Introduction:
Homeopathy is an alternative system of medicine created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann who was known as the father of Homeopathy. The underlying principle on which Homeopathy works is ‘ Like cures like ‘ in which it is thought that the elements that cause the symptoms of a disease in a healthy person would cure a sick person with similar symptoms.
It is also believed that placebo effect takes place after the consumption of homeopathic drugs resulting in a much better feeling. Hahnemann propounded the fundamental cause behind a person falling sick is a phenomenon known as miasms. The primary target of homeopathy medicine is to focus on miasms and eliminate the root cause of the disease. The preparation of the medicine involves the use of homeopathy dilution which is usually alcohol or water. The selected substance, which is the medicine, is dissolved in a liquid with thorough dilution.
History:
It is thought that Hippocrates had been the ancient originator of Homeopathy back in 400 BC when he employed the roots of mandrake in insignificant doses to treat mania. However, the same root caused mania when administered in higher dosage. In the sixteenth century, the pioneer of pharmacology Paracelsus declared when a specific substance administered in large doses makes a person fall sick, a little dose of the same substance cures the person as well.
In 1796, Samuel Hahnemann formally gave this branch of medicine its name and augmented its propositions further in the late eighteenth century. Between eighteenth and nineteenth century, the mainstream medics used a very crude way of curing diseases by employing bloodletting, purging and administration of complex mixture known as Venice treacle containing 64 strong substances. They even include a deadly combination of opium, myrrh and viper’s flesh. Consequently, many patients died consuming these. However, Hahnemann put an end to these weird potions calling the practice irrational and unpurified.
Homeopathy ascended heights of popularity in the 19th century. In the year 1825, Hans Birch Gram who was a student of Hahnemann opened a school of homeopathic studies in 1835. In the year 1844, the first US National Medical Association, ‘ The American Institute of Homeopathy ‘ was set up.
All through the nineteenth century, the US and Europe was flooded with homeopathy institutions.
By 1900, the number of Homeopathic institutions in the US rose to 22 and there were 1500 medical practitioners. Again during the 19th century, the epidemics like cholera had lesser cases of deaths in Homeopathic hospitals compared to the conventional ones.
During the 20th century, Hitler’s Nazi regime was startled by homeopathy and invested lots of money for its research and development but without much results. Homoeopathic treatment continues to get overwhelming response throughout Europe though the Americans are not that enthusiastic.
Principle:
Homeopathy is founded on the premises of like cures like. The symptoms are singled out in a patient and traced to a single remedy to achieve complete healing. Each patient is an individual entity and treated separately as no two patients have the same symptom pictures. A homeo remedy offers a simple stimulation to the body so that the healing process occurs naturally.
Remedies are effective without any side effects. There are around 4000 homeopathic remedies and the doctor must be wary enough to match the remedy picture to the identified symptoms of a patient.
Methods:
The methods of homeopathy medicine are followed as per the following lines of preparation:
-The first step is to select the raw material which forms the core medicine.
-The material is ground to fine dust with mortar and pestle and put in water or alcohol.
– It is followed by preparation of liquid potencies through the process of dilution and repeated rocking.
– Medication of tiny porous pellets with the liquid potencies so that the liquid gets absorbed into the pellets.
-Medicated pellets are then dried and packaged in vials for use.
Benefits:
Benefits of homeopathy are many. Some of them are given below:
-It can be used by pregnant and nursing women.
-Can be used by infants and children.
– It doesn’t impede the patient’s body when already under medication.
-Even if a wrong homeopathic remedy is selected it will not harm the patient.
-Can be used in chronic and severe conditions.
– It has a holistic approach to cure concerning both the body and mind.
– Medicines are inexpensive and have a greater shelf life.
-They are non invasive in character.
