‘Homeopathy is gentle, efficient and non-habit forming’

Homeopathy doctor and author Mukesh Batra demolishes some common myths and misconceptions about homeopathy

Homeopathy medicines are sugar pills or placebos. Homeopathic medicines are not just sugar pills. They are also available as mother tincture, dilutions, tablets, ointments, pellets, gels, lotions, oral sprays and injections. Homeopathy is popular worldwide as it is gentle, nontoxic, efficient and non-habit forming. Homeopathy has been around for 200 years and is now evidence-based with many clinical trials that prove that homeopathy works very well. Coffee reduces effect of homeopathyHomeopathic medicines and their effects may be neutralised or affected by certain stronglyflavoured anti-cold topical creams, pain balms, aromatherapy oils, herbal medicine and ayurveda. It is, therefore, best to give a 30-minute gap between homeopathy medicines and coffee, food, and so on so they do not naturally impinge upon the natural, therapeutic action of homeopathy. Homeopathy is vaccine-like therapy Vaccination revs up the immune system directly and produces antibodies specific to a particular illness. Homeopathy, on the other hand, works at a more subtle, dynamic level, activating all the inner workings in the body and building general and overall immunity. A suitable medicine that matches the symptom picture of the patient is given in homeopathy. In vaccine therapy, the same vaccine is for everyone. Homeopathic medicines are patient-friendly, cause no tissue damage, besides protecting, treating, and preventing illness. Homeopathy is no good for lifethreatening illnesses. Homeopathy and allopathy shouldn’t be combined.Homeopathy can treat serious illnesses and disease by correcting underlying causes and can complement conventional treatment. However, homeopathy cannot, by itself, treat life-threatening diseases, or medical and surgical emergencies like heartattack, stroke or organ damage. But homeopathy can complement modern medicine for patients on life-supportive conventional medication such as anti-hypertensive and antidiabetic medication. The idea is to use the two together, synergistically. There is now clinical evidence to show that conventional medicine and homeopathy work well in controlling diabetes. Homeopathy is also a useful adjuvant therapy in post-operative care or after bypass surgery. Homeopathy is easy to learn for everyone Anyone can learn the rudiments of homeopathy to treat cold and flu, but not chronic and difficult illnesses. Leave that to professional homeopathic doctors who study for 5.5 years fulltime in a professional medical college and are trained to diagnose medically.

Adapted from healing with homeopathy by Dr Mukesh Batra (Jaico)