Herbal Remedies & Homeopathy

Herbal remedies and homeopathic remedies are not the same thing. Though the latter are based on herbs - or other ingredients - they are then diluted until there is only an infintessimal amount of the original substance left. Herbal remedies are millions of times more conentrated (i.e. less dilute).

These remedies also differ in the manner they are prescribed. Homeopathics are prescribed according to the law of similars. That is, a remedy is chosen that would produce the same symptoms as the patient is experiencing whereas herbal remedies are prescribed more like conventional medicines.

For example, an onion (allium cepa) is used for treating hayfever, as the experience of inhaling onion fumes produces symptoms similar to hayfever, whereas in herbal medicine, onions are used for their antioxidant properties, and are used in treating colds and flu.

Indeed, many conventional medicines, rely on active ingredients isolated from traditional herbal remedies.