RESEARCH IN HOMOEOPATHY

Every Science, if it has to survive and flourish, must evolve according to the times and demands. Homoeopathy being no exception. Being a Scientific Art, it must also follow the dictates of time. Majority of homoeopaths in India and abroad are of the opinion that Homoeotherapeutics being a complete science, it does not require any research; since whatever is required for a rational practice is already enshrined in the trio of Organon, Chronic Diseases, & Materia medica. So, the general homoeopathic practitioner has only to percieve & practice the precepts of the Masters of the pathy as observantly & minutely as possible. As it is, this idea is quite true to some extent. But fortunately a large number of us have now started to realise that the teachings of the Organon & Chronic Diseases as well as the tools of materia medica are solely based on the life-long research work of Hahnemann in collaboration with his direct disciples and that all these teachings would not have been assimilable and applicable for us without the dedicated works of Bonninghausen, Kent, Hering, Allen (s), Roberts, BK Bose, BK Sarkar, JN Kanjilal, and many more devoted souls. Its high time for us to think if we too can do something to further enrich this already enriched science. Orthodoxy & narrow mindedness must not render such an invaluable gift of the Master for the ailing humanity a stale stuff. We cannot only stick to what was concieved and preached by our stalwarts, centuries back. The times of Hahnemann were much different from what we are facing today. Everything is changing. Life & living are not the same as those of primitive times. Diseases of those days were simple et superficial (infective, deficiency disorders, etc). But nowadays they are complex, multiorganismal and lifelong (Pychosommatic, Metabolic, Immunological,etc).
So keeping in mind these basic facts, every reason gifted Homoeopath shall agree that we need changes in certain areas of our rational system. New ideas, concepts, theories, approaches etc. must be introduced inorder to fulfil the lacunaes of today. So we have seen that RESEARCH is one of the most essential limb of every viable system. Another wrong notion is widely prevelent is that any sort of research involves costly & elaborate paraphernalia, gadgets and sophestications which are beyond the reach of an average homoeopathic practitioner. Yes it may be true for some researches as determining the precise nature of potentised medicines beyond the Avogadro’s limit, clinical reseach involving biophysics, biochemisty, cybernetics, etc. But there are a good amount of works that can be done by an average homoeopath too. But as far as the field of Homoeopathy is concerned, we must investigate this million dollar question - Research in which areas ?.
* Do we require newer remedies for effectively combacting newer diseases ?
* Do we need deeper insights in understanding the modes of action of Homoeopathic remedies?
* Do we require to reprove the remedies in todays environment ?
* Do we need to discover newer methods for treating the newer diseases of present times?.
* Do we require to update our Literatures in today’s context?
These and many other areas which require deep pondering if we want Homoeopathy to remain alive and a viable alternative to the traditional mode of Drug Therapeutics. Through this write-up we wish to bring to light the intricacies in the field of Research in Homoeopathy.
First of all, let us throw some light on the subjects of proving newer remedies. Do we really need new remedies when we have not been able to legibly apply all the remedies already exisiting in our chest. Is there a single Homoeopath on this planet who can claim that he has used each and every remedy already proved and documented by our stalwarts for the diseases of the present times? If the answer is NO then where is the rationale in proving fresh ones. Why can’t some possible methods be explored which can assist us for the use of the rarer remedies. Research for newer remedies must be done only after we have failed to produce expected results from those which are already gathering dust in our Almirahs. Will it not be foolish to undertake such a futile exercise. So then which are the areas where we require a fresh look? We are of the opinion that we primarily need to work in the field of Case Taking, symptom extraction et appreciation, Miasms, understanding of the manifestations, drug selection, Posology, Psychotherapy, etc.
AREAS OF-RESEARCH : The National Academy of Homoeopathy, India has undertaken some projects of Clinical and Literary Research, keeping in mind the fundamentals laid down in the Organon of Medicine. The Academy firmly believes that the authenticity of any Research in Homoeopathy is established if it passes through the seive of the Organon of Medicine. Any venture other than this should not be considered as Homoepathy. Otherwise we would also fall in the same trap as the so called modernizers of Homoeopathy. Thus the Research should have the sanction of the Organon. Now we shall dwell upon some areas in which Newer approaches are necessary. They being -
1. Case Taking - Much of the scenario of cases presenting at the Homoeopathic OPD has undergone a sea-change compared to those of Hahnemann’s time. A large number of mixed cases (70%) (a combination of natural symptoms, altered symptoms, suppressed symptoms, drug induced smptoms, secondary symptoms due to ultimates, those due to’environmental influences, etc.) present at the table of a homoepathic practitioner. Hence different methods of case taking have to be evolved for different types of cases. It was this very reason which prompted The National Academy Of Homoeopathy, India, to classify the cases under different case heads and their approach of case taking.
2. Diagnosis - In today’s era, the knowledge of Medicine is equally important as that of the drugs. One has to make both the nosological diagnosis as well as the person diagnosis. Clinical Examination, pathological cum radiological investigations have become essential for diagnosing cases. Research into this area should make Homoeopaths abreast with modern diagnostic technologies & their clinical application in therapeutics. The Academy is presently working extensively in this area.
3.Drug Selection- As mentioned, the varied cases which present to the Homoepaths now demand of him to use even Rare homoeopathic remedies apart from the usual ones. Some form of specialization must be introduced in the curricula so that the Homoeopath has a defined set of patients to work upon. He will then be able to use "the lesser used remedies" often and add clinical symptoms to the Materia medica. The Academy has undertaken such works in the field of Cardiology and Allergic disorders.
4. Posology - Research into posology would be instigated when one answers the question as to why Hahnemann himself felt the need for introducing the 50 millesimal potency in the fading years of his life, in the 6th Edition of Organon. This is because he himself could realise the short comings of the Centisimal scale. Don’t we agree that a good amount of work could be done in this area too.
5. Management - Homeopathy at the time of Hahnemann was considered administration of drugs as the prime mode of treatment. Thus Homeopathic remedies were the only weapons available. Whereas today the patients are required to be Managed (the medicinal part constitutes only 30 - 40% of the lot). More emphasis has to be laid on the auxillary measures, psychotherapy, physiotherapy, counselling & mechanical aids. Thus today we should strive for a Broad based Mangement.
6. Scope of Homoeopathy in Surgery - Very few authenticated researches are there regarding the scope of Homoeopathy in management of pre, peri & postoperative patients. Likewise effective and prompt management of Pain and Anasthesia also demand good amount of Research. The Department of Gynecology, at Shaad Hospital Complex and Research Centre, Nagpur, the working headquarters of the Academy is actively involved in these areas for past 18 years.
7. Scope of Homoeopathy in Emergencies -Medical Emergencies are really a challenge to any physician be it from any pathy. There exist very few authenticated documented papers published in reliable Periodicals on the use of homoeopathic drugs in clinical emergencies. Here, the Department of Cardiology of The National Academy of India, is carrying out a 5 year Clinical research on the Scope of Homoeopathy in Ischemic Heart Disease (Acute & Chronic Coronary syndromes) since January, 2004.
8.Updating the Literature - The Homoeopathic literature has to be updated keeping in view the trends and terminologies of today. Likewise there are areas like Perception of Evolution of Miasms, Publication of well documented clinical works etc.which require special emphasis.
INFINE : Before we close we would like to put a word of caution to the fraternity. Today in name of RESEARCH & progress, new drugs are being proved and applied in the most unscientific manners, not based on Organon, new concepts are being coined, new methods of application of remedies are being practised and preached etc. Unfortunately, it is saddening that majority of these have drifted far away from the basic fundamentals laid down in the Organon. Such so called Researches will bring a doom of Homoeopathy just like it has faced in Germany, United States & United Kingdom.