Concept & Origin

Homoeopathy is a unique system of medicine of treating the sick. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann- Father of Homoeopathy – established this complete system of medicine.

The Greek Physician, Hippocrates, is known as the ’Father of Medicine’. He is considered as the seminal figure in the history of medicine because he was the first person to think that disease was the result of natural forces, not divine influences. Central to his beliefs was the idea that careful observation of the symptoms specific to an individual and also that person’s reaction to disease should also be taken into account before reaching a diagnosis. He also believed that patient’s own power of healing was essential for choosing an appropriate cure and should be encouraged. He stated two ways of curing a disease, treatment by opposites i.e. ‘Contraria contraries curenter’ and treatment by similar i.e. ‘Similia similibus curenter’. Hippocrates had a collection of several hundred remedies. One of the best examples he provided of “Like curing like” was using the root of “White Hellebore” (veratrum album) in the treatment of cholera. These two approaches of medical treatment remained in use for many centuries.

During the first and fifth centuries A.D the Romans made great advances in medicine. They introduced more herbs and placed more emphasis on the importance of preventive health care by improving public hygiene. Roman physicians especially Celsus, Galen and Dioscorides increased the knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body, but Hippocrates theory that like can cure like and his idea of an individual prescription for an individual patient was largely ignored. The whole medical practice was strongly influenced by Galen’s ideas and theories. Most of the medical field was influenced with the principle of ‘Contraria contraries curenter’.

Despite improved understanding of the workings of human body, knowledge about the nature of the disease remained firmly tied to the notion of mystical force. Thus the idea of treatment by opposite came to dominate medical thought and does so till this day. As this method was not highly successful more and more heroic practices were introduced over the centuries.

In 16th century Swiss physician Paracelsus tried to introduce more logical and effective methods of treatment and laid the foundations of the pharmaceutical approach to drug selection, at the same time reviving the idea of treatment by similars. One of the Paracelsus’s greatest achievements was laying down the foundations for modern chemistry by concentrating on practical experimentation. He believed that plants and metals contained active ingredients that could be prescribed to tackle the illness. The belief was based in part on the notion that the internal appearance of a plant gave an indication of the ailments it would cure, a theory that became known as ‘Doctrine of Signature’. Treatments during this time and later, however, were cruel, barbaric with purges, enemas, bloodletting, beating patients and also complex mixtures of many strong drugs at a time. Such was the state of affairs when Dr Samuel Hahnemann appeared on the scene. Dr Samuel Hahnemann, who was a deeply religious man and believed himself to be “God’s chosen instrument for the healing of mankind”, got really disturbed by non-sympathetic practices of his days and left his practice. Though he stopped his practice he still had strong views on his subject, which he repeatedly expressed forcibly in print. Dr Hahnemann had not yet thought of homoeopathy but he was firm advocate of environmental measures to promote health-fresh air, good food, personal hygiene, positive thinking and exercise.

After carefully noting down his own experience of his first “homoeopathic proving” for intermittent fever, he prescribed the tincture of cinchona bark to those who were suffering from similar fever. To his surprise not all but many recovered rapidly. This was the birth of a ‘new therapeutic system’ for mankind. He then started collecting various substances from different sources of nature (plant, animal, mineral, etc) and proving it on himself, his family members and friends and carefully recorded the changes produced. He wrote numerous articles about his new discovery but the most important of which was the essay ‘The Medicine of Experience’ in 1806 and was a forerunner of his definitive theoretical work, ‘The Organon’. Although Dr Hahnemann did not use the word ‘homoeopathy’ in print until the following year, after starting practicing on the lines of this newly discovered therapeutic system, he kept on developing it..

In 1810 Dr Hahnemann published first edition of his major work, ’Organon of Rational Healing’. This edition contains all philosophies and principles of Homoeopathy.

Important principles of Homeopathy

The word “Homoeopathy” is derived from the Greek ‘Homoies’ meaning ‘similar’ and ‘Pathos’ meaning ‘suffering or disease’. The whole philosophy of homoeopathy is based on Dr Samuel Hahnemann’s rational thinking and experiences. Amongst the important concepts are,

• Similia Similibus Curenter – laws of similar.
• Concept of vital force – a force that is an autocratic and dynamic spirit which works automatically, , to control each and every function of the body.
• Concept of individualization – no two individuals are alike.
• Single simple substance at a time – administering a single, simple substance at a time, which is potential and proved on healthy persons.
• Drug proving on healthy human beings – the drug to be given to patients to be tested on healthy human beings first.
• Concept of potentisation – a physical process by which the latent dynamic curative properties of the drug substance are aroused into activity.
• Concept of minimum repetition – single simple substance, which is proved, should be given to patients in single dose and to avoid undue aggravation, the repetition has to be minimum.
• Removal of cause of disease from the root – finding out the cause of the disease and then treat to remove it from its root to achieve permanent cure.
• Concept of Miasms – a theory that, all chronic diseases, apart from those due to orthodox medicines or due to faulty living habits, are caused by one of three “miasms”- Syphilis, Sycosis and Psora.

Scope of Homeopathic Treatment

Homoeopathy can treat entire range of modern day diseases both acute and chronic successfully except life threatening emergencies where immediate life saving measures are needed in ICU, cases where surgical treatment is required, acute poisoning, congenital disorders, genetic disorders, etc. All homoeopathic medicines are basically energy medicines which sensitize the defence mechanism of the patient and thus help to fight against the disease force. Much of current research in quantum physics, molecular biology, immunology and genetics seems to come together in the ultimate basis of Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy has already gained considerable prestige from success in treating epidemics since the time of Dr Hahnemann.

Homeopathy and Swine Flu

It is an established fact that Homoeopathy acts wonderfully on all viruses; Swine Flu is no exception!

There is, however, no official recognition or permission for Homeopathy practitioners to treat Swine Flu with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy medicines which boost immunity and general health are widely available and can be used at personal discretion.

Acknowledgements: Dr. Parimal Joshi, Pune