Homeopathy is a curative method whose practice began approximately 200 years ago in Germany. Samuel Hahnemann discovered it and spread its practice rapidly through Europe and the rest of the world. Homeopathy is different in almost all aspects from what may be called "official" medicine, known as allopathy by homeopathic practitioners. The basic principle used in homeopathy consists in applying what is called similia smilibus curantur, likes cure likes, or a "similarity law"; that is, all substance are capable of producing in a healthy human a series of ills or symptoms. This same substance used in homeopathic doses, or "infinitesimal doses" in homeopathic parlance, has the capability to cure.