What are Homeopathics?

Homeopathic remedies (also called homeopathics) are a system of medicine based on three principles:

·         Like cures like
For example, if the symptoms of your cold are similar to poisoning by mercury, then mercury would be your homeopathic remedy.

·         Minimal Dose
The remedy is taken in an extremely dilute form; normally one part of the remedy to around 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water.

·         The Single Remedy
No matter how many symptoms are experienced, only one remedy is taken, and that remedy will be aimed at all those symptoms.

Similar principals forms the basis of conventional allergy treatment, where the allergic substance is given in a small dose, and in vaccines where an impotent form of the virus is given to bolster the immune system against that particular virus.

Why use Homeopathics?

Homeopathy is the second most widely used system of medicine in the world. Its growth in popularity in the United States has been around 25 to 50 percent a year throughout the last decade.

This success is fueled by several factors:

·         Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid, complete and permanent.

·         Homeopathy is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant women can use Homeopathy without the danger of side effects. Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medication without producing unwanted side effects.

·         Homeopathy is natural. Homeopathic remedies are normally based on natural ingredients.

·         Homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system, unlike some conventional medicines which suppress the immune system. (For example, cough medicines suppress the cough reflex, which is your body's attempt to clear the lungs)

·         Homeopathic remedies are not addictive - once relief is felt, you should stop taking them. If no relief is felt, you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.

·         Homeopathy is holistic. It treats all the symptoms as one, which in practical terms means that it addresses the cause, not the symptoms. This often means that symptoms tackled with Homeopathy do not recur.

But there is a catch...

Every silver lining has a cloud, and there are two main barriers to the effective use of homeopathy:

·         Prescribing the right homeopathic remedy takes a little more time and patience than conventional medicine. Exactly the right remedy needs to be taken for your symptoms. There is no such thing as a standard homeopathic headache remedy (though, sadly that doesn't mean no such product is sold...).
The remedy you take has to be matched to your particular headache - where it occurs, what brings it on, what type of pain it is, what aggravates it, what makes it feel worse, your state of mind and what other symptoms you experience.

·        The sheer range of remedies in use can cause practical problems for an average sized pharmacy. If the right remedy is not one of 30 or so commonly used remedies, they can be difficult to obtain. 

Homeopathy in Pakistan

The advent of homeopathy in Pakistan is practically the same as in India because India and Pakistan were a single country until 1947.

For 18 years after the creation of Pakistan, homeopathy was practiced widely but remained officially unrecognized. In 1965, the Government passed an act under which homeopathy and the indigenous herbal systems of medicine were regulated. Homeopaths wishing to continue their practice were assessed by a Government nominated Board of Senior homeopaths. All practitioners with sufficient experience and knowledge of the system were formally registered and allowed to continue their practice.

This Board of Homeopathic System of Medicine working under the Ministry of Health, was, in 1982, renamed the National Council for Homeopathy. This council is now responsible for conducting examinations, approving new homeopathic colleges, and registering practitioners.

All homeopaths are required to undergo four years of training. They are then awarded a diploma (DHMS). After a six-month apprenticeship with a qualified homeopath, they may be registered with the National Council for Homeopathy and become eligible to practice. The number of homeopaths registered with the council is about 70,000.

There are 84 recognized homeopathic colleges, with about another 30 awaiting recognition. Any MBBS (MD) doctor may legally practice homeopathy if he can satisfy the council that he has done six-months of apprenticeship in the field. There are a number of MBBS (MD) doctors practicing homeopathy. Government hospitals also employ homeopaths. There are hundreds of free Government dispensaries in the provinces.

There are a number of local homeopathic manufacturing pharmacies. Most medicines are available in all standard potencies and many of them up to CM. All drugs except psychotropics and opiates are freely available without a doctor's prescription. The country is represented in the LMHI.