However, there is limited evidence proving the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments.
What Is Homeopathy?
Homeopathic treatment is customized for each patient.
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Its underlying principles are the law of similars, the single remedy, and the minimal dose.
The concept is that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.
For example, if you have insomnia, a homeopathic remedy may be a very weak solution containing coffee.
Homeopathy practitioners say it works because a small amount of the disease-causing substance stimulates your body to heal itself.
However, its important to note that homeopathy is largely unproven.
Single Remedy
Homeopathy also uses the principle of the single remedy.
That is, one remedy should cover all the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of an illness.
Homeopathic medicine is designed to stimulate internal healing mechanisms.
Treatments are individualized, and only one medicine is given at a time.
Practitioners watch and wait to see if the therapy is working before trying something else.
However, sometimes, a homeopathic treatment will initially aggravate symptoms before showing an improvement.
Practitioners believe that these actions eliminate chemical toxicity and allow a therapeutic effect.
Then its diluted (1:100) a second time and shaken, then a third time.
The resulting solution has only a few molecules of the original ingredient left.
How Homeopathic Medicine Is Used
Homeopathic medicines commonly consist of sugar pellets containing diluted remedies.
Some remedies also may take other forms, such as tablets, ointments, or gels.
For example, homeopathic treatments for allergies vary based on a persons specific symptoms.
This makes the dosage of homeopathic medicines variable.
A 2016 review evaluated the body of research on homeopathic remedies.
The authors said they found no evidence these treatments work.
Due to a lack of detailed reporting in earlier studies, they couldnt draw conclusions about their safety.
Its likely that future studies will shine more light on the safety and effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.
A 2018 study in an integrative cancer treatment program looked at homeopathy for symptom management.
Of 124 patients, 73% said homeopathic remedies were beneficial.
Homeopathic remedies should not replace conventional treatments for most medical conditions.
Do not combine homeopathic treatments with traditional medications without first consulting your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
In most states, homeopathic practitioners must be licensed healthcare providers.
However, there isnt a standard medical license for practicing homeopathy.
Instead, homeopathic providers are licensed through traditional medical licensing organizations.
Your provider may have you fill out an extensive questionnaire prior to your visit.
During the first visit, the homeopath will interview you at length to get to know you better.
The homeopath will also discuss your physical symptoms and will likely ask questions about seemingly unrelated symptoms.
This will help provide a full picture of your health to help pinpoint the appropriate treatment.
The first visit can last between an hour and two and a half hours.
Subsequent visits will be shorter.
Does Insurance Cover Homeopathy?
Whether or not insurance covers homeopathic treatment will depend on the provider and the policy.
Insurance is unlikely to pay for homeopathic providers without those credentials.
But that doesnt mean they cant work together.
This is referred to as integrative medicine.
The theory is called like cures like.
Homeopathic practitioners believe greatly diluting and shaking a substance can activate its curative abilities.
They seek a single remedy for all aspects of an illness and use the smallest dose possible.
Homeopathy has been around for more than 200 years and involves some 2,000 remedies.
Its best used to enhance, not replace, conventional medicine.
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