What is
homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a holistic,
individual approach to maintaining health and wellbeing.
The word
homoeopathy comes from the Greek words “homoios” meaning like, and “pathos”, meaning suffering. Homoeopathy was developed by a German
physician and chemist, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755 – 1843). The primary
philosophy of homoeopathy is the Law of Similars or “Let likes be cured by likes”.
Homoeopathy as a
primary healthcare profession,
acknowledges the importance of individualisation. It is patient driven and caters for every patient’s specific needs
on mental, emotional and physical levels.
Homoeopathic
practitioners are clinically trained to diagnose and treat disease, yet their
holistic approach enables them to listen to and understand the patient as well
as their ailments, in addition to providing effective treatment, sound advice and
support.
Homoeopathic
medicines are found in the following forms:
·
lactose pills (little white
balls or granules),
·
alcohol or water based liquid,
·
creams or ointments, and
·
injectables.
Homoeopathic training in South Africa is a
five-year full time masters degree leading to a M.Tech (Hom). Only two institutions
offer this course in South Africa, namely University of Johannesburg and Durban
University of Technology. For a homoeopath to practice legally, they need to be
registered with the Allied health professions council of South Africa.