Frequently Asked Questions?
What diseases can be treated with homeopathy?
How does homeopathy work?
What can I expect from a homeopathic consultation?
How long will it take before I get better?
Can homeopathic medicine be dangerous?
Can homeopathy treat pregnant women and small babies?
Is it true that homeopaths don't agree with vaccination?
Homeopathy is holistic. What does that mean?
How much does it cost?
Will my health insurance pay for homeopathic treatment?
What diseases can be treated with homeopathy?
It is important to remember that homeopathy treats individuals and how they experience their symptoms, rather than named diseases. For example, homeopaths often treat women suffering with hot flushes, hormonal mood-swings, mild depression, headaches, itching and other typical menopausal problems, but treatment will depend on the individual's symptoms.
Potentially homeopathy can be helpful in any illness but it really depends on the kind of illness and how far advanced the disease is. In the case of serious disease, homeopathy is frequently used alongside conventional treatments and can reduce the side effects of drug treatments.
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How does homeopathy work?
Unlike other forms of medicine, homeopathy does not work at material level. We believe, and there is mounting evidence to suggest, that homeopathy is what is known as 'energy medicine'. Experiments in the area of quantum physics, that is, at sub-molecular level, tend to support our theory that homeopathy is rather like a message to the body to heal itself.
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What can I expect from a homeopathic consultation?
An initial consultation for a more serious ailment typically lasts 1.5-2 hours.
Prior to the initial consultation you will be requested to complete a general health questionnaire, which may be discussed in more detail during the consultation.
The physical, mental or emotional complaint for which you are seeking homeopathic treatment will be investigated in depth during the consultation, although there will not be a physical examination. If a physical examination or any investigations such as scans are deemed necessary, you will be referred to your doctor.
During the initial consultation, you will also be asked questions about yourself such as activities you really enjoy, books / films that appealed, etc, to help the homeopath get to know you a bit better. Since homeopathic treatment is individualised, these questions are important in order to select the most appropriate medicine. Please note that you will not be required to provide details of any experiences that you find painful or are uncomfortable with, unless they are directly relevant to your complaint.
After the initial consultation, 1-2 follow-up consultations may be required to monitor your response to the treatment.
After each consultation, the homeopath will analyse the notes from the consultation and determine the most suitable remedy (name for homeopathic medicine). The remedy with dosage instructions will be posted out to you within a week of the consultation.
In the case of babies and very young children, a parent will need to fill in the questionnaire and provide information in addition to the homeopath observing the baby/ child during the consultation.
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How long will it take before I get better?
The duration of treatment depends on the illness. If the symptoms are acute, that is, have arisen or worsened dramatically in the last few days, you are likely to get better quickly. Where symptoms have become more chronic, that is, they have developed over a longer period of time or have been experienced for some time, improvement may take longer, although usually you will soon notice that you are feeling more positive and have more energy.
When receiving treatment for chronic symptoms, there is generally an initial consultation with 1-2 follow-up consultations at 4-6 week intervals. The follow-up consultations give the homeopath an opportunity to assess your response to treatment and adjust treatment, if necessary. Depending on the symptoms and the treatment, you may be requested to come back at 6-monthly intervals.
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Can homeopathic medicine be dangerous?
Although some homeopathic medicine uses herbs and other substances that could potentially be poisonous if taken in crude form, homeopathic medicine is highly diluted, so there is no possibility of toxicity.
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Can homeopathy treat pregnant women and small babies?
Homeopathy comes into its own when we treat women with common problems of pregnancy, such as morning sickness, back-ache and fatigue. Because the medicines are non-toxic, even very small babies can be treated, for problems such as failure to feed, indigestion and colic.
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Is it true that homeopaths don't agree with vaccination?
Homeopaths specialise in the treatment of individuals and their unique responses to disease. So we work with a different health model from the conventional one, which aims to increase 'herd immunity'. The Society of Homeopaths acknowledges that there is a great deal of anecdotal and scientific evidence to support the arguments presented for and against vaccination. We believe that parents should be supported in making rational informed decisions on the short- and long-term implications of vaccination.
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Homeopathy is holistic. What does that mean?
The patient's physical symptoms are not considered in isolation, but the patient's mental and emotional symptoms are also taken into account. So, for example, one person suffers migraine when faced with a particular challenge at work owing to fear of failure. Another has a migraine whenever he or she has an argument with a partner, caused by fear of rejection. The homeopath will take into account the patients' fears and is likely to prescribe different homeopathic medicine for each.
Anecdotal evidence from homeopaths suggests that patients experience relief from the conflicts that symptoms such as these fears create in their lives, in addition to relief from the physical symptoms.
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How much does it cost?
The cost of treatment depends on the ailment. For simple ailments where the symptoms are acute, that is, have arisen or worsened dramatically in the last few days, the consultation will be short (15 to 30 minutes) and can in some cases take place over the phone.
For more complicated ailments where symptoms have become chronic, that is, they have developed over a longer period of time or have been experienced for some time, consultations tend to last for 1.5 to 2 hours.
| Acute | £25 | |
| Chronic – First consultation | ||
| Adult / Child | £65 | |
| Low Cost * | £30 | |
| Chronic - Follow-up consultation | ||
| Adult | £45 | |
| Child | £35 | |
| Low Cost*/ Student/ Pensioner | £30 | |
| Family Discount ** | 25% | |
| Telephone repeat prescription | ||
| Minimum | £10 |
The consultation price includes the cost of the medicine & postage and any advice that may be required within 4 to 6 weeks of the consultation.
* The Low Cost tariff is available to any adult/ child where the adult/ parent(s) are in receipt of unemployment or disability benefit.
** The Family discount applies if more than one child in a family is receiving homeopathic treatment at the same time then every 4th follow-up will be free.
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Will my health insurance pay for homeopathic treatment?
Most private health insurance companies (but not BUPA, PPP or Primecare) allow referrals from your doctor to a registered homeopath. Please note that I am registered with The Society of Homeopaths.
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