She also includes her own experience with homoeopathy - the dramatic cure of her son diagnosed with autism. It is, essentially, her "journey of discovery and healing" with homoeopathy.

Dr Lansky’s son, Max, was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2 years old. She tried various approaches to improve his condition: speech therapy, diet, family dynamics. However, the turning point for Max was when he began homoeopathic treatment. His progress was so remarkable that she gave up her computer science research work at NASA to study homoeopathy, of which she’s been a passionate advocate since. Four years after he began treatment, Max was cured.

This is not a self-help book. Rather, Dr Lansky focuses on the history and philosophy of homoeopathy, its approach to disease, health and cure.

Homoeopathic principles and concepts – like suppression, susceptibility – are covered in fine detail. Ideas of well-known homoeopaths are also discussed, eg, Vithoulkas’ centre of gravity, Edward Whitmont’s psychosomatic symptom patterns and how nature mirrors the human mind and body.

Dr Lansky (picture) painstakingly explains the complex process of homoeopathic case taking and shows clearly what's involved in a homoeopathic consultation – for both patient and practitioner.

Many remedies – common as well as uncommon ones like Androctonus (Scorpion), Kali bromatum (Bromide of Potash), Lac caninum (Dog’s milk) – are succinctly described and adroitly woven into the text, making it easily assimilable.

A whole chapter is devoted to cured cases, demonstrating the amazing healing power of homoeopathy. She has not forgotten the sceptics – homoeopathic research and studies are also examined and theories as to how remedies really work, eg cluster physics, chaos theory, are explored.

Homoeopathy has been misunderstood and maligned for its placebo effect since its discovery in 1810 when the first edition of the Organon was published.

In Impossible Cure, Dr Lansky has done an excellent job in debunking this myth, clarifying its concepts and making them accessible. She has succeeded in demystifying this profound science and art and, at the same time, engaging the reader throughout her book.

As Hahnemann, the Father of homoeopathy, had written:
Aude sapere (Dare to Know).