A homeopathic physician is a health practitioner who uses natural remedies to treat patients. These physicians generally follow six fundamental principals of naturopathic medicine, which are much like the Hippocratic Oath followed by modern medical doctors. These principals include trusting in the healing power of nature, identifying and treating the causes, avoiding harm to the patient, and educating patients on maintaining good health. Instead of treating symptoms, a practitioner in this field will likely treat the "whole person" through natural remedies and prevention.
The key principal followed by a homeopathic physician is based on the law of similars. This principle states that medicine can cure a sick person if it makes a healthy person sick. In other words, homeopathic remedies can activate the body's natural defenses, allowing the body to heal itself.
Many people confuse homeopathic physicians with practitioners of herbal medicine. Though homeopathic physicians do utilize natural remedies, they are often a bit different than those used specifically for herbal medicine. Homeopathy uses extremely diluted doses of plants as well as other minerals found in nature in homeopathic remedies. The belief is that these substances are more effective in a diluted state.
To become a homeopathic physician, a person usually completes between three and four years of training. Some doctors who have completed traditional medical training are also certified in homeopathy. Many regions have very strict requirements for education to become a homeopathic physician, while others require no certification at all.
Choosing a homeopathic physician may require time and research. It is important for patients to feel comfortable sharing personal information, because successful homeopathic treatment relies on the practitioner obtaining a clear understanding of the whole person. The more information a practitioner can obtain about a patient, the better the treatment plan can be suited to the patient's individual needs.
When a patient first visits a homeopathic physician, an interview process will take place. In this interview, the homeopathic practitioner will gather a wide range of information about the patient. This information will be useful when treating the patient. The first visit can last between two to three hours.
Most common ailments can be treated successfully by homeopathic physicians. Some conditions may be outside a homeopath's scope of practice, however. In these cases, the patient should be referred to a traditional medical doctor. For example, if a patient requires surgical intervention, he would be referred to a surgeon.