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 to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. Homeopathic remedies are prepared through a process of serial dilution and succussion, which is vigorous shaking. Homeopathy aims to stimulate the body's natural healing processes. Practitioners often use highly diluted substances derived from plants, minerals, or animals. While some people report positive effects, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of homeopathy remains controversial, and it is often considered a placebo effect by the medical community.