What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy, a complete system of healing with its own method of diagnosing and its own special remedies, was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann over 200 years ago. Homeopathics have no known harmful side effects, may be used by everyone, including pets, and can be administered for both acute and chronic conditions.
Homeopathics are made from small amounts of plant, animal and mineral substances prepared by a process whereby a minute amount of substance is highly diluted and succussed (vigorously shaken). Scientists have theorized that homeopathy may function similar to the way enzymes or hormones function in the body. Although they are found in similar miniscule amounts, they are believed to have very powerful effects.
People are returning to homeopathy because they understand that in order to achieve health, one must discover the root cause of disease and not just treat the symptoms. Many understand that pharmaceutical drugs often interfere with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Suppressing, or merely removing symptoms, is a temporary solution. Addressing the whole person naturally is the long-term solution to modern states of disease. We believe this is the role of homeopathy.
What does 10x, 6c, 30c, etc. after the remedy name mean?
There are two processes involved to make a homeopathic – dilution and succussion (a type of shaking). The number identifies the sets of dilution and succussion which is performed on the remedy. The letter indicates the dilution factor for each succussion step. The Roman numeral “x” stands for 10 and indicates a 1:10 ratio of raw material to diluent; the Roman numeral “c” stands for 100 and indicates a dilution of 1:100.
For example, a 10x final potency starts with one part of the raw material, such as a plant tincture, adds 9 parts of diluent (usually a mixture of water and alcohol) and is succussed 10-100 times. The resulting mixture is a potency of 1x. One part of this 1x mixture is then added to 9 parts of diluent and succussed again resulting in a 2x mixture. One part of this 2x mixture is then added to 9 parts of diluent and succussed again resulting in a 3x mixture. This process advances until the mixture is diluted and succussed for a total of ten times. In the final 10x mixture, there is one part of the original raw material in 10,000,000,000 parts of diluent. As the process continues, 15x remedies are one part raw material to 1,000,000,000,000,000 parts of diluent. A “c” potency is made similarly but diluted at a ratio of 1:100 instead of 1:10. Therefore, a 30c final dilution ratio is one part raw material to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 parts of diluent.
It is this ultra-dilution that makes homeopathy potentially controversial but at the same time amazing if the concept is understood. Because of its high dilution ratios, homeopathy no known side effects, drug or herbal interactions. Some say homeopathy can’t work because it is so diluted; there is nothing there. However, homeopathic advocates believe it is the combination of dilution and succussion that activates the power of the remedy.
Is homeopathy safe?
There are no known side effects or drug or herbal interactions with homeopathy. The active ingredients in homeopathic products occur in such highly-diluted amounts that they are considered to be non-toxic for everyone; i.e. infants, children, teenagers, adults, pregnant women, nursing mothers, seniors and pets. Homeopathic preparations were recognized as drugs by the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act of 1938, and are regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). NEWTON’s raw materials and finished products are tested by an FDA-registered independent laboratory according to Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States guidelines.
Can homeopathic remedies be taken along with pharmaceutical medications or other natural supplements?
There aren’t any known drug-to-drug interactions or contraindications with homeopathics, pharmaceuticals and/or supplements. We suggests a “15-minute” window (free from consumption of any food, drink, medications and/or supplements) before and after administering homeopathics to keep anything from interfering with the homeopathics.
How are homeopathic remedies sold?
Homeopathic remedies are sold in various forms and modes of delivery. A single remedy consists of one homeopathic active ingredient; a complex or combination remedy is a mixture of two or more homeopathic active ingredients. The most common modes of delivery are liquid and pellet. Liquid homeopathics are required to contain a preservative. Pellet homeopathics are small sucrose pellets that are dosed with a liquid homeopathic.
Can homeopathic remedies be taken with conventional drugs and dietary supplements?
Homeopathics are highly-diluted formulations that haven’t been known to accumulate or “build-up” in the body. For chronic conditions that require daily administration, the same remedy can be taken for as long as the condition remains. There shouldn’t be any need to discontinue a homeopathic regimen, until the condition has resolved, and that regimen is no longer appropriate.
How long does it take for homeopathy to work?
This depends on each individual situation. A person with a simple, yet acute condition such as an itchy bug bite may experience immediate results with the correct homeopathic remedy. However, a person with a long-standing complex condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome may not see complete results for several weeks or even months. Many factors must be taken into consideration including diet, lifestyle and medical history.
Liquid or pellets? What’s the difference?
This is a matter of personal preference. The difference is the mode of delivery. Some prefer pellets because of the sugary taste or because they prefer an alcohol-free remedy. Others prefer liquid due to its ease of use. Pellets should not be touched with fingers or hands. The warmth and moisture of the skin may remove active ingredients from the pellets. Pour pellets into the bottle cap and then pour directly into the mouth.
Can homeopathy be taken with food, drink, peppermint, etc.?
Historically, it has been recommended that one should refrain from consuming foods that contain strong aromatics or stimulants such as coffee and peppermint. We suggest the “15-Minute Rule” to be sufficient when administering homeopathy and consuming food or drink. Simply wait 15 minutes before and after administering homeopathics before eating, drinking or brushing your teeth. Homeopathy may also be mixed with a small amount of clean water.
Is homeopathy affected by extreme temperatures?
According to the Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS), due to documented heat sensitivity of homeopathic preparations, remedies should not be exposed to temperatures greater than 121ºC (249.8ºF). Refrigerating or freezing homeopathic remedies is not recommended. The best method for storage is to keep containers tightly sealed, out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat and/or electronics.
Why are homeopathic ingredients listed in Latin?
Homeopathic active ingredients are listed in Latin because homeopaths require precision and accuracy in identifying and describing the source of the plant, mineral or animal species of a particular remedy. Often there is more than one common name associated with a substance so the Latin name is used to assure correct identification.
Is the alcohol in liquid remedies safe for kids and pets?
Guidelines are set by HPUS (Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States) for preserving homeopathic preparations. For those concerned with the alcohol content, a child or small pet dose of 3 drops once a day delivers 0.001 ounces of alcohol. THIS IS EXTREMELY LOW. If there are still concerns, the dose may be placed in a small amount (approx. 1 tbsp.) of warm water, and approximately 90% of the alcohol will evaporate within a few minutes. Pellets do not contain alcohol and are often offered as an alcohol-free alternative.
Do larger individuals need to take more than the standard NEWTON adult dose?
Homeopathy is not dispensed according to weight or size in humans. A NEWTON homeopathics standard adult dose is 6 drops or pellets. A standard child’s dose is 3 drops or pellets. Other manufacturers’ standard dosages are often more than double the NEWTON dosage. Animal dosage is based on weight due to the fact that there is so much variance in size between breeds and species. For instance, a small bird may weigh mere ounces, while a large horse may exceed a ton.
What if a pet chews on the glass dropper or becomes uncooperative?
Since dosing animals can be challenging, the appropriate dosage amount of homeopathics can be added to their drinking water. If an animal exhibits a sensitivity to the smell of alcohol, the dose may be placed in a small amount (approx. 1 tbsp.) of warm water, and approximately 90% of the alcohol will evaporate within a few minutes. Then add the warm water to their drinking water. Plastic droppers and/or sprayer tops may be ordered to replace glass droppers. Metal bowls or spoons may interfere with the homeopathics.
Can homeopathy be taken to prevent illness such as flu and measles?
According to an excerpt from an article posted at National Center for Homeopathy entitled Homeopathic Prophylaxis? Tantalizing question, surprising answer: “Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy’s founder, initiated the use of homeopathic remedies to protect people from epidemic diseases. He recorded dealing with epidemics of scarlet fever and then Asian cholera. In both instances, once he had determined the remedy that best matched the symptoms of the epidemic, he gave a dose of it to the patients’ families. In this way, he effectively prevented the manifestation of those diseases in others at high risk. For scarlet fever, the remedy was Belladonna, and for Asian cholera it was Cuprum metallicum. We note two important concepts in Hahnemann’s prophylactic use of homeopathic remedies: 1) the remedies were the epidemic simillimum (the curative remedy for the epidemic, often referred to as the “genus epidemicus”), not nosodes (remedies made from diseased matter); nosodes had not yet been developed; 2) Hahnemann was not “vaccinating” the general population, but treating people who had already been exposed. Referring to the cholera epidemic, Hahnemann specifically states (Lesser Writings, “Cure and Prevention of Asian Cholera,” p. 755): The above preparation of copper, together with good and moderate diet and proper attention to cleanliness, is the most certain preventive and productive remedy; those in health should take, once a week, a small globule of it (Cupr 30c) in the morning fasting, and not drink anything immediately afterward, but this should not be done until the cholera is in the locality itself, or in the neighborhood. Hahnemann taught and demonstrated that homeopathic remedies treat existing disease states in individuals; he was not attempting to prevent states that might possibly happen sometime in the future.”
Are there side effects?
There are no known food, drug, or herbal interactions with homeopathy, no known side effects, and homeopathy is not known to be physically addictive.
What kind of homeopathic training and certification is there?
Although there is a variety of training and certification courses available, check out the Education tab to find out more about our Correspondence Course and other opportunities that may be available through the AACH.the dose may be placed in a small amount (approx. 1 tbsp.) of warm water, and approximately 90% of the alcohol will evaporate within a few minutes