Page 16 - The Wave Holistic and Metaphysical Journal Nov Dec 2015

by Aaron DeForest, CCH
When I am talking to someone about homeopathy, or when someone decides to try homeopathy but they don’t really know what it is, he or she often
asks “What is homeopathy? Is it like naturopathy, herbalism, or Ayurvedic medicine?”
Like these other modalities, homeopathy can be used to address mental, emotional, and physical challenges. It is useful for acute (short term) ailments like the flu or bruises, to more chronic (long term) conditions like anxiety, insomnia, arthritis, menopausal issues and digestive complaints like IBS. Homeopathy helps direct the person’s vital force towards recovery in a gentle way.
Homeopathy is a holistic medicine, which means the whole person is considered when choosing the best remedy or remedies for the individual. The details of how a client experiences all of his or her challenges is taken into account when prescribing homeopathic remedies. A remedy is selected for the sum of all of the parts. The person’s mind, body and spirit will then heal, each at their own rate, on their own terms, and in their preferred order.
So how is homeopathy different than the modalities of naturopathy, herbalism, Ayurvedic medicine, or other holistic approaches to healing?
Homeopathy uses a like-cures-like approach, which was first observed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700s. He was discontented with the medical practices of the time, and set out to find something better. During his journey, he investigated why cinchona bark could cure malaria. At the time, the only explanation was that cinchona bark cures malaria because it was so bitter. So he ground up some of the bark, put it in water, and drank some
of the concoction every day for a few days to see what would happen. During that time, he had the same symptoms as someone with malaria! Once he stopped taking cinchona bark, he stopped having all of the malarial symptoms.
Surprised by what had happened, he tried this with some other substances and wrote down all of his new symptoms. With these notes, he then attempted to treat people by closely matching the symptoms
he had from a substance, to that of his patients. He found this method of healing worked well to bring about a speedy and gentle cure! This was the start of homeopathy.
Later, Dr. Hahnemann figured out that diluting these medicines more and more preserved the healing powers of the medicine while removing any primary effect from the medicine that could cause harm.
This allows homeopaths to use substances that are normally very poisonous or dangerous, like arsenic, nightshade and cobra venom, without any harm to their patients.
Homeopathy was born out of a very simple yet profound observation in our natural world. From this, we have a medicine which can only be understood as an energetic or quantum-type medicine.
Homeopathic remedies act instantly, and yet can have a long-lasting effect that helps someone recover from their previously diseased state to a healthier one. Homeopathy is a medicine that uses strong directives to bring about health, using the energy imprint of a substance.
Homeopathic medicine can be used for a wide range of diseases, even ones that have been long-standing and simply refuse to budge. It can also be used alongside other treatment modalities and pharmaceutical drugs. For instance, people who need help with ADHD, high blood pressure, depression, back pain, or thyroid problems, and who are taking pharmaceutical drugs can also benefit from homeopathy. Someone could be seeing a counselor for PTSD, or be receiving chiropractic care for an old injury, and find that they can recover faster with the addition of homeopathy.
If you are looking for something that can work with your natural ability to heal, something that is very safe, and something that can work on the core of your problems, then homeopathy may be right for you.
Aaron Deforest, CCH (Cand) is a homeopath with a private practice in Petaluma, CA. He also volunteers his homeopathic services at the COTS homeless shelter. Aaron can be contacted at (707)782-6505 or through his website: www.compasshomeopathy.com.
What is Homeopathy,Anyway?
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