By RACHEL BRANT
Staff writer
There are only about 5,000 practicing homeopaths in the United States.
And Kitsap County is home to one of them.
Registered nurse Sue Boyle opened Classic Homeopathy on Bayshore Drive in Old Town Silverdale Jan. 1. It is the only homeopathy practice in Kitsap County, according to Boyle.
She has worked as a registered nurse at various hospitals for 34 years and decided the time was right to open her own family practice. Boyle currently works at a hospital in Seattle.
“I’m just done. I can’t feel like there’s anything else I can do (at the hospital),” she said. “I don’t have fun at work any longer, but I’m going to have some fun here.”
The Massachusetts native became interested in homeopathy when she read a book titled “Discovering Homeopathy: Medicine for the 21st Century” by Dana Ullman. The book immediately struck a cord with Boyle.
“I thought ‘oh that makes so much sense,’” she said after reading the book.
Boyle then decided to take classes at Hahnemann College of Homeopathy in California from 1992 to 1994. Samuel Hahnemann founded homeopathy in the late 18th century.
“After my first class I thought ‘what in the hell did I just get myself into,’” Boyle chuckled.
Boyle owned a homeopathy family practice in California for seven years before moving to Washington in 2001. She worked in various hospitals as a registered nurse for 34 years, but has always wanted to open her own family practice.
“I love doing this, I love homeopathy,” Boyle said. “It does such amazing things for people.”
Homeopathy can cure anything from an earache to arthritis, according to Boyle. A homeopath in India is currently testing remedies to cure cancer and having great success, she added. Practicing homeopaths use various elements including herbs, plants, animal products, minerals and venoms to cure people’s ailments.
“Homeopathy is a medical system that uses micro-doses of substances to stimulate your body’s immune system and its ability to heal itself,” Boyle said.
Boyle interviews patients of all ages upwards of two hours to determine what remedies will best cure or alleviate their symptoms. The element she decides will best cure his or her ailments is then diluted in alcohol or water and then vigorously shaken to create a one-dose remedy for the person.
“Every time you give someone a homeopathic remedy you improve their health,” Boyle said. “It works for anything and everything that lives. Homeopathy can either improve the symptoms or cure it.”
While homeopathy continues to grow and change, not all doctors believe in the practice.
“Science hasn’t caught up with homeopathy and how it works,” Boyle said. “Sometimes the doctors don’t throw you out on your rear.”
Since the practice continues to change, Boyle is attending a postgraduate course offered by Louis Klein FSHom. She also serves as the president of the Homeopathic Nurses Association and plans to teach homeopathy classes in Kitsap County.
“I’m going to be learning this till the day I take my last breath,” Boyle said. “It’s a lifelong study and a lifelong passion and we’re all totally nuts.”
Classic Homeopathy is offering a grand opening special for patients. The first interview and followup appointment, including the remedy, will cost $150 as opposed to the regular price of $250.
“It’s not something you can do in two seconds. The initial appointment takes one-and-a-half to two hours,” Boyle said. “It’s like being a detective. It’s a whole lot of fun.”
“Discovering Homeopathy: Medicine for the 21st Century” by Dana Ullman proved to be a life-changing book for Boyle. She is now good friends with Ullman and is glad she decided to check out his work.
“It’s so new and fun and crazy. I love it” Boyle said. “I’m so glad I read that book.”
Classic Homeopathy
9481 Bayshore Drive
Suite 103 B
Silverdale
(360) 779-3114
