Homoeopathy
Considered the 2nd largest system of medicine resorted to under CAM, homoeopathy was founded in 1796 by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in Germany. The underlying principle states that anything which can cause symptoms in the healthy state can cure the same symptoms in the diseased state. For instance, while cutting onions can make one sniffle and tear up, Allium cepa is a remedy made from onions to treat hay fever and allergies. Homoeopathy is generally known as a gentle holistic form of medicine, which is easily administered.
Be it a cold or an eczema ,or a cancer, homoeopathy will always take a holistic approach and consider the whole picture of the ailment Homoeopathy utilizes a distinctive, unique and exclusive method of history taking of the patient consist of details of the presenting complaints, sensitivity and it’s reaction of the patient to various environmental factors and his/her conduct in interpersonal relationships. Homoeopathic history would consider the disease condition along with general features of the person like their thirst , conditions of aggravation and relief for the said complaints , their physical , mental and environmental makeup, their sleep and dreams , specific cravings and aversions in food and beverage etc. These differentiations that identify an individual along with the affected pathology form the basis of Homoeopathic prescription.
Cardinal Principles of Homoeopathy:
- Law of similars: Like cures like.
- Law of Dynamisation: This is the highly scientific method by which the medicinal properties of a particular substance is extracted. It follows the law of dynamisation where in crude substances release their latent healing properties through a highly scientific process involves multiple levels of dilution and potentisation. It is through this method that a simple onion becomes a medicine.
- Law of Minimum: Just enough to stimulate the body’s healing response.
Salient aspects of Homoeopathy
Holistic approach
Be it a cold or an eczema ,or a cancer, homoeopathy will always consider the whole picture of the ailment . Homoeopathic history would consider the disease condition along with general features of the person like their thirst , conditions of aggravation and relief for the said complaints , their physical , mental and environmental makeup, their sleep and dreams , specific cravings and aversions in food and beverage etc. These differentiations that identify an individual along with the affected pathology form the basis of Homoeopathic prescription
Drug Dynamisation
This is the highly scientific method by which the medicinal properties of a particular substance is extracted. It follows the law of dynamisation where in crude substances release their latent healing properties through a highly scientific process involves multiple levels of dilution and potentisation. It is through this method that a simple onion becomes a medicine .
Modus operandi
Homoeopathy works by stimulating the immune response. Once the homoeopathic medicine is administered, it stimulates a cascade of physical and chemical reactions based on the status of the immune system and its sensitivity to the medicine at that stage of the illness.
Applicability of Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy is effectual for both acute and chronic conditions affecting any age group.It has a wide range of applicability in physical, mental and emotional disorders and Dr. Khushali ensures that she focuses on immunity through childhood and immunity at midlife.
- Children’s health : asthma, eczemas, lowered immune states, behavioural disorders, etc.
- Women’s Health : menstrual disorders, menopausal syndrome, PCOD.
- Men’s health : prostate enlargement, erectile dysfunction, andropause.
- Gastrointestinal disorders : reflux, bowel abnormalities, hyperacidity.
- Skin disorders : psoriasis, warts, eczemas, urticaria.
- Respiratory conditions : allergies, frequent colds and coughs.
Other conditions that can benefit from homeopathic treatment include recurrent UTIs, joint disorders, cancer care.
Scientific and Educational backing
Scientific backing
Homoeopathy has vast literature of scientific research data, controlled clinical studies and clinical outcome trials. Reasearch in Homoeopathy is conducted by doctors , molecular biologists , Physicists and nanotechnologists globally. Homoeopathy is backed by immense scientific data , rigorous study and strong regulatory boards , making it one of the most sought after systems of medicine in the Complementary and Alternative medicine ( CAM) segment.
Educational backing
In order to become a homoeopathy doctor one must pursue the following degree:
- Undergraduate degree : BHMS – Bachelor of Homoeopathic medicine and surgery which constitutes 5 1/2 years of study and internship. This course has the same subjects as that of conventional medicine and in addition a homoeopath studies homoeopathic subjects of pharmacy, philosophy and materia medica.
In order to gain a higher degree of study and understanding of Homoeopathy, one can pursue the following degree: - Postgraduate degree : MD (Hom) – Doctorate of Medicine constituting 3 years of study.
Regulation of Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy is regulated by the CCH ( Central Council Of Homoeopathy – under Ministry of health and family welfare – Govt of India) , The state registration Council ( Tamilnadu Homoeopathic Medical Council) . Research is regulated by CCRH ( Central Council of Research In Homoepoathy – under AYUSH – Govt of India ). All medicines come under the Indian Homoeopathic Pharmacopoea, the American Homoeopathic Pharmacopoea, The German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoea. British Homoeopathic Pharmacopoea.
Strict Validation of registrations is carried out and Tamilnadu spearheaded the end of manual registration with compulsory 2D barcoding .