In the 1700’s bloodletting, blistering and purging were common medical practices. Bloodletting was done by leeches, and sometimes too much blood was let and the person would die. Blistering was the practice of using a hot or caustic substance on sites to draw out infection. Purging was often done with mercury and would sometimes end up in mercury poisoning.

Homeopathic medicine is an alternative form of medicine that is based on the idea that certain substances created according to your personality and symptoms can stimulate your natural defenses to cure you. All of the substance used in homeopathy come from natural resources. The amount of substance in each treatment is based on a psychological as well as physical exams.

Homeopathic method of treatment is also derived from the idea that a substance given in large doses to a healthy person that causes symptoms would in fact heal an ill person when administered in smaller doses. Most people on a Homeopathic treatment program will feel worse before they feel better.

Some of the ingredients sound like they would or could help. Substances like Chamomile, Marigold, Daisy and Onion give the image of good, natural home cures, but substances like Poison Ivy, Mercury, Arsenic, Pit Viper Venom and Hemlock may make you want to take a second look. All of these are used in homeopathic medicine.

The FDA does regulate homeopathic medicines to a certain extent that they must have labels that tell what the ingredients are, what the dilution is, at least one major indication, and the directions for use. Homeopathic medicines are available without prescription unless they claim to cure serious diseases such as cancer. Then they have to be distributed through prescription.