Homeopathic medicines are prepared from source materials derived from all three of nature’s kingdoms, vegetable, mineral and animal as well as the realm of energy. e.g from different forms of radiation. Homeopathic medicines are prepared by the standardised process of ‘potentisation’ involving serial steps of dilution and succussion. This process removes the risk of any physical toxicity from the source materials. Potentised medicines are effective when applied homeopathically to a particular patient according to the ‘law of similars’.
Potentised medicines are prepared according to the instructions recorded in homeopathic pharmacopoeia. The two main pharmacopoeia used in Europe are the German and French pharmacopoeia which differ in a number of ways. There is currently a project underway to produce a European Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia to eventually replace the existing ones.
Homeopathic medicines are recognised and regulated within European Union pharmaceutical legislation under directive (2001/83/EC) which acknowledges the particular nature of homeopathic medicines and gives them special status and requirements alongside the rest of conventional pharmaceuticals. Homeopathic medicines must meet requirements for safety and quality. The main difference in requirements is that for single homeopathic medicines proof of efficacy is not required for them to be licensed and put on the market.
There are currently over 3000 medicines listed in the homeopathic materia medica. This list is continually being added to as new medicines are ‘proved’ for their therapeutic potential on groups of healthy humans and their symptoms verified through clinical use.
Provings
Provings provide the information that forms the basis of the materia medica of homeopathic medicines. Information from provings is added to with knowledge from the study of the source substance together with information from clinical use.