Homeopathy is a system of complementary medicine in which ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts, would produce symptoms of the ailment. It is based on three central tenets (or laws), unchanged since 1796.
- The law of similars states whatever would cause your symptoms, will also cure those same symptoms.
- The Law of Infinitesimals states the cure found in law 1 should be repeatedly diluted in water. The more dilute the remedy, the stronger it will become.
- The law of succussion is the vigorous shaking of a homeopathic remedy to further increase its potency.
How does it work?
Homeopathic medicine is so widely practised by physicians in Europe that it is no longer appropriate to consider it “alternative medicine”. Approximately 30% of French doctors and 20% of German doctors use homeopathic medicines regularly, while over 40% of British physicians refer patients to homeopathic doctors, and almost half of Dutch physicians consider homeopathic medicines to be effective (Fisher and Ward, 1994).
The aspect of homeopathy that is implausible for many people is that the medicines are often diluted to the point where there may be no molecules of original substance left. One of the leading current proposals for how such ‘ultramolecular’ dilutions work is that water is capable of storing information relating to substances with which it has previously been in contact, ie. the water has a memory. Recent research on hydrogen bonds in water provides some support for this ‘memory’ theory.
Another way of looking at it is self healing. With conventional medicine, the quantity taken does the work intended. With homeopathy, the quantity is so low as to have no scientific effect, so the body has to do the healing. In effect the homeopathic solution only triggers a response, it does not itself induce anything directly.
Homeopathy for Skin
Homeopathy for skin includes the exercise of utilising plant supplies to assist the skin heal itself. Recipes in this practice are frequently home made, meaning the treatments might be tailored to specific needs. This approach to skincare may also be valuable for all those with very sensitive skin, as homeopathy for skin is usually mild as many of the ingredients in homeopathic skincare recipes can also be edible. Though chemical skincare products frequently alleviate skin problems, they usually only treat the symptoms. The goal of homeopathy is to give the skin the information it requires to heal the root cause behind the symptoms.
Dry skin can be treated with moisturizing lotion, but the underlying cause can be the diet. In this case, olive oil, nuts and avocados may be a part of the homeopathic remedy.
Indirect homeopathy for skin includes altering food consumption to treat the skin from the inside out. Those experiencing acne issues may want to have more leafy greens, fruits, and nuts in their diet for an indirect alternative. A direct solution may be to apply aloe sap, or mashed green apples to the trouble spots. Those with very sensitive skin may reap great benefits from homeopathic skincare, especially those who develop rashes or other irritations from chemicals.
References
Bellavite P, Signorini A. The Emerging Science of Homeopathy, 2e. 2002: North Atlantic, Berkeley.
Rey L. Thermoluminescence of ultra-high dilutions of lithium chloride and sodium chloride. Physica A, 2003; 323: 67–74.
Samal S, Geckeler KE. Unexpected solute aggregation in water on dilution. Chem Commun, 2001; 21: 2224–2225.
