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Homeopathy: Healthy Medicine

Homeopathy is one of the most widely used forms of medicine in the world today, because people are discovering the benefits of a system of medicine that is safe, effective and treats them as unique individuals. Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine that treats mental, emotional and physical illness.

Homeopathic medicines are chosen to treat the whole person, because homeopaths believe the mind and body operate as one, and you cannot treat one part of the body without affecting the whole. Medicines are chosen to fit all the characteristics of the patient, so physical disorders are considered in relation to the individual’s mental and emotional state

How Homeopathy Works

Homeopathy works on a principle known as ‘the law of similars’ or ‘like cures like’. This law states that a substance that can cause a disease can also relieve it. For example, coffee – or Coffea as it is known in Latin – is a stimulant that can cause temporary insomnia. Coffea may be used in minute potentised (i.e. homeopathic) doses to relieve that insomnia. Another example is that chopping onions can cause your nose and eyes to run with copious amounts of water. The onion – Allium cepa – can be used homeopathically to treat colds and hayfever where the main symptoms include runny eyes and nose. The founding father of homeopathy over 200 years ago, the German doctor and chemist Samuel Hahnemann developed the system of medicine we now call homeopathy. He had a very clear and humane approach to the practice of medicine:”The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles.” (Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine)

How Homeopathic Medicines are Made

To maximise the healing potential of the medicines he used, Hahnemann prepared them in a very specific manner. This involved diluting the substance concerned, then shaking it vigorously with impact. This sequence of actions is known as succussion. A substance can be diluted and succussed many times, and Hahnemann termed this process potentisation. Hahnemann observed that potentisation made the medicines more effective and reduced the likelihood of unwanted effects.Each new homeopathic medicine undergoes a particular process called a ‘proving’. Volunteers or ‘provers’ take the new substance until they experience symptoms. All symptoms that result from taking the substance are recorded in detail. In this way a huge variety of natural substances are tested for their healing and curative properties and can be added to the homeopathic pharmacy. Unlike orthodox drugs, homeopathic medicines are not tested on animals.

Homeopathic Treatment

Your first consultation may take between 1 and 2 hours, with follow-up consultations lasting between 20 and 45 minutes. Your practitioner will need to build up a complete picture of your condition, including your past medical history. Prescriptions for acute illnesses, such as fever, vomiting or flu, are usually assessed much more quickly.You will be asked detailed questions about yourself. To be sure to prescribe the best medicine for your particular problem, your homeopath needs to understand your individual needs. You will be asked about many aspects of your life, such as your emotional state, your sleep patterns and how you cope with stress. Your homeopath will choose a medicine for you that most closely matches your unique pattern of symptoms.

Homeopathic medicines are usually supplied in tablet, powder or liquid form. As with all medicines, they need to be stored safely and appropriately.Patients often feel a sense of wellbeing, optimism and relaxation after taking their homeopathic medicine. The speed with which you feel relief will depend on the condition being treated. In acute ailments, this can be very fast indeed. In more chronic conditions, your recovery rate will depend on the nature and duration of the illness and on your individual vitality.

Homeopathy for All

Homeopathy can be used effectively by everyone, from babies and children to adults, including women during pregnancy. Homeopathic medicines promote the body’s natural ability to heal. When prescribed appropriately, they are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They can be taken alongside drugs prescribed by your doctor and will not interfere with their beneficial action. As your condition improves, you may be able to safely reduce your conventional medication, thereby avoiding the unwanted effects that sometimes accompany the long-term use of drugs.NB: you should always consult with your GP before making changes to your conventional medication.

Finding a qualified homeopath

It is important that the homeopathic practitioner you choose is properly trained and registered. The Alliance of Registered Homeopaths publishes a Register of fully qualified homeopathic practitioners who are bound by the ARH Code of Ethics and Practice. You can search the ARH Register online for a homeopath in your area using our Find A Homeopath service. Alternatively, you can phone us on 01825 714506 or email us for details of your nearest ARH homeopaths.

Karin Mont BA(Hons) LCH MARH Chair

After graduating from the College of Homeopathy in 1990, Karin established her own practice in rural East Sussex, where she continues to work. She is also involved in further and higher education on a part-time basis, which has proved useful when developing homeopathic education policy for the European Council for Classical Homeopathy (ECCH). Karin was part of the working group that finalised the National Occupational Standards for Homeopathy. In the spring of 2001 Karin, together with five like-minded colleagues, formed the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths (ARH).

Myriam Shivadikar LCH MARH Communications

Myriam studied at the Open International University for Complementary Medicines from 1984 – 1991, at the Kalubowila Hospital,
Sri-Lanka. Her complementary medicine training began with acupuncture and homeopathy, then onto her own research into remedies via bio resonance machines. From 1986, Myriam taught Homeopathy alongside Prof Dr Sir Jayasuriya, daily at the University, later at international seminars and world congresses. She achieved her MD (MA) in 1990, and later a PhD in homeopathy.

In 1991, she retrained in homeopathy at the COH, UK. She taught internationally in India and for the LCCH and in 1999 became the Vice Principal for the Practical College of Homeopathy. In 2000, she held a weekly radio slot on live radio with the BBC for 6 months; and became a founding member of the editorial board for Homeopathy in practice, the journal of the ARH.

Myriam has been in clinical practice for over 28 years. She shares her insights and experience with others as a lecturer at several of the main UK Homeopathic Colleges, and via the seminars she runs both nationally and internationally.

David Needleman BScPharm MRPharm LCH MARH DCN FACACN FBIH Politics

A qualified pharmacist since 1970, David graduated from the College of Homeopathy in 1991. In 1996 he established the Homeopathic Helpline, which offers homeopathic advice to patients who are unable to contact their usual practitioner for immediate consultation. David has made several radio broadcasts, including on the Michael Van Straten Body-Talk programme on LBC. David is a founding Director of ARH.

Steve Scrutton MA BSc(Econ) Dip.Ed. CQSW DIHom(Prct) MARH Media & Communications

Steve qualified first as a teacher, and later as a social worker before embarking on a career in homeopathy. He graduated from the British Institute of Homeopathy in 2000 and is busy developing a practice in Northamptonshire. Elected to the ARH Board in 2003, Steve is keen to develop public awareness of homeopathy, and to make it the therapy of choice for more and more people. He is also committed to the idea of consumer choice in state medical provision, and whilst adamant that the integrity and independence of homeopathic practice must be maintained, believes that it should be made freely available through the NHS to those who wish to avoid conventional medical treatment.

June Sayer DHom(Med) HMD FBIH D.N.Th D.Iridol. MARH Registrar, Education & Company Secretary

June graduated from the Hahnemann College in 1992 and now runs a busy practice in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. She has also trained in nutrition and iridology, and teaches homeopathy to a wide variety of different groups. June firmly believes that a registering association should represent the best interests of the homeopathic profession. In order to actively engage in this process, she became a founding Director of ARH, and has worked tirelessly for the organisation ever since.

Member of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths

MARH stands for Member of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths. A qualified UK homeopath who has satisfied the registration criteria of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths is entitled to use the initials MARH after their name. Details of the current ARH registration process can be found on the ‘Join ARH’ page.

All MARH homeopaths are bound by the ARH Code of Ethics and Practice, and are encouraged to participate in continuing professional development.

You can use our online Find a Homeopath service to find an MARH homeopath in your area. Or, you can phone the ARH office (on 01825 714506) or email us for details of MARH homeopaths near you.

ARH Code of Ethics and Practice

All Alliance of Registered Homeopaths Members are bound by our Code of Ethics and Practice, which requires them to:

• Put your needs as an individual first.
• Listen to you and respect your views.
• Treat all patients equally, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, disability, culture, beliefs, sexuality, lifestyle, age, social status or linguistic ability.
• Give you the information you need and check that you understand it, so you can make informed choices.
• Respect your right to autonomy.
• Seek to foster and maintain trust.
• Respect and protect confidential information.
• Maintain and develop their professional knowledge and skills.
• Practise within their boundaries of competence.
• Respond promptly and constructively to concerns, criticisms or complaints.
• Respect the skills of other healthcare professionals, and work in co-operation with them.

Read the full text of our Code of Ethics (as a PDF) by clicking here

You can use our online Find a Homeopath service to find an ARH homeopath in your area. Alternatively, you can phone the ARH office (on 01825 714 506) or email us for details of ARH practising homeopaths near you.