Jackie Raw - Homeopathy in Barnsley & Sheffield

In 1796, a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, discovered a different approach to healthcare which he called homeopathy (from the Greek words meaning 'similar suffering'). Like Hippocrates two thousand years earlier, he realised that there were two ways of treating ill health, the way of opposites and the way of similars.

Homeopathy is an effective and scientific system of healing which assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It recognises that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony within the whole person and that it is the patient who needs treatment not the disease.

As a new patient, these ideas may be new to you but homeopathy has been established for more than 200 years.

Take, for example, as case of insomnia (sleeplessness). The way of opposites (conventional medicine or allopathy) is to treat this by giving a drug to bring on an artificial sleep. This frequently involves the use of large or regular doses of drugs which can sometimes cause side effects or addiction.

The way of similars, the homeopathic way, is to give the patient a minute dose of a substance, such as coffee, which in large doses causes sleeplessness in a healthy person. Perhaps surprisingly, this will enable the patient to sleep naturally.

Homeopathic remedies, properly prescribed, are safe and can be given to pregnant women, babies and children1. This because only a minute amount of the active ingredient is used in a specially prepared form.

Your homeopath will give you a homeopathic medicine or remedy which matches your symptoms as you experience them. This also takes account of you as a person – your individual characteristics, emotionally as well as physically.

1. Dantas, F., Rampes, H. Do homeopathic remedies provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br. Homeopathic Jnl. 2000; 89: pp 35-38

Homeopathic remedies work by stimulating the body's own healing power. This stimulus will assist your own system to clear itself of any symptoms of imbalance. The aim is to get you to a level of health so that eventually you will need less frequent treatment.

In order to find the right remedy for you as an individual, your homeopath will need to know more about you. A detailed understanding of who you are, along with any complaints and details of how you experience them, is needed to assess your case correctly. So anything you can tell your homeopath that is typical of who you are will help this process. Finding out about your general energy levels, your past medical history and the way you live are also important. Anything you say will be treated in the strictest confidence. The initial consultation may last an hour or more.

Your homeopath will give you a homeopathic remedy, usually in the form of tablets, or pillules, occasionally as powders, which should be allowed to dissolve in your mouth; or you may be give a liquid remedy with instructions. Do make sure you understand the instructions before you leave.

If you are given homeopathic remedies to take at a later date, be sure to store them in a cool dark place, away from anything with a strong smell and try to avoid placing them near to your mobile phone. If you travel, try to avoid putting the remedies through the X-ray scanner.

Please tell your homeopath about any medicine or supplement that has been prescribed for you by your doctor or that you take regularly. Also mention any recent or immediate dental treatment. These may affect your homeopathic prescription. Your homeopath may request to speak to your doctor.

If you are taking a homeopathic remedy and you feel that you need to take additional medication – conventional or homeopathic medicine – consult your homeopath to discuss how this might affect your treatment. They may suggest you see your doctor. Your homeopath can give first-aid advice, if necessary. If you develop a cold, headache or any symptoms that concern you, please discuss them with your homeopath or your doctor.

After taking your remedy, you may notice some changes. Some patients experience a period of exceptional well being and optimism. Sometimes your symptoms can appear to get worse for a short time. This is a good sign that the remedy is taking effect1. Sometimes a cold, rash or some form of discharge may appear as a 'spring cleaning' effect which means your system is going through a clearing out stage. Similarly, old symptoms can reappear, usually for a short period. These symptoms will pass and must not be treated, as they are a very important part of the healing process. If any response to your treatment concerns you, do contact your homeopath, as it is important for them to know what happens as treatment progresses. You might also want to make notes of any changes and take them with you to discuss at your next appointment.

1. Castro, M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan.

This depends very much on what illness you have, as well as other individual characteristics of your case. So it is difficult for your homeopath to assess this until after your second appointment. A slowly developing complaint or one that has been experienced for some years, may take longer to improve, although there may be a response and improvement quite soon. Acute complaints can get better more quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours.

Homeopathy cures from the inside and often outer symptoms such as a skin complaint, are the last to clear. In the long term, it is much better for you to be cured of both the cause of your illness and its symptoms, rather than merely relieving or suppressing the symptoms. Remember that every case is different and no two patients are alike.

If you wish to discontinue your treatment for any reason, your homeopath will talk things over with you.

A homeopath will ask you about your usual diet and lifestyle and may suggest changes, especially if it seems that this is contributing to your illness. Of course, a good basic diet is necessary for good health, with less sugars, fats, alcohol and refined foods. There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of foods free from artificial colourings, preservatives and flavourings. Whole foods and organic foods, free from chemical pesticides and fertilisers, are also increasingly available.

We recommend that you should maintain your relationship with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to arrange any tests or X-rays you may need. Homeopathy has a different philosophy but by working in this way with your doctor, the two systems of health care can provide a complementary service.

1. Dantas, F., Rampes, H. Do homeopathic remedies provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. Br. Homeopathic Jnl. 2000; 89: pp 35-38
2. Castro, M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan.