They have all used homeopathic remedies to help improve their health and wellbeing.

In fact, it is estimated that over 30 million people in Europe alone use homeopathic medicine, as more and more people turn to this form of complementary therapy to help treat common ailments and conditions.

‘Many people are choosing homeopathy because they have found conventional treatment has not helped them,’ says Dr Bob Leckridge, a former president of the Faculty Of Homeopathy.

‘People are also anxious about the side-effects that can arise from taking conventional drugs.’

WHAT IS HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that aims to help the body heal itself.

Whereas current medical practice takes the viewpoint that symptoms are a direct result of an illness, and seeks to treat the problem by suppressing the symptoms, homeopathy views the symptom as part of the body’s natural reaction to combat the illness and looks to stimulate rather than suppress the reaction.

It works on the principle of ‘like treats like’. A homeopath uses remedies that treat a condition with medicine made from a substance that would produce similar symptoms in a healthy person.

These medicines act by stimulating the body’s own powers of repair and recovery.

For example, an onion can cause streaming eyes and a runny nose and a homeopathic medicine derived from onions, Allium Cepa, can be successful in treating these symptoms in someone suffering from hay fever.

By extreme dilution, the medicine’s curative properties are enhanced and all the poisonous or undesirable side-effects are lost.

NATURAL REMEDIES

The remedies given are derived from a variety of natural materials and are available in different but extremely dilute strengths, which are identified by a potency number, for example arnica 6c.

The number refers to the amount of successive dilutions that have been carried out and the letter refers to the proportion or quantity of the dilution (c stands for 100). The 6c and 30c potencies are ideal for use at home.

The higher potencies are best supervised by qualified practitioners because as they become more dilute, their effects become more powerful. 

IS IT SAFE?
Homeopathy was recognised by an Act Of Parliament in 1948 as a safe form of medical treatment.

It is considered one of the safest forms of over-the-counter medicine available because the active ingredients are present in extremely low concentrations.

Unlike some conventional drugs, homeopathic medicines are non-addictive, have no dangerous side-effects and can be safely used by everyone including babies, children and breastfeeding women, although it’s always advisable to consult a qualified practitioner.

In some cases a slight worsening of symptoms may be experienced at the start of treatment.

This is known as an ‘aggravation’ and is a sign that the body’s own natural healing powers are starting to work.

To attend a homeopathic clinic or NHS homeopathic hospital, you will usually need to be referred by your GP.

For qualified private homeopaths, call the British Homeopathic Association on 020 7566 7800.

WHO CAN IT HELP?
Although homeopathy cannot replace certain forms of health care, for example in life-threatening situations and situations where surgical intervention is necessary, it can be used to treat a wide range of conditions and also be a useful addition in other situations, for example, to support good recovery after an operation.

A medical doctor trained in homeopathy will know when it is most effective to use homeopathic medicine, conventional medicine or a combination of both.

Common conditions that often respond well to homeopathy include allergies, anxiety and panic attacks, asthma, back pain and neuralgia, cystitis, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual and menopausal problems, morning sickness and stress.

It can also be effective in treating recurring childhood illnesses such as glue ear.

WHAT TO EXPECT
An initial consultation with a homeopath usually takes about an hour.

During this first session, they will not only want to know all about your symptoms but they’ll also be interested in your lifestyle, eating habits, sleeping patterns, medical history and state of mind.

After assessing your condition, the homeopath will prescribe a remedy and may also suggest changes to your diet and lifestyle.

At the second consultation, the homeopath will interpret your response to the remedy and decide on how to continue the treatment.

Sometimes symptoms get worse before they get better or symptoms of old complaints reappear briefly, this time to be healed permanently.

DO IT AT HOME
For serious problems, it is always best to consult a qualified practitioner.

However, you can treat minor ailments at home by creating your own homeopathy first aid kit.

The Homeopathy First Aid Course & Remedy Kit, £149, produced in association with Nelsons Homeopathic Pharmacy, the School Of Homeopathy and Alternative Training, takes you through the basics of this complementary therapy so that you can learn how to prescribe for a whole range of common ailments in your own home.

The kit includes a course DVD, as well as two informative guides.

It also includes a comprehensive range of 28 homeopathic remedies ready for you to use. Available mail order from Nelsons Pharmacy on 020 7495 2404.

Homeopathic remedies (6c or 30c) to keep at home include:
Aconite: For fevers, sore throats, coughs, colds, flu, croup, earache and anxiety, fright and shock.

Arnica: For bruises and similar injuries where the skin is unbroken.

Belladonna: For burning fever and feverish conditions, colds, flu, sore throats, toothache, earache and also chickenpox, measles and mumps.

Chamomilla: For asthma, teething and colic.

Hypericum: For bruises and other injuries, especially on sensitive parts of the body.

Ignatia: For emotional upsets and traumas.

Nux vomica: For indigestion, nausea, vomiting, hangover, headaches, colds and flu.

FIND OUT MORE
June 14-21 is Homeopathy Awareness Week, which focuses on allergies and how homeopathy can be effectively used to treat a wide range of allergies in addition to common ailments.

If you’d like more information on homeopathy, contact the Society Of Homeopaths at www.homeopathy-soh.org or call 0845 450 6611.

This week also sees the launch of  the new website www.healthroughhomeopathy.com, and a free health guide Heal Through Homeopathy, by natural medicine specialists Nelsons.

HOMEOPATHIC CELEBS!
 When David Beckham broke a bone in his foot just before the 2002 World Cup, he told the world about the impressive results of treatment that he had got from homeopathic medicine.

Wife Victoria is also reported to be a fan and was said to have used it to combat morning sickness during her third pregnancy.
 
Singer Nelly Furtado travels all over the world regularly and swears by
a homeopathic remedy for easing jet lag.

When TV presenter Nadia Sawalha suffered with a severe outbreak of eczema she turned to a homeopath.

‘My homeopath prescribed a remedy called Mezereum and the effect was astounding,’ explains Nadia.

‘I saw the sores on hands start to close up and I haven’t had a flare-up since.’

Whilst filming Chicago Catherine Zeta Jones revealed that she was a big fan of the homeopathic remedy arnica, which she had commented had been particularly beneficial for bruises caused while dancing on set.