Holistic Health Practices/Part 20

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What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is the system of diagnosis and treatment developed by medical rebel and mystic Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is based on the principle of “like cures like” – that the same substance causing symptoms in a healthy person will cure those symptoms in a sick person. In Europe, homeopathy is increasingly accepted by the medical profession and in America, several thousand homeopaths treat hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers.

Homeopathy claims to work by correcting an imbalance or problem in the body’s “vital force” or life-energy that is currently or will later be manifested as disease. By an almost ritual process of diluting and shaking, homeopathic substances (alleged medications) supposedly become powerful energy medicines which in turn either stimulate the immune system or correct problems in the supposed “vital force” of the body, thereby curing the illness.

There are three different kinds of practicing homeopaths: (1) the traditional homeopath who largely follows the unscientific and potentially occultic theories of Samuel Hahnemann; (2) the scientifically and/or parapsychologically oriented homeopath who attempts to bring homeopathy into the twentieth century, including, however, the highly suspect practice of almost infinitely diluting its “medications”; and (3) the “demythologized” homeopath who thinks homeopathic medicines may work through unknown principles, but questions that homeopathic medicines can be effective in dilution so high that literally not one molecule of the original “medicine” remains.

Despite many claims and alleged parallels to modern medical practices and phenomena, homeopathy is not a legitimate medical practice. Homeopathic diag­nosis is subjective and ineffective; most homeopathic “medicines” are so dilute they cannot possibly exert a physical effect. The claim that they work upon the “vital force” or “astral body” is unsubstantiated and can open doors to occult practices.

Homeopaths refer to some 20 or more studies that they claim confirm the value of homeopathy, yet ignore innumerable studies which disprove homeopathic “laws.” Of course, with literally thousands of plant, mineral, and animal homeopathic sub­stances being widely tested, marketed, and consumed (everything from deadly nightshade, snake venom, arsenic, and gunpowder to sand, cockroach, and lobster) it is at least possible, at low dilutions, that a few might be found to have medicinal value. But each substance would require stringent testing to prove its effectiveness. Further, this would not prove homeopathy true. It would only prove that the actual preexisting medicinal properties of certain substances (not their “vital force”) were being employed and that these were having a physical effect, not an occult one.

Examples of the occult potential of homeopathic diagnosis and treatment include homeopaths who employ: psychic diagnosis and healing; spiritism; astrology and other occult philosophies; and the use of pendulums, radionic instruments, and other occult devices.

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