Homoeopathy’s popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. Homoeopathy has grown in the past 30 years, its revival entirely through word of mouth and estimated to be growing at more than 20% to 25 % a year the world over faster growth than all other systems of medicine.

Despite of all the merits and goodwill about Homoeopathy, there are certain myths, misconceptions and FAQs about Homoeopathy which need to be answered.

Q. - What is Homoeopathy?

Ans. - Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which uses a holistic and individualistic approach for the treatment of the sick. It is holistic because it treats the person as a whole rather than just focusing on a diseased part or designated sickness. Homoeopathy is an auto-regulatory therapy that helps the body heal itself.

It is based on the guiding principle “let likes be treated likes”, ‘Similia Similibus Curentur’. This principle was mentioned by ‘Hippocrates’ – ‘Father of Medicine’ and is to be found in Ayurveda also and in many other references.

It was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who was a German Doctor in the conventional system of medicine; an M.D. of that time. 1796 is the birth year of the Homoeopathic system of medicine. Since then, Homoeopathy has been serving humanity as a complementary and alternative system of medicine. However, owing to certain merits of Homoeopathy it is proved as a better option than other existing systems of medicine for various disease conditions.

Myth - Homoeopathy is not scientific.

Fact - There is a large body of evidence from scientific research data, control clinical studies and clinical outcome trials conducted by various molecular biologists, physicists and nanotechnologists around the world who have proven that Homoeopathy is scientific.

Myth - Homoeopathy is practised by some quacks who have no formal medical training.

Fact - A registered Homoeopathic practitioner undergoes training of five and half years as any other medical professional and studies all basic subjects like Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmology etc. as in the curriculum of modern medicine with a difference being the addition of 4 fundamental subjects of Homoeopathy.

Post graduation i.e. M.D(Hom.) and Ph.D. degrees, fellowships etc can also be pursued.

Myth - All Homoeopathic medicines are the same – ‘sweet pills’ in white colour.

Fact - The white sugar globules/pills are only a medium/vehicle for the transport of medicine into the body. The liquid medicine is dispensed in sugar globules (sweet pills).

Myth - Homoeopathy can’t be used with other conventional medicines.

Fact - Around 60% of patients who approach Homoeopathy will be already taking some or other medicines for different diseases like hypertension, diabetes, IHD etc. so it is not a constraint to use conventional medicines along with Homoeopathy.

Homoeopathy goes hand in hand with other systems of medicine like Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, Allopathy etc.

If really there is some interaction, the Homoeopath will give the instructions on how well the time should be maintained between both medicines.

Myth - Homoeopathy medicines contain steroids and heavy metals.

Fact - In Homoeopathy there is no place for steroids, since all the source materials undergo the process of potentization and trituration there won’t be even a trace of crude elements in it. Homoeopathic pharmacies have strict standardization and quality control systems before delivering medicines to the consumers.

Myth - Homoeopathy is slow to act –it takes a long time to cure or relieve symptoms/diseases.

Fact - This myth is popular because most people approach a Homoeopath after they have tried all treatments and by that time their acute complaints have become chronic. Homoeopathy is in fact fast and rapid in action in conditions like acute infections, fever, diarrhoea urticarial rashes, acute exacerbation of asthma etc. The duration of treatment and cure depends on various factors such as chronicity of the disease, response of the patient, accuracy of medicines, factors obstructing the curative process, lifestyle of patient etc.

As a matter of fact – when correct Homoeopathy medicine is given in the most appropriate doses the action can be astonishingly fast – faster than painkillers, antibiotics etc

In fact, the Steroid myth also springs up from the fact that Homoeopathy can act astonishingly fast.

Myth - Homoeopathy is only for chronic ailments not effective in acute diseases.

Fact - Except for a few medical emergencies which require immediate hospitalization and speciality, Homoeopathy can treat acute cases/conditions like colic, diarrhoea, fevers, cough, toothache, migraine episodes, asthma episodes etc., very effectively with fast relief.

Myth - Homoeopathy cannot or should not be used in diabetic patients.

Fact - Homoeopathy can definitely be used in diabetic patients. The minute amount of sugar globules (those little round pills) taken daily does not cause any harm to a diabetic person. Sugar intake in the daily diet is significantly higher than that taken by a few globules. In very severe cases, the dilution may be taken as drops in water.

Myth - Homoeopathy cannot treat serious/advanced medical conditions.

Fact - Homoeopathy is just like any other medical system wherein various conditions from acute to chronic can be treated. In short, you can approach a homoeopath for ‘C’ to ‘C’ i.e. from Common cold to Cancer.

Based on the severity and pathological changes, Homoeopaths guide the patient on whether to take medication or to go for surgery. Every Homoeopathy is well aware of the scope and limitations of Homoeopathy.

About the Columnist

Dr. Satyajit Kuchar is a third-generation Homoeopath practising in Akola, Maharashtra in his 3 clinics. One of the busiest and most successful among practitioners of his city he sees around 80 to 100 patients a day. Dr. Kuchar is a BHMS, MD (Homoeopathy); and has an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. He has authored a book on Homoeopathy named, Widening Horizons in Study of Homoeopathy. He has been a guest speaker in many online and offline study sessions along with conducting classes and courses himself meant for Homoeopathy students and doctors. He is also a poet and hobbyhorse musician, who plays various musical instruments.