When
I was a school kid, while eating fish one night, a thorn got stuck in
my throat. Nothing could dislodge it. Panic-stricken, I ran to my
grandfather who said: “Take this medicine and go to sleep. By
morning, you will be alright.” I was. That was my first
experience of Homeopathy.
Years
later, I underwent a minor surgery for a sebaceous cyst. It
reappeared, and had to be operated again. The persistent cyst
returned. Once again, ''sugar coated pills'' came to my help. On
hearing this, the surgeon commented: “Nothing but placebo.'' I
quipped: “If that's so doctor, next time, give
me a bottle of placebo!”
One
reason for discounting Homeopathy, lies in the perception that its
micro-diluted medicines are too weak to heal. Another, is the
practice of treating the same disease with different medicines of
different strengths. The lack of documented therapeutic proof is yet another reason for flak.
Homeopathy
propounds that more dilute a medicine, stronger is its healing power. The
'individualised' treatment takes into account not only the patient's
physical condition, but also emotional status, lifestyle and food
habits. This holistic approach triggers the body's inherent ability
to heal. Help at hand is available in the huge collection of
medicines totalling 8661, of which 6107 are widely prescribed.
Homeopathy
has been known in India for over 200 years. The Calcutta
Homeopathic Medical College was established in 1881. By 1976,
'Central Council for Research in Indian Homeopathy' began to
coordinate research activities, and publish the findings in 'Indian Journal for Research in Homeopathy' for
international scrutiny. Today, 194 government approved colleges
offer Diploma, Graduate and PG level education in Homeopathy.
Despite
these, if some countries wish to ban Homeopathy, it is only because
of the apathy of big business houses. Unlike Modern medicine, Homeopathy
demands no expensive equipment or complex synthetic formulations. Naturally, investment opportunities are scarce.
The question uppermost in mind is, why
does the world view Homeopathy as a competitor to Modern medicine? When this gentle and affordable therapy has the competence to support and
strengthen other systems of medical practices, why aren't we welcoming it, particularly its unique potential to eliminate root causes of a disease without
side effects?
*Homeopathy, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore once said is "not merely a collection of a few medicines but a real
science with a rational philosophy at its base".
“Sometimes
people don't want to hear the truthbecause
they don't want their illusions destroyed.”
-
Friedrich Nietzsche -
