Homeopathy, from the Greek, consists of the words homoion and pathein, which translates into “similar and disease”.
Homeopathy is the system of medicine, which works on the principle of ‘like cures like’ (Similia Similibus curanter). This system of holistic healing was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, (1755-1843), a German physician who first began his pioneering experiments in the 1790s.
The theory that like can be treated with like can be traced back as far as Hypocrites (468 -377 BC), but it wasn’t until the work of Samuel Hahnemann that the theory developed into a usable practice.
Hahnemann, who was translating the book on the medicinal properties of drugs, was reading the properties of the medicine Cinchona, when he read that Cinchona cures malaria, because of its bitter taste.
Hahnemann was surprised by this statement and when he read on, he found a footnote, which said that cinchona poisoning leads to malaria-like symptoms. This set him thinking and he decided to test the medicine on himself.
He experienced the symptoms of malaria; by repeatedly taking the Cinchona medicine and after continuing his experiments found that those medicines, which cause disease-like symptoms in healthy individuals, are capable of curing the diseased individuals.
Drugs, meant to heal, sometimes rather aggravate the symptoms of the patient. Hahnemann tried to bypass these unwanted side effects by reducing the dosages. He observed that smaller dosages may have the same effect but without the side effects.
Therefore, to find the required minimum dosage became one of the most important aspects of Homeopathy. It became obvious that substances that can do harm or even kill a patient in large quantities can lead to a cure in small quantities.
To arrive at these smallest quantities, Homeopathy goes through a process called “Potentization”. An original substance is mixed and diluted, sometimes up to a point where virtually nothing of the original substance could be left in the final potentized remedy.
Hahneman’s proving consisted in giving doses of various substances to both himself and his healthy volunteers, and noting the effects in detail.
For safety reasons, the substances taken were very dilute, and it is here that Hahnemann chanced upon one of the more puzzling aspects of Homeopathy.
The more dilute a homeopathic medicine is, the more effective it is in treating illness.
In essence, this means that a substance that causes nausea can be used to treat nausea. Thus observing the symptoms of a disease is the most important aspect in treating diseases with homeopathic remedies.
Hahneman’s work was continued by James Tyler Kent in 1877-78. Kent’s interest in Homoeopathic medicine was prompted by his wife’s serious illness, which failed to respond to any other form of medicine available at the time.
Kent’s position as Professor of Anatomy (at the American Medical College, St. Louis) placed him perfectly to observe the effects of substances in precise detail.
Kent’s research into Homoeopathy became his life’s work, and he conducted proving on some 650 materials, observing over 64,000 symptoms. Even today, Kent’s is still the most widely used repertory in Homeopathy.
The same principle is widespread in mainstream medicine, the most notable examples being antidotes and vaccines.
So, homeopathy relies on the Materia Medica – a book containing the properties of medicines, properties that have been proved on healthy individuals.
Homeopathic doctors rely on the Materia Medica as the authority for it contains not empty theories, but details of symptoms that were experienced by hundreds of provers. It is thus a system based on sound principles and as a result of solid experiments.
Similia Similibus Curantur
This is the law of similars. It states that ‘that which can cause can cure’. The onion, which produces tears in the eye and irritation (similar to a cold), can be used as a homeopathic medicine to cure colds, which have irritating tears.
The early Indians recognised this principle and states that Vishasya Vishamevam Aushadam and Samaha Samena Shantihi, but it was Dr.Samuel Hahnemann, who through his studies and experiments on the various medicines available in nature, practically proved the law.
Simplex Similimum Minimum
This principle consists of three words.
The first is Simplex i.e.: simple medicines not compound should be prescribed. This is the doctrine of single remedy. Mixture of medicines or polypharmacy is not allowed. Only one medicine must be given at a time.
The second is Similimum – As discussed previously the totality of symptoms of the patient must be taken. This will yield a picture, which corresponds to one medicine, the similimum, which must be given. That medicine which has been tested on various provers and has produced similar symptoms as that of the patient is the similar remedy.
The third is Minimum – A low dosage of medicine is recommended. In homeopathy less is more, so medicines of low potency and given at long intervals have a better impact. Hahnemann, in fact used to give just one dose of the medicine and wait to see the reaction over a period of time.