For thousands of years, the Latino cultures practice natural medicine. In the year 1552, the use of over 1200 different herbs was already widespread. Homeopathy, that arose in the 18th Century, uses this knowledge about the applications of different herbs in order to incorporate them to the new traditions.

The practice of homeopathy

Homeopathy is a medical system that uses natural and safe treatments, which do not have side-effects. The foundation of the practice of homeopathy is to activate the body’s defenses so that it can cure itself. This is achieved by stimulating the body with very small doses of plants.  

Another basic principle of homeopathy is to cure an illness with its “likeness”. The doctor who discovered homeopathy observed that the same plants that, taken in excess could cause an illness could also cure it. Fortified wine (quina) causes fever in a healthy person, if taken in excessive amounts, but it cures people with a fever when taken in appropriate doses.  

Homeopathy has been proven to work in such illnesses and conditions such as teething, earaches, colic, colds, flu, nervous tension and insomnia.  

Homeopathic Latino doctors.

From its onset, homeopathy has rapidly extended in Latin America, where there are currently thousands of doctors who practice this discipline. For example, in Brazil, there are 15000 doctors that practice homeopathy amongst around 280000 licensed doctors. In Mexico there are 4000 homeopathic practitioners out of 92000. In Argentina, out of 88000 practitioners, 1200 are officially homeopaths.

In Brazil, where there is a big homeopathic tradition, there are even two homeopathic hospitals and a homeopathic institute where practitioners get their degree. Nine million people are treated with homeopathy in Brazil and as of 1980, homeopathy is an acknowledged medical discipline. In Argentina it is a two-year discipline that doctors graduate in. In general, it is a much appreciated specialty by pediatricians, to treat children safely.  

In the United States, naturopaths are legally authorized to prescribe homeopathic remedies and in 11 of the 50 states you can find these professionals. Of 615000 doctors in the United States, only a few hundred are homeopaths, as the American Medical Association does not accept this discipline. Homeopathic remedies are regulated by the FDA.

Outside of Latin America, in Europe there are many countries that use homeopathy as a recognized way to treat illness. England has a Homeopathy School in London and it also has seven homeopathic hospitals. In France there are 15000 homeopathic doctors and also one big homeopathic hospital.

Other countries such as Germany or Spain also use homeopathy regularly. So much so, that in some European countries, they are covered by the Public Health Care system.

In short, homeopathy is a discipline that is practiced by thousands of professionals world-wide, as a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of some illnesses.