WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATUROPATHY AND HOMEOPATHY?

Most of us assume that all natural medicine falls into the same category. What I mean by this is that most people presume that herbal medication will have the same attributes and level of safety in administration as homoeopathic medication. This statement is not only not true, but just because a medicine is natural, does not automatically qualify it as safe!

Homoeopathy and herbal medication are poles apart. A herbal medication is a medication that originates from a plant and the manner in which it is prepared will mean it is as pharmacologically active as any allopathic conventional medication. This in turn signifies  that a herbal medication can possibly interfere with a patient’s current allopathic medication, the herbal medication can possibly be contra-indicated to a patient’s condition / disease, patients can be allergic to the herbal medication, they may have potential adverse side effects and an over dose or toxic dose of the herbal medication is also possible. The reason for the above explanation is not to try and put herbal medication in a negative or dangerous light, but rather to explain the difference between homoeopathic and herbal medications. The correctly prescribed herbal medication at the correct prescription dosage is a valuable asset to any healthcare practitioner as herbal medication has proven to be very effective in various health conditions from acute respiratory conditions to chronic conditions such as osteo-arthritis.

Homoeopathic medications, by the very nature of how they are prepared, are not only free of any adverse side effects, but cannot interact with any allopathic conventional medications.

Because the homoeopathic medication has undergone a process of serial dilution and secussion (vigorous stirring) in a process known as dynamisation or potentisation, the remedy itself is such a small dose that it is a nanoparticle that will stimulate a therapeutic result. The theory is that each consecutive dilution in conjunction with the process of shaking/stirring infiltrates the new solvent, often distilled water or ethanol and imprints upon it the fractal form of the original substance used (fractal refers to the specific consecutively smaller pattern or form within a larger pattern).

An example of the difference between the two modalities of treatment that may assist with understanding is looking at treatment for the extremely common symptom of anxiety. Often a patient will take an over the counter treatment first before consulting with a doctor in an attempt to sort out their anxiety problem. St. John’s Wort is a common herbal preparation taken for the symptoms of anxiety and low grade depression. According to the medication website, www.drugs.com, there are a total of 653 medications that are known to interact with St. John’s Wort. The problem occurs when a patient does not realise that the ‘natural’ medication that they are taking is having anywhere from a minor to a major interaction with allopathic conventional medication that they are already taking. On the flip side, the homoeopathic preparation by Boiron Pharmaceuticals, Sedatif PC, is an extremely effective treatment for anxiety and low grade depression with no drug interactions to be concerned about. By the very nature of how the homoeopathic medication is prepared, it will be able to provide a calming effect without any potential health risks.