Frequently asked questionsAre homeopathic remedies safe?
Homeopathic remedies are potentised - made from highly dilute forms of naturally occurring substances - which makes them very gentle. They work at the same energetic level as your body's own natural healing mechanism, gently boosting your own natural energy. This means that they are very safe, even for pregnant or sensitive patients. There is no danger of addiction, toxicity or side effects.
How many sessions will I have to come for?
This depends very much on what sort of illness you have, how long you have had it, and what your individual characteristics are (each case is different, and no two patients are alike). Your homeopath will gauge your initial response to remedies and discuss a likely treatment plan with you.
Even long-term or very severe complaints can sometimes respond very quickly to homeopathic treatment. Sometimes, a return to health can take a little longer. If you think of the development of your symptoms as a build up of layers - it can sometimes be a question of peeling back each layer of ill health to rediscover your previous levels of vitality underneath.
As a rule of thumb, it is usually recommended that patients come for a minimum of 3-4 sessions in order to track improvements month by month and to promote more lasting benefits.
What will happen during the consultation?
In order to find exactly the right remedies for you, your homeopath will need to know a lot about you. They are trying to build up a detailed picture of who you are as an individual in order to target treatment at your specific symptoms, experiences and susceptibilities - you may have heard this called your 'constitutional picture'.
As a result, they will ask a wide range of questions about your symptoms and how you experience them.
In addition, they will also need to know about your general health, your particular likes and dislikes, your general personality, and how you react to different environments.
They will also have questions about your medical history and your family’s medical history, so any information you can gather before your first appointment will be very helpful.
How do I take and store my remedies?
Your remedies will usually come in the form of a tablet or tablets, which you simply allow to dissolve under your tongue. Sometimes, you may also be given remedies in liquid form with instructions on how to take them.
When taking your remedies, try to handle them as little as possible, and do not take them when you have strong tastes in your mouth. It is best to wait 10-15 minutes after having anything in your mouth (food, toothpaste or anything strong tasting) before taking a remedy. Also, leave about 10 minutes after taking the remedy before eating or drinking again.
As far as possible, store all homeopathic remedies and essences in ‘neutral’ conditions away from bright light, strong smells, extremes of temperature, electrical equipment (e.g. fridges, televisions, music systems, microwaves etc.) and mobile phones.
What will happen once treatment starts?
You should start to feel an increased sense of wellbeing quite soon after commencing homeopathic treatment. If you have had your symptoms for a long time, it can take longer to see an improvement, but you will usually still experience a sense of feeling better in yourself before you begin to see more physical changes. It can often be helpful to keep a note of any changes that occur, and to report them at your next appointment.
There are no toxic side effects to homeopathic medicines. However, it is sometimes possible to experience an intensification of symptoms, usually in the early stages of treatment. If this or anything else different from ‘normal’ occurs, such a response should only last for a short time and is usually followed by a marked improvement. These symptoms will pass, and must not be treated, as they are an important part of the healing process.
Is it a problem that I am already taking conventional medicines from my GP?
Homeopathy is quite safe to use alongside your existing medication and will not interfere with it in any way.
Please let your homeopath know about any medicine or supplement that has been prescribed for you by your doctor or that you take regularly.
If you are taking a homeopathic remedy and feel that you need to take additional medication, please consult with your homeopath to discuss how this might affect your homeopathic treatment.
If you are receiving ongoing treatment from your GP, it is important that you maintain your relationship with them. They will be able to arrange any tests you may need, and if you are working to reduce the levels of drugs that you take, they will need to monitor your progress and adjust your dosage as appropriate.
Homeopathy has a different philosophy to conventional medicine, but by working with your GP in this way, the two systems of healthcare can provide a complementary service.