Homeopathy: Can it be a Success Story?

This piece has been co-written by Lia Burkeman and Stephanie Kramer.

An Introduction into Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a 200 year old natural and holistic system of medicine which uses highly dilute substances to trigger the body’s own system of healing. It focuses on the particular symptoms of the individual rather than the ‘disease label’ known in the orthodox world of medicine. As everybody experiences ‘dis-ease’ uniquely, a homeopath will match the most appropriate remedy to the individual symptoms of the patient in order to prompt the body to heal itself.

Homeopathic remedies. Source: homeopathicwatch.co.uk

This notion of “matching” derives from the founding homeopathic principle that “like cures like”. This theory dates back to the discoveries of Hippocrates (460-377BC) and was reintroduced by a German doctor Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), the founder of Homeopathy. Hippocrates claimed that there were two methods of healing: by “contraries” or “similars”. The standard assumption of orthodox medicine celebrates the method of “contraries”, that if the body produces a symptom, the appropriate antidote would be the “opposite” or “contrary” medicine. For example if somebody is constipated they must be relieved with laxatives. Hahnemann perused the method of healing with “similars” hence the route of the name “homeopathy” which comes from the Greek ‘homoios’ (similar) and ‘pathos’ (suffering or disease). Orthodox medicine is known in the homeopathic world as “allopathy” meaning “opposite suffering”.

Samuel Hahnemann Memorial, Scott Circle, Washington D.C. Source: dbking in flickr.com

Throughout its long history there have been changes in emphasis and sophistication yet the core principle has remained the same: substances that cause symptoms can also be used to cure them. Thus the homeopathic method aims to match the symptoms of a sick person with the description of the toxic effects of a particular substance.

Hahnemann later discovered that giving back this “like” substance in its crude form was too harsh and often made the patient sicker before making them better. After much experimentation he discovered that in dilute forms, these substances cured as effectively but without any side effects. Remedies that are most commonly used today are diluted on the centesimal scale. Higher potencies are diluted even further.

Homeopathic remedies are not only diluted but also undergo a process of vigorous shaking, known as succussion. Hahnemann discovered that this step was essential to make the remedy effective. Homeopathy works energetically and new discoveries in physics are beginning to explain how. One theory is that the succussion causes an electromagnetic pattern that is stored in the solute which reacts with the body’s own water pattern. Another theory states that the dilution and succussion causes an electromagnetic field which directly affects the electromagnetic field of the body. Although science has not yet been able to explain the mechanism of how ultra high dilutions affect the body, laboratory experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that homeopathically prepared substances cause biological effects.

Stephanie’s Anecdote

Just recently I was suffering from an incredibly painful eye infection. My initial reaction was that it was the typical conjunctivitis but no matter what eye drops I took from steroids to viscotears, it simply would not budge. I was lost with what to do, having visited the Western Eye Hospital in London to no avail I decided I’d have to go to a specialist. Each day I was getting progressively worse. The doctor I went to informed me that I had something known as ‘adeno viral conjunctivitis’. The tell-tell signs were the tender glands I had by the front of my ear and one eye being significantly worse than the other. I was pleased that I finally had a solid diagnosis and could finally get the right antibiotics to target the demons in my eyes.

Adenoviral conjunctivitis. Source: eyerounds.org

It wasn’t going to be as straightforward as this, however. The doctor told me that with his experience in treating this antibiotics rarely helped. He said I’d have to fight this one out myself, take paracetamol regularly, and wait for my antibodies to kick in. When I asked how long the recovery was he answered that typically it would be approximately 4 weeks! I had strict instructions to minimize physical exertion, and to basically stay bedridden seeing as it was incredibly contagious. With my impending graduation ceremony in just two weeks time and already suffering from cabin fever I was dismayed. My only consolation was that at least the virus, once it did decide to budge, would have no lasting effect on my eyes.

In incredible amounts of pain, and disgruntled by the fact that the light at the end of the tunnel was in the realms of a month away, I was open to anything that could ease my agony. I was complaining to a friend of mine, Lia Burkeman, currently studying to be a homeopath at the Centre of Homeopathic Education, and she said that I might as well give it a shot. She gave me the name of her homeopath, Kate Mead, working at Ainsworths in Marylebone, London and I booked myself for an appointment the next day.

Paeonia Officinalis. Source: vilb on flickr.com

Knowing literally nothing about homeopathy, other than the little snippets Lia had told me about, I went in there being as open-minded as possible. Of course, due to a lot of negative press that surrounds homeopathy I wasn’t certain whether this would be a complete waste of time but nonetheless with few other options I decided to give it a shot. Kate asked me about my symptoms so I explained that my eyes were (faint-hearted folk look away) itchy, swollen, pussing, blurred vision, bloodshot, eyes stuck, hot, burning, red and puffy. We then went into a deep analysis about my previous medical history and even into the realms of my personal life.

Salvia sclarea typically used for tickling cough. Source: vilb on flickr.com

It was good to be able to talk to someone that had a general overview of me unlike ‘normal’ consultations which tend to isolate certain body parts. Ultimately, our body is a system so the weakness of one area undoubtedly resonates on others. It was refreshing to be listened to and rather than doctor/patient dynamics Kate felt almost like a confidant.

Having spoken to Kate for over an hour I was really refreshed and had high hopes for my recovery. She was not at all fazed by the time span my doctor had said I’d recover in. She prescribed me 3 treatments: apis, sulphur and euphrasia (which I will leave Lia to explain).

Within just a day of taking these remedies my eyes had significantly improved and I was in much less pain. A total of 5 days after visiting Kate and beginning her remedies I looked (almost) normal and the agony had subsided. I was blown away by the power that these remedies had and that they in fact trumped medicine!

When I tell my friends this story some are more hopeful about the benefits of homeopathy, however, the grand majority of them come back to me with, “maybe it was a placebo affect.” I’m personally certain that it was thanks to the remedies themselves and I would like Lia to go on to explain how they actually work.

Thanks to my first-hand experience of this I have no doubt that homeopathy will be a part of my life forever. I hope this story inspires some of you to take the plunge!

Lia’s explanation

Tiny 19th century homeopathy kit Semmelweis Medical Museum, Budapest, Hungary. Source: pennstatelive on flickr.com

Although homeopathy still has ground to cover in terms of research, its results speak for themselves in terms of effectiveness. Stephanie’s story is an example of how homeopathy works and also re-iterates how the “disease label” is not of primary importance. The remedies she was given matched the symptoms of her eye infection.

Apis is a remedy that is made from honey-bee venom. Its symptom picture resembles what one would expect an allergic bee sting reaction to look like. It covers complaints that are hot, swollen, red with itching and burning pains. It also has particular affinity for the face and eyes; allergic, puffy eyelids in particular, hot lachrymation and suppurative inflammation.

Sulphur is a remedy for many ailments but is most commonly used for skin problems. However it is a huge detoxifier and is often used in homeopathic treatment to ‘clean up’ and speed up healing.

Euphrasia is a remedy known as “eyebright” and is a staple remedy to promote healing of any ailments in the eye region.

Homeopathic pills. Source: Wikimedia

It must be noted that these remedies may not work for every case of conjunctivitis as every patient is an individual and may experience the infection in a differing ways, hence producing a different symptom picture which may be more accurately matched by another remedy.

If you wish to learn more about remedies and their symptom pictures one can purchase a Materia Medica book, which is a guide to the therapeutic properties of every remedy used in homeopathic medicine.

To read more on the successes in homeopathic research:

http://www.extraordinarymedicine.org/2011/01/14/high-dilution-studies/

http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/research/

Or if you’re in London book an appointment at Ainsworths:

36 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 8UF
T: +44 (0)20 7935 5330 F: +44 (0)20 7486 4313
Email: london@ainsworths.com

About Lia Burkeman

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