Is Homeopathy the same as Herbalism?

Homeopathy is a holistic system of therapeutics that uses very small doses of natural substances called “remedies.” These remedies are prepared from plants, minerals, and other materials that are found in nature. 

Nevertheless, homeopathy should not be confused with herbalism. These two systems of healing are very different. Herbalism uses tinctures of botanical substances, whereas homeopaths use ultradilute and potentized micro-doses made from not only plants, but minerals or any other substance found in nature.

The homeopath chooses the proper remedy by following a special rule of nature called the Law of Similars (similia similibus curentur). This law states “like cures like,” or that a substance can assist a sick person if it can cause similar sickness in a healthy person. For instance, if you peel an onion, your eyes burn, itch and water. You might also have a runny nose and begin to sneeze. If you had similar symptoms during a cold or allergy attack, such as a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, a homeopathic micro-dose of the remedy Allium cepa (red onion) would help your body restore balance.

The word “homeopathy” is derived from the Greek words homeos meaning “similar” and pathos meaning “disease” or “suffering.” Thus, homeopathy attempts to assist the body with a remedy that produces an effect similar to the disease or suffering.