Homoeopathy explained: principles and use in India, a review

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine that many families in India know well. This review explains how the Ministry of Ayush and its research council describe the system, what its main ideas are and how it is used, and it adds what the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says about those ideas. It is general information, not a recommendation for any treatment.

1. Introduction

Homoeopathy was developed by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755 to 1843). The name comes from Greek words meaning "similar" and "suffering" ^[1]. The Ministry of Ayush says it was introduced as a scientific system of drug therapeutics by a German physician in 1805 and that it has been practised in India for around 200 years ^[3]. The Ministry counts it among the Ayush systems of medicine, alongside Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa Rigpa ^[3].

2. Principles as officially described

The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) describes the core idea as the law of similars, from the Latin phrase meaning "let likes be treated by likes" ^[2]. In this idea a medicine is chosen because it can produce symptoms similar to those the person is experiencing. The council also says the approach is holistic and takes each person's individual characteristics into account ^[2].

The National Health Portal of India lists further principles ^[1]:

• Individualisation: the portal describes a holistic approach in which the person is considered at physical, mental, social and spiritual levels.
• Minimum dose: medicines contain very small quantities of the original substance.
• Drug proving: the portal describes using only medicines whose effects have been verified safely on human beings, which it calls drug proving.
• Other concepts: the portal also names drug dynamisation, the totality of symptoms, the vital force and the use of a single remedy at a time, without explaining them in detail.

These are the ideas of the system as its own institutions explain them. They are not the same as findings from modern laboratory science.

3. How medicines are made and given

NCCIH explains that homoeopathic remedies come from plants, minerals and animal sources, and that many are diluted so much that no molecules of the original substance may remain ^[4]. Common forms are small sugar pellets taken under the tongue, as well as drops, tablets, gels and creams ^[4]. In India, standards for these medicines are set through a national pharmacopoeia, which is a book of official quality standards, and the Ministry reports that monographs for 1,117 homoeopathic drugs have been published ^[3].

4. How homoeopathy is practised in India

Ministry of Ayush figures show how widely the system is used. As on 1 January 2024 there were 3,44,443 registered homoeopathy practitioners, the second largest group among Ayush systems after Ayurveda ^[3]. As on 1 April 2024 there were 273 undergraduate homoeopathy colleges, 262 homoeopathy hospitals with 8,154 beds and 9,872 homoeopathy dispensaries, and the Ministry says homoeopathy dispensaries exist in 35 States and Union Territories ^[3].

The National Health Portal states that homoeopathic medicines are used for a wide range of complaints, including skin disorders, allergic conditions and long-term diseases, and that they are used as an adjunct, meaning an addition alongside other care, in conditions such as cancer, COPD and diabetes ^[1]. An adjunct is meant to sit beside the main treatment, not take its place.

5. Research and what is still debated

The Ministry of Ayush supports Extra Mural Research in homoeopathy through grant-in-aid, and CCRH scrutinises the projects received. The stated aims include ascertaining the efficacy of treatment, a better understanding of homoeopathic principles and validating the safety, efficacy and quality of Ayush drugs ^[2]. CCRH also runs a network of research institutes and units across India ^[2].

NCCIH takes a more cautious view. It notes that several core homoeopathic ideas conflict with established science, and that a 2015 Australian government review found no reliable evidence that homeopathy works for any health condition ^[4]. A separate article in this series looks at the evidence in more detail.

6. Safety and use alongside modern medicine

NCCIH advises people not to use homeopathy in place of proven care or to delay seeing a health professional, and to bring any homeopathic product to appointments so that a provider can check for risks ^[4]. It also says a product marked homeopathic is not always highly diluted, and some contain active ingredients that can cause side effects or interact with other medicines ^[4].

Practical steps include:

• Ask your doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly or giving it to a child.
• Tell every doctor and practitioner about every medicine you take, including homoeopathic ones.
• Keep taking prescribed medicines and keep vaccination schedules. Do not stop them unless your doctor says so.

7. When to see a doctor

See a doctor promptly for symptoms that are severe, getting worse, do not improve, keep coming back or worry you. This includes a high or long-lasting fever, trouble breathing, severe pain, bleeding, sudden weakness, confusion, or any symptom in a baby or young child that concerns you. Do not delay a medical review in order to try a homoeopathic medicine first. NCCIH says not to use homeopathy to replace proven conventional care ^[4].

In an emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in India, 911 in the United States).

8. Conclusion

Homoeopathy is a recognised system of medicine in India with its own principles, institutions and registered practitioners. NCCIH, however, notes that some of its core ideas conflict with established science and that a 2015 Australian government review found no reliable evidence that it works for any health condition. A sensible approach is to treat it as a complementary choice, see a registered practitioner, share every treatment with your doctor and never delay urgent or proven care.