Homeopath

Homeopathy is a branch of alternative medicine that treats the immune and defence systems. Homeopaths do not use pharmaceutical drugs to treat their patients, instead, they assess the whole person and will prescribe remedies using minute amounts of natural remedies made from substances such as plants and minerals.

Homeopathy is considered to be a holistic approach to medicine and is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and diseases. If this is your career choice, you’ll be working very closely with your patients, getting detailed case studies and then diagnosing them based on a wide variety of individual factors. The word “Homeopathy” comes from the Greek word “hames” meaning “like” or “similar” and “pathos” which means suffering.

Homeopaths believe that an illness is almost the same as its cure. The philosophy behind it is believing that if a patient is happy, they will get better much sooner and that the body has the ability to heal itself. The approach is not only physical but spiritual too. 

Homeopathy is a growing field in South Africa, with many people considering this alternative to conventional medicine.

Required Qualifications

To be a homepath in South Africa, you will need a Bachelor of Complementary Medicine (BSc Complementary Medicine) degree offered by the University of the Western Cape or a Bachelor of Health Sciences in Complementary Medicine( BHSc CM) from the University of Johannesburg.

Level of Schooling & School Subjects:

Entry requirements differ per institution but recommended/ generally required school subjects for National Senior Certificate (NSC) or NC(v) include:

• English (home or first additional language) 
• Mathematics 
• Mathematical Literacy and
• Life Sciences 
• Physical Sciences

Length of Study 

Homeopaths in South Africa typically study for 5 years then undergo a 1-year internship to qualify for a Master of Technology in Homeopathy.

Employment Opportunities

Once qualified, you can register to open your own practice with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA). You can also register with the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) to obtain a practice number.

You will always need to treat your patients within your specific discipline and according to the guidelines, ethics and legalities outlined by the AHPCSA and the Department of Health.

Further Information

• The Allied Health Professionals Council of South Africa
• Department of Health