Homeopathy recognizes that symptoms of illness are simply a manifestation of the disharmony within the whole person. Practitioners believe it is the patient that needs to be treated and not just the disease. Homeopathy, based on the Law of Similars, means that a remedy which creates symptoms in a healthy individual will cure a sick person manifesting the same condition.
Hippocrates - Father of Medicine
Hippocrates is generally known as the "father of medicine.” He recognized the basic principle of homeopathy as a part of medicine. He understood the body’s ability to heal itself. “By similar things a disease is produced and through the application of the like, it is cured.”
Hippocrates developed the practice of medicine into both an art and a science. He, and others of his school, postulated the theory of four elements - fire, earth, water and air – being present in everything. An imbalance of these elements will manifest in disease. It is the art of the practitioner to restore this balance.
Galen and Paracelsus - Varying Perspectives on Law of Similars
Hippocrates was followed by another Greek physician, Galen, who became the official physician to the Gladiators in Rome. He believed in "natural cure by the likes.”
The practice of medicine continued uninterrupted for some time, but Galen’s philosophy in healing differed from that of Hippocrates. He believed that introducing contrary remedies would help force out disease.
Dr. Theophrastus Von Bombast, also known as Paracelsus, predates Samuel Hahnemann and stated that "sames may be cured by sames." He did not believe in the principle of opposite acting remedies. The problem he faced, like those before him, is that he lacked scientific evidence and most of his work was based on intuition.
Paracelsus became a voice of dissent during the Renaissance period. He tried to dispel the superstitions of the times and tried to introduce a more rational method of healing and advance medical theory.
Samuel Hahnemann - Founder of Homeopathy
Homeopathy was founded by Samuel Hahnemann. He became a physician in 1779, but became disenchanted with the medical practice of his time which included bloodletting and the use of numerous potent, and often toxic, medications.
He developed a system of medicine that today we call homeopathy. His theory is that the substance that would normally cause symptoms of a disease in a healthy person will heal the person already suffering these same symptoms. “An illness is caused by similar means and similar means can cure men of illness.” He believed that in order to cure the body of illness, it was important to find a remedy that could arouse a malady similar to that which it was to cure.
Sources:
"Diploma Course." History and Development of Homeopathy, 2003 The British Institude of Homeopathy
"A Study Course in Homeopathy." Principles of Homeopathy, 1979 Phyllis Speight
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