History:
Homeopathy was developed by the German physician, Samuel Hahnemann in the late 1700s. He discovered the Law of Similars, commonly known as "like cures like", after observing the effects of poisoning by cinchona bark (quinie). He noted the similarity of symptoms the effect of becoming poisoned with cinchona bark was to the disease that it cured (malaria). He proved to follow that a substance which elicits specific symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat a sick person who is suffering from the same symptoms it causes in the healthy person. By diluting and succussing (shaking) the substance, all toxic side effects are removed while retaining or enhancing the medicinal power.
How it works:
The symptoms one produces are an indication as to what remedy needs to be applied. A remedy is chosen to best fit the symptom picture. The remedy acts as a catalyst to bring about a cascade of natural healing events. In essence, homeopathy stimulates the body to heal itself naturally without any side effects.