Homoeopathy is a scientific system of medicine based on the discovery that a substance can cure the same problems it can cause, usually by varying the dosage of that substance.
Any herb, mineral or animal product given to a healthy person in a suitable dose often enough will cause that person to become ill in a specific pattern unlike any other. That is, each substance produces on the healthy individual unique symptoms. The same substance, in an extremely tiny dose, will remove just those symptoms it is capable of evoking. ‘Let likes be treated by likes’ is the homoeopathic ‘password’.
Homoeopathy is a system of medicine of comparatively recent origin. It was in 1805 and later in 1810 that Dr. Samuel Hahnemann enunciated the Law of Similia which is the basis of homoeopathic treatment. Homoeopathy came to India during Hahnemann’s life, in 1839, when Dr. Honigberger treated Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.
It is more than a century and a half now that homoeopathy is being practiced in India. Yet, the common man is often misled by various myths regarding its use, application and efficacy.
MYTHS AND FACTS
Homoeopathy is slow acting
It is unfortunately a false impression that homoeopathy is slow acting. The reason may be that despite tremendous potential of it in curing common acute ailments, homoeopaths are approached only for treatment of uncommon, chronic ailments. It is considered good only when common ailment becomes uncommonly troublesome and chronic, or when there is a difficult condition which defies current allopathic treatment or there is a proposed surgical treatment which is despised. Naturally, these conditions will take some time to be cured. Even then, by its effectiveness and remote success, it has earned good reputation and patronage. The use of these medicines in Government dispensaries in various localities has proved their quick effect where 90 percent of patients come only for acute problems like diarrhoea, fever, cough, cold and pains.
All medicines are same, small and white
These white sugar pills have no medicinal property. They are simple pills used as vehicles to dispense alcohol based bitter medicines and they can be taken easily, otherwise medicine can be dispensed directly on tongue or dissolved in water also.
Homoeopathy first aggravates the disease and then improves
It is a myth. It does not happen to all cases and always, if the chosen remedy matches the patient’s need. But if repeated more than the need, often increases the complaints, but it would subside on its own as soon as medicine is withdrawn. Sometimes a patient who is dependent on some other medicines, for example, steroids, stops them, then he gets the original disease symptoms, and considers that the disease has aggravated.
Dietic restrictions
It is a myth regarding restriction in diet like onion, garlic, perfume, paan and tobacco. These medicines have been used on patients who are habituated to coffee and betel. IT ALWAYS ACTS. But with certain medicines when given, such restrictions are must. Otherwise the action may be nullified. Asking not to chew paan, or smoke are on the other hand are safe and healthy restrictions.
Can diabetics take these pills as it contains SUGAR?
Yes they can take as the amount of sugar is negligible. If necessary, medicines can be given in distilled water also.
Whether other medicines can be taken in emergency?
No, because this will confuse the physician in assessing which medicine is helpful and which is not. Yes, because a patient who is dependent on some drugs will not be able to leave them at once. They can be allowed if initially homoeopathic medicines do not help. As the disease is controlled gradually the patient himself will leave.
Can homoeopathy treat anything and everything?
Like any other system of medicine, homoeopathy has its own limitations. By homoeopathy any ailment acute or chronic, local or general can be treated except diseases where surgery is un- avoidable. Furthermore, readers may note that many surgical diseases are treatable by homoeopathy to a great extent like enlarged tonsils, kidney stones, warts, piles, fissure and fistula.
No side effects
It is a fact that homoeopathic medicines have no side effects. The term ‘side affects’ of a medicine comes from modern pharmaceuticals. These drugs are aimed at one area of the body such as the cardiovascular system, the gut, the kidneys, etc. Though they have a primary area of action, they also affect other areas of the body. If these other effects are undesirable, they are known as adverse side effects. Streptomycin, an excellent anti-tuberculosis agent, has been known to cause deafness. The deafness is an adverse side effect. Homoeopathic medicines are not employed against one particular area or organ of the body. The homoeopathic remedy is chosen because it matches as closely as possible the totality of symptoms of the patient. Side effects, such as tissue destruction, do not occur under homoeopathy.
Efficacy
Homoeopathy is not only a therapy which can effectively cure acute or chronic diseases, but it is a method of stimulating the defense mechanism and balancing the constitution of patients. It is capable of enhancing the degree of productivity, creativity and serenity of people by removing the susceptibility to disturbing influences. More and more people are being successfully treated. Homoeopathy is becoming more popular and accepted, and also becoming part of the establishments, and of an alternative holistic approach to health. With a track record proven over 200 years, homoeopathy is a natural medicine which is safe, and has no side effects, non-addictive, it is relatively inexpensive and treats the whole person.
Scope
If there is evidence that surgery is warranted, the homoeopathic physician too is anxious that it be done promptly. Major surgery often necessitates a long, difficult recovery period. Homoeopathic medicines, by stimulating and strengthening the body’s defense mechanism, can aid this enormously. Fortunately, good homoeopathic prescribing has made many operations unnecessary. Fractures, of course, must be set and cast by an orthopaedic surgeon. Manipulation of the musculo-skeletal system is referred to a qualified osteopath, chiropractor, rolfer or massage therapist. In each of these situations, homoeopathy can provide corollary assistance. For example, a homoeopathic medicine can speed the union of a fractured bone; a bad bruise or sprain can be helped greatly by the specific homoeopathic remedy.
Homoeopathy cannot cure birth defects whether biochemical or structural. It can, however, improve the level of health of persons born with congenital weakness.
The range of problems to which homoeopathy can be effectively directed is extensive and includes first aid, acute illnesses and all manner of chronic conditions.
(Issued in Public Interest by CCRH, India)