A Review of Homeopathy in Veterinary Medicine
Rajashekar Kamalla1*, Dadimi Bhargavi2
1*Ph.D. Scholar, Division of Medicine, ICAR-IVRI, Izzatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2Ph.D. Scholar, Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, ICAR-IVRI, Izzatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract:
Although homoeopathy has been practised as an alternative form of treatment for the past 200 years, scientific research has not yet supported its efficacy. Contrary to the scientific ideas of traditional medicine, the use of extremely diluted natural substances based on the tenet that “similar heals similarly” is not recommended. Homoeopathic treatments are most frequently employed in veterinary care to treat small animals with chronic illnesses, but they are also being used in organic farming. There isn’t much clinical research about the application of homoeopathy in veterinary medicine that have been published in academic journals. Contradictory effectiveness outcomes are evident, which can be attributed to disparate research approaches. The results that support the use of homoeopathy, however, are significantly inversely correlated with the quality of the research. Scientific methodology is essential in evidence-based veterinary medicine for objective diagnosis and treatment prescription, and homoeopathy is a great teaching tool for potential methodological blunders in scientific research.
Key words: Homeopathy, Alternative Treatment, Similia Similibus Curentur, Potentiation, Individualization, Veterinary Homeopathy.
Introduction:
Homoeopathy is a unique medical theory that originated in Germany in the eighteenth century and later spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, India, Australia, South America, the United States, and Canada. It is based on the ideas presented by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, who invented homoeopathy in the late 18th century. The basic therapeutic tenet of homeopathy’s 200-year-old therapeutic system is the law of similars, sometimes known as “Similia similibus curentur” or “let like be cured by like.” According to this belief, patients with a specific pattern of symptoms may be treated if a medicine is given to them that also causes a pattern of symptoms in healthy people (Schmidt et al., 2021).
The use of very diluted medications to address a variety of health issues in animals is known as homoeopathy in the field of veterinary medicine. Even though it was initially created to treat human patients, Samuel Hahnemann, the creator of homoeopathy, predicted in 1815 that animals would likely benefit from it as well. However, veterinary homoeopathy research has had a less transparent existence than that of human homoeopathy, and very few papers have been published since then.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the principle of similars; that is, the symptoms or syndromes that a substance causes experimentally (at pharmacologic or toxic doses) are those that it may resolve in individuals experiencing similar symptoms and syndromes when it is given in specially prepared, exceedingly small doses. The word “homeopathy” is derived from the Greek words “homios” meaning “similar,” and “pathos” meaning “disease or suffering” (Fisher et al., 2012). In practising homeopathy, the symptoms that an animal exhibits are all-important in choosing the appropriate remedy to stimulate a healing response. Whereas, in conventional medicine, the thinking may assume that symptoms or signs represent the disease itself and need to be controlled or eliminated, in homeopathy, a symptom or sign is seen, not as the disease itself, but as a signal of it. Removing or suppressing a symptom or sign does not necessarily affect or remove the cause of the symptom or sign, in the same way that unplugging a car’s low oil warning light does not resolve the actual problem with the car. Therefore, homeopathy can be looked on a same method of individualizing a medicine for a patient; it is a system of finding a medicine that fits the totality of physical and psychological signs seen in a patient, in order to effect a cure in a deep and lasting way.
History of Homeopathy:
The history of homeopathy dates back to the late 18th century and is closely associated with the work of Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. Hahnemann became dissatisfied with the prevailing medical practices of his time, which often involved harsh treatments like bloodletting and the use of toxic substances. While translating a medical treatise, he encountered a passage about the use of cinchona bark (a traditional remedy for malaria) and questioned its effectiveness. To test the effects of cinchona bark, Hahnemann ingested it himself and observed that it caused symptoms similar to those of malaria. This led him to propose the principle of “like cures like,” which forms the basis of homeopathy. In 1810, Hahnemann published his seminal work, “Organon of the Rational Art of Healing.” This book outlined the fundamental principles of homeopathy, including the law of similars, the law of infinitesimals, and individualization. Hahnemann and his followers conducted extensive experiments with various substances, noting their effects on healthy individuals. The results of these provings were compiled into the Materia Medica Pura, a collection of symptoms associated with different homeopathic remedies. The first homeopathic school, the Allgemeine Homöopathische Kranken-Anstalt, was founded in Leipzig, Germany, in 1828. This institution provided education and training in homeopathy and played a crucial role in spreading the practice. Homeopathy was introduced to the United States by Hans Burch Gram, a student of Hahnemann, who immigrated to New York City in 1825. The first homeopathic medical college, the North American Academy of the Homeopathic Healing Art (later renamed the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania), was established in 1835. Hahnemann released the revised and expanded sixth edition of his “Organon of the Healing Art,” which became the standard reference for homeopathic practice. Throughout the 19th century, homeopathy gained popularity in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world. Many homeopathic hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies were established to provide homeopathic treatment. Towards the end of the 19th century, homeopathy faced challenges from the development of modern medicine and the rise of scientific scepticism. Conventional medicine began to dominate the healthcare landscape, leading to a decline in homeopathy’s popularity in some regions. Despite facing setbacks in the 20th century, homeopathy continued to be practiced and gained a dedicated following. In recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in alternative medicine, leading to a resurgence of interest in homeopathy.
Mechanisms and theory of Homeopathy?
The theory of homeopathy is based on several core principles that guide its practice. These principles were developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, in the late 18th century. The fundamental concepts of homeopathy include (Aversa et al., 2016):
- Like Cures Like (Similia Similibus Curentur):
The principle of “like cures like” is the foundation of homeopathy. It suggests that a substance that can produce specific symptoms in a healthy individual can also treat similar symptoms in a sick person when administered in a highly diluted form. In other words, a substance that causes certain symptoms in a healthy person will stimulate the body’s healing response to those same symptoms in a sick person.
- The Law of Infinitesimals (Law of Minimum Dose):
Homeopathic remedies are prepared through a process of potentization, which involves serial dilution and succussion (shaking). The more a substance is diluted, the more potent and effective it is believed to become. This process continues until the active ingredient is diluted to the point where it may no longer be detectable by conventional chemical analysis. The idea is that the vital energy or essence of the substance is retained even in high dilutions.
- Individualization:
Homeopathy treats each person as a unique individual. The focus is not solely on the disease but on the entire person, including their physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. Homeopathic practitioners conduct a detailed assessment of the patient’s symptoms, personality traits, and overall constitution to identify the most suitable remedy for them.
- Vital Force:
Homeopathy acknowledges the presence of a vital force or life force that maintains balance and health in the body. When this vital force is disturbed or imbalanced, it is believed to result in illness. Homeopathic remedies are thought to stimulate the vital force, encouraging the body’s innate healing abilities.
- Potentization and Succession:
As mentioned earlier, potentization is the process of dilution and succussion to prepare homeopathic remedies. Each dilution step is typically denoted by a number followed by a letter (e.g., 30C or 200X). The more diluted a substance, the higher the potency. The idea is that the potency enhances the remedy’s healing effects while reducing any potential toxic side effects.
- Totality of Symptoms:
Homeopathy considers all the symptoms experienced by the patient, whether physical, emotional, or mental, as part of a holistic approach. The totality of symptoms helps in matching the individual with the most appropriate remedy.
Applications in Veterinary Medicine:
A surprisingly wide range of ailments in both large and small animals can be treated using homoeopathy. It can be used as therapy for traumatic and recent injuries, such as sprains, concussions, and bug stings (Vockeroth et al., 1999). In these situations, the right homoeopathic treatment can lessen or even completely eliminate discomfort and swelling while also speeding up the healing process. It can be used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases, including acute and chronic diarrhoea, chronic gingivitis, acute and chronic respiratory diseases, and other disorders that may or may not respond to standard treatments (Madrewar et al., 2003). All sorts of acute and chronic skin diseases, including infections and allergies, can be treated with homoeopathy. If administered properly, it may even be successful in treating immune-mediated disorders. Homoeopathy can be highly beneficial in the treatment of many chronic disorders, including arthritis and spondylosis, even though it may be most successful in the treatment of conditions in which substantial pathology has not yet developed in the patient’s system (Mathie et al., 2003). Homoeopathy can also be beneficial in relieving cancer-related discomfort. The symptoms are largely the same in large animals. Many acute and chronic medical disorders that affect cattle and horses can be treated with homoeopathy. In several common illnesses including mastitis and colic in horses and cows, it might be a helpful therapeutic. The administration of remedies is typically relatively simple because they typically come in the shape of tiny tablets or liquid that are intended to be absorbed through the tongue or gums rather than down the throat. The usage of homoeopathic medicines is extremely safe. If the treatment is administered properly, there are typically no side effects. However, in the hands of those who are unfamiliar with homoeopathy or have little awareness of it, remedies may be misused or, far more frequently, the incorrect remedy may be taken, with no benefit at all. This is one of the reasons why, in the recent past, homoeopathy was viewed as a treatment with little to no effectiveness. It is clear that it does not damage the patient, but it also does it no help. The right treatment can be just as effective as conventional medicine in potentially fatal conditions like epilepsy or bloat, but since it’s crucial to pick the right remedy and comprehend how quickly the body responds, these kinds of conditions should only be handled under the close supervision of a licenced and experienced homoeopath.
Clinical research on homeopathic treatment:
Clinical research on homeopathic treatment has been a subject of ongoing investigation and debate within the scientific community. While some studies suggest positive outcomes and potential benefits, the overall body of evidence remains limited and often inconclusive. Researchers have conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the efficacy of homeopathy in various health conditions, including both human (Peckham et al., 2014)
and animal studies (Keller et al., 2018; Soto et al., 2009). However, the challenges in conducting high-quality clinical research on homeopathy include issues with blinding, the use of individualized treatments, and the difficulty in identifying appropriate placebo controls for highly diluted remedies (Jonas et al., 2001). Despite these challenges, some studies have reported favourable results, particularly in the management of certain acute conditions and chronic illnesses. However, more rigorous, well-designed studies are needed to establish a clearer understanding of homeopathy’s effectiveness beyond placebo effects and its potential role in integrative healthcare.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, homeopathy in veterinary medicine represents an intriguing and debated alternative treatment option for animals. With its roots in the principles of “like cures like” and potentization, homeopathy seeks to address a wide range of health conditions in a holistic manner, focusing on the individualized needs of each animal. While some pet owners and practitioners report positive outcomes, the scientific evidence supporting its efficacy remains inconclusive, leading to scepticism within the medical community. Despite this, homeopathy continues to garner interest and use as a complementary or adjunctive therapy in veterinary care. As with any alternative approach, pet owners are advised to seek guidance from qualified veterinarians trained in homeopathy to ensure safe and appropriate treatment for their animal companions, while also prioritizing evidence-based conventional medicine when necessary.
References:
Aversa, R., Petrescu, R.V., Apicella, A. and Petrescu, F.I., 2016. About homeopathy or≪ Similia similibus curentur≫. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 9(4).
Fisher, P., 2012. What is homeopathy? An introduction. Frontiers in Bioscience-Elite, 4(5), pp.1669-1682.
Jonas, W.B., Anderson, R.L., Crawford, C.C. and Lyons, J.S., 2001. A systematic review of the quality of homeopathic clinical trials. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 1, pp.1-10.
Keller, D. and Sundrum, A., 2018. Comparative effectiveness of individualised homeopathy and antibiotics in the treatment of bovine clinical mastitis: randomised controlled trial. Veterinary Record, 182(14), pp.407-407.
Madrewar, B.P., 2003. Therapeutics of veterinary homoeopathy. B. Jain Publishers.
Mathie, R.T., Baitson, E.S., Hansen, L., Elliott, M.F. and Hoare, J., 2010. Homeopathic prescribing for chronic conditions in feline and canine veterinary practice. Homeopathy, 99(04), pp.243-248.
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Soto, F.R.M., Vuaden, E.R., Benites, N.R., Bonamin, L.V. and de Azevedo, S.S., 2008. A randomized controlled trial of homeopathic treatment of weaned piglets in a commercial swine herd. Homeopathy, 97(04), pp.202-205.
Vockeroth, W.G., 1999. Veterinary homeopathy: an overview. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 40(8), p.592.
