Homeopathic system of medicine

1. HOMEOPATHIC
SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Presented by:
Nivedita Kochar
M.Sc. Nursing 1st year
20409822014

2. • Originated in the late eighteenth century.
• Derived from two Greek words (hómoios, "-like" and
páthos, "suffering") that mean "like disease."
• Have a curative effect when given in very dilute
quantities to sick people.
• Believed to stimulate the body's own healing processes
INTRODUCTION

3. Homeopathy is a unique, natural, holistic
system of medicine which stimulates the
body’s healing responses with no known
contraindications or common side effects.
Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice
in which extremely dilute amounts of certain
natural substances are used to treat various
ailments.
DEFINITION

4. Homeopathy began in the late 1700s, developed by a German doctor
named Samuel Hahnemann.
Hahnemann was dissatisfied with the often-severe treatments that were
being used and was looking for a more natural way to treat illnesses He
discovered the law of similar after he consumes cinchona bark extract (used
to cure malaria) which produces the same symptoms as malaria Homeopathy
achieved its greatest popularity in the 19th century.
The first homeopathic schools opened in 1830
Eventually homeopathy reached all over Europe, United States and Asia.
HISTORY

5. PURPOSES
Seek to cure the patients on the physical, mental and emotional levels.
 Safe treatment, as it uses medicines in extremely diluted quantities.
 Its non-toxicity makes it a good choice for treatment of children.
Colds and flu may be effectively treated with aconite and bryonia.
Effective in treating infections, circulatory problems, respiratory
problems, heart disease, depression and nervous disorders, migraine
headaches, allergies, arthritis, and diabetes.

6.  Homeopathic remedies are
inexpensive.
Used to assist the healing process
after surgery or chemotherapy.
Good treatment to explore for acute
and chronic illnesses
Cont…

7. PRINCIPLES OF HOMEOPATHY
Law of Minimum
Dose
Law of Similarity Law of Simplex The Potentized
Remedy

8. SIMILARITY
Fundamental idea of homeopathy is the
‘Similarity’ stated by the German
physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755–
1843) in 1796.
 This implies that substances capable of
causing disorder in healthy subjects are
used as medicines to treat similar patterns
of disorder experienced by ill people.
 He viewed health as a dynamic process.
Aimed to direct and stimulate the
body’s self-regulatory mechanisms.

9. LAW OF SIMPLEX
The second principle of homeopathy is
The Single Remedy.
 Only one homeopathic remedy is given
at any one time. It would be difficult, if not
impossible, to ascertain the action of
multiple homeopathic remedies given all at
once.
The response of the vital force would be
unpredictable and ambiguous

10. LAW OF MINIMUM DOSE
The third principle of homeopathy is The
Minimum Dose.
This refers to the minute doses of medicine
given as well as to the repetition of dose only
when necessary. Drugs given to individuals in
material doses frequently cause side effects or
adverse reactions.
To curtail this problem, the homeopath
administers the smallest possible dose so as to
maximize beneficial effects and minimize side
effects.
Repetition of dose is determined by the
individual's response to the remedy. Unnecessary
repetition may lessen the response, even to the
correct remedy. In homeopathy, less is better.

11. The fourth principle of homeopathy is The
Potentized Remedy.
 Homeopathic remedies, though made from natural
substances such as plants, minerals, animals, etc., are
manufactured unlike any other medicine.
Through a process of serial dilution a very dilute
extract is made. With every step of dilution the
remedy is vigorously shaken-succussed.
This process of succussion is designed to arouse the
dynamic nature of the medicine.
The
Potentized
Remedy

12. HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES THAT
WORK

13. Mercuriusvivus
Also known as quicksilver, it
is used to treat symptoms of
sweats, shaking, nausea, etc.
Chamomilla
Derived from German
chamomile, it is used in
homeopathy to treat
irritability, impatience, etc. It
is most often prescribed to
children.
Nux vomica
It is used to treat symptoms
caused by overeating and too
much caffeine or alcohol.
Ignatia
Derived from seeds of a plant,
this homeopathic remedy is
prescribed to treat conditions
with symptoms such as
headache, cramping, and
tremors.
Phosphorus
It is used to treat symptoms
of excessive thirst, fatigue,
and nervousness.
Calcarea -- carbonica
Also known as calcium
carbonate or calc carb, it is
used in homeopathy to treat
symptoms of exhaustion,
depression, and anxiety.

14. Cont…
Sepia
Sepia is the discharge used by
the cuttlefish to disappear from
a predator. Homeopaths use
sepia to treat symptoms of
apathy and weakness.
Sulphur
It is used to treat conditions
with symptoms of itching,
burning pains, and odor
Ferrum phosphoricum
Also known as ferrum phos or
iron phosphate, it is used to
treat symptoms of low energy
and anemia.
Hypericum
hypericum is used to treated
nerve damage.
Pulsatilla
It is used to treat conditions
that are accompanied by
discharge, such as
bedwetting, sinusitis, etc.

15. BENEFITS
5. Very rare side-effects of
homeopathic remedies.
2. It can be used by
children and infants.
3. Does not interfere with
medications taken by a
person
1. It can be used by
pregnant and nursing
women.
4. If an incorrect remedy is
selected, it is completely
safe and will not harm the
person at all
6. It can be used for chronic
or acute conditions

16. DRUG STANDARDS
● It includes a Quality Control System with various tests to perform at different
stages of manufacture, from raw materials to finished products.
● It also involves an Assurance & assessment of quality of products.
● Functioning of national drug regulation and control systems which is the only
means to assure safety and quality of medicines.
● In India, Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 controls quality of homoeopathic
medicines.
● The Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL) was established in 1975
under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India as a
quality monitoring apex body.
● Worked out standards are released in form of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of
India (HPI).
● Supply of essential drugs of good quality which is the prerequisite for the
delivery of any Health Care

17. Remedies should be prescribed by a homeopathic practitioner.
Those who are taking homeopathic remedies should also avoid taking
antidotes, & other substances.
Avoid , coffee, peppermint (in toothpaste and mouthwash), camphor (in salves
and lotions), and very spicy foods.
Should also be handled with care, and should not be touched with the hands or
fingers
PRECAUTIONS

18. SIDE EFFECTS
A homeopathic aggravation sometimes occurs
during initial treatment with homeopathic
remedies.
 Homeopaths see aggravation as a positive sign
that the remedy is a good match for the patient's
symptoms.
 Some patients can experience emotional
disturbances.

19. Hormones and healthy tissues
Animal kingdom
Diseased tissues
Mineral kingdom
SOURCES
05
04
03
02
Imponderables
Plant kingdom
01
06

20. Plant kingdom
60% of the homeopathic medicines are
prepared from one or more parts of plants.
 Leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, and berries, may
be used in the preparation of the medicines.
 All types of plant, benign, poisonous, and
carnivorous, have been used as homeopathic
medicines

21. Mineral kingdom
Approximately 20% of the homeopathic
medicines are prepared from
minerals.
Therapeutic properties of almost all known
metals and non-metals and many important
compounds have been exploited in homeopathy.
Eg. Aurum metallicum (gold), Kali
carbonicum (potassium), Natrum muriaticum
(common salt), and Silica (sand)

22. Animal kingdom
Some homeopathic medicines are derived from certain animal
products.
Animal products, such as snake poison, spider poison, etc., are
used in extremely minute doses to prepare homeopathic medicines.

23. Diseased tissues
Some homeopathic medicines are prepared using tissues or secretions
containing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.
Thus, homeopathy advocated the therapeutic use of miniscule amounts of
microorganisms long before the introduction of vaccines.

24. Hormones and healthy
tissues
• Healthy human/animal tissues and
secretions are also used to prepare
homeopathic medicines.
• Examples of such medicines are
Thyroidinum and Adrenaline.

25. Imponderables
Certain energy sources, such as
magnetism, x-ray, radiation, etc., are also
used to prepare homeopathic medicines