Frequently Asked Questions
Homoeopathic training in South Africa involves a full-time degree with a research dissertation (M.Tech Hom). Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) is a statutory requirement and graduates become eligible for registration upon completion of their academic and statutory requirements.
The only approved and recognised degree for registration as a Homoeopathic practitioner with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) is the fulltime Masters degree (M.Tech Hom) from either the University of Johannesburg (UJ) or Durban University of Technology (DUT). Note that this qualification is not merely a preference but a legislated requirement. In addition, in order to practice as a Homoeopath in South Africa one has to be registered with the AHPCSA. As such, unregistered practice constitutes a criminal offence.
Correspondence courses or any other certificates, diplomas or degrees are not suitable for registration as a homoeopathic practitioner in SA.
It is possible to use homeopathic remedies along with conventional drugs. Homeopathic medicines often work fast and well enough that the person does not need to take conventional drugs. Some conventional medicines, however, have such a powerful effect on the patient that they may inhibit any action of the homeopathic medicine. In such situations the individual must decide if he or she wishes to use the conventional or homeopathic medicine. The advice and care of a professional registered homeopath should be sought over self-medicating.
There are 3 types of consultations, all carrying different time allocations and fees.
1. Initial consultations:
A first consultation, typically lasting 60 – 90 minutes, includes a detailed medical, psychological and emotional history, coupled with the appropriate physical examinations. This may be followed by routine investigations, such as blood tests and imaging techniques (e.g. X-rays), or the referral to specialists for further investigations if a serious pathology is suspected. Individualised therapy is then prescribed. All consultations and diagnostic procedures are based on scientifically accepted practices.
2. Follow up consultations:
In the case of chronic disorders and disease, follow up consultations are usually required. Adjustments to treatment may be required as we progress towards health and healing. In most chronic cases, follow ups are scheduled every 4-8 weeks. These consultations are usually 30 – 45 minutes in length.
3. Acute illness in adults and children:
Shorter consultations are utilised in cases of acute illnesses such as colds, flu’s, ear infections, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, etc. These consults are approached clinically and any indication of more serious pathology will result in a referral to the appropriate specialists.
Fees are in accordance with Medical Aid rates. Cover for Homeopathic healthcare is dependent on your individual Medical Aid cover. Payment is required after consultation and reimbursement is sought from Medical Aid by the patient themselves.
Since homeopathic remedies are made with natural active ingredients, they are limited in their drug interactions and are non-habit forming, they can be used by anyone. They can be taken by nearly anyone at any time, from children to the elderly, including anyone taking prescription medications and pregnant women.
The careful diagnosis and selection of the correct remedy, should however be trusted to a qualified, registered professional homeopathic practitioner.
Homeopathic medicines are made from Crude state bulk products such as plant, mineral, chemical, animal material and even from scheduled prescription medicines. These medicines are prepared according to the protocols described in the homeopathic pharmacopeia (the official manufacturing manual). Homeopathic medicines may be registered with the Medicines Control Council of South Africa (MCC). A registered homeopath will have a compounding and dispensing license and thereby be able to provide their patients with the necessary prescription. Homeopathic medicines are prescribed in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, liquid drops, eye, nose and ear drops, ointments, gels, creams, injectable or drinkable ampoules and sprays.
- Store remedies in a cool, dry place (approximately at 25⁰C) out of direct sunlight.
- Store remedies out of reach of children.
- Away from microwaves, television sets, electrical points, wi-fi zones, cell phones etc.
- Once you have taken the remedy, ensure that you close the bottle/container immediately to prevent contamination. Homeopathic remedies do not contain preservatives.
- Should an accidental spill of remedy occur, do not return the spilled-contents to the bottle/container but rather discard them.
A homeopathic remedy is believed to be more effective when it’s active ingredient is crushed or ground up, diluted, and then succussed (potentised). This is the minimum dose approach of homeopathy. The purpose of potency is to dilute the active ingredient until it can do no harm and to invigorate the base substance with energy from the grinding and succussions such that the qualities are preserved while the bulk substance itself is diluted out.
On a homeopathic remedy product, the remedy strength or potency appears directly after the name of the active ingredient. Homeopathic drug potency is indicated by a numeral followed by an X or C. The potency of a medicine, such as "6X" or "30C," says how many times and by what ratio the base substance has been diluted.
The higher the potency, the more dilute the remedy is.
For effective and careful selection of the correct remedy a qualified and registered homeopath should be consulted.
There is no condition that should theoretically be excluded from the repertoire of homeopathy. Homeopathy is a medical system with which any medical illness or underlying condition has the potential to be treated. Homeopathy works best where morphological change has not yet occurred. Homeopathic practitioners in South Africa are trained and registered as diagnosticians
There are over 200 years of clinical experience alongside hundreds of research studies published in highly esteemed medical journals to confirm the effectiveness of homeopathy.
LMHI Evidenced Based Homeopathy (EBH): Scientific Framework Homeopathy 2012
Revised edition after 66th LMHI Congress, December 2011 (New Delhi, India)
Editor: LMHI and ECH Secretary for Research, Dr. Michel Van Wassenhoven
This booklet, a joint production of the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis (LMHI) and the European Committee for Homeopathy (ECH), is aimed at considering all important aspects of the scientific framework of Homeopathic practice including ethical questions, evaluation of daily practice, looking at the level of scientific evidence of each of these aspects. The conclusions are that homeopathy has to stay in the framework of medical practice and it is even a necessity for public health. Of course, additional research is always necessary. (HAS website, accessed 26 March 2015).