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 In this section:

•	What is Homeopathy
•	Types of Homeopathy
•	Where Did it Originate
•	How Does it Work
•	Homeopathic Remedies
•	How Remedies Are Made
•	What Can I Expect During a Treatment
•	How Will I Feel After a Treatment
•	What Are the Benefits
•	Choosing a Practitioner
•	Homeopathy as a Career
•	Homeopathic Associations
•	Homeopathic Schools
•	Homeopatic Practitioners

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Homeopathy

Homeopathic Remedies

There are more than 4,000 substances extracted from the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms which have been tested for Homeopathic remedies. Of these substances, over 2,000 remedies have been created. Each have been categorized by the symptom patterns being experienced, and the remedy (or remedies) associated with each symptom pattern. This information is compiled in a medical encyclopedia called the known as Materia MedicaLatin for "materials of medicine," a materia medica is a reference book providing a list of symptoms and corresponding Homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathic practitioners rely on referencing the Materia Medica and other Homeopathic repertories when prescribing remedies. There are many methods for determining the most-similar remedy to the disease (the simillimum), and Homeopaths sometimes disagree on the methods. This is partly due to the complexity in evaluating the "totality of symptoms" of the patient. Some Homeopaths do not include all of the symptoms in deciding on the most effective remedy, but instead decide which characteristics are most applicable. This subjective approach is then highly dependent on the individual knowledge and experience of the Homeopath.

Over time, Hahnemanns original Materia Medica has been expanded upon by various practitioners around the world. These modernized, expanded Materia Medicas are named after the individuals who have combined their own knowledge and experience of the remedies with the original documentation. Over 100 Homeopathic repertories have been published since 1873 (1,423 pages, 642 remedies). Boericke's Materia Medica and Kent's Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica are two such examples. Kent's repertory is commonly considered the best because of it's extensiveness and logical structure as well as it's low cost and availability.

Where Can I Find Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies can be provided by your homeopath or can also be found in many outlets ranging from health food stores, internet outlets and direct mail. Some remedies may be less widely available than others, but there are numerous Homeopathic specialty outlets who provide them. The cost of each remedy ranges from $7-$20 depending on the manufacturer and potency.

How Are Remedies Taken

Remedies are taken in tablet, liquid, or power form. They are typically taken every 2 or 3 hours for a maximum of 3 doses within a 24 hour period. When improvement is noticed, this is a sign the remedy is working and no further doses need to be taken.

Pills should be dispensed directly from the container and into the mouth to avoid direct handling. Remedies become less medicinally active as a result of overhandling.

Some remedies are lactose-based. For individuals who are lactose-intoleratant, non lactose-based remedies are also available.

How Long Are Remedies Taken For

During follow-up visits, patient reports how they are responding to the remedy or remedies, which then helps the practitioner to determine if any changes to the therapy need to be made.

The length of time a remedy is taken for varies on the individual situation, but the average time period for relief is 2-3 days, sometimes up to 4-5 days for acute symptoms.

The remedies should be protected from prolonged exposure to sunlight, which will decrease their shelf life.

Are Homeopathic Remedies Regulated

Regulations vary by country. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates Homeopathic remedies as listed in the Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States (HPUS) as official drugs, and regulates the manufacturing, labeling and dispensing of Homeopathic remedies under the provisions of the food, drug and cosmetic act. If a Homeopathic drug claims to treat a serious disease such as cancer, it can be sold by prescription only.

The HPUS is a non-governmental, non profit organization. It is composed of a group of pharmacists, physicians, experts in the field of the arts, biology, botany, chemistry and pharmaceuticals, and Homeopaths who have had the appropriate training and experience and have also demonstrated additional knowledge and interest in the principles of Homeopathy. These individuals meet several times a year to review information about specific drugs and pharmacy procedures. Currently, there are about 1,350 drugs in the Pharmacopœia, 440 or so of which are available by prescription only. For a drug to be included in the HPUS, it needs to have sufficient clinical data or proving to show efficacy. The process for review is very forma,l as are the criteria for acceptance.

The initials "HPUS" on the label of a drug product assures that legal standards of strength, quality, purity and packaging exist for the drug product within the package. The standards which must be met in order to append HPUS to a substance or a product are established by the HPUS,

Access to the HPUS is available online for a subscription fee.

In the UK, Homeopathic remedies are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

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