Even though Homeopathy has been in use for more than 2000 years, it was only developed as a systematic and scientific therapy of medical treatment in 1796 by the German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann who had become disenchanted by conventional medical practices. Dr. Hahnemann observed that substances which produce symptoms in healthy people cure similar symptoms in the sick, thus describing the “Law of Similars”.

Homeopathy works on the basis of the principle “like cures like”. Thus, a substance that is capable of producing morbid symptoms in a healthy person has the ability to cure similar symptoms in an individual whose health has been unbalanced. By matching the individualizing symptoms within a patient to those related to a particular homeopathic substance, a homeopathic remedy stimulates the autoimmune system in order to eradicate the underlying cause of the imbalance, thus restoring health and equilibrium.

The aim of a consultation with a homeopath is to find out why your body is unable to heal itself as it should, and to identify a way to allow it to do so. Symptoms are the way our body reacts to stresses, expressions of dormant tendencies we inherited from our ancestors. From your description of all your different symptoms, even if they seem totally unrelated to you, the homeopath draws the picture of a tree, your symptoms being the different branches, with a common trunk feeding all of them, the “root cause”. He thus chooses a natural substance to correct this imbalance, the remedy acting like a vaccine tailor-made to boost your own resistance.

Homeopathy is about treating the whole person, any person, and not just the condition. Thus, anyone can come and see a homeopath, be it men, women, from any age group, or with any condition.

The foundation of homeopathy is that there is only one disease per person. This disease has been there for a while, it is called a constitutional disease. If it is not stopped it will grow into something else, and something else, etc. If you are only treating the symptoms you are constantly chasing the disease.

Once your practitioner has identified the root cause of the disease and has treated it then not only do you get rid of what is happening now, you also eliminate all that has been happening in the past, as well as things that will happen in the future. So Homeopathy is prevention, cure of today’s diseases, and also the cure of something that shouldn’t have happened 150 years ago.

Homeopathic remedies are made from pretty much everything that exists on earth including plants, minerals, metals, or animals. Everything has a healing property. There are over 3000 homeopathic medicines to choose from and, when used correctly, homeopathic medicines can help you heal yourself, with no harmful side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and devoid of any side effects. The very nature of homeopathic remedies is integrated, working harmoniously and directly on the vital force instead of merely on the physiological body. Consequently, they are safe, gentle and efficacious. Homeopaths are trained to analyze each case individually and suggest the most appropriate remedy and dosage on the basis of an individual’s particular symptoms, instead of by the name of a disease or disorder. The recommended dosages have been clinically proven safe and effective.

The simplest way to look at homeopathic remedies is as energetic medicines.

Even though you cannot have a side effect reaction to a homeopathic remedy, you can have a strong reaction to it. This can be seen as a healing crisis, a sign that your body is trying to correct itself. By taking a homeopathic remedy you are trying to help your body achieve this, giving it a substance that mimics your symptoms better. For a day or two those symptoms might get worse, but after this healing crisis you will be feeling much better.

Some conventional drugs may interfere with the curative power of the homeopathic medicines, however there is no possibility of a homeopathic medicine interfering with the action of a conventional drug. In many instances a homeopathic remedy will be able to augment or speed up the recovery process. In most situations the action of a homeopathic medicine eliminates the need of conventional drugs because the homeopathic medicines are able to work quickly and thoroughly, and without any side effects.

Conventional practices in any field or discipline are often prejudiced against innovation or change. The greatest discoveries in human history e.g. the fact that earth revolves around the sun and is not the centre of the universe, or that the earth is round, were treated initially with great skepticism and disbelief. The same is the case with homeopathy, which is now beginning to revolutionize traditional and conventional beliefs regarding the relationship between health, disease and cure.

Recent studies suggest that homeopathy is much more than just an alternative system of medicine, is now the preferred method of therapy for more than 650 million people worldwide, and is daily drawing more individuals, of all ages and from all walks of life, who have become dissatisfied with conventional medicine and therapy. In the United States the sales of homeopathic medicines have grown at a rate of 10-20% per year over the last ten years.

Homeopathy has been endorsed by the World Health Organization, The Red Cross, The National Institutes of Health (NIH – USA), National Centre for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, International Medical Volunteers Association, which have setup numerous public homeopathic clinics and projects all over the world. In Britain, France, The Netherlands, Norway, and Greece homeopathy has been incorporated into their respective national healthcare systems.

More than 40 % of French population use homeopathy and over 4200 MDs in Germany have specialized in Homeopathy. In Asia, especially India, government councils for the regulation and administration of homeopathy have been in effect for the last 75 years.

All over the globe, homeopathy is rapidly gaining recognition as a major force in health care. This is evidenced by the numerous societies and national fellowships for homeopathy currently flourishing, The European & International Councils for Homeopathy, European Committee for Homeopathy, Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis – LMHI, Homeopathes Sans Frontieres – France, The Asian Homeopathic Medical League, The Homeopathic Doctor Without Borders – International, Comision Latinoamericana de Farmicias Homeopaticas, North American Society of Homeopathy (NASH), as well as a vast increase in educational institutes and colleges to meet the growing demands for homeopathic medicine.

As Naturopathic Medicine is regulated in Ontario, many employers, such as the federal and provincial governments and the high tech industry, as well as third party insurance companies have coverage for homeopathy if it is practiced by a Naturopathic Doctor. Dr. S Ayoubzadeh is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario. Some insurance companies directly cover homoeopathy. Check with your employer to determine what kind of coverage you have.

Homeopathic medicine is not a substitute for a healthy life-style. On the contrary, homeopathy works best in conjunction with balanced eating and exercise habits. The improved health achieved through homeopathy often results in greater vitality and awareness, enhancing motivation towards a better life style.

Your guidance is essential in helping your homeopath to help you. Remember, your life story is important to understanding your unique coping style. It holds the key to understanding how your disease evolved, shedding light on the profound mystery of how your natural defences work. Try to be open and honest during consultations, this will help your homeopath to find the right remedy for you.