Homeopathic remedies are made from animal, vegetable and mineral sources. These can be as exotic as snake's venom, or as common as onions, but they are all diluted to such an extent that there can be no possible side-effects from even the most toxic substances. Extracts of the natural ingradient are dissolved in a mix of alcohon and water and left to stand for two-four weeks. During this time they are shaken occasionally and then strained. The strained solution is known as the mother tincture. The mother tincture is then diluted to make the different potencies. Dilution are measured according to either the decimal (x), centesimal (c) or millesimal (M) scale. On the decimal scale the remedies are diluted to the ratio 1:10, on the centesimal scale it is 1:100 and on the millesimal scale it is 1:1000.

Between every dilution the remedy is shaken vigourously. To produce a 1c (one hundredth) dilution, one drop of the mother tincture is added to 99 drops of an alcohol and water mix and then shaken. To produce a 6c (six hundredth) potency, this happens six times, each time the one drop is taken from the previously shaken solution. By the time it is diluted to the 12 c (tweleve hundredth) potency, it is unlikely that any of the original ingredient remains. This is often the reason why skeptics are so reluctant to believe that homeopathic remedies can really work. Finally, these drops are added to tiny lactose (milk sugar) tablets, pillules,granules or powder and stored in a dark colored bottle.

Homeopath see symptoms of an illness are seen as the body's positive attempts to heal itself. It is taken as a positive sign that the body is fighting illness and so they should not be suppressed. Homeopathic remedies are aimed at simulating and supporting the body's healing mechanism. For this reason they can sometimes provoke what homeopaths call an "aggravation" whereby symptoms may get worse before they improve.

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed for the whole person and are based on the principles established by Hahnemann: the law of similars, the principle of the minimum dose and prescribing for the individual.

Homeopaths often find that the effective way to prescribe treatment is according to constitutional type. They believe a person's constitution is made up of inherited and acquired physical, mental and emotional characteristics and these can be matched to a remedy to improve the health, no matter what the illness.

How does Homeopathy Medicine Work ?

Most people have difficulty in understanding how homeopathic remedies work when they contain such minute traces of the original remedy.

Homepaths believe it is the energy or "vibrational pattern" of the remedy, rather than its chemical content, that simulates healing by activating what Hahnemann called the Vital Force. The vital force is simply the healing power or energy that exists within all of us. It is what the Chinese call "Chi" and the Indians call "Prana". It fuels the body, mind and emotions, keeping us healthy and balanced. But when the balance of the vital force is disturbed by factors such as stress,pollution, inadequate diet and lack of exercise, it becomes weakened and illness can result. The sympotms of illness are the body's way of attracting our attention to the fact that the vital force is struggling to fight off disease.

Hahnemann could not prove how minute dose of homeopathic remedies could restore health, but he could prove that they did ! His own belief that they somehow strengthened the embattled vital force, enabling it to restore the body to health remains the predominant belief among homeopaths today, even though science has been unable to support his belief.

A homeopathic dispensary will dispense a homeopath's prescription. There are several hundred homeo pharmacies across the countries where homeopathy is actively practiced and popular in the world today.