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Homeopathy
Two Centuries of Healing!
April 2002, is the 247th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, and the 206th anniversary of the publication of “Essay on a New Curative Principle” in which Hahnemann first created the word “homeopathy.”
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that utilizes minute doses of natural substances from plants, minerals and animals to stimulate the body to heal itself, to reverse disease. All symptoms are signs that the body is attempting to restore itself to health.
The word homeopathy derives from the Greek word homoios, meaning “similar,” and pathos, meaning “suffering.” Hahnemann used a Latin phrase: Similia Similibus Curentur, which translates into “Let likes cure likes.” Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann was born in a small town in the state of Saxony, before the formation of a unified Germany.
In his early years at school he was interested in botany, mathematics, and geometry. When he couldn't continue with his education because his father could not afford the fees, the Town School waived the school fees and Samuel was able to earn his keep by tutoring fellow students in the Greek language.
In 1775 he enrolled as a medical student at the University of Leipzig, funding his education by teaching students, and translating French and English works on medical and chemical subjects into German. In 1779 he graduated as a Doctor in Medicine.
As a Medical Officer of Health in Dresden, he was a compassionate and altruistic practitioner. In one of his writings, he quotes from Socrates regarding the ideal physician: “To the poor he gives his aid, his medical skill. With his stores he supports the convalescent families until they can again help themselves, and with the costliest of his wines he revives the dying…Even at midnight, he appears in the huts of the miserable to assist them, and lavishes on them consolation and advice.”
The scarlet fever epidemic of 1799 was a breakthrough for Hahnemann. A girl, whose family members were being treated for scarlet fever, was herself being treated for a different sickness with belladonna, a drug derived from the berries of the poisonous nightshade plant. The girl did not get scarlet fever. He gave this drug to other children in the family.They too did not get scarlet fever, even though they were in constant contact with infected members of their family.
The 1831–32 cholera epidemic was another opportunity for Hahnemann and homeopathy to be acknowledged, and with this popularity there developed a following of believers. The murderous cholera spread from Asia into the countries of Western Europe. Hahnemann researched an effective homeopathic treatment, and published instructions for this treatment. News of his remedy spread, was widely used, and proved more effective than the conventional bleeding and emetics which were then being prescribed.
In 1825, Homeopathy was brought to the United States by doctors who had studied in Europe, and they converted other doctors to homeopathic practice. Schools were established and a medical organization was formed. During the 1800s medical colleges taught homeopathy.
By early 1900, there were 22 homeopathic medical colleges and one out of five doctors used homeopathy. However, with the development of “wonder” drugs, homeopathy was pushed into the background, and by the late 40s no courses in homeopathy were taught in the U.S.
In 1922, the American Foundation for Homeopathy had begun to teach homeopathy as a post-graduate course for doctors, and the course now run by the National Center for Homeopathy has continued to this day.
The present day resurgence of homeopathy fueled in part by graduates of the NCH course is slowly bringing homeopathy back into the medical care system in the United States.
The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States was written into federal law in 1938 under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, making the manufacture and sale of homeopathic medicines legal in this country.
Homeopathic medicines are products made by homeopathic pharmacies in accordance with the processes describerd in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, the official manufacturing manual recognized by the FDA. Substances made from plants, minerals, animals, or chemical drugs are diluted carefully until little of the original remains.
The sale and manufacture of homeopathic medicines is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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