Myths about homeopathy and reality

Dr Indroneel BanerjeeThe popularity of homeopathy treatment has grown manifold in the past few decades as it has shown remarkable clinical results.Despite this some myths and misgivings surround homoeopathy.

Many of these myths have cropped up over time, mostly through word of mouth as well as through homoeopaths who are ill informed or too eager to keep such urban legends afloat.

In the age of social media, homoeopaths must also educate people rather than offering them false hopes through shortcut prescriptions.Let’s dispel a few myths here:1. Homoeopathy aggravates certain infections initially: Popular opinion (misinformed) goes that homoeopathic medicines cause a moderate to severe flaring up of the existing complains before bringing about a cure.

This is especially said in cases of skin diseases. To understand this, let’s assume that this exaggeration of symptoms is true for every homoeopathic cure in each case. What then should happen in a case of hypertension or bronchial asthma? Do homoeopthic medicines reduce the blood pressure by first increasing it, putting the patient in harm’s way? The answer is no.

If your complaints have increased, in all likelihood it is because the medicine did not act.

If your homoeopath tells you otherwise, it is time to change your doctor.2. Mother Tinctures are better than pills: False. Dispensing of medicine to the patient is decided by the nature of prescription. The traditional method of prescribing homeopathic medicines is through pills of various sizes, medicated with its liquid preparations called dilutions. Alternatively they may be dispensed by mixing them in sugar of milk (powder) or diluted in distilled water.

In rare cases, dilutions dispensed straight up.

Only mother tinctures are dispensed in liquid form. The use of mother tinctures has been discouraged in general, but interestingly homeopaths have developed a propensity to use mother tinctures more frequently.3. Prescribing multiple medicines to patients and the use of patents (tonics, drops etc): Both these practises are avoidable. A patient must question why he/she is being prescribed so many medicines.

Polypharmacy (using several medicines) and mixing remedies (using patents like tonics and drops) defy the basic tenets of homeopathy and do more harm to the patient than good. It is necessary that well intentioned homeopaths must take it upon themselves to educate patient about these.4. Pills are harmful for diabetics: An average chapatti contains more calories and sugar than the total number of pills that you might take in a day.

Let this myth not come in the way of your treatment.5. Homoeopathy medicines help in gaining height and losing weight: There is no evidence that patent preparations commonly prescribed or sold over-the-counter will have a greater effect (if there is any effect at all) than common good lifestyle measures, like diet, exercise etc. The practise of mixing medicines is against the basic laws of homoeopathy. Using medicines for weight loss and height gain will lead to disappointment and loss of trust6. Homoeopathy is only good in chronic diseases: False. A good homeopath will deliver quick and satisfying results in acute conditions like viral fevers, throat infections.

Acute conditions should not be confused with medical emergencies. Emergencies are best treated in a facility equipped with dealing such cases.In conclusion it can be said that patients should neither get influenced by these myths nor go for self-treatment by suing homeopathy. Instead, they should seek advice and treatment from qualified homeopaths. Well informed patients also bring out the best in their homeopathic physicians.(Writer is a homeopathy practitioner)