To make the remedies that are taken from plant, mineral or animal sources, the original substance or “mother tincture” is diluted with alcohol between 10 and 100’s of times, and shaken forcefully each time.
Latin names are used for the remedies, for instance, allium comes from onion and apis from bees, white homeopathic pills contain milk sugar (lactose), as well as the active remedy, and dissolve in the mouth. Remedies also come in tincture form. You can buy remedies from pharmacies or health stores for self-treatment or have them prescribed by a homeopath.
The idea behind homeopathy is that an illness can be cured by tiny doses of something that, in a healthy person, causes that very illness’s symptoms. When you think that the remedies are often so diluted that there’s virtually nothing left of the mother tincture, it’s not surprising that so many doctors doubt homeopathy’s power, But, despite the fact that in higher dilutions there is not a molecule left of the original substance, homeopathy often seems to work. The remedy is thought to be acting on the energy level rather than on the physical.
A homeopath not only pinpoints individual symptoms, but finds out what kind of person you are. Do you worry a lot? What kind of weather do you like? Are you sociable or shy? Questions like these can help reveal your constitutional type.
There are 15 major constitutional remedies, but more than 2 000 remedies in all. Different remedies are prescribed for the same illness, depending on the individual. One remedy may be prescribed to deal with the present illness, but once that is cured, a constitutional remedy may be given to strengthen health. Some homeopaths practise “complex” homeopathy, giving mixtures of remedies.
Basic rules in taking these remedies:
• Do not touch the pills – tip them into the lid, then drop them onto your tongue. (Some remedies now come in a pump-action dispenser which makes taking pills easier.)
• For children and animals, crush tablets between two small spoons and then drop the powder onto the tongue.
• Keep remedies away from strong smells or sunlight.
• Cut out or reduce coffee and tea.
• Do not eat or drink 20 minutes before or after taking a remedy.
• Do not use flavoured toothpaste.
Although there are no side-effects, you may notice a brief increase in symptoms; this usually means the remedy is working.
More about the remedies next time.
Lizél Britz 072 243 7707
