Thus, for someone with a high fever, homeopaths may recommend belladonna,
which increases the natural healing response of body heat.
The Law of Similars is a stimulation of immune and defense responses, leading to
spontaneous resolution of symptoms as the illness is conquered. In like manner, two
of the few conventional therapies that seek to stimulate the body’s own healing reac-
tion, immunization and allergy treatment, have the homeopathic Law of Similars as
their basis. Other applications in conventional medicine include the use of radiation
in the treatment of cancer and Ritalin in the treatment of hyperactive children. The
majority of interventions in conventional medicine, however, attempt to oppose
symptoms by exerting a greater and opposite force. Medicines are designed to “cure”
by suppressing symptoms such as the use of aspirin in an effort to control or limit
people’s fevers. The danger is that, over time, suppressive treatments may actually
strengthen disease processes instead of resolving them.
A Holistic Diagnosis
Homeopathic diagnosis is a holistic and detailed process—the initial assessment
may last several hours. Practitioners assess the whole person, looking at every aspect
of physical, emotional, and mental life. A multitude of factors are considered, such
as nutritional status, emotional imbalance, and environmental stress. It is believed
that no part can be isolated from the whole person.
The homeopathic interview itself is a powerful healing experience because clients
are encouraged to tell their story in its entirety. They are encouraged to speak for as
long a time as possible. This process of sharing pain and suffering begins the heal-
ing process. During the interview, the practitioner observes everything about the per-
son including posture, dress, facial expression, tone of voice, rate of speech, and so
forth.
The physical exam is a head-to-toe assessment with the inclusion of laboratory work
as needed to establish a diagnosis. Answers to questions are elicited in an attempt to
fully understand the significance of the symptoms:
■ Subjective symptoms such as pain, vertigo, fatigue, or anger
■ Localization of symptoms such as one-sided, wandering, radiating, or diffuse
■ Factors that modify the symptoms, making them better or worse, such as
time of day, hot or cold, weather, diet, or emotional state
■ Quality of symptoms such as burning, aching, throbbing
■ Rate of onset or resolution of the symptoms such as sudden or gradual
■ Symptoms that appear simultaneously or in sequence
Symptoms are classified into three categories—the general physical symptoms, the
local symptoms, and the mental and emotional symptoms. General physical
CHAPTER 8 HOMEOPATHY 109
