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Common myths
Q. Is homoeopathy very slow acting?
A.
Medicine is not a magic. It will take its own time
according patho-physiology of disease. Homoeopathy is
not ‘so’ slow as it is made out to be. In last 210 plus
years of its existence, homoeopathy has proved its
efficacy in innumerable acute cases. Significant
percentage of practice of many homoeopathic
practitioners consists of acute diseases. If it would
have been slow patients suffering from acute conditions
will not seek homoeopathic treatment.
Q.Is it that
one has to observe numerous restrictions and precautions
while undergoing homeopathic treatment?
A.
This is a common myth. One has to follow the diet in
relation to patho-physiology of the disease diagnosed.
For example, diabetic patients should follow precautions
and restrictions with relation to sugar and sweets.
Similarly, hypertensive patients should be on low sodium
diet. Apart from these restrictions based on patho-physiology
of disease condition there are very few food
restrictions and precautions that one has to follow
while undergoing homeopathic treatment.
However, for best result it is recommended
that homoeopathic medicines should not be taken with
food or water. One should give a gap of 10-15 minutes
before and after taking the medicine.
Q. Is it true that homoeopathy has no
side-effects?
A.
Yes, usually homeopathic medicines do not
have any side-effects because the amount of drug
substance in homeopathic medicines is minute making it
non-toxic and non-habit forming. But this does not mean
that one can take these medicines indiscriminately.
Anything that is not required by the body can do harm.
Remember anything that goes into human body, body’s
system will react to it. So, always avoid any
unnecessary medication.
Q. Is
that homoeopathy initially worsens the symptoms and then
gives relief?
A.
It is not true that in every case homoeopathy would lead
to an initial worsening of symptoms. In my 15 years of
practice in homeopathy, I have seen some cases of
initial worsening of symptoms. In most of the cases
there may not be any worsening of symptoms.
Q. Are medicines of other systems allowed
to be continued while on homeopathic treatment?
A.
This depends upon case to case. The decision to allow
the medicines of other systems
is taken independently for e'ach' case depending on its
merits.
Q. Why local ointments or applications
are not allowed in homeopathy?
A.
Ideally, a body that is healthy inside
will be healthy outside. Even so-called external
ailments respond to internal medication. Also, external
applications disturb the electro-potential gradient of
body causing a disturbance in its normal functioning.
Hence, external applications are usually not allowed in
homoeopathy.
Q. Can diabetics use homeopathic
medicines in sugar pills?
A.
Diabetic patients can use homoeopathic
medicines in sugar pills without any fear as the
quantity of sucrose in these pills is very small to
adversely affect blood glucose levels and glucose
metabolism.
Q. How much time it takes to cure chronic
and long-standing problems?
A.
There
is no fixed time period for the duration of treatment
required to cure chronic and
long-standing problems. The duration of treatment
required to cure chronic and
long-standing problems depends upon many factors such as
stressors operating upon the patient; duration of
illness; genetics and family history of complaints;
multiplicity of complaints that the patient is
suffering; past history indicating non-compliant
behavior; age; and individualistic response to the
treatment. Experience shows different patients of the
same diagnosed disease require different duration of
treatment to cure chronic and
long-standing problems.
Q. Is it advisable to use an over the
counter (OTC) combination product from a homoeopathic
manufacturer?
A.
Homoeopathic medicines were proved
individually and not in combination. Hence, it is not
advisable to use OTC combination product. The full
short-term and long term effects of such combination are
not known. |
