What is Homoeopathy?

Homoeopathy is a medical science developed by Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) , a German physician in 1796. It is based on the principle that “like cures like”. In simple words, it means that any substance, which can produce symptoms in a healthy person, can cure similar symptoms in a person who is sick. This idea is referred to as the “Law of Similars“, and was understood by Aristotle and Hippocrates and also mentioned in ancient Hindu manuscripts. It was Hahnemann, however, who turned it into a science of healing.

1. Law of Similia (Similia Similibus Curentur)
   Hahnemann formulated this law and is the outcome of his experiments which began with Cinchona bark and later extended to experiments (provings) of other medicinal substances.Similia similibus curentur states that any drug, which is capable of producing symptoms of disease in the healthy human being, will remove similar symptoms and thus cure the disease when found in the sick.
2. The law of simplex (Single remedy at a time)
   Law of simplex means the remedy should be administered in a simple form not as a mixture.Only one remedy can be exactly similar at given time, so it has to be given alone, not alternated or mixed with any other; only then its curative (pure) effects can be observed.If a mixture of medicines is given to a sick patient, the result can’t be assessed properly to know which medicine among the mixture (combination) has acted. Each drug is proved separately in drug-proving, mixture of drugs (polypharmacy) can’t help to know the curative action of each drug & the follow-up of the case will be messed up.
3. The law of minimum: (Minutest dose of the medicine)
   The single remedy must be given to a patient in smallest possible dose that will bring the desired reaction.In Homoeopathy disease is considered as dynamic affection of vital force, due to causative agents which are dynamic in nature, so the required remedy should be given in dynamic doses or infinitesimal doses to stimulate the dynamic vital force to overcome the dynamic affection (disease) and effect cure.Disadvantages of crude doses or multiple doses: they can cause only the physiological changes, the internal affection of vital force (disease per se) remains uncured, and sometimes they can cause adverse effects.
4. Doctrine of drug proving:
   It means the homoeopathic method of experimentation of drugs on the healthy human beings to know their effects of altering health.
   This is the only scientific & rational method of ascertaining the action of medicines that is by administering the drugs on healthy human beings as experiments on animals can’t give subjective symptoms (Intellectual faculty is less developed in animals compared to humans).
   It was first advocated by Albert von Haller, a Swiss Physician and Hahnemann was the first person to conduct experiments on himself & others to know the pure effects of the drugs & further rationally applied in practice.
5. Theory of Chronic Diseases:
   Theory of chronic diseases was first introduced in 1829, in 4th edition of organon.Hahnemann observed that inspite of proper administration of homoeopathic medicines the patients had recurrence of symptoms. He investigated for 12 years and finally concluded that Miasms as the real cause of all chronic diseases.Miasm in simple terms is a predisposition to certain disease conditions, or dynamic disease causing powers.Psora, sycosis & syphilis are the 3 miasms named by Hahnemann. Psora is considered to be the mother of all miasms as it forms the basic foundation to other miasmatic sufferings.Hahnemann classified medicines under the heading of these 3 miasms as anti-psoric, anti-sycotic & anti-syphilitic remedies to simplify treatment of chronic diseases.
6. Theory of Vital force:This doctrine was introduced in the 5th edition of Organon.According to this theory the disease is due to derangement of dynamic vital force by dynamic disease.
   In aph-9th Hahnemann defines vital force as the force which animates the material body and runs its all functions in a harmonious way. It is the force which gives life to the material body.It’s malfunctioning causes disease, expressed as altered sensations & symptoms and its absence results in death & decay.
   The term Vital force is replaced by Vital Principle in 6th edition of Organon of medicine
   So cure consists correcting dynamically disordered vital force by the administration of suitable homoeopathic remedies of dynamic nature.
7. The doctrine of Drug dynamization
   Introduced in 5th edition of Organon along with the doctrine of Vital force.
   This is a process by which the inherent curative or medicinal properties of crude substances are brought out.
   Hahnemann in his book on ‘chronic diseases’ quotes: “Homeopathic dynamizations are processes by which the medicinal properties, which are latent in natural substances while in their crude state, become aroused, and then become enabled to act in an almost spiritual manner on our life.
   Inert substances like, sand, table salt are made highly effective remedies by the process of potentization/ dynamization.
   Drug dynamization mainly consists of process of succusion in fluid substances and trituration in dry substances.The preparations obtained after advanced processes of dynamization are called potencies.

HERING’S LAW OF CURE-

Dr Constantine Hering (1800-1880) states that the cure of illness progresses from the

1. Above downward
2. More important organ to the lesser important organ,
3. Centre to periphery and
4. Newest of ailments to the oldest (in layers) means that the symptoms which appeared first goes last and the symptom which appeared last goes first.

The importance of this idea is to know when and by what degree an illness is being cured. A practiced homeopath will follow symptoms through their course looking for these very signs to determine when and if the illness is being cured.