FAQs

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy treats each person as a unique individual with the aim of stimulating their own natural healing ability. A homeopath selects the most appropriate medicine based on the individual’s specific symptoms and personal level of health. It offers individual and integrated treatment using potentised medicines with the aim of triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world today, as recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Like with like

Homeopathy is based on the principle that you can treat ‘like with like’, that is, a substance which causes certain symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms. For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and agitation, so according to this principle, when made into a homeopathic medicine, it could be used to treat people with these symptoms. However, one major difference with homeopathic medicines is that substances are used in minimum dose which make them non-toxic.

Is homeopathy safe?

Homeopathy is perfectly safe. This is because homeopathic medicines  are made from a very small amount of the active ingredient. Two hundred  years of practice, research and trials have proved the safety of this  gentle system of medicine for both people and animals. Unlike  some conventional drugs, homeopathic medicines are non-addictive and  have no dangerous side-effects. Homeopathy is safe to use for babies,  children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, who are under the  supervision of a homeopathic doctor.

Can I use homeopathy alongside other types of treatment?

Homeopathy doesn’t interfere with conventional medicine and should be seen as a complementary treatment, not as an alternative. Homeopathy cannot replace all other forms of healthcare, but can be  used as the first treatment option in a wide range of conditions. It can  also be used in a complementary way in other situations, for example,  to support good recovery after operations. Despite the differences in approach, homeopathic and conventional  treatments can work very well together. Consulting a medical  doctor trained in homeopathy allows you to receive the best of both  worlds, with the most effective treatments being tailored just for you.

Is homeopathy officially regulated?

Although homeopathy is not currently subject to statutory regulation doctors and other healthcare professionals who practise homeopathy are regulated by their relevant professional body (e.g. doctors are regulated by the General Medical Council). The Faculty of Homeopathy is the only body in the UK which represents medically-qualified homeopaths and its members are bound to act within the competence of their profession and their level  of training and qualification in homeopathy.

Homeopaths registered with the Society of Homeopaths & Alliance of Registered Homeopaths undergo examination and have requirements around competence to practice and professional deveopment.

To get the best and safest results we recommend seeing a homeopath registered with one of these organisations.

Use our FindAHomeopath search tool to find a Faculty member near you.

Is homeopathy available via the NHS?

Sadly, in 2017, NHS England stopped funding homeopathic medicines in primary care in England. However, treatments are still available in England through GPs that practice homeopathy as well as conventional medicine.

Wales has generally followed NHS England’s recommendations and homeopathy is difficult to access via the NHS. Although Northern Ireland does not currently integrate homeopathy within the NHS, there are a number of GPs practicing homeopathy alongside conventional medicine.

Homeopathy on the NHS is available in Scotland on referral to the Centre for Integrated Care in Glasgow. There is also an NHS Clinic in Dundee  providing services to patients in that region.

Homeopathy UK charitable clinics

Homeopathy UK funds a network of charitable clinics offering free and low-cost care by registered homeopaths. We currently have clinics in Edinburgh, Norwich, Liverpool and Winchester. For more information and to book an appointment visit our clinics pages.