Q. What is the principle of Homoeopathy?
A. Allopathic medicine treats the patient using the "Law of Opposites" - fighting against an illness with strong drugs, while homeopathy uses the "Law of Similars" or "Similia Similibus Curentur" - stimulating the body's own defense system. For example a substance that can produce sleeplessness in a healthy individual can eliminate the complaint of sleeplessness; or a medicine that can produce diarrhea in a healthy individual can reduce the diarrhea in an ill person. Homeopathic substances stimulate and enhance the body's own mechanism to overcome the problem. It helps correct the body's immune system.

Q. Will homeopathic and prescription medications interfere with each other?
A. Generally no. Antibiotics and steroids will sometimes interfere with remedies, antidoting their action, (keeping them from working). Remedies do not interfere with medications but they "may" decrease your need for the medications, which may result in needing a smaller dosage. Do not stop any allopathic medication on your own. These medications have to be tapered down under medical supervision.

Q. Why is the interview process two-hours?
A. In order to get a complete picture of the person's personality we inquire about every level including spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. Each interview is unique; however, common subjects may be touched upon for many individuals; such as fears, dreams, environment, relationships, career, creativity and general sense of being. It simply takes time to understand the person. In addition, the most sophistocated computer programs help to analyse the date.

Q. Why do you videotape the initial session?
A. As part of the homeopathic professional community, it is common to videotape as a means of documentation. Videotape captures all body language and words, in case we need to review, miss anything in the notes, or collaberate with colleques regarding particular data. The client signs a release form stating the understanding of purpose and giving permission.

Q. How long will it take for me to get better?
A. This depends on many factors:
1.) The quality of the information that you give in the homeopathic interview.
2.) The length of time you have had the problem.
3.) How many problems you have.
4 .) How strong your vitality is.
It has often been said that for every year of life it takes one month of homeopathic treatment. Depending on the situation the remedy may be fast acting in an acute situation or slower acting when dealing with a long-term issue. You most probably will not have to take the remedy for your entire life.

Q. What are remedies made from and what are they like?
A. All remedies look and taste the same. They are made from milk sugar with the remedy sprayed on top. Children have no problem taking homeopathic remedies. The taste is quite pleasant.

Q. Are remedies safe, are there any side effects?
A. Remedies are safe for everyone including infants, elderly, animals and pregnant women. However, since everything in the universe has an effect it is best to be under the supervision of a qualified homoeopath. When carefully chosen homeopathic remedies have no major side-effects because of using the minimum dose (small quantity) and the method of preparation, "potentisation," use of serial dilutions to release their healing properties. The two-hour interview helps select the most similar pattern between person and remedy in an effort to eliminate any chance of side-effect.

Q. Is there anything that will prevent the energy remedy from working?
Please avoid strong smelling perfumes, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, other balms etc. as they most often antidote the effect of these subtle energetic remedies. Black coffee and peppermints may also stop the action of the remedy. You can consume your regular tea. Please refrain trying new substances like alcohol or coffee during the course of the treatment. Store your remedy in a cool dark place, away from light, heat, computer radiation or anything with a strong smell.

Q. Are remedies ecologically produced?
A. Remedies are very earth friendly. You only need one calendula flower to make hundreds of potencies of the remedy.

Q. What are remedies made from?
A. Remedies are made from thousands of sources: plants, animals, minerals, tissues, venom, toxins, even radiation, radio waves, celestial bodies and more. The remedies are so diluted, there are often no molecules of the original substance remaining. This ensures that even though toxic substances are sometimes used, they are not toxic.

Q. So if there are no molecules of the original substance, then how does it work?
A. At this time, no one knows for sure the mechanism of action of the remedies. When placed under Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Scan, different images appear for each remedy. It would seem that homeopathy works on an energetic level.

Q. What is an aggravation?
A. When a matching remedy is well chosen an "aggravation" or worsening of symptoms may occur. This slight worsening is a sign that the vital force was stimulated. An aggravation can also occur if the remedy is taken too frequently and a "proving" takes place. Use of the liquid drop method lessens aggravations and is often used when someone is taking allopathic medications. Some times a discharge, cold or a rash may appear after taking the remedy. Each person will react uniquely. These reactions are due to individual sensitivities and the person's unique response to the stimulus of the remedy. It is recommended that you keep a journal in order to documental any changes. Contact your homeopath if you have any questions or concerns.

Q. What is Herings Law of Cure?
A. Three observations made by Constantine Hering, M.D. (1800-1880), who is considered "the father of American homeopathy" state:

• The human body seeks to externalize disease, to dislodge it from more serious internal levels to more superficial external levels, which means from more vital organs to less vital organs. Thus, someone with asthma may develop an external skin rash as part of the curative process.
• Healing progresses from the top of the body to the bottom. Thus, someone with arthritis in many joints will generally notice relief in the upper part of the body before the lower part.
• Healing proceeds in the reverse order of the symptoms. Thus, the most recent symptoms will generally be the first to be healed, and in the process of cure a person may re-experience previous symptoms.
• In addition, you will find that when the emotional mental level improves, then physicals symptoms may be aggravated - these are all good signs. Thus, having good coping mechanisms, clarity of mind, sleeping more soundly and having more energy override physical ailments.

Q. How did you determine what remedy should be selected?
A. After listening closely to the speaker and watching the body language the practitioner evaluates the information projected on an individualized basis for each case. First, we listen for the 'Vital Expression', which leads to the 'kingdom', which is directly related to the main problem - whether it be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. The process sometimes goes smoothly and directly to the essence of the case, especially when we set the intention and meditate into the energy. With G-d's help we can recognize the description.

Q. How and when do I take my remedy?
A. Follow instructions on the package. It is best to take on empty stomach, after breakfast, after lunch or at anytime of the day. If you are taking regular medications, take the energy remedy after taking allopathic drugs. To allow the energy to be absorbed into the system, please keep the mouth clean 15-20 minutes before and after the dose.

Q. What should we expect from the treatment?
A. You should find an improvement on all levels - spiritual, mental, emotional, physical. The intensity and frequency of your chief complaint should lessen. General modalities of appetite, sleep, dreams, energy levels, moods, temperaments, should be better, including your capacity to deal with stress and sensitive issues. You should see a feeling of well being and optimism increase.

Q. What if I develop a viral infection or any acute problem during the course of treatment?
A. Contact your homeopath to find a recommended course of action as the symptoms may be part of the characteristic personality and part of the healing process. The development may help clarify a more appropriate matching remedy. If there is a crisis call your physician or go to the emergency room.

Q. What should I do when traveling and away from home?
A. Contact your homeopath with questions if you have your remedy with you, or you are close to a Health Food Store that stocks them. If there is a crisis call your physician or go to the emergency room.

Q. Can my problem recur after the treatment?
A. Whenever there is added stress, a problem can surface. These occurances should be rare and less exaggerated than in the past because your immune system and coping mechanisms will be stronger.

Q. How long does the medication last?
A. With proper care homeopathic remedies may last hundreds of years. Throw them away if they have been tainted, fallen out of the bottle, turn color or become wet.

Q. Do I need to change my diet?
A. Since the diet, nutrition, exercise and sleep habits affect the entire whole entity, it is important to make improvements to nourish the entire being. Living out of alignment creates stress. Stress creates disorder without a strong immune system. Make efforts to create good habits and healthy living.

Q. How often will I come in?
A. A follow-up appointment will be made for 2-4 weeks after the initial visit.

For more information about homeopathy, please visit these excellent resources:

National Center for Homeopathy and Alternative Medicine

The National Center for Homeopathy

ABC HOMEOPATHY