Homoeopathy for Indian population
Friends, since twenty three years I am practicing classical
homoeopathy in Raichur, Karnataka. I have tried to spread importance and
efficacy of homoeopathy in and around Raichur district. In this article I take
an opportunity to present to you all brief introduction, spread and usefulness
of homoeopathy for Indian population.
Homoeopathy is a therapeutic system of medicine based on the Law of Similars that is Similia Similibus Curentur. Indeed, the word itself is from the Greek-Homoion meaning 'Similar', and Pathos meaning 'Disease'. The Law of Similars means that a remedy which creates symptoms and disease conditions in a healthy person will cure a sick person manifesting similar symptoms. In incurable disease states, the same medicine will act as the best palliative. In the course of time this system is evolved where exact observation, correct interpretation and rational application of knowledge of medicine helps in long lasting cure. This system of therapeutics was founded by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in year 1796. Theory of Potentisation , minimum dose and individualization make this science a unique in the field of medicine.
Potentisation is the method of preparation of medicine in which dynamic energy of crude drug is aroused by recurrent succusions and triturations. Potentisation reduces the quantitative amount of crude drug substance and increases its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Inert substances in their crude form exhibit different medicinal properties when they are potentised. Eg. Natrum mur is a medicine prepared from common salt. This sodium chloride after potentisation produces vast medicinal properties. We have cured asthma, infertility, chronic infections, migraines, acid peptic disease and varied no. of diseases with this potentised common salt.
Homoeopathy believes in the concept of vital force, the force which in its equilibrium state maintains health of individual. Same vital force when is deviated from its state of equilibrium produces disease symptoms. As the vital force is dynamic in nature, carefully selected single potentised medicine of homoeopathy stimulates the vital force with its minimum dose just to arouse a reaction and get it freed from the disease symptoms.
Individualization is another unique characteristic of this science. Every individual is unique in his or her genetic, mental, physical make up and their reaction towards environmental changes. Therefore selections of homoeopathic remedies differ according to individual signs and symptoms.
Roots of similia similibus curenter, [let like be cured by likes], principle on which homoeopathy is based are found in ancient literature of Indian puranas .
According to srimad bhagvat, written by Maharishi vyasa in skand 1, chapter 5, in verse 33, Narad muni says to maharishi vyasa,Aamayoyaschbhutanamjayate yen suvrat
Tadev hyamayamdravyam napunatechikitsetam
Translation-
Oh Suvrat, don’t you know that the thing which can cause the disease in the living being, it can treat also the same condition when given as a medicine.
This shows that origin of homoeopathy is found in our ancient literature .Dr. Hahnemann has bought this system of medicine in the most scientific and complete manner before the modern world.
Homeopathy is founded by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in1796. As part of its global strategy 'Health for All' in the 21st Century, WHO (World Health Organization) has supported the integration of conventional and alternative medicines to improve the quality of health care.
Now according to WHO, Homeopathy is the 2nd largest system of medicine with a growth rate of 20-25% every year. The growing popularity of Homeopathy and its legal acceptance has been seen in 66 countries. Homoeopathy came to India in early 1810, with travelers, missionaries and military personals from the West. The Government of India developed the homeopathic system of medicine by setting up a homeopathic enquiry committee way back in 1948, and today it is accepted as one of the National Systems of Medicine.
Homeopathic education is regulated by central Council of Homoeopathy (CCH); a statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, formed in 1973 through Act of Parliament is one of Professional Councils of University Grants Commission (UGC), which monitors all higher education across India. In India, over 100 million people use homeopathy as their only form of medical care.
According to an A.C. Nielsen survey in India, 62% of current homeopathy users have never tried conventional medicines and 82% of users would not switch to conventional treatments. Around 10% of India's population—more than 100 million people—depend solely on homoeopathy for their health care, according to the Indian government.
There are over 3,00,000 qualified homeopath practitioners, 7,500 government clinics, 307 hospitals, and 180 Teaching Institutes affiliated to Universities existing in India specific to Homeopathy.
Homoeopathic medicines have treated varied number of infectious, Allergic, metabolic, malignant, psychosomatic, musculoskeletal and acute as well as chronic diseases from pediatrics to geriatric population. Homeopathic medicines are easy to administer, they are sweet medicines, taken orally. Because of their easy administration children love this treatment. As sensitivity at younger age group is high, kids require only two or three doses of the medicine. Single drug with minimum dose is the essence of homoeopathic treatment. Homoeopathic treatment increases immunity of children, they start eating and sleeping well, in short parents are happy to watch healthy development of their children.
Homoeopathy cures the disease from its root cause; it increases resistance and immunity of the patient. Homoeopathy treats patient’s disturbances on physical, mental and emotional level in an integrated manner. Homoeopathy is a non evasive treatment which treats many ailments only by oral administration of medicines, thus avoiding surgery in cases such as excessive bleeding from uterus, sinusitis, tonsillitis, kidney stones, piles, fissures etc.
Long before antibiotics and improved hygiene started to change the impact of epidemics in the western world, homeopathy was used with great success in several epidemics like cholera and the Spanish flu.
In Recent epidemics of chikengunia, swine flu, brain fever homeo medicines have been used in India effectively as both curative and preventive remedies. Homeopathy is an integral part of the healthcare system and deeply respected by the people of India.Twenty first century has brought many challenges for healthcare system in India. There are many changes in the life style of people due to urbanization, liberalization, pollution, increase in nuclear families etc. There are changes in food habits of people, lack of exercise, increased work pressure and increased stress in minds of people because of natural and manmade calamities. These all factors have changed the disease expressions in Indian population. There is decrease in no. of infective diseases and increase in no. of psychosomatic, metabolic, allergic, malignant diseases in urban as well as rural population. Homoeopathy with its integrated approach towards mind and body of patient has much to offer in the health care sector of India in this twenty first century.
Thus homoeopathy with its ever increasing popularity amongst Indian population will always be an integral part of Indian health care system.
Long live homoeopathy.