Studying Homoeopathy

Homoeopathy is one of many complementary therapies that people use to supplement conventional medical treatment because it's noninvasive, gentler and has fewer, if any, adverse effects.

Whether you're new to homoeopathic medicine or have done some research in the hopes of finding reliable evidence of its efficacy, formal training in this field will not only provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a qualified homoeopathic doctor, but will also lead you to a promising career.

What is Homoeopathy?

Homoeopathy is a holistic approach to health that was developed in the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It works on the premise that "like cures like", which means that what causes symptoms in a healthy person can treat an illness with similar symptoms when administered in miniscule amounts. For example, if a patient exhibits allergic rhinitis symptoms, such as watery eyes, the practitioner will prescribe a homoeopathic treatment plan that includes trace amounts of red onion.

Homoeopathic doctors use natural substances such as herbal medicines, minerals, and even animal parts, weakening their active ingredients by diluting them several times in water or alcohol until only a trace of the active ingredients in the original substance remains. In the practice of homoeopathy, the lower the dose of a medicine, the more potent it is.

This type of complementary medicine can address a wide range of health conditions, such as allergies, migraines, skin problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, arthritis and post-operative pain, among many others.

Source: Americans for Homeopathy Choice

Why Study Homoeopathy?

This complementary health approach is directly linked to the naturopathic profession as many naturopathic treatments employ homoeopathy alongside herbal remedies and other complementary therapies. Even though naturopathic physicians don't discount the benefits of medical care, having received training in this field like medical doctors, they focus on the primary goal of naturopathic medicine, which is to support the body's natural healing mechanism in order to prevent disease.

So, aspiring naturopathic doctors will undoubtedly gain from studying the inner workings of holistic medicine such as homoeopathy.

The treatment of disease is a byproduct of homoeopathy, as homoeopathic practitioners do more than merely treat the symptoms of an illness. They view the patient as a whole, so they don't only focus on the localised infection but instead work on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual to activate their body's self-healing ability.

Knowing the fundamental causes of both mild and chronic diseases and how to naturally, noninvasively prevent them are two important things you can learn by studying homoeopathy. This field of study focuses on bringing balance and harmony to an individual's whole person in order to prevent illness. As the course allows you the opportunity to get an up-close look at the clinical effects of homoeopathy, you can use the outcome of your study to formulate an effective treatment for various chronic conditions and disprove myths concerning the modality.

Although the effectiveness of homoeopathy has been proven by several clinical trials conducted around the world, critics say there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its efficacy. Working towards a qualification in homoeopathy allows you to become a well-rounded health practitioner who not only uses homoeopathic medicine to heal but also contributes to its ongoing research.

What Are Your Study Options?

When selecting a course to undertake, some important factors to consider are your goal for studying homoeopathy, the mode of study, and the duration of the course.

Aligning your educational plans with your career goals is crucial from the get-go. You may opt for a short online course if you only plan to use homoeopathy on yourself. But if you want to learn a range of homoeopathic remedies to complement your current offerings or be recognised as a certified homoeopathic doctor, it's worth considering a four-year degree or diploma qualification.

You can also choose to immerse yourself in an intensive program where homoeopathy is used as part of a comprehensive healing system like naturopathy, integrative medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

What Subjects Are Covered in a Homoeopathy Course?

An introductory course in homoeopathy will cover the theoretical aspects of the modality, the basic preparation of a homoeopathic remedy, and how it can be used as an adjunct to conventional care to improve patient outcomes. There will also be a course of lectures about homoeopathic laws, the truth and myths behind placebo-controlled clinical trials of homoeopathy, the prognosis for this holistic approach, and its incorporation into conventional treatment.

Homoeopathy courses cover anatomy, physiology, psychology, and other social sciences, as well as what conventional medicine does to the body.

Where Can You Study Homoeopathy?

Australia has many natural health colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive syllabus in homoeopathic medicine. Filter your choices by considering those whose offerings match your interests, budget and schedule.

If you want to get a good grounding in the principles of homoeopathy before taking a three or four-year course, it would be wise to enrol in the Foundation Homoeopathy program at the Health and Harmony Colleges. You may also check the advanced diploma course at the College of Complementary Medicine to see how this qualification can boost your career. Both institutions have an online component to their programs, allowing you to fit your study time around your other obligations.

What Types of Careers Await a Homoeopath?

After earning the necessary qualifications from an accredited course, some homoeopaths work in community health centres or set up their own private practice where they provide one-on-one consultations, including online sessions. Others work for an established homoeopathic hospital to gain the necessary experience, and there are some who collaborate with a multidisciplinary team or conventional physicians.

Your qualification will lead you to a career path that can take you in a wide range of directions. As a self-employed practitioner, you can use your time to further your education and expand your skill set. A successful homoeopath is the result of ongoing education and research into the best homoeopathic treatments.

Your career isn't limited to the four walls of your office, as you can provide online consultations through a telehealth platform. If you can't wait to kickstart your career as a homoeopath, find a course on the Natural Therapy Pages. Best of luck!