SevenoaksHomeopathy
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What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathic treatment is individualised and aims to support not only the patient’s immune system, but also their energy and vitality. It is a holistic medicine. This is why after successful homeopathic treatment patients report an enhanced feeling of well-being.
Homeopaths recognise that mind and body are connected and work together. Health is not a fixed state. Rather, it is affected by the environment we live in, our daily experiences, our emotions and our relationships. To be in good health is to be able to adjust to life on a physical, mental and emotional level.
‘The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health.’
-Hahnemann, 2nd aphorism, Organon of the Medical Art
How does homeopathy work?
Homeopathic remedies are made from plants, minerals and animal substances. They are highly diluted so as to remove any trace of toxicity, then mechanically shaken so as to produce the electromagnetic qualities of the substance.
Homeopathic remedies work according to the Law of Similars, ‘like cures like’. For example, coffee is a stimulant and can disturb a person's sleep. The homeopathic preparation of coffee is one of the remedies which can help recover sound sleep patterns.
Evidence
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There are powerful outcome based trials which provide positive information about the efficacy of homeopathy. One well-documented example is the Spence et al Bristol Homeopathic Hospital survey carried on from November 1997 to October 2003 by observing more than 6,500 individual patients over 23,000 consultations. The analysis of the data shows the following results:
Clinical condition %follow-up patients showing clinical improvement
Asthma (under 16) 89%
Chronic fatigue syndrome 72%
Depression 71%
Eczema (under 16) 82%
IBS 71%
Menopausal syndrome 77%
Rheumatoid arthritis 70%
'Many of the patients in the analysis had previously received mainstream medical intervention at the secondary care level and had either failed to respond satisfactorily or had been unable to tolerate the medication prescribed.'
Spence DS, Thompson EA, Homeopathic treatment for Chronic Disease: a 6-year University-Hospital Outpatient Observational Study; Journ Alt Comp Med 2005; Vol 11 (5) 793-798
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In an 8-year study published in BMC Public health, over 3,500 patients reported considerable improvement in various health conditions following homeopathic treatment.
Witt CM, Ludtke R; How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment? - Results from a long-term observational study; BMC Public Health 2008, 8:413
More scientific studies can be found on the Homeopathy Research institute (HRI) website: