Frequently Asked Questions About Homeopathy
Q: What is homeopathy?
A: Homeopathy is a 200 year-old system of healing that uses remedies made form natural substances to stimulate the self-healing mechanism, based on the principle of “like helps like.”
Q: What kind of conditions can homeopathy help?
A: Homeopathy can help almost every condition, be it mental, physical or emotional, because it makes the person healthier overall, giving your system energy to heal itself.
Q: What conditions can’t it help?
A: Homeopathy can’t strengthen the system to heal itself of genetic problems, like Down’s Syndrome, or structural problems like curvature of the spine. Also, homeopathy can’t help people who are continually exposing themselves to the very things that make them sick. For example, it won’t change a smoker’s cough in a smoker, headaches from birth control pills, or depression from being in an emotionally hurtful situation.
Q: What can I expect after taking the remedy?
A: If it is the correct remedy for you, you will gradually get healthier. Occasionally there is a flare up of the symptoms in the first week after you take your remedy. This will not be extreme or long lasting and is nothing to be frightened of. It is actually a good sign that the remedy is working. After the first week you will start gradually improving.
Q: How long will it take me to get well?
A: This is usually proportionate to how long you have had the problem or condition, and how severe it is. It takes your body a few years to heal a problem it has had for many years. You will have ups and downs during that time, but should feel steady, gradual improvement. If a person has taken potent drugs or had serious operations in the past this frequently may slow down your healing process. If you have a health problem that runs in your family you may need periodic homeopathic care during your life to keep it under control.
Q: What if I get a rash or discharge after taking the remedy?
A: It is important for you to now that if you have, in the past, eliminated a discharge from any opening in your body unnaturally with drugs or inappropriate herbals or homeopathy, it may return for a while as you improve under good homeopathic care. The same thing may happen with an old skin rash or warts. You may even feel old emotions return briefly! Call if these things occur, before trying drugs or other supplements to stop them.
Q: What will interfere with the success of my remedy?
A: In order for a remedy to work we ask you not to drink coffee, regular or decaffeinated, or use products with camphor such as Ben-Gay, Vick’s, Carmex, Noxema, Tiger Balm or moth balls. You should avoid regular use of cortisone, antibiotics and oral contraceptives if at all possible. Make sure to inform your homeopath if you use any medications or if you are in need of dental work. Also, avoid using electric blankets and avoid bathing in natural hot springs. This is most crucial when you are taking the remedy.
Q: How do I handle remedies?
A: Pellet remedies: Never touch the globules with your hands, as they have no protective coating. Instead, tip them from the cap onto or under your tongue. Make sure not to touch your tongue to the cap. Your mouth should be free of odors when you take your remedy, so be sure to wait one hour after eating or brushing your teeth to take it. If directed to take your remedy in the morning do so before putting anything else in your mouth. After taking the remedy wait another 15 minutes to eat or drink.
Liquid remedies: Please refer to your medication sheet.
Please, do not open the vial or take the remedy in direct sunlight.
Q: How many globules should I take?
A: Take three to five of the larger globules or 8-10 of the smaller globules. Because of the way homeopathic remedies stimulate healing, it is not critical whether you take 2 or 10. We ask you to take the amount directed to ensure you get an adequate amount of the remedy.Q: How do I store my remedy?
A: Keep the bottle out of the sun and away from heat over 100 degrees F. You don’t need to refrigerate it, just keep it in a dark place. Make sure not to open the bottle if you can smell strong odors in the room. Remember not to store the remedies next to anything giving off radiation (microwave ovens) or strong odor-perfumes, camphor products or cooking spices.
Q: Can I take a remedy while I am pregnant?
A: Yes, homeopathy can make your pregnancy go more smoothly and help your baby be as healthy as possible. Be sure to inform your homeopath if you are pregnant.
Q: Where can I buy homeopathic remedies?
A: Homeopathic remedies are made at special FDA regulated and approved homeopathic pharmacies according to a very high standard of purity. There are no homeopathic pharmacies in Minnesota. Certain health food stores and food co-ops carry remedies. We have a list of those places in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area; please ask if you would like a copy.
Q: How is homeopathy different from herbal medicines or prescription drugs?
A: Homeopathic remedies are given to stimulate the whole body to heal itself, while herbs and regular medicines and drugs are given to take away specific symptoms generally from specific parts of the body. Remedies are prepared in a special way-and are stronger as they are more dilute. This is also different from herbs and medicines or drugs.
Q: What does potency mean?
A: Potency refers to the relative strength of a remedy, drug, herb or supplement.
Q: How do I know if the remedy is working?
A: You will start to experience improvement in energy and well being.
Q: What is an aggravation?
A: An aggravation is temporary increase in your symptoms. This may occur as your system is strengthened by the remedy. As your system gets stronger, it is able to bring symptoms to the surface, and then move them out of the body. You may experience them as being intensified when they are on the surface. This generally lasts a short time--15 minutes to 48 hours.