What Exactly is Homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a science that was discovered way back in 1790 by Dr Samuel Hahnemann(
a German physician). The word Homoeopathy is derived from two Greek words :
HOMOEO = Like / Similar
PATHOS = Suffering
Homoeopathy is a branch of therapeutics that treats the patient on the principle
of - 'SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURENTUR' which simply means 'Let likes be cured by likes'.
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Is Homeopathy a Proved Medical Science?
Yes, Definitely it is. Homeopathy is a medical science based on sound logic & vast
experimental data. Homeopathy is the only medicinal science where data has been
collected by proving on human beings and not on animals because human beings can
communicate their actual feelings during the testing while animals cannot. The principles
of Homeopathy have been derived & authenticated by vast clinical experiments and
data. The homeopathic medicines are prepared in a standardized manner. The homeopathic
pharmacopoeia lists more than 4000 remedies, whose clinical efficiency has been
proved in various clinical trials conducted all over the world.
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How does Homoeopathy Act?
Homeopathy acts by stimulating the body's own healing mechanism. It activates the
vital energy in our body. This energy is called ‘chi’ in Chinese medicine & ‘Prana’
in Sanskrit.
According to the law of SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURENTUR, the symptoms of a diseased person
can be cured by administration of a drug that has been proved to produce a similar
set of symptoms in a healthy human being.
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Are Homeopaths Qualified Medical Doctors?
Yes. There are more than 180 homeopathic medical colleges in India and about 1000
colleges all over the world recognized by their respective Governments. The degree
course is an extensive study encompassing the detailed & thorough study of the human
body, Homeopathic pharmacy, Medicine, Gynaecology, Materia Medica, Philosophy, Total
patient management etc.
In India the full course lasts for four and half years followed by 1 year internship,
which includes practical training in hospitals. There are now also postgraduate
courses available in India. One must register with the Medical Central Council of
Homoeopathy to practice legally.
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Is Homeopathic Medicines are Only Placebos (sugar pills)?
No. The pills of Homeopathic medicines are made from sugar but they work only as
vehicles. Actual liquid medicine prepared from various natural medicinal substances,
is poured over the pills and dispensed as medications.
Homeopathic medicines are also available in liquid form or tinctures, which can
be administered directly or by diluting them in water whenever required.
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Do the Homeopaths give the same white pills for all illnesses/patients?
What seems so is not true. The white pills which are dispensed from a homeopath
are only neutral vehicles or carriers of actual medicines that is sprinkled on them.
When the actual drug is poured on these white pills they get coated with the curative
power of the drug. Different drugs are usually poured in various differing potencies
as to best suit different patients.
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Do homoeopathic medicines have any side effects?
Homoeopathic medicines are considered harmless and without any side effects. However,
there is a word of caution. If these medicines are taken in consonance with the
basic Homeopathic principle, then only will they be helpful.
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Does one have to take the medicines for a long time?
Usually not. The duration of the treatment depends upon the nature of the disease
and the fighting capacity of the patient's body. The treatment is required for a
certain time period so as to improve the resistance of the body to fight diseases.
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Homoeopathy is a slow acting system of medicine. TRUE or FALSE?
It is a myth that medicines act slowly. Its action is quick and the effect lasts
much longer, often forever.
The pace of action of homoeopathic medicines depends upon many factors. If the disease
is of recent origin, the cure should be achieved within a short period. In such
cases, if the selection of the medicine, its potency and repetition schedules are
correct, then homoeopathic medicines also work quickly.
In chronic cases, it takes more time for complete cure. Homoeopathic medicines,
if correctly chosen, will never palliate the disease, rather it eradicates the disease
permanently and completely, for which it is quite natural that more time is required.
Moreover, the duration of treatment is likely to be prolonged if there is negligence
on the part of the patient in controlling his diet and habits etc.
If "A" is suffering from bronchial asthma and he is suffering for the last 14 years
and has been to various systems of medicine. Now if you give him homeopathy and
say in 2 years time the patient is completely alright - Please tell us which one
is slower?
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Why does a Homeopath ask so many questions to a patient?
Detailed history is very essential as homeopathy believes in treating the individual
and not the disease. In order to activate the patient's body, especially its inherent
healing energy; the Homeopath requires a very deep understanding of the behavioral
pattern of the patient's body. Naturally, a Homeopath needs a detailed medical and
psychological history of the patient.
Every incidence affects our life, so it is very important to know all the incidences
and its impact it had on the patients. Hence a detailed history right from the childhood
till date is needed to find the right medicine which suits the patient. If you co-operate
and give honest and detailed history we can help you to achieve better and healthy
life.
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What will the homeopaths need to know?
The homeopath needs to know every minutest detail about you which characterizes
you, something which is unusual about you, so that he can find the right remedy
for you. Homeopath needs to understand you, your nature, your complaints and your
disturbed mental and emotional state in order to reach to the core of your case.
Any peculiar habit that you have, your past medical history, past affairs, about
your childhood details, anything & everything about you will help the physician
to help you. So if you give an honest and correct history to the physician, he can
assess your case accurately. Anything that you confide in your physician will be
strictly confidential and helpful.
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Why should there be a gap before and after the medicine?
Homoeopathic medicines get absorbed from the inner linings of the mouth. Any substance
leaves a coating in the oral cavity and also an odour. This may hinder the absorption
of the medicine. Therefore, it is advisable to have the medication on a clean and
fresh mouth and not to drink or eat or smoke just before and after the medicine.
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Do homeopathic medicines contain steroids?
No. It is a misconception that has been developing in the recent times. Due in many
cases after seeing the improvement in a very short time people think that homeopaths
give steroids. All Homoeopathic medicines are prepared by using scientific predefined
methods of extracting the medicinal properties from source substances. Any addition
to the original medicine would completely alter its medicinal properties and hence
alter it non-curative. Also if steroid is added the medicines will taste bitter.
If the patient has any doubts he should check these medicines from a standard laboratory
before consuming any quantity.
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Does homeopathy believe in disease diagnosis and the pathological investigations?
Although Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed on the basis of symptoms of the patient,
laboratory investigations are essential for the purpose of diagnosis of disease,
general management of the case (viz. restricting sugar intake in case of Diabetes,
high cholesterol diet in case of hypertension, use of exercise in cervical spondylitis,
change of lifestyle etc.) and for assessing the future course of the disease (prognosis).
For the selection of the remedy we require to know the characteristic symptoms of
the patient and not the disease symptoms so from investigations we can differentiate
these symptoms.
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Is there any food restrictions during Homoeopathic treatment?
It is not true that onion, garlic, tea, coffee, paan, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes
etc. are prohibited under homoeopathic treatment. The patient is only advised to
avoid eating or drinking 15 minutes before or after taking homeopathic medication.
But, the substances which may antidote the effects of a particular medicine should
be stopped. Homoeopathic medicines would act better in those patients who are non-addicts
and when taken in clean mouth, without the influence of any strong smelling substance.
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Can diabetics take Homoeopathic pills which contain sugar?
Yes, they can take, as the amount of sugar in homoeopathic medicines negligible
(Approximately the quantity of sugar consumed with 1 cup of tea is same as being
consumed by entire week of Homeopathic medication). The patient also has an option
of taking the medicines in liquid form, or by inhalation. Besides this, homeopathic
pills are composed of lactose that is not harmful even for diabetes.
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Does one have to stop other medicines which the patient has been taking?
No. If a patient has shifted to Homeopathy in the middle of an Allopathic course,
it is advisable not to discontinue abruptly. It should be tapered gradually once
the patient is improving but this should be done in consultation with the treating
physician. In some cases where the other medicine cannot be discontinued, both the
medicines have to be continued for the benefit of the patient. The treatment should
be planned and properly implemented by the Physician.
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Does Homoeopathy first aggravate the disease?
After taking Homoeopathy medicines, the patient’s complaint sometimes may aggravate
in certain rare conditions. Firstly, if the patient has taken non-homoeopathic medicines
(prior to the administration of homoeopathic medicines), then those medicines might
have suppressed the ailments and after application of homoeopathic medicines, some
of those suppressed complaints may reappear. In such case, the patient blames homoeopathy
for such aggravation.
In some cases there is an initial aggravation of the symptoms but it is a good sign
that shows the medicine is right and has started acting. But this happens in a few
cases and not all patients will have an aggravation; most of the patients have simple
long lasting amelioration.
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Can Homoeopathic medicines be taken during pregnancy?
Definitely YES! Homeopathy acts wonderfully on pregnant women without giving any
side effects. It is beneficial to the mother as well as the fetus. If the treatment
is planned in a proper way, The child will be much healthier and the medicines will
help to fight the hereditary diseases which are carried from generation to generation.
In fact if homeopathy is given during pregnancy, the delivery would be normal and
easier. The child will be relatively healthier and emotionally well balanced, intellectually
sound and physically stronger.
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Can homoeopathy treat anything and everything?
There is no condition that Homeopathy cannot treat. By homoeopathy, any ailment-acute
or chronic, local or general can be treated except the diseases where surgery is
absolutely necessary. Conditions from a simple cold to cancer can be treated with
Homeopathy. It takes into account the individual symptoms of the patient suffering
from any disease and not the diagnosis of the disease.
By the virtue of this certain diseases that cannot be diagnosed clinically or even
unknown diseases can also be treated. Also in incurable cases where even the modern
line of treatment fails to help the patients, homeopathy will prove to be a very
good palliative and will improve the last days of life and ease the death. This
happens in advanced stages of cancer, we can relieve pain very easily and effectively.
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Is homeopathic treatment effective for children, adults, woman and elderly?
Homeopathy has no bar for age and sex; it is equally effective for every human being
in every stage of their life from birth till death.
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Do Homoeopathic Medicines have any expiry period?
There are no expiry dates of homoeopathic medicines. But the medicated globules
may be rejected when their white colour changes. In case of liquid form, if there
is change in colour or sediments are detected, then the medicine should also be
discarded. Freshly prepared homoeopathic medicines, in alcohol, have strong smell
which gradually diminishes with passage of time.
But some patients attribute it to be diminution of their efficacy and do not like
to continue those odourless medicines. This is a wrong notion, because the quality
of the medicines, existing in dynamic form, remains unaltered. However, it is advisable
to store Homoeopathic medicines in a dry cool, covered place away from strong sunlight
and strong smelling substances.
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Does Homeopathy work in acute cases?
Definitely Yes. Homeopathy has wonderful remedies that give prompt relief in acute
cases like fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, headaches etc. when the person opts for
homeopathy at the onset of the ailment.
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Does Homeopathy allow Surgery?
Yes, it does. Surgery is a separate branch of medicine. It has to be resorted to
in conditions that are beyond the domain of medicine. But one can avoid surgery
in certain cases as homeopathy can effectively treat many surgical conditions like
tonsillitis, piles, warts, kidney stones etc.
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Whether other medicines can be taken in emergency?
Yes. If a patient under homoeopathic treatment, an emergency arises, warranting
immediate attention, & homoeopathic doctor is unavailable, The patient can take
other non-homoeopathic medicines. Once the emergency condition is over, he can resume
homoeopathic treatment after consulting his physician.
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Should one take homeopathic medicines only from a qualified homoeopathic doctor?
Yes, he should. There have been instances of miracle cures by lay people practicing
homeopathy, but it is always advisable to go to a homeopathic physician, as he is
qualified to judge the severity and depth of your illness and thereby prevent undue
complications later on, which could be overlooked by a hobby practitioner due to
his ignorance of scientific medical knowledge. Only a qualified physician can guide
you towards a complete mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and pathological
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Is cure possible with Homeopathic medicines?
Homeopathy is curative. It treats the cause (internal malady or the imbalanced energy)
and not the expression (diagnostic symptoms specific to the disease) of the disease.
The symptoms are only used as an indication to select the right remedy for the individual.
It treats the person as a whole and not his individual body parts. Homeopathy takes
into account the expressions of an illness characteristic to the individual and
a curative remedy chosen on this basis gives a gentle and permanent cure at the
earliest.
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Whether Homoeopathic medicines have any side effects?
Homoeopathic medicines have no side effects. The term ‘side affects’ of a medicine
comes from modern pharmacology. These drugs are aimed at certain area(s) 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.
Homoeopathic medicines are not employed against any particular system or organ of
the body. Rather, the homoeopathic remedy is chosen on the basis of the totality
of symptoms of the patient and targets the patients as a whole. Side effects, such
as tissue destruction, do not occur under homoeopathy treatment.
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