Frequent asked Questions

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Homeopathy is derived from the Greek word “homeo” meaning like or similar and “pathos” meaning pathology or illness. So the literal meaning of homeopathy is similar illness. This means that a homeopathic medicine is administered based upon its ability to mimic the disease state, thereby stimulating the body to heal itself.

The purpose of the homeopathic remedy is to stimulate the natural healing potential of the body. 

Homeopathy is a branch of medicine that helps people who doctors or conventional medicine cannot help and  helps those who would rather be treated by a discipline that  follows natural order or natural laws of health and disease without causing side effects. Homeopathy also avoids or reduces reliance on conventional medication, on powerful drugs such as antibiotics or steroids, or surgery, only with the co-operation of your regular doctor.  

Homeopathy is a department of science in general medicine. It is therefore a comprehensive medical system and as  it should be with all specialities and branches of medicine; homeopathy makes no claims to cure. 

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is fundamentally different from conventional (allopathic) medicine.  Whereas allopathic medicine focuses on suppression of symptoms, homeopathy seeks to correct the underlying imbalance that caused the symptoms in the first place. Homeopathy achieves this by strengthening the body's own defenses, thereby allowing the body to heal itself.

Homeopathy has been in worldwide use for over 200 years. Homeopathy treats each person as a unique individual with the aim of stimulating their own healing ability. A homeopath selects the most appropriate medicine based on the individual's specific symptoms and personal level of health.

Homeopathy had its beginning in eighteenth century Germany, with Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician and scholar whose practice included aristocracy and royalty. 

 Disappointed in the results of the medicine that he and his colleagues were then using, Hahnemann left his prominent practice.  

He went on to discover a profound natural law, the Law of Similars, which became the foundation for homeopathy. The Law of Similars asserts that any substance which can cause symptoms when given to a healthy person can help to heal those who are experiencing similar symptoms when given in a very minute amount.

Homeopathy recognises the intimate connection between the mind and body.  

Homeopathic therapy always takes into account the person's unique hereditary background, physical, and emotional aspects instead of isolated symptoms of the body. 

 It then aims to strengthen the individual so that their own vital force, the body's innate intelligence and energetic defense mechanism, is stimulated by individualised homeopathic remedies to bring about balance and health. Because of the highly individualised approach to each person and his/her condition, a partnership between the homeopathic consultant and the client is essential.  I am committed to creating this partnership with every client I work with.

Homeopathy is a safe and effective system of healing, used by an estimated 500 million people worldwide.  The World Health Organisation cites homeopathy as the second most widely used form of medical therapy in the world and as one of the systems of healthcare that should be integrated worldwide with conventional medicine in order to provide adequate care.  

Although  it is most popular in India and South America, over thirty million people in Europe, and millions of others around the world, also benefit from using Homeopathy.

A breakthrough report by the Swiss government in 2012 validated that homeopathy is effective and that homeopathy consultations should be reimbursed by Switzerland's national health insurance program. The interior ministry of Switzerland has announced plans to give five complementary therapies including homeopathy the same status as conventional medicine.  

Homeopathic remedies are used safely for people in all stages of life including infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly.  Two hundred years of clinical experience has demonstrated the effectiveness of these remedies.  Homeopathic remedies are made in accordance with the processes described in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United Kingdom. The remedies are prepared from substances such as plants, minerals, or other materials which are repeatedly diluted and shaken vigorously which results in leaving only the energetic imprint of the substance.

I am a registered and accredited homeopath with  over 20 years experience of using homeopathy to rehabilitate and maintain the health and well being of my family, friends, patients (including pets). 

Homeopathy is my treatment of choice as I have found it to be safe and effective in a variety of acute and chronic conditions, whether physical or emotional.  

To present date my two growing children, now teenagers, have not yet needed a single prescription from their GP or any over the counter medicines.

Homeopathy is a holistic system of medicine. Remedies are derived from natural sources and as a way of stimulating the "immune system" or the vital force as, as a type of  "therapy of the immune system". It works by stimulating one's own immune system or vital energy and personal healing ability.    Homeopathic remedies are well suited to vulnerable groups such as babies, children, the elderly, and can be safely used during preconception, pregnancy or the menopause. 

As stated above, Homeopathy is non-toxic, safe,  effective and suitable for all age groups, including women during pregnancy. Both, patients with acute and chronic conditions have benefited from homeopathic treatment. Remedies can act fast in some conditions whilst others require more consistent treatment. 

The aim is to improve your health and to maintain lasting well-being. Homeopathic remedies can be taken alongside medications prescribed by your doctor. 

Homeopathy is a safe, gentle, and natural system of healing that works with your body to relieve symptoms, restore itself, and improve your overall health. It is extremely safe to use, even with very small children and pets and it has none of the side effects of many traditional medications.    Homeopathy uses natural remedies in dilute quantities to stimulate the body’s own healing ability.  Remedies can act fast in some conditions whilst others require more consistent treatment. Remedies can act fast in some conditions whilst others require more consistent treatment. 

Homeopathy is  non-toxic, effective and suitable for all age groups, including women during pregnancy. Both, patients with acute and chronic conditions have benefited from homeopathic treatment. 

Homeopathy offers  much of what conventional medicine has to offer(anti-inflammatories, anti-bacterials, anti-virals, analgesics) but without the side effects of conventional drugs.

 Homeopathy can be used for the whole family, and has been successfully prescribed for a variety of health problems, from asthma, eczema, allergies and hay fever to flu, fever, anxiety, depression, migraine, arthritis, IBS, menopause symptoms and fertility problems, to name but a few.  

As explained at top of this page, Homeopathy is based on the principle of “like treats like” – that is, a substance which can cause symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat similar symptoms. For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and agitation, so according to this principle, when made into a homeopathic medicine, it could be used to treat people suffering from sleeplessness and agitation. 

The principle of treating “like with like” dates back to Hippocrates (460-377BC) but in its current form, homeopathy has been widely used worldwide for more than 200 years.

Homeopathy was discovered, founded  and developed by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, who was looking for a way to reduce the damaging side effects associated with the medical treatment of his day, which included the use of poisons. He began experimenting on himself and a group of healthy volunteers, giving smaller and smaller medicinal doses, discovering that as well as reducing toxicity, the medicines became more effective as the doses were lowered. 

Samuel Hahnemann also observed that symptoms caused by the toxic ‘medicines’ of the time, such as mercury which was used to treat syphilis, were similar to those of the diseases they were being used to treat.  This observation led to the principle he described as ‘like cures like’.

It is used to treat acute illnesses, like colds, ear infections, migraines, and sore throats, as well as chronic conditions, like asthma, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, etc.

Homeopathy treats  individuals, not conditions. My patients contact me with a wide range of health problems and concerns. Some of the most common are:  Post Natal  Depression,  Allergies, Hay fever, Pregnancy and Labour, Emotional trauma, Skin conditions, Anxiety, Chronic Cough,   Migraines, Asthma, Behavioural and Developmental problems, Tonsillitis, Sinusitis, Cystitis, IBS, Chronic constipation, Diarrhoea and many other chronic complaints as well as acute conditions: Sprains, Strains,  penetrating wounds, abscesses, bee stings, bumps after falling, chronic effects of head injuries  etc, etc.  

I have also treated people with: Hashimoto's disease, Polycistic Ovary Syndrome, ME, Depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Infertility to name  a few other conditions.  As a mum of two children and a former dental surgeon specialised in children,  I have developed a specific interest in children's health, whether baby, toddler or teen. 

I have also been consulted by clients with symptoms without  a conventional medical diagnosis - who may just be feeling 'burned out' and feel have challenging fatigue issues.

Many people attend my clinic to manage symptoms of long term chronic conditions. Others come with acute complaints such as childhood diseases and accidents:  mumps, measles, rubella,  sprains, strains, head bumps, etc . I have considerable experience in treating people with symptoms that are medically unexplained. When tests and scans have ruled out possible diagnoses and treatments, but symptoms persist, I have found homeopathic remedies to be helpful. Many of my patients are children and it is very heartwarming and very fulfilling to help someone grow up happy and healthy. 

Homeopathy has been known through its history to have the power to heal many health problems, apart from mechanical ones, as long as the practitioner is able to understand the patient in depth as an individual and has good knowledge  about  homeopathic medicines to match the remedy to the patient. It is a holistic treatment of the individual, not just of their disease.

Therefore the selection of the homeopathic remedy that most matches the patient is the most important part of the process. In order to do this, the makeup of the individual – not only physically but mentally and emotionally, and in relation to his or her environment – is of vital importance. For this reason, emotional, mental and physical problems are treated together. 

So homeopathy provides remedies for people as individuals, rather than for disease names/labels they were given.

The information about the individual  is ascertained during the homeopathic consultation. The substance from which the remedies are obtained are derived from animal, vegetable or mineral sources. It is not the substance that produces the curative effect, but the inherent energy that is released from the substance when it is homeopathically prepared by the pharmacists trained in this speciality.

As for the way Homeopathy is prescribed; it is about single remedy, similar remedy, and minimum dose. 

Homeopathic medicines are prepared in tablet, pillule, granules or liquid. They are simple to take – under the tongue, when the mouth is clean. 

Those who have come to choose classical  homeopathy; rather than conventional and traditional medicine;  as their first choice of treatment for their symptoms, have realised that   classical homeopathy keeps one as well as possible within the bounds of your genetic inheritance which is, most times, either triggered or activated by a prolonged emotional state due to life's trials and situation, by environment or by suppressive conventional treatments. 

Does it work?

There is an incorrect assumption that the prescription of homeopathic remedies is a pharmaceutical intervention based on physiological responses and therefore should be tested in the same way. Multi-centre laboratory trials (Belon, 2004) have demonstrated biological effects of highly diluted preparations and a number of scientific theories have been used to explain this phenomenon (Baumgartner, 2002). Research using the latest technologies is underway to test these theories experimentally [Homeopathy Research Institute website]. What we understand in practice is that a homeopathic remedy, correctly selected for you as an individual, can return your body to a healthy balance. (Baumgartner, S. 2002 Basic research efforts to elucidate the potentiation procedure of homeopathy. In: Future directions and current issues of research in Homeopathy, Freiburg: Samueli Institute, 1-10. Belon, P et al. 2004 Histamine dilutions modulate basophil activation. Inflammation Research, (53), 181-188.) 

How about evidence? Research evidence?

Homeopaths make use of tried and tested knowledge documented over two centuries of clinical cases, and put this into practice  by recent research and up-to-date understanding of health. Clinical trials play an important role in the development of homeopathy, and indeed homeopathy was the first health discipline to systematically compare treatment to placebo in 1829. There is a growing body of high quality research into homeopathy in practice that supports the suggestion that homeopathy can be effective, cost- effective and safe as a treatment option. Up-to-date resources are available from The Society of Homeopaths  and Homeopathy Research Institute.

How safe is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy has an excellent safety record (Bornhöft et al. 2006; Dantas & Rampes 2000; Woodward 2005). As homeopathic remedies are non-toxic, they can be taken by babies, children, during pregnancy and can work very well alongside prescribed medicines. As remedies are dispensed on sucrose tablets or tasteless liquid, children find them quite acceptable.
(Bornhöft G, Wolf U, et al. 2006. Effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of homeopathy in general practice – summarized health technology assessment. Forsch Komplementarmed; 13 Suppl 2: 19-29.Dantas F, Rampes H. 2000.Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. The British Homoeopathic Journal, 89:S35-8
Woodward KN., 2005. The potential impact of the use of homeopathic and herbal remedies on monitoring the safety of prescription products. Hum Exp Toxicol;24:219-233.) 

Who visits a homeopath?

I have seen people of all ages seeking help for a wide spectrum and variety of complaints - from babies to elderly, from acute to chronic ailments, from  minor to the more serious. Many come with long term chronic conditions such as migraines, problems with digestion, tiredness and post surgery. I am consulted by women with hormonal issues, and for remedies to take during childbirth. Children are booked by their parents concerned about complaints such as allergies, skin problems, asthma, recurrent infections and some behavioural problems. I am frequently consulted by people with a range of emotional issues. To help you decide whether homeopathy is for you and to answer any questions you may have, follow this link to The Society of Homeopaths. 

Contact me 

Phone No: 01462  416 479  

Please note: All calls are recorded for training purposes

email: renata.hines@protonmail.com

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