HOMOEOPATHY (Homoeos = similar and pathos = suffering) is a science of holistic healing, a natural science of healing which has been relieving patients across continents from their various sufferings for more than 200 years.
It was discovered and refined by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, an experienced German Allopathic physician who lost faith in his system due to some of the crude practices prevalent in those times. He gave up his practice and started working in a library translating works of foreign authors. There he came across an interesting article by Dr. Cullen describing the cure of malaria by cinchona bark, (quinine derived from it is used in Allopathy, presently, for the same disease) due to its bitterness. His scientific mind refused to believe this as many other substances are bitter, and his curiosity aroused, he decided to take cinchona bark himself. What happened next changed the world of medicine forever…
- Samuel Hahnemann himself developed malaria like symptoms! Working further on other substances he came to the conclusion that substances which cure a particular disease are capable of producing the same symptoms. Conversely, the symptoms which a substance produces are the ones which can be treated by the same substance. In this way, the concept of ‘similia similibus curentur’ i.e. ‘likes cure likes’ was brought out in the world. He further observed that the same substance is capable of producing a variety of symptoms of the same disease in different persons according to their constitutions or tendency.
- Dr. Hahnemann worked further on the concept of Homoeopathy and realized that these substances have to be in very minute doses to be used as medicines. Large quantities would produce toxicity and deteriorate the patient, whereas the infinitesimal doses relieved the patient. This concept was earlier lampooned by the medical fraternity, labeling the positive outcome of Homoeopathy as a ‘placebo effect’. However recent advances in Chemistry have proved conclusively that Homoeopathy works on nanotechnology. Also the risk of side effects is minimal with such minute doses and hence Homoeopathy is the safest treatment option for pregnant and lactating women, infants, patients with kidney and liver failure (where other medicines can result in toxicity and death) etc.
- An observant clinician may have noted that a simple case of viral fever may present in many ways – in some patients with severe headache and mild fever, in some with high fever and weakness and others may present with high fever and loss of appetite etc. Although the pathological mechanism is the same, each patient has their own individualistic features. The modern medicine fraternity, unfortunately, doesn’t consider these important and has a fixed diagnosis-based protocol for treating the disease. However, these individualizing features help a Homoeopathic physician in selecting a different remedy for different patients suffering from the same viral fever. Homoeopathy thus, goes beyond the diagnosis and treats you as an individualistic/ unique person offering you a personalized treatment option.
- The medical world has woken up only recently to the effects of the mind on the body. Dr. Hahnemann has described this phenomenon almost 200 years ago, stating clearly in various treatises that ‘the mind and body are not separate units; they constitute the whole human being and hence have to be treated as one’. Till date, the modern medicine faculty treats the organs as separate entities, a machine like approach, where if a part fails it needs to be repaired or replaced. Homoeopathy envisions the human being as ‘greater than the sum of its parts, a whole organism’ and hence treats the ‘person behind the parts’. Homoeopathy, thus, is a holistic healing science.
- Naturally Homoeopathy is better equipped to treat the psychosomatic diseases (where the mind component results in physical illness) like acidity, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, psoriasis, premature greying and balding, thyroid disorders etc.Now, to clear the air about some myths and controversies Homoeopathy is shrouded in, let me answer some FAQs – (Feel free to post your additional queries)
Some myths and FAQs about Homoeopathy –
- Does the Homoeopathic interview take a long time?
-It differs from patient to patient. However, since we try to understand you as person, right from your childhood, your dreams to your present complaints /issues; Homeopathic consultations are generally longer than other regular medical consultations. The time taken will vary between 1 – 2 hrs. Here the patient himself can be a huge help to the doctor by being more observant about himself. Even though some questions might appear unnecessary or even funny to most patients, they help in defining the constitution of the patient and assist the doctor in prescribing the exact medicine for faster results.
- Is it true that Homoeopathy is slow acting?
-Definitely not! Patients generally approach Homoeopathy as a last resort when other means have failed or given partial results. In this scenario, the disease has generally progressed and become long standing or a chronic disease. Naturally to reverse the disease and bring back the well being takes some time depending upon the pathology.
The true test of Homoeopathy can be seen in acute conditions like – fever, diarrhoea, headaches, cold and cough, menstrual pains, sprains etc where it relieves with rapidity and gentleness. Consult a Homoeopathic physician for your fever, cold, wound etc and experience the goodness of Homoeopathy yourself.
- How do these tiny, sugar pills actually work?
-Homoeopathic pills contain highly potentized medicines working on the principle of nanotechnology, (researched by IIT – B)* delivering the precise amount of the medicinal energy to the affected part. Since the dose is mild and delivered directly, the side-effects, (that is the effects of the medicine on the other unaffected parts), are absent. Also the action of the medicine is to stimulate the body’s natural healing power so that the disease gets cured from within and recurrence is prevented.
(* Links to the published research – 1. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/IIT-B-team-shows-how-homeopathy-works/articleshow/7108579.cms)
2. www.ircc.iitb.ac.in/IRCC-Webpage/Homeopathy–Nanoparticle-Note.pdf;
3.http://homeoint.ru/pdfs/Extreme%20homeopathic%20dilutions%20retain%20starting%20%20materials-A%20nanoparticulate%20perspective.pdf; )
- Can Homoeopathy be taken with other medicines?
-Yes, in some conditions where the patient is already on medications to control the progress of the disease, the patient can continue them. Gradually the need for these medicines decreases as Homoeopathic medicines start acting and hence the dose of the previous medicines can be reduced or even stopped. Homoeopathy can also be taken with chemotherapy to minimize its side effects and after surgery for pain reduction and faster healing.
- Is Homoeopathy safe for children and pregnant or lactating mothers?
-Homoeopathy is completely safe for children right from birth as it doesn’t have any side effects. It helps in their growth and development and to increase their immunity. Delayed teething, walking and speech, concentration problems, recurrent infections of tonsils, sinuses, etc have been relieved with Homoeopathy. It can also be taken by pregnant women and lactating mothers to reduce any discomfort and promote lactation.
- Do Homoeopathic medicines contain steroids?
-Absolutely not! Readily available lab tests can prove that Homoeopathic medicines do not contain steroids. Also long term steroid use produces side effects like – weight gain, hair loss, increased susceptibility to infections, increased blood sugar levels etc which is not the case with patients on long term Homoeopathy. In fact, Homoeopathic medicines are known to boost immunity.
Steroids act within 24-48 hrs and reduce the intensity of the complaint for which they are prescribed. However, once they are stopped the disease will flare up with the same or increased intensity. This is never the case with Homoeopathic medicines which treat from within outwards (from the root of the disease) and hence the cure is long lasting and permanent. Planned and systematic withdrawal of Homoeopathic medicines by the doctor will not bring back the disease.
- How do I prepare myself for my first Homoeopathic interview?
-Welcome on board! 🙂 There is no specific preparation or guidelines for the first consultation. We want spontaneous and unplanned inputs. But do get all the relevant reports of tests (if done) and files of any previous medical consultations.
Like Galileo, who was executed for describing the earth as round and not flat, Dr. Hahnemann was much before his time; and Homoeopathy even though much criticized has finally emerged as the scientific, futuristic system of healing.
Happy Healing with Homoeopathy!
