HOMEOPATHY

40% of the French have more or less regular recourse to homeopathy, a medical discipline based on the law of similitude and practised by certain general practitioners. However, not all pathologies can be treated by homeopathy.

The powers of the infinitesimal

Homeopathy consists, in order to treat a disease, in administering to the patient natural substances causing the same symptoms, but in infinitesimal and highly diluted doses in order to stimulate the immune defences and thus protect the patient from future diseases. By prescribing the minimum dose, the natural means of healing are stimulated by avoiding the accumulation of chemicals in the body.

What does homeopathy treat?

Only the homeopathic doctor is able to determine whether homeopathy is effective according to your pathology and your profile. It is believed that homeopathy brings the best results on nervous disorders and functional disorders, as well as on respiratory or allergic-type diseases. On the other hand, it is obvious that homeopathy is completely powerless in the face of mental and cardiovascular diseases and all types of cancer. But beware: even in homeopathy, self-medication must be practised with great caution.

How does a consultation take place?

The first consultation is long: at least one hour. This can be explained by the global approach which considers the individual as a whole. This first contact is an opportunity for the doctor to question the patient not only about the symptoms he or she is experiencing, but also about his or her lifestyle, character and environment in order to get the most accurate picture possible of his or her personality, state of health and the context in which he or she lives. Only doctors are authorized to practice homeopathy. The consultation is reimbursed on the basis of that of a registered general practitioner. However, most homeopathic doctors practice free fees (sector II).

What reimbursements?

Homeopathy is reimbursed by the health insurance if it is practiced and prescribed by a doctor. However, not all homeopathy is reimbursed: only certain strains and dilutions are included in the reimbursement. In the pharmaceutical world, homeopathic medicines are an exception since they benefit from a "light" marketing authorisation that exempts them from having to prove their efficacy, notably through clinical trials. This lack of proof explains the reduction in the rate of their reimbursement (from 65% to 35%) in the same way as other medicines with a medical service rendered deemed insufficient.