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How Is Homeopathic Medicine Made?
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By eHow Contributing Writer
What Is Homeopathy?
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Homeopathy was invented by the 19th century Physician, Samuel Christian Friedrich Hahnemann. The term comes from the Greek words homeo (similar) and pathos (suffering.) Hahnemann believed that a small dose a substance that causes a certain symptom would actually cure that symptom. For example, a small dose of ipecac (a substance which causes nausea) may be used in homeopathy to cure nausea. This is similar to the theory behind inoculation, with one key difference: homeopaths believe that the smaller and more diluted a dose, the more powerful the effect.
The Mother Tincture
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Homeopathy begins with the preparation of a tincture. A substance such as a plant or mineral is allowed to soak, typically in a mixture of alcohol and water. It is shaken periodically during this period, and finally strained to remove solid material. This preparation is known as the mother tincture.
Preparing the Treatment
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The homeopathic remedy is then diluted repeatedly. For each dilution, one drop of the original liquid is removed and placed in a container with ten drops of milk, alcohol and water, or some other carrier fluid. After many dilutions, the medicine is often so watered down that there is not a single molecule of the original substance left in the final product. Homeopaths believe that "energy" or "vibrations" from the original substance remains in the mixture, effecting a cure, but scientists have yet to discover this energy, and scientific support for homeopathic treatment is scant.
eHow Article: How Is Homeopathic Medicine Made?
