Homeopathic Medicine


History

The term 'homeopathy' comes from a combination of two Greek words, i.e. 'homeo' meaning similar, and 'pathos' meaning suffering. Its origin as a form of therapy, comes from the ancient Greek times when Hippocrates first formulated the basis of his philosophy. However, as an organized system of drug therapeutics was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann who developed in practice in the late 18th century the concept of 'Similia Similibus Curentur" or "Likes cures Likes".




Acceptance

Homeopathy is used to treat both acute and chronic health problems as well as for health prevention and promotion, often after conventional medicine has failed. Prescribing is based on a wide pattern of physical, emotional and mental symptoms.

Homeopathic doctors (HDs) work in the same way as their conventionally specialized colleagues. History, examination and investigations are all important in taking the case. However, homeopathic doctors consider a wider range of aspects of the patient's condition i.e. personality traits, physical features, the effects of a variety of environmental influences, patterns of disease within families and family and social relationships.

Consequently, the homeopathic treatment is highly individualized and two or more people with the same diagnosis may be given different medicines, depending on the specific symptoms of illness in each person. A person with a sore throat, for instance, may need one of six or seven common remedies for sore throats, depending on whether the pain is worse on the right or left side, what time of day it is worse, what the person's mood is and his or her body temperature, thirst, or appetite (Jouanny, 1980).




Universality

In the early 20th century Canada and the USA were home of no less than 22 homeopathic medical schools, more than 100 homeopathic hospitals and an estimated 15 percent of physicians practiced homeopathy.

The Royal Families of Europe have always preferred homeopathic treatment to other forms of treatment. Homeopathy is now rapidly being embraced throughout Canada and the USA as an increasing number of people are rediscovering its benefits. Homeopathy - with its use of natural substances, absence of harmful side effects and holistic, person oriented approach - is attracting an ever-widening public. According to World Health Organization (WHO), homeopathic medicine is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world and the fastest growing.

Those who are licensed to practice homeopathy in the United States/Canada vary according to state/province scope of practice and they include MDs, DOs, homeopaths (HDs), naturopaths (NDs), dentists, chiropractors and veterinarians. Specialty certification for those prescribing homeopathic treatments is established through state/provincial boards of examination for MDs/DOs and HDs/NDs.

Homeopathic medicine is currently widely practiced worldwide, especially in Europe. In France, 32 percent of family physicians use homeopathy, while 42 percent of British physicians refer patients to homeopaths (Bouchayer, 1990; Wharton and Lewith, 1986).



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