intro to homeopathy: a brief review

(This entry is inspired by my first experience with homeopathy today with Dr. Matthew Zorn.)

In our homeopathy class we're learning about the history of the discovery of homeopathy as well as the fundamental tenets. I wanted to hold off on writing about it until I had a little better grasp of it. Briefly, here are some of the ideas we've been learning (bear in mind that I'm stating this as ideas that are presented to us, not necessarily beliefs that I have):

Law of similars- homeopathy is based on the premise that if a substance can cause certain symptoms in healthy people, it can also cure those same symptoms in sick people. The reasons or explanations for it are essentially unknown, and considered to be less important considering that it just works.

One cure- although any individual may present a multitude of symptoms, there is always just one remedy required which can address the precise imbalance of that individual.

Symptoms- are manifestations of disease that are most useful in determining the root cause of the disease. They are not limited to physical symptoms; sometimes the mental symptoms will elucidate the patient's disease picture the best. Keynote symptoms are the special, note-worthy characteristics of a particular illness (or remedy).

Dilutions- the idea has only been introduced to us briefly, as the "least interesting thing in homeopathy [and often the most misconstrued]".

more to come...