No. They are very different. Herbal medicine uses actual material amounts of plant substances, whereas homeopathy dilutes substances, sometimes to the point where no actual molecules are left. The method of preparing the remedies leaves them very powerful but very safe. Homeopathy uses not just plants as the starting substance to make up the remedies but a wide range of other substances including minerals.

Can homeopathy be used for all age groups?

Yes. Due to the tiny doses used there are no toxic effects.

Can homeopathic remedies be safely taken during pregnancy?

Yes. Due to the tiny doses used, there are no toxic effects.

I’ve heard that homeopathy takes a long time to work, is this true?

It depends on the illness. For acute illnesses such as tonsillitis homeopathy can start to work within minutes. However, for chronic illnesses eg arthritis the body can take anything from a few days to several weeks to start to respond to the remedies.

How does homeopathy work?

No one yet knows the actual mechanism but it is thought to be biophysical ie an energy stimulating mechanism rather than biochemical.

Why doesn’t conventional medicine accept it more widely?

The stumbling block has always been the way that homeopathic medicines are made ie diluted and shaken many times until often there is none of the starting substance left. Current scientific thinking can’t explain the mechanism of action.

Can I take homeopathic remedies along with conventional medicines?

Yes. The two can be safely used together.

I’ve heard that you have to get worse before getting better with homeopathic treatment, is this true?

In some cases the physical symptoms do intensify for a short period following the remedy. This is usually accompanied by an increase in emotional wellbeing and is to do with the remedy bringing the symptoms out and encouraging the body to “spring clean” itself.

It happens more often when there has been a lot of “control” of symptoms with conventional medicines. It is usually followed by a marked improvement in the physical symptoms.

What sort of conditions can homeopathy treat?

A wide range of physical and emotional conditions can be treated safely and effectively by homeopathy but not those that require replacement therapy eg diabetics requiring insulin or nutritional deficiency syndromes. In practice, the major mental illnesses like schizophrenia cannot be treated by homeopathy alone.

I’ve heard you have to give up coffee, mint and spicy foods to take homeopathic remedies, is this true?

A lot of homeopaths do make this request but it is not invariable and circumstances differ according to the individual’s case.

Can homeopathy treat cancer?

Homeopathy can be helpful as an add-on to conventional treatment but in our present state of knowledge should not be used alone for cancer treatment. The remedies can help to reduce side effects from chemotherapy or radiotherapy and help strengthen the body’s immune system.

Can homeopathy treat allergies?

Yes. It is very good for treating all kinds of allergies. You can have a homeopathic remedy made up from the substance to which you are allergic, to desensitise you as well as having a remedy matched up to you as an individual.

I’ve heard that homeopathy treats the whole person and not just the symptoms, is this true?

Yes. The most effective homeopathic treatment comes from matching up the patient’s mental, emotional and physical symptoms, to the remedy which best matches those. So the homeopath will want to discover for example, details of sleep patterns, food preferences and the patient’s emotional reaction to their illness.

Will I have to give up smoking and drinking alcohol?

No. The remedies will still act but the best results come from giving up smoking and  taking alcohol only in moderation.

Can homeopathy help me to lose weight?

Yes, but only in that it reduces your urge to overeat by helping the underlying emotional state. Of course, if your excess weight is due to other causes, then homeopathy will help in as far as it is able to help treat those other causes.

If you question has not been answered, please get in touch with Dr Caragh Morrish