[MRC_Hans]

Originally Posted by nicholandrew

Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine.

Agreed.

Homeopathy is a well-described,

Certainly much better described than most alternative systems.

scientifically based

Here is a problem. The alleged science of homeopathy was established by Samuel Hahnemann shortly after AD 1800, and was on par with much of the scientific systems existing at the time. It may even have been better than most medical systems of the era.

Unfortunately, homeopathy has moved little since then, whereas science in general, and medical science in particular has moved forward in giant steps.

Homeopathic doctrine has virtually no support in any modern scientific disciplines; the preparation of remedies clashes with our knowledge of physics, its definition of disease clashes with our knowledge of pathology, and its idea of cure clashes with our knowledge of medicinal action.

Basically, the only area where homeopathy is still making sense is in the holistic approach and the idea of communication with the patient.

system of approaching health and curing disease. Homeopathy focuses on healing the underlying cause of disease,

Unfortunately, homeopathy's idea of disease causes has no support in our present knowledge of how the body functions. There does not seem to exist a 'vital force', and we now know that most diseases originate in infection and/or malfuction of various organs.

not simply eliminating the symptoms caused by the disease.

This implies that other systems work in this way, which is certainly not the case for conventional medicine. While pallative treatment may be given to ease the patient during other treatment, and as a last resort, when the disease itself cannot be treated, it is certainly not the main principle.

Remedies used by homeopathic physicians come from natural sources and are prepared in such a way that they are devoid of all chemical toxicity.

'Natural' is no guarantee for harmlessness, and the claim that remedies are devoid of all toxicty is not quite true: Some of the mother tictures are quite toxic and not all remedies are used in high potencies.

For high potencies, the remedies are likely devoid of toxity, unfortunately, if the laws of physics are valid, they are also devoid of all effect.

Homeopathy is the essence of the art of healing. When homeopathy is well practiced, it is the medicine of choice to recover one''s health from the great majority of acute and chronic problems.

How do you suggest a patient can be assured that he/she is receiving well practiced homeopathy? Is there a recognized education and/or registration of practitioners?

Best regards, Hans