How a Rural Clinic in South Africa Is Changing Lives with Homoeopathy

I've just spent the most rewarding week volunteering at a rural health centre in South Africa. Before I left the country a few years ago, I spent some time at this centre, and it left such a lasting impression on me that I’ve always wanted to return.

Khula Natural Health Centre is located in rural KwaZulu-Natal and is a non-profit, community upliftment project. Originally founded by two Swiss homoeopaths, Dr Nicoliene Potgieter Steiner and Dr Manuel Steiner, it works closely with the local Zulu chief (Induna), employs staff from the local village, and provides a space for fifth-year homoeopathy students to complete their internships, as well as opportunities for Swiss homoeopaths to volunteer. It was also a beautiful space for me to step away from my busy life and lose myself in what I love most in life - homoeopathy!

The clinic focuses mainly on women’s and children’s health, and patients often travel great distances to be seen. One of my first patients arrived after leaving home at 11pm the night before to travel overnight because he valued the homoeopathic care so much. Another had heard such good things about the clinic that she made a 290km journey just to get help for her back pain.

Having studied for 6 years to become a doctor, I sometimes feel a little heartbroken working as a homoeopath in Australia, where my qualifications aren’t recognised and where homoeopathy is often misunderstood. But this past week truly reminded me why I chose this path in life and why I know I can never do anything else.

One patient was brought into my room struggling to breathe. On assessment, I recognised all the signs of congestive cardiac failure. I gave him a dose of Arsenicum Album 1M and, about 20 minutes later, I saw him sitting calmly in the waiting room - breathing more easily and visibly less anxious.

Another moment that stayed with me was when a quiet 10-year-old boy was brought in. He sat playing on a cellphone while his mother spoke to me. As I read through his notes, I saw that when he first came to the clinic seven weeks ago, he was described as aggressive and violent - hitting others, soiling and wetting himself, and unable to sleep. He had been diagnosed with autism but had reacted badly to conventional medication and was no longer taking anything. The homoeopath who treated him gave him Tarentula 1M and the transformation was incredible. His mother told me he now uses the toilet consistently, no longer soils himself, and sleeps through the night.

The power of homoeopathy never ceases to amaze me!

The power of community and care also never cease to amaze me! My time at the clinic reminded me of the strength and resilience of rural people and the quiet hardships they carry without complaint. Many of the young children I saw were malnourished and being cared for by their gogos (grandmothers), who were doing their best to grow their own food, raise multiple children, and earn a small income by selling produce.

Thanks to donations, the clinic is able to provide nutritional supplements like iron and moringa powder to help support these children’s health. If you’d like to contribute, please consider donating - this clinic runs entirely on the generosity of others. You can donate here >

I’m already planning to return next year… and the year after… and the year after that. There's something about working in a rural setting like this, something grounding and deeply human, that reminds me just how much difference a little care can make.

As I walked through the clinic one morning, I paused in front of this poster and honestly, it says it all. Homoeopathy in South Africa isn’t just a complementary therapy - it’s a lifeline. It’s safe, affordable and accessible, and it's genuinely helping to carry the burden of rural healthcare here. With limited access to doctors and a struggling public health system, Khula Natural Health Centre is showing what’s possible when care is rooted in community, compassion, and practical solutions.