Homeopathic Terms

Homeopathy

A system of health care that uses extreme dilutions of substances from nature to facilitate the body's natural healing process.

Law of Similars

Also called the law of "Like Cures Like" - The principle that if a substance can cause symptoms in a healthy person, then it can stimulate self-healing of similar symptoms in a sick person when prepared homeopathically.

Suppose a person has hay fever, with watery eyes and a burning nasal discharge. Instead of giving an antihistamine to dry up the discharge, a homeopath might prescribe Allium Cepa - a tiny dose of onion, specially prepared by a homeopathic pharmacy in accordance with FDA approved guidelines - because onion is known to cause watery eyes and a burning nasal discharge.

Suppose a person can't sleep because of agitation or an overactive mind. Instead of giving a conventional sleeping pill, a homeopath might give Coffea - a homeopathic preparation of coffee.

Symptom Picture

The profile of symptoms that a substance elicits in a healthy person. Based on the Law of Similars, this is also the profile of symptoms that the homeopathic preparation of that same substance stimulates self-healing of. For example, the symptom picture of the homeopathic remedy Coffea includes the symptom "can't sleep because of an overactive mind."

Symptom pictures for remedies include both physical symptoms and mental/emotional symptoms and can be very lengthy and detailed. For example, in one homeopathic reference book , the symptom picture of homeopathic Silica (Silicea) is 58 pages long. Most homeopathic handbooks scale this list down to two-three pages.

Keynote Symptoms

The most prominent and characteristic symptoms of a remedy. For example, the keynote symptoms of Silica are: craves milk, constipation with "bashful" stool, distorted nails, cold extremities, mental fatigue, indecision, child-like timidity, anxiety, ritualistic behaviors, and stubbornness.

Homeopathic Proving

The method used by homeopathic researchers to define the symptom profile of a particular substance. Most provings were done and recorded in the late 1800's, although in the last twenty five years many homeopathic researchers have begun proving new substances. Provings are a very specific type of research and usually follow a standard protocol.

Materia Medica

A book that contains a compilation of proving symptoms for homeopathic remedies. Materia medicas are primary tools for homeopathic professionals, as well as consumers using homeopathy for family care.

Remedy

The end result of the homeopathic preparation process. Homeopathic pharmaceutical companies are required by the FDA to follow strict guidelines in their remedy manufacturing process. The preparation process includes repeated dilution and succussion (titration or shaking) of the original substance in a lactose or alcohol base.

The original substance can be the mother tincture of a plant, a powdered mineral, or an animal derived substance, such as dog's milk.

Typically, remedies comes in the form of lactose tablets, sucrose pellets, or an alcohol solution. Remedies are sold in health food stores and homeopathic pharmacies, and typically cost between $7 and $11.

Homeopathic State

The term many homeopaths use to describe an individual that matches a particular remedy profile. We say the individual is "in a Silica state." This verbiage implies that the symptoms are part of an overall energy state - and that once the individual shifts out of the state, the current set of symptoms will dissipate and a new set of symptoms will emerge.

State Progression

The process of an individual shifting from one state to another in their healing process. When the energy that underlies the existing state dissipates, the homeopath pays close attention to the new symptom picture that emerges - and selects the next remedy accordingly.

Path of Healing

The idea that people heal according to the plan of their innate wisdom. This is the path which provides optimal progress in their healing while maintaining sufficient homeostasis. In other words, healing follows the path that is most optimal to the individual - and limits itself to what the individual can handle energetically, emotionally, and physically while still maintaining a core state of homeostasis.

Aggravation

A temporary exacerbation of the symptoms the homeopathic remedy is prescribed for. Homeopaths view this as a retracing of a chronic illness to its initial acute phase and usually interpret it as a sign that the body is doing what it needs to do to heal itself permanently of the symptoms.

Retracing

Sometimes when an individual takes a remedy, some of the physical and emotional symptoms become temporarily heightened.

Sometimes the amplification is so strong that the individual may have strong memories of a previous stress in their life that was somehow related to the origin of their condition. This memory can come in the form of old familiar feelings, thoughts, dreams, or images of the original occurrence.

Often times this retrace experience correlates with some new insight or understanding by the individual. For example, the individual may come to realize that a fear-based belief that they adopted in childhood is no longer valid. When this type of shift occurs (that is, a shift of a fundamental belief), the individual relaxes on a deep level - and this is really what brings about the permanent resolution of the physical symptoms.

Potency

The degree of dilution for a homeopathic remedy.

Lower potencies (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C) are usually prescribed for mildly acute physical symptoms (i.e. cold or flu). These typically apply to people who for some reason (age, pathology, life phase) are not ready to undergo a healing process that involves deep restructuring.

Medium potencies (30X, 30C, 200X, 200C) are usually prescribed for chronic physical and emotional symptoms. These typically apply to people that are ready for moderate restructuring.

High potencies (1M, 10M) are usually prescribed in single dose for chronic mental and emotional states or strongly acute physical symptoms. These potencies typically apply to people that are ready to undergo deep physical and emotional restructuring.

Homeopath

A professional that observes and interviews an individual to derive the symptom picture, and then selects the homeopathic remedy and potency that most closely matches the presenting picture.

Samuel Hahnneman

A German physician and medical transcriber who rediscovered homeopathic principles from medical writings and founded the development of our current form of homeopathy.

NCH

National Center for Homeopathy - The primary organization in the U.S. dedicated to educating consumers and medical professionals through conferences, a monthly magazine, and homeopathic study groups. (703) 548-7790, (Virginia), www.homeopathic.org 

HES

Homeopathic Educational Services - One of the primary resources for homeopathic books and tapes. Call for a catalog or check out their web site. (800) 359-9051, (California), www.homeopathic.com 

Homeopathy Help Network

A non-profit organization consisting of volunteer professional homeopaths and students that offer homeopathic care to individuals on a donation basis. www.homeopathyhelpnow.com

Standard Homeopathic

A homeopathic pharmaceutical company that has a manufacturing plant in Gardena, CA. The president of the company gives excellent tours of the plant, upon request. Call to arrange a group or individual tour. (310) 768-0700.