There’s a big difference between homeopathy and holistic medicine.

Homeopathy is a sophisticated form of healing.

It uses highly diluted amounts of particular materials. It operates on the principle of “like cures like.”

Full strength, the substance would make you sick.

But an infinitesimal amount can make you well.

According to the theory of homeopathy.

Holistic medicine, on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of healing methods.

Homeopathy falls under this bigger umbrella.

I often hear people use “homeopathy” and “holistic” interchangeably.

But they’re not the same.

Someone may practice holistic medicine, without doing homeopathy.

A homeopath practices holistic medicine.

Using highly diluted potentized medicine to heal.

What’s The Difference Between Homeopathy and Holistic Medicine?

It’s good to know the difference between homeopathy and holistic medicine.

Homeopathy is an amazingly effective (when used properly) form of healing.

I haven’t seen anything else like it.

Done properly, it can laser focus on certain areas of the body, and the healing process begins.

Homeopathy Is Not Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies are great. But herbs are not the same as homeopathy.

I can see how people can confuse homeopathy with the broader category of holistic medicine.

It’s also easy to confuse homeopathy with herbalism, or botanical medicine.

Lately, things have gotten even more confusing.

Because there’s now some crossover between homeopathy and herbalism. (I’ll explain below.)

Holistic And Homeopathic Medicine

Nowadays, you can find homeopathic remedies packaged with herbs.

These products are marketed for specific conditions.

They might be beneficial. If used judiciously and you pay attention to whether they’re helping. (Stop if they’re not.)

But directions often say to take them daily, or even several times a day.

This is a huge problem, since taking too much can cause “aggravations.”

Homeopathic aggravations are when your symptoms temporarily get worse.

You should try to avoid aggravations.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use homeopathic remedies only as needed.

Regardless of the dosing instructions on the bottle.

Also, everyone is different.

Homeopathic medicine is highly individualized.

It would be impossible to come up with a formula or a dosing schedule that’s right for everyone.

Because homeopathy is so individualized you’ll see best results working with a good practitioner.

Homeopathy vs Holistic

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People who use any form of holistic medicine may assume they’re doing homeopathy.

But they aren’t, unless they’re taking a well-selected homeopathic remedy, based on the principle of “like cures like.”

Holistic Medicine vs Homeopathy

In my experience, homeopathy is much more effective than herbal medicine.

Especially if you work with a good homeopathy.

But this may only be because I’ve never worked with a good herbalist.

Plus I know more about homeopathy.

Homeopathic Practitioners In The United States

The one downside of homeopathy is that it’s not user friendly.

There are tens of thousands of homeopathic remedies.

Choosing the right one takes skill.

It also requires good intuition.

Homeopathic prescribing is as much art as it it science.

If you are interested in homeopathy, you can read an earlier blog post on Where To Find a Homeopathic Practitioner.

 

Homeopathy vs Natural Medicine

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times homeopathy has helped our family.

We’ve been blessed to work with wonderful homeopaths.

They’ve generously shared their knowledge, and encouraged me to pursue my own studies.

Homeopathy has even helped our dog.

He lived until the ripe old age of 17.

Throughout his life, he took various homeopathic remedies, as needed.

Conventional Medicine vs Homeopathy

Homeopathy was once extremely popular in the United States.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s it was a dominant form of medicine.

About one-third of the hospitals were homeopathic.

Patients would be treated by homeopathic physicians.

However, homeopathy fell out of favor.

People began using pharmaceuticals instead.

Now, though, there’s growing awareness that drugs have drawbacks.

There are side effects. There is antibiotic resistance.

Also drugs typically don’t reverse the root cause of illness.

They usually don’t lead to greater wellness. They only address symptoms.

Homeopathy and Western Medicine

Homeopathy on the other hand, can help heal.

Used properly, it’s very safe. There’s no risk of dependence. And it can relieve emotional, as well as physical pain.

Also, homeopathic remedies costs just pennies.

Treatments are a fraction of the cost of conventional medicine, especially the high-tech approach.

However, unfortunately, insurance generally doesn’t cover homeopathic care in the United States.

Patients usually pay of pocket.

Initial consultations are about $200, and follow up sessions are typically needed.

Sometimes the cost can be covered with Flexible Spending Accounts through an employer.

Homeopathic Medicine vs Regular Medicine

Homeopathy often brings you away from the large medical centers.

You won’t find the big buildings and the big infrastructure

Instead, you may meet your homeopath in a small office.

Or even in a home. Or on Zoom.

Some people aren’t comfortable going outside the system.

They trust organized medicine and the pharmaceutical approach more.

Also, with homeopathy there’s typically an out-of-pocket cost.

How Homeopathy Works In The Body

It does take a leap of faith to believe that a infinitesimal dose of something, which probably can’t be measured, has the potential to heal.

It’s believed our bodies respond to the “imprint” of the original toxin.

Homeopathic is energy medicine.

This is part of why homeopathy remains controversial among regular doctors.

It’s radically different, and it doesn’t always lend itself controlled scientific studies.

It’s outside the bounds of conventional medical research.

Homeopathy Fake Or Fact?

Prescribing remedies is highly individualized.

Three people could have a similar-looking skin rash.

They may each need a different homeopathic remedy.

Many factors are taken into account. These may include the emotional state of the patient. Whether the rash itches. Or what time of day it feels worse.

Designing a study using a single remedy is doomed to failure.

Giving a single remedy to a large group of people won’t have the desired effect.

That’s why many mainstream doctors conclude that homeopathy “doesn’t work.”

Naturopathy vs Homeopathy vs Holistic

Then, there’s another term that’s often used interchangeably with “homeopathy and holistic.”

That is “naturopathy.”

Naturopathy is much closer to the holistic umbrella than it is to homeopathy.

Naturopathic doctors use supplements and herbal remedies instead of drugs.

They may also recommend a wide range of other modalities, such as acupuncture, cupping or essential oils.

Naturopathic practitioners may or may not practice homeopathy.

But many of them do.

Some homeopaths may also recommend herbal Mother Tinctures in addition to potentized remedies.

Are Naturopathic Physicians Real Doctors?

In its strictest sense, naturopathy means herbs instead of drugs. A clean diet and exercise are recommended as well. Many practitioners use and/or recommend other types of healing methods.

Naturopathic physicians (or ND’s as opposed to MD’s receive extensive training in naturopathic medicine.)

Naturopathic physicians are real doctors. Training involves four years of post-graduate work. Some states require naturopathic doctors to be licensed, which requires passing a licensing exam.

There are also practitioners called “traditional naturopaths,” who are not licensed.

They may or may not have good training.

It’s always important to choose a good alternative medical practitioner.

I’m a big fan of word-of-mouth referrals.

Homeopathy vs Chinese Medicine

Then, there’s Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It’s been used for thousands of years.

It includes a variety of disciplines, such as herbalism and acupuncture.

Traditional Chinese Medicine typically doesn’t include homeopathy.

Homeopathy was developed in Europe during the late 1700’s by a doctor named Samuel Hahnemann, MD.

Some naturopaths may use a variety of healing methods, including acupuncture and homeopathy.

All would fall under the classification of holistic medicine.

Some homeopaths may also have studied acupuncture. Or traditional Chinese herbs.

The Difference Between Acupuncture and Homeopathy

Acupuncture and homeopathy are somewhat similar.

At least according to my late homeopath. She said acupuncture is sometimes referred to as “homeopathy with needles.”

Both acupuncture and homeopathy are energy medicine.

They try to stimulate the body’s own healing response.

I personally believe the results you see with either method are largely dependent upon the skill level of the practitioner.

Acupuncturists seem to be more available than homeopaths. In my own area there are several acupuncturists. I don’t know of any local homeopaths other than myself.

Again, with any discipline, I’d choose carefully. Word-of-mouth recommendations are good.

Often, someone who works at a health food store can steer you in the right direction.

Can You Do Homeopathy And Acupuncture At The Same Time?

Generally, it’s good to combine healing modalities.

But I wouldn’t recommend doing more than one strong energy healing method at the exact same time.

For instance, I may take an herbal remedy and a homeopathic remedy on the same day. I may use an essential oil too. But I wouldn’t take a homeopathic remedy and then go for an acupuncture treatment.

That’s partly because homeopathy involves waiting and watching.

Whether you take a second dose of a remedy depends upon your symptoms.

Adding acupuncture to the mix will cloud the picture.

Are Homeopathy and Acupuncture Compatible?

Instead, I would choose just one – homeopathy or acupuncture. I wouldn’t do the other unless I was taking a break between treatments.

I don’t see an acupuncturist. But I do own an Acupressure Mat that’s a form of DIY acupuncture. It’s covered with spikes that are supposed to stimulate your system to heal. It does seem to reduce my pain.

But I don’t use it within a couple of days of taking a homeopathic remedy.

Can You Do Homeopathy and Acupuncture Together?

However, other people may disagree.

There are also homeopathic acupuncturists who (apparently) successfully combine the two healing methods.

One thing I’ve learned about natural medicine is that there are various ways to heal.

The body is always moving toward healing, especially if you remove factors that make you ill.

Sometimes diet and lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough.

This is where energy medicine can push your body into a healing direction.

The Difference Between Homeopathy and Essential Oils

I learned about homeopathy long before I heard about essential oils.

The latter are sometimes referred to as “homeopathy” too.

Many homeopathic remedies are derived from plants. Essential oils are too.

But that’s where the similarity ends.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts. They have measurable compounds.

A homeopathic remedy is made from a substances. But, then, it’s so highly diluted that virtually none of the original substance is left.

Aromatherapy And Homeopathy

Essential oils are also much easier to use than homeopathic remedies.

You can find single oils, such as lavender essential oil.

You can also find blends designed to relieve certain conditions, such as pain or insomnia.

Although essential oils work, they don’t seem to bring about the deep level of healing seen with homeopathy.

For instance, I have chronic nerve pain.

I manage it very well. Homeopathy has led to what is probably permanent improvement.

Essential oils brought quick but temporary relief.

The problem was still there and I had to keep applying the oils.

Aromatherapy And Homeopathy

However, essential oils are really easy to use.

This point was driven home about 10 years ago.

My son came down with a nasty flu bug. But you could argue his manager was even nastier. At the time he was working in a fast food restaurant. His manager threatened to fire him on the spot, if he didn’t show up for his shift.

I was really worried about him. With very little time to find the right homeopathic remedy, I turned to a special germ-fighting essential oil blend. It seemed to help. He went to work and finished his shift without collapsing.

Do Essential Oils Interfere With Homeopathy?

Peppermint and camphor can potentially counteract homeopathic remedies.

That’s probably why some recommend avoiding peppermint when you’re taking a homeopathic remedy.

Some people may wonder if you can use essential oils at all.

There’s some controversy around this issue.

Do Essential Oils Antidote Homeopathic Remedies?

However, I wouldn’t use essential oils at the exact same time I took a homeopathic remedy.

I could even play it safer and stay away from the oils for a day or so.

But, in general, it seems as if essential oils can still be used along with homeopathic care.

 I use essential oils often, in one form or another. Almost every day.

They work great in homemade cleaning solutions. I use them on dog leashes and harnesses for natural pest control.

Homeopathy vs Holistic Healing

All of the above healing methods rely upon natural remedies, instead of drugs.

They all try to work with the body’s own innate healing powers.

However, it’s important to recognize the difference between “homeopathy” and “holistic healing.”

Because if you assume everything holistic is “homeopathy,” you’re potentially missing out on the most amazing healing method ever discovered.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils or herbal remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional. Everything here is written for informational purposes only.