Homeopathy - Exploring Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Essay Example

Naghmeh (Melody) Haghighi Matt Manson Writing: 340 March 25, 2006 Homeopathy (exploring complementary and alternative Medicine) CAM Health and well-being are important aspects in the life of every human being. Many people go through various efforts to stay fit and ensure good health and longevity. These practices may include rigorous physical fitness training, stress management procedures, special diets, or the intake of vitamins and other supplemental minerals. Each person has the liberty to choose the health care approach and manner by which he or she will maintain. There are a number of health care approaches which include conventional medicine, complementary medicine, alternative medicine, integrative medicine, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine such as homeopathy. Conventional medicine is the system being practiced by medical degree holders such as medical doctors and the medical practitioners who work with registered nurses, therapists, and psychologists. It is also referred to as mainstream medicine, or "regular" medicine. Complementary medicine, when practiced alone, is used along with conventional medicine to supplement the latter. An example of complementary medicine is the intake of plant extracts and juices believed to have extraordinary therapeutic effects to supplement conventional medicine. The use of alternative medicine, on the other hand, most of the time replaces conventional medicine. For example, a cancer patient may choose to engage in a series of practices including diets and supplements instead of going through the methods of conventional medicine which may include surgery and chemotherapy. Integrative medicine is defined as a practice that "combines mainstream medical therapies and CAM therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness" (NCCAM 2006). For some, the combination of mainstream medical therapies and CAM therapies is best than depending on a single ttype of therapy. Lastly, Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, is "a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine" (NCCAM 2006). It is a movement that is seeking ways to treat illness with minimal disruption of the internal environment of the body. A more organized and established example of alternative medicine is the practice of homeopathy. This form of alternative healing, which dates back to 200 years ago, uses a different approach in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. It is primarily based on the Law of Similars which promotes curing "like with like" which means that "small, highly weak & diluted quantities of medicinal substances is given to treat symptoms, but when the same substances are given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms in patient" (Weiner & Goss 6). Homeopathy is one among the many approaches to complementary and alternative healing. Its increasing popularity over time and its worldwide success indicate that like most approaches to health care, it should be chosen with considerable care, and considered only as an alternative should other approaches to healing such as "conventional medicine" have proven unsuccessful. There are however some doubts on the usefulness and affectivity of the practice of homeopathy. The modern medical practice as we know it is well founded on scientific studies and proofs. There is a growing trend in modern society to seek natural healing treatment for various illnesses that plague mankind. Homeopathy, despite considered to be unscientific by some, is one of those CAM that society is willing to try. The main reason is the that modern medicine, which is based on pharmaceutical products, do not address all the concerns of the ailing public. People want more preventive and natural remedies and don't want to become human experiments for pharmaceutical drugs. Most pharmaceutical products have harmful side effects, sad to say, some of these side effects are only known after the drugs has been in the market for many years. In contrast, homeopathic medicine is based on the notion that for every illness, there is natural counterpart or remedy. The mere notion that remedies come from natural products, attracts the attention of most people. "Homeopathic medicine is a natural pharmaceutical science that uses various plants, minerals, or animal products in very small doses to stimulate a sick person's defenses" (Ullman 2002). Patients who have come to distrust the tools of modern technology, harmful drugs, radiation, and chemotherapy are now becoming willing to risk discontinuing such treatment and to explore the possibilities of more natural approaches to healing. People are also becoming more aware of the interrelationship of the spirit, the mind, and the body. A holistic approach to healing is an in-thing in today's CAM. The term homeopathy is derived from two Greek words, homoios, which means similar; and pathos, which means disease, or suffering (Ullman 2002). Considered as a type of holistic system of healing that cares about the wholes body, homeopathy has been practiced by many people in Europe and the United States for more than 200 years. It started in the late 18th century when medical treatments still used harsh methods, like bloodletting (to purge "bad blood") and blistering. During those times, useful medical treatments for most illnesses were limited, and their effectiveness was even more questionable. When Samuel Hahnemann chanced upon a piece of medical literature on malaria in 1796, he became the founding father of homeopathy. Hahnemann read about the therapeutic effects of the bark of a plant called cinchona. He learned that the bark of the cinchona plant is the source of quinine, a bitter substance that was being used to treat malaria. He further read that the bitterness of the substance made it more effective than other bitterer substances used to treat malaria. To understand the effects of this bitter substance, Hahnemann decided to test it himself and started taking small amounts of cinchona bark. While taking the bark, Hahnemann found out that his healthy body's reactions to the substance found in the bark were similar to the feverish symptoms associated with malaria. Hahnemann then concluded that certain substances create symptoms which they can also lessen and cure. He then formulated the universal rule in the practice of homeopathy which is the Principle of Similars. Also called the "similia principle", this principle also views the symptoms of certain illnesses as the body's own attempt to repair itself. For example, fever can be the manifestation of the body's response to a certain infection; or the body develops coughs to get rid of accumulated mucus. The similia principle can also be traced back ancient Greece, when Hippocrates noted that "recurrent vomiting could be treated with an emetic", a substance that would trigger vomiting ("Homeopathy"). Homeopathy "consists of two highly systematic methods: toxicology and case taking" (Ullman 2002). In toxicology, homeopaths take note of all available symptoms including physical and mental symptoms. Then, in case taking, they lengthily discuss all these symptoms with the patient. After these two processes, the homeopath will identify the perfect substance that will cause the symptoms similar to what the patient is experiencing. The identified substance will then be given to the patient in small doses. In 1825, homeopathy was introduced in the United States when Hans Burch Gram, an American physician, studied homeopathy in Europe. Many European immigrants who are trained in homeopathy saw to it that the practice became widely available to America. The first college devoted to the study of homeopathy was built in 1835 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. By the early 20th century, "eight percent of all American medical practitioners were homeopaths, and there were 20 homeopathic medical colleges and more than 100 homeopathic hospitals in the United States" (NCCAM 2006). Another important figure in the realm of homeopathy is James Tyler Kent, an American physician who contributed greatly to the works of James Hahnemann. Kent proved many homeopathic remedies which were not included in Hahnemann's early works. In homeopathy, "proving" means profiling a remedy. Kent's work and influence in the US were not as great as their impact in the UK, where his ideas became homeopathic standard. Kent's most important work and contribution to homeopathy is the popular Kent Repertory, a list of homeopathic remedies that are associated with various symptoms. The Kent Repertory became the basis of all practices in modern homeopathy. Because of the advancement in the field of modern medicine and pharmacology, the homeopathy's popularity begun to loss ground during the 1930s, most especially in parts of the United States and continental Europe. This trend even caused the closure of almost all schools teaching alternative medicine due to the efforts of "George Vithoulkas in Europe and the USA" ("Homeopathy"). Homeopathy regained its acceptance during the 1970s until today. The sales of homeopathic cures were at 201 million dollars and growing at 20% per anum. And according to the 'American Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association, the number of homeopathic practitioners increased from fewer than 200 in the 1970s to approximately 3,000 in 1996'. Homeopathy has gained enormous popularity through time due to its holistic approach to healing. In Asia, Europe, North, and South America, the practice of homeopathy has been used for the last 200 years to complement the treatments used by conventional medicine. Homeopathy has been popular in European countries including England, France, Greece, and Germany, its country of origin. In France, 40% of the population has used homeopathic treatments, and 39% of conventional doctors have prescribed these treatments. Surprisingly, only 20% of German doctors use these treatments while 45% of their Dutch counterparts consider homeopathic treatment as an affective tool. In the United Kingdom, a survey on homeopathy concluded that 42% of British conventional doctors refer their patients to homeopathic medicine. There are five homeopathic hospitals in the UK and a number of regional clinics offering the treatment. This practice is publicly supported in the UK, and is being endorsed by the royal family. The practice has also gained popularity in India. It has become the third most popular medical treatment, after Allopathy and Ayurveda. There are almost 200 schools devoted to homeopathic medicine, 7,500 public clinics, and 307 hospitals that offer holistic homeopathic medical treatment; 35 of which are public colleges, while the rest are privately owned. Because homeopathy enjoys the same legal status as that of conventional medicine in India, it has been reported that there are approximately 250,000 homeopaths practicing this holistic medical treatment, and 10,000 new practitioners are added each year ("Homeopathy"). Homeopathy has also spread very quickly in The United States. This growth has been demonstrated by the rapid sales of homeopathic medicines at a rate of 25-50% each year. Like all health care products, homeopathic remedies are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. But the USFDA treats these products differently from other drugs and medicines. These products do not require the FDA's approval for their sale, are not required to be tested for their safety, and are not required to be labeled. In the US, homeopathic products which claim to cure life threatening diseases cannot be sold without a prescription, but other products which remedy self-limiting health conditions can be sold over the counter. The "ten most common conditions treated by physicians using homeopathy include the following: asthma, depression, otitis media, allergic rhinitis, headache and migraine, neurotic disorders, nonspecific allergy, dermatitis, arthritis, and hypertension" (Jonas et al 2003). Homeopathy, a holistic type of alternative healing, attempts to provide a healthcare system that is focused on the mental, psychological, and physical aspects of a person. Unlike conventional medicine and other holistic approaches which are based on chemistry and drugs, homeopathy uses the Principle of Similars, a concept developed in the 18th century by a German physician. It uses remedies and solutions which are approved by the FDA and which have been tested on healthy people instead of sick people or laboratory animals. In other words, homeopathy complements modern medicine in areas where it can not serve such as the homeopathy's holistic approach to healing. Homeopathy, aside from making use of natural-based medicines, also put emphasis on spiritual and emotional healing.The principle used in the vaccination process used in conventional medicine is based on homeopathy, making it both a complementary and an alternative form of medicine. The use of small doses used to stimulate the body's response is based on Hahneman's Principle of Similars. For some observers, homeopathy sometimes is similar to vaccinations especially with the use of nosodes. The principle of vaccination is the introduction of small amounts of the illness into the body so that the body's immune system will be able to react and provide a defense mechanism once the disease attack again. For Hahnemann, the development of vaccination by in 1798 by Edward Jenner was a substantiation of the "law of similars", despite the two being distinct practices ("Homeopathy"). Homeopathic medicine is used not only to treat and cure illness, it is also meant to prevent them and maintain good health. Since it uses a holistic approach to healing, it aims to treat a person wholly instead of focusing on a single aspect only. For example, homeopathy has been proven effective in the treatment and prevention of depression due to its holistic approach. It focuses both on the mental and physical aspects of the illness. Homeopathy is based on the principles of "Law of Similars", which was proposed by first Hahnemann. Homeopathy often makes use of natural substances such as those coming from plants and animals such as "Natrum muriaticum (sodium chloride or table salt), lachesis muta (the venom of the bushmaster snake), Opium, and Thyroidinum (thyroid hormone)". "Other homeopathic remedies, ("isopathic" remedies) involve dilutions of the agent or the product of the disease. Rabies nosode, for example, is made by potentizing the saliva of a rabid dog" ("Homeopathy"). By far, the principle that potency enhancement can be done by dilution is the most disputed of all homeopathic principles. Such procedures are referred to as "dynamization or potentization". During the process, liquids are consecutively "diluted (with water or alcohol for water-insoluble materials) and shaken by ten hard strikes against an elastic body (succussion). Insoluble solids are diluted by grinding them with lactose (trituration)", with "Higher dilutions are considered to be stronger 'deep-acting' remedies" ("Homeopathy"). When a person seeks homeopathic care, he or she starts it by visiting a homeopathic practitioner called a homeopath. The homeopath will then perform a thorough examination of the person's condition. This is called "case taking". A lengthy interview will be done to assess all the possible symptoms and take note of the person's mental and physical condition. After such the homeopath will further study the person's condition and consult the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, a database of more than 2,000 homeopathic remedies, to determine which remedies to use including the amount and their correct potencies. Improvements are seen after a short time. Homeopathy will not only provide an alternative way of healing, but also encourage modern medical professionals to learn from what good would come out of homeopathic principles. Homeopathic therapy is a form of alternative health care system and treatment based on the Principle of Similars. It endorses the use of plants, minerals and other substances, and animal products to prevent and treat illnesses. It is an important element of health care in the 19th century and has gained popularity worldwide. Homeopathy has seen its share of controversies and debates both from parties who support the practice, and those who contradict it. The debates include the contradicting idea of the ability of something to cure the illness it causes. Some also claim that the favorable effects of homeopathy are only due to placebo and other unidentified effects and not due to the treatment itself. Though many skeptics contradict and doubt the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies, recent laboratory studies and research have demonstrated some unexpected effects of homeopathy. But clinical studies on the effectiveness of homeopathy over specific health conditions are few, or sometimes unavailable. These are generally of poor quality research and cannot be compared to that of conventional medicine. Like other Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies, homeopathic medicine still requires further research of better quality, to provide unbiased information about it. Meanwhile, homeopathy will continue to gain acceptance although not as significant as other Complementary Alternative Medicines. As the of pharmaceutical products are becoming less affordable and more and more studies show the side effects of these drugs, many people are searching for a more natural way of healing their health conditions or illness. With the advent of the internet and other news media, propagation of Complementary Alternative Medicine such as homeopathy is becoming to gain grounds. People are becoming more aware of the importance that nature in the healing process. The present trend is holistic approach to healing as humans are not only made up of biological parts but also of emotional and spiritual part. Works Cited "Homeopathy." Wikipedia. 13 March 2006. http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy Jonas, Wayne B., Ted J. Kaptchuk, and Klaus Linde. "A Critical Overview of homeopathy." Annals of Internal Medicine 138 (2003): 393-399. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "Questions and Answers About Homeopathy." Maryland: NCCAM. 2006. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. "What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)." Maryland: NCCAM. 2006. Weiner, Michael & Goss, Kathleen. The Complete Book of Homeopathy. New York: 1982. Ullman, Dana. Essential homeopathy: what it is and what it can do for you. California: New World Library. 2002. Read More