Homeopathy History

The origin of Homeopathy dates back to the 18th century. During the inception of homeopathy, many malpractices of treatment were prevalent. Bloodletting was amongst the common practices indulged in; to cure diseases. However, these measures often worsened the condition of the sick and even caused death. As a result, these practices were highly condemned by Hahnemann. He considered all these methods irrational and unadvisable.

While translating a medical treatise by a Scottish physician and chemist, Hahnemann became skeptical of his explanation of cinchona's bark for the treatment of malaria. In order to test it, he consumed it himself. After ingestion, he experienced fever, shivering and joint pain, which were the early symptoms of malaria itself. With this, he came to the conclusion that all the effective drugs produce the symptoms of the disease they can treat, in a healthy individual. This became the most important principle of Homeopathy.

The term Homeopathy was coined by Hanhemann in 1807, which is derived from the Greek word "homeo", meaning like or similar and "pathos", meaning disease or suffering. It is a natural system of healing which employs extremely small doses of wholesome organs, tissues, metabolic factors, recombinant materials, plants, animals and minerals to stimulate the body's immune system. Thus, it is an established system of medicine based on the principle of treating like with like.

Moreover, it also initiated the process of 'proving'. Proving corresponds to the method of testing what effects various substances have on human beings. It required careful observation of the symptoms, the substances produced in the subject, as well as the conditions they appeared in. Hahnemann also advocated various lifestyle improvements to his patients, including exercise, diet, and cleanliness.