How old is homeopathy and how was it discovered?
Homeopathy was discovered in 1790 by a German doctor called Samuel Hahnemann. During these times it was normal medical practice to use bloodletting, leeching and poisonous ointments made from toxic substances such as mercury. Dr Hahnemann became disillusioned by the barbaric medical practices of the time and gave up his physician work and made a living translating medical text. During one such translation he discovered something curious. He found that it had been documented that a south American bark extract was effective in the treatment of malaria. The explanation for its curative action being that it was “bitter”. Dr Hahnemann was a scientist by nature and decided to experiment on himself. These were the very first recorded scientific medical experiments. He prepared some of this Peruvian bark and started to take the extract. Very quickly the previously healthy Dr developed malaria-like symptoms. As soon as he stopped taking the extract his health was restored. What he had discovere
