Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine based on the principle of "like cures like," where substances that cause symptoms in healthy individuals are used in diluted forms to treat similar symptoms in sick individuals. Developed in the late 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann, it involves highly diluted remedies that are believed to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities. Critics argue that homeopathic treatments lack scientific evidence and efficacy beyond placebo effects. Despite this, it remains popular in various parts of the world for its holistic approach to health.