Holistic healing

Homeopathy: what is it and how can it work for me?

Homeopathy is a complementary system of medicine with a star-studded following. We take a look at how it works and the evidence behind the claims

Counting David Beckham, Jude Law, Meg Mathews and Jennifer Aniston as fans, not to mention the Queen and other royal family members, homeopathy is a complementary system of medicine with a star-studded following. It’s a system of holistic medicine that has been in worldwide use for over 200 years. The homeopathy definition is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’ – a substance taken in small amounts can cure the same, or similar symptom it causes when taken in a large dose. The practice aims to treat illnesses with preparations made from plants, minerals, metals, body fluids, insects and other materials. These are highly-diluted solutions containing only the very slightest trace of the trigger that is actually causing the illness. Homeopaths believe that these remedies stimulate the body’s own healing processes.

Homeopathy treats each person as a unique individual with the aim of stimulating their own healing ability. You can consult a homeopath, who will select the most appropriate complementary medicine based on the patient’s specific symptoms and personal level of health. This means that each patient receives an individualised homeopathic treatment.

Homeopathy can be used as a traditional medicine to treat both acute and chronic conditions in old and young people, including babies and pregnant women, and there’s even homeopathy for dogs. Homeopathic treatment is most often taken in homeopathic tablets and can be safely used alongside conventional medicine, although it’s best to inform your GP of everything you’re consuming so that they’re aware. Homeopathy adverse effects can occur, but this is dependent on what health condition you’re looking to cure.

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy centres around remedies given to treat a patient and trigger their own system of healing. Their manufacture involves repeated dilution and succussion (a specific form of vigorous shaking). The raw extracts (from plants of animals) or triturations (from minerals and salts) are made into a ‘tincture’ with alcohol. This is then diluted with water and succussed many times, often to the point where we would expect there to be no molecules of the original substance left.The truth is – no one actually knows for sure how it works. “Science cannot yet explain the precise mechanism of action of homeopathic medicine,” says Zofia Dymitr, chairwoman of The Society of Homeopaths. “However, research has demonstrated that ultra-high dilutions are able to cause biological effects. For example, the hormone thyroxine prepared as a homeopathic dilution can slow down the metamorphosis of tadpoles turning into frogs,” she explains.

Is homeopathy a placebo?

Despite being dogged by accusations of quackery by the media, and labelled as everything from placebo to witchcraft, there’s a mounting body of evidence to prove that homeopathy works. If homeopathy really was just a placebo and not a medicine, then we could not explain the existence of positive, high-quality trials. So what can we say about its efficacy? An impressive homeopathy clinical trial example comes from a study published in 2014 that found that homeopathic medicine – when prescribed during treatment – are 1.5-2 times more likely to have a beneficial, specific effect than a placebo.

There was also a dramatic reduction in the leptospirosis infection rate (84 percent) observed in 2007 when the Cuban government – which did not have time to produce vaccines or medicine for the entire population during an epidemic outbreak – gave a homeopathic medicine to 2.3 million people.

One study, led by Dr David Reilly of the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital, found that allergy sufferers given homeopathic treatment were 10 times more likely to be cured than those who had a dummy pill.

Each day for four weeks in a London hospital, 25 patients suffering from nasal allergies received a homeopathic preparation, and 25 received a placebo. Both groups reported feeling better, but there was a marked difference in the group receiving homeopathy, which had a 28 percent improvement in nasal airflow, compared with just three percent of the placebo group. “Dr David Reilly and his team at Glasgow University have conducted four randomised double blind placebo controlled trials, over a period of 18 years, specifically designed to examine the scientific evidence for the hypothesis that any benefits of homeopathy are due to the placebo effect,” says Zofia. “All four trials, involving a total of 252 patients, produced similar, positive results, demonstrating that homeopathy has an effect greater than placebo and that these results are reproducible.”

There are currently 3,000 registered homeopaths in the UK, 7,400 homeopaths who are also qualified doctors, 60 homeopathic vets, four NHS-funded homeopathic hospitals, and 20 homeopathic schools. Registered homeopaths have undertaken rigorous academic and clinical training, are insured, and adhere to a code of ethics.

“During an in-depth case-taking process, a homeopathic practitioner will build up a picture of the patient, taking into account all of their symptoms and how they experience them, before prescribing,” says Zofia. “They will discuss why they’re looking to try the alternative medicine. For example: are they looking to treat a mental health condition such as using homeopathy for depression? Or is it a physical ailment they’re looking to treat such as homeopathy for rheumatoid arthritis?”

It can even be used for lifestyle conditions: for example, homeopathy for weight loss can be applied. “During the case-taking, the practitioner is working to put together a picture of the patient: their personality, likes and dislikes, emotional state and medical history. All of this information is used to match a person with a natural remedy.” adds Zofia. It takes real skill and knowledge to do this – a person must train for four years to become a homeopathy practitioner.

What can homeopathy help?

A homeopathy NHS systematic review included over 6,500 consecutive patients with over 23,000 attendances in a six-year period. 70 percent of follow-up patients reported improved health with 50 percent reporting major improvement. The largest improvements were reported in homeopathy for eczema or childhood homeopathy for asthma attacks.

Success was also found with irritable bowel syndrome and homeopathy for menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. Homeopathy for migraines also found improvements in symptoms .

Since its development over 200 years ago, homeopathy has benefited millions of people, young and old, from all walks of life, in countries all over the world. Research shows that 79 percent of the UK population is open to the idea of homeopathy and 15 percent of the population regularly use it. The thing that unites most of these people is that they have already tried everything that conventional treatment has to offer, yet continue to suffer.

Despite a body of scientific evidence to the contrary, many people vehemently deny the practice is of any use medically whatsoever. It’s perhaps the mystical nature of homeopathy which causes it to be surrounded in controversy. If no one can say for definite why something works, then perhaps it’s simply easier to believe it doesn’t. Nevertheless, its positive results have led to the NHS prescribing homeopathy since 1948, and there are four homeopathic hospitals and numerous NHS-funded clinics, treating thousands of patients each week. And it’s safe to say, while there are people regaining health through this holistic practice, you can rest assured it will continue to enjoy popularity.

Homeopathy for colds

Stay fighting fit this winter and get rid of a common cold quickly, with homeopathic cold remedies and top tips from leading homeopath, Lyndsey Booth.

“We know in layman’s terms that the immune system works by reacting to eliminate foreign factors which pose a threat to bodily functions, such as viruses. Your body needs the exposure to learn the appropriate response or antidote to prepare it in the future. We also need to support our immune system by stimulating it with natural processes which the body can recognise as friendly and helpful with herbs such as echinacea, good nutrition and exercise.

“One thing that is not very popular in homeopathic treatments is the notion to go with the flow of the body. Most people who feel a cold coming on, immediately increase supplements in the hope that it will curtail the inevitable, but the immune system has to learn the lesson of the disease in order to recover from it fully, recognise it next time and disable it.

“In homeopathic terms it actually diverts the energy or the attention of the body from the main attack on the body. By taking such actions it also interrupts the process of the illness and deprives the body of the opportunity to lay down a useful marker in the immune system. When your body starts going down with a cold it does not have the resources or energy to break down and utilise supplements.

“Are you struggling with symptoms such as nasal discharge and a runny nose? There are remedies available when looking for homeopathic drugs for your sinuses or a homeopathic remedy for a sore throat. These are known as ferrum phos and aconite; this type of substance will not stop the progress of the illness but will ease its passage.

“Other popular ingredients used for the treatment of colds in the world of homeopathy are allium cepa, rhus toxicodendron and kali bichromicum.”

Homeopathy for hay fever

It turns out that one in four people has hay fever in the UK, but according to Dr Jacqueline Mardon of Homeopathy UK, homeopathy can help sufferers. “Some swift preventive action may be called for if you’re one of the many sufferers of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. A few doses of Mixed Grass pollens (30c or 200c) – taken about a month before you expect your symptoms to come on – can be very helpful in reducing symptoms. If you are an otherwise healthy person who has a worsening of rhinitis towards the end of June, then this may be due to Timothy Grass pollens, and taking three separate doses at the end of May could be a helpful prevention.”

Homeopathic remedies for IBS

Homeopathy has a proven track record in helping alleviate chronic symptoms of IBS, gastritis and digestive tract issues. A study at Bristol Homoeopathic Hospital showed that over 70 percent of patients with chronic diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, reported positive health changes after treatment. More than 6,500 patients took part in the six-year study with problems such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, migraines, depression and chronic fatigue. Try a homeopathic product or dietary supplement containing an active ingredient, like those listed below, to see if it has an impact on your symptoms.

Arsenicum album

This natural substance suits people who always feel chilly, so much so that even eating cold foods such as ice cream aggravates their stomachs.

Argentum nitricum

This substance can be used for patients that suffer with a lot of very loud and forceful belching or flatulence. Patients can benefit if they struggle with nausea and indigestion associated with nerves or anxiety, especially before a stressful event like a job interview or exam.

Natrum muriaticum

Do you struggle with indigestion after too much starchy food with sour belching and terrible hiccups? Do you also find that you have painful stomach cramps, aggravated by touch? This remedy is beneficial for those who find that their symptoms worsen with strong emotions such as grief or stewing on the past.

Homeopathy courses

Depending on your location, most cities have plenty of homeopathic pharmacies to choose from. If you’re UK-based, there are many homeopathic doctors in London, with the very popular Helios Homeopathy just 30 miles south-east of central London. There’s also London Homeopathic Clinic and Keith Smeaton. If you’re interested in becoming a homeopath yourself, we have lots of advice on setting up your own clinic.