HOMOEOPATHY VS ALLOPATHY

HOMOEOPATHY VS ALLOPATHY 

Now, this has been a very common topic amongst a lot of us, whether to take homoeopathy, when to take homoeopathy and when to take allopathy, what is the difference between these two systems, which is better, and the list goes on like that. 

So today I am going to tell you about these two systems of medicine, and I hope to clear most of your doubts with this article. 

What is Homoeopathy? 

Homoeopathy as a system of medicine was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, based on the principle of Similia Similibus Curantur meaning let likes be cured by likes. 

Homoeos means similar; pathos meaning suffering. 

Homoeopathy was discovered by Dr. Hahnemann accidentally when he was translating Cullen’s Materia medica where he came across the paragraph stating that the medicinal effect of Peruvian bark is due to its bitter taste. He refused to accept this theory and then started experimenting with the bark on himself for several days. 

Over some period of time, he started developing symptoms like that of malarial fever. On continuous experiment he discovered that symptoms returned if he repeated the dose of Peruvian bark, otherwise they didn’t. 

Dr. Hahnemann then tested a lot of drugs on himself, his family and friends, and found the common finding in all the cases that each remedy created symptoms of a disease resembling the disease they were used for. 

He then kept on experimenting with the medicines on himself and other healthy people around him, and through repeated experimentations and verifications he concluded that cinchona bark produces a similar condition in healthy individuals to that of malaria for whose treatment it is used for. 

• Therefore, we can say that homoeopathy is a system of medicine where the method of cure is by administering a drug which possesses the power of producing similar sufferings in healthy human beings. 

• The Homoeopathic System follows the Dynamic approach about life. 

• Homoeopathy believes in the holistic concept of disease – where a person as a whole is treated and not just the particular disease. 

• We believe that the patient’s mind and emotional symptoms are equally important as the physical disease is. 

• In homoeopathy, we believe in the concept of Individualisation – where every peculiar, uncommon, striking symptom is taken in note for making the diagnosis of a patient which then helps in therapeutic diagnosis. We have an individual remedy for every individual. And, thus, consider our system as a curative method of treatment. 

What is Allopathy? 

The term Allopathy was coined by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, where Allos means heterogenous and pathos means suffering. 

The Allopathic system of medicine has no single originator and has originated from empirical methods. 

Over the time different people contributed differently to the allopathic system of medicine and thus the progress kept on going and is still continuing. 

• Therefore, in allopathic system of medicine, mixtures of different medicinal substances are made for the treatment of disease which is directed towards some material object (like bacteria, virus, fungi etc.). 

• Here, in allopathy, animals and laboratory experiments are the basis to study the action of drugs. 

• In allopathy, human being as well as disease is studied from a materialistic point of view. 

• The Allopathic system generally believes in the local concept of disease – where it associates disease with a particular part of the body and tries to treat them separately. There is a specific medicine for a specific disease. 

• In Allopathy, the concept of Generalisation is followed which emphasises on diagnosis and treatment of a disease on the basis of common symptoms of the disease. 

Which system is better – Homoeopathy or Allopathy?

According to me, both the systems are good, and every system has its own pros and cons. 

• For example, in cases where Surgeries are required, or there is a dislocation of bones, fractures, etc., you cannot keep on taking homoeopathic medicines waiting for the cure, if a surgery is required you need to go to a surgeon, and here homoeopathic doctors will also agree and ask you to visit a surgeon. 

• We all have known this for a long time, that the allopathic system stands first in cases of emergency acute management, and homoeopathy is the choice of system for chronic diseases. 

• Similarly, in cases where there is no emergency, no surgeries are required, you can always rely on homoeopathy for your treatment. 

• We all know that Allopathy or Modern system of medicine has some associated side effects on our body whereas homoeopathy on the other hand is a very safe system of medicine. 

• Homoeopathy offers treatment for all kinds of acute and chronic disease, starting from general cough and cold to managing psychological diseases, diabetes, hypertension or cancers, homoeopathy helps all. 

I would like to conclude now by saying that I don’t want you to compare the two systems, rather as per your illness, decide which system of medicine you need, consult doctors from both systems of medicines and then choose wisely. 

Because at the end of the day as a doctor our aim is to help you by treating you and trying our best to keep you free from any disease. Both the systems – allopathy and homoeopathy go hand in hand for the betterment of our patients as well as the nation as a whole. 

FAQs About Homoeopathy

1. Can I take both allopathic and homoeopathic medicines together? 

• In most of the cases, yes you can, maintaining a gap of 45 to 60 minutes between the two medicines. 

2. I suffer from recurrent renal stones, I got them operated once, which medicine should I take? 

• In cases of recurrent renal stones, homoeopathy has a very good result, you should definitely take homoeopathic treatment. 

3. I have a problem of allergic rhinitis, and have been on allopathic treatment for 5 years, and I don’t feel my problem is being cured. What should I do? 

• Allergic rhinitis is managed amazingly by the Homoeopathic system of medicines, you should start with homoeopathic treatment. 

4. My doctor says that my gall stone has blocked the mouth of gallbladder, but I want to take homoeopathic medicines and do not want to go for a surgery, which medicine should I take.   

• You should go for surgery, and do not wait, because without a timely surgery a lot of life-threatening complications can occur.