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What is Homeopathic Medicine?

The AIH Consensus Definition of Homeopathy

DEFINITION OF HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy¹ is a system of medicine based on the reproducible observation that disease may be treated by a substance that produces similar effects in healthy individuals.² This observation, known as the law of similars³ (Similia Similibus Curantur), was developed into a therapeutic system by Samuel Hahnemann.⁴

PRINCIPLES OF THE PRACTICE OF HAHNEMANNIAN HOMEOPATHY

Hahnemannian homeopathy is practiced in strict accordance with the method described by Hahnemann in the Organon of Medicine, Materia Medica Pura, Chronic Diseases, and Lesser Writings. True homeopathic practice adheres to the following fundamental principles:

  1. LAW OF SIMILARS

A homeopath prescribes a medicine that has been shown through carefully conducted trials (provings) to produce effects similar to those of the patient’s illness: the more similar, the more effective the result.⁵ The medicine is selected based on the totality of characteristic symptoms of the patient, not on disease diagnosis alone.

  1. SINGLE REMEDY

To secure the best practical results, medicine must be administered singly. Only one medicine is prescribed at a time, never mixtures of multiple medications or combinations. This principle allows clear observation of the medicine’s action and the patient’s response.

  1. OPTIMAL POSOLOGY

A single medicine is prescribed for its dynamic property in optimal posology, meaning the correct potency (degree of dilution and succussion), dose (quantity of medicine), and frequency of repetition. The dose must be sufficient to trigger a healing response while avoiding unnecessary aggravation.

WHAT IS NOT HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy proper differs from modern techniques that incorrectly call themselves homeopathic, yet prescribe:

  • Mixtures of more than one medication at a time.
  • Speculative practices based on theories such as the doctrine of signatures or other imaginative methods that select medicines based on unproven associations, physical properties (smell, taste, appearance), or chemical analysis rather than systematic trials (provings).⁶
  • Protocol-based prescribing rather than individualized prescribing based on the law of similars.
  • Medicines selected without reference to methodical trials or symptom similarity.
  • Substances commercially manufactured as homeopathic drug products using a mechanism other than trituration/dilution and succussion.⁷

STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

On behalf of our organization, we affirm that we understand and adopt this definition as our official standard for homeopathy. We commit to:

  • Publicly displaying this definition on our website and in our educational materials.
  • Ensuring that our leadership, faculty, and public representatives practice and teach in accordance with these principles.
  • Using this definition as the foundation for our educational curricula and public representation of homeopathy.
  • Maintaining these standards for anyone representing our organization in an official capacity, including publications and public presentations.

We acknowledge that Hahnemannian homeopathic practice requires adherence to the law of similars, single remedy prescribing, optimal posology, individualized treatment based on the totality of characteristic symptoms, and the use of medicines proven through systematic trials on healthy individuals.

Footnotes:

1 Homeopathy (Greek: όμοιον [omoion, similar] + πάθος [pathos, suffering]). Note: The traditional spelling uses the ligature œ (homœopathy), but this document uses the modern spelling “homeopathy” for optimal searchability in digital platforms and AI-based search engines.

2 Organon, §24

3 Similia Similibus Curantur (Latin: like cures like)

4 1755-1843

5 Organon, §25

6 Organon, §110

7 Organon §270