Homeopathy is a form of holistic medicine in which it is believed that an ill person can be treated using a substance that in a healthy person would produce symptoms similar to those of the illness. According to homeopaths, by diluting the substance its toxic effects are removed and its qualities retained by the water, sugar, or alcohol used to dilute it. In homeopathy, it is believed that diseases and sickness are caused by disturbances in a person’s life force, and that these disturbances manifest themselves as symptoms. The life force has the ability to react and adapt to internal and external causes, and a negative state of mind can produce symptoms of diseases.

Practitioners decide which treatments to use based on a patient consultation that analyzes the physical and psychological state of the patient. Based on the client’s answers, the homeopath is able to create a comprehensive representation of the client's overall health. This information is then used to find the drug most closely matching the symptoms and state of the patient.

Homeopathic remedies work best to treat symptoms subject to psychological or behavioral influences, such as chronic pain, fatigue, anxiety, or depression. The use of homeopathic remedies has spread because these pose no side effects, can be safely taken with other medication, are based on natural ingredients, and are not addictive. However, if other medication has been prescribed, the patient should not stop taking it. Homeopathic medicine is usually taken as pills which are placed under the tongue. Contact with the skin should be avoided, dropping the pills into the lid and pouring them directly into the mouth. In some cases remedies are taken as an ointment, as is the case with bruising.