Aggravation
Sometimes after taking a homeopathic remedy, symptoms may temporarily intensify. This is often a sign that the correct remedy has been selected and the healing process has begun.
Antidote
A substance or influence that may neutralize the effect of a homeopathic remedy. For example, coffee, mint, or strong odors can sometimes interfere with the action of certain remedies.
Allopathy
A system of medicine where treatment is directed against the symptoms of a disease—such as taking a fever-reducing medication for high temperature. This is the conventional or modern medical system.
Cell Salts
Also known as Schuessler’s Tissue Salts—12 essential mineral salts identified by Dr. Schuessler as vital to the body’s cellular function. They are typically used in low potencies like 3x or 6x.
Miasm
Inherited or deep-rooted causes of chronic disease in homeopathy. The three major miasms are:
- Psora (functional disturbances),
- Sycosis (excess growths, discharges),
- Syphilis (destructive tendencies).
Complete Symptom
A full understanding of a symptom includes:
- Etiology (Cause)
- Location (Where the symptom occurs)
- Sensation (What it feels like)
- Modalities (What makes it better or worse)
- Concomitants (Other symptoms that occur with it)
Hering’s Law of Cure
Healing follows a particular direction:
From inside to outside,
From top to bottom,
And in the reverse order of appearance of symptoms.
Homeopathy
A natural system of healing based on the principle of “like cures like,” meaning a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in a sick person when given in a very diluted form.
Remedy
A homeopathic medicine prepared according to specific principles. It acts on the energetic level of the individual rather than the biochemical.
Potency
The strength or energetic level of a remedy. Common potencies include 6x, 30c, LM1, etc. The higher the number, the greater the energy—but the less material substance.
Repertory
A reference book or software used to find appropriate remedies based on symptoms. It indexes symptoms and lists the corresponding remedies.
Proving
A process in which a remedy is tested on healthy individuals to observe the symptoms it produces. These observed symptoms are then used to determine the remedy’s healing potential.
Modality
Factors that improve or worsen a symptom. For example, a headache that feels better after drinking cold water would be noted for that modality.
Totality
The complete picture of the patient’s distinctive and unique symptoms. Remedy selection is based on the totality rather than isolated symptoms.
Vital Force
The life energy that sustains the body. Homeopathy aims to restore balance in this vital force to promote natural healing.