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All About Homeopathy Treatment


How Does Homeopathy Work?

A key principle with homeopathy is that energy—called a vital force—lies within each one of us. Health problems are said to develop if this vital force or energy is blocked or disrupted. In fact, homeopathy views symptoms of illness as normal responses of the body as it attempts to regain health.

Homeopathy treatment is similar to how a vaccination or immunization works. The immune system becomes stimulated with tiny doses of diluted substances. These diluted substances then help the body build its own defenses.

Before a homeopathic remedy is used, it has to be activated—a concept known as "potentization." This involves vigorously shaking the remedy each time it is diluted, so the original substance is weakened.

After first taking a homeopathic remedy, some people claim to feel worse for a while. It's thought that the body becomes symptomatic as it fights the imbalance and then becomes healthy again.




By Debra Fulghum Bruce, PhD
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD.

SOURCES: WebMD Health and Wellness Center: "Frequently Asked Questions About Alternative Medicine." WebMD Medical Reference From Healthwise: "Ayurvedic: Topic Overview," "Homeopathy: Topic Overview." National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine web site: "Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction." "Questions and Answers About Homeopathy." CAM at the NIH web site: "A closer look at Ayurvedic." FDA web site: "Homeopathy: Real Medicine or Empty Promises?" Yoon-Hang, J. Arch Intern Med, 2002; vol 162: p 943. Mamtani, R. Cardiol Rev, 2005; vol 13: pp155-62. Vickers, A.J, and Smith, C. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2002; vol 2: p CD001957