In an age of spiralling health care costs and life threatening illnesses, more and more people are looking for alternative ways of taking care of their health and well being. Many are turning away from conventional medicine because of the serious and often debilitating side effects of drugs. A proven and effective alternative is homeopathy, which offers a safe and inexpensive alternative for the relief of common health problems.

Famous proponents of homeopathy include the Queen of England, Magic Johnson and Tina Turner. Homeopathy is particularly effective in treating chronic illnesses that fail to respond to conventional treatment, and is also a superb method of self care for minor conditions such as the common cold and flu.

Homeopathy is based on the findings and writings of physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). Reacting to the barbarous practices of his day such as blood letting (the use of leeches) and toxic mercury based laxatives, Dr. Hahnemann set out to find a more rational approach to medicine. His breakthrough came during an experiment in which he twice daily ingested cinchona, a Peruvian bark well known as a cure for malaria. Soon after Dr. Hahnemann began his experiment, he developed periodic fevers common to malaria. As soon as he stopped taking the cinchona his symptoms disappeared. Dr. Hahnemann theorised that if taking a large dose of cinchona created symptoms of malaria in a healthy person, the same substance, taken in a smaller dose by a person suffering from malaria might stimulate the body to fight the disease. His theory was borne out by years of experiments with hundreds of substances that produced similar results. Based on his work Dr. Hahnemann formulated the principles of homeopathy: Like cures like: The more the remedy is diluted, the greater it's potency An illness is specific to the individual In 1835, Dr. Hering , a student of Dr. Hahnemann established the first homeopathic medical school in America. Homeopathy continued to gain attention in the US due in part to its great success in treating acute and epidemic diseases, notably cholera and yellow fever. During an 1849 cholera epidemic in Ohio, only three percent of those patients treated homeopathically died, as compared to the 40-70 percent death rate among those treated with conventional medicine. In 1900, there were twenty two homeopathic medicine schools and nearly 100 homeopathic hospitals in the United States.

However by the same time the bond between the American Medical Association (AMA) and the pharmaceutical companies was firmly established. Paid advertisements from pharmaceutical companies in the AMA Journal were the AMA's main source of revenue (as it is today), prominent physicians were paid to endorse proprietary drugs, and doctors were deluged with free samples of pharmaceuticals. Through a series of maneuvers including a new rating system for medical schools aimed at eliminating Homeopathic Colleges, the practice of homeopathy had nearly disappeared as a force in American Medicine by 1930.

Recently homeopathy has gained in popularity again due to its effectiveness in treating epidemic diseases, such as HIV positive and other life threatening viral conditions. Studies show that homeopathy not only treats the acute infective stages, but also reduces the need for antibiotics and other drugs which further weaken an already low immune response. In 1991 `Internal Medicine World Magazine' reported six HIV infected patients who had become HIV negative after homeopathic treatment.

For serious diseases it is best to consult a qualified Homeopath, but here are some remedies you can try at home.

Arnica: often the first medicine to take after an injury or fall, to counter bruising and swelling. Excellent for pain relief and rapid healing, particularly from sports injuries like sprains,strains and bruising. Use before and after surgery and childbirth to relieve bruising and speed recovery.

Chamomilla: to calm fussy children during teething pain, colic and fever.

Lachesis: for PMS symptoms. For menopausal hotflashes, irritability and bloating.

Nux Vomica: used primarily to treat headache, nausea and vomiting from over eating or drinking. A prime remedy for hangovers, recovering alcoholics, and drug addiction. Also beneficial for ulcers, heartburn, flatulence and motion sickness.

Oscillococcinum: the largest selling cold and flu remedy in France!