Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice that uses extremely dilute amounts of natural substances to treat ailments. It was founded in the late 18th century and works on the principle that "like cures like," meaning a substance that causes symptoms can be used in tiny doses to treat similar symptoms. Research on its effectiveness is mixed, with some studies supporting it and others finding it no better than a placebo. While homeopathic medicines are widely available, most medical experts remain skeptical of homeopathy due to the lack of active ingredients in highly diluted preparations and the lack of scientific evidence that it works. The Philippines has a long tradition of herbal medicine that is considered a form of homeopathy.

1. Consumer Chemistry
Homeopathic Medicine
Presented at Almeria National High School
Reporters:
Raelene Kate B. Etang
Harriet D. Salvo

2. Homeopathy
is an alternative medical practice in which
extremely dilute amounts of certain natural
substances are used to treat various ailments.
Although homeopathic medicines are sold in
health food stores and at high-end groceries,
homeopathy is largely considered quackery. No
scientific evidence supports its use; the theory
of how homeopathy could work is beyond the
realm of known physics; and governments
worldwide are increasingly denying insurance
payments to cover homeopathic treatment.

3. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843)
A German physician named Samuel
Hahnemann , the Father of Homeopathy, first
coined the word “ Homeopathy” “-homoios” in
Greek means similar, “pathos” means
suffering.
Homeopathic Medicines
A medical system based on the belief that the
body can cure itself.
Those who practice it use tiny amounts of
natural substances, like plants and minerals. They
believe these simulate the healing process

4. Properties of Homeopathic Medicines
 Most Homeopathic Medicines are made by diluting a
medicinal substances is a double-distilled water.
 Because homeopaths use a double-distilled water, it is
highly purified enabling the medicinal substance to solely
infiltrate the water. The medicinal solution is usually
preserved in an 87% water-alcohol solution.
 They are extremely “potentized”. Potentization refers to
the specific process of sequential dilution with vigorous
stirring. The theory is that each consecutive dilution in
conjunction with the process of shaking/ stirring infiltrates
the new double-distilled water and imprints upon it the
fractal form of the original substance used ( fractal refers
to the specific consecutively smaller pattern or form within
a larger pattern)

5. How does it Work?
“ Like cures like” a basic belief behind homeopathy that is, something
that brings on symptoms in a healthy person can– in a very small dose–
treat an illness with similar symptoms. This is meant to trigger the body’s
natural defenses.
For instance, red onion- it is used in Homeopathic remedies for
allergies. Treatments for other ailments are made from poison ivy, white
arsenic, crushed whole bees, and an herb called arnica.
Homeopathic doctors or homeopaths weaken these ingredients by
adding water or alcohol, Then they shake the mixture as part of process
called “potentization” They believe this step transfers the healing essence.
By lowering the dose, homeopaths believe the more the medicine
powerful. In fact, many of these remedies no longer contain any
molecules of the original substance. They come in a variety of forms, like
sugar pellets, liquid drops, creams, gels, and tablets

6. The First Principle: Let likes cure likes
“Let likes cure likes” or similia similibus curentur.
In the practice of Homeopathic Medicine, a detailed,
comprehensive interview of the patient, called the
homeopathic case-taking , is undertaken to reveal
the physical, psychological and emotional
characteristics and complaints of that individual.
The homeopathic practitioner then finds the
homeopathic remedy whose materia medica is the
most similar so that of the patient’s characteristics
totality. The homeopathic prescription ( the
similimum) is given to the patient to stimulate his/
her being to heal: likes cure likes.

7. The Second Principle: The minimum dose
Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a series
of dilutions, at each step of which there is a vigorous
agitation of the solution called the succussion, until
there is no detectible chemical substance left. As
contradictory as it may seem, the higher the dilution,
when prepared in this dynamized way, the more potent
the homeopathic remedy. Thereby is achieved the
minimum dose which, none the less, has the maximum
therapeutic effect with the fewest side effects. In fact,
Homeopathy has an enviable centuries olf history of
safety in use of its potentized oral medicines among
patients of all ages, including babies, children, pregnant
and nursing women, and senior citizens.

8. The Third Principle: The Single Remedy
Homeopathic practitioners prescribe one
remedy at a time. The homeopathic remedy
has been proved by itself, producing its own
unique drug picture. That remedy is
matched (prescribed) to the sick person
having a similar picture. The results are
observed, uncluttered by the confusion of
effects that might be produced if more than
one medicine were given at the same time.

9. What Conditions Does Homeopathy treat?
It’s used for a wide variety of health issues, including some chronic illnesses:
 Allergies
 Migraines
 Depression
 Chronic Fatigue syndrome
 Rheumatoid arthritis
 Irritable bowel syndrome
 Premenstrual syndrome
It can also be used for minor issues like bruises, scrapes, toothaches,
headaches, nausea, coughs, and colds.
Don’t use Homeopathic Medicine for life-threatening illnesses, like asthma.
cancer, and heart disease, or in emergencies. You should also avoid using it in
place of vaccines. Some Homeopathic products called “nosodes” are marketed
as an alternative for vaccines, but there’s no research to prove they’re
effective.

10. Does it work?
Research is mixed. Some studies show that
homeopathic remedies are helpful, while others
don’t. Critics chalk up the benefits to the placebo
effect. That’s when symptoms improve because you
believe the treatment is working– not because it
really is. This can trigger the brain to release
chemicals that briefly relieve the pain or other
symptoms.
Doctors are divided because some of the theories
behind homeopathy don’t line up with the
principles of chemistry and physics. Scientists
argue that a medicine with no active ingredient
shouldn’t have an effect on the body.

11. Is Homeopathy safe?
Some critics of homeopathy believe that there is so little active
substance in a solution that any benefits from treatment are likely not
because of the substance but because you are thinking it is effective.
It is important to tell your medical doctor if you decide to use
homeopathic remedies. He or she should have full knowledge of your
health to help you make a wise decision about where to purchase
homeopathic dilutions and what homeopathic practitioner to see.
Homeopathic remedies should not replace conventional treatments for
serious health concerns.
You can buy some Homeopathic medicines at health food stores
without a doctor’s prescription. But preparations from different
suppliers and practitioners my vary.
Talk with your doctor about any complementary health practice that
you would like to try or are already using. Your doctor can help you
manage your health better if he or she knows about all of your health
practices.

12. Homeopathy in the Philippines
Philippines culture is reach with homeopathic medicinal
practice. Alternative term for homeopathy in the Philippines is
Herbal medicine. Herbal medicine in traditional medical
practice is an important resource. These herbal medicines have
contributed significantly to man’s struggle against diseases and
maintenance of health. In recent years, interest in the use of
herbal preparations has increased.
In fact, when COVID-19 hit Philippines in 2020, Filipinos use
one of homeopathic medicines to relieve and to much more
extent to heal symptoms of COVID-19 by using “toob” or steam
inhalation. Herbal medicines are used in most countries in the
Region either within the state health care system or in
communities and private practices outside the state system.
Our country is rich in tradition and culture which makes us
resilient at all times. Homeopathy is not new to us. We have lots
of homeopathic practice as to use of herbal medicines and to the
use of available resources in our surroundings for the attainment
of the common goal of health for all.

13. Common Homeopathic medicines
 Allium cepa (onion): it is a frequent remedy for the common cold and
hay fever, especially when there is a thin, watery, and burning nasal
discharge that irritates nostrils. Typically, the person’s symptoms are
worse in a warm room and are relieved in a cool room or in the open
air.
 Arnica (mountain daisy): It is used for shock and trauma from injury. It
also helps reduce pain from injury and to speed the healing process .
Whether you’re into competitive sports or exercise regularly or if you
simply don’t like to feel the pain of an injury. Arnica is the place to
start.
 Arnica (topical): Another way to use arnica is in a topical external
application in gels, ointments, or spray form. This application of Arnica
is great for healing sprains and strains as well as black and blue
bruising (without broken skin)
 Chamomilla (chamomille): Is the remedy for the irritable infant,
especially from teething or colic. The infant cries incessantly and
nothing seems to provide relief, except carrying them, and even then,
the crying begins recurs as soon as the parent puts the child down.

14. Getting to know the ten medicinal plant
endorsed by DOH
These are the list of ten (10) medicinal plants that the
Philippines Departmeny of Health (DOH) through its
“Traditional Health Program” has endorsed. All ten (10) herbs
have been thoroughly tested and have been clinically proven
to have medicinal value in the relief and treatment of various
aliments:
1. Lagundi (Vitex nigundo)
2. Yerba (Herba) Buena Mentha Cordifelia
3. Sambong (Blumea Balsamifera)
4. Tsaang Gubat ( Carmona retusa)
5. Niyug-niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.)

15. 6. Bayabas/ Guava ( Psidium guajava L.)
7. Akapulko (Cassia Alata)
8. Ulasimang Bato (Peperonica pellucida)
9. Bawang ( Allium Sativum)
10.Ampalaya ( Mamordica Charantia)

16. Thank You for listening.