Most are derived from plants, but minerals, metals, animal products, and even some poisons, which have been used medicinally for generations, are also used. It seems alarming that homeopathy uses poisons, but you can rest assured that all substances whether of plant, mineral, metal, animal or poisonous origin are put through a special process whereby they are serially diluted and vigorously shaken. The dilution is frequently so great that no chemical trace of the original substance remains. However the characteristic energy pattern or the blue print of the original substance is imprinted onto the dilution. This process is very much akin to the radio or television signals, where the original program or scene is converted in to an electromagnetic energy pattern or signal which is transmitted to a receiver.
Homeopathic remedies cure the whole as opposed to the symptoms.
The time it takes to cure a symptoms is directly dependant on the complexity of the ailment. Since the remedy works from inside out, internal disorders are the first to be cured as opposed to superficial outer symptoms. Be patient, for it is more beneficial to cure the cause of the illness as well as the symptoms , rather than simply relieve the symptoms. Two patients with a cold may look similar but may have completely different remedies prescribed to them. One can learn to utilize excellent remedies for simple first aid situations such as cuts, bruises, insect stings, stomach upsets etc.