Homeopathy was founded in 1790 by German physician, Samuel Hahnemann. Dr. Hahnemann was a successful practitioner, yet was frustrated by the limited amount of useful medical knowledge of his times. He soon realized that, medical science, ironically, is not based on any fundamental scientific laws. Dr. Hahnemann also came to grasp that the theories of his time was based were vague and hypothetical – with treatment often causing more harm than good. It was then that Dr. Hahnemann decided to leave his medical practice to start translation work instead.

While translating Cullen's Materia Medica (the premier medical book of his day), Dr. Hahnemann decided to experiment with Cinchona bark, a substance known to have curative power in malarial fevers. He began by taking some extract of Cinchona bark himself. To his surprise, Dr. Hahnemann soon developed symptoms similar to those of malaria. He then realized that Cinchona bark can cure malaria because it has the power to produce a similar state in a healthy human being. To test this idea further, Dr. Hahnemann did similar experiments with various other substances on himself and others, and found all his experiments confirming to his idea. Dr. Hahnemann concluded that this is a general law and called it Similia Similibus Curaentur, meaning like cures likes – which became the fundamental principle on which Homeopathy is based.

Dr. Hahnemann further developed this idea, and helped prove hundreds of new medicines, developed methods of preparation and administration of medicines, and also gave many guidelines regarding health and disease – leading to a complete and new system of medicine. In the last 200 years since Dr. Hahnemann developed this strong foundation of medicine, a lot of work has gone into further development of Homeopathy. Today, homeopathy continues to grow at a very rapid pace. As the physical basis of this science becomes clear, its acceptance is growing in all ranks of society.

Source: Homeopathy for Everyone