Is it homoeopathy or homeopathy?
The word homeopathy rather than homoeopathy is becoming more and more widespread in Europe as well as in Australia. Originally it was mostly used in America.
As well-known homoeopath George Dimitriadis explains about the origin of the term in his article THE SCIENTIFICITY OF HOMOEOPATHY (1989), ‘The platform upon which Homoeopathy stands, is the observation that a medicine is capable of removing symptoms similar to those which it produces – Like cures Like or Similia Similibus Curantur. This is the definition of Homoeopathy (from the Greek: Omoio [Homoeo] = similar; Pathos = suffering), and is the basic tenet upon which everything else must revolve, if it is to be called Homoeopathy’.
Samuel Hahnemann called his new system of medicine ‘Homöopathie’, which transcribed into English replaces ö with oe, therefore ‘homoeopathy’.
A ballot of AHA members was undertaken in 2001. As a result the agreed spelling of the association name and the profession were ‘homoeopathic’, ‘homoeopathy’ and ‘homoeopath’, respectively, and this system has been followed until 2023.
In recent years, because of greater public appeal and greater ease regarding website addresses, National Council decided to use the simpler spelling of homeopathy, particularly in publications and online platforms directed at the public.
Is it complementary or complimentary?
When advertising your business, it is important that the information you provide is correct, including the spelling of your area of expertise.
Unfortunately many people working in the areas of homeopathy and naturopathy get muddled between the words complimentary and complementary.
Complimentary:
This means polite expressions of praise (in the sense of giving a compliment),
or
something provided free of charge (for example, a free biscuit along with the cup of coffee).
So if you say you are in the ‘complimentary healthcare business’, it could mean that you are providing your services free of charge!
Complementary:
This means something that completes or complements, that is, rightly coexists with something – just as homeopathy rightly exists alongside Western medicine and other health modalities, and can help to complete a patient’s sense of well-being.
Memory help:
A compliment is a kind of gift and therefore complimentary – use ‘i’ .
Excellent care comes from complementary healthcare – use ‘e’.