Homeopathic FAQs...........

Is Homoeopathy slow acting?
The pace of action of homoeopathic medicines depends upon many factors. If the disease is of recent origin, the cure should be achieved within a short period. In such cases, if the selection of the medicine, its potency and repetition schedules are correct, then homoeopathic medicines also work quickly.
In chronic cases, it takes more time for complete cure. Homoeopathic medicines, if correctly chosen, will never palliate the disease, rather it eradicates the disease permanently and completely, for which it is quite natural that more time is required. Moreover, the duration of treatment is likely to be prolonged if there is negligence on the part of the patient in controlling his diet and habits etc.

Does Homoeopathy first aggravate the disease?
After taking Homoeopathy medicines, the patient�s complaint sometimes may aggravate in certain rare conditions. Firstly, if the patient has taken non-homoeopathic medicines (prior to the administration of homoeopathic medicines), then those medicines might have suppressed the ailments and after application of homoeopathic medicines, some of those suppressed complaints may reappear. In such case, the patient blames homoeopathy for such aggravation. Secondly, when the homoeopathic medicines rightly chosen for a patient, is employed in slightly higher potency (than required), or the patient is basically hypersensitive, then there may occur a transient intensification of the existing symptoms of the patient (Homoeopathy aggravation). But this aggravated condition does not persist for a long time and is followed by cure.

Is it true that tea, onion, garlic etc. are prohibited during Homoeopathic treatment?
It is not true that onion, garlic, tea, coffee, paan, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes etc. are prohibited under homoeopathic treatment. But, the substances which may antidote the effects of a particular medicine should be stopped. For example, tea and raw onion may neutralize the actions of Thuja occ., Coffee affects while taking Psorinum and use of camphor is contra-indicated for most of the homoeopathic medicines. So, these items are to be prohibited during use of the respective medicines. But, it goes without saying that homoeopathic medicines would act better in those patients who are non-addicts and when taken in clean mouth, without the influence of any strong smelling substance.

Can diabetics take Homoeopathic pills which contain sugar?
Yes, they can take, as the amount of sugar in homoeopathic medicinesis negligible. If necessary, medicines can be given in distilled water also.

Do Homoeopathic Medicines have any expiry period?
There are no expiry dates of homoeopathic medicines. But the medicated globules may be rejected when their white colour changes. In case of liquid form, if there is change in colour or sediments are detected, then the medicine should also be discarded. Freshly prepared homoeopathic medicines, in alcohol, have strong smell which gradually diminishes with passage of time. But some patients attribute it to be diminution of their efficacy and do not like to continue those odourless medicines. This is a wrong notion, because the quality of the medicines, existing in dynamic form, remains unaltered. However, it is advisable to store Homoeopathic medicines in a dry cool, covered place away from strong sunlight and strong smelling substances.

Whether other medicines can be taken in emergency?
Yes. If in a patient under homoeopathic treatment, an emergency arises, warranting immediate attention, the patient can take other non-homoeopathic medicines. Once the emergency condition is over, he can resume homoeopathic treatment after consulting his physician.

Can homoeopathy treat anything and everything?
Like any other system of medicine, homoeopathy has its own limitations. By homoeopathy, any ailment-acute or chronic, local or general can be treated except the diseases where surgery is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, some so-called surgical diseases can also be treated by homoeopathy, like enlarged tonsils, nasal polyps, kidney stones, warts, piles, anal fissure/fistula, tumors of uterus, ovary, breast etc.

Whether Homoeopathic medicines have any side effects?
Homoeopathic medicines have no side effects. The term �side affects� of a medicine comes from modern pharmacology. These drugs are aimed at certain area(s) of the body, such as the cardiovascular system, the gut, the kidneys, etc. Though they have a primary area of action, they also affect other areas of the body. If these other effects are undesirable, they are known as adverse side effects. Homoeopathic medicines are not employed against any particular system or organ of the body. Rather, the homoeopathic remedy is chosen on the basis of the totality of symptoms of the patient and targets the patients as a whole. Side effects, such as tissue destruction, do not occur under homoeopathy treatment.

Are Laboratory Investigations required for Homoeopathic Treatment?
Although Homoeopathic medicines are prescribed on the basis of symptoms of the patient, laboratory investigations are essential for the purpose of diagnosis of disease, general management of the case (viz. restricting sugar intake in case of Diabetes, high cholesterol diet in case of hypertension, use of collar in cervical spondylitis, change of lifestyle etc.) and for assessing the future course of the disease (prognosis). In certain cases, the laboratory investigations are also helpful in selection of medicines e.g., Worm infestations, Kidney/Gall bladder Stone, fracture etc.