Homeopathic medicines undergo a sophisticated process of potentization, which activates the hidden potency of any drug substance, making it usable to treat diseases. The medicines are in the form of nano-particles, as per recent research; and work at the immunity level to treat even deep-rooted ailments.
Thuja Occidentalis
Thuja Occidentalis, for example, is a huge plant, commonly called white cedar or tree of life. This medicine, when transformed through the process of potentizing, and administered in a safe, small dose to humans, can bring amazing improvement in diseases such as serious allergies, tonsillitis, breast tumors (benign), asthma, anxiety states, and also some forms of arthritis.
Typically, when this medicine is required, the patient's emotions and mental symptoms are evaluated and they are found to be full of anxiety, deep-rooted apprehension, some kind of rigidity in thoughts and actions, dogmatism, and sadness. There may be a thermal preference for heat rather than cold, but it is not a rule. Such patients may also suffer from Lichen planus, cancer, prostate hypertrophy (BPH), uterine fibroids, ankylosing spondylitis, or such semi-reversible disease pathology. The entire list of indications cannot be described here.
The use of Thuja is a great illustration of how homeopathy applies mind and body symptoms in the form of totality.
Silica
Silica is sourced from the element Si, the sand; a great example showing how the homeopathic method of potentization could actuate inert substances like Silica into a powerful medicinal ingredient.
While choosing Silica for a patient, the homeopath would check if the personality of the patient matches certain traits such as one who is intelligent but may be lacking confidence, shy yet firm, mild yet strong-willed, efficient yet nervous, stubborn yet apprehensive, egoist yet gentle. A person requiring Silica is likely to be sensitive to cold wind, and have hormonal and immunologically mediated diseases like frequent infections, headaches, skin diseases, hair loss, colds and coughs, tonsillitis, and arthritis; just to name some. Silica is an example of a polychrest (working a wide range of diseases) remedy, found useful in children, adults as well as elderly people.