Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a holistic and effective system of healing that assists the
natural tendency of the body to heal itself. In homeopathy tiny doses of
natural substances are used to stimulate the body’s own healing powers.
Homeopathic principles have been used in medicine since ancient times but
were rediscovered by the German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late
1700’s.
Homeopathy was one of the most used healing systems in North America
during the second half of the last century. In the early 1900’s, 15-20% of
all doctors in North America were homeopaths. Due to powerful social and
political forces, the homeopathic movement was overshadowed by the growing
pharmaceutical industry. Today, we see an increase in the usage of
homeopathic medicine as is provides a safe alternative to conventional
medicine and has no harmful side effects.
Homeopathy works on a level of molecular energy sometimes referred to as
the "vital force", chi or prana. Disease can be seen as an imbalance in the
energy of our body and the homeopathic remedy acts as a stimulant to this
energy which can then overcome disease and re-establish balance in the
system. The basic tenet is to accept that a sick individual is more than a
broken watch.
A truly holistic approach, homeopathy is concerned with the treatment of
the whole person or animal, as an individual, rather than the treatment of
the specific disease. For this reason, homeopathy can be helpful in any
illness – whether its origin is physical, mental or emotional. All aspects
of the individual are taken into account as the homeopathic veterinarian
examines the totality of the individual’s symptoms and how he/she responds
to stress. Of interest to the homeopath will be the individual’s reaction to
the external world, to different kinds of emotional and physical stress, to
temperature changes, etc. A certain amount of observation will be required
by the human caretaker in order to provide the characteristic symptoms which
will help in selecting the most effective homeopathic medicine. The most
interesting symptoms to the homeopath are often the symptoms that your
conventional doctor or veterinarian is least interested in.
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