India has made Homeopathy its very own. It thrives today in India like in no other place on the planet. The billion plus Indians have held on to this one good thing, even as they let go of several other traditions in the name of modernity.
When I was growing up, India was in its infancy after getting freedom in 1947. I recall overhearing a conversation about Homeopathy being born out of Ayurveda, and that the protocol was discovered in India. Despite Germany having no colony in India that I am aware of, the myth persisted that Homeopathy was one of the many treasures stolen from India during the 300 years of foreign rule. Homeopathy was so trusted and revered on the subcontinent, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.
When I was growing up, India was in its infancy after getting freedom in 1947. I recall overhearing a conversation about Homeopathy being born out of Ayurveda, and that the protocol was discovered in India. Despite Germany having no colony in India that I am aware of, the myth persisted that Homeopathy was one of the many treasures stolen from India during the 300 years of foreign rule. Homeopathy was so trusted and revered on the subcontinent, including Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Today, what has to be one of the largest publisher (http://www.bjain.com) of Homeopathy text books, and homeopathic literature, is in India. They collaborate with several Western Homeopaths and the books are a fraction of the cost we pay in the West.
In fact, when I was in India some months ago, I randomly purchased, among other books, "A Treatise on Diseases of the Skin", by Samuel Lilienthal from a Bhandari's outlet (a CVS/Walgreens type homeopathic chain of stores owned by the manufacturer of the remedies) which sells books as well, besides remedies, kits, homeopathic based cosmetics, hair oils etc, and other related materials like Bach's Flower remedy literature. Again, very inexpensive, affordable even for the locals, and very very busy with a thriving business!
In the Publisher's note at the beginning of Samuel Lilienthal's "A Treatise on Diseases of the Skin" (who's only known work supposedly, was HOMEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS) is noted:
"Did he write any other gem? You will be surprised he did. We were also surprised when we discovered A TREATISE ON DISEASES OF THE SKIN by S. Lilienthal, M.D., in the library of Dana Ullman in California, who himself was unaware of the presence of the book in his library. This copy is Lilienthal's own copy which is interleaved and has additional notes by the author in his open miniature handwriting."
"Dr. Dana Ullman was kind enough to lend this copy to us for reprinting and making this gem available to the lovers of homeopathy. This book is an antique published way back in 1876."
(Dana Ullman who writes for the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/) has done a lot to advance the cause of homeopathy in the US. When I first arrived in the US in the mid nineties, Dana Ullman's was the only voice of homeopathy that I knew of.)
The publisher's note goes on to explain what a painstaking task it was to decipher Lilienthal's black ink miniature notes (samples of which are published in the book as well) and that task was accomplished by two homeopathic doctors and in-house editors. Despite that, the publisher writes, there are blanks (in the book) which still need filling, and the homeopathic community is invited to communicate their interpretations to the publishers so as to be included in subsequent prints.
(Dana Ullman who writes for the Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ullman/) has done a lot to advance the cause of homeopathy in the US. When I first arrived in the US in the mid nineties, Dana Ullman's was the only voice of homeopathy that I knew of.)
The publisher's note goes on to explain what a painstaking task it was to decipher Lilienthal's black ink miniature notes (samples of which are published in the book as well) and that task was accomplished by two homeopathic doctors and in-house editors. Despite that, the publisher writes, there are blanks (in the book) which still need filling, and the homeopathic community is invited to communicate their interpretations to the publishers so as to be included in subsequent prints.
Why do I go to such lengths to explain this? For several reasons. Firstly, one can't help but marvel at the accessibilty of both the remedies and the literature. Secondly, can we even imagine the potential of a chain of homeopathic stores in the USA, operated by the manufacturers, and devoted only to Homeopathy, like the Bhandari's outlets in India? Thirdly, look at the enthusiasm of the publisher. They obviously know there is a market. Can a population of 1.3 Billion be wrong?
There are other large-scale manufactures of homeopathic remedies in India, one of which Baksons, even has their own college, (http://www.bakson.net/
Is it any wonder that in India there are SEVERAL (use of caps justified) self taught 'hobby' practitioners who have a full time job, and coming from all professions, who in the evening hold charitable clinics, and dispense remedies to the ailing poor and not so poor. We even had one such homeopath in our family. My late uncle Sarjit Singh, (who taught himself homeopathy reading the books of his daughter, who graduated from India's prestigious Nehru Homeopathic College) successfully treated their then 14 year old dog, who was struck with Canine Distemper, for which there is no known cure in western medicine. The dog recovered fully and lived an active and long life.
The more I explore homeopathy, the more surprised I am to find it in so many far off places. There are of course, several Homeopathic schools in India. There is even a school that I know of in Greece, (http://www.vithoulkas.com/en/
Why then is there a dearth of homeopathic practitioners at home, here in the USA? We are such a great nation, with the best research facilities in the world. Why are we missing out on this great science? Just imagine the possibilities, if our research potential and homeopathy came together! Indeed it is my sincerest belief that the USA could herald in a New Age, a Medical Revolution of sorts that would be unprecedented in modern history.
Right now, new diseases are rampant and medical bills from serious illness in the family, is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country.
Right now, new diseases are rampant and medical bills from serious illness in the family, is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the country.
Why the stigma, the doubt, sometimes even ridicule to something 'scientifically' proven, invented by Hahnemann, who himself was an MD. Homeopathy was subsequently refined by many more physicians and pharmacists, and consequently endorsed and practiced by several MD mainstream doctors, not just in the 1800's but even at the turn of the century, and now too, in the US itself.
In fact, there were several Homeopathic colleges in the USA as well, and homeopathy enjoyed both popularity and repute. In fact, all of the USA, there is only one statue honoring a physician. That statue was dedicated in 1900, by none other than the US President at the time, President William McKinley. The statue is of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. Known as The Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) Memorial, it is in the nations capitol, Washington DC. You can see it here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/medtour/hahnemann.html
Modern medicine cannot be replaced for its urgent care miracles. Endorsing homeopathy does not mean bashing allopathic care. However, considering the ease of use, ready availability, and most of all the low cost remedies, that make homeopathy an excellent alternative for several common and chronic complaints. In allopathy, the issue is with side effects of drugs, which sometimes far outweigh the risks of the disease.
The Hippocratic Oath to first, "Do no harm", is also better served with homeopathy. The excessive use of antibiotics, steroids, unnecessary surgery and other invasive chemical interventions is avoided, especially in situations where there is no known cure in allopathy, (such as a peri anal abscess or fistula-more about this in a forthcoming post) and known successful treatments in homeopathy.
The Hippocratic Oath to first, "Do no harm", is also better served with homeopathy. The excessive use of antibiotics, steroids, unnecessary surgery and other invasive chemical interventions is avoided, especially in situations where there is no known cure in allopathy, (such as a peri anal abscess or fistula-more about this in a forthcoming post) and known successful treatments in homeopathy.
As discussed in the last post, a very good introduction to homeopathy can be found in "The Journey of a Disease" by Dr. Mohinder Singh Jus, ( http://www.shi.ch ) who practices in Zug, Switzerland.
Another very good book, is by Dr. Tom Dooley, who first trained as a conventional medical doctor and now practices (http://www.drdooley.net) Homeopathy in California. Dr. Tom Dooley's "Beyond Flat Earth", which he generously offers as a free read in e-book format is our text book for the Foundations of Homeopathy class. http://www.beyondflatearth.com
Homeopathy is an 'all inclusive' protocol, that harms no one, yet can potentially help everyone, including animals and PLANTS! Someone needs to let the world know, and yours truly is enjoying doing it.
Next time: What are some conditions that homeopathy can cure and for which modern medicine has no satisfactory outcome.
