Homeopathy, a medical system, developed in Germany by Samuel Hahnermann more than 200 years ago, is an alternative therapy based on the idea of treating “like with like.” By treating a disease or condition with a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people, homeopathy activates the body’s natural defences. For example, watery eyes are a common symptom for allergies, so in homeopathy, allergies might be treated with tiny doses of onion, which also makes your eyes water. Homeopaths prescribe natural substances that create similar reactions to a patient’s symptoms, to alleviate them. Before being given to a patient, substances are mixed in a solution of water or alcohol, weakening them substantially, and transferring the substance’s healing essence into the solution.