Homeopathy is the system of
diagnosis and treatment developed by medical rebel and mystic Samuel
Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is based on the principle of "like cures like"
– that the same substance causing symptoms in a healthy person will cure
those symptoms in a sick person. In Europe, homeopathy is increasingly
accepted by the medical profession and in America, several thousand
homeopaths treat hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers.
Homeopathy claims to work by
correcting an imbalance or problem in the body’s "vital force" or
life-energy that is currently or will later be manifested as disease. By
an almost ritual process of diluting and shaking, homeopathic substances
(alleged medications) supposedly become powerful energy medicines which
in turn either stimulate the immune system or correct problems in the
supposed "vital force" of the body, thereby curing the illness.
There are three different
kinds of practicing homeopaths: (1) the traditional homeopath who
largely follows the unscientific and potentially occultic theories of
Samuel Hahnemann; (2) the scientifically and/or parapsychologically
oriented homeopath who attempts to bring homeopathy into the twentieth
century, including, however, the highly suspect practice of almost
infinitely diluting its "medications"; and (3) the "demythologized"
homeopath who thinks homeopathic medicines may work through unknown
principles, but questions that homeopathic medicines can be effective in
dilution so high that literally not one molecule of the original
"medicine" remains.
Despite many claims and
alleged parallels to modern medical practices and phenomena, homeopathy
is not a legitimate medical practice. Homeopathic diagnosis is
subjective and ineffective; most homeopathic "medicines" are so dilute
they cannot possibly exert a physical effect. The claim that they work
upon the "vital force" or "astral body" is unsubstantiated and can open
doors to occult practices.
Homeopaths refer to some 20
or more studies that they claim confirm the value of homeopathy, yet
ignore innumerable studies which disprove homeopathic "laws." Of course,
with literally thousands of plant, mineral, and animal homeopathic
substances being widely tested, marketed, and consumed (everything from
deadly nightshade, snake venom, arsenic, and gunpowder to sand,
cockroach, and lobster) it is at least possible, at low
dilutions, that a few might be found to have medicinal value. But each
substance would require stringent testing to prove its effectiveness.
Further, this would not prove homeopathy true. It would only prove that
the actual preexisting medicinal properties of certain substances (not
their "vital force") were being employed and that these were having a
physical effect, not an occult one.
Examples of the occult
potential of homeopathic diagnosis and treatment include homeopaths who
employ: psychic diagnosis and healing; spiritism; astrology and other
occult philosophies; and the use of pendulums, radionic instruments, and
other occult devices.
