Homeopathy

Homeopathy

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an effective system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognises that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the person who needs treatment not the disease.

How does homeopathy work?

Homoeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body’s own healing power. This stimulus given by the remedy will assist your body to clear itself of any imbalance. Homoeopathic remedies are prescribed by matching the presenting symptoms at the consultation to a particular remedy.

In order to find the right remedy, the homoeopath will need to know as much as possible about you as a person. A detailed understanding of your health and preferences, along with complaints and details of how the symptoms are experienced is needed to make a correct assessment

The remedies are usually either in the form of pills or tablets, or as a liquid and are from a variety of sources; animal, vegetable, mineral and artificial. The homoeopath will advise on how to take the remedies.

How can homeopathy help?

Homoeopathic remedies may help to stimulate and strengthen the body’s overall constitution. It can be used pre and post operatively to speed up the healing at the surgical scar and reduce any swelling and bruising. Homeopathy may also help in reducing the negative side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. This includes nausea and vomiting, lack of appetite, sore joints, hot flushes, insomnia, anxiety and lymphoedema. It can be extremely helpful for emotional distress including anxiety, grief and low mood.

When can homeopathy be used?

Homeopathy can be used at any time before, during or after breast cancer treatment due to the dilute nature of the preparations.

Length and timing of homeopathic sessions

The first homeopathic consultation is for one hour allowing time for a full homeopathic assessment which takes into account, not only current illness and symptoms, but constitutional type including past illnesses, mental and emotional patterns and responses to the environment. This type of consultation allows for the appropriate remedy to be given within the context of the person as a whole. Approximately three follow up sessions are recommended. This is according to the severity of the symptoms or condition being treated. Over the course of treatments, different homeopathic remedies at differing doses may be prescribed to meet the changes in presenting symptoms occurring along the healing pathway.

For a pdf factsheet, please click here.