Indian System of Medicine


Homeopathy system of medicine

As per PCI Syllabus

(T. Y. B. Pharm Sem –VI  Unit - I) /
(S. Y. B. Pharm  Sem –IV Unit – IV)

Introduction

Traditional system of medicine also known as indigenous/ folk medicine/ alternative medicine comprises of medical aspects of knowledge, skills, and practises based on different cultures and different people which are used to treat the diseases.

It includes various systems being practised throughout the world such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Chinese systems etc.


Homeopathy SYSTEM OF MEDICINE


Homeo means similar and pathos means suffering, hence homeopathy means Similar suffering. It means, the cause of the disease itself can be used for its treatment or the substance producing similar symptoms of disease in healthy  individuals can be used to treat that disease.
Homeopathy was introduced by a German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann". Basic principal of Homeopathy is ”Similia Similibus Curantur” meaning let like be treated by likes.
Basic principles of homeopathy

Individualization

This concept maintains that no two individuals in the world are same, hence disease affecting the individuals and their response to it cannot be similar. The individual response to the same disease would be different from person to person. Thus medicines used to cure the same disease in different individuals are different.

Principle of similia


Substances which are the cause of disease or produce similar symptoms in healthy individuals can be used to cure the disease in patients (Vaccines).

Principle of minimum dose


This rule states that dose of the drug is inversely proportional to its potency (lower the dose, more potent the drug is).

Law of proving
The testing of drugs is done on healthy volunteers. If the drug produces similar symptoms in a healthy person as that of the diseased person, the drug is considered as suitable for treating that disease.

Examples:
i. Cinchona (anti malarial drug) produced symptoms of malaria in healthy persons,
hence it can be used to treat malaria.
ii. Ipecac (anti emetic drug) produced emesis in healthy persons, hence it can be
used to treat vomiting.

Diagnosis in Homeopathy


Collection of detailed case history and medical history.
Investigation of symptoms, location, sensation, etc.
Build up a symptoms picture of the patient

Treatment
Homeopathy system used drugs in the form of mother tincture, small pills and
powders.
preparation of doses involved three processes, they are trituration, succession and
serial dilution.
Potentiation is a physical process denoted by ’C’. Three scales are used, they are
decimal, centesimal and millesimal. 

Sources of Homeopathy medicine

Plants: various plants, fungi, etc.
Animals: secretions, saliva, etc.
Minerals and chemicals: toxic metals, inorganic salts, etc.
Serum; protoplasm of animals, hormones, etc.
Vaccines: bacterial and Viral products, etc.

Disadvantages of Homeopathy

Selection of correct drug is difficult.
It takes long periods of time to cure in chronic cases.