Homeopathic philosophy quoted from the Organon of the Medical Art by Samuel Hahnemann, edited by Wenda Brewster O’Reilly PhD. ISBM 978-188961300-0
1. Let likes cure likes.
The Organon of Medicine by Samuel Hahnemann (pictured on the homepage) lists principles called Aphorisms: i.e. Aphorism §26 states, When two very similar dynamic affections meet in a living organism, the stronger extinguishes the weaker. This is the law of similars or letting similar medicinal symptoms cure the natural disease symptoms.
i.e. Daylight extinguishes the sight of Jupiter.
i.e. Snuff extinguishes the perception of bad odors. It is not music nor pastries that could cure this olfactory disgust because they relate to other senses. It is only a stronger better smell that extinguishes a worse lesser smell.
i.e. The fife and drum can extinguish the sound of war. The boom of the drum covers over the cannon discharge. The fife can drown out the piteous cries of the wounded. Reprimanding the regiment, or distributing glittery uniforms could not suffice any benefit because these do not relate to the proper similar sensory input.
i.e. A sorrowful story can extinguish lesser grief.
i.e. Coffee extinguishes the effects of excessive joy.
i.e. Napoleonic conquest extinguished German apathy.
In summary, a weaker dynamic affection is permanently extinguished by a stronger dynamic one. Dynamic is the force at work and it is a real symptom even if no medical diagnosis can be made. Symptoms are real and homeopathic medicines match symptoms that the body can then cure itself.
2. Totality of symptoms
Aphorism §27 The curative capacity of medicines therefore rests upon their symptoms being similar to the disease but with power that outweights it (§22-§26). Each single case of disease is most surely, thoroughly, rapidly and permanently annihilated and lifted only by a medicine that can engender, in the human condition a totality of symptoms that is the most complete and the most similar to the case of disease but that, at the same time, exceeds the disease in strength. When a medicine engenders a totality of symptoms most similar to disease, but stronger, that disease can most surely thoroughly, rapidly and permanently be removed.
3. Minimum dose
Aphorism §51 The medicine can be diluted, potentized, and decreased to an infinite extent, to the point where the medicine remains only slightly stronger than the similar natural disease to be cured. With this matchless curative mode, no violent attack upon the organism is required in order to extirpate even a stubborn old malady. The cure takes place only by a gentle, unnoticeable and yet often swift transition from the tormenting natural suffering to the permanent health that is desired.
4. Slightly heighten each subsequent dose
Aphorism §247 The *life-force of a person resists repeated, unchanged doses, which aggravate that person’s condition. When each new dose is slightly heightened in potency, the life-force is brought closer to cure without ill effect. For example if one dry pellet was taken, another dry pellet in the same potency should not be taken a second or third time. When the new dose is modified via succussing; hitting the liquid remedy in a *Remedy Stock Bottle the potency is further dynamized (inherent power increased) and the life-force allows itself to be further altered, re-tuned and re-balanced toward permanent curative effect.
*The life-force is the animating quality in an organism, and without it there is no life.
* The non-homeopath palliates single symptoms with speedy, short ameliorations, after which the entire disease worsens. Aphorism §57 & §58 i.e. for daytime prolonged drowsiness, coffee was prescribed. When the medicinal coffee had run is full action, the drowsiness increased. Aphorism §59