Reviewed by Dr.Vijaykumar Kamat & written by Dr. Khyati Dave.

Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine that was developed in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. It is based on the principle of “like cures like,” which means that a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used in very small amounts to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

According to the principles of homeopathy, diseases are believed to be caused by a disturbance in the vital force or life energy of an individual. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from natural substances such as plants, minerals, or animal sources. These substances undergo a process of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) to create highly diluted solutions.

One of the key concepts in homeopathy is the law of infinitesimals. The remedies are diluted to the point where little, if any, of the original substance remains in the final product. Homeopaths believe that the potentization process enhances the healing properties of the remedy while minimizing any potential toxic effects.

Homeopathic treatment is individualized, taking into account the specific symptoms, emotions, and overall state of the person. Remedies are selected based on the principle of similarity, where a substance that would produce similar symptoms in a healthy person is prescribed to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms.

Critics of homeopathy argue that the extreme dilutions used in homeopathic remedies render them essentially equivalent to a placebo. If you have a health concern, it is recommended to consult a qualified healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How Do Homeopathic Medicines Work

Homeopathy is based on the concept that highly diluted substances can stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Homeopathic remedies are prepared through a process of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking). This process is believed to transfer the healing properties of the original substance to the remedy while eliminating any potential toxic effects. The final product often contains only trace amounts of the original substance or may be so diluted that no molecules of the original substance remain.

Proponents of homeopathy suggest that the potentization process somehow enhances the healing properties of the remedy and that water retains a “memory” of the original substance even after it has been diluted to the point of near or complete absence. They believe that the energetic imprint of the substance remains and can have a therapeutic effect on the vital force or life energy of the person.

Main Principle of Homeopathy

The main principle of homeopathy is the concept of “like cures like,” also known as the law of similars. This principle suggests that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can be used in a highly diluted form to treat similar symptoms in a sick person.

In other words, homeopathy believes that a substance that produces symptoms in a healthy individual can stimulate the body’s healing response to alleviate those same symptoms in an unwell person. This is based on the idea that symptoms are the body’s natural response to an underlying imbalance or disturbance, and by introducing a highly diluted remedy that mimics those symptoms, the body’s self-healing mechanisms can be activated.

For example, if a person has a fever, a homeopath might prescribe a highly diluted remedy made from a substance that, in its original form, can induce a fever in a healthy person. The belief is that the remedy will trigger a healing response and help the body restore balance.

Another principle within homeopathy is the concept of individualization. Homeopathic treatment takes into account the unique symptoms, emotions, and overall state of each person. The remedy selected is based on a holistic assessment of the individual rather than simply targeting a specific disease or condition.