You’re a fan of gentle medicine: essential oils, herbal therapy, naturopathy… Nothing beats natural remedies for everyday ailments, in your view. But what about homeopathy? Discover what this alternative therapy involves, and most importantly, whether it can help you get rid of cellulite!
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an alternative medicine invented in the 18th century. It is based on two founding principles:
- A substance (often plant-based) that causes a symptom can be used to treat that very same symptom.
- The potency of a substance is achieved through a process of serial dilutions and agitation (the dynamisation phase). This process is said to enhance the effect of the substance, despite an extremely low concentration of active ingredients.
Homeopathic preparations come in various forms. The best-known is of course the granule form – small white pellets that dissolve under the tongue. But homeopathic treatments also exist as ointments, gels or drops to be diluted in water.
Homeopathy is available over the counter at pharmacies and does not require a prescription. It is, however, subject – like conventional medicines – to a marketing authorisation. The laboratory simply needs to demonstrate that its homeopathic preparation poses no risk to health.
It is not subject to any clinical trials aimed at evaluating its efficacy. As a result, it has many detractors. Yet the fact remains that a large number of people continue to use it. It is particularly popular in France:
- The country has 3,581 homeopathic doctors
- 40% of the population say they occasionally use this therapy for self-care
- Homeopathy accounts for 10% of pharmacy sales
How does it work?
As mentioned above, homeopathy rests on several principles:
- Principle of similars: the patient is treated with a diluted substance which, if undiluted and given to a healthy person, would provoke the same symptoms. That same diluted substance is said to ease the symptoms of someone who is unwell.
- Principle of dilution: the original substance must be diluted multiple times and dynamised (shaken) to be effective. Various dilution techniques exist, but all follow the infinitesimal rule – meaning that a very small dose of a substance may bring relief. The numbers and letters on homeopathic granule bottles indicate the number of dilutions (e.g. 1CH – one dilution, 15CH – 15 dilutions).
- Principle of totality: homeopathy considers the patient as a whole – symptoms, lifestyle, psychological state… It is therefore a holistic and personalised therapy.
- Principle of constitution: homeopathy relies on classifying patients according to their constitution, determined by heredity, previous medical treatments and lifestyle.
- Principle of diathesis: in addition to constitution, homeopathy takes into account diathesis – that is, the patient’s predispositions to certain conditions.
Homeopathy is therefore a holistic therapy, addressing the patient as a whole rather than a single condition. Treatment will vary from person to person. Moreover, a patient may consider themselves well when they have regained a sense of balance, not merely when their symptoms have disappeared.
Can homeopathy be effective against cellulite?
Since homeopathy is a gentle, holistic medicine, it’s natural to wonder whether it could be effective against cellulite. It is indeed often used to address everyday complaints and may help tackle certain causes of cellulite.
Homeopathy may be able to act on the factors that contribute to cellulite:
- Support the drainage of toxins
- Reduce water retention and help resorb oedemas
- Help manage food intake and hunger cues
- Stimulate veno-lymphatic circulation
- Counteract the effects of salt
- Reduce stress
- Soothe skin sensitivity
Of course, homeopathic treatment alone cannot make cellulite disappear. It simply creates conditions in the body that are more conducive to reducing cellulite. But without healthy lifestyle habits (hydration, a balanced diet, exercise) and massage techniques (palpate-roll, lymphatic drainage, cupping massage), it will be hard to say goodbye to orange-peel skin!
What types of treatment should you consider?
There is a vast range of homeopathic treatments – as many as there are patients, in fact! Here are a few pointers to help you explore an anti-cellulite homeopathic approach.
If you have a gynoid body shape, typically pear-shaped, with a slender upper body and cellulite around the saddlebags, hips and thighs: a course of several months of Thuya 5CH, 1–2 times a day, 3 granules per dose.
If you experience water retention throughout the body (including fingers and eyelids), with multiple oedemas: a course of several months of Natrum Sulfuricum 7CH, 5 granules at bedtime.
For general internal drainage (to boost venous circulation and detoxify deeply), you can choose between:
- Orthosiphon mother tincture: 20 drops 3 times a day, diluted in a large glass of water, for one month.
- Pilosella mother tincture: 30 drops 3 times a day, diluted in a glass of water, also for one month.
If your cellulite is of the adipose type, generally linked to a rich diet and concentrated on the thighs: Natrum Mutriaticum 5CH, 3 granules morning and evening. This homeopathic treatment is also recommended for those who are fond of salty foods.
If you suffer from heavy legs or notice signs of venous insufficiency (leg swelling at the end of the day, tingling, broken capillaries): Pulsatilla 5CH combined with Hamamelis 5CH.
If your cellulite is painful to the touch and particularly deep-set, you may have fibrous cellulite. To ease the discomfort and reduce it: Rhus Toxicodendron 5CH, alongside Natrum Mutriaticum and Natrum Sulfuricum. Cantharis 5CH may also help calm the inflammation associated with fibrous cellulite, at a rate of 2 granules 3 times a day.
Finally, if you feel that stress is making your cellulite worse, you might consider a course of Largentum Nitricum (acute stress), Phosphorus (emotional sensitivity) or Sepia (anxiety).
Finally, remember that nothing replaces a consultation with a homeopathic doctor: based on your type of cellulite, your lifestyle and medical history, they will be able to find the right preparation to help you address your cellulite.