Homeopathy, and How It Relates to Wellness, Research Paper Example

The art of healing behind Homeopathy still puzzles many medical professionals and though they may have an interest in pursing Homeopathy not many express it for the fear they may receive wrath from their colleagues and chastising from the governing boards of the medical society. “There still remains no validated scientific reasoning to explain how this magnificent marvel works”. (Weils, 2009).  Despite non-scientifically explained basis, homeopathy has been successful as an alternative therapy to treating ailments for over 200 years, hence encouraging the body inborn mechanisms of which to heal itself. German physician Samuel Hahnemann learned that providing the human body with dilute substances of what actually was the initial cause of the symptom of the ailment could actually help heal the body naturally. This marvel is known as the Law of Infinitesimals. “The primary herbs used in homeopathic remedy are derived from chamomile, poison ivy, rue, sulphur, iron, mercury or animals such as squid ink or bee venom.” (Weils, 2009).  The 9:1 dilution is made with either water or alcohol with the water being the primary solute. This dilution is prepared an additional 12 times and shaken with vigour until the final solution is prepared. The basis is that the more a substance is diluted the more potent it becomes. Protagonist’s of Homeopathy state that the American Medical Association was formed by doctors to prevent Homeopathy’s continued success. However by 1940, the homeopathy practise began to decline because of the ever so strong presence of scientific knowledge and basis backed by the American Medical Associations formation in 1846 that the practise was just not scientifically based. Western medicine was sounder scientifically ten to one.

“According to Gil Shephard (2008) family and marriage therapist and member of Safe Harbour’s Online Professional ListServ, Integrative Psychiatry homeopathy has been scientifically validated and is designed to stimulate a person’s own innate ability to heal his/herself.” (Shephard, 2008). Further homeopathy is studied in few colleges throughout the United States and much practised in the county of India.

Homeopathy v. Allopathy

“Allo” is derived from the meaning other and consists of other practises of medicine which people normally look towards as being consistent with Western medicine. This practise suppresses the symptoms of the ailment rather than treating the underlying cause of which homeopathy addresses. Doctors practising allopathy medicine often use medications such as tranquilizers or antibiotics to treat aliments when symptoms occur. “Homeo” has a meaning of similar and with that meaning comes the understanding that the body is attempting to use its own source of energy to heal itself. Basic homeopathy research has shown that if a person is treated with the same substance of which is causing the illness the body will attempt to heal itself, hence each treatment to a person is individualized. Allopathy has been known to cause immuno-deficiency diseases because the body’s natural immune system is hampered by the foreign medications introduced into it so often.

Hahnemann Gives up his Formal Practise

Samuel Hahnemann gave up his traditional medical practise in the late 1700’s and initialized homoeopathic medicine treatment after being displeased with the way medicines and medical treatment was being administered to patients. He felt that some treatments were almost inhumane leaving the patient weak and ill and that was non-conducive to his Hippocratic Oath. He felt that the so called side effects were not side effects at all; they were actually direct effects of the treatment and medications delivered by allopathy medicine. He first began his discovery of homeopathy through recognizing that people who had malaria posed similar symptoms of those who had been exposed to cinchona trees. He postured with the idea if the cinchona trees could aide in curing the malaria. Today cinchona tree extract is used in the treatment of malaria. Of course his research did not end there. He began experimenting on himself with other herbs and soon “learned that they went with a person’s natural defences rather than against them.” (Shephard, 2008).  This is what is called the Law of Similarities. Hahnemann used himself and his family as test subjects.

Hahnemann’s Continued Research          

As Hahnemann’s research continued he eventually learned that using less of a substance rather than more promoted healing in a patient and posed less ‘aggravation’ during the healing process. The process of dilution actually empowered his results. He found that after only three dilutions there was a dilution of 1: million. “After the final 12 dilutions to his theory (which is a statistical standard of Avogadro’s Law) it was statistically ‘impossible’ that there was even one single molecule of the initial substance left in the solution.” (Shephard, 2008).  With modern homeopathy the dilutions are made up to 100,000 times the original substance.

Hahnemann proposed treating the ‘whole person’ rather than just the symptoms at hand. To do this the doctor would have to know the whole person by asking questions relating to the habits of the person and probing deeper into the psyche of the patient. A simple 10 minute visit with the patient was mundane and was not acceptable in Hahnemann’s book. Hahnemann further found that treating one symptom and not addressing the underlying symptoms could actually cause other symptoms in the future. A temporary cure is not considered a cure; further a permanent fix is what is considered a cure.

“True healing is accomplished through principles of healing laws. Healing moves from the mind to the organs and to the muscles, ligaments and extremities.” (Shephard, 2008).  The healing becomes part of the mind as well. With clarity of mind a person will experience more energy to heal themselves.

Advantages of Homeopathy

The many advantage of homeopathy are that it stimulates the natural healing process hence gives enrichment to the natural immune system as the body heals itself. There are no side-effects present from the treatment through herbs and minerals as seen with so many traditional Western medications. The treatment is well-suited for people that are sensitive to medication because the deliverance is specially formulated to each person and the dilutions are complete. Homeopathy is also well-known for treatment of emotional problems such as depression and menopause related problems which require sensitive measures to treat and maintain. The treatment works at its peak when there is a strong mind-body presence which promotes the natural rhythms and energy of the body to kick in full force.

Proof that it Works

Practise and positive result for over 200 years is proof that homeopathy is successful in treating many ailments both acute and chronic. Most of the studies have been conducted abroad due to lack of funding afforded to this research in the states. Many scientific journals will state that the practise is not scientific based but that could be further from the truth. The practise may not be an approved method by the American Health Association, but homeopathy is scientifically based and validated as an alternative use to Western medicine. “American doctors may not be aware of the full benefits because it is not being presently taught in American medical school. Homeopathy is currently being used in countries such as England, France, Germany, Russia, India and South America.” (DeShepper, 2009).

Rash Discussion that the Research is Placebo

Critics state that research is ‘bogus’ and clinical trials cannot be conducted on a science that is not scientifically based rather non-existent. Basic factors such as target, dosage and response factor should always be considered in drug testing experiments. This type of testing is to let researchers know how a person’s body reacts to a medication, by what amount and what amount will cause a fatal reaction. Studies show that homeopathy seems to bypass the entire normative drug testing procedures. Researchers base these theories on the two principles by which homoeopathy medicine lives by. In particular the second principle of homeopathy states that the more dilute a substance becomes the more effective the substance will become to a patient. This cannot be scientifically proven because there is a lack of substantive clarification; hence “subsequent dilutions result in a hypothetical concentration” that cannot be quantitatively validated. (DeShepper, 2009).  “The first principle states that a dilution beyond Avogadro’s Principle (12 dilutions) retains it biological effects. It has been noted that since the original experiments by Jacques Benviniste in 1988, there have been many attempts to replicate the original findings of ultra-dilute solutions and they all have failed.” (“The Faculty of Homeopathy Answers the Critics”)

Opinion and Conclusion

Research has been conducted throughout Europe by way of clinical trials in attempt to give rise to scientific validation of the practise to Western medicine, Homeopathy. Some trials have furnished positive results and some have provided negative results the same. “Some high quality Random Controlled Trials (RCTs) has produced significant positive results showing homeopathic treatment having an effect that is not explicable by mere placebo effect. Other trials have proved negative in their results. Across the board the methodological quality of the trials has varied from high to poor with the overall average quality being poor.” (Clark, 2009). A hindrance has come from the “one modification to one disease” approach. “This year a positive trial has been published in the Journal Rheumatology using an “individualised approach to the treatment of fibromyalgia.” (Clark, 2009). There appears to be years of work ahead for creating and fine tuning a proper methodology for the alternative to traditional medicine, Homeopathy. I have faith that there will be a breakthrough one day in this treatment with perseverance and proper doctors on staff working diligently to perfect the practise.

References

Weils, A. (2009) Homeopathic Healing:  When Less is More Retrieved October 3, 2009

Shephard G. (2008) Homeopathy, Energy of the New Age Retrieved October 4, 2009 from, http://discoverandrecover.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/gil-shepard-mft-homeopathy-energy-medicine-of-thenew-age/

DeShepper, L. (2009) Holistic Horizon Retrieved October 3, 2009 from, http://www.cyndiarafferty.net/more.html

The Faculty of Homeopathy Answers the Critics (2009) Retrieved October 4, 2009 from, http://dannyb1022.wordpress.com/2009/09/05/the-faculty-of-homeopathy-%E2%80%9Canswers-the-critics%E2%80%9D-scientific-basis-of-homeopathy/

Clark, A. (2009) Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic Retrieved October 4, 2009 from, http://www.homeopathy-ecch.org/content/view/34/50/