Along with traditional medical treatments like medications and surgery, some people also pursue alternative medicine to find relief from diseases and disorders. Homeopathy is one type of alternative medicine that can help patients when used in conjunction with traditional medicine.
Homeopathy involves providing natural substances to facilitate the healing process. People who practice homeopathy are known as homeopaths and these individuals combine water or alcohol with natural substances to create a natural medical treatment.
The substances used in homeopathy are chosen because of their effect on the body. For instance, a homeopath would use a substance that triggers the same symptoms a person is having to encourage the body to heal. This form of alternative medicine is often used to treat:
Homeopaths customize their treatments to address individual patients. That means two people with the same symptoms may receive vastly different treatments.
Scientific reviews of homeopathy are mixed. Some studies have found treatment benefits, while others return no such evidence. Some also cite a placebo effect when it comes to the positive outcomes of homeopathy. Further research is needed to determine how effective this form of alternative medicine truly is.
People who undergo homeopathic therapies are encouraged to visit a medical doctor to receive traditional medical treatments concurrently. Also, patients must keep in mind that the treatments made by homeopaths do not require FDA approval.
People with serious diseases and disorders should generally avoid homeopathic treatment unless approved by their doctor. Naturopathic doctors are another option if you are interested in natural healing methods, as these individuals receive education and training at medical schools that specialize in naturopathic medicine.