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Line 1: − + − ==History== − The term "homeopathy" was coined in the 19th century by German physician Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080407183345/http://www.shpltd.co.uk/dean-homeopathy.pdf Archived with the Wayback machine]</ref> The concept was first thought up of when he tested upon himself cinchona bark (a purported cure for malaria at the time) and noticed that the symptoms it induced in him were similar to the symptoms of [[malaria]]. He then developed the Law of similars based on this "discovery".<ref>http://www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Hahnemann_Biography.htm</ref> He then cataloged the effects of various substances on humans in what he called "provings." These provings, he believed, were best applied to the [[subjectivity|self]].<ref>http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/philosophy/provings.htm</ref> − − Given the inertness of homeopathic remedies, Hahnemann's ideas spread widely when put up against contemporary medicinal quackery which killed patients instead of curing them.<ref>"British Medical Journal", BMJ 1 (533): 283–4, 1871 [http://www.bmj.com/content/1/533/283 Registration required for access]</ref>
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'''Homeopathy''' is a system of [[alternative medicine]] whose practitioners believe that if a large dose of a particular substance causes a symptom when administered, then the same substance would cure ailments causing similar symptoms when a smaller, more diluted dose is administered; this is called "like cures like".<ref>http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/homeopathy-topic-overview</ref> Practitioners repeatedly dilute substances with water and/or alcohol and vigorously shake the resulting solution; the resulting "remedy" often contains very little, if any, molecules of the original substance. However, homeopathists believe that this procedure makes their remedies ''more'' potent through a phenomenon known as ''dynamization''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020826082134/http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/philosophy/dilution.htm</ref>
'''Homeopathy''' is a system of [[alternative medicine]] whose practitioners believe that if a large dose of a particular substance causes a symptom when administered, then the same substance would cure ailments causing similar symptoms when a smaller, more diluted dose is administered; this is called "like cures like".<ref>http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/homeopathy-topic-overview</ref> Practitioners repeatedly dilute substances with water and/or alcohol and vigorously shake the resulting solution; the resulting "remedy" often contains very little, if any, molecules of the original substance. However, homeopathists believe that this procedure makes their remedies ''more'' potent through a phenomenon known as ''dynamization''.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20020826082134/http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/philosophy/dilution.htm</ref>
This method of healing was created in the 18th century by physician Samuel Hahnemann, who noticed cinchona bark, used to cure [[malaria]], could cause malaria-like symptoms.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1676328/</ref> Since then, homeopathy became more popular. Homeopathic hospitals of the time were better for their patients than conventional hospitals, as they generally prescribed medicines that had no effects at all, while contemporary conventional hospitals had dangerous treatments. As new medical discoveries were made and conditions in conventional hospitals improved, however, homeopathy fell into decline. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070705095116/http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/history.htm</ref>
This method of healing was created in the 18th century by physician Samuel Hahnemann, who noticed cinchona bark, used to cure [[malaria]], could cause malaria-like symptoms.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1676328/</ref> Since then, homeopathy became more popular. Homeopathic hospitals of the time were better for their patients than conventional hospitals, as they generally prescribed medicines that had no effects at all, while contemporary conventional hospitals had dangerous, potentially fatal treatments.<ref>"British Medical Journal", BMJ 1 (533): 283–4, 1871 [http://www.bmj.com/content/1/533/283 Registration required for access]</ref> As new medical discoveries were made and conditions in conventional hospitals improved, however, homeopathy fell into decline. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070705095116/http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/history.htm</ref>
Modern scientific consensus states that homeopathy is [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]]; there is a lack of evidence to suggest that homeopathy's effects are any more than [[placebo]]. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1874503/</ref>
Modern scientific consensus states that homeopathy is [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]]; there is a lack of evidence to suggest that homeopathy's effects are any more than [[placebo]]. <ref>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1874503/</ref>
== Homeopath beliefs ==
== Homeopath beliefs ==
===Core Principles===
===Core Principles===