A small clinic with an old idea

Similia began in 2016 as a two-room practice above a bookshop in York: one classical homeopath and one medical herbalist, a shared waiting room, and a shared conviction that people deserve unhurried, honest conversations about their health. Patients kept asking the same question — “where can I read more, from people I can trust?” — and the answer slowly became this magazine.

Our name, and what it means

We are named after the founding principle of homeopathy, similia similibus curentur — “let likes be treated by likes.” Samuel Hahnemann formulated the idea in 1796, and it still shapes how our practitioners think: not about a symptom in isolation, but about the whole person — their energy, sleep, temperament, and the story their symptoms tell. We honour that tradition while staying honest about its debates, and we never ask readers to choose between a tradition and their doctor.

What we practise

Today Similia is a clinic and a publication working side by side:

  • Classical homeopathy — detailed case-taking and individualised remedy choices, always discussed openly with you before anything is agreed.
  • Western herbal medicine — gentle, traditional preparations such as chamomile, elderflower, and echinacea, traditionally used to support everyday wellbeing.
  • Educational writing — practitioner-authored articles that explain both fields without miracle claims or hidden advertising.

The values behind our work

  • Listening first. Nothing happens in a consultation until we understand your story properly.
  • Honesty about limits. We describe traditional use and the state of the evidence; we do not promise cures, and we say plainly when the evidence is thin.
  • Safety before everything. We remind every reader to keep their doctor informed and to consult qualified practitioners before trying anything new.

Consultations, wherever you are

All of our appointments now take place online. A first consultation lasts around sixty minutes and a follow-up around thirty, and you receive the same unhurried attention as in our original waiting room — wherever in the world you log in from. If you are managing a chronic condition, pregnant, or taking prescribed medication, tell us when booking so we can plan safely around it.

Whether you came to read, to ask a question, or to reserve a first appointment: welcome. We are glad you found us.