Healing at Home

Homeopathy works on the principle that "like cures like"—meaning that substances causing disease symptoms could also alleviate those same symptoms. The theory is that homeopathic remedies rally the body's own natural healing defenses to fend off illness.

Made from highly diluted plant, mineral and animal substances, homeopathic medicines aren't always considered valid by traditional physicians. But more than a decade ago, Congress established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to begin clinical trials of dietary supplements and nontraditional therapies. Results so far have proven informative: one study on vertigo appearing in the American Medical Association's Archives of Otolaryngology showed that the homeopathic remedy for vertigo, Vertigoheel, improved the symptoms in 70 percent of the subjects—making it as effective as the standard drug betahistine.

If you decide to choose homeopathy, consider this:

Less Is More

Though critics maintain that homeopathic medicines are too diluted to be effective, homeopaths believe that smaller, more diluted doses are generally the most potent.

Mix And Match

Use the remedy that best corresponds to your symptoms. Books like The Natural Healing Companion can help you make informed decisions.

Understand Potency

When you're positive you've got the right remedy, choose a higher potency. Less sure? Pick a lower one. Or try a combination of medications for a given condition. If you don't get relief after 24 hours, try another remedy.

Very often, people find that in treating a "big" problem, like anxiety, "smaller" associated problems, like insomnia, heal as well. When treating serious conditions, consult your regular physician.