What is Homeopathy?

Practices referred to as traditional, complementary, or alternative medicine are medical systems and therapies used to maintain, promote, sustain health, alleviate discomfort, and heal physical and mental illnesses. One of these methods, homeopathy, operates on the principle of "like cures like." It supports the body’s natural healing process. Today, there are ongoing debates regarding how scientific the homeopathic method truly is, and discussions among philosophers of science about whether this discipline qualifies as a science continue.

What is Homeopathy?

According to the World Health Organization, homeopathy is considered an alternative medical method, recognized as a popular and widely used approach.

Developed by the renowned German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, the concept was first introduced by Hippocrates. Today, it is practiced in many countries and continues to gain popularity. The homeopathic method involves administering a very low dose of a substance that, in a high dose, would cause symptoms in a healthy person, with the aim of triggering healing in a patient showing similar symptoms. When used according to its principles, it is a natural, side-effect-free, holistic healing method.

Homeopathy focuses on the patient's personality traits, habits, and various other factors, aiming to address the root cause of the issue causing illness. Instead of suppressing symptoms as in conventional medicine, homeopathy activates the body’s own energy to utilize healing mechanisms directed at the causes of the symptoms.

How Does Homeopathy Work?

How is a Homeopathy Examination Performed?

The classic homeopathic approach consists of two main components: taking an individual case history (anamnesis) and selecting the homeopathic remedy (medicine or cure) that corresponds to the symptoms described by the patient. A detailed case history enables the identification of a person’s symptoms, facilitating the selection of an individualized remedy. Classical homeopaths usually use a single remedy, which is highly diluted, shaken, and rarely combined with another.

The purpose and selection of homeopathic remedies for certain symptoms and signs are determined based on the symptoms, signs, and characteristics they produce in healthy individuals.

How Are Homeopathic Medicines Prepared?

For homeopathic purposes, materials sourced from animals (such as snake and bee venom, dog milk, umbilical cord, cartilage tissue, pus, blood, embryo, etc.), plants, minerals (like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, arsenic, gold), acids (e.g., ascorbic acid, sulfuric acid), salts (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium salts), enzymes (such as Coenzyme A), and synthetic (non-natural) sources can be used. Similar to these substances, vaccine-like homeopathic substances derived from disease-causing agents are sometimes chosen to impact the immune system as part of the treatment. These substances are known as homeopathic remedies. Common applications of homeopathic remedies include:

• Animal Remedies: These remedies are typically preferred when ambition, competition, and attracting attention are significant. The profile of individuals using these remedies often includes those who wear eye-catching clothing, animal-themed accessories, speak quickly and assertively, and may frequently express sentiments like "I jumped at them" or "I will fight them." They are also known to fall in love easily and prefer animal-based foods like meat, fish, and milk.
• Plant Remedies: Homeopathic remedies from plants are preferred in situations rooted in sensitivity and emotional issues. The individuals using these remedies may exhibit signs of heartbreak, favor romantic, floral patterns in their attire, and commonly say things like "this hurts me deeply," or "I can't endure this any longer." These individuals often have interests in arts and music and tend to have a varied diet.
• Mineral Remedies: These are favored in cases of disrupted relationships, repeated failure, bankruptcy, or divorce. Patients who use mineral remedies generally lead organized, structured lives, prefer solid, neutral-colored clothing, and often use phrases like “I” or “mine” in conversation. It has also been noted that they might crave salt, soil, or chalk.
• Other Remedies: This category includes substances from diseased tissues and microorganisms, such as Carcinosinum and Tuberculinum.

Appropriate Remedy Selection

Hahnemann, the developer of the homeopathy method, emphasized that the remedies should be chosen based on the peculiar, unusual, odd, and characteristic signs and symptoms that most resemble the natural disease, particularly those that stand out to the patient. In homeopathic treatment, remedies are used against the patient (not against the disease), making the identification of symptoms important and valuable. This is because the effects of the sought remedy must correspond to these characteristic symptoms. General and vague findings such as loss of appetite, headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and discomfort should not be considered if they cannot be described in detail by the patient. These symptoms can be encountered in almost any disease and with any medication. It is more important to pay attention to strange, distinctive signs rather than vague symptoms. After that, the most suitable remedy should be selected for the patient.

Hahnemann also stated that the treatment cannot be successful if a remedy that closely resembles the distinctive symptoms of the disease is not chosen during the selection process.

When Should Homeopathic Remedies Be Taken?

Homeopathic remedies can be taken when the body is resting, typically at bedtime. If they need to be taken during the day, they should be taken 30 minutes before or after meals. If teeth are to be brushed or flavored items are to be consumed, they should be taken 30 minutes before or after these activities.

Homeopathic remedies should be placed under the tongue and held in the mouth for a while. Even if they need to be mixed with water before ingestion, it is better to hold them in the mouth for a while first. In emergency situations such as falls or hits, the remedy should be taken immediately.

Who Can Benefit from Homeopathic Treatment?

Individuals suffering from depression, allergies, asthma, migraines, and headaches can benefit from homeopathic treatment. Additionally, those experiencing anxiety disorders, skin issues, chronic fatigue, thyroid and autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome can also benefit.

Considerations for Homeopathic Treatment

To enhance the effectiveness of the treatment, the following recommendations are listed:

• Avoid strong-flavored foods and beverages such as coffee, mint, menthol, and chamomile tea.
• Stay away from mint-flavored toothpaste, menthol mouthwash, mint gum, and even drinks that are said to be caffeine-free.
• If caffeine is needed, beverages such as tea or caffeinated soda can be preferred.
• Avoid heavily scented products like essential oils, perfumes, soaps, colognes, and flavored cigarettes.
• Stay away from narcotic products like cannabis, opium, and other drugs.
• Avoid technological products that create strong magnetic fields.
• Homeopathic remedies should be stored in odorless, dry, and calm environments.

All these factors can reduce the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy does not harm you, but if not used correctly, it may not be beneficial either.

Awareness of homeopathic treatment methods will increase the inclination towards them, especially considering the advantages of being natural, leaving no residues, and not causing addiction, once the doubts in society are addressed.