How does homoeopathy work?

Although last Christmas the fairy lights were shining everywhere and sparkling stars cast their light, Christmas is actually a time to engage with one’s own faith.

So when I was reflecting this week on the meaning of faith, I also reflected on my trust in homeopathy and on the seemingly countless times I have been asked: “How does homeopathy actually work?”

Am I now asking you simply to believe in the effectiveness of homeopathy? No, I certainly will not ask that of you; after all, homeopathy is not a placebo (That’s not a placebo!).

But I firmly believe it works. I can say that after 35 years of professional experience with over 414,000 cases.

But don’t take my word for it alone. The effectiveness of homeopathy has been demonstrated by double-blind studies and other scientific methods*.

Far from a placebo

However, when asked to explain how homeopathy works, my answers vary. It’s complicated! When I speak to my students about it, I go into detail and explain thoroughly what Dr Samuel Hahnemann discovered and what has been confirmed in scientific studies and years of clinical observation. The Banerji doctors have also researched this.

But if someone asks me casually in conversation, I reply with a counter-question: “Can you tell me how the aspirin you take works? Or paracetamol? Or beta-blockers?”

Of course most people do not know how these medicines work, yet they take them believing they will do them good.

Honestly: for some of the deepest things in life we have no simple answer. Why do birds sing? Why do our parents die? How did Christ become man on earth?

Isn’t it enough that we help those in need — even if we do not precisely know how our help works? As humans we must believe in things. I see no harm in believing that homeopathy works even if the biological foundations of the method are not yet fully understood.

But if that is not scientific enough for you, how about clinical observation?

Our old, weak dog

My dog Buster will soon be 17 years old. Dogs of his breed have an average life expectancy of about 13 years. As much as my husband and I adore our beloved dog, we know he is old. Very old.

Last weekend Buster was at death’s door. He was so weak he could only lie there. He could not move, would not eat and had diarrhoea; he was breathing in a panting, laboured way and was very anxious. There was also trembling — he was paralysed by fear. I was so sure this was the end that I even looked for a vet who would put him to sleep at home. In case he wanted to keep going out of loyalty to us. It was hard to see him suffering in such an obviously weakened and dreadful state.

Arsenicum album for people and animals

But with a huge lump in my throat I decided to try one last homeopathic remedy. Based on his symptoms I chose Arsenicum album 200. By the way, it is one of the most important remedies in homeopathic end-of-life care. You can read more about potency and dosage here.

Buster fell asleep immediately — an encouraging sign that the remedy was well chosen and matched the symptoms present. (Remember this well, dear friends. I mean it literally: write it down and stick the note on your bathroom mirror.) Some time later he woke up and began to tremble worryingly again. (A sign that another dose should be given. Please remember that too.) I gave him another dose of Arsenicum 200 and he fell asleep again. (These are all valuable clues).

This morning Buster is running around the house again. He emptied his bowl and is tail-wagging after his favourite person (my husband) again! The weakness is gone; the trembling has stopped; the heavy breathing is gone; the lump in my throat is gone. (By the way, almost the most important thing here… homeopathy takes away the owner's fear!) And all because of two doses of Arsenicum album 200. I intend to continue treatment as needed. How will I know when to give the remedy again? I observe closely and note the symptoms. (This is considered the gold standard in homeopathy).

And what exactly did this remedy do? What mechanism lies behind the homeopathic effect?

WHO CARES?

My dog is well and he’s back to his old self.

Homeopathy or cortisone?

Admittedly, some of you will now argue that a vet could have treated him with cortisone and that it might have helped. While I can accept that, there is still the question of cost, because those treatments are expensive. More importantly, they can have serious side effects and cause new illnesses. Some of these conditions can be long-term and persist even after the medication itself has long been stopped. Another point is — and please forgive my bias here — that I have no trust in the industry that manufactures these drugs.

But worst of all would have been having to leave our house to go to a vet. The long car journey, the stress of the veterinary practice, strangers wanting to give injections or medication? No, thank you. I am not convinced Buster would have survived that ordeal in his condition.

Instead he was revived with Arsenicum album 200 — for a few pence, with no side effects and at home with us. Added to that — and I want to be honest — the satisfaction and pride of having handled this task myself.

For me this is evidence beyond any double-blind scientific studies. My experiences justify my faith in homeopathy. (I invite you to gather your own experiences.)

Thoughts on homeopathy

How much longer will Buster live? I don’t know. But I do know our vet (who actually practises holistically) diagnosed him with heart failure four or five years ago. She also told us he wouldn’t live long and that there was nothing we could do. She did not realise what homeopathy is capable of.

Buster lived another four to five years, even though the vet tried to convince us that this was impossible.

I should add that Buster’s two siblings died many years ago, so longevity cannot be “in the family”.

I know Buster will not live forever, but homeopathy has given him a longer and probably more pleasant life than conventional synthetic medicines could.

Can I state precisely — down to the smallest nanoparticle — how Arsenicum 200 and other homeopathic remedies I have given Buster work?

No.

Does it matter to me? Absolutely not. All I care about is that homeopathy works — and please, spread the word!

*Here are some references to scientific studies on homeopathy:

https://joettecalabrese.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Brinkhaus_et_al_2006_Complem_Ther_Med.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22963271/ https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1731312 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19590483/

Warmly,

Yours

Source: https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/how-does-homeopathy-work/