One of the best ways to really grasp what homeopathy is about is to look at it in the context of other natural healing methods. In this unique time we live in, an immense range of natural healing methods and resources - both new and ancient - have become available. In spite of widely different cultural roots, they share common themes that define them as natural, non-invasive, person-centered medicine. Within this full spectrum of natural treatment methods, each has a significant role to play in the healing of body and mind. Homeopathy is, however, quite different than methods such as herbalism or nutrition, which are based on biochemistry and physiology, rather than the symptom-response expressed by the person.

The simple analogy of building a house provides a useful basis for examining the special capabilities and scope of the different types of natural therapy, relative to homeopathy. It must be pointed out that each of these therapies can influence the whole person.

Structural Therapies

Structure is analogous to the foundation on which a house is built. Biomechanical therapies, such as massage, chiropractic and cranial osteopathy work via the musculoskeletal, circulatory, and nervous structures to influence local and general health. They can also alter emotions, energetic and functional patterns via structural change and alignment.

Biochemical Therapies

Biochemical therapy provides the raw materials on which all body functions and processes depend, like the wood, nails, and cement of our house. This includes the comprehensive science and nutrition and diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, food concentrates, and so on. These essential building blocks have a profound influence on how the body functions, both in health and illness. Indeed, how can one imagine that the building blocks of life are ever not involved in every single disease process?

Biological Therapies

Biological therapies work on the building materials, ike putting workers and their tools on the job. They correct imbalances in physiology and target specific organs, tissues, and cells, stimulating them to function optimally, while promoting detoxification and tissue repair. Herbal medicines fulfill this role admirably, along with hydrotherapy and other detoxifying methods. Note that these are taken as a limited course of medicine, rather than dietary nutrients that can be taken daily for life.

Energetic Therapies

Homeopathy is a form of energy medicine, working directly with bioinformation and bioenergy. Acupuncture and various forms of psychic similarly work directly with energy, moving it to or from areas of deficiency or excess. According to the remedy strength or potency, homeopathy can affect the material and biochemical level, or increasingly subtler levels of biological information and biological intelligence.

Changing Patterns

Continuing the previous analogy, raw materials, workers, tools, and energy can create activity, but without any specific direction or cohesion no house can be built. What is required is a blueprint, a plan that organizes all the elements into a meaningful and purposeful whole. Homeopathy works on this level of pattern, information, software - the level of biological intelligence. Though we can voluntarily change the patterns of our external behavior or lifestyle, homeopathy can change the deeper and deepest patterns of psychological, physiological and cellular function. Homeopathic remedies can free the system from fixed, rigid patterns that limit and interfere with our ability to access our deep healing resources and capacities.

Excerpt from Dr. Asa Hershoff ND Homeopathic Remedies, A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Homeopathic Treatments