Homeopathy – “similar for similar heals”

Homeopathy – “similar for similar heals”
11/01/2015 Margarida Moreira

Samuel Hahnemann, the father of homeopathy founded an alternative therapy in the 18th century, based on the concept “similia similibus curantur” or “similar for similar heals” (like the Greek derivation indicates).

The treatment is based on the idea that substances that cause diseases symptoms in healthy people help heal when given in diluted amounts for sick with the same symptoms. Homeopathic remedies have the function to stimulate self-healing system, while conventional remedies are described as alopatias, drugs that opposes the symptoms to be treated.

Hahnemann found to therapy, defined some principles:

  • Laws of similarity: “similia similibus curantur” – similar for similar heals. The German doctor exemplifies a drug that causes angst and improve after diarrhea and fever in a healthy person will cure a patient of the same type.
  • Experimentation in healthy people: homeopaths analyzed the therapeutic drugs and were testing in humans (not tested on animals). The goal is to find the pure effects of substances.
  • Law of the infinitesimal dose: dilute the substance in alcohol or water and stirring-to discover more quickly the latent properties. The more diluted is, most powerful the remedy is.
  • The disease is specific to each individual: the average analyzes the disease and checks for need to treat with medication. If so, the physician uses a drug at a time so that it is possible to observe and evaluate response to therapy efficiency. Even if there are two people with the same disease do not necessarily receive the same treatment.

The law of similarity is based on the philosophical thought of Hippocrates (4th century BC) and is the same that inspired the creation of Pasteur vaccines. Vaccines cause the individual reactions that protect against the actual condition.

The law caused more controversy to persons outside the homeopathy was the infinitesimal dose. The diluted homeopathic remedies may not have chemical traces of the original substance, and doctors consider that the electromagnetic energy is retained without the existence of toxic effects and stimulate the body to heal itself.


Homeopathy individually responds to physical, mental and emotional illnesses.

The drugs used are safe and effective because they are severely diluted substances and exhibit minimal side effects.

Homeopathy is a good treatment for coronary heart disease, acute and for patients in postoperative process and post-chemotherapy.


The substances used can be toxic, but after several dilutions lose their toxicity and should always be prescribed by a homeopathic doctor.

During treatment should avoid antidotes (coffee, alcohol, drugs with peppermint – including toothpaste – and camphor).

Side effects

Symptoms may worsen temporarily, but doctors consider as a positive sign, in which the drug is indicated for the disease.

KRAPP, K. [et al.]. Manual de medicinas complementares. Barcelona; Loures; Porto: Oceano: Crerital: Nova Variante, [2004]. [VIII], Original title: The gale encyclopedia of alternative medicine

