Here to help

Independent health store advice on homeopathy

Looking for advice on natural health and wellbeing? Your local independent health store can offer a wealth of expertise. This month we talk to Jenny Watson, a qualified homeopath and co-owner of Energetic Health in Cobham, Surrey

Homoeopathy is a form of natural medicine, which is based on the principle of "like cures like". In other words, a health issue can be healed by treating it with a substance that actually causes that same issue, but in an extremely diluted form. Homeopathy works energetically on the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body's energy is referred to as qi, but in homeopathy it is referred to as vital force. So, it's a case of working on the force within to send the remedy to the right part of the body in order to get the right result.

A holistic approach to health

Homeopathy can help with a wide range of health issues, such as digestion, eczema, immunity, hay fever, arthritis, sleep, anxiety and depression. Homeopathic remedies are highly diluted substances which promote the body's ability to heal itself. They can be prescribed by a qualified homeopath during a consultation, but they can also be purchased over the counter. At Energetic Health, we stock remedies such as arnica, which is very useful for treating bruising, as well as combination remedies for helping stress and sleep. These can work very well, but it's important to remember that homeopathy isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. It is very much individualised and client-led, which is why a one-to-one consultation with a qualified homeopath can be extremely useful.

Getting to the root of the issue

During a consultation with a client, I will ask lots of questions to build up a clear picture of their health and their symptoms. This involves retracing their steps to get to the root of their health issue and determine how we can get them back on track. We go through their medical history, and we find out how they were when they were in a good space and what's happened between then and now. Often a client may come to me for advice about one particular issue and then we find out that there is something else going on. For example, chronic stress and sleeping problems are often very closely linked. Initial consultations take between 1.5 and 2 hours, while follow-ups take around 1 hour. I work with clients both in person and online. As well as prescribing specific remedies, I will also offer lifestyle advice, such as dietary tips and other therapies. Homeopathy is a highly effective form of natural medicine and can really help people to take control of their own health.