History and Philosophy of Natural Medicine: Homeopathy Analysis

This essay provides an in-depth exploration of homeopathic medicine, tracing its historical and philosophical roots. It begins by outlining the core principles of homeopathy, including the doctrine of 'like cures like' as conceived by Samuel Hahnemann. The paper details the process of homeopathic preparations, emphasizing the dilution methods and the importance of individual patient characteristics. It then examines the historical development of homeopathy, including its initial controversies with orthodox medicine, its evolution, and its eventual acceptance within medical domains. The essay also considers the current practices of homeopathy, analyzing the types of diseases it treats and the ongoing research and debates surrounding its efficacy, including the use of randomized controlled trials. The essay highlights the global context of homeopathic practices, with specific examples from Australia, and concludes by offering a comprehensive overview of the subject.

1Running head: NATURAL SCIENCE
History and Philosophy of Natural Medicine
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Homeopathy is an alternative medicine system whose aim is to cure symptoms of a
disease rather than curing the disease itself. This medical system is a pseudoscience and
opponents argue that it is incorrectly presented as having a scientific rationale behind it
(Roberts et al., 2016). The present paper describes the underlying theoretical structure that
homoeopathic medicine system is based on. Further, the contribution of cultural and
historical aspects to the development of this form of medicine is highlighted. Lastly, how this
medical system is practised today and how is differ from its historical usage is analysed.
According to Frei-Erb et al., (2016) homoeopathy system was brought into existence
by Samuel Hahnemann who believed in the doctrine of ‘like cure like’. His claim was that an
agent causing symptoms of a disease could cure the same type of symptoms in people who
are unhealthy or sick. The belief behind the medical system is that the underlying cause of
disease is certain phenomena that are responsible for causing complications in the body. The
homoeopathic preparations capable of addressing these phenomena, as suggested by
Hahnemann. The preparations are made through the process of homoeopathic dilution that
considers diluting a substance in a repetitive manner in distal water or alcohol while bashing
the containing vessel aginst an elastic material. Dilution is done till the original substance’s
molecules are not into existence. The dilutions are prescribed to the patients on the basis of
the personal traits, symptoms, life history, psychological state and physical state of the
patient.
After its first announcement in the year 1814, homeopathy created a warfare between
itself and orthodox medicine. Opponents had the belief that homeopathy medicine was not to
be considered as a reasonable and convinceable treatment system since the tenets and code of
belief regarding how the drugs work were opposed by different discoveries across scientific
world. However, Hahnemann insisted that the medicine could retain a diversified therapeutic
power and cure almost all forms of diseases, as announced by him in 1828. However, his

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followers brought modification to the claims so that it became accepted by orthodox medical
practitioners. In 1903, the American Medical Association considered including homoeopathy
within its domains. He Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1939 in the USA allowed
homoeopathic medicines to be sold openly on the market. There has been much evolution and
revival of the use of homeopathic medicine. In 2002, research indicated that the use of such
remedies has increased by almost 500% in the last seven years (Roberts et al., 2016).
At present, the diseases that are mostly considered for treatment by homeopathic
medicine include asthma, allergic rhinitis, depression, otitis media, headache neurotic
disorders, hypertension, non-specific allergy, dermatitis and arthritis. Previously the medical
system was used for curing only a few diseases. A number of countries across the globe have
engaged in research practices to highlight the optimal benefits that can be gained from this
medical system. Some practitioners have to opine that randomised controlled trials have
established the efficiency and efficacy of homeopathic medicines. However, some other
groups of scholars have pointed out that homeopathy has a negligible therapeutic effect and
this is more prominent since the randomised controlled trials had limitations of suitable study
methodology (Mathie et al., 2013). In Australia, the homeopathic profession has gained major
milestones in the past one decade. Thus, the profession has achieved the type of self-
regulation and organisation suggested by the Government. The homeopathic profession,
together with the Federal Government, had founded the National Competency Standards in
Homeopathy in the year 1999. Such approaches are found in many other countries as well
(Wardle et al., 2013).

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References
Frei-Erb, M., von Ammon, K., & Torchetti, L. (2016). Use of homeopathy in patients with
organ transplant in Switzerland: first results and further steps. Homeopathy, 105(1),
25.
Mathie, R. T., Hacke, D., Clausen, J., Nicolai, T., Riley, D. S., & Fisher, P. (2013).
Randomised controlled trials of homeopathy in humans: characterising the research
journal literature for systematic review. Homeopathy, 102(1), 3-24.
Roberts, E. R., Tournier, A. L., Chatfield, K., Viksveen, P., & Mathie, R. T. (2016). How safe
is homeopathy? An analysis of the Posadzki et al. 2012 safety paper and fresh review
of the same literature. Homeopathy, 105(1), 20.
Wardle, J., Adams, J., & Sibbritt, D. (2013). Homeopathy in rural Australian primary health
care: a survey of general practitioner referral and practice in rural and regional New
South Wales, Australia. Homeopathy, 102(3), 199-206.