What is the difference between homeopathic and herbal medicine?
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Filed under: Alternative Medicine
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Herbal medicine is using plants [herbs] for their healing properties to treat various pathologies. Many plants have active ingredients that have a pharmacological effect in the body. It is part of scientifically proven treatment for many pathologies and is preferred by many people to synthetically created pharmaceuticals.
Homeopathy is based on the theory that there is "energy" that is left behind when one dilutes a substance with water thousands of times until no active ingredient is left, only the "energy" of whatever substance the water came into contact with many, many dilutions ago. It is also based on the theory that "like cures like" meaning that if one has a fever one would take a remedy diluted thousands of times from a substance that causes the body to produce fever.
Herbal medicine is just that – medicine made from herbs. While Homeopathy uses herbs, it also uses zoological and other substances.
The most significant and fundamental difference is that homeopathic remedies are prescribed according to the Principle of Similars, which means that the remedy is chosen by its capacity to produce symptoms similar to the symptoms of the person being treated.
The second major difference is in the manner of preparation of Homeopathic remedies. The act of serial dilution and succussion (shaking) removes toxins which may be present in the herbal or natural form thus making them safer to use.
Both forms of medicine act on the physiological level but, because of the dilution and succussion process, homeopathy goes further, when correctly prescribed, by gently stimulating the body’s vital force into completing the healing process.
Bastyr University is an alternative medical school in Kenmore, WA. You can get an undergraduate degree there in herbal medicine.