A lot of us have had those sweet white pills to cure our medical conditions. These sago-like white pills are an excellent alternative to the bitter medicines, disliked by adults and children alike. These white pills are not just an effective alternative for other medicinal sciences but are one of the preferred sciences by many doctors. Homoeopathy, the real name for the science behind the sweet-pill medicines, has its way of treatment, much liked by many patients for it is easy to consume.
Homoeopathy is based on proofs and findings like any other medicinal science, and works on the principle of ‘similia similibus curentur,' which means ‘let like cure the like.' Simply meaning that a particular substance that causes symptoms of a disease in a healthy person can cure the same disease affecting a sick person. Homoeopathic doctors cure diseases with this technique, but the technique is also used in conventional immunotherapies (related to immunity), allergy treatments, and different vaccinations in other medicinal sciences. The principle of ‘let like cure the like' has not only cured and prevented diseases but has effectively promoted good health of people for many decades. Homoeopathy enhances the overall normal healing of a person and optimises self-regulatory processes within the body.
A 200-year-old, recent medicinal science
Unlike Ayurveda, Homoeopathy is not an ancient medicinal science. It is a science that has rapidly developed in the past 200 years. Dr Samuel Hahnemann founded this branch of medicine in 1796. Homoeopathy was introduced in India two centuries ago, and today, it is offered by 235 hospitals and 8,117 dispensaries run by the state government and municipal bodies. According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report, it is the second most extensive system of medicine practiced in the world with over 500 million users. It is practiced in the US, the UK, Germany, and India. It is included in the national health services in some of the nations.
What do these white pills contain?
Homoeopathic medicines are made from a large number of natural resources, of which, 60% are extracted from different plants. For example, Calendula (a Mediterranean plant; includes marigold) is made up of fresh leaves and flowers of marigold. Homoeopathic medicines also contain tiny amounts of minerals, calcium, iron, gold and silver, to name a few. The method of drug preparation in homoeopathy is called as ‘dynamisation' or ‘potentisation'.
This method of drug preparation uses small little quantities of the drug substance diluted with alcohol, and mixed well with potent strokes, also called ‘succussions', by vigorously shaking the solution. The portion to which the solution can be diluted or succussed is known as the potency or the power of a particular medicine. These medicines are made from minuscule, nanoparticle-size substances from the plant, mineral, and animal sources.
These liquid medicine solutions are mixed in the sugar pills for comfortable carriage, dosage, and consumption of the patients.
As I end this blog, there are going to be many questions regarding this medicinal science, but the fact remains that Homoeopathy has given permanent cures to several illnesses. So read the next blog to know more about homoeopathy and its powers to cure a range of diseases and disorders.
Reference
- WHO: Safety issues in the preparation of homoeopathic medicines 2009 (www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/Homeopathy.pdf)
- What a doctor needs to know to make a successful prescription by Dr Samuel Hahnemann
- Indian Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia
- British Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia