Homeopathy for weight loss: how does it work?

November 25, 2022November 30, 2022 Stephen PaulWeight Lose Obesity

The French are increasingly interested in alternative medicine , which they consider effective in treating minor ailments or supplementing traditional medicine. According to a 2019 Harris Interactive study ⁽¹⁾ , 71% of French people admit to having had recourse at least once to a practice of alternative medicine, such as osteopathy (80%), acupuncture (72%) or homeopathy (72%). Can these therapies be effective in losing weight? Focus on homeopathy, its principles and the homeopathic treatments to be preferred for weight loss.

Index

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine invented in the 18th ^century . It is based on two founding principles :

A substance (often from a plant ) causing a symptom can be used to treat that same symptom.
The potency of a substance is achieved through a process of serial dilutions and agitations (the potency phase). This process is supposed to increase the effect of the substance, despite a very low concentration of active ingredients.

Homeopathic preparations come in different forms. The best known is of course the granulated form, to be melted under the tongue . But there are also homeopathic treatments in ointment, gel or tincture to be diluted in water.

Homeopathy is available over the counter in pharmacies and does not require a prescription. It is nevertheless subject, like medicines, to a marketing authorization . It is enough for the laboratory to prove that its homeopathic preparation is not dangerous for health.

It is not subject to any clinical trial to assess its effectiveness. Also, it has many detractors. However, it is clear that many people continue to use it. It is particularly popular in France:

The country has 3,581 homeopathic doctors.
Homeopathy represents 10% of pharmacy sales.
3 out of 4 French people have a good opinion about homeopathic treatments.
The same proportion has already taken homeopathy.
74% believe that homeopathy is effective in treating a health problem ⁽²⁾ .

How does homeopathy work?

As mentioned above, homeopathy is based on several principles:

Principle of similarity : the patient is treated with a diluted substance which, if not diluted and administered to a healthy person, would cause the symptoms. This same diluted substance soothes the symptoms of a sick person.
Principle of dilution : the initial substance must be diluted several times and dynamized (shaken) to be effective. There are different dilution techniques, but all follow the infinitesimal rule, that is, a very small dose of the substance can cure. Moreover, the numbers and letters on the bottles of homeopathic granules indicate the number of dilutions (eg: 1CH – one dilution, 15CH – 15 dilutions).
Principle of globality : homeopathy apprehends the patient as a whole – symptoms, way of life, psychological state… It is therefore a global and personalized therapy.
Principle of constitution : homeopathy is based on a classification of patients according to their constitution. The constitution is determined by heredity, previous drug treatments and the lifestyle of the patient.
Principle of diathesis : in addition to the constitution, homeopathy takes into account the diathesis, that is to say the predispositions of the patient to certain pathologies.

Homeopathy is therefore a global therapy , which addresses a patient more than a disease. Treatment will vary depending on the individual. In addition, the patient will be able to consider himself cured when he has regained a balance and not only when his symptoms have disappeared.

Homeopathy, a weight loss aid

Homeopathy being a global medicine, one can therefore wonder if it could be effective for weight loss . Of course, homeopathic treatment cannot, in itself, make you lose weight . Without lifestyle and dietary measures, namely a balanced diet and regular physical activity , it will be difficult to lose weight. But homeopathy can be useful to optimize the actions put in place to lose weight . Also, some homeopathic combinations can be considered. It should be noted, however, that there are a multitude of homeopathic treatments – as many as there are individuals, since as explained above, homeopathy and its dosages are made according to each individuality.

Water retention

If you are prone to water retention and this is very generalized – legs in the shape of poles, swollen fingers, “puffy” face, significant weight fluctuations according to the seasons, a course of Natrum Sulfuricum 7CH , at 5 pellets at bedtime, can help reduce the phenomenon.

If your water retention is concentrated in the lower body , with waist and thighs that thicken, heavy legs and swollen feet, homeopathy can encourage the resorption of localized edema. Take Thuya occidentalis 5CH , 2 pellets 3 times a day.

In addition, put in place lifestyle and dietary measures favorable to the resorption of water retention: walking activity , sufficient hydration , avoidance of foods rich in salt and sources of heat, elevation of the legs in the evening.

Snacking and “emotional” hunger

If you snack often and these snacks lead to significant weight gain, homeopathy can help you control food “urges” and thus lose weight. Also :

If your snacking is due to constant hunger , only quenched by a large quantity of food, take 2 granules of Antimonium crudum 9CH , 3 times a day.
If you are “obsessed” with food and eating is a fixed idea, a combination of Ignatia amara 9CH and Natrum muriaticum 9CH , 3 granules of each, 3 times a day, can soothe the obsessive character.
“Psychological” hunger, explained by stress , fatigue , frustration or sadness, gives rise to snacking. If you want to get rid of your emotional pounds , homeopathy can be a solution. Ignatia amara 5CH , 2 pellets 3 times a day, soothes nervous hunger or hunger associated with boredom. Staphysagria 9CH , a weekly dose or 2 granules occasionally, is recommended in cases of compulsive eating linked to internalized anger . Pulsatilla 9CH , 2 granules 3 times a day, will soothe hunger associated with sadness, too strong emotions or an exacerbated sensitivity . Finally Gelsemium 9CH will soothe anxiety nibbling associated with a one-time event (exam, job interview).
If you’re a sweet snacker and generally prefer sweet, creamy, and/or oily flavors, a weekly dose of Sulfur 9CH could soothe your strong sugar cravings .
On the other hand, if you are rather attracted by salty snacks ( cheese , crisps , charcuterie), that you are often thirsty, and that your extra pounds are located particularly on the lower part of your body, the recommended homeopathic treatment is Natrum muriaticum 9CH , 2 pellets 3 times a day.

Strong appetite and overweight

Homeopathy can also help “big eaters” lose weight, by accelerating the onset of the feeling of satiety . 5 granules of Foenum graecum 30CH 20 minutes before meals can soothe the feeling of great hunger, reduce the size of food intake and help you lose weight.

This treatment can be supplemented by a weekly intake of Calcarea carbonica ostrearum 15CH , which is particularly recommended for people prone to excess abdominal fat , or for subjects whose metabolism is slow.

If your strong appetite is associated with rapid food intake and a pronounced taste for alcohol , Lachesis mutus 9CH , 2 granules twice a day, will soothe the nervous disorders behind the compulsion.

Digestive disorders and flat stomach

If you want to lose belly fat , your extra pounds are concentrated on your abdomen and you suffer from bloating and digestive disorders:

The homeopathic treatment to calm the swelling of the upper abdomen , or bloating associated with stress , is Lycopodium 5CH , 2 granules 3 times a day.
If it is your lower abdomen that tends to swell, Carbo vegetabilis 2CH , 2 granules 3 times a day, will calm colon irritation .
If you suffer from alternating constipation and diarrhoea , Nux vomica 5CH , 5 pellets morning and evening during periods of constipation, helps restore transit and restore a flat stomach.
Homeopathy also treats chronic constipation associated with abdominal meteorism, with Graphites 9CH , 3 granules each evening.

Cellulite

Finally, in addition to helping to lose weight, homeopathy can act on the various factors favoring the appearance of cellulite .

If your morphology is more of the gynoid type , with a thin bust and localized cellulite on the hips , buttocks and thighs : Thuja 5CH , 3 granules twice a day.
If your cellulitis is very encrusted and painful on palpation ( fibrous cellulitis ), homeopathy can calm the inflammation – Cantharis 5CH , 2 granules 3 times a day, and the pain – Rhus Toxicodendron 5CH associated with Natrum Mutriaticum 5 CH , 3 granules every morning and evening.
If you rather want general drainage , your cellulite is watery and accentuated by venous laziness, homeopathic mother tinctures of Orthosiphon and Pilosella can help drain the body (20 to 30 drops diluted in a glass of water , 3 times a day, for a month).
If you want to lose weight and eliminate fatty cellulite , linked to a diet that is too rich and concentrated on the thighs, the homeopathic treatment Natrum Mutriaticum 5 CH , 3 granules morning and evening, could improve the dimpled appearance of your cellulite.

Stephen Paul

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Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.