Anne Hope BSc(Hons) RSHom Homeopathy in Plymouth

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the treatment of a patient as an individual. Established over 200 years ago, it is one of the two most widely used forms of medicine in the world today. It works by stimulating the body to clear disease rather than just hide the symptoms - therefore restoring energy and a feeling of well being as well as elimination of symptoms.

"I was amazed when many other aspects of my health improved, which I didnt expect. My periods became less painful and more regular and I even noticed my dry skin & hair improved as well as sleeping better. I actually came for repeated coughs during the winter - which have completely disappeared. I would now recommend homeopathy for more than just a 'problem' as it has completely improved my health." Ms AK, Plymouth

An initial consultation with a homeopath will take about 1 hour, and prescribed remedies are given in the form of small white tablets. Details of how to take them are given at the time of appointment.

When prescribing for you, a homeopath will consider your physical and mental characteristics, as well as family history, in order to form a "picture" of the whole whole person. From this, appropriate homeopathic medicine is then chosen to suit you.

A disease which has the same name, say cystitis or IBS may present quite differently in different people. Therefore, we do not have 1 remedy for 1 disease - by taking a full individual picture, we can match the full symptoms to 1 of over 3000 remedies. It is therefore very effective.

There are several theories suggested by eminent physicists today about how exactly homeopathy works. One thing is clear, it works in a completely different way than conventional medical drugs. Rather than put chemicals into the body which suppress the symptoms of disease, homeopathy is a stimulant to the body's own immune system.

The body has a natural ability to heal itself (like when we cut ourselves, there is an inflammatory response which leads to the repair of the wound) - the body always attempts to re-establish balance, or homeostasis. Sometimes it does this effectively, for example when we recover quickly and completely from a cold. However, sometimes the body cannot cope and needs help to recover. This maybe because it has had too much to cope with at one time, or one thing has happened after another - not uncommon in our stressful lives. Sometimes a disease will just not clear on its own, and homeopathy can provide a remedy which will enable this to happen.

Homeopathy stimulates the body to recover, and because it is using a natural method, the body balances itself to restore complete health. Although a patient may present with physical problems, when the correct remedy is chosen the patient will become balanced at every level. So not only will the physical problem be sorted out, if there are any mental or emotional imbalances these will be corrected at the same time.

Homeopathy therefore does not suppress symptoms, but acts in a curative fashion, restoring balance.

Most people report feeling much better in themselves, having more energy, and often because then have "gradually" become ill, better than they have for many years.

Homeopathic remedies are made from extremely dilute natural substances manufactured by a homeopathic pharmacy into medicated pillules. They are safe for all ages, have no toxic effects and are non-addictive.

If taken during pregnancy, they can boost the immune system of both mother and baby.