World Homeopathy Day: A Brief Reflection on its History and Relevance to Human and Animal Health
- M.V. Claudia Barbieri
- Apr 10
- 4 min read
On April 10, we celebrate World Homeopathy Day, a time to reflect on the benefits of this form of medicine that is gaining increasing recognition. Created at the end of the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy emerged as an alternative to the aggressive medical practices of the time, such as bloodletting and the use of toxic substances. Its fundamental principle, “like cures like” gained popularity in European countries and the United States during the 19th century.
However, at the beginning of the 20th century, medicine underwent a transformation under the influence of big oil tycoon John Rockefeller, who invested heavily in the pharmaceutical industry, promoting medicine based on synthetic drugs. In 1910, the Flexner Report, financed by Rockefeller, evaluated medical schools in the USA and recommended that only conventional medicine, based on drugs and surgery, be encouraged. This report marginalized integrative and complementary practices such as homeopathy and consolidated conventional medicine as the main therapeutic approach.
Despite this marginalization, homeopathy has experienced a renaissance in recent decades. Increased concern about the adverse effects of conventional medicines and the search for more natural and holistic treatments have contributed to the growing acceptance of homeopathy. Today, it is recognized and used in countries such as India, France, Germany and Brazil, where since 2006 it has been part of the Ministry of Health's National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices (PICS).
Homeopathy is one of the most popular forms of complementary and integrative medicine, with more than 250,000 doctors and 500 million users worldwide. According to 2019 data from ECHAMP, in the European Union, around 7.6% of the population (~40 million people) have already resorted to this type of treatmentIn France and Germany, the use of homeopathy is widespread and continues to grow, with many patients seeking homeopathic medicine to treat everything from chronic illnesses to emotional disorders. In the United States, around 7 million people use homeopathy, with steady growth, especially among women with a high level of education and a healthy lifestyle.
Homeopathy in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary homeopathy is also gaining acceptance, offering a viable option for the treatment of various diseases in animals of all species. Just as in human medicine, homeopathy seeks to restore balance to the animal's body, taking into account physical, emotional and behavioral aspects. It has been used successfully to treat acute and chronic conditions, behavioral disorders, post-operative care and disease prevention.
Although it is still less well known than conventional veterinary medicine, homeopathy is gaining popularity. For exemple, around 30% of vets in the UK are using it, and there is a growing acceptance in the United States and Brazil, where the Brazilian Homeopathic Veterinary Association (AMVHB) promotes the practice. And its application is not restricted to the small animal clinic, but also to the care of wild animals and even production animals. In the latter case, it is very useful in preventing and treating mastitis, preventing infection by intestinal parasites and ticks, for example, reducing the need to use conventional drugs.
Research and Effectiveness of Homeopathic Treatment.
Homeopathy has been the subject of several studies proving its effectiveness in treating a wide range of conditions. Comparative studies show that patients treated with homeopathy have better clinical results, with fewer side effects and less need for conventional medication. For example, in a study carried out in Germany, patients treated with homeopathy had significantly better results for conditions such as migraine, asthma, atopic dermatitis and depression, with less need for traditional medicines.
Research has also indicated that homeopathy can be effective in treating acute and chronic respiratory diseases. A multinational study, for example, showed that homeopathy had a favorable response rate of 82.6%, compared to 68% for conventional treatment. It is worth noting that the safety of homeopathic medicines is also well documented and there is no evidence that these medicines cause serious or lasting harm. In addition, in terms of cost, homeopathy has proven to be more advantageous. A study in France revealed that patients who consulted homeopathic doctors spent 20% less on health care than those who followed conventional treatments. This result is due to the reduced use of potentially harmful pharmaceutical drugs, such as psychotropic drugs and antibiotics.
The other major benefit of homeopathic treatment is that, by reducing the need for conventional drugs, it can play an important role in mitigating a major problem of our time, which is antimicrobial resistance. This is a growing global concern as the excessive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics is alarming in both human and veterinary medicine. Research indicates that homeopathy significantly reduces the use of antibiotics, helping to mitigate this serious public health problem.
Conclusion
Homeopathy continues to be an important complementary medicine with over 200 years of history. Its growing popularity in both human and veterinary medicine reflects the search for more natural and effective treatments. Although there is still skepticism and challenges to overcome, homeopathy has shown positive results in several areas, with growing acceptance by both patients and health professionals. As more research is carried out, both in human and veterinary medicine, and awareness of its benefits increases, it is aimed that homeopathy will become an even more integrated option to conventional healthcare systems, offering a holistic and effective approach to the treatment of diseases in people and animals.
References:
1. Riley D, Fischer M, Singh B, et al. (2001). Homeopathy and Conventional Medicine: An Outcomes Study Comparing Effectiveness in a Primary Care Setting. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 7:149–159.
2. Dossett ML, Davis RB, Kaptchuk TJ, Yeh GY. Homeopathy Use by US Adults: Results of a National Survey. Am J Public Health. 2016 Apr;106(4):743-5. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.303025. Epub 2016 Feb 18. PMID: 26890179; PMCID: PMC4816083.
Comentarios