Homeopathy is a system of medicine that focuses on the person as a whole including mind and body, rather than only targeting specific symptoms or diseases. It works on the principle of “Likes Cure Likes,” meaning a substance that can cause symptoms in a healthy person can, in highly diluted doses, help address similar symptoms in illness.
Homeopathy was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, and one of its most distinctive ideas is individualisation. This means that two people with the same medical condition may receive completely different remedies based on their unique combination of physical symptoms, emotional tendencies, and overall health patterns.
Homeopathic medicines are given in highly diluted doses and are traditionally believed to work gently inside the body and act subtly, rather than through mechanisms recognised in conventional pharmacology. That is why homeopathic doctors often suggest a few simple rules about food, lifestyle, and daily routine along with the treatment. These small habits can either help the body heal better or slow down recovery. These traditional guidelines form the basis of commonly advised homeopathic medicine do’s and don’ts.
If you’re curious about the common myths around homeopathy, check out this article on MedBound times:
Homeopathy is also being explored in modern research to better understand its potential role and limitations in supporting long-term health and the prevention of chronic diseases. 3
To get the best results from homeopathic treatment, following clear homeopathic medicine do’s and don’ts is traditionally recommended within homeopathic practice.
Taking homeopathic medicines in the right way is very important to achieve good results. Since these medicines work gently to support the body’s natural healing, following a few simple precautions can help them work more effectively. Take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your homeopathic physician.
If advised to take the medicine on an empty stomach, follow the instructions strictly.
Always maintain a gap of 15–30 minutes before or after meals when taking medicines.
Allow pills to dissolve slowly under the tongue; avoid chewing or swallowing immediately.
Use the bottle cap or a clean spoon to handle pills; avoid touching them with your bare hands.
Store medicines in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and strong odors.
Maintain a healthy routine with adequate sleep, hydration, and regular physical activity.
Observe any new or changing symptoms and inform your physician during follow-ups.
Be patient and consistent, homeopathy works gently and deeply over time.
Homeopathic medicines work gently inside the body. Because of this, certain habits, foods, or smells are traditionally advised against during treatment. These recommendations arise from historical homeopathic texts and practitioner experience. Following a few simple avoidances may help the treatment stay on track.
Limit coffee, alcohol, and strong tea during treatment, unless your doctor says otherwise.1
Avoid heavily spiced or strongly flavoured foods, including garlic and onion, when taking medicine.2
Avoid strong smells such as perfumes, incense, camphor, and menthol-based products. These intense scents can interfere with the medicine’s gentle action.
Do not smoke or use tobacco, as it slows healing and affects overall health.
Avoid too much sugar and salt, which can burden the body during recovery.
Do not repeat doses on your own. Always follow your doctor’s instructions for when and how often to take the medicine.
Try not to stay inactive for long hours. Gentle daily movement and fresh air support better healing.
Do not store medicines in direct sunlight, near heat, or close to strong-smelling substances.
These are simple daily habits recommended in classical homoeopathic literature, including Dr. Hahnemann’s Organon of Medicine and early patient instructions by Dr. Boenninghausen, to help medicines work smoothly within the traditional framework of homeopathic practice.
These habits and substances may interfere with the action of homeopathic medicines should therefore be avoided.
Homeopathic medicines act on the body’s sensitivity. Strong tastes, smells, and improper intake can reduce their effectiveness. Simple discipline in diet and routine allows the medicine to work gently and correctly.
Take medicines on a clean mouth, preferably 15–20 minutes before or after food as prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid coffee, tobacco, alcohol, and strong smells during treatment unless advised otherwise.
Do not touch pills with your hands; use the cap or a clean spoon.
Avoid self-repeating doses; always follow your doctor’s guidance.
Be patient — homeopathy works gently and deeply over time.
MedBound Times connected with Dr. Raja Kaushal, a New Delhi–based homeopathic practitioner with 3 years of experience, for insights on the topic:
Homeopathic medicines work best when taken with care and discipline. Homeopathy supports the body’s natural healing process, so patience and trust in the treatment are very important. When taken correctly, homeopathic medicines are gentle, safe, and can bring deep and lasting improvement in health.Dr. Raja Kaushal, BHMS, Homeopathic Doctor, New Delhi
Just as small things make a big difference in life, small doses of homeopathic medicines work best when taken with simple precautions. These simple habits support better healing and provide long-term results.
How should homeopathic medicines be taken correctly?
Homeopathic medicines are traditionally advised to be taken on a clean mouth, away from meals, and without strong tastes or smells, as prescribed by a qualified homeopathic practitioner.
What should be avoided while taking homeopathic medicine?
Traditional guidance suggests avoiding strong flavors, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and strong odors during treatment, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.
Can homeopathic medicines be taken with other treatments?
Patients should inform their healthcare providers about all treatments they are using. Medical decisions should be made in consultation with qualified professionals.
C. M. F. von Boenninghausen, Instructions Regarding Diet and Regimen During Homoeopathic Treatment (1833), cited in Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, commentary by B. K. Sarkar (New Delhi: Birla Publications Pvt. Ltd., n.d.).
Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, trans. R. E. Dudgeon, 17th ed. (New Delhi: Birla Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2017–2018).
S. Kaushik, “Non-communicable Diseases: How Can Homoeopathy Contribute?” Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 16, no. 3 (2022): 198–199, https://doi.org/10.53945/2320-7094.1269.
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), NHMRC Information Paper: Evidence on the Effectiveness of Homeopathy for Treating Health Conditions (Canberra: Australian Government, 2015), http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-788185806.
World Health Organization, WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023 (Geneva: WHO Press, 2013), https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506096.
Note: Homeopathy is a traditional medical system. Statements in this article reflect beliefs within homeopathic practice rather than established biomedical mechanisms. Scientific evidence for clinical effectiveness remains limited and debated, and some lifestyle recommendations are tradition-based. Readers should seek evidence-based medical advice for diagnosis and treatment decisions.