What are Homeopathic Remedies?
Homeopathic remedies are therapeutically active micro doses of plant, mineral and other biological substances. They may come in pellet or liquid form. They are manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of Europe and the United States, and regulated by Health Canada. Unlike many natural supplements, homeopathic remedies are very inexpensive and do not need to be taken in large doses. In fact a central principle of homeopathy is to give ‘the minimum dose’ required for healing. Remedies are prepared in a manner unique to homeopathy. The original extract of plant, animal or other substance is diluted repeatedly and succussed (vigorously shaken) with each dilution. After many rounds of dilution and succussion, it has been found that remedies become very potent medicinally, with no side effects. This is called ‘potentization’ and is the hallmark of homeopathic remedies. It makes them substantially different from any other natural supplements.
The remedies which homeopaths use may come from many different sources like plants, animals, minerals and metals. Dilution along with sucussion is repeatedly done and the number of times this is done represents the potency of the medicine. Different potencies of the same drug might be used depending upon the severity and chronicity of the disease. The mental and emotional state of the patient is also an important factor in deciding the overall treatment. Homoeopathic medicines do not have any active pharmaceutical ingredients.
