Homeopathic Healing: Understanding Homeopathic Healing Responses and What They Mean
- Zoe Jones, LCHE, RHSom(overseas)
- Jul 12
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 15
Hello, I am Zoe Jones, LCHE, RSHom(overseas), a professional certified homeopath based on the Central Coast of California. I support families, mothers, and children with homeopathy and flower essences. I am passionate about finding natural ways to strengthen our health and vitality. Homeopathy is used by over 200 million people worldwide and is considered the second most used system of medicine in the world. I wish I had known about it in my early motherhood. Now, as my children are leaving the nest, I'm educating and supporting other mothers with this amazing medicine that has truly changed my family's life for the better.
Recently, a client of mine had a healing response from just two pills of a well-indicated remedy. Most of the time, clients don't notice an immediate response when taking a remedy for a chronic condition. But when something does happen, it can be scary and feel like a step backward rather than forward. Here is an overview of what might happen when homeopathy is used for chronic conditions.
I get it - nobody wants to feel worse when they're trying to heal, and frankly, the fast pace of Western society doesn't support space for the gentle nurturing that our bodies deserve, so anything short of a feeling of quick cure can feel like a setback. When our bodies give us information in the form of discharges or return of symptoms after taking a remedy, it's actually part of the healing process. Once my clients understand this, they feel much better about their experience. As a homeopath, I work to recommend gentle homeopathic remedies; however, in the beginning, it takes time for both my clients and me to learn how sensitive each person is and what their vital force is ready to handle.
What Is a Homeopathic Healing Response?
A healing response, also known as a homeopathic aggravation, means existing symptoms temporarily heighten after taking a homeopathic remedy. Here's the thing - this is actually good news! It means the body is responding to the remedy.
It's generally mild and temporary - just a slight worsening of what's already there. This tells me the vital force is waking up and getting to work.
Our top principles in homeopathy include gentle healing and minimal dosing. So, although we may initially view a healing response as positive, as a professional homeopath, my job is to adjust my recommendations to create gentle and comfortable healing.
Common Types of Healing Responses
When someone takes a homeopathic remedy, their body may respond in several ways:
Release and Discharge Reactions: A common reaction that has me smiling as a homeopath, yet may confuse clients, is when they get a cold or experience discharge from any area of the body. I consider this a positive sign as the vital force is activating a healing response of releasing rather than suppression.
Fever Response in Children: I work with children with autism, and often, they haven't had a fever since being a baby. We truly celebrate when their immune systems get back into balance and produce a fever once again.
Return of Old Symptoms: Another positive occurrence is when old symptoms return during the homeopathic process. This shows that the vital force is being stimulated by the remedy to bring back old issues and heal them in the present.
Homeopathy - Return of Old Symptoms
The return of old symptoms sometimes happens during constitutional homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy principles teach us that we heal in the reverse order of our chronic symptoms and from the inside out.
When people use suppressive treatments throughout their lives, they're pushing health issues deeper inside. So, when an old ache, pain, or rash shows up again, it's telling us that the problem was not healed or still needs to be addressed. This can occur when someone has a history of skin issues that were previously treated with salves and medicated creams and are now reappearing on their skin.
The return of old symptoms can feel confusing. Still, in my practice, it is a positive healing response indicating we're on the right track.
How to Know If You Have a Correct Remedy
When a remedy triggers a healing response with heightened current symptoms or old symptoms that reappear, this usually means we've found a good match for that person. Sometimes, though, the potency gives too much stimulus to the person, which is common in sensitive individuals.
It's a positive sign when the client feels calm and well overall, even though symptoms are acting up. Ultimately, the healing response should lead to improvement.
When Remedy Adjustments Are Needed
When starting a homeopathic journey, having symptoms get worse can be disheartening and scary. Finding the correct dosage can take some trial and adjustment in the beginning since everyone responds differently.
In my practice, I know a potency adjustment is needed when:
The healing response is too intense or goes on too long
Symptoms worsen without any sense of feeling better overall
The person feels overwhelmed by the response
The nature of the condition also affects which potency I choose - chronic and acute conditions need different approaches.
Furthermore, suppose someone has a strong healing response. In that case, it may indicate that other remedies should be used first, such as those that support proper elimination.
Gentle Methods to Moderate Healing Responses
We have several gentle methods to moderate a healing response when it becomes too intense:
Further diluting the remedy in liquid
Taking only one drop
Placing a single drop in a large glass of water to sip
Making a 5-cup dilution
Simply smelling the remedy or holding the bottle for a subtle energetic influence.
Our founder of homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, wrote in paragraph 161 of the sixth edition of the Organon that a remedy should be dynamized with each dose in chronic disease. When a remedy is put in liquid and succussed (banged on a soft book) between doses, the energy of the remedy is dynamized and is often more gentle.
Working with a Professional Qualified Homeopathic Practitioner
A professional homeopath is trained to observe your symptoms and remedy response. They can relate your response to the remedy materia medica and your case notes. A qualified professional homeopath will:
Distinguish between a positive healing response and an adverse reaction
Adjust remedy selection, potencies, and dosing as needed
Track your progress over time
When to Seek Professional Help:
A healing response lasts longer than expected (more than a few days)
Symptoms become severe or concerning
New unrelated symptoms show up
You're not sure if what you're experiencing is normal
The Value of Follow-Up Care
Professional homeopaths can help guide people through the homeopathic healing process. Follow-up consultations in my practice are an important part of the homeopathic process. They are essential to help me understand each person's response to remedies since our last consultation.
For each follow-up consultation, I ask many questions about how the person feels, if old symptoms have returned, or if new symptoms have developed. I inquire about mood, sleep, digestion, and overall well-being. We discuss the frequency of symptoms and collaborate to determine if remedies should be adjusted, continued, or if health goals have changed.
Timeline for Homeopathic Healing
How long does homeopathy take? This is the million-dollar question!
A general guideline often talked about suggests that for each year someone has had a specific condition or symptom, they can expect 1-3 months before it fully resolves. There is no crystal ball for healing, as homeopathy is only a stimulus, and what unfolds is shown to us by the vital force of the client. Furthermore, in today's complex world, every day we are faced with factors like:
Environmental stressors
Generational trauma
Low vitality from a modern lifestyle
Individual sensitivity levels
When addressing the root cause and strengthening the vital force, healing can be a three-step forward and two-step back process. For my clients, I strive to build a strong therapeutic relationship and open communication, and look for slow, steady progress as a positive direction of healing.
Homeopathy Healing Going Forward
Homeopathic healing responses can be positive signs of progress, particularly when they involve the return of old symptoms. While they can be uncomfortable, understanding what's happening helps reduce anxiety about the process.
Remember, what was once called a homeopathic aggravation is the body's way of showing us that healing is beginning - it's a positive sign that we're on the right track together.
Working closely with a qualified homeopathic practitioner ensures you navigate both the challenges and triumphs of healing your vital force safely and effectively. You can find a qualified homeopath through the Society of Homeopaths search engine or other registries in your country or state.
Wishing you and your family vitality and balanced well-being!
Sources and Further Reading
Hahnemann, S. 1982. Organon of Medicine. Translated from German by Naude. S. Blaine: (Originally published in 1842)
I loved reading this Zoe and felt quite emotional recognizing so many situations. What a nice friendly blog.!