The name of Homeopathy comes from the Greek words homios meaning "like" and pathos meaning "suffering". This can be translated as meaning "treating like with like". Minute quantities of substances are created through dilution to make homeopathic remedies. Whole-person prescribing is probably the most important part of homeopathy, for the fundamental philosophy behind the art is that each person is an individual and must be treated as such!

Homeopathy is a holistic form of medicine that aims to help the body heal itself, and the prevention of illness is as crucial to its philosophy as the treatment. Hippocrates understood the basic precepts of homeopathy, but the art as we now know it was founded by a German doctor and chemist known as Samuel Hahnemann. Dr Hahnemann established the three principles of homeopathy which consist of firstly the law of similars, secondly the principle of minimal dose and thirdly that of prescribing for the individual.

The first consultation with a homeopath will take at least an hour and will involve numerous questions that are needed to build up a complete picture of you and your mental, physical and emotional health. You will be asked about your family health, past illnesses, lifestyle and diet, and then more specific and unusual questions such as how you react to cold, or what sorts of food you like, and how you sleep. Remedies are usually prescribed and also diet and lifestyle changes may be suggested.