Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which uses holistic and individualistic approach for the treatment of the sick. It is holistic because it treats 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 conventional system of medicine, an M.D. of that time. 1796 is the birth year of 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.
The foundational principles of Homoeopathy are scientific and in compliance with nature hence we Homoeopaths say Homoeopathic medicines stimulate the body’s natural healing forces and defence mechanisms. The principle of Homoeopathy has received validation and appreciation from both ‘Hippocrates’ known as the ‘Father of Medicine’ and ‘Sir William Osler’ known as the ‘Father of Modern Medicine.’
Hippocrates stated that, “The natural healing force within each of us is the greatest force in getting well. Natural forces within are the true healer of disease. Disease is not an entity, but a fluctuating condition of the patient’s body, a battle between the substance of disease and the natural self-healing tendency of the body.”
Sir William Osler was a great admirer of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann and of Homoeopathy, and he wrote about Homoeopathy and Dr. Hahnemann many times. It is much more important to know what sort of a patient has a disease than what sort of a disease a patient has. The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease -William Osler.
Dr. Hahnemann – the founder of Homoeopathy was given his historic due by no less a personage than Sir William Osler. “No individual,” said Dr. Osler, “has done more good to the medical profession than Samuel Hahnemann.”
Deviating from the trend of rejecting Homoeopathic treatment and medicine as mere placebos, the World Health Organisation has declared that Homoeopathy is the second-most used medical system internationally (December 25,2005 – Date of Declaration). India leads the world as regards the number of doctors, institutions & most importantly in terms of number of patients preferring Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy’s popularity is growing by leaps and bound. 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.
According to World Health Organization, Homoeopathy is practiced and available in 40 out of 42 European nations. They concluded that Homoeopathy is “effective, cost effective and safe.” The Switzerland government recognizes Homoeopathy as having a status equal to that of conventional medicine. Homoeopathy is used in over 80 countries. It has legal recognition as individual system in 42 countries and as a part of alternative and complementary medicine in 28 countries. Recent scientific studies have not just only served as evidence of efficacy of Homoeopathy but have also opened new dimensions for research. IIT Bombay scientists proved that Homoeopathic medicines work on the principle of nanotechnology. Studies have shown Homoeopathy medicines are as effective as painkillers, as effective as antibiotics etc.
Newspapers of recent years are testimony of the fact that Homoeopathy is perpetually increasing over the past few years. There is increase in number of patients preferring Homoeopathy treatment, increase in number of doctors practicing Homoeopathy that too doing high quality practice. I have seen many Allopathy Doctors referring patients to Homoeopathy doctors. Not only this there are some Allopathy doctors who prescribe Homoeopathy medicines and selective examples are of such doctors who have given up conventional medicine and are now practicing Homoeopathy exclusively. Numerous celebrities be it sportspersons, politicians, people of cinema and television world, artists (singers, musicians, writers etc.) are resorting to Homoeopathy as mode of treatment.
Owing to several USP’s of Homoeopathy – be it holism, inidualilization, no side effects, efficacious for all curable diseases, exclusive importance given to mental symptoms (there is rise in psychosomatic disorders in past few decades); Homoeopathy is suited to all age groups and genders – new born baby to ripe old age ; effective for all phases of women’s life - pre puberty, puberty, child bearing age, pregnancy, post pregnancy, lactation, menopause and post menopause. Homoeopathy is effective not only for humans but also for plants and animals.
Pharmacogenomics is an important example of the field of precision medicine, which aims to tailor medical treatment to each person or to a group of people. Pharmacogenomics looks at how DNA affects the way you respond to drugs. Homoeogenomics refers to studies that focus on understanding more about the interaction between Homoeopathic medicines and genetic blueprint or genome. It is now clear that many Homeopathic remedies influence the biological or psychological phenotype of an individual by rearranging the expression of many genes.
Considering all this it will not be an exaggeration to say that Homoeopathy is the need of the hour; Homoeopathy is 21st century medicine.
About the Columnist
Dr. Satyajit Kuchar is a third generation Homoeopath practicing 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.
