Homeopathic training teaches individuals how to treat patients that are suffering from a variety of physical and emotional disorders by using homeopathy — a specialized type of alternative medicine. Educational programs in homeopathy vary in length, from two-day seminars to four-year programs. Private schools of homeopathy and naturopathic universities are the most common institutions to offer homeopathic training. Some homeopathic schools require all courses to be completed in a campus setting. Other schools offer distance learning programs so that students can complete the entire program from home.
Practitioners treat disease by administering small amounts of substances that are known to cause symptoms when given in higher dosages to healthy people. Remedies, as homeopathic medicines are called, are highly diluted with water and alcohol, shaken, and the process repeated many times. The resulting remedies are so dilute that not even one molecule of the curative substance is left in the solution. Homeopaths believe healing essences are retained after the diluting process, called potentizing, and that these remedies cure diseases and ease symptoms by stimulating the body’s immune system to heal itself.
Courses of study in homeopathic training programs that offer degrees may include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, public health, and other traditional medicine courses in addition to homeopathic medicine courses. Some may require a medical background, degree, or science prerequisites. Shorter homeopathic training programs offering certificates or diplomas usually focus on courses in or related to homeopathic theory, technique, practice, nutrition, and herbal medicine. These programs rarely require a prior medical background. Many schools are affiliated with or approved by professional homeopathic organizations.
Upon completion of the program, graduates with prior medical degrees may incorporate homeopathy into their existing medical practice. Others may open practices that offer only homeopathic medicine, or they may incorporate homeopathy into herbal medicine or natural medicine practices. Some homeopaths even specialize in veterinary homeopathy.
The field of homeopathy is not regulated at the national level in the United States (US). Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada are the only US states to license physicians to practice homeopathy. Thirteen states license naturopathic physicians (NDs) to practice alternative medicine, including homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies are considered safe and are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), although remedies must adhere to FDA labeling guidelines.
In other countries, regulations vary from allowing anyone to practice homeopathy without any specialized career training to licensing only medical doctors (MDs). In Germany and Switzerland, only medical doctors or a Heilpraktiker (HP), or licensed natural health practitioner, may practice homeopathy. Some countries have no licensing requirements regarding the practice of homeopathy at all.