What is homeopathy?

In the late 18^th century, a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann was frustrated with the contemporary practice of medicine. Then, he came upon a passage claiming that Peruvian bark cured malaria. Using himself as a subject, Hahnemann swallowed a dose of Peruvian bark, which contains quinine. He began to feel feverish, drowsy, desperately thirsty, and agitated—all of which he recognized as symptoms of malaria. This caused Hahnemann to experiment further and form his theory that like cures like. Soon, he coined the term "homeopathy" from the Greek homoios, meaning similar, and pathie, meaning feeling. One of the basic principles of homeopathy is that when a substance in large doses causes certain symptoms, in small doses it can help heal a person suffering from an illness that has those same symptoms. Some treatments in conventional medicine rely on this like-cures-like principle: vaccines, for instance, introduce small doses of an illness-causing agent to cure or prevent disease.

How does homeopathy work?

Rather than simply suppressing symptoms of a disease, homeopathic remedies act as catalysts that aid the body's inherent healing mechanisms. Moreover, homeopaths (people who practice homeopathy) believe that any physical disease has a mental and emotional component. They refer to a symptom complex—a cluster of physical, mental, and emotional responses that is unique to each person. The right remedy for a particular condition addresses all of these aspects.

Homeopathic remedies start with simple substances, such as herbs, minerals, or animal products. These substances are first crushed and dissolved in a specified amount of grain alcohol or lactose, mechanically shaken (a process called "succussion"), then stored. This is the "mother tincture." Homeopaths further dilute tinctures with alcohol or lactose, either 1 part to 10 (written as "X") or 1 part to 100 (written as "C"), and succussed, yielding a 1X or 1C dilution. Homeopaths can even further dilute these tinctures two times (2X or 2C), three times (3X or 3C), and so forth. In clinical practice, you may use any dilution, but the most popular for self-care are the 6X, 12X, and 30X and 6C, 12C, and 30C.

Health-food stores and some pharmacies sell homeopathic remedies in these dilutions for a variety of problems. These store-bought remedies are very safe; users have reported no side effects. You usually take these remedies for no more than 2 or 3 days, though some people require only one or two doses before starting to feel better. If a remedy fails, it may be because it was the wrong substance for the set of symptoms.

What happens during a visit to the homeopath?

An initial visit to the homeopath can take from 1 to 1½ hours. Because homeopaths treat the person, not the illness, the practitioner interviews the person at length, asking many questions and observing personality traits as well as unusual behavioral or physical characteristics. Determining the person's condition also includes a physical examination and possibly laboratory work.

What illnesses and conditions respond well?

Conditions that respond well to homeopathic treatment include arthritis, migraines, asthma, eczema, attention-deficit disorder, depression, anxiety, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, chronic-fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, back pain, gastritis, peptic-ulcer disease, ear infections, and strep infections.

How can I find a qualified practitioner?

About 25 homeopathic schools and training programs exist in the U.S., most of which offer 2- to 4-year programs. However, no diploma or certificate from any school provides a license to practice. Most homeopaths are medical doctors, although some homeopaths are licensed in virtually every health-profession category. In most states, practitioners must be licensed healthcare providers to legally practice homeopathy. Several respected certification agencies exist. The American Board of Homeotherapeutics certifies MDs and osteopaths. (DHt is the designation following a certified person's name.) Naturopaths (people who practice therapies that rely primarily on natural remedies) study homeopathy extensively as part of their medical training and are certified by the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (DHANP). Other practitioners, including chiropractors, nurse practitioners, and acupuncturists, can apply for Certification in Classical Homeopathy (CCH).

To receive an information package and a directory that lists trained homeopaths in your area, send $10 to the National Center for Homeopathy, 801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 306, Alexandria, VA 22314, or use the center's free searchable directory online at www.homeopathic.org. Contact the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at 206-298-0125 to find a qualified naturopath in your area.

How much does a treatment cost?

The average visit lasts 60 to 90 minutes and costs $150 to $300. Follow-up visits cost $50 to $80. Remedies are often cheaper than conventional drugs.

Does my medical insurance cover homeopathy?

Insurance companies are more likely to cover homeopathy when the person providing the service is a healthcare professional, such as an MD or an osteopath, who also practices homeopathy.