Remedies use diluted quantities of mainly herbs and minerals, and are prescribed only after a close study of an individual's background
A consultation with a homeopath begins the second you walk into the room. He or she will observe your appearance, body language and speech. The lengthy discussion that follows will probe not only the ailment but also the events in your life at the time at which the symptoms surfaced, or even your childhood. When you leave the clinic an hour later, you may be carrying a little bag of pea-sized pills or a small bottle of liquid.
The long and detailed discussion was a necessary part of the consultation, said Arden Wong, a homeopath who practises in Sheung Wan. This is because homeopathic treatments are highly individualised and based on a person's genetic history, personal health history, body type and physical, emotional and mental health.
'For example, the remedies for a woman experiencing painful menstruation after a divorce would differ according to how the woman reacts to the divorce,' Mr Wong said. 'Some may experience depression and loss of self-esteem, while others may experience anger.'
It will also differ according to the way the person wants to handle the pain.
'The treatment and even the dosage and frequency at which the medicine is taken will vary from one individual to another.'