Who can benefit from homeopathic care?

Since homeopathy addresses the whole person on an individual basis rather than treat specific illness or disease, anyone, whatever his or her symptoms, can benefit from homeopathic care. Homeopathy helps by increasing the individual's strength and resistance to disease.

How often will I need to come for follow-up care?

Follow-up visits are usually scheduled at four to six week intervals. Follow-up visits provide a full review of any changes that have occurred, which is important in order to make the correct decision about when the next remedy is needed.

How long will it take for me to see improvement?

People improve over widely varying periods of time so it becomes impossible to say precisely. One rule of thumb is that improvement is often proportionate to how long you have had your symptoms. This will vary from person to person.

How often do I need to take a remedy?

The most important rule regarding how often to take the remedy is this: the remedy should not be repeated until the reaction it has initially started has slowed or stopped. As long as any changes continue (especially if improvement is taking place), it is best to wait to take more of the remedy. Homeopaths are trained to determine when the next remedy is needed and regularly scheduled follow-up care will assist in that determination.

I am feeling a little better but I am still having some of my old symptoms. What does this mean?

You may have ups and downs and particular symptoms may not resolve for many months in some cases, but your general feeling of well being and your overall energy should continue to improve on a regular basis.

How will I know if I did something to antidote my remedy?

Generally speaking, it is uncommon to antidote your remedy. There is usually no need to change anything in your diet or lifestyle to benefit from the effects of homeopathy. Your homeopathic practitioner is always available to assess whether your current remedy is indeed still working or needs to be repeated.

Is homeopathy useful for acute problems such as coughs, fevers, sore throats, or ear aches?

Homeopathic remedies are not directed at removing symptoms, killing germs, or curing illness, but rather toward helping the body strengthen overall, so that the individual's own healing capacities function at a higher level. At times it may be in a person's best interest to let the body fight off mild symptoms to help build its immune system function. In addition, many people find that acute illnesses occur less frequently the longer they use homeopathic constitutional care.

Is homeopathy like herbal medicine?

Homeopathy is not the same thing as herbal medicine, but many herbs are often diluted and prepared to be used as homeopathic remedies. Because remedies are used in small non-toxic doses, they do not affect the body in the same way as full strength herbal medicine. Homeopathic remedies are prepared in a way that makes them extremely safe for all ages and stages of life.

How long will the first visit be?

The initial homeopathic constitutional visit will take approximately two to three hours.

What will I be asked to talk about?

Essential to effective homeopathic care is the information that you provide to your practitioner. The homeopathic interview involves extensive questioning that may cover unfamiliar ground for those who are accustomed to answering a few quick questions about their specific complaints in a short amount of time. To better prepare you for this consultation, following are the kinds of information that homeopathy requires.

You will initially be asked the reason for your visit when you will explain to your homeopath your primary complaints and symptoms in your own words in as much detail as possible. Your description should include everything that is truly characteristic of your problem. You will be asked the location of the complaint, the character of the sensation or pain, the factors that make it better or worse, anything that regularly occurs in association with your symptoms, when the symptoms originally began, and what was going on in your life at the time your symptoms began. Again, the more descript and detailed you can be in terms of how your problem affects you and feels in your own body in your own words, the more helpful.

What else will I be asked about?

You will be asked to describe other problems or symptoms that are troubling you on any level-mental, emotional or physical. Your homeopath will want to know about your diet (including cravings and aversions), your sexuality (in terms of the level of sexual energy you generally have), and also about your mental and emotional nature-fears, anxieties, things that make you happy or sad, how you express emotions such as joy, anger, jealousy, etc., and also how you feel about your memory and thinking processes.

Other information may be gathered pertaining to your whole person-whether you tend to be hot or cold-whether temperature or weather affects you-whether you are thirsty and if so for what type of drinks-warm, cold, icy cold, etc. You may also be asked about the quality of your sleep and whether you have any recurrent dreams. In adults it is sometimes helpful to share about your childhood memories and relationships with parents and siblings.

When will I be given a remedy?

Based on the information you provide to your homeopath, a remedy will be selected to best match your symptoms. This will most likely be mailed to you within one to two weeks of your initial appointment. This will either be a single dose of a dry remedy or a liquid dose remedy that is mixed up and taken daily. Directions for taking your specifically chosen remedy will be included in the mailing. You may also refer to the "Handling Remedies" section on this website for more information on homeopathic remedies.

What happens next?

The next step after taking a dry dose remedy is to wait and watch how the body responds. Since each person is unique, everyone reacts in a slightly different way to their selected homeopathic remedy. Clients on a daily liquid remedy will always be asked to check in at the one week mark (or sooner if needed) to assess how the daily remedy is affecting them. Usually the effects of homeopathic remedies are gentle and gradual, although some do have more rapid or dramatic changes. Since the remedies work along with your body to balance and better your general health, you should not be concerned if specific symptoms do not change right away. Homeopathic remedies do not cause side effects, but if you have a reaction you do not understand, please contact your homeopathic practitioner.

How soon do I need to see my homeopath again after taking the remedy?

Follow-up appointments are scheduled approximately 6 weeks from taking the initial remedy. In the case of taking a liquid remedy, the follow-up may be scheduled closer to a month after starting the remedy. At this appointment your homeopath will assess the action of the remedy taken, and determine how soon a repetition may be needed.

What if I have questions or concerns before my first follow-up appointment?

If you have questions or concerns that are not answered on this website under the "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) section, contact your homeopath via email or phone.