Homeopathy and weight loss: what you need to know

You’re a fan of alternative medicine and wonder whether it could fit in with your body goals. But you’re not sure which approach to choose: naturopathy, herbal medicine, hypnosis, acupuncture… What about homeopathy? Find out what this practice involves and what you can realistically expect from it (see also our tips for looking after your figure without dieting).

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a gentle medicine developed in the 18^th century. It is based on two principles:

• A substance that causes a symptom can be used to treat that same symptom.
• The active power of a substance can be obtained through a process of successive dilutions and dynamizations. This process is said to enhance the effects of the substance, even at very low concentrations.

Homeopathic preparations come in several forms:

• The most well-known is the granule form – small white pellets that dissolve under the tongue
• The dermatological form – whether as an ointment or a gel
• The mother tincture – a hydro-alcoholic solution to be diluted in water

Homeopathy is available over the counter at pharmacies and does not require a prescription. However, like conventional medicines, it is subject to a marketing authorisation. The manufacturing laboratory simply needs to demonstrate that the homeopathic preparation poses no risk to health.

Furthermore, homeopathy is not subject to clinical trials, which means it has many critics. Yet it also has a large and loyal following who value it. In France, despite no longer being reimbursed, it continues to enjoy widespread support, as shown by the large number of homeopathic doctors (over 3,500) and users (10% of pharmacy sales, with 3 in 4 French people having already tried a homeopathic treatment).

How does homeopathy work?

Homeopathy is built on five core principles that define its unique approach.

The principle of similars: a patient is treated with a diluted substance that, if undiluted and given to a healthy person, would produce the same symptoms as those of the patient. Yet that same substance, when diluted, can help soothe those symptoms.

The principle of dilution: the substance must be diluted multiple times and dynamized (shaken) to become effective. Various dilution techniques exist, but all are based on the infinitesimal principle — the idea that even a very small dose of a substance can have a therapeutic effect. For reference, the numbers and letters on homeopathic granule bottles indicate how many dilutions the substance has undergone to become ‘activated’ (for example, 9CH means 9 dilutions).

The principle of wholeness: homeopathy considers each individual as a whole. The treatment prescribed takes into account not only symptoms, but also lifestyle, psychological state, and medical history. It is therefore a holistic and personalised approach.

The principle of constitution: homeopathy relies on a precise classification of patients according to their constitution — heredity, previous treatments, lifestyle…

The principle of diathesis: diathesis refers to each individual’s predisposition to developing certain conditions.

As you can see, homeopathy is a holistic approach that focuses on the individual rather than the condition itself. Homeopathic treatment is therefore personal and varies from person to person — both in terms of the substance used and the number of dilutions. Moreover, in homeopathy, the concept of recovery differs from the conventional medical definition. A patient is considered healed when they have regained a general sense of balance, not simply when their symptoms have disappeared.

Homeopathy and your figure: what can you expect?

1- A few important points first

First of all, and as mentioned above, every homeopathic treatment is unique and tailored to the individual. Homeopathy is a subtle practice: each combination and dosage corresponds to a specific case. While general guidance can be offered, these are only broad outlines. For a homeopathic treatment perfectly suited to your personal situation, it is always best to consult a homeopathic doctor.

One more thing: homeopathy is not a miracle cure. Its followers turn to it for factors associated with weight gain, such as snacking or stress, but its value in this area remains widely debated. No one should expect to swallow a few granules and see their figure change. Any approach of this kind should be combined with healthy lifestyle habits: a balanced diet, stress management, quality sleep and regular physical activity. This applies to all types of wellness routines: herbal medicine, food supplements, body treatments…

2- The most frequently mentioned homeopathic remedies

With those points in mind, here are the homeopathic remedies most often mentioned in connection with weight. Only a doctor can advise you on a suitable treatment and dosage:

• If you tend to experience generalised water retention: Natrum Sulfuricum.
• If you have a feeling of heavy legs or puffiness around the waist and thighs: Thuya Occidentalis.
• If you tend to be a big eater, with frequent feelings of hunger: Foenum Graecum.
• If you feel you have a slow metabolism and a little pouch around your lower belly: Calcarea Carbonica Ostrearum.
• If your hunger is never satisfied and leads you to snack constantly: Antimonium Crudum.
• If you eat out of boredom or stress: Ignatia Amara.
• If you tend to be an emotional eater and are particularly sensitive: Pulsatilla.
• If you snack occasionally, especially during high-pressure periods (exams, interviews, heavy workloads): Gelsemium.
• If stress tends to come with bloating: Lycopodium.
• If your bloating is more related to intestinal irritation and digestive discomfort: Carbo Vegetabilis.
• If you suffer from digestive irregularity that causes abdominal bloating: Nux Vomica.
• Finally, orthosiphon mother tincture is often mentioned; as with any plant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking it.

3- Homeopathy and the tummy: what’s the verdict?

Opinions on homeopathy remain divided. As mentioned above, it has many critics, while its followers find it worthwhile. When it comes to the tummy, the granules listed above are traditionally associated with related factors such as a slow metabolism, bloating, digestive irregularity and snacking, but their value for these concerns remains debated. Homeopathy remains a holistic approach and does not target any one area of the body.

Either way, these granules are no substitute for a balanced lifestyle: a varied diet, quality sleep, regular physical activity and stress management. For advice suited to your situation, the safest option is to consult a homeopathic doctor or another medical professional.

What are the alternatives to homeopathy?

If you’re particularly drawn to gentle, natural approaches and feel convinced by them, you can absolutely alternate a homeopathic treatment with a course of food supplements. These draw on the active compounds found in plants. That said, it’s important to choose your supplements carefully, according to your needs and expectations, with an improved sense of wellbeing in mind.

We offer a complete range of capsules, each with a specific formula:

Check the current composition and precautions for capsules from our range on the product page or packaging. If you’re exploring our capsule range, you may also find our general article on fibres useful. Before taking any capsules from our range with other supplements, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice. Our article on artichoke discusses the vegetable separately, not capsule ingredients.

Regular courses of our capsules, just like homeopathy, are no substitute for a varied, balanced diet or regular physical activity. The ideal approach: follow the directions for each supplement course, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition. See also: how to get back to your ideal weight.

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Useful categories: Slimming Solutions, Weight Management.