Demystifying Homeopathy
Homeopathy is one of the most complete healing systems to be found, yet can be confusing for people to understand. This page seeks to demystify homeopathy and give a clear picture of what this system has to offer.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that utilizes the body’s own healing power through the powerful principle that “Like Cures Like.” The therapeutic potential of a homeopathic medicine is explored through giving minute doses of a substance to healthy people and then a careful analysis made of its effect on both mind and body. If a person produces similar symptoms as part of a natural disease process, then the remedy that matches those symptoms most closely is given in an extremely dilute form to effect a cure.

The effect of the homeopathic medicine is to slightly magnify the existing disease process in the body, encouraging the activation of the body’s own healing power. Homeopathic remedies therefore act to stimulate the innate capacity of the body to cure itself through. Homeopathic remedies (medicines) are made from vegetable, mineral and animal products, taken directly from nature as they are found. They are prepared in homeopathic pharmacies and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. Extremely small amounts of these remedies are given, the minimum amount necessary to stimulate a reaction in the body.

Homeopathy was established in Germany in the 18th century by the physician Samuel Hahnemann. It spread to all continents and is probably the most popular form of holistic medicine in the world. It is practiced by both physicians and non-physicians and is incorporated into the health-care system of many countries. Homeopathy was brought to the United States in the 1830’s and has been a part of the American medical system ever since.
One of the challenges that homeopathy brings to traditional medicine is the concept of an energetic or vibrational level of function of the human organism, beyond the capacity of science to currently measure. However, this energetic reality is recognized by other holistic medical systems and practices. Modern science is now beginning to recognize the underlying laws that govern the dynamics of the homeopathic action on the organism.

There are a few basic principles fundamental to homeopathy and other holistic therapies:
The body heals itself. The human organism has always shown a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. It is the “biological imperative” of the organism to create an optimal level of health. The body has a sophisticated immune system and natural intelligence that seeks to maintain health of the whole organism—mind, body and spirit—at all times. Homeopathy works by helping the body heal itself. Healing takes place through the conscious awareness of the body’s own healing power. Only then can the word ‘cure’ be used. This is the goal of homeopathy.

Homeopathy always treats the whole person. All functions of the body and mind are connected. The complex physical and psychological make up of a person creates a unique pattern for each individual. When we become sick, it is the whole body that is sick, even if symptoms express themselves only in one part of the body. Only by re-establishing a total balance will health be restored. Therefore homeopathy treats the whole person, not just the disease.

There is an energetic thread that connects all functions of body and mind. Homeopathy belongs to a philosophy of healing that believes that we have an energetic life force that permeates all functions of the body. It is this life force which maintains health or creates disease through imbalance. This has been understood for thousands of years. In China it is called Chi, in India Prana and by homeopaths as Vital Force. It describes a phenomena that exists in all nature. Modern physics is now exploring these dimensions of reality. There is a dynamic, living energy that permeates both body and mind. It is a consciousness, like a memory. It is this energy that keeps the body alive and well.

Symptoms of disease are a result of an imbalance in the body/mind. Symptoms may express themselves in many ways. Some are purely physical, some are emotional, and some a combination of the two. However, it is important to know that they are an expression or result of an imbalance in the whole organism. Symptoms are not the cause of a problem only to be suppressed by drugs, but are an indication that something is not right in the whole system. They are a warning that something is not in balance and needs to be changed.

Why do we become sick?
We become sick when we can no longer adapt appropriately to the circumstances of life. These circumstances may be due to external factors, such as allergies, the weather, stress or germs, or we may just seem to be unable to feel well. In homeopathy, we look at both the internal factors and external ones, seeking to understand the underlying causes for sickness. Much of modern medicine focuses on the external causes of disease—germs for example—and drugs are given to kill them. While that serves an important role, homeopaths also ask the question why some people get sick while others don’t and what can be done to help the body’s own immune system fight off germs (or other factors) more effectively. Merely killing the germs doesn’t always lead to greater health. The body has not cured the problem itself and some drugs merely suppress symptoms, making things worse in the long run. In this case, the same or more serious symptoms tend to recur and the problem may become more chronic and difficult to cure. Homeopathy and other holistic systems of healing seek to establish a higher level of health and in so doing prevent illness as well as helping to cure it. Looking for the cause of disease outside of oneself does not always take into consideration all the complex factors as to why we get sick. The root causes of illness need to be understood, whether it is genetic, emotional or due to a particular physical trauma which may have occurred many years before. Homeopaths believe that the body carries a memory of significant experiences. Even if there is no physical condition remaining these experiences can create illness years later. Homeopathy helps the body resolve these experiences for itself, allowing true healing to take place.

What conditions does homeopathy treat?
Homeopathy is able to treat most physical and emotional conditions. A homeopathic consultation involves an analysis of the whole person. Each person is unique and the homeopath needs to understand as much as possible about all the concerns a person has. This allows the homeopath to understand the underlying causes of any disease state. The correct remedy choice will allow the whole person-—body and mind—to realign to a more optimal state of health. An overall wellness should be the result including any particular condition a person is experiencing.

What does a homeopathic treatment involve?
The initial interview takes approximately 2 hours. In this time, the homeopath needs to find out all the necessary information to make a correct analysis and homeopathic remedy choice. This involves exploring all aspects of a person’s experience of being ill and also a detailed history of all previous diseases and personal history. Once a homeopathic remedy has been chosen, another appointment will be made 3-4 weeks after the first visit.

Elise Osner, C HomExtensive consultation and analysis of all aspects of the patient’s life. Includes email and cell phone access

Homeopathic Intake Consultation-(Approx. 2.5 Hr.)  $275

Homeopathic follow-up (Approx. 1 Hr.) $105