The Development of Homeopathy

Samuel Hannemann (10 April 1755 – 2 July 1843)

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, based his approach to healing on the understanding that everyone is a unique individual, that ‘like cures like’ and that environmental factors such as diet have an impact on health. In the late 1700’s a German doctor and chemist called Samuel Hahnemann(1755-1843) developed the system of homeopathy based on these principles. He believed that by taking the unique symptoms expressed by a patient and treating it with a remedy that would create similar symptoms in a healthy individual the patient would return to health. He also advised people on their diet and how to live a healthy life.

He had become disillusioned with the conventional medical practices he had learned which included administering large doses of toxic substances such as mercury and Sulphur, blood letting and purging. He was dismayed by the side effects caused and saw that these methods did not treat the root cause of the disease.
He found that by diluting the substance of a remedy and then shaking it vigorously its healing properties were increased rather than dilluted. He found this method to be safe, effective and gentle with no side effects.

His recording and analysis of his experience treating people homeopathically created a body of knowledge that showed his system to be beneficial to health. With a unique combination of intellect, curiosity and compassion he devoted his life to treating both the rich and poor with homeopathy.

Homeopathy is now practiced worldwide. As well as being a recognized system of healthcare funded by the NHS in Britain, it is also integrated into the healthcare systems of Germany, France, Holland, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland.

According to a World Health Organization report in 2011, homeopathy is practiced in 80 countries and taken by 450million people worldwide.