Table of Contents
What is Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is an alternative system of medicine founded by Samuel Hahnemann who was well known allopathic physician of his time.
Homeopathy term is formed by ‘homeo’ and ‘pathy’. Homeo or Homoeo means ‘similar to’ or ‘like’. The term ‘pathy’ is a suffix derived from the Greek word ‘pathos’ which means ‘suffering or disease’.
So Homeopathy is an alternative, scientific evidence based method of treating an unhealthy person on the principle of ‘similar’, means using medicine which produces similar symptoms to a healthy person can also treat the unhealthy person.
Homeopath and Homeopathic remedies:
The homeopathy doctor or homeopathic practitioner who practices homeopathy is known as Homeopath and the homeopathic medicines or products used to treat an unhealthy person or patient are called Homeopathic remedies.
Basic principles of Homeopathy:
The founder of Homeopathy Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was an allopathic doctor, worked hard, and written a book ‘Organon of medicine’ which narrates about the scientific way of Homeopathy. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in his book ‘Organon of medicine’ gives a complete understanding of various principles of Homeopathy. Every pathy is based on some basic principles and so Homeopathy also.
There are seven basic principles of Homeopathyalso known as ‘Cardinal principles or laws of Homeopathy’. Let’s understand all these principles one by one.
1. Similia similibus curentur:
This is the main base or law of Homeopathy. Similia similibus curentur means ‘like cures like’. This law explains that when any medicine is given to a healthy person, it produces the symptom, and when the similar symptoms are observed in an unhealthy person, that similar symptom producing medicine can cure the disease of that unhealthy person.
For example, Dr. Hahnemann observed that when Cinchona bark is given to a healthy person, it is capable of producing Malaria like symptoms to that healthy person. So Dr. Hahnemann prepared medicine from Cinchona bark known as China and is able to cure when given to an unhealthy person having Malaria like symptoms.
This is also true in modern days. For example, in modern medicine to treat the patient of snakebite, medicine, or anti-venom is given known as ‘anti-snake venom’ which is prepared from the poison of various snakes.
2. Law of Simplex:
The second cardinal principle of Homeopathy is the law of simplex that means single medicine or remedy should be used at a time to treat patients. This is because each medicine has its own definite and peculiar symptoms and spear of action. So when single homeopathic medicine is given its action is complete and unmodified by any other medicines.
3. Law of minimum dose:
The third Cardinal principle of Homeopathy is the law of minimum dose where low potency and quantity of the remedy should be used which is enough to produce curative action in the patient. The benefit of using a low dose of medicine is that there is no undue medicinal aggravation, no side effect, and no toxic or lethal effect of the medicine on the patient.
4. Doctrine of Drug Proving:
The doctrine of drug proving is the method of studying systematic and scientific properties of any medicinal or drug substances under various conditions like proving on both sexes of various ages, different geographical areas with different climatic conditions and all potency should also be proved.
First Dr. Hahnemann proved 99 different drugs and recorded these proving in a book is known as ‘Materia Medica Pura’ also known as medica book or materia medica and the first volume of this book was published in 1811.
5. Doctrine of Chronic Disease:
After practicing many years Dr. Hahnemann witnessed bitter truth that in spite of giving correct and best selected homeopathic remedies, many patients are complaining of no relief, partial relief, and even recurrence of the symptoms or disease. After studying hard Dr. Hahnemann gave the understanding of doctrine or theory of miasm and chronic disease. Here Dr. Hahnemann described the main cause of the repeated appearance of symptoms and disease are ‘miasms‘ and principally there are three miasms psora, syphilis, and sycosis.
6. Doctrine of drug potentisation:
Doctrine of drug potentisation is also known as drug dynamization, is the process where latent or hidden power or properties of the drug substances or active ingredient is developed or awaken. This drug potentisation is done by two method Trituration and Succession.
7. Doctrine of Vital Force :
The doctrine of vital force is a unique philosophy to Homeopathy and is presented by Dr. Hahnemann. Vital force is invisible power present in all human being, controls the mind, body, and spirit. Vital force is spiritual, automatic, autocratic, dynamic and it animates the human body during both healthy and disease condition.
Also read: What is Naturopathy, Naturopathic Doctor, and Naturopathic medicine?
This is all about Homeopathy and the basic principles of Homeopathy. I hope you enjoyed reading and if you like the article, please share. Thank you.