The practice of Classical Homoeopathy involves a detailed case-taking by the homoeopath where the patient is examined and listened to while they explain in as much detail as possible their present symptoms, thoughts and feelings and the past history which has led up to the present reason for consulting the homeopath. In the initial homeopathic case-taking interview, the patient has the opportunity to discuss absolutely all concerns related to his or her health. While listening, the homoeopath takes special notes of the details of the condition's unique expressions as well as the likes and dislikes, fears, dreams, as well as the history of his or her illness. The essence of the case can then emerge, as in a detective story.
After recording the patient's case, the homoeopath will analyse the whole picture and by comparing the symptoms to the known remedies in the "materia medica" seek to find the single remedy which best covers the patient's expressed symptoms mental, emotional, and physical. The process of choosing the correct homeopathic remedy (the simillimum), involves paying very close attention to all symptoms, no matter how insignificant these may seem. These symptoms and their unique expressiveness are the most important clues in guiding the choice of homeopathic remedies. The selection of curative substance is always determined by what is special or individual about the patient.
Homoeopathic Remedies and Treatments
Each remedy is highly individual. Each person needs a different remedy perfectly chosen for the condition. The correct remedy promotes genuine healing by stimulating what homeopaths call the "vital force". This is not the mere suppression of symptoms which we often find with drugs, herbs etc. But rather the lifting of the whole condition which brought ill health to begin with. Suppression can and often does have increasingly severe, even dangerous consequences for our health. We always look for, not only the illness to disappear but also other confirming signs of genuine healing (i.e. increased sense of well being, symptoms disappearing in reverse order of their occurrence, etc.) When the core of the illness facing the patient is matched with the proper remedy unprecedented healing can occur.
This one remedy will be given to the patient in an appropriate potency and frequency of repetition according to the homoeopath's assessment of their need.
After a suitable interval the patient will return to see the homoeopath to assess the effect of the treatment and receive more treatment as and when appropriate. The number of appointments, number of remedies and amount of treatment will vary for each patient according to their condition and its severity.
Information courtesy of Yuri Orlow of Labrador Natural Therapies.
Originally published on Aug 20, 2007
