Dictionary of homeopathy

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

The Dictionary of Homeopathy is an exhaustive reference designed to explain the terminology and concepts used in homeopathy, an alternative medicine system based on the principle of "like cures like."

A[edit | edit source]

  • Arnica Montana - A perennial plant used in homeopathy to treat physical trauma, bruises, and muscle soreness.
  • Aconitum napellus - Also known as monkshood or wolfsbane, a homeopathic remedy used primarily for sudden colds and fevers.

B[edit | edit source]

  • Belladonna - A homeopathic remedy prepared from the deadly nightshade plant, used for conditions with sudden onset like fevers and inflammations.
  • Bryonia - Derived from the root of the bryony plant, used in homeopathy to treat conditions that are worsened by movement.

C[edit | edit source]

  • Chamomilla - A remedy from the German chamomile plant, commonly used in homeopathy for teething pain or irritability.
  • Constitutional treatment - A holistic approach in homeopathy that treats the individual with a single remedy based on their physical, emotional, and psychological attributes.

D[edit | edit source]

  • Dilution - The process of reducing the concentration of a substance in homeopathy, which is believed to enhance the remedy's healing effects.

H[edit | edit source]

  • Hahnemann, Samuel - The founder of homeopathy, who established its fundamental principles in the early 19th century.
  • Homeopathic proving - The method of testing a substance to determine its medicinal properties by administering it to a healthy individual and observing the symptoms it produces.

L[edit | edit source]

  • Law of Similars - The homeopathic principle stating that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.

M[edit | edit source]

  • Materia Medica - A collection of homeopathic remedies and their symptom profiles used by practitioners to match a patient's symptoms with a corresponding remedy.

O[edit | edit source]

  • Organon of Medicine - The foundational text written by Samuel Hahnemann that outlines the theory and practice of homeopathy.

P[edit | edit source]

  • Potentization - The process of sequential dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) in homeopathy, believed to transfer the energy of the original substance to the final product.

R[edit | edit source]

  • Remedy - A substance used in homeopathy that is prepared through dilution and potentization to treat various health conditions.

S[edit | edit source]

  • Simillimum - The remedy that most closely matches the totality of the patient's symptoms in homeopathy.

V[edit | edit source]

  • Vital force - In homeopathy, an energy that maintains health and balance in the body. Illness is considered a result of disturbances in the vital force.

W[edit | edit source]

  • Water memory - A controversial concept in homeopathy which suggests that water has the ability to 'remember' substances that have been dissolved in it, even after repeated dilutions.

X[edit | edit source]

  • Xerophthalmia - Often treated in homeopathy with remedies such as Natrum muriaticum, it is a condition of dry eyes which may be symptomatic of broader systemic issues.

Z[edit | edit source]

  • Zincum metallicum - A homeopathic remedy derived from zinc, used for nervous disorders and restlessness, among other symptoms.

Related treatments[edit | edit source]

  • Acupuncture - While not a homeopathic treatment, acupuncture is another form of alternative medicine that homeopaths may reference in holistic care.
  • Ayurveda - An ancient system of medicine from India that shares some philosophical underpinnings with homeopathy, such as the emphasis on balance and the personalized approach to treatment.

Criticism and controversy[edit | edit source]

  • Evidence-based medicine - Homeopathy's effectiveness is a subject of debate, with a significant portion of the medical community citing a lack of empirical support when compared to evidence-based medicine.
  • Placebo effect - Some argue that homeopathy's effectiveness may be attributed to the placebo effect, where the belief in the treatment's efficacy, rather than the treatment itself, produces an improvement in the patient's condition.

Professional practice[edit | edit source]

  • Homeopathic consultation - The process by which a homeopath assesses a patient's physical and psychological state to determine the appropriate remedy.
  • Certification and regulation - The credentials and legal regulations that govern the practice of homeopathy vary by country and region.

Homeopathy related articles[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Glossaries, dictionaries, and lists in WikiMD[edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD