Q: Dr Franz, you practice homeopathy…what is that?
Ans: GREAT QUESTION.
Homeopathy means “similar symptoms” or “similar suffering” literally translated. Samuel Hahneman MD is considered the Father of Homeopathy. As a superb physician of his time
(1755-1843) he lived in the time of blood letting and leeching and purgatives with “medicines” like mercury. He could not practice this way so he quit and became a translator. While translating a book he came across the fact that quinine cures malaria. He began taking tiny amounts of cinchona bark (from where we get quinine) and noted he developed the symptoms of malaria (not the disease itself).
Then thousands of healthy people took small amounts of different substances and noted what symptoms they developed- this is called a proving. Homeopathic remedies are natural substances that are diluted down (ultradilutions) until there is no molecular substance left. They spark a healing response in the body.
When someone feels ill we take their history..and match symptoms to a remedy that in in its natural state would cause those symptoms. By using an ultra diluted substance that has also been succussed (banged against a firm hard surface- the agitation potentizes the ultra dilution) and matching it to symptoms (like cures like) we effect a healing response. It works!
For example the best remedy for food poisoning is homeopathic Arsenicum..(yes made from arsenic). I have seen it improve vomiting and diarrhea when the symptoms match in 2 hours.
This is a great question and a short answer. For more information on the wonders of homeopathy please come to my class Introduction to Homeopathy this month on March 20. You can sign up on the website and attend in person or by webex.I look forward to seeing you there.
We love helping improve the health of you and your family.
Dr Franz