HEALTHternatives

Homeopathy
By Dr. Liberty Santos
PUBLISHED: JANUARY 2009

Homeopathy uses solutions/remedies containing small amounts of animal, vegetable and/or mineral substances to promote healing. It is based on the “law of similars." This means that "like cures like" and that illnesses can be treated by giving patients a small dose of a substance that generates similar effects to those of the illness. This is the same principle used in allergy treatments and immunizations.
A homeopathic remedy is prepared by crushing a plant, animal, or mineral substance, then putting it into a solvent such as grain alcohol. The extract is then further diluted in a concoction of alcohol and water and shaken with each dilution; this emphasizes the signature healing effects of the substance being diluted. The process is repeated many times to achieve a therapeutic dilution with few chemical side effects.

The remedies are identified with numbers and letters that indicate their dilution, or "potency." A solution labeled "D30 or 30C," for example, has been diluted 30 times at a ratio of one part substance to 99 parts alcohol and water. A solution labeled "D6 or 6X" has been diluted 6 times at a ratio of one part substance to nine parts alcohol and water. The remedies are administered in one of many forms, including tablets, ointments, liquid, or spray. Currently most of these remedies are coming from Europe and the USA.