Most of us have noticed popular homeopathic remedies on shelves in the chemist and local supermarket. But what exactly is homeopathy and does it really work? Well, homeopathy is a therapeutic medicine system based on the principle of similars, or the principle that like cures like. This means that a substance that may cause certain symptoms in a healthy person, could potentially cure similar symptoms in an unhealthy person. Popular homeopathy remedies include Nux Vomica and Arnica Montana. These are both on the Homeopathic Medicines List.
How does Homeopathy work?
Homeopathy remedies aim to aid and stimulate the body's own defense and immune systems. Homeopathic remedies are derived from a variety of plants, animal substances and minerals and are prescribed to fit each individual's needs; are given in much smaller and less toxic doses than traditional medications; and are used for both prevention and treatment. For example, one common homeopathic hay fever remedy is made from Alium Cepa (onion), because a healthy person chopping onion will often get a runny nose and streaming eyes. Angry red swellings may be treated with Apis (made from bee sting). Blood poisoning may be treated with Lachesis (bushmaster snake venom), or other snake venom remedies.
Samuel Hahneman
Established 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy is recognized by the World Health Organization as the second largest therapeutic system in the world. An allopathic doctor, Samuel Hahnemann was dissatisfied with the way traditional medicine at the time was treating patients. Methods such as bloodletting, leeching, purging, and giving crude doses of mercury were the common treatment for most disorders. After repeated experiments and trials he discovered his Similia Similbus Curantur, or like cures like theory.
Potency of Homeopathy Remedies
Homeopathic remedies come in many different potencies. You can buy 3x, 6x, 12x, 6c, 12c, 30c, 200c, 1M or 10M. The roman numerals denote the factor by which the substance has been diluted (x = process of dilution by a factor of 1:9; c = process of dilution by a factor of 1:99; M = process of dilution by a factor of 1:999). Oddly, provided succussion has taken place, the more diluted a substance is, the stronger its potency and its effects appear to be. So, a 200c, having been diluted and succussed more frequently, is more potent than a 30c, which in turn is more potent than a 6x. With homeopathy, less is more.
Does Homeopathy Work?
There is some scientific evidence that homeopathy remedies may be effective in some cases. One study at the University Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson (USA) recently examined the effects of one dose of placebo versus either Coffea Cruda 30c or Nux Vomica 30c in relatively healthy young adult human subjects with a past history of coffee-induced insomnia. The results showed the homeopathic remedies significantly increased PSG total sleep time and NREM, as well as awakenings and stage changes.
References:
Bell IR et al (2010). "Effects of homeopathic medicines on polysomnographic sleep of young adults with histories of coffee-related insomnia". Sleep Medicine, doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2010.03.013
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