What is Classical Homeopathy?

If you’ve heard of homeopathy but aren’t quite sure what it involves – or how it differs from other approaches to health – you’re not alone. It’s one of the questions Andrew Ward, our Classical Homeopath at The Bath Practice, gets asked most often.

Here, Andrew explains what Classical Homeopathy is, how it works and what makes it different from both conventional medicine and other complementary therapies.

Treating the person, not the disease

In conventional medicine, a diagnosis is made based on a group of symptoms, and treatment is aimed at reducing or eliminating those symptoms. Classical Homeopathy takes a fundamentally different view.

Rather than treating the disease, a Classical Homeopath treats the person who is experiencing the disease. The symptoms someone experiences are seen not as the problem itself, but as the body’s attempt to respond to an underlying disturbance – the immune system doing its best to restore balance.

This means that two people with the same diagnosis might receive quite different remedies, because what matters is the complete picture of the individual – their health history, their constitution, their personal experience of their symptoms.

What makes it “Classical”?

The term “Classical” distinguishes this approach from the many variations of homeopathy that have developed over the past century. Classical Homeopathy follows the original principles established by Samuel Hahnemann more than 200 years ago.

In practice this means:

• One remedy is given at a time, selected based on a complete picture of the patient’s health
• The patient’s response is observed carefully before any changes are made
• Dosage is minimal – often a single dose, rather than daily doses over weeks
• The focus is always on the individual rather than the diagnosis

Andrew has studied and practised Classical Homeopathy for 36 years, including 14 years within the NHS. He trained extensively with Professor George Vithoulkas – widely regarded as the world’s foremost authority on Classical Homeopathy – and continues to practise according to these original principles.

How does it work?

Homeopathic remedies are prepared from natural substances – drawn from the plant, mineral and animal kingdoms – through a process of dilution and succussion (a specific form of shaking). The result is a highly dilute but, according to homeopathic theory, highly potent medicine.

The principle underlying homeopathy is “like with like” – that a substance which can produce symptoms in a healthy person can, in a highly diluted form, help the body overcome similar symptoms. The remedy is thought to give the body the information it needs to mount a stronger healing response.

Andrew acknowledges that the science behind how homeopathy works is still debated. What he can say, from 36 years of clinical practice with thousands of patients, is that many people experience significant improvements in their health and wellbeing through Classical Homeopathic treatment.

What happens in a consultation?

An initial consultation with Andrew is comprehensive – typically lasting over an hour. He will ask in detail about your current symptoms, your full health history, your family history and a wide range of other factors that help build a complete picture of your health.

This depth of enquiry is central to Classical Homeopathy. Finding the right remedy depends on understanding the whole person, not just the presenting complaint.

Follow-up consultations typically take place at monthly intervals and allow Andrew to assess your response to treatment and refine the approach as needed.

Is it safe?

Homeopathic remedies involve very small doses and are considered safe for adults, children and during pregnancy. They are non-addictive and can generally be taken alongside conventional medication. Andrew always recommends maintaining your relationship with your GP, and will advise you if he feels conventional medical assessment or treatment would be beneficial alongside or instead of homeopathic care.