Homeopathy as a holistic alternative healing method has its origin in Germany. It was the German doctor Samuel Hahnemann who founded this healing concept, and the homeopathy used today in its various manifestations ultimately goes back to Hahnemann's classical homeopathy. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was the first homoeopath at all.
What is a homeopath?
Homeopathic medicines are nowadays mostly used by homeopaths in the form of so-called scatter balls, also called globules.Even in his day, Hahnemann tried to fathom forms of therapy with few side effects and thus started a legendary self-experiment.
The oral administration of cinchona produced the homoeopath Hahnemann had a multitude of symptoms in himself, which he tried to heal through a homeopathic treatment of this cinchona bark.
The principle of homeopathy established by Hahnemann is Similia Similibus Curentur, i.e. healing similar with similar.
It is based on the assumption that a substance, a substance or an allopathic medicinal product in homeopathic dilution cures or alleviates exactly the symptoms of the disease that would occur if administered undiluted. Homeopathic medicines are nowadays mostly used by homeopaths in the form of so-called scatter balls, also called globules.
The granules themselves consist of lactose to which the appropriate medicinal substance is applied during the homeopathic preparation, also called potentization.
Treatments & therapies
Classic Homeopaths are aware that once the degree of dilution of D23 is increased, not a single molecule of the starting material can be detected in the homeopathic preparation. This fact has led to bitter discussions among proponents and opponents of homeopathy, which continues to be controversial to this day. The opponents of the classical homeopaths cite the main point of criticism that a non-existent substance cannot cause any effect.
In his view of the world, however, the homeopath assumes that it is precisely this mechanism of potentiation that increases the healing powers of the original substance. Opponents and advocates of classical homeopathy according to Hahnemann are fighting to this day as in a religious battle. However, if one asks the patient, the therapeutic successes of homeopaths simply cannot be discussed away. Small children and animals can also be treated by homeopaths, and that for a wide variety of diseases and symptoms.
Diagnosis & examination methods
In the homeopathy one has to differentiate, however, there are many homeopaths who have long since ceased to feel obliged to the classical Hahnemann teaching, but use completely different homeopathic preparations and preparations.
If the strict classical homeopathic teaching according to Hahnemann is abandoned, one also speaks of low-potency or complex homeopathy. A homeopath who works with complex homeopathic preparations usually applies them by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Depending on the clinical picture that is to be treated, these preparations always contain several homeopathic medicinal substances in low degrees of dilution, for example D6 or D12.
So there are two camps among homeopaths themselves, namely those who feel absolutely committed to the pure teaching of Hahnemann and those who rely on complex homeopathy. A homeopath who works in complex homeopathy is aware of the fact that, in contrast to classical homeopathy, the drugs administered are still effective drugs, albeit in a slightly diluted form. Training to become a homeopath is not regulated by law in Germany. However, it has been established by the highest court that the practice of homeopathy is a medicine.
As a result, both classical homeopathy and complex homeopathy may only be practiced by doctors and officially licensed alternative practitioners. The term homeopath is actually a slang term that is mainly used by patients. With the term homeopath, a patient means a doctor or an alternative practitioner who practices homeopathy as an alternative medical healing method.
In the case of general practitioners or internists who work as homeopaths, the necessary specialist knowledge was imparted in additional training courses, but not through basic medical studies at the university.
What should the patient pay attention to?
With the alternative practitioners as Homeopaths It is very similar, here too, as a rule, special specialist knowledge is acquired through attending seminars and further training courses.
Not all homeopaths are created equal and reputable therapists will always understand if they are to provide information about their qualifications to practice homeopathy before a consultation.