WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathy is a word that was coined by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann (1755 1843) in the 1790s. The word homeopathy is a combination of two Latin words: homeo - meaning the same or similar - and pathos - meaning tragedy or suff ering. Thus, homeopathy literally means similar suff ering. This word was the best way Hahnemann could describe this new medical methodology that he had discovered.
The amazing discovery of homeopathy began when Hahnemann was working as a medical translator and physician. In 1790, Hahnemann was given the task of translating Cullen’s Materia Medica , which included the most current medical therapies. (The term "materia medica" literally means the materials of medicine. William Cullen was a Scottish physician and author.) During his translation project, Hahnemann stumbled upon a very astringent Peruvian bark called "cinchona" or "china" that was commonly used in the treatment of malaria. Cullen’s book noted that this bark contained quinine and concluded that "china" was helpful for malaria due to its astringent (drying) properties. In his translations of this work, Hahnemann made a bold footnote that he did not believe the bitterness or astringency of the Peruvian bark made it helpful in treating malaria. Instead, he believed that there was something unique and special about the bark.
Then Hahnemann did something very unusual he used his body as a laboratory. In an eff ort to further understand this Peruvian bark, he decided to consume it. He ground the bark into a powder and diluted it With sugar. He repeatedly consumed the bark dilution until finally he developed symptoms. Hahnemann’s amazing discovery was that his symptoms from too much Peruvian bark were very similar to the symptoms of malaria. However, he did not have malaria. Once he stopped taking the bark he became well again. This experience of repeatedly consuming a substance until symptoms develop is called a "proving." Hahnemann took his findings a step further. He also discovered that very diluted extracts of Peruvian bark, when given to patients ill With symptoms similar to his own experience, completely cured their illnesses. This astonishing finding inspired Hahnemann to experiment With other herbs and minerals.
He started "proving clubs" With his medical colleagues and their families in order to understand the nature of various plants and elements. During his lifetime, he alone verified the unique nature of 90 diff erent natural substances. This experiential knowledge of how the raw plant or herb aff ected human beings was organized into a text he called his "Homeopathic Materia Medica." Just as With the Peruvian bark, he matched the illness and experience of his patients With his personal Materia Medica, which described how people responded to various substances. Once he found a good match, he gave the patient a very diluted dose of the natural substance and the patient had a curative response.
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