What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the law of similium (similia similius curantur).  Drugs which are in crude state will produce symptoms in a healthy individual which are akin to the symptomology of the disease in a sick person, are those which in a minute dose after trituration or attenuation, will produce a stimulus to the Vital Force of the sick person in the direction of recovery.

Homeopathy was discovered and developed by Christian Fredrich Samuel Hahnemann (a German Physician in the later 1790's and 1800's).  His book of his theories, "The Organon of Medicine" is still in print today.

Homeopathy acts to strengthen the body's innate immune response; and very seldom have any side effects.   Homeopathy takes natural substances that would normally cause the symptoms being treated, and then dilute the substance many, many times with water or alcohol to an extremely week condition.  With the treatment of a minuscule dosage of a natural substance, Homeopathic Practitioners believe that it stimulates the immune system, thus alleviating the symptoms.

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a way of life as well as a system of healing.  If it's principles are absorbed by the individual consciousness and then operated by the subconscious, they will form a basis for health, intelligent living in any chosen sphere of human activity. Naturopathy as a philosophy is omnilateral in its approach to life and is not more concerned with the bread you eat than the thoughts that occupy your mind.  Only the harmonious balance between the physical, mental and psychic attributes of itself can produce true health.

Naturopathic Practice is based on the laws and principles which, by their application, affect life and death; health and disease.  It is a system of healing which if correctly applied will restore the sick without resort to suppressive and harmful drugs.  The aim is to rebuild the human being in harmony with his surroundings--physical, mental and psychic.  Unless a practitioner can do this, no permanent or lasting result will be forthcoming.  The balance must be such that the individual will be inviolate as far as the destructive principles are concerned.

The underlying Philosophy of Naturopathy properly understood and applied with logical and intelligent methodology will succeed when all other methods have failed.  Naturopathy uses Natural Therapeutics which deals with the general adjustment of the individual regimen to conform to Natural laws employing non-suppressive medication.  These Natural Therapies are:  Osteopathy (treatment by Manipulative techniques), Physiotherapy, Herbal Medicine, Biochemistry, Homoeopathy, Phychotherapy and hydrotherapy.  All these therapies employ natural forces in a constructive and harmless way whereby, whatever happens, only good can come to the individual who follows any one or more of them.

Natural medicines (that is herbal remedies, biochemical and homeopathic remedies) are completely in accord with the constructive principles in nature.  They stimulate the Vital Force.  They promote elimination and proper assimilation of vital food factors.  They promote neutralization of toxins and morbid matter.  They promote a healing crisis and do not suppress the symptoms.

Correct diet, is one of the great cornerstones of Naturopathic Practice.  It is essential, therefore, that any practitioner must have a very sound knowledge of food values and the correct application of various foodstuffs in a particular combination suitable to the treatment of individual disease conditions.

First Do No Harm:

Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side-effects.  They are train to know which patients they can safely treat, and which ones they need to refer to their health care practitioners.

Find the Cause:

All illnesses have an underlying cause, whether it is the type of lifestyle we lead, our habits, or our diets.  The Naturopathic Physician is trained to find and remove the underlying cause of the illness or disease.

Treat the Whole Person:

Naturopathic Physicians treat the whole person, taking into consideration their emotional, physical, dietary, genetic, environment, and lifestyles.

Preventive Medicine:

Naturopathic Physicians teach their patients to live a healthy life, by following principles to prevent major illnesses.

Naturopathic Medical Colleges are four-year postgraduate schools with admissions requirement comparable to those of conventional medical schools.  A degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine requires four years of graduate level study in the medical sciences including:  anatomy- cardiology- physiology- neurology- biochemistry- radiology- pathology- minor surgery- microbiology- obstetrics- immunology- gynecology pharmacology- pediatrics- dermatology- lab diagnosis- clinical and physical diagnosis- and other clinical sciences.

HOME These Web Pages where constructed from various health and other publications on Nutrition.  The sole purpose is to provide information and is not considered to be medical advice. No medical claims are being made by Dr.H. Edward Elrod, or The Elrod Clinic.