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The most
Frequently asked questions about homeopathic
medicine and treatment are listed below:
What is Homoeopathy ?
Homoeopathy may be defined as the therapeutic (treatment of diseases)
method of Symptom- Similarity.It should clearly understood that Homoeopathy
differs from other systems of treatment only in its fundamental doctrine
of SIMILIA SIMILIBUS CURRENTER i.e. Let like be cured by like as well
in pharmaceutical preparation of homoeopathic drugs. There appears to
be no difference so far as preventive medicine or diagnosis is concerned.
Homoeopathy adopts mechanical part of surgery, dentistry, mid-wife &
gynecology etc., but bitterly differs so far follow on treatment is concerned.
Homoeopathy has a common approach with regards to immunology as it is
based on homoeopathic law of similarity but it is in contradiction regarding
its pharmaceutical preparation. There is also no difference of fundamental
science which is based on fundamental laws like that of Natures Law of
Cure.The homoeopathic law of cure is not new. It is ancient in origin.
Its reference is found in Indian philosophy or to say Hindu manuscripts.
Later Aristotle recognized it. Hippocrates further looked to its possibilities
and applied it in some cases. But the credit goes to Hahnemann who demonstrated
to the world that this law is universal and not occasional and thus created
a new science and art of healing called Homoeopathy. Homoeopathy is a
natural healing process in which the remedies assist the patient to regain
health by stimulating the body's natural healing forces and defenses.The
choice of remedy depends more on the patient's individual reaction to
illness, mentally and emotionally, than on the signs and symptoms characteristic
of the disease. Homoeopathy is concerned with the whole person rather
than treating the patient simply as a bearer of disease.
Why
Homoeopathy?
1) It is a spiritual
system of treatment.
2) Its basis of treatment is Soul, Soul or Vital
force, Consciousness, Mind, Intellect and Memory.
3) It believes that every disease is caused by
the derangement of Vital force; the causative factors disturb its harmony
by congestion or depletion.
The sensorial and pathological manifestations follow it thereafter.
4) It affirms it faith in ‘Law of Similar’
that ‘Let like be cured by Like’. The law of similar follows
the dictum of nature as ‘Natures Law
of Cure’. Occasionally it has been observed in nature that a long-standing
blindness was cured after the advent of small pox.
Similarly it was observed that chronic deafness was cured after the advent
of measles. Here two similar but weaker dynamics
of blindness or deafness were cured by similar & stronger dynamics
of small pox and measles.
5) Homoeopathy does not believe in simple cure but it
advocates complete eradication of diseases not to occur for several months
to several years or throughout the life.
6) To cure a disease 3 dynamics are essential:
 The
dynamic derangement in patients vital force.
The causative dynamic morbid agent likes the life force of bacteria, viruses
or parasites (not its dead tissues) or stress, fright
etc.
The
dynamic, the stronger homoeopathically prepared remedy.
7) Homoeopathy fulfills the purpose of life i.e. transformation.
The best homoeopathic prescription is made on mental base. Every
homoeopathic remedy transforms negative energy to positive one. Because
it is usually used to remove the diseased symptoms
and for a particular disease the phenomenon of transforming from negative
to positive on mental level is so minimal
that the patient is not usually conscious about it. He forgets as soon
as his disease symptoms are removed. On cross
examination he may report that during this period he noticed that he was
not irritable as well as not depressed as before
etc.
8) Occasionally when treatment by other discipline comes
to an end Homoeopathy begins.
9) The treatment is devoid of drug toxicity.
10) Its ascending and descending potencies as per susceptibility
of the patient are capable of breaking drug resistance without producing
any side effects.
11) It cures acute as well as chronic diseases with rapidity.
12) It cures 70% to 75% of surgical cases with medicine alone. It
makes them non-surgical with ease.
13) It treats MAN but not his disease. When MAN is treated the disease
syndrome disappears itself.
14) The man consists of his Soul, Soul force or Vital force, Consciousness,
Will, Understanding, Mind, Intellect and Memory. Man consists
of what he thinks and what he loves and there is nothing else in man.
Unfortunately these become the seats of diseases
by the external causes like pathognomic organism as well internal ones
self created by the action of self. All medicines
operate upon the tissues, the functions and sensations. The symptoms of
mind have been found to be the most important
symptoms in a remedy and in a sickness.
15) The derangement takes place in dynamic vital or soul force
of a man, which is manifested as disease by its sign and symptoms.
The pathogenesis of disease is an outcome of the derangement of the vital
force. This is how it is advised to
treat the
base than to run for ultimate. The pathology, the presence of pathogenic
bacteria, viruses, parasites, changes in tissues
etc.
automatically get well. In fact pathology of a diseased person converts
into his physiology in due course, as may be required
in different cases.
16) This is how during the homoeopathic treatment the patient
maintains his own resistance and does not get weak fast. The treatment
is in fact a blessing in disguise.
17) All homoeopathic drugs proved on healthy human beings
and their mental and physical symptoms are carefully recorded. When
similar symptoms are found in a sick person these drugs are applied as
remedy always giving priority to symptoms of mind,
his will and understanding.
Is homoeopathy a new therapy?
Homoeopathy is an ancient form of medicine dating back to the fifth century.
In fact, it was well known to the Greeks and was then re-introduced in
the nineteenth century by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann.
Is
it safe and effective?
By virtue of their infinite dilution, homoeopathic remedies are completely
safe, non-toxic and non-addictive even for babies and children, mothers
and pregnant women. No side effects have been reported. Its international
adaptations and effectively in the treatment of millions of people worldwide
have clinically demonstrated the success of homoeopathy. Indeed it has
often been successful where all other forms of treatment have failed.
My
symptoms became worse when I first took the medicine. Is this usual or
have I taken the wrong medicine?
It is normally an indication that the medicine is working when symptoms
are aggravated briefly. If it gets aggravated for prolong time, please
consult your doctor. Homoeopathic medicines do not suppress disease, but
seek rather to eliminate it naturally.
I've heard that some foods cannot be eaten when taking homoeopathic
medicine. What is the best way to take the remedies?
Homoeopathic remedies are best taken in the early morning on an empty
stomach or between meals, leaving at least half an hour before or after
taking food.It is true that some foods may counteract the positive effects
of homeopathic remedies. This is particularly true of strongly flavored
foods and drinks, mint etc.
Can I take homoeopathic medicines while using Modern Medicines drugs?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to do so, though side
effects from the conventional drug may complicate the symptom picture
and make the choice of homeopathic medicine difficult. However, when in
doubt, always follow your doctor's advice.
Do
Homoeopathy medicines contain steroids?
There is
lot of misconception among laypersons and some of
medical and paramedical persons about the use of
cortisone, a steroid in homoeopathy medicine.
Homoeopathic approach to the patient’s care is
individualized and treats the patient as the whole
person, the need to use steroid does not arise.
When the steroids are used for long term, following
effects are observed.
Cortisone shows side effects like fluid retention (Moon
face), excessive body hair, osteoporosis, diabetes etc.
Sudden withdrawal of cortisone causes reappearance of
disease or symptoms in a severe form, if disease has
been taking its due course inside the body (masking).
Sense of well-being is felt temporary.
Cortisone causes severe gastritis, if taken empty
stomach. Homoeopathic medicines are administered empty
stomach.
High milligram of steroids for long term use, normally
counteract the effects of Homoeopathic medicines.
If steroid is so dangerous, why is it freely available?
Modern medicine uses as lifesaving drug in certain
conditions. Any medicine for that matter if not used
judiciously can be harmful. More over steroid is not a
cure for all the ills of the world.
The test for cortisone or steroid can be carried out in
case of doubt at a reliable laboratory by second method
as described below.
The first
test is “colorimetric method using tetrazolium blue
salts”. In this test, the reaction depends upon the
reduction of tetrazolium blue salts to give a highly
coloured compound known as Farmazan. Under controlled
conditions the amount of Farmazan developed in
proportional to the quality of steroid or any reducing
sugar present in the material being tested. Homoeopathic
base (vehicle) is cane sugar or lactose; it will impart
a strong color with tetrazolium blue salts, which will
give a false impression of presence of steroid.
Secondly, if the alcohol used in the method, which is
not completely free from aldehyde, it will interfere
with the reaction and impart some characteristic color,
which may give a false positive reaction for steroid.
So this
method is not advisable to determine the presence of
steroids in the drug. All Homoeopaths use lactose as a
base for holding the pills, containing the homoeopathic
remedy, together in the powder. The pills are made of
cane sugar, a reducing sugar. So when pills, powder
(lactose) and alcohol used as a diluting agent, it is
likely the test to be positive for steroids, if this
method is used.
The second
method to test steroids is Liberman Buchard test, thin
layer chromatography method and UV absorption method.
Almost all
steroids show UV absorption between 235 and 240 NM in
dehydrated alcohol or methanol in a clear solution. A
complete spectrum of this solution is taken between 400
NM – 220 NM on a suitable Spectrophotometer. If any
steroid is present, it will show maxima at 240 NM.
When
Homoeopathic remedies were tested, they did not show
maxima between 230 and 250 NM indicating an absence of
steroids. When steroid (Clobetasone – 17 butyrate) was
added, the test shows maxima at 235 NM, which is
positive for steroids.
The method
and procedure needs to be properly checked before
allegating to the concerned Homoeopathic Physician for
claiming the tested medicine for Steroids.
Homoeopaths of ethical values, integrity and commitment
to their profession do not use steroids, and in fact
have no need to.
" There
is nothing as incurables in the treatment of diseases.
But what is incurable is the stage of the disease with
which an individual is suffering. Take it as a
dictum and be convinced that over 50% sufferers living
in despair, discouraged, hopeless and helpless
as they may be, can be brought back to their original or
near about that state of health. Just give a reasonable
period of time much before irreversible
pathological changes occur. Once pathological changes
have occurred and it has crossed its limit to
become irreversible the only option then left is
palliation but in case that limit is not crossed there
is likelihood that the patient may revert to
normal "
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