Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine that was developed in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on the principle of "like cures like," meaning that a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used in diluted forms to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. Homeopathic remedies are prepared through a process of serial dilution and succussion, which is vigorous shaking. Practitioners of homeopathy believe that these highly diluted substances can stimulate the body's natural healing processes. While some people report positive effects from homeopathic treatments, scientific studies have shown mixed results, and many in the medical community remain skeptical about its efficacy compared to conventional medicine.