Homeopathy
Frequently Asked Questions
How
do I study Homeopathy?
The South African Faculty of Homeopathy is registered to provide homeopathic
training to medical doctors. The course offered by the Faculty does
not include anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology and medical
subjects, as it is assumed that all students, being medical doctors
are trained in these areas.
If
you would like to study homeopath but are not a medical doctor, the
University of Johannesburg(UJ) and the Durban University of Technolog(DUT)
offer a 5-year full-time Masters Degree in Homeopathy,, the M.Tech.(Hom).
Besides the Faculty Course for medical doctors, the M.Tech.(Hom) is
the only training recognised for the purpose of registration as a homeopath
in South Africa. No correspondence courses are recognised. If you would
like more information about the M.Tech.(Hom) please contact the UJ or
the DUT directly.
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What
is homeopathy?
Homeopathy treats illness by stimulating your body's own natural healing
powers. Your homeopath builds up a complete picture of you and prescribes
treatment for you as an individual, not simply for your complaint.
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How
does it work?
Homeopaths see symptoms as a sign that you body is attacking an illness
and use remedies which encourage this response and help the healing
process. When you have symptoms of illness, your homeopath will give
you a remedy which would produce similar symptoms if taken when you
were healthy. Sometimes referred to as treating like with like. But
this remedy is given in minute quantities so that it triggers your body's
self-healing response without any other ill effect.
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Why
should I try homeopathy?
Homeopathic remedies are mainly made from natural materials and have
almost no side-effects. They are particularly appealing to people who
prefer natural products to conventional drugs, those with chronic conditions,
and to parents and others responsible for the care of children. Some
illnesses can be treated entirely with homeopathy which offers a much
more gentle way to health.
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What
can homeopathy treat?
Many conditions can be treated effectively by homeopathy, from asthma,
rheumatism, arthritis, eczema to more simple cases of cuts and bruises.
Homeopathy is being used increasingly by doctors, dentists, midwives
and many other healthcare professionals because of an increasing understanding
of the therapeutic benefits and in response to growing public demand.
Vets also find it a valuable addition to the range of treatments available
for animals in their care.
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What
does treatment involve?
To discover how best to help, the homeopath will want to know not only
about your illness but also about you. How you are affected by environmental
factors such as temperature and the weather, the kinds of food that
you eat or the food you avoid, your moods and feelings, and your medical
history will all help to establish a complete picture of you as a person.
The homeopath then relates the description of your current symptoms
to all this background knowledge in order to prescribe the correct remedy
at the right strength. Choice of remedy is therefore based on you and
your condition, not just on your symptoms.
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What
is a remedy?
Remedies are derived from a variety of natural materials including plants
and minerals and are prepared in licensed laboratories under strict
quality control. They are given in liquid, tablet, granule or powder
form and are available in different, but extremely dilute strengths
which are identified by a potency number. Choosing the right remedy
at the appropriate strength is very important.
Over-the-counter remedies are usually strength 6C. This means that the
substance has undergone 6 steps in a series of dilutions, where each
step involves taking 1 part of the remedy and diluting it in 99 parts
of alcohol.
A fascinating but as yet unexplained characteristic of homeopathic remedies
is that the more dilute a remedy, the more effective it is. For example,
a remedy diluted 30 times by a factor of 100 (strength 30C) is much
more potent than a 6C remedy, even though it contains less of the original
substance.
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How
often do I have to take the remedy?
This will vary, depending on the severity or nature of the problem.
It can be as frequent as one tablet every half hour or as infrequently
as one tablet monthly or per annum. Remedies which have acted only need
to be repeated when the symptoms recur.
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How
should I take the remedy?
Avoid putting anything in your mouth for half-an-hour before or after
taking your remedy. Some homeopaths advise completely avoiding strong
substances like coffee and mint while taking remedies.
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How
should I store the remedies?
Most medicines are fairly delicate and need to be treated quite carefully.
Homeopathic remedies should be stored away from strong light, strong
temperature variations and strong smells. All three can inactivate them.
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Can
I use homeopathy and aromatherapy at the same time?
You should not store your homeopathic remedies in the same place as
your aromatherapy oils and you should not take a homeopathic remedy
at exactly the same time as you apply an aromatherapy oil, but you can
undergo both treatments for your illness.
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How
should I handle the remedies?
As little as possible. It is best to tip one pillule into the lid of
their container and then tip the medicine into your mouth. Try to touch
the remedy with your fingers only if you really have to, and as little
as you can. Handling remedies too much can inactivate them.
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Should
I stop my other medication?
No. Homeopathic remedies can be safely taken along with other medicines.
It can be very dangerous to stop a medicine which you have been using
for some time. The remedies will not interfere with your other drugs.
You will be able to reduce your other drugs if you begin to improve
under the influence of the homeopathic ones.
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Why
have I heard that some homeopaths tell their patients to stop their
other drugs?
It is very unusual for a qualified health care professional to give
such an instruction. It is true that some drugs can produce such an
inhibitory effect on homeopathic remedies, particularly steroids and
other drugs which suppress the immune system. However, experienced homeopathic
practitioners will tell you that it is still possible to see the remedies
produce good effects in the face of these drugs. Drugs should only be
stopped when they are no longer clinically necessary.
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How do I find a good homeopath?
To find a doctor qualified in homeopathy go to the home page of this
site and click on the area where you live. This will provide you with
contact details if there is a doctor is using homeopathy in a particular
area.
For details of homeopaths who obtained an MTech(Hom) through the University
of Johannesburg or the Durban University of Technology, contact the
Homoeopathic Association of South Africa(HAS) at 086 111 4547 or www.hsa.org.za
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