Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine based on the principle of treating “like with like.” This means that a substance that causes certain symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat those same symptoms in a sick person. For example, homeopathic preparations made from red onion are used to treat allergies because red onion can cause watery eyes and a runny nose.

Homeopathic remedies are made from very dilute solutions of plants, minerals, or animal products. The dilutions are so dilute that there is no measurable amount of the original substance left in the remedy. Homeopaths believe that these dilute solutions retain the “essence” of the original substance and can stimulate the body’s healing powers.