Homeopathy form of treatment started in Germany over 200 years ago. It was proposed by a German, Samwel Hahnemann in 1796. It is used to maintain well-being, prevention and for treatment of diseases. Homeopathy treatment is based on the principle of similarity, where the treatment is purely based on the simptoms a disease present. A substance that has similar symptoms a patient has is administered. A patient's psychological and physical condition is also determined to get the right form of treatment to be given.

After a treatment substance has been established to be used, the substance is diluted and vigorously shaken. This is believed to transfer some therapeutic energy from the substance to the dilution. Several dilution sessions are carried out and the final dilution may have very small molucules of the original substance. The final substance is known as placebo substance (harmless substance given as medicine). The belief is that the final dilution has enough energy (power) to effect treatment for the symptoms presented. Treatment is individualized, as two patients presenting same symptoms will receive different treatment. This depends on a patient's physical and mental state. The substances used in the treatment occur naturally, such as medicinal plants, minerals and animal parts.

The use of homeopathy has spread and homeopaths (those who practise homeopathy) have been licenced in many coutries around the world. When asking for health insurance quoties it will be included in most health plans. In the US for example, there are set guidelines on the preparation of homeopathy remedies. These are contained in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS), which is part of Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Although homeopathy remedies are regulated under over-the-counter drugs, their regulation is not that strict as they have very little active drug moleules. However, several requirements set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has to be met. These include substance purity and packaging. The lebelling must also show the particular disease the substance is meant to treat, ingredients used and safety instructions. For placebo substances that are claimed to treat serious illnesses, prescriptions must be sought.

Debate has raged and continues to rage on the effectiveness of homeopathy treatment with those against its use questioning how a dilution without sometimes even a molecule of the original sustance can be effective. But homeopaths have come out strongly to defend their practise, insisting that homeopathy cannot be analyzed scientifically as treatment depends on a patients state and the fact that the treatment has been used for many years with those treated reporting success stories.

Although placebo preparations may generally be safe to use, there are a number of precautions that need to be pointed out.

a) Placebo preparations will only be considered safe when sourced from trained and licenced professionals.

b) A general review of the placebo found out that the liquid preparations contain some amount of alcohol, which is allowed by FDA.

c) After taking homeopathic treatment, the posibility of experiencing a form of worsening of the condition being addressed should be expected. This is rare but may occur.