Homeopathy Basics
What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathic medicine works to stimulate healing and reduce susceptibility to disease using substances found in nature. The medicines are prepared in dilute formulas, making them among the safest medicines available. These medicines are recommended based on each individual’s unique symptoms. When recommended accurately, these medicines help the person to heal as a whole person, body and mind, and reduce susceptibility to disease.
Homeopathy isn’t about the dilute dose of WHAT is given – it is about HOW it is given. For something to be homeopathic, it has to be recommended based on the similarity between what someone is experiencing in their unwell state and what that substance could cause if taken by a healthy person. This is called “the law of similars” and is a vital component of homeopathy.
Many people associate homeopathy with the low doses used. While using the minimum effective dose is an important component of homeopathy, the dose is not what makes something homeopathic. The low doses are used in order to stimulate a healing response in the body without exerting a strong biochemical force on it (like we see with medication, high-dose vitamins, herbs, and supplements). And because of the low doses, we don’t see side effects from homeopathic remedies!
What is classical homeopathy?
Classical homeopathy is a full system of medicine that has been practiced for over 200 years. It is based on the law of similars and minimum effective dose. The law of similars is commonly referred to as like-cures-like. This is the principle that a substance that can cause symptom X in a healthy person can cure symptom X when someone is experiencing it in their unhealthy state. These symptoms are understood from tests done on healthy humans, and then verified by use in clinical practice. The minimum effective dose is often associated with the ultradilute preparations of the medicines. The dilution of the dose is important primarily to ensure we are stimulating the healing response from the body with minimal force and chance for negative effects from the substance itself.
What is a homeopathic remedy?
Homeopathic remedies are made from single substances found in nature. These substances could be from a plant, mineral, or animal source. There are over 3,000 remedies that have been studied and are available for use. Homeopathic remedies are prepared under the strict guidance of the FDA.
Why is homeopathy so important?
Homeopathic remedies stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal and work at your underlying susceptibility to PANS/PANDAS when exposed to an infection or other trigger. This understanding is at the core of the work our providers do and is what sets us apart from other PANS/PANDAS providers. We are all exposed to infections, but we don’t all end up with OCD, tics, rage, and other symptoms associated with PANS/PANDAS. It is your child’s underlying susceptibility or internal imbalance that creates this unique reaction to infections and other triggers. Other treatment methods, including some natural medicines, focus on symptom suppression rather than healing your susceptibility. Homeopathy is the only therapy we have that works at the level of susceptibility.
What does healing with homeopathy look like?
Healing a complex medical condition like PANS/PANDAS with homeopathy is a journey. We expect slow and gradual improvement over time as the body heals. Healing isn’t linear; it’s sort of like climbing a mountain. You can expect two to three steps forward and one step back on repeat. Much like climbing a mountain, those steps back are normal and still helping you make progress to your final goal. This can be hard for caregivers who are experiencing PTSD, but the steps backward are the guiding light that helps the Resilience Naturopathic providers determine the next steps in the healing journey. Your child’s symptoms will guide you and your provider up the mountain and then out of the woods. Each child will heal in the timeframe that their body needs and in the order it needs to heal. This isn’t something we can predict or control. The goal with homeopathy is to get your child’s body working so well it can be exposed to triggers and not regress into PANS/PANDAS symptoms. We strive for healthy immune systems that can appropriately fight off infections and maintain a healthy balance in the body. Reduced susceptibility and a strong vital force are the keys to getting to life after PANS/PANDAS.
