FAQs

A lot more people than you would probably think. And people from all walks of life. Many famous people have been advocates of homeopathy in the last few centuries, including Charles Dickens, W.B. Yeats, William Thackeray, Benjamin Disraeli, Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Jackson Pollock, Yehudi Menuhin, Dizzy Gillespie (no relation!) and Mahatma Gandhi.

Modern-day famous people who have publicly declared their support for homeopathy famously include the late Queen and King Charles, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Fonda, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Cher, David Beckham, Angelica Houston, Boris Becker, Diane von Furstenberg, Olivia Newton-John, Pamela Anderson, Usain Bolt… the list goes on.

Some people are fortunate to grow up using homeopathy, while others come to homeopathy after conventional medicine has failed them. Many patients I see suffer from chronic conditions (asthma, eczema, allergies, food intolerances, mental health issues) where conventional treatment is only palliative or short-lasting, or they are battling with the vicious circle of side effects that conventional drugs can entail. Many families come to homeopathy, because they feel uncomfortable giving their babies and children pharmaceuticals. Others simply wish to experience a more natural and sustainable approach to health.

Homeopathy can provide safe, effective and long-lasting help for a huge range of health issues from acute and chronic organic diseases to psychological and emotional disorders. It is safe and effective for all ages, including during pregnancy and for newborn infants. And it can help with many more conditions than you might perhaps suppose. It can also help when you don’t have a proper diagnosis, are feeling out of sorts, having trouble sleeping or simply coping with everyday life.

Homeopathy can work quickly in acute cases such as fevers and childhood diseases. And even patients with long-standing, chronic complaints frequently report immediate benefits, including improved sleep and higher energy levels. In my practice, I see old and young, women and men, people from all kinds of professions and with a wide range of presenting complaints. If you’re in any doubt, just ask me.

This is a question I hear a lot. Homeopathy is quite different from herbal medicine, food supplements, tissue salts, flower remedies, or vitamins and minerals – though all of these can be helpful in their own way. Some homeopathic remedies do come from plants, while others derive from minerals or animals.

The main difference is in how they’re prepared. Homeopathic remedies go through a process called potentization, which removes any risk of toxicity and transforms them into a gentle, highly effective form that works energetically with your body’s natural healing ability.

I do sometimes use herbal teas or tinctures in my practice, but homeopathy goes deeper and often works more quickly, which is why it’s at the heart of everything I do.

Neither did I – at first. Many years ago when I was struggling with a chronic health issue, I went to see a homeopath with a healthy dose of scepticism, thinking: “Go on then, show me what you can do!” To my surprise, after a few carefully chosen remedies, the problem resolved itself.

The great thing about homeopathy is that you don’t have to believe in it for it to work. It works regardless of belief or scepticism. I’ve given my daughter a remedy for a persistent, high fever and the fever has gone down within minutes. She was two at the time, so belief didn’t really come into it. I’ve given my cat a remedy for a corneal ulcer, after two different vets told me there’s nothing you can do. The ulcer gradually disappeared and never came back..

So whether you’re curious or sceptical, it’s worth trying for yourself – you might be pleasantly surprised.

Not at all. While the idea of treating the whole person goes back to the ancient Greeks, it was German physician Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843) who developed homeopathy into a fully integrated system of medicine. For over 200 years, it has been used by doctors, nurses, midwives, and complementary practitioners around the world. And before pharmaceutical-based medicine took over, there were once fourteen homeopathic hospitals in the UK.

Homeopathy is very down-to-earth. I do consider your dreams, fears, and emotions as part of your overall wellbeing, but my approach is practical, accessible, and grounded in real-life care – even if your experience so far has only been with conventional medicine.

Homeopathic treatment begins with a first consultation. This in-depth session lasts more than an hour and is really important for homeopath and patient alike. It is my opportunity to take a really detailed case history and it is your chance to tell your story in full. Perhaps for the first time.

I need to know as much as possible about your presenting conditions (why you are here), as well as your general physical, mental and emotional make-up. There are no artificial boundaries between body and mind in homeopathy. I’m interested in hearing everything that troubles you, even if it’s only psychosomatic or you have learned to live with it.

In the next step, you receive a homeopathic remedy from me and we make a follow-up appointment in a few weeks’ time. After that, follow-up sessions every 4-6 weeks are very important for the first 6 months, as they allow me to assess your medium-term response and give you the opportunity to voice any worries.

In my practice, the fee structure is as follows:

• First consultation (1-2 hours): adults £90; children (under 13 years) £60
• Follow-up consultations (30-45 minutes): adults £55; children (under 13 years) £45
• Telephone consultations for acutes (20 minutes): £25

Remedies are available from me or straight from a UK pharmacy. If I need to post them to you, postage is charged at standard Post Office rates.

So far, no one has ever been turned away for financial reasons. If you’re genuinely interested in exploring homeopathic treatment but are concerned about the cost, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to work with you, and we can find a way to make treatment more affordable.

Absolutely. Anyone can learn to use homeopathy for treating simple health issues. I recommend that you do too, especially if you’re parenting children. I always advise parents to buy a basic home remedy kit and accompanying guide for treating minor ailments at home (talk to me for recommendations for both).

That said, things get more complex when health issues are long-standing, chronic or complicated – or if they’ve been suppressed with conventional medicines. A complicated family history can also make a difference. If you can’t see the wood for the trees or are not making progress on your own, it’s best to consult a professional homeopath who can guide you safely and effectively.

Homeopathic medicines (or remedies) are made from a wide variety of natural sources, including plants, animals, minerals and many other kinds of substances. They are all prepared according to a specific method devised by Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, known as potentization, which removes the possibility of toxic side effects while creating highly diluted, gentle remedies.

Many remedies come from the plant kingdom – flowers, roots, leaves, seeds and barks of herbs and other plants. Some are made from the animal kingdom, such as venom, secretions, milk or tissues. Others are derived from the mineral kingdom, including metals, salts and natural elements. There are also remedies called nosodes, made from disease products or microbes; sarcodes, from healthy tissues or secretions; and imponderabilia, prepared using energy sources like sunlight, magnetism or x‑rays.

Homeopathic medicines are usually given in small doses, often in the form of tiny sugar pills, and even a small dose can continue to act for some time after you’ve taken it. In homeopathy, less is more.

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic, side effect-free and inexpensive. Unlike many conventional medicines, you can take them during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. They are safe for children, babies and even newborns – giving you a real alternative for treating problems that arise during this most sensitive of times.

Some stimulants have been known to negate the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. These include coffee, mint and strong essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus and camphor (present in many cold medicines). As with all things, it all depends on the level of exposure. There is a big difference between sucking Fisherman’s Friends all day and having the odd cup of coffee.

You can safely use homeopathic remedies alongside conventional medicines – they won’t interfere with them. Homeopathy acts on an energetic level rather than through a physical, chemical effect. If you’re taking any prescribed medication, we’ll review it together in your first consultation to make sure everything is considered. I will never suggest stopping or changing your medication without checking with your doctor first. Your safety and wellbeing always come first.

It’s true – the UK media can be tough on homeopathy, and there’s a lot of badly informed debate online. But the picture isn’t the same everywhere. Homeopathy is part of mainstream healthcare in many countries, and millions of people use it safely and effectively every day.

In Switzerland, for example, homeopathy, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine all have official status alongside conventional medicine. Patients can choose whether to see a GP or a homeopath. In Germany, where I lived and worked for many years, doctors often start gently with homeopathy or herbal remedies, especially for children, reserving stronger interventions like antibiotics for when they’re actually needed. French doctors prescribe homeopathy widely, and in India it’s hugely popular, both for its effectiveness and its cost-efficiency.

So while the UK may be in the minority, homeopathy is thriving around the world. If you’d like to explore the facts behind common claims and headlines, the Homeopathy Research Institute has a great resource: Homeopathy FAQs.