefit. Tissue salts are
prepared in low potencies (6X or 12X) from the decimal potency scale.
As with all homeopathic remedies, they are non-toxic and safe but they
should be used only when symptoms are present and not repeated
endlessly like a supplement.
What is the difference?
Tissue salts are limited in action compared to other homeopathic
remedies. They are prepared only in low potencies that may not act
deeply enough to impact on the sufferer's chronic disease or
mental-emotional symptoms. Other homeopathic remedies (and there are
thousands) are prepared in numerous potencies that can manage
deep-seated chronic problems as well as simple complaints.
Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation (Nutritional Therapy)Good
nutrition still provides the building blocks to good health. An
inadequate diet, poorly absorbed nutrients, or nutrients depleted by
stress can make us susceptible to infectious diseases, poor healing,
chronic health problems, mood swings and depression.
At these times, artificial supplementation may help but is not a
complete answer. Switching to a nutritious diet, removing stressors and
treating the causes of malabsorption leads to true long-term
improvement. Megadoses of vitamins and minerals only mask the
contributing problem or create new problems by distorting the
biochemistry of the body.
Are there similarities?
Homeopathic treatment includes advice on good nutrition and lifestyle changes to help the body heal.
What is the difference?Supplements only treat illness
superficially. Homeopathy works at a deeper energetic level. In many
instances, poor absorption, health problems, food cravings and
aversions are caused by an imbalance in this energy. This explains why
some people on an adequate diet develop "nutritional" problems while
others do not. In these instances, homeopathy can help where
supplements cannot.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is as old as humanity itself and uses the medicinal
properties of raw plants, or the teas and tinctures prepared from them,
to treat symptoms of disease.
Are there similarities?
Some herbs heal by the "Law of Similars" and some suppress by
"opposites". Those that treat by similars work better if given in
homeopathic potencies. Two examples are: Urtica urens (stinging
nettle), used herbally for allergic eczema and diminished milk flow,
and Cineraria maritima that resolves eye problems such as
conjunctivitis. Both of these herbs treat with greater speed and effect
if given in homeopathic potencies. Many herbalists are unaware of this
homeopathic relationship even though many other examples exist.
What is the difference?While gentler than many
conventional medicines, herbs still have chemical effects that can
poison or interact with conventional drugs. When prepared as
homeopathic potencies they are free of these problems. Another notable
difference is that most herbal remedies taste awful. This makes it
difficult to coax children, and even some adults, into taking their
medicine. In contrast, homeopathic remedies are dispensed as pleasant
tasting sugar pilules or water - yummy indeed!
NaturopathyPeople often ask what the difference is between
naturopathy and homeopathy. Homeopaths are specialists whereas
naturopaths are generalists. Naturopathy is an eclectic practice that
draws from a range of therapies. Originally, naturopathy used
"drugless" lifestyle approaches like diet, exercise, fresh air, pure
water, sunshine, and massage. Today, it may include other therapies
such as herbs, homeopathy, supplements, flower remedies, energy work,
aromatherapy, and more. Each naturopath will have his or her own
preferences for treatment.
Are there similarities?Naturopaths have received
introductory training in homeopathy and can prescribe homeopathic
remedies for simple acute complaints or first aid situations. Unless
they have undertaken further studies in homeopathy, naturopaths are not
qualified to treat long term or chronic problems homeopathically.
What is the difference?
In Australia, a naturopath is taught 'a bit of many things' over a
3-year full-time course (4 years for a bachelor qualification). A
homeopath studies only homeopathy and related subjects in their 3-year
full-time course (4 years for a bachelor). Your homeopath is qualified
to treat the full range of acute and chronic disorders with homeopathy,
while your naturopath is not. The Australian Homeopathic Association
(AHA) and the Australian Register of Homeopaths (AROH) only register
those practitioners who meet government-endorsed standards for
homeopathic competencies and education. These bodies can be contacted
for practitioner searches either directly or via the web.
In ConclusionWhile many of the above therapies are useful
in themselves, none have the breadth and depth of homeopathy. Some
focus only on mental and emotional problems while others deal with just
the physical. Most work by palliation or suppression while some, such
as herbal medicine, may occasionally apply the homeopathic effect by
accident. In contrast, homeopathy can be systematically applied at a
deep energetic level to heal mental, emotional and physical symptoms of
ill-health. Its remedies are non-toxic, do not interact with other
medications, and taste great. Everyone and anyone can use them.
Homeopathy is truly a remarkable system of medicine.
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