Introduction to homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves treating the individual with
highly diluted substances, given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of
triggering the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their specific
symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to each patient.
Samuel Hahnemann (Pioneer of Homeopathy)
It was discovered by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, who, shocked with the
harsh medical practices of the day (which included blood-letting, purging and
the use of poisons such as arsenic), looked for a way to reduce the damaging
side-effects associated with medical treatment.
Hahnemann went on to document his work and his texts formed the foundations of
homeopathic medicine as it is practiced today. A BBC Radio 4 documentary aired
in December 2010 described Hahnemann as a medical pioneer who worked tirelessly
to improve medical practice, insisting that medicines were tested before use.
Samuel Hahnemann M.D., was Fluent in many languages and considered a truly
brilliant chemist and physician, Hahnemann, gave up the conventional medicine of
the time in frustration over its poor results and spent a number of years as a
translator of medical texts.
"It was in 1790, while translating William Cullen’s Materia Medica that the
first evidence emerged for the great things still to come. Unconvinced by
Cullen’s theory that Cinchona was a specific for Malaria because of its tonic
action on the stomach, Hahnemann decided to take a small dose of Cinchona over
several days to observe its effects. In this first proving experiment, Hahnemann
observed symptoms broadly similar to those of malaria, including spasms and
fever. [Cook, 59; Haehl 37, 39] With Cinchona, he had "produced in himself the
symptoms of intermittent fever," [Haehl, vol. 1, 39] which suggested to him a
medical principle. He thus established a new the validity of an old therapeutic
maxim: ‘like cures like’ or similia similibus curentur."*
In 1796 he published a piece called "Essay on a New Principle" which first
introduced the idea of homeopathic medicine to the world. Today over 500 million
people worldwide enjoy the health giving benefits of this remarkable healing
system.
19th century: rise to popularity
Homeopathy achieved its greatest popularity in the 19th century. Dr. John
Franklin Gray (1804–1882) was the first practitioner of homeopathy in the United
States, beginning in 1828 in New York City. The first homeopathic schools opened
in 1830, and throughout the 19th century dozens of homeopathic institutions
appeared in Europe and the United States. By 1900, there were 22 homeopathic
colleges and 15,000 practitioners in the United States. One reason for the
growing popularity of homeopathy was its apparent success in treating people
suffering from infectious disease epidemics. During 19th century epidemics of
diseases such as cholera, death rates in homeopathic hospitals were often lower
than in conventional hospitals, where the treatments used at the time were often
harmful and did little or nothing to combat the diseases.
Revival in the late 20th century
In the United States the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 (sponsored by
Royal Copeland, a Senator from New York and homeopathic physician) recognized
homeopathic remedies as drugs. In the 1950s, there were only 75 pure homeopaths
practicing in the U.S. However, by the mid to late 1970s, homeopathy made a
significant comeback and sales of some homeopathic companies increased tenfold.
Greek homeopath George Vithoulkas performed a "great deal of research to update
the scenarios and refine the theories and practice of homeopathy" beginning in
the 1970s, and it was revived worldwide; in Brazil during the 1970s and in
Germany during the 1980s. The medical profession started to integrate such ideas
in the 1990s and mainstream pharmacy chains recognized the business potential of
selling homeopathic remedies.
Today’s popularity of Homeopathy
1-According to recent surveys in France, an astounding 40% of the French public
have used homeopathic medicines, and 39% of French physicians have prescribed
them. (F. Bouchayer, "Alternative Medicines: A General Approach to the French
Situation," Complementary Medical Research, May, 1990, 4(2)4-8.)
2-According to an article in the British Medical Journal, 42% of British
physicians surveyed refer patients to homeopathic physicians. (Richard Wharton
and George Lewith, "Complementary Medicine and the General Practitioner,"
British Medicine Journal, 292, June 7, 1986, 1498-1500.)
3- Another survey of British physicians discovered that 80% of recent graduates
wanted training in either homeopathy, acupuncture, or hypnosis.( David Taylor
Reilly, "Young Doctors' Views on Alternative Medicine," British Medical Journal,
287, July 30, 1983, 337-339.)
4- According to The Times of London, homeopathy is now the fastest growing
alternative therapy in Scotland. The numbers of Scots who have used homeopathic
medicines have more than doubled from 1985 to 1990, increasing from 5% to 11%.
Similarly, in 1985 23% of those Scots interviewed in 1985 said they would
"seriously consider" going to a homeopath, and in 1990 this figure grew to 40
%.( Take a Little of What Ails You," The Times, November 13, 1989.)
5- Homeopathic medicine is very popular in Germany as well. One respected author
estimated that 20% of German physicians use homeopathic medicines occasionally.(
Lynn Payer, Medicine and Culture, New York: Holt, 1988.)
6- In addition to homeopathy's popularity in France, England, Scotland, and
Germany, it is also very popular in The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and
Greece.
7- Despite homeopathy's impressive popularity in Europe, it is even more popular
in India. Presently, there are over 100,000 homeopathic doctors and over 100
four- and five-year homeopathic medical colleges in this country.
8- Homeopathy is even relatively popular in the Soviet Union. Although there are
only about 500 homeopathic physicians.
9- At the turn of the century there were over 20 homeopathic medical schools in
America, including Boston University, University of Michigan, University of
Minnesota, and Hahnemann College in Philadelphia. There were also over 100
homeopathic hospitals and over 1,000 homeopathic pharmacies. In 1900 homeopathy
was more popular in America than anywhere else in the world.( Dana Ullman,
Homeopathy: Medicine for the 21st Century, Berkeley: North Atlantic Books,
1988.)
10- According to the F.D.A., sales of homeopathic medicines grew by 1,000% from
the late 1970s to the early 1980s.( Riding the Coattails of Homeopathy," FDA
Consumer, March, 1985, 31.)
11- According to the Washington Post, the number of physicians in the United
States who specialize in homeopathy doubled from 1980 to 1982.( Ann Chase,
"Options: Homeopathy," Washington Post, April 28, 1983, 31.)
According to the above mention facts that 21st century is the century of
Homeopathy.