About Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a specific type of natural therapy. It is a very detailed system of healing based upon the principle of stimulating the body to heal itself. It is non-toxic and highly effective. Widespread throughout Europe, especially Great Britain and also in Central and South America, India, and Africa, homeopathy is experiencing an explosive resurgence in the United States and Canada as part of the movement toward alternative medicine. Homeopathic pharmacies are regulated by Health Canada and the FDA in the United States. The principles underlying the specialty of homeopathy have been systematically proven throughout two centuries of practice and validated by over 200 scientific studies meeting modern criteria of acceptability.

What are the principles underlying homeopathy?

Homeopathy was founded by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann in the 1800's. The principles that he elucidated have stood the test of time and application.

The basic principle, verified by vast clinical experience, is: Like Cures Like — A substance that produces symptoms in a healthy person will cure those very symptoms in a sick person. Healthy individuals called "provers" are given a substance in a highly dilute form and carefully record their symptoms. This highly diluted and specially prepared substance is then given to a sick person with similar symptoms.

Homeopaths observe that virtually all substances — plant, mineral, or animal — may produce symptoms if given carefully to sensitive individuals or in larger quantities to less sensitive people. These symptoms are painstakingly catalogued in Materia Medicas, which are then elaborately analyzed (in modern days, by computer) to match the symptom properties of substances to symptom pictures of patients.

"The basic concept is that symptoms are manifestations of the organism trying to heal. In acute disease, the fever, malaise, pain, and diarrhea or discharges are attempts to kill the offending organism and expel the toxins while encouraging the person to slow down and rest. In chronic disease, the symptoms are attempts to heal which are not succeeding — thus, they are chronic." (-Bill Gray MD)

In the homeopathic perspective, symptoms are any limitations of freedom, whether mental, emotional, or physical.

What is the method?

There are various ways of applying homeopathic remedies, from giving it for specific ailments or acute problems to a more profound method that deals with deeper and persistant chronic problems. Homeopathic remedies are even available over the counter for acute problems. The difference would be that the intention in the more profound method is to grapple with the individual nature of the deeper problem as opposed to simply dealing with a symptom or two.

In this method, Louis Klein conducts a very detailed interview addressing all major and minor symptoms of mental, emotional, and physical planes. Each symptom is elucidated as to what makes it better or worse, when it occurs, whether there are others in conjunction, what circumstances produce it, what stresses seem to lead to it, and whatever hereditary traits contribute. A total symptom picture is built which is then matched to the best possible snapshot of a person’s health and factors that lead to and continues the problem state.

After careful consideration, a homeopathic remedy is then administered. Whereas many individuals superficially select a homeopathic remedy from a group of 30-40 remedies, Louis Klein selects from a comprehensive list of over 3500 homeopathically prepared remedies.This is quite a daunting task but sophisticated computer data bases, historical texts and modern techniques make the task much more accurate. Louis Klein has actually been involved in the development and even teaching of these new modern techniques and computerization.

The remedy is sent to the patient directly or a specific remedy can be ordered from various homeopathic pharmacies.

In this deeper method, progress is carefully monitored at six to eight weekly intervals or longer as needed. The follow up interviews are not as long as the initial interview and as time goes on the interval between follow ups gets significantly longer.

Another important aspect of this method is that if the remedy is correct, there is improvement on many different levels not withstanding the main problem. An improvement and balancing of the whole person is acheived. If the remedy given is incorrect, essentially nothing at all happens — the patient is neither worse nor better as a whole even despite minor changes. In that case, another remedy is selected.

What are homeopathic remedies?

Made from plants, minerals, earth salts, animal tissue, even poisons, there are over 3,500 homeopathic remedies. Examples from daily practice are Pulsatilla (Windflower), Sepia (ink of the cuttlefish), Calcarea carbonica (calcium carbonate from oyster shells), Sulphur (the element), and Natrum muriaticum (sodium chloride, table salt).

Orchid is one type of plant used
to make a specific homeopathic remedy.

Remedies are all prepared by approved pharmacies through serial dilutions of the original substance, with forceful shaking between each dilution. There is no therapeutic effect if the substance is either diluted without shaking, or shaken without dilution. The effect is very potent when this total process is followed and then the remedy is matched precisely to the symptom picture of the individual patient as described above. The final process of preparing the remedy specifically for the patient is technically called "compounding" even though only one remedy at a time is used.

A shocking fact is that the more the remedy is shaken and diluted (serially), the more powerful the curative action! This remains true even beyond the point of there being even one molecule left in the solution! So the actual homeopathic remedy that you take can be only a few grains and seemingly very small.

There are many theories about why this happens. Modern physics now has some explanations. This seeming paradox has been recently elucidated by a variety of studies throughout the world since 1995 — clarifying special Quantum Electrodynamic processes occurring only in dilute solutions of water or other dipolar solvents. Essentially, some think that the process of shaking and diluting creates clusters of water molecules aligned with associated electromagnetic fields. When there is resonance between the remedy "vibration" and the patient’s symptoms, the structure of water changes and improves all the chemical reactions involved in bodily processes. (Bill Gray, MD, Homeopathy: Science or Myth? North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2000)

Is homeopathy just placebo effect?

There is currently some controversy about homeopathy and homeopathic remedies amongst scientists as to whether it has an effect or not. There are vitriolic amateur "debunkers" who claim it has no effect. Since the sale of homeopathic remedies, particularly in India has exploded there is much support from the pharmaceutical industry for this view and those who espouse it.

There is placebo effect arising from the holistic nature and thoroughness of a well-taken homeopathic interview. However, homeopathy is very effective in babies and animals who are not swayed under this effect. And over 89 carefully designed double-blind clinical and laboratory studies have been published proving its effectiveness. Tissue and cell cultures also respond quantitatively to exposure to remedies. ( Bill Gray, MD, Homeopathy: Science or Myth? North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, 2000).

What is the homeopathic interview like?

The first interview usually lasts one to two hours. It is soley verbal. The task of the homeopath and patient is to create a full picture of all the unique and even peculiar aspects of the person's disposition along with the disease and its progression. Looking at mental, emotional, and physical aspects together, an effort is made to grasp all the ways in which the vital force is already trying to heal.

The focus of the interview is on how this is uniquely being expressed by you as an individual. The remedy is matched to the unique patterns and symptoms and ideally acts to improve that effort, enabling cure of even long term chronic disease.

What happens if a wrong remedy is given?

Generally nothing at all. Remedies are non-toxic. The remedy must resonate with the person, otherwise nothing happens. Sometimes symptoms change subtly without much overall progress. This signifies a remedy is close but not exact. We are looking for more profound change and this can help to clarify the more correct remedy.

Should I stop my medications and see a medical doctor?

We do not recommend that you stop any medications that have been prescribed except under the supervision of your medical doctor.

It is important that you continue to see a licensed physician for your current condition and any conditions that may arise.

Is special advice given on lifestyle, diets or vitamins?

At the first interview, you will be directed to this web site or a printed packet that outlines the treatment protocol, possible interfering factors and how to contact the homeopath. On the web site, you access this information through a password protected area- "For current patients only" located on the front page.

Usually in the beginning very minimal or no recommendations are given, such that we can all see if the homeopathic remedy is working versus the advice.

After a few interviews, there may be some discussion of obstacles to getting better.

(With thanks to Bill Gray MD for this information)

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Copyright Louis Klein

The information on this web site, louisklein.com is not intended to give treatment advice, especially about the taking of homeopathic remedies or stoppage of other medications. See a licensed physician and registered homeopath.

Louis Klein FS Hom is a member of the Society of Homeopaths in England UK and a member of the Society of Homeopaths in North America, NASH. Louis Klein is also a Fellow of the Society of Homeopaths England UK. He has spoken at various conferences and special seminars for the Society of Homeopaths in England, UK.