1. What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is based on the principle of “Similia Similibus Curantur” which is a latin phrase that means “Like Cures Like”. It is a holistic system of medicine which is gentle and acts on the vital plane to stimulate the body’s immune system and results in a permanent cure.

Homeopathy approaches a person as a whole and so the “totality of symptoms” is considered in treating the individual. Individuality is very important in Homeopathy as every person is different and reacts differently to the same stimuli. For example two patients come in for pollen allergies, one has runny nose and watery eyes with headaches and the other patient has runny nose and watery eyes with burning and redness around the eyes. These two patients might be given completely different remedies and treated not just for their allergy but holistically as individuals. The remedy they are given is referred to as a constitutional remedy and will help their immune system become stronger and resist the allergen.

2. When is Homeopathy helpful?

Homeopathy is helpful in First Aid, Acute conditions and Chronic conditions.

First Aid


Acute Conditions

Acute health problems are those in which the symptoms will eventually go away on their own like cough, colds, flu, sprains, etc. A homeopathic remedy acts wonderfully in these conditions by reducing the intensity of the disease and increasing the body’s response to fight the affection.  

Chronic Conditions

Treating chronic conditions requires a constitutional approach to homeopathy, which refers to the treatment of a person as a whole, including all the past and present symptoms. This approach is important to achieving a long term permanent cure. Example: Recurrent ear infections can be treated with a homeopathic constitutional remedy by strengthening the body’s immune system and this will  prevent future occurrences.

3. How does a homeopath see and evaluate the symptoms?

Homeopathy believes in a strong reliance on the symptoms of the patient. We have some axioms in this regard including “Symptoms are the language of a disease” and “Symptoms are an outward manifestation of an internally deranged vital force”.

This is the reason a homeopath takes a detailed case and his goal is to treat and remove the cause rather than to suppress the symptoms. The description of the series of symptoms given by the patient helps the homeopath determine how deep and chronic the condition is. She will try to find the peculiar symptoms that individualise the patient, as for example: two patients come in for migraine headaches, one has headaches with nausea, vomiting accompanied with dizziness, while the other has headaches with nausea, vomiting accompanied with thirst for cold water.

4. What is a Constitutional remedy and the Similimum?

A constitutional remedy is a medicine chosen by the physician after a long investigation of a person’s symptoms. To find a constitutional remedy, a totality of symptoms are considered including mental, emotional and physical symptoms, along with their medical history and family history. Sometimes a family member may also be interviewed if needed to get a full picture of the patient so as to find that single constitutional remedy.

Finding the Similimum:

Similimum is the homeopathic remedy found for the individual after this extensive research and case history. To find the similimum the Homeopath considers not just the disease a person is suffering from, but their individual traits and peculiar characteristics.Once a similimum has been obtained, it will improve the overall health of the person, boost their immune response and end up treating not just the one condition that prompted the visit but many other underlying maladies that the patient may be suffering from.

Response to the first dose of a “Constitutional remedy”:

After the first dose the patient will get a feeling of wellbeing and the intensity of the symptoms will start to decrease. The effectiveness of the constitutional remedy depends on its accuracy which in turn is based on the information given by the patient to find the constitutional remedy.

5. Are the small homeopathic pills effective?

One of the principles of homeopathy is to give the minimum required medicine. These small medicated sugar pills are prepared by potentization which is achieved by a processes of dilution and succussion. These medicines are energy medicines and work on the dynamic plane of the body which helps stimulate and heal the body from within, bringing balance and a feeling of wellbeing.

6. What is the difference between homeopathy and conventional medicine?

Homeopathic Approach:

Here the person as a whole is treated, not just the outward symptoms. Each case is considered different even though two patients may come in for very similar conditions. This approach helps to remove the cause and treat the patient gently and permanently.

Conventional Medicine Approach:

Conventional (allopathic) medicine usually relies on treating a patient’s symptoms for which he or she has come in. This mode of treatment helps the patient by controlling, or sometimes suppressing the symptom temporarily without the guarantee of treating the cause and achieving a cure.

7. Does Homeopathy work in acute cases?

Yes, homeopathic medicines work very nicely in acute conditions like cough, cold, fever, headache, etc.

8. Does homeopathy help children, women and elderly?

Yes, homeopathy has no limits to treating in regards to gender or age. In fact the homeopathic approach is to treat the person gently by individualization. See our section on homeopathy for children for a detailed description.

9. What are some examples of chronic conditions that homeopathy can treat?

  • Asthma
  • Tonsilitis
  • Recurrent ear infections
  • Kidney stones, etc.

10. Can homeopathic medicines be used in pregnancy?

Yes, homeopathic medicines are safe, gentle and without any side effects and so are safe to use during pregnancy.

11. What happens during the appointment?

Consultation “The Initial Visit”:

This visit is the longest about 1 to 2 hours depending on the condition of the patient.

Follow-Up Visit

A follow up visit is scheduled about 2 to 4 weeks after the initial visit. This visit helps to validate the effectiveness of the remedy given and is also an occasion to make any changes either to the potency or the type of remedy as needed.

12. How can the patient help?

The patient can help by being truthful about the details of the condition she is describing not only at a physical level but emotional and psychological levels as well. I would like if the patient kept a journal about the changes that occurred since she took the FIRST dose which will help me evaluate the case faster and with perfection.

I would also like that the patient to have open communications with me by emailing me if he/she has any questions after the visit.

There are certain precautions to take while taking homeopathic medicine. Please click the tab “directions to take homeopathic medicine”.