Realhomeopathy      

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during a consultation?

The consultation is an in depth conversation with a healing intent.  Over the course of 2 to 3 hours, you tell the homeopath all about the health issues that are troubling you.  The homeopath then asks questions to gain as much precise information as possible about all your symptoms.  In addition, the homeopath will ask questions about your typical responses to a variety of situations and environments.  S/he will be interested in your likes and dislikes regarding such things as food and climate.  Major life events and your response to them are important pieces of information.  A full medical history is taken.  And of course you have the opportunity to ask questions about your treatment and about homeopathy in general.

What kinds of conditions can homeopathy help?

First of all, it's important to remember that a homeopath doesn't diagnose or treat specific diseases - s/he recommends a remedy that best suits you, an individual with a unique personality, together with a set of characteristic symptoms.  Homeopathic remedies strengthen your overall state of health, helping your body to heal itself.

Having said that, scientific studies of homeopathy have shown that remedies can help with a wide range of conditions.  These include respiratory and other infections, digestive problems, allergies, rheumatic conditions, trauma and pain, as well as psychological problems. 

Over the years the practitioners at Realhomeopathy have helped adults of all ages with such conditions as anxiety, depression, hypertension, food and environmental allergies, asthma, skin conditions, digestive disorders, urinary problems, joint pain, back pain, injuries, sleep disorders and fatigue.  In addition, women have found help with menstrual and menopausal disorders and fertility problems.  

Children respond very well to homeopathic remedies, and have been helped with many health problems, including allergies, asthma, sleep problems, ear infections, skin conditions, frequent colds, fears and behavioral problems.

Homeopathic treatment can also be used to relieve niggling minor conditions that you've been putting up with for years, and can help to improve your overall state of health - it can give your energy and feeling of well-being a big boost!

I'm pregnant - is homeopathy safe to use?  What about after I have my baby and I'm nursing?

Because homeopathic remedies are micro-diluted, they are non-toxic and completely safe for pregnant and nursing mothers, and their infants.   Homeopathy can help with many complaints around this time, including morning sickness.  After the birth, remedies can assist with soreness and nursing problems.   When babies are teething, homeopathy can ease pain and inflammation.

Will my insurance cover homeopathic treatment?

Currently it is unlikely that your medical insurance will cover the cost of homeopathic treatment.  However, if you have a pre-tax health-care flexible spending account, you may be able to claim reimbursement. 

Homeopathy is a type of herbalism, right?

This is a common confusion, but homeopathy is very different to herbalism.  Although the two therapies both use natural plant-based medicines, the way the medicines are prepared, and the way they are taken is very different. 

Herbalism uses only medicinal plants to make its remedies.  Herbal remedies may be given as mixtures of several different ingredients, and are usually taken once or more a day.  They work on the principle of contraries.  In other words if you have a fever, herbs will be given which will act counter to the fever and cool you down.  Some herbal formulae are potentially toxic if taken in large doses.

In contrast to herbalism, homeopathy makes its remedies from other substances in addition to herbs. Remedies are made from a variety of sources, including non-herbal plants, minerals, metals, and some animal products, such as milk.   The remedies are potentized.  This is a process unique to homeopathy, where the original substance is diluted and succussed (shaken) repeatedly.  This process minimizes side effects, and ensures that the remedies are non-toxic.

The homeopathic remedies used by Realhomeopathy are made from one substance, rather than combinations of ingredients.  Usually, only one dose of a remedy is given, and the remedy is given time to stimulate the body to heal itself.  The remedy is given according to the Law of Similars.  This means that if you had a fever, a remedy would be chosen which has been shown in tests on healthy subjects to cause a fever like yours.  This remedy stimulates the body's own healing powers to bring about recovery from the fever.

Isn't homeopathy just placebo and suggestion?

Each homeopathic remedy has consistent, unique, replicable effects on double blind test subjects.  This is unlikely to be the effect of suggestion.  In addition homeopathic remedies are highly effective in babies and animals, two groups not generally subject to placebo effects.  Research reviews (British Medical Journal 1991 and The Lancet 1997) concluded that homeopathic treatment was shown to be effective and unlikely to be purely a placebo effect. 

I heard that you have to get worse before you get better - is this true?

You may have heard of the so-called "homeopathic aggravation".  This means that certain of the symptoms that are troubling you may briefly get slightly worse, before then being relieved.  This mild, short-lived aggravation is actually an indication that the remedy is working well.   It acts as a stimulus to the body to start its healing process.  Not everyone needs to experience a noticeable homeopathic aggravation however.  Well trained homeopaths use their knowledge and experience to keep aggravations to a minimum.  

Do I have to give up coffee and mints?

Not necessarily.  Coffee, mints and other strong smelling substances are often said to antidote homeopathic remedies.  This is not the case UNLESS you are sensitive to them.  Any substance to which you are sensitive, and which causes a strong reaction, may interfere with the action of a homeopathic remedy.  For this reason recreational drugs are highly likely to antidote homeopathic treatment, and should be avoided.