CHAPTER 10: HOMEOPATHY

Question 1

what is homeopathy

Answer 1

homeo = same pathy = suffering/disease
- Homeopathy is a holistic and natural system of healing that aims to prevent illness as well as treat it
- based on the idea that “like cures like”

Question 2

who invented homeopathy

Answer 2

Samuel Hahnemann
- in the 18th/19th century

Question 3

history of homeopathy

Answer 3

• began to dilute substances such as herbs, minerals, and animal extracts in an alcohol–water solution
• more he diluted, less side effects
• shaking is necessary: releases stores of vital energy

Question 4

3 essential principles of homeopathy

Answer 4

1. The principle of similars: Like cures like
2. The principle of infinitesimal dose: The more diluted the dose, the more potent its curative effects.
3. The principle of specificity of the individual: If the remedy is to cure, it must
   match the symptom profile of the patient.

Question 5

what do homeopaths believe

Answer 5

Homeopaths believe that the energy or vibrational pattern
from a homeopathic substance that is contained in the solution stimulates healing by activating the vital force,

Question 6

what forms do remedies come in

Answer 6

tablets, powders, wafers and liquids in an alcohol based
- found as over the counter products
- allows for self treatment of minor conditions (flu, headache, sore throat)

Question 7

mother of tincture

Answer 7

occasionally shaken and strained
- diluted by a factor of 10 (2x), then again by a factor of 10 (3x) and again by a factor of 10 (4x)
- more potent, more dilute
- high diluting scales, can go up to 30C
- extraction of a suitable source, namely plant or animal substance material

Question 8

example: a 4C solution

Answer 8

some solutions are diluted by 100 at each stage and use a C scale
4C solution (C = roman numeral 100)

one part of mother tincture is diluted with 99 parts of water
- dilution factor is the 100 or a 1C remedy
- repeatedly diluted by a factor of 100, leadign to 2C,3C and 4C solutions

Question 9

if homeopathy is given to a not sick person what happens

Answer 9

if they are well = the substances are supposed to cause ilness

given dilated doses to a sick person = substances are thought to cure illness

ex. treating someone with diarrhea
instead of giving them substances that cause constipation would give a minute dose of a substance that in a stronger preparation would CAUSE diarrhea

Question 10

how safe are homeopathic remedies

Answer 10

• generally safe, unlikely to cause severe side effects
• no adverse effects from alcohol levels
• not found to interfere with conventional drugs

Question 11

health conditions treated by homeopathy

Answer 11

headache
sore throat
cough
digetsive disorders
fever
sleep disturbances
measles
shingles

Question 12

arsenicum album

Answer 12

targets: anxiety disorders and panic attacks, chrons disease, influenza
- dilution of arsenic made from seperation of metals

Question 13

5 essential steps to prescribe remedy

Answer 13

1. note the symptoms
2. look up the symptoms
3. decide which remedy is appropriate
4. decide dosage and how often to repeat
5. evaluate results

Question 14

what does the whole person should be studied mean

Answer 14

• temperament, personality, emotional and physical responses before prescribing a homeopathic remedy
• genetic, personal health history and body type should be considered

Question 15

usage of homeopathy

Answer 15

• approx 3.9 million adults
• 900,000 children in the past year
• increase to 5.04 million adults
• overall RISING

Question 16

what does the NCCIH say about homeopathy

Answer 16

• difficult to study using current research, not enough evidence for any condition

Question 17

freeman and lawlis

Answer 17

studies to determine weather homeopathy was significantly better than the placebo effect

Question 18

meta analysis of the studies on allergies and dust mites showed that

Answer 18

homeopathic remedies were reported to be more effective than placebo

Question 19

homeopathic materia medica

Answer 19

book that lists remedies, and exhaustive lists of symptoms associated with those remedies

Question 20

homeopathic licence and certification

Answer 20

none in the states
- often liscenced as a MD or osteopathic and allowed to employ homeopathy within their practice

Question 21

specificity of the individual

Answer 21

poorer the match of symptoms = lower the dilution (more medication is given)

more precise the match = higher the dilution (less substance is actually given)

Question 22

unqiue symptoms should be exploited through the

Answer 22

law of similars

• ex. cold example

Question 23

in homeopathy a key premise is that:

Answer 23

every person has energy called a vital force or self healing response
- when this energy is distributed, or imbalanced health problems develop

Question 24

regulation in ontario

Answer 24

1869: deregulated
1970: re regulated
2015: regulated again, not nationally

Question 25

organon of medicine: homeopathy book by samuel hahnemann

Answer 25

• revised only by him and after he died made a clause that no one can edit it after him
• biased towards his point of view and not updated science