Difference Between Herbal And Homeopathic Medicines

April 2, 2019 by Pamela Hird Klein, PDHom(UK) 2 Comments

Over the last few months, there have been inquiries on the difference between herbal and homeopathic medicines. The medicines themselves, and the principles of herbal medicine and homeopathy are very different.

I am a classical homeopath, I know about homeopathy and homeopathic remedies or medicines. I don’t know much about herbal medicine, and don’t use this form of medicine. What I am writing here, is the little bit I do know about herbal medicine. For you to know more about herbal medicine, I would suggest you talk to an acupuncturist, a Chinese herbalist, a herbalist and possibly a naturopathic doctor.

Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines are made from plants. The different parts of the plant are used – the roots, the stem, the flowers, or the leaves. The medicines are used individually by themselves, or in a combination with other plants. I often hear an acupuncturist talking about “formulas” for particular health concerns. The medicines are taken in the form of a capsule or made into a tea or drink. The herbal medicine itself is the actual physical substance of the plant.

Homeopathic Medicines

Homeopathic medicines or remedies are made from plants too, and also made from minerals and elements, animals, and any substance we have on earth, even sunlight. There are over 4000 homeopathic remedies. All the elements in the periodic table have been made into homeopathic remedies. Animals, such as snakes, mammals, sea animals, birds, mollusks, insects and spiders have been made into homeopathic remedies. And many, many different plants have been made into homeopathic remedies.

A small part of whatever is being made into a homeopathic remedy is needed to make the remedy. Animals are not killed to make homeopathic remedies.

To make homeopathic remedies, the substance goes through a potentization process of dilution and succussion. Succussion is banging the vial that contains the liquid homeopathic remedy against a book. (At homeopathic pharmacies, there is a machine that does this. Some homeopathic pharmacies may still be made by hand.) Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who developed homeopathy, used a bible to bang against. This potentization process creates the potency or strength of the homeopathic remedy.

The potencies are labelled as X (ten parts), C (100 parts), or M (1000 parts).  The 12C is the the first potency of which there is nothing left of the physical substance that the homeopathic remedy is made from. 12C is called Avogadro’s Number. At the 12C potency and higher, it is the energetic pattern of the substance. Homeopathy is an energetic form of medicine.

Which potency a person uses depends on the person, on their vital force and on their state.  They may use different potencies of the homeopathic remedy at different times.

The homeopathic remedies are in a pill or pellet form, usually a sugar lactose pill. Remedies are also in a liquid form. And sometimes a remedy is sniffed, when opening the top of the vial.

One homeopathic remedy is used at a time. This homeopathic remedy matches the state of the person. Another homeopathic remedy may be used later on.

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If I can be of help to you or a loved one, please contact me here on this blog or through my website www.homeopathytoheal.com.  I would be happy to talk with you.

 

 

 

 

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