Jan Taylor Dip.Hom.ACH, RSHom
Homeopath at The Holistic Centre

About Homeopathy

THE HISTORY OF HOMEOPATHY - The name 'Homeopathy' comes from two Greek words meaning 'similar suffering', or 'like cures like'. This is a natural principle that has been known for thousands of years, but it was not until the end of the 18th century that Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) a brilliant German Doctor and Chemist, started on the course of study and experimentation that led to the development of modern homeopathy. He was appalled by the savage medical practices of the day, so he formulated a system of medicine that was not only extremely safe, but also scientifically based. His philosophy of disease and cure through natural process has changed very little from that day to this.

The principle of 'like curing like', states that if a substance can cause harm to a healthy person in large doses, it also has the potential to cure the same problem in tiny doses by stimulating the body's own natural energy, enabling it to self heal. To use an example. In the 19th century, it was custom among German women to take the herb valerian regularly as a stimulant. The practice was much abused and caused overtaxing of the nervous system. Yet given in minute doses, Valerian relaxes the nervous system, and calming the mind is one of homeopathy's main remedies for insomnia.

WHY WE GET ILL - We become ill when our energy is depleted or when we are out of harmony. The word 'disease' should perhaps be used more accurately and be written as 'dis-ease', indicating that we are not at ease.

There are many causes of disease, some are obvious, such as bruising or shock that follow an accident. A run-down and overworked person will probably not escape a winter flu epidemic. Illness often has an emotional cause, which a lot of the time people do not recognise as why they have become physically ill.

STRESS is a major contributor to inner disharmony, which then manifests itself in physical ailments. Grief, fear, shock, worry, depression and loneliness are not compatible with good health and therefore make individuals 'susceptible' to dis-ease.

THE BENEFITS of having homeopathic treatment are well worth the investment put in, not only the homeopath but by the patient too. I always say to my patients that 'together, you and I are going to make a difference to your health'.

GOOD HEALTH and keeping healthy is each individual's own responsibility and you owe it to yourself to become healthy and stay healthy on every level. Therefore, with the healing power of homeopathy and the enlightenment of changed thinking you will be able to take control of your heath and well-being.

THE FIRST CONSULTATION lasts between 1½ - 2 hours. This is because it takes time to not just go through a list of questions but to really get an essence of you as a person and what makes you unique.

We discuss your presenting problem/s in detail first. Then I need to know things like, what type of foods you desire, what weather you are happiest in and how you sleep, etc. It is important also to get a clear picture of you emotionally; for example, can you describe your temperament? That's a difficult one I am frequently told, but it does really make you think. Perhaps you are a joker on the outside but use this to conceal the shy person inside.

All these things are equally important, so is the time taken to reflect on your life as a whole. This is what makes homeopathy HOLISTIC, as homeopathy considers every aspect of you and where you have come from.

Most people feel better for just talking about this but when they have taken the medicine, they really start to understand the power of homeopathy.

THE MEDICINE - is usually given as powders to be taken in water over several days. Each course of treatment is as individual as the patient and the length of time and number of follow up appointments needed to complete your treatment will vary but is discussed at the first consultation.

FOLLOW UP consultations are usually 4-6 weeks later and last between ½ hour to ¾ hour. I need to ascertain what the medicine has done for you, how you are feeling now, and what the next course of action should be on your path to enhanced wellbeing.

Most patients, at first sense a feeling of improved well-being. The immune system becomes stronger making you less susceptible to illness, and energy and vitality improves. In many cases patients continually improve and many make a complete recovery and stay well.