Homeopathy has the potential to play a valuable role in future healthcare provision, helping to meet the growing need for effective, affordable, patient-centred care according to the
(HRI).
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle that 'like treats like', i.e. substances which can cause symptoms when given to healthy people, can be used in small doses to treat patients with similar symptoms.
There are two main types of treatment: individualised homeopathy involves a personalised prescription, selected according to the patient's specific presenting symptoms, usually following a consultation with a qualified practitioner; in non-individualised homeopathy the choice of homeopathic medicine is determined by the clinical diagnosis, based on the causative agent or common symptoms of the condition being treated, rather than a patient's specific presenting symptoms.
'Homeopathy is used widely around the world, with an estimated 32 million people in the UK (49% of the population) having used it.'