Consumer Health

We chose to update this Homeopathic treatment section in response to the queries we receive routinely and the lack of understanding regarding the basic principles of homeopathy by other branches of medicine, worldwide.

What is Homeopathy?
Homeopathy (or Homeopathic medicine) is a branch of healthcare that originated in Germany in the 18th century. Originally discovered by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, Homeopathy evolved due to Hahnemann’s desire to find a less aggressive means of treating diseases.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by diluting the original substance (plant extracts, chemicals etc) to the extent where by traces of this substance fail to exist in the final homeopathic preparation or medicine. Since material traces cannot be detected by the most advanced equipments available today, Homeopathy has been on the agenda of critics who challenge its benefits and curative properties. You may refer to http://www.homeoconsult.com/faqs.php

No science or medical branch (Homeopathy) can survive for 2 centuries if it had no beneficial effects (Refer to http://www.homeoconsult.com/cured_cases_link.php). Simply because the curative mechanism of Homeopathic medicines cannot be detected by modern equipments and physicists, and is postulated, it does not mean that this science (Homeopathy) should be disregarded. It simply means that our techniques haven’t progressed that far yet!

How do Homeopathic medicines work?
(Also read: http://www.homeoconsult.com/homeopathy_an_introduction.php)

First understand this: If you repeatedly give a homeopathic medicine or remedy to a person who is relatively healthy for sometime (a process called homeopathic drug proving) he will slowly but surely develop some of the symptoms the remedy is capable of curing in a person suffering (diseased person) from those symptoms.

The theory how Homeopathic treatment works: When a Homeopathic medicine is administered to a diseased person, the remedy too produces artificial symptoms similar to that of the disease he/she suffers from. Our body reacts to this invoking a healing response (similar to the effects of vaccination). In short, the Homeopathic medicine only redirects the body and mind to a healthy state by stimulating our own healing response and is a curative reaction to the effects of the Homeopathic medicine.

This would then explain the credible and consequential increase in WBC’s (white blood cells or antibodies) in infectious conditions, or the increase in endorphins which help in pain management when Homeopathic medicines or Homeopathic remedies are prescribed.

Is Homeopathy or Homeopathic treatment scientific?

You bet! Homeopathic medicines do not contain any detectable physical atoms of the original substance from which it is prepared. For e.g. Homeopathic medicine ‘Sulphur’ prepared from the chemical ‘Sulphur’ will have no traces of Sulphur in the final homeopathic preparation. However, the curative properties of the homeopathic remedy ‘Sulphur’ are well documented through a clinical process called ‘Provings’ and noted in the ‘Materia Medica’ referred by homeopaths.

Homeopathic drug proving: Before a homeopathic remedy is approved to be clinically usable that particular remedy is administered to a group of relatively healthy individuals over a period of time (Homeopathic proving). The symptoms they experience (sensations, altered sleep patterns, dreams, functional organ changes etc) are noted and documented. When a sick individual presents symptoms similar to those matching a homeopathic remedy capable of producing similar symptoms in a proving, the remedy when administered is capable of curing or relieving that individual.

The exception to this homeopathic drug proving rule: A homeopathic remedy if found to be clinically useful in treating a particular ailment repeatedly or by chance may also be indicated in similar situations. Experience and clinical observations play a vital role in ascertaining the usability of such homeopathic remedies.

So, though homeopathic medicines do not contain traces of the original substance (not yet detectable by the methods we currently have) the documentation and clinical records are scientific and meticulous.

Is Homeopathy or Homeopathic Medicines accepted by other branches of medicine?

Yes! The benefits of homeopathy have and are being noticed and acknowledged by doctors and individuals worldwide and the number of physician referrals as well as the number of individuals opting for Homeopathy is steadily on a rise.

Homeopathy was in fact discovered by a physician who practiced modern medicine, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Physicians and researchers who continued works of Dr. Hahnemann were also MD’s practicing modern medicine. Some such doctors were: Dr. William Boericke, Dr. James Tyler Kent, to name a few. You can also refer to the list of celebrities taking homeopathy at
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/185_11_041206/ern11072_fm.html

Are there any controversies regarding Homeopathy?

Recently, homeopaths (those practicing Homeopathy) were being questioned about this science and an objection to patients being referred to them was raised. In our view such controversies has nothing to do with the clinical efficacy of Homeopathic medicines and may have risen due to increasing threat to the sales of conventional medicine or failure to communicate the limitations of homeopathy by the Homeopath.

Certain Homeopaths can be rigid in the way they practice homeopathy and may prevent their patients from conventional modes of treatment when needed. Homeopaths need to stop such practices as well as educate their patients of the benefits and limitations of homeopathic medicines and know the limits of their treatment.

If you choose Homeopathic treatment from a sound and sincere homeopath you can avoid most of the problems that may arise and forget about the controversies.

Is Homeopathic treatment safe in general?

Homeopathic treatment is absolutely safe and there are no know side effects or contraindications whatsoever. You can opt for homeopathic treatment for conditions affecting infants and children to those which appear during old age. Even complicated and so called incurable conditions can benefit from homeopathic treatment, with a word of caution (as mentioned below) when you do so for conditions which can cause sever complications or prove fatal.

Is Homeopathic treatment recommended for conditions like Hepatitis, Cancer, AIDS, Diabetes, Hypertension or conditions needing immediate surgical or aggressive medical intervention or hospitalization.

Conditions such as these can be successfully managed with homeopathic medicines and the homeopathic treatment we recommend to start with is usually in conjunction with the conventional medicines already prescribed. The only time we recommend conventional medicines to be stopped before the homeopathic treatment commences is when the severity of your condition is not a direct threat to your wellbeing or survival. If we or the patient is unsure of stopping those medicines, homeopathic medicines are started simultaneously, and as the condition improves, conventional medicines are weaned off.

Homeopathic treatment for Life threatening conditions should have the following protocol:

• Homeopathy should be used concomitantly with, not in place of, standard AIDS or cancer therapy especially when the condition is life threatening or critical.
• By choice, numerous individuals opt for natural and alternative modes of treatment such as homeopathy instead of chemo or radiation therapy. Though we do offer such homeopathic treatments with the intention of preventing disease progression, there is no guarantee of the outcome. Do not blindly believe those who guarantee such cures and always make an educated decision.
• Homeopathy can help your general well being and in turn improve your innate, immune response. Homeopathic medicines could help in a faster recovery and/or maintain your health.
• Homeopathic medicines can assist in improving your organ function as well as altered laboratory values.
• Homeopathic treatment is a safe and natural, complementary and supportive therapy ideal for all age groups suffering from so called ‘incurable’ or ‘terminal’ conditions

For what conditions can I opt for Homeopathy?
Homeopathic treatment is beneficial for several conditions like those which appear during infancy to those that surface during old age. Some benefits of Homeopathic treatment during different life stages are mentioned below. Do note that Homeopathic treatment should be used concomitantly with, not in place of, conventional treatments in some of the conditions below

Homeopathy for Pregnant Mothers & Post-natal care
Homeopathic medicines can be opted for during pregnancy as it has no side effects. They can help women who have a tendency towards habitual abortions and delayed or early onset of labor, alongside conventional treatments recommended. Homeopathic treatment can also benefit new mothers who suffer from conditions like postnatal depression, poor or insufficient lactation, nipple soreness, mastitis, etc.

Homeopathy for Newborns
Homeopathic treatment can be safely opted for newborns as the medicines are gentle and have absolutely no side effects or contraindication. Some commonly treated conditions are jaundice, runny nose due to common colds and flu, diaper rash or nappy rash, fever and indigestion causing regurgitation of milk etc.

Homeopathy for Infants
Besides the above conditions Homeopathic treatment is commonly used for cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis of scalp and sometimes involving the face), infant colic, indigestion, diarrhea, atopic dermatitis, sleeplessness and restlessness.

Some links:
Eczema or Atopic dermatitis link: http://www.homeoconsult.com/eczema.php

Homeopathy for Children & Teen years
Besides the usual condition like recurrent colds, tonsillitis etc, Homeopathic treatment is highly recommended for some specific disorders like Autism, ADD (Attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), bronchial or allergic asthma, respiratory allergies, skin allergies, eczema, alopecia areata, repeated or multiple chalazion, migraine headaches, molluscum contagiosum, psoriasis, warts, nocturnal enuresis or bedwetting etc.

Some links:
ADHD link: http://www.homeoconsult.com/today_on_homeoconsult.php#today1
Alopecia Areata: http://www.homeoconsult.com/hair_fall_alopecia.php
Asthma: http://www.homeoconsult.com/asthma.php
Chalazion: http://www.homeoconsult.com/chalazion_stys.php
Sinusitis & Chronic colds: http://www.homeoconsult.com/sinusitis.php

Homeopathy for Adult Men
Homeopathic treatment is often indicated for specific conditions like premature baldness, alopecia areata, prostate gland enlargement, venereal warts, penile lichen planus, eczema, impotency, renal calculi or kidney stones, etc.

Homeopathy for Women
Specialized homeopathic treatment can be opted for conditions affecting the menstrual cycle, poly cystic ovarian disease (PCOD), fibroids, ovarian cysts, leucorrhea, lichen planus, venereal warts or condylomata, acne, premenstrual tension/syndrome (PMS), benign breast tumors (fibroadenomas), alopecia areata, female pattern baldness etc.

Homeopathy for Old age
Homeopathic medicines can be safely opted for conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, neurological problems, complications and management of diabetes & hypertension, cardiac or bronchial asthma, emphysema, early stages of cataract etc.

Can Homeopathic medicines do any harm?
Absolutely not! There aren’t any toxic or medicinal side effects of homeopathic medicines and the only time an individual may feel their condition is worsening is when the homeopathic medicines fail to work. The condition or ailment may progress on its own course while the homeopathic medicines fail to offer any relief.

Does Homeopathic treatment guarantee a cure?
A homeopath may guarantee a cure or relief for some specific conditions he/she may be very competent is treating. However, ethically speaking, no homeopath should do so and don’t expect this from your homeopath or the homeopathic medicines you buy from the retail counter.

Does Homeopathy take longer than conventional medicines?

Not necessarily! This is a common misconception and is directly related to the nature and duration of your ailment. Homeopathic treatment recommended for acute conditions can work pretty fast and sometimes even faster than conventional medicines. It works wonders in acute conditions like colds, skin allergies, pain, neuralgias, viral coughs, conjunctivitis, urethritis, sore throat, infantile colic, to name a few. The misconception arises as homeopaths commonly treat chronic conditions which take time in reversing or palliating. For e.g. a person suffering from asthma or eczema may need only 2-3 months of homeopathic treatment if the condition is of recent origin; or may need homeopathic treatment for 1-2 years if the problem is chronic.

FAQ’S of Homeopathic treatment are also listed below:
http://www.homeoconsult.com/faqs.php