HOMEOPATHY IN COMPARISON TO CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
By Dr Kelly Sperling (M.Tech (Hom)
The word homeopathy means similar suffering. That means a medicine which produces certain symptoms can be used to treat those symptoms. For example, when one cuts an onion, one may experience burning, watering eyes, and a running nose. Therefore an onion in homeopathic preparation can be used to treat hay fever or the common cold.
This law of similars, however dates back before homeopathy. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine stated that illness could be treated by similar, opposites or by substitution.
Conventional medicine on the other hand works on the laws of opposites or substitution. For example when one has an inflammation one would use an anti-inflammatory, or in the case of substitution Insulin in the treatment of diabetes.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine and an alternative approach to treating illness. In certain instances, it can be used to complement conventional medicine for example in surgery to help with recovery or in canine behaviour in concurrence with training.
Homeopathy provides a holistic approach, meaning the whole body is taken into account. A homeopath may suggest a change in diet or use other modalities such as vitamins, herbs in combination with the homeopathic treatment.
Although it is common to suggest other treatments, homeopathic remedies are prescribed on an individual basis depending on how the patient is displaying their illness. Homeopathy treats the patient not the disease. For example, if one person has a headache, they may describe it as throbbing in the temples aggravated by light. Whereas, someone else with a headache may describe it as a dull pain at the back of their head which is better for pressure. In these two cases the patients would get completely different remedies however, the homeopath may also suggest they both drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeine. In the case of conventional medicine, one would get a general pain killer no matter what headache they were experiencing.
Homeopathic medicines are made from plants, minerals or animals and are diluted using a very specialised form of manufacturing called potentisation. Homeopathic medicines are generally very safe and do not have any side effects. Conventional medicines are made from plants, minerals and chemicals. The doses are strong and can have very serious side effects.
Homeopathy has a reputation of taking longer to heal that conventional medicine. This can be true in chronic cases however the healing process is directed to the cure of the disease and not just suppression or palliation. In acute illness, when the correct remedy is used homeopathy can have very rapid and astounding results.
Whether you decide to choose homeopathy or conventional medicine or a combination of the two, it is always important to do so under the supervision of your vet.
This law of similars, however dates back before homeopathy. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine stated that illness could be treated by similar, opposites or by substitution.
Conventional medicine on the other hand works on the laws of opposites or substitution. For example when one has an inflammation one would use an anti-inflammatory, or in the case of substitution Insulin in the treatment of diabetes.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine and an alternative approach to treating illness. In certain instances, it can be used to complement conventional medicine for example in surgery to help with recovery or in canine behaviour in concurrence with training.
Homeopathy provides a holistic approach, meaning the whole body is taken into account. A homeopath may suggest a change in diet or use other modalities such as vitamins, herbs in combination with the homeopathic treatment.
Although it is common to suggest other treatments, homeopathic remedies are prescribed on an individual basis depending on how the patient is displaying their illness. Homeopathy treats the patient not the disease. For example, if one person has a headache, they may describe it as throbbing in the temples aggravated by light. Whereas, someone else with a headache may describe it as a dull pain at the back of their head which is better for pressure. In these two cases the patients would get completely different remedies however, the homeopath may also suggest they both drink plenty of water and stay away from caffeine. In the case of conventional medicine, one would get a general pain killer no matter what headache they were experiencing.
Homeopathic medicines are made from plants, minerals or animals and are diluted using a very specialised form of manufacturing called potentisation. Homeopathic medicines are generally very safe and do not have any side effects. Conventional medicines are made from plants, minerals and chemicals. The doses are strong and can have very serious side effects.
Homeopathy has a reputation of taking longer to heal that conventional medicine. This can be true in chronic cases however the healing process is directed to the cure of the disease and not just suppression or palliation. In acute illness, when the correct remedy is used homeopathy can have very rapid and astounding results.
Whether you decide to choose homeopathy or conventional medicine or a combination of the two, it is always important to do so under the supervision of your vet.
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