Homeopathy
In recent years, you will have noticed the arrival of several new so-called natural healing or preventive techniques. Homeopathy, which dates back to the 1800s, is still new to many people. The sale of homeopathic products in pharmacies and the massive influx of homeopaths have increased the popularity of this alternative medicine.
In 1796, the German physician Samuel Hahnemann introduced this therapeutic method, which involves treating patients with remedies capable of producing symptoms in the patient similar to those of the disease to be combated. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's own defense reactions, so that it can fight the pathogenic agent. It is mainly used to treat illnesses caused by organ malfunction.
The following example illustrates the principle of homeopathy. A large quantity of ipecac (a plant from the Rubiaceae family) triggers nausea, vomiting and increased saliva. Small doses of ipecac in homeopathic dilutions will relieve a person suffering from the same complaints, caused, for example, by indigestion or motion sickness.
As in the illustration above, the drug used to treat the health problem is chosen according to the symptoms, not the disease, and is based on the application of the principle of similarity between the toxic action of a substance and its therapeutic action. We also look at the particular signs a patient displays in the face of a given illness. Following the flu, a person may develop a fever and, at the same time, trigger an outbreak of oral herpes. We'll give you something to combat your herpes too.
Drug manufacturing
The substances used are highly diluted and dynamized, i.e. they are used in infinitesimal quantities (extremely diluted). Medicines are made from substances of mineral, plant or animal origin. Proportioned proportions of the substance and solvent (alcohol) are mixed, shaken, diluted, as many times as necessary to obtain the desired final product. Once these dilutions have been obtained, they are made into granules, liquids or globules.
As with all alternative or other types of medicine, you need to experiment with them to find out if they are right for you. Consult a homeopathic practitioner or ask at a homeopathic store about the different medicines available.