The answer is yes, there is a growing body of research on homeopathy. This includes approximately 400 published laboratory studies, 1000 clinical studies and 6 systematic reviews (or meta-analyses), as well as multiple government evaluations and reports.

A majority of the systematic reviews have found that homeopathy is more effective than placebo. A study looking at homeopathic research over a 20-year span found that 70 percent of homeopathy trials had positive outcomes – including many that were double-blind and randomised (considered the gold standard of evidence).

While debate over the mechanisms and effectiveness of homeopathy remains controversial, several large observational studies on the effects of homeopathy in actual practice have reported significant benefit. Some of these studies indicate that homeopathy might help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use (a major global problem) and lower costs in primary health care. 

The largest ever National Health Service (UK) homeopathic study, carried out in Bristol, spanned 6 years of research with over 6500 individual patients. Chronic diseases such as eczema, migraine, arthritis, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome were successfully treated. In children under the age of 16, 89% of asthma patients and 82% of eczema patients showed clinical improvement. 74% of migraine sufferers, 72% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients and 77% of women suffering from menopausal problems reported improvements from homeopathic treatment.

Homeopathic medicines are sourced from nature. They are made from plant, animal or mineral products which have been diluted to such an extent that they no longer contain any toxic elements.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by:

i) taking a substance from either the plant, animal or mineral kingdoms;
ii) creating a solution from it; and
iii) diluting it following a specific process (known as potentisation), which includes vigorous shaking (called succussion) of the prepared solution – a vital part of the dilution process.

Each stage of the process is a part of the procedure known as Potency, and homeopathic medicines, once potentised, are suitable for treating both acute and chronic ailments.

Homeopathic remedies can be taken in liquid, tablet and powder form. Homeopathic remedies can also be compounded into creams and ointments.

Homeopathic medicine is best taken away from food or drink, or as directed by your practitioner. The remedies are usually taken by mouth – they are absorbed by the mucus membranes in the mouth. It is suggested not to eat or drink anything at least 20 minutes before and after taking homeopathic medicine, as any food stuffs will compete with the remedies for absorption, and liquids will wash the remedies away.

When taking homeopathic medicine, it is suggested to take the remedies at least 2 hours away from any caffeine and nicotine products. Both caffeine and nicotine are strong stimulants and can interfere with the effectiveness of the remedies.

Homeopathic remedies can be safely taken by newborns and infants. It has been found that homeopathic medicine can be very effective for infants and children as it restores balance and helps strengthen the immune system.

Homeopathy can be used at any age – some would suggest starting as early as possible to assist in building a strong and healthy immunity from the very beginning.

Yes, Homeopathy is generally considered safe during pregnancy – when prescribed by a qualified and experienced Homeopath. 

Homeopathic remedies are highly-diluted – especially in potencies like 6C, 30C, or 200C – and do not contain measurable amounts of the original substance. 

They stimulate the body’s natural healing response, rather than acting chemically. They typically have no known toxic side effects, no risk of addiction, and minimal drug interactions. 

Remedies can be very helpful during pregnancy for symptoms such as: nausea, fatigue, heartburn, constipation, piles, insomnia, anxiety, and more.

Yes, Homeopathy is generally considered safe for elderly people – especially when used appropriately and under the guidance of a qualified Homeopath or healthcare provider. 

The remedies are highly-diluted and work by stimulating the body’s natural healing response – not by forcing a chemical reaction. 

Properly chosen remedies typically do not cause any significant side effects. 

Homeopathy has no known toxic side effects and carries no risk of addiction or dependence. 

Homeopathy can often be used alongside conventional medications, as there are no drug interactions in most cases. 

Elderly patients are often more sensitive; Homeopathy has remedies that are specifically designed for more sensitive patients and this minimises any unwanted aggravations. 

Many elderly people suffer from long-term conditions that Homeopathy can help gently alleviate, such as arthritis, insomnia, anxiety, and digestive issues. 

Chronic, complex, or overlapping symptoms – such as in the case of dementia, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes – require careful remedy selection by an experienced and qualified Homeopath. 

Homeopathy is often the preferred choice for elderly people as it is a non-toxic, gentle form of medicine, and typically does not cause any significant side effects.

A centesimal Homeopathic potency – abbreviated as ‘C’ or sometimes ‘CH’ potency – is a specific method of preparing Homeopathic remedies. It is based on a 1:100 dilution ratio at each step, and it is one of the main scales used in Homeopathy. The ‘C’ potency is the most commonly used potency in Homeopathy. 

The C potency is usually used for acute conditions on the physical and emotional level.  The greater the intensity of the symptoms, the higher the potency is prescribed. A ‘C’ potency is considered a relatively low potency and can be administered more frequently that the higher potencies. 

Other Homeopathic potencies include: 

 – The decimal potency which is based on the dilution 1:10, abbreviated as X or D, where the D stands for decimal and X is the Roman numeral for 10). Decimal potencies are considered very low potencies, and are often prescribed for newborns, infants and young children. D or X potencies are used for physical conditions, or to treat a specific body part or organ.  

– The M potency (M stands for 1000 in Roman numerals) is prepared using the same method as both the ‘D’ and ‘C’ potencies, but diluted to a far greater degree 1:1000. A 1M potency is the equivalent to 1000C, whereas a 50M potency is equivalent to 50,000C. An ‘M’ potency is considered a high potency and is used in Homeopathy to treat conditions that arise on the mental and emotional planes. An ‘M’ potency can be very deep-acting and is therefore prescribed less frequently than the lower potencies. 

– The LM potency is based on the 1:50,000 dilution. The ‘L’ stands for 50 and the ‘M’ stands for 1000. So LM stands for the fifty-millesimal potency. 

LM potencies are very gentle, yet deep-acting. They are usually prescribed for sensitive patients with chronic conditions. They are often given daily in water, and can be adjusted frequently, depending upon the response of the patient. LM potencies are preferred for sensitive individuals because they are known to cause less aggravations and have a very gentle mode of action. 

– The CM potency refers to a very high level of dilution, and is prepared using the same method as the other potencies. ‘C’ refers to centesimal scale (1:100 dilution) and ‘M’ stands for millesimal scale (1:1000 dilution). A CM potency is equivalent to 100,000C, meaning the substance has been diluted at a 1:100 ratio 100,000 times. 

CM potencies are considered very deep-acting, and are used for chronic and deep-seated emotional conditions. They have a long-lasting effect and are usually given in single doses, and repeated less frequently than the lower potencies. 

– The Q or MT refers to Mother Tincture remedies and these are not in potency. A mother tincture is the original extract from a plant, mineral, or animal substance, before any Homeopathic dilution or potentisation has taken place. It contains the active constituents of the original substance in a concentrated form, and is the starting point for the process of potentisation. 

Mother tinctures are often prescribed in Homeopathy for acute conditions. 

They can be taken orally and usually they are dissolved in water in small quantities. They can also be applied externally, directly to the skin to affected areas of the body.

Yes, Homeopathy can be used alongside other medicines. Homeopathy and conventional medicine can often complement each other well. 

Homeopathic remedies are highly-diluted; there is no evidence to suggest that Homeopathic medicines interfere with the action of pharmaceutical or herbal medicine.  

However, it is the action of pharmaceutical medication that can interfere with Homeopathic remedies. Steroids, tranquilisers, oral contraceptives, sleeping pills, antihistamines, as well as antibiotics may affect or block the effects of Homeopathic remedies. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you do not stop taking prescribed medicine without first speaking to your health care provider.

Animals respond very well to Homeopathy, and there are a great number of vets who will testify to the effectiveness of using Homeopathic medicine on domestic and farm animals. 

Using homeopathy for pets is the same as using it for humans. The key is to match the animal’s symptoms to the symptom picture of the remedy as accurately as possible. The closer the remedy matches the symptoms, the more effective it will be. 

Homeopathy is often the preferred choice of medicine for pets as the remedies are non-toxic, and typically do not cause any significant side effects. 

For chronic and serious conditions, it is essential to seek treatment from a qualified and experienced Homeopath when using Homeopathy for animals.

It all depends on the chronicity of the condition you are suffering from and your general state of health. Other variables to be considered include: your age, how long you’ve had the symptoms, lifestyle factors and your response to Homeopathic treatment.   

Children generally respond very well to Homeopathic medicine, due to a number of considerations; they are young and usually have had a good level of health prior to the condition they are suffering from. In addition, the condition to be treated has often not yet progressed to an advanced level of chronicity, but there will of course always be exceptions to this. 

It is very common for babies and children to fall asleep after taking a remedy; this is good sign that the medicine is working. This reinforces Homeopathy’s role as an effective treatment method for promoting long-lasting health and wellness. 

In acute cases – where the condition often comes on quickly, and may or may not be accompanied by intense symptoms – healing with Homeopathic medicine is often quick, provided the correct remedy in the correct potency is administered. 

In adults with chronic complaints, Homeopathic treatments often involve a gradual process of change towards better health. However, results can sometimes be quick and you can feel better within a short period of time. 

After taking Homeopathic medicine, patients often report a change in their mental or emotional health first; they may feel a sense of well-being, optimism and/or relaxation. They will often report feeling an improvement in their overall energy levels and can notice a greater resilience against stress and infections.

Homeopathic remedies have their own unique energetic properties, which is what makes them both a subtle form of medicine and a profound healing tool. Homeopathic remedies are, however, sensitive to environmental factors, and ensuring that they are correctly stored is vital to ensure their potency and shelf life. 

Storing the Remedies 

• Keep the pillules in their original containers – do not re-use empty containers for other remedies.
• Do not store the remedies in bathroom cabinets in case of strong smelling substances, moisture and damp.
• Do not store your remedies in the fridge or in direct sunlight. Homeopathic medicines are sensitive to extremes of temperature. 

I recommend storing your remedies in a sealed plastic container like an old ice-cream tub and keeping them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, damp, moisture, strong smelling substances (herbs, spices, essential oils), microwave ovens, mobile phones, WIFI and electrical gadgetry, as all of these can interfere with the potency of the remedies.

How to Handle the Remedies 

• Only take the required number of pillules out of the bottle at any one time.
• Place the pillules under your tongue and let them dissolve there – do not chew or swallow them, just let them dissolve under the tongue.
• Do not swallow the remedies with a drink.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke or clean your teeth for at least 20 minutes before or after taking a remedy.
• If you have been prescribed more than one remedy, please allow at least 20 minutes between each remedy.

Toothpaste

Some toothpastes contain a lot of menthol and this can affect the potency of the remedies.  It is advised, therefore, to leave at least 30 minutes before or after brushing your teeth to take the remedy. 

Health food stores sell many toothpastes that do not contain any menthol substances and are compatible with Homeopathic remedies. Whilst taking Homeopathic medicine, it would be better to use this type of toothpaste.

Coffee

Strong coffee can also affect the potency of your remedies. It is advised, therefore, to wait 30 minutes before or after having a coffee before taking the remedy. If you are drinking very strong coffee, such as Turkish or Indonesian coffee, it is recommended to wait 1-2 hours before taking the remedy.

Anti-doting the remedies

Camphor and tea-tree oil can antidote Homeopathic remedies. It is advised that you avoid using these substances whilst taking Homeopathic medicines. If you do have to use these substances, it is recommended to leave a gap of at least 2 hours before or after taking the remedies.

When giving the remedies to infants and young children, it is suggested that you crush the pillules between two clean spoons. Add the powder to 1 fluid ounce (2 tablespoons) of cooled, boiled water and administer to the infant or child as prescribed.

Unless otherwise prescribed by a qualified Homeopath, infants and young children should only be given a low dose prescription – 6C. It is always best to consult a Homeopath before giving any Homeopathic remedies to infants and young children.