Homeopathy is not a miracle medicine :-

Many people believe that homeopathy is a miracle science, it can make magical cure in even most incurable diseases such as cancer, comatose stages, paralysis, etc. Actually, it is not. Homeopathy is simple a science based on certain laws (law of similars, comparable with that of vaccinations); with its own scope and limitations. There are rules, parameters and methods of application, which determine the scope of treatment.

Homeopathy is very effective but please do not expect magic or miracles. Homeopathy is not an ultimate medicine, for nothing is ultimate in this universe.

Homeopathy is not a panacea :-

One of the myths about homeopathy is that it is a cure for all, a panacea. It is not. Homeopathy enjoys all the joys of scope of its application, as well as the limitations of the science. In fact, no medical science can be a panacea.

Homeopathy can cure early stages of Rheumatoid arthritis but not the deformities, which go with it, as an example.

Homeopathy is not just the mind-based medicine :-

Many homeopaths tend to relate disease or pathology in patients to some emotional parameter, almost always as cause and effect phenomenon. For example, diabetes due to stress in relationship or arthritis due to grief due to death of a loved one, etc. Psychosomatism is profoundly comprehended and valued in homeopathy; however, not necessarily as a causal phenomenon, but more as a part of the totality. There is no need to forcibly connect major emotions as the cause for development of every disease in all patients. Study of disease, diagnosis and mental attributes are studied in homeopathy.

Homeopathy is not spiritual :-

The question of relationship of Homeopathy to spirituality is often asked by both homeopathic practitioners and patients. Since homeopathy is based on potentised (incredibly minute) dose of the physical substance, which cannot be measured with the current scientific methods, many have theorized and connected homeopathy with spirituality. It seems interesting to read some correlation between the two; however, it may be detrimental for the growth of homeopathy if taken away from science and towards spirituality. Comparing ‘ vital force ’ with ‘ sole ’ and miasms with ‘ Buddhism ’ will take homeopathy away from scientific growth. Our ideal is "to restore health rapidly, gently, permanently."

Homeopathy is not-yet-fully-understood science, so, to some, it might look like some form of spirituality.

Homeopathy is not placebo therapy :-

The skeptics have always criticized homeopathy as placebo therapy, due to lack of adequate research as per modern medicine guidelines. Homeopathy is a proven therapy, used successfully for last 200 years in over 170 countries; supported by scientific studies. Since the results using homeopathic medicines are fairly reproducible, measurable and documentable, I would strongly say that homeopathy is far beyond placebo therapy.

Homeopathy is not faith healing :-

Next label from skeptics is that homeopathy is nothing but faith healing. Homeopathy has worked million times for those who did not believe in it. Also, babies, domestic and wild animals, respond to homeopathy; proving homeopathy to be more than placebo therapy. The effects of microdoses have been known for a long time, and there are a number of examples that support the idea that very diluted concentrations of a substance will have a measurable and sometimes profound effect. Scientists call this phenomenon: hormesis.

Cases of Hepatitis C, for example, where objective parameter such as drastic reduction in viral load after homeopathic medicines; is very hard to achieve with faith healing.

The skeptics should try out homeopathy, I suggest.

Homeopathy is not necessarily ‘single remedy’ magic :-

The homeopathic professionals have been taught to be dogmatic about the use of ‘single remedy’ at a time, for all patients, all the time. It is very hard to break this fixity and evolve from this rigid shell; which even the father of homeopathy, Dr Hahnemann, could not outgrow in his time. The homeopaths tend to be either emotional when it comes to talking about the use of more remedies in a give case or shy away from discussing about it. The profession has yet to enter into a scientific discussion about so-called poly-pharmacy (multiple medicines).

Homeopathy is not a ‘one size fits’ all system of medicine, with one remedy for one problem. Instead, homeopathic remedies are tailored to suit the individual. Each remedy has the capacity to treat numerous unrelated conditions across a large number of people while, at the other end of the spectrum, each condition may be treated by any one of numerous remedies depending on the co-existing symptoms of the sufferer. For eg. One problem - 4 Remedies, four children with an ear infection each needed a different remedy because of their different symptoms.

I deal with very severe pathologies such as Ulcerative colitis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Nephrotic Syndrome, etc. where it is not possible to administer a single remedy and wait. Every delay could be detrimental and not justified.

Homeopathy is not just ‘single dose’ therapy :-

‘Single remedy, single dose’ are the magic phrases found in homeopathic textbooks no more relevant in today’s medical practice. I have practiced the said phrases very religiously for over a decade and half; and have evolved from the dogmatism.

Sticking to the idea of single remedy and single dose could even lead to criminal intransigence.

Homeopathy is not dream-based treatment :-

Some teachings have led to create a cloud of delusion amongst some homeopaths, which believe that the practice of homeopathy can be based on the understanding of patient’s dreams. I would like to say that the Study of dreams is one of the twenty odd parameters in homeopathy; one of the most unreliable, indeed. Its importance should not be over emphasized.

Don't confuse Real Healing with suppression of the disease :-

Homeopaths assert that there is a big difference between real healing, palliation of symptoms and suppression of disease, even though each of these results may initially seem to be the same. Many conventional drugs are touted specifically for their ability to "suppress" symptom or even suppress the body’s own immune system. Ultimately, pushing the disease deeper into the person is the result of using pharmacological agents that are explicitly prescribed for their ability to control or inhibit symptoms that are the natural defensive functions of the body. Suppression of disease may provide the short-term benefit, but ultimately may make the person much sicker. Such suppression of the disease process may lead to increased chronic disease, immune dysfunction, and mental illness, all of which we are seeing together in epidemic proportions.

Treatment in Homeopathy is based on ‘Understanding the Healing Process from a Whole Systems Perspective’. Distinct from methods that suppress disease are those that help disease express and externalize itself. Homeopathy's use of the principle of similars is one important safeguard against disease suppression because it mimics the wisdom of the body rather than suppresses its symptoms.

Homeopathy is not very fast acting medicine :-

One of the myths about Homeopathy is that it is not a very fast acting medicine. Let me be honest. Homeopathy is fast acting in acute conditions such as infections, fever, diarrhea, etc. The chronic and old disease such as psoriasis takes a bit longer time to treat hence homeopathy has been labeled as slow acting. One must know that homeopathy is faster in the treatment of conditions such as allergy, asthma, eczema, migraine, arthritis.

Homeopathy is not simply constitutional medicine :-

Any contradiction to concept of the constitutional medicine is a potential trigger for third world war, amongst homeopaths at least. After twenty-five years of intense homeopathic practice, I believe that the constitutional medicine is a hype created in the profession. It calls for a review and re-evaluation. It is a huge topic, cannot be discussed in length here.

In brief, I would say, all cases may not find a constitutional medicine and can still be treated with success.

Homeopathy is not suitable for all acute and critical diseases :-

One school of thought is that homeopathy can cure each a every acute and critical disease such as cerebral malaria, bacterial meningitis, acute renal failure, severe pneumonia, acute myocardial infection (heart attack), and the like.

I strongly opine that it is not true. Homeopathy is a science having a limitation whereby severe acute and critical disease situations cannot be consistently treated with success. Please read the word 'consistently' with emphasis. Success with some cases, on some occasions, may not be enough. The results have to be comparable with the modern medicine; in order that we ethically claim success of homeopathy in severely acute and critical illnesses.

Every disease is not curable, even if the remedy is right :-

Many people and some homeopaths believe that if symptoms of the patient match with some medicines, every disease becomes curable. In other words, if the medicine selection is perfect, the cure is certain; irrespective of the nature of the disease. This is not true. The curability of any disease depends on several factors such as 1. Nature of the disease. For example, hepatitis (inflammation of liver) may be curable; while cirrhosis (scarring) of liver is not curable. 2. Extent of pathological change. For example, a fewer patches of Alopecia Areata (hair loss patches) are curable; but total hair loss (Alopecia totalis) is not curable. 3. Reversibility of the disease process and outcome. Inflammatory arthritis can be helped but Osteoarthritis (bony overgrowth) cannot be reversed. 4. Selection of the correct homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy is not beyond the modern medical science :-

The well-evolved medical knowledge acquired by medical science is very much required for the evolution of homeopathy. Homeopathy does not claim to be beyond the modern medical science. In fact, it is high time to understand that homeopathy and medical science are not distinctly different as far as the 'medicine' is concerned. They are not contrary but complementary and collaborating; belonging to the same medical science.

Homeopathy is not against the modern medicine :-

Some may believe that 'modern medicine' and homeopathy against each other, contrary; kind of enemies! I have always wondered, how such concepts have grown in the minds of medicos, homeopaths and lay-people. Homeopathy is just a science; a part of medical science.

If we look at the evolution of engineering sciences, do we believe that computer engineering is contrary to the electronics; mechanical engineering opposing to electrical or civil engineering's? Not really. They all are complementing each other. Why dont we have maturity when it comes to medical sciences?

Homeopathy is not against surgery :-

Homoeopathy is not against surgery. Surgery is an art and science by itself. Surgery is called forth in conditions where medicines have limited role and where surgical aid, operation can cure or improve the condition. There are a number of diseases which are labelled as Surgical, where homoeopathy works curatively and can avoid surgery. Some such ailments are: Septic recurrent tonsillitis, Piles, Fissure-in-ano, Fistula, Appendicitis (except gangrenous), Chronic ear discharge, Vocal cord nodules, Polyp in nose-ear, Kidney and biliary stones, Small size uterine fibroid, Ovarian cyst, Warts, Corns etc

While evaluating what homeopathy is all about; it would be equally important to understand what homeopathy is not. I hope this piece of article will stimulate many.