Homeopathy was discovered by Dr. Samuel Christian Friedrich Hahnemann in the year 1796. It is based on the theory of like cures like. This means that a disease can be cured by a medicine that produces similar symptoms in healthy people. Homeopathy also supports the law of minimum dose, wherein as homeopathic medicines are diluted to lower doses, the effectiveness of the medicine increases. The treatments are individualized for patients, which means that for each person, the medicine differs even though the disease diagnosis remains the same.
While homeopathy has existed for over 200 years now, it has always remained a controversial topic in the field of medicine. While a section of society supports the positive effects of homeopathy, the conventional system of medicine considers it to be unconvincing and pseudoscientific. They are of the opinion that the effects of homeopathic medicines are no less than a placebo. In this article, we will try to bust a few common misconceptions about homeopathy.
There was a public uproar in 2005 when the Lancet journal published a study that included a comparison of 110 homeopathy trials and 110 conventional trials and concluded that the clinical effects of homeopathy medicines are placebo effects. Despite this, in India, there is strong advocacy for alternative systems of medicine, and homeopathy is one of those. Experts who follow this system of medicine find the publications of such studies as an attempt to thwart the growing popularity of alternative medicine. They opine that doctors from the conventional system of medicine should think about the failings of the modern system of medicine to address patients' need for personalized care instead of complaining about homeopathy’s lack of benefit.
The Ministry of Ayush, India, has advocated homeopathy as the second most popular system of medicine after allopathy in the country. It says that about 10% of the population relies on homeopathy for their treatment. India is among the world’s biggest markets for homeopathy and is projected to grow by 20% each year. So does the questioning of the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines bring an end to the beginning of the multibillion-dollar industry? Well, the experts are skeptical about it.
Expert homeopath, Dr. Rajeshwari Rapata, MD Homeopathy, MBA, explains that homeopathy research cannot be based on the principles of the Cochrane Committee. “Double-blind clinical trials are not possible because homeopathy follows an individualized system of treatment covering the trinity of mind, body, and soul. You can’t use fixed protocols to prove homeopathy. An open mind to explore the unknown should be the driving force to understand and prove this science. Homeopathy should have its own research standards and protocols based on scientific principles. The myth that Homeopathy is not a pseudoscience will only then be proved," Dr. Rapata adds.
For those who say homeopathy is a placebo, take Urtica Urens 30 for that recurring allergic rash in pollen season to get relief forever. If it acts, your myth of homeopathy being a placebo is debunked.
Dr. Rajeshwari Rapata, MD Homeopathy, MBA, Pune
Following are some insights on a few common myths in homeopathy.
Myth: There are many restrictions to be followed while taking homeopathic medicines.
Fact: There are no dietary restrictions to be followed as such, but it’s recommended to follow some general guidelines for optimum results. It is suggested to keep a half-hour gap before and after taking the medicines to promote absorption of the medicines and improve their effectiveness.
Myth: Homeopathic medicines are unreliably manufactured.
Fact: The Government of India, the Ayush Ministry, and all equivalent organizations across the world have standardized protocols for the sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and distribution of homeopathic medicines.
Myth: Homeopathic doctors are quacks.
Fact: Homeopath doctors undergo 5.5 years of studies to earn a bachelor’s and 3 years for MD Homeopathy degrees. This is the same as conventional doctors earning their MBBS or MD degrees. The curriculum is the same except for the pharmacology subject, which varies according to the course studied.
Myth: Homeopathic medicines contain steroids.
Fact: Homeopathic medicines do not contain steroids. The sources of homeopathic medicines are plants, animals, minerals, etc., and hence there is a possibility that a chromatography test may yield a false positive result when tested for steroids. As such, while dispensing homeopathic medicines, steroids are not mixed in pills, powders, or biochemical tablets.
Myth: Homeopathic medicines are slow-acting.
Fact: Homeopathic medicines work for both acute and chronic diseases. The duration of the action of medicine depends on its chronicity. In acute conditions, homeopathy shows results in a short span. Similarly, in chronic conditions, results are a bit prolonged.
Myth: Homeopathic medicines cannot be given to diabetic patients.
Homeopathic pills, or globules, are made up of lactose. Hence, there is no interference in blood sugar levels. The minute amount of sugar globulin, which is made up of lactose when taken daily, does not matter. Sugar intake in the daily diet is significantly higher than that taken by a few globuli.
Myth: Homeopathic medication worsens the disease condition before improvement.
Fact: This can be experienced sometimes in long-lasting diseases due to the withdrawal of conventional medicines or the suppressed disease condition being weaned out.
Myth: Investigations such as X-rays and blood tests are not required in homeopathy.
Fact: All sorts of investigations are required and useful for effective and better homeopathic treatment.
Myth: Homeopathy is more of a placebo effect and faith-based healing.
Fact: Since homeopathic medicines are highly diluted, they usually do not contain a measurable amount of the natural source, thereby attributing to the placebo effect. Scientific studies carried out by recognized institutions have indicated that homeopathy is far from the placebo effect. For example, the Central Council of Research in Homeopathy is the regulatory body in India which monitors the research work and clinical trials and keeps the records with scientific evidence.
Eminent homeopath, Dr. Vibha Mevada, BHMS, CCAH, MCAH, YPI, further adds that there is a common misconception that Homeopathy is not recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The other aspect that she has come across among people is that they are skeptical whether the working of homeopathy medicine is based on scientific evidence. She says that homeopathy has over two centuries of data, which shows homeopathy is effective. ‘It has worked in the real world, not only in laboratories but also in hundreds of cases. The scientific evidence of homeopathy is based on clinical trials, such as those used to test conventional medical treatments. By the end of 2022, 271 randomized controlled trials of homeopathic treatment for 144 medical conditions have been published in peer-reviewed journals with sufficient information provided to analyse the results. Of these 157 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, out of which 43% were positive, meaning homeopathy was effective, 3% were negative, meaning homeopathy was ineffective, and 54% were inconclusive, she added.
WHO is halfway through implementing the WHO Traditional Medical Strategy 2014–2023. As per the 2019 WHO Report, Homeopathy is practiced in more than 100 countries. Their current focus is to develop norms, standards, and technical documents based on reliable information and data to support member states in providing safe, qualified, and effective services and their appropriate integration into health systems for achieving universal health coverage and sustainable development goals.
Dr. Vibha Mevada, BHMS, CCAH, MCAH, YPI
Although there have been numerous controversies and skepticism surrounding homeopathy and its efficacy, there have been several instances where people have found relief through homeopathy. Homeopathy follows a holistic approach to treatment, taking into consideration mental, physical, and emotional aspects to prescribe a personalized remedy. As the debate continues in the scientific world, it is essential for an individual to consult a qualified homeopathic healthcare professional to make an informed decision about their treatment. Rigorous clinical trials with scientific scrutiny are critical to distinguish between the myths and facts of homeopathy.
References:
Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L, Jüni P, Dörig S, Sterne JA, Pewsner D, Egger M. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. The Lancet. 2005 Aug 27;366(9487):726-32.
Mathie RT, Ramparsad N, Legg LA, Clausen J, Moss S, Davidson JR, Messow CM, McConnachie A. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of non-individualised homeopathic treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic reviews. 2017 Dec;6(1):1-28.
Haresnape C. An exploration of the relationship between placebo and homeopathy and the implications for clinical trial design. JRSM Short Reports. 2013 Jul 30;4(9):2042533313490927.
World Health Organization. WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014–2023. World Health Organization, 2013.
Milgrom LR. Are randomized controlled trials (RCTs) redundant for testing the efficacy of homeopathy? A critique of RCT methodology based on entanglement theory. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 2005, Oct 1;11(5):831
https://www.ccrhindia.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=4679&lev=2&lid=2619&Regid=0&langid=1
(Original/Opinion/Dr. Sushmita Ganguli)
