Homeopathic system of medicine

Homeopathy, introduction, basic concepts, diagnosis, treatment, dosage forms of homeopathy, sources of homeopathic medicine.

1. HOMEOPATHIC SYSTEM OF MEDICINES

2. Introduction: Homeo- similar, pathos- suffering Developed by Dr. Samuel Christian Friedrich Hahnemann, a physician and chemist in Germany. He introduced his new principal “Similia Similibus Curantur” i.e. ‘Let like be treated by likes’ In 1790, Dr. Hahnemann checked the effect of antimalarial drug cinchona on his healthy body, surprisingly he found symptoms of malarua developing in him which disappeared after the discontinuation of drug. He continued his research in that direction by studying the effect of different substances on his close frnds & relatives & ultimately published his discovery in 1796 in “An essay on a new principle of ascertaining the curative powers of drug & some examination of previous principles”

3. His work was criticised by the scientific community. Dr. Hanhemann was however sure about this new system of medicine. He maintained that he has not discovered anything new & that these principles were discovered long back by Hippocrates who emphasize the nature‘s law of cure . The Government of India recognised homeopathy after the Homeopathic Enquiry Commission’s report in 1948.

4. Theory and basic concepts: The doctrine of 'Similia Similibus Curantur’ is the basic foundation of homeopathic system. Homeopathy is based on following seven principles: Individualisation- this concept maintain that no two individuals in this world are alike therefore the disease affecting them will not be alike or similar. The medicine used to cure the same disease in different individuals are different. Principle of similia- suggest that, treatment of a disease by a medicine which produce similar symptoms in a healthy individual by providing the drug. Principle of simplex- this emphasizes only single, simple medicine at one time & combination is not allowed. Though patients have a number of complaints, only a single, simple medicine is selected from the Materia Medica.

5. Principle of minimum dose- it means minimum medicine at a time which is just sufficient to arouse the vital force of an individual. Law of proving- if a medicine has a capacity to produce the diseased state in healthy individuals, are used as curative agent against that disease, is known as law of proving. Law of dynamisation- it is the methodology of serial dilution by which all the energy of drug is librated & transfered to the medium used as base sugar or alcohol. Vital force- Dr. Hanhemann described vital force as a dynamic power which preserves life force & its normal state indicates good health.

6. Diagnosis: Homeopaths usually collect an extremely detailed case history. Patients are asked to describe their medical history & current symptoms. The major symptoms, location, sensation, modality & concomitant are investigated. Particular attention is given to the modalities of presenting symptoms i.e. Whether they vary according to conditions of weather, time of day, change in season, etc. Detailed information is gathered about the patients mood, behaviour, likes & dislikes, response to stress conditions, reactions to food & personality. This details helps to build up a symptom picture of the patient. This is mathed with drug picture mentioned in homeopathic materia medica.

7. Treatment: Practitioners always attempt to identify a single medicine which corresponds to the patients general symptom picture. The two patients with identical diagnosis may receive different medicines. Sometimes, treatment consist of only two or three doses, in some cases, medicine is prescribed in regular daily doses for 2-6 weeks. Progress is reviewed from time to time & likewise alterations are made in the medicine or dilutions. In case of recurrence, treatment is repeated with same or higher potency. Most of the homeopathic practitioners treat chronic to recurrent conditions such as rheumatism, asthma, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, dysmenorrhoea, upper respiratory & urinary tract infection, & physiological disorders. 3000 different remedies are present.

8. Homeopathic medicine: There are principally 3 essential processes involved in the preparation of remedies. Serial dilution- it is the process for reducing toxicity of original crude drug is sequential order. Succession Trituration- these are methods by which power is delivered to a preparation, whereby the curative characters of the original drug is recovered upon the molecules of the diluent. Potentisation of drug is basically a physical process by which the latent curative properties of a drug are activated. Potencies are denoted by ‘c’.

9. Sources of homeopathic medicine: Common sources- Plants- e.g. Arnica, belladonna, marigold, chamomile, colchicum, hemlock, hyoscyamus, hypericum, ipecacaunha, Lycopodium, opium, ergot, nux vomica, aconite. Animals- e.g. Secretions, saliva, poisons, & whole animal, etc. Magpohos, a large bird used as antispasmodic drug. Crushed honey bee preparation used in inflammation. Minerals & metals- inorganic salts, nonmetals, acids & mixtures, etc.

10. Uncommon sources- Sarcodes (healthy specimen products)- protoplasm of animals, hormonal secretion, etc. Nasodes – products of causative agents, diseased tissue, bacterial & viral products, etc. Imponderabilia-- something unknown which is difficult or impossible to estimate or guess. Natural & physical reactions, magnets, fullmoons, etc.

11. Vehicles used in homeopathic medicine: Solids- lactose, globules, pellets, tabloids, etc Semisolid- vaselin, lanolin, spermaceti, etc Liquids- alcohol, glycerine, olive oil, etc.

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