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Q1. What is homeopathy?
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| Homeopathy
is a form of alternative medicine based on the
principles of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathic
medicine uses micro doses of natural ingredients
from the plant, mineral or in very rare cases
animal kingdom. Homeopathic medicine works by
using these micro doses to help stimulate the
body's healing forces.
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Q2. How is homeopathic medicine different from 'conventional' medicine?
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| Conventional
medicine treats a patient's physical symptoms,
not the underlying cause. Homeopathic medicine
takes a holistic approach. Homeopathic remedies
are customized for a patient after taking into
consideration their complete personality. The
intent of homeopathic medicine is to remove the
underlying cause, not merely suppress the
symptoms.
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Q3. Is homeopathic medicine safe?
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| Yes.
Homeopathic remedies work gently with the body
to stimulate balance or healing. Homeopathic
medicines have no side effects. This reduces the
percentage of doctor induced (iatrogenic)
diseases.
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Q4. How can the correct homeopathic remedy be found?
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A true homeopath first gains a complete
understanding of the person. This means that the
homeopath takes note of the physical, mental and
emotional level of each person before
recommending a proper remedy. Homeopathic
medicines are thus given when the total
continuum of physical and psychological symptoms
of the patient have been identified.
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Q5. What do the different potencies of homeopathic medicine
signify?
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| Homeopathic
medicines contain extremely diluted natural
substances that are meant to stimulate the
body's defense mechanism. The potency of a
homeopathic remedy indicates the degree of this
dilution. On a broad level, homeopathic
medicines are categorized as X (decimal - lowest
potency), C (centesimal - higher potency) and M
(millennial - highest potency) Each of these
categories again contains ingredients of varying
strength - a 30X medicine is stronger than a
medicine with 6X
potency.
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Q6. How do I take homeopathic medicines?
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| Homeopathic
medicines take different forms. While most of
them are available as pills that dissolve when
placed under the tongue, some medicines are in
liquid form (mother tincture). Some homeopathic
medicines are also available as sprays or gels,
and need to be applied
topically.
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Q7. How long can the homeopathic treatment last?
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| The
effectiveness of homeopathic medicine depends on
how precise the diagnosis has been made and how
closely homeopathic rules are followed. Further,
the healing process is usually directly
proportional to the duration of the patient's
ailment.
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Q8. Are there any 'across the counter' medicines in
homeopathy?
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| 'Across
the counter' homeopathic medicines are
recommended only for self limiting conditions
that do not require a medical diagnosis e.g.
common cold, minor cuts, etc. Combination
medicines (or formulas) are sometimes sold in
health food stores especially in U.S. and
Europe. These medicines are combinations of
commonly prescribed homeopathic medicines that
are mixed together. The treatment of severe
illnesses and chronic diseases is best done by a
professional
homeopath.
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Q9. Can conventional medicines be administered with
homeopathic medicines?
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| In general, it is preferred not to mix allopathic
(conventional) medicines with homeopathic
medicines. If the diagnosis is correct,
homeopathic remedies work fast enough that the
need to take conventional medicines does not
arise. However, you can take a combination of
allopathic drugs with homeopathic medicine in
consultation with your doctor as homeopathic
remedies have no side
effect.
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