Dr Eyingthung Odyuo
PG Scholar
GHMC&H, Bengaluru
The Ministry of Ayurveda (A), Yoga (Y) & Naturopathy, Unani (U), Siddha (S), Sowa-Rigpa (S) and Homoeopathy (H), abbreviated as AYUSH, formed on 9th November 2014 to ensure development & propagation of AYUSH systems of health care.
It is a governmental body in India, earlier it was known as the department of Indian Systems of medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) created in March 1995 renamed as AYUSH in November 2003.
What is Homoeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a natural system of Medicine used by over 200 million people worldwide on a regular basis to treat both acute and chronic conditions based on the principle of ‘Similia’ documented since Hippocrates (460-350 BC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Homoeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) a German doctor credited with founding Homoeopathy in 1796. He discovered the truth of the law of similar by testing a dose of medicine on himself. The law states that a drug, capable of producing in a healthy person a diseased – state exactly similar to that observed in a diseased person, acts as a curative agent if the diseases is in a curable stage. In the incurable stage of diseases, however, the same drug acts as the best palliative. Homoeopathy has its origin in Germany.
Are Homoeopathic Medicine safe??
When properly administered under the guidance of a qualified Homoeopathic physician, the medicine are comparatively safe for everyone as they rarely cause side effect including pregnant or breast feeding women, newborns, children, adult or elders.
Homoeopathic medicines are proved on a healthy human beings and animals, being prepared from various sources such as Animal kingdom (including Nosodes & Sarcodes), Plant kingdoms, Mineral kingdoms, Chemicals, Imponderable, etc.
What happens during a homoeopathic consultation??
The first visit usually last an hour or <45 minutes depending upon the case. During the visit, the doctor will review the patient’s medical history and attempt to elicit a full picture of the patients symptoms readily in identifiable hierarchy characterized by Mental, Emotional and Physical plane.
The very holistic nature of Homoeopathy means each person is treated as a unique individual (as no two individuals are alike) their body, mind, spirit & emotions are all taken into consideration in the treatment, management and prevention of diseases.
Eligibility to pursue Homoeopathy (BHMS)??
The basic requirement for the eligibility to get admission to BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic medicine and surgery) is after class 12 science stream where NEET is mandatory. BHMS is an undergraduate degree course in Homoeopathic system awarded after completion of 5.5 years (academic programme containing 4.5 years and 1 year compulsory clinical training in hospital after passing the final year degree examination.
BHMS syllabus & subject:
1st year: 1. Anatomy, Histology & Embryology 2. Physiology & Biochemistry 3. Homoeopathic pharmacy 4. Homoeopathic Materia Medica 5. Organon of Medicine & Psychology.
2nd year: 1. Pathology & Microbiology (including Parasitology, Bacteriology & Virology) 2. Forensic Medicine & Toxicology 3. Surgery (including ENT, Ophthalmology, Dental & Homoeopathic therapeutics) 4. Obsterics & Gynaecology, Infant care & Homoeopathic therapeutics) 5. Organon of Medicine 6. Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
3rd year: 1. Practice of Medicine & Homoeopathic therapeutics 2. Surgery (including ENT, Ophthalmology, Dental & Homoeopathic therapeutics) 3. Obsterics & Gynaecology, Infant care & Homoeopathic therapeutics) 4. Community Medicine 5. Organon of Medicine 6. Homoeopathic Materia Medica.
4th year: 1. Practice of Medicine & Homoeopathic therapeutics 2. Homoeopathic Materia Medica 3. Organon of Medicine 4. Case Taking & Repertory 5. Community Medicine. The academic year for final year is 18 months.
Can we do Specialization after BHMS??
Yes, MD (Homoeopathy) is a three year post graduate degree in homoeopathy. AIAPGET (All India AYUSH Post Graduate Entrance Test) is compulsory for admission to post-graduate course in each academic year.
MD (Homoeopathy) in India:
There are seven specialization offered in MD homoeopathy course at present: M.D (Hom) Practice of Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Materia Medica, Organon of Medicine, Repertory & Homoeopathy Pharmacy.
Some Myths & facts about Homoeopathy:
1. Myth- While taking homoeopathic medicine you cannot take medicine from other medical system.
Fact- Homeopathy goes in hand with other system of medicines. Around 60% of patients who approach homoeopathy will be already taking some or other medicines for various ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. so it is not a constraint to use conventional medicine along with homoeopathy.
2. Myth- Self medication in Homoeopathy is harmless as it has no side effect.
Fact- Every homoeopathic drugs has its wide range of action and application. Without knowing its pharmacology will cause unwanted side effects in long duration. It is advisable to use only under homoeopathic doctor/physician’s prescription.
3. Myth- Homoeopathy is slow acting & is useful only in chronic cases.
Fact- Homoeopathic medicine act rapidly & the effect last much longer because the disease is eradicated from its root. Unfortunately, many patients tend to visit homoeopathic clinic only after the acute problem becomes chronic or after trying several system of medicine when everything else has failed. So naturally, treatment takes longer than in case of using homoeopathic right from the beginning.
4. Myth- Homoeopathy can treat any disorders & can be an alternative for surgical cases.
Fact- Homoeopathic medicine is not a magic remedy & is never an alternative for surgical procedure. Like any other field of medicine homoeopathy has its own limitation. It cannot treat cases where surgery is unavoidable.
5. Myth- Homoeopathic doctor gives the same white medicine for all types of diseases.
Fact- The white pills are only neutral or carriers of medicine. The pills serve only as a vehicle for transfer of the actual medicine. Different medicine can be prescribed in various potencies.
6. Myth- Diabetic patient cannot take homoeopathic medicines as they are sweet.
Fact- The homoeopathic medicine does not contain glucose. They are made up of complex sugar called lactose. The minute amount of sugar globules taken daily over a period of one week is not more than one teaspoon. Infact, the sugar intake in the daily diet is significantly higher than that taken by a few globules. In a very severe cases, dilution may be taken as drops in water over globules.
7. Myth- Ayurveda & Homoeopathy are one and the same thing.
Fact- It is absolutely not true. Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine originated in India over 3500 years back. Derived from the two words- Ayur meaning ‘life’ and veda signifying ‘knowledge’. Thus, translates to ‘knowledge of life’. The concept of universal interconnectedness, the body’s constitution (prakriti) & life force (doshas) are the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. The treatment starts with an internal purification process followed by diet, herbal remedies, massage therapy, yoga and meditation.
Homoeopathy defined as a system of drug therapeutics based on the law of Similars, established 200 years back in Germany. The successful application of the law depends entirely on the concepts of Individualization and susceptibility constitutions which form the cornerstone of homoeopathic practice.
