Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association Principles and Standards of Practice

The Illinois Homeopathic Medical Association is an association of licensed health care practitioners united in their purpose of using homeopathically prepared medicines in their practices.

A homeopathic medicine is any substance produced by serial dilution and succussion according to the standards of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS).

Homeopathic medicines can be used as a sole therapy, wherever appropriate, or in conjunction with other therapeutic modaliaties as clinical necessity dictates.

The prescribing of homeopathic remedies is based on the judicious use of the principles listed below:

1. The Law of Similars, as outlined by Samuel Hahnemann (refer to The Principles of Classical Homeopathic Medicine listed below) or
   
2. The understanding of a patient according to anthroposophic medicine (refer to The Principles of Anthroposophic Medicine listed below).

The organization will be open to other principles of homeotherapeutics as they become validated and have principles which can be incorporated into the Standards of Practice.

The homeopathic medical practitioners shall meet the standards of the various Medical Practice Acts for the State of their residence. They shall be currently licensed in their State. They will keep all medical records as required, employ all appropriate diagnostic and laboratory procedures, and make any necessary diagnoses.

The Principles of Classical Homeopathic Medical Practice

1. The Law of Similars is the Law of Cure. Samuel Hahnemann's Organon of the Medical Art is the guide in therapeutics. The totality of signs and symptoms forms the basis for the selection of the homeopathic medicine.
   
2. The curative power of homeopathic medicines (remedies) is known from over 200 years of their testing on healthy individuals, which are recorded as provings. The symptom picture of these medicines is then matched to the symptom picture of the patient and administered accordingly.
   
3. Medicines are obtained and prepared according to the guidelines found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States which is the standard homeopathic reference text recognized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
   
4. The most beneficial therapeutic effect is attained from the action of a single homeopathic remedy given in the minimal dose.

All members practicing classical homeopathy shall be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the principles outlined in Samuel Hahnemann's Organon of Medicine and continue to pursue proficiency of prescribing by ongoing study of homeopathic concepts, philosophy, medica medica and repertories.

The Principles of Anthroposophic Medicine

1. Rudolph Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophic Medicine, expanded the knowledge of man by going beyond the solely physical aspects of his nature to analyzing the physiology and pathology of his spiritual side. In totality, man is build out of a physical body, a functional or life body, a soul and a spiritual body. This a comprehensive therapy for illnesses based on the observation of man's nature not restricted to a physical level.
   
2. Anthroposophic therapy uses the principle that illness in man finds a polar opposite process in nature. By using this specific process or substance the imbalance in man can be healed. Homeopathically produced medicines are used because through the process of serial dilution a substance can be "opened" and can then act on the physical and spiritual level simultaneously.
   
3. Anthroposophic remedies have been validated by empirical evidence of over 70 years of practice by thousands of physicians. There also exists an abundance of standard medical research published in peer-reviewed medical literature to substantiate this therapeutic field.
   
4. Most anthroposophic remedies are made according to the guidelines found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States but they are not prescribed according to the Law of Similars.

All members practicing anthroposophic medicine are presumed to be firmly familiar with the guidelines set for the American College of Anthroposophic Medicine or a similar professional organization.