These are some of the most common problems for which people seek medical advice. But, some supporters believe that homeopathic remedies can cure any and every illness. Despite the fact that homeopathic remedies cannot replace insulin for diabetics or surgical removal of a tumor, some supporters claim that homeopathic remedies can cure these as well as other serious or life-threatening diseases. Responsible practitioners do not use homeopathic remedies to treat diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or other major illnesses. Nor do they use it to treat surgical emergencies, serious infections, or bad injuries.
Some people believe that homeopathic medicine works by stimulating the body's own natural defenses.
However, the use of highly-diluted substances has not been shown scientifically to work. If there is less than one molecule of a substance present, it means that no substance remains. Homeopaths say it is electromagnetic waves of the active ingredient it once contained. They say that vigorous shakings between each dilution make this memory possible. Another explanation, heard less often, is that all of the shaking and dilution activity releases the essence, or healing life force, of the original substance.