Homeopathic medicines are prepared through a process called drug dynamisation wherein the innate property of the crude substance is activated to a dynamic stage. The drug dynamisation also reduce the toxicological properties of the crude drug and enhance its dynamic properties. Homoeopathy postulates that the dynamic properties of the Homeopathic medicines act on the life force of the individual and the help healing process of the sick individual.

It is a false notion that homoeopathic medicines act slow. One of the reasons for such a mis conception could be due to the fact that inspite of its tremendous potential to cure common acute aliments, Homoeopathy is being widely used for treatment of long term ailments. The long term diseases take more time to recover than acute diseases.

A well selected Homeopathic remedy act very fast in acute diseases also

Commonly people resort to Homeopathic treatment when their ailment becomes more and chronic, or when there is a difficult condition, which defies conventional treatment or there is a proposed surgical treatment which is unavoidable. Naturally, these conditions will take some time to be cured. Even then, by its effectiveness and successes, it has earned good reputation and patronage. The use of these medicines in Government dispensaries in various localities has proved their quick effect where majority of patients come only for acute problems like diarrhea, fever, cough, cold and pains

Source; Myths and Facts (CCRH Publication)

Homoeopathy has its own scope and limitations. Through Homoeopathy, acute or chronic, local or general ailments can be treated excerpt diseases where surgery is unavoidable. Some of the so called surgical problems like enlarged tonsils, sinusitis, piles, fistula, kidney stone etc, in its early stages could be treated with Homoeopathic medicines to a large extent.

Source; Myths and Facts. (CCRH Publication)

It does not happen in all cases and always, if the chosen remedy matches the patient’s need. But if repeated more than the need, it often increases the complaints, but it would subside on its own as soon as medicine is withdrawn.

As a general rule there is no restriction of items like onion, garlic, perfume, paan and tobacco. However, while treating diseases, the physician may ask to restrict certain diet or items that may hinder the cure of the diseases or aggravates the condition. Similarly, there may be certain substance which my lessen the action of medicines. Your doctor is the best person to advise you the restrictions required while taking medicine. Asking not to use paan, cigarette, tobacco are on the other hand healthy restrictions.

It is a fact that homoeopathic medicines do not have any known side effects. The term ‘side affects’ of a medicine comes from modern pharmacology. These drugs are aimed at one area of the body such as the cardiovascular system, the gut, the kidneys, etc. Though they have a primary area of action, they also affect other areas of the body. If these effects are undesirable, they are known as adverse side effects. Homoeopathic medicines are not employed against one particular area or organ of the body. The homoeopathic remedy is chosen because it matches as closely as possible with the totality of symptoms of the patient. Side effects, such as tissue destruction, do not occur under Homoeopathy.

Success of Homoeopathic practice depends on the availability of quality drugs. The manufacture and sale of Homoeopathic drugs is regulated under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 by the Govt. of India. The Good manufacturing practices (GMP) has been notified in 2008.

The Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committee (HPI) was established in 1962 to lay down the standards for the Homoeopathic drugs. Worked out standards are released by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare in the form of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India. Six such volumes have been published.

The Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL) has been established in the year 1975 as the standard setting-cum-drug testing laboratory at a national level. It has been declared as Apex Drug Testing Laboratory for the purpose of quality control. It combines contemporary advanced technology with indigenous know how and needs.

With the increasing popularity of the system it was mandatory that the quality medicines are available easily both to the doctor and the patient at economic rates. This lead to the manufacture of Homoeopathic medicines in the country. Today there is approximately 343-licensed Drug Manufacturing Unit in India. With the advancement of technology and newer techniques this industry is also making strides towards modernization. In this endeavor some of the manufactures have made collaborations with foreign companies and brought in state of the Art manufacturing practices. The Government takes steps to ensure that the quality of the products is maintained and improved by inspecting the manufacturing units regularly. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (HPI) is included in the Second Schedule of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The provisions stipulate that the standards of identity, purity and strength prescribed in HPI are mandatory for all the drugs manufactured in India.

The Government of India on 22nd September 1962 constituted the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committee (HPC). The Homoeopathic drugs are available in the market in mother tincture form and in potency. The priority of the HPC is to fix standards up to the level of mother tincture or equivalent i.e. of the raw materials and methods of preparations. From 1962 onwards the Committee has finalised and recommended standards for 944 Homoeopathic drugs which have been published in 9 volumes of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India.

In 1975, Government of India established the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory as an organisation to monitor the quality of Homoeopathic medicines. This is an apex laboratory to lay the standards of Homoeopathic medicines. It is the approved laboratory under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 with the duties and functions of Central Drugs Laboratory under Section 6 of the Act and Rules 3(a) and Sub-Rule (7). This laboratory is functioning in the Central Government Office complex at Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad.

1. Homoeopathic Medicines are defined under Rule 2(dd) of Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945.
2. Standards of Homoeopathic Medicines to be complied with the manufacture or sale, distribution or import are defined in Section 4A of the Second Schedule of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
3. New Homoeopathic medicines are included under Rule 30AA
4. Manufacture of Homoeopathic medicines and its license is covered under Rule 85B, application for which is made in Form 24C; while the manufacture of new Homoeopathic medicines is covered under Rule 85-C.
5. Sale of Homoeopathic medicines is included under Rule 67A under which application for retail is made in Form 20C while for whole-sale is made in Form 20D.
6. Functioning of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory as the Central Drugs Laboratory with reference to the Homoeopathic medicines included in section 6 of the Act and Rule 3A sub Rule 7.
7. For the purpose of testing of drugs, drugs inspector forwards samples for testing under Section 23(4)(i) in Form 18 (ii), A court forwards samples under section 25(4) in Form I.
8. Testing report by the Government analyst is submitted in Form 13 under Section 23(4)/25 in case of samples forwarded by Courts.

The Central Council of Homoeopathy is a body corporate established under the provisions of "Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973" to maintain Central Register of Homoeopathy and matters connected therewith. This Council is responsible for maintaining the minimum standards of education in Homoeopathy.

This Council as per the provisions in the Act, the following courses are introduced through Education Regulation: -

1. Homoeopathy (Degree Course) BHMS Regulations 1983 on the basis of which a five and a half year’s degree course in Homoeopathy is available in the Country.
2. Homoeopathy (Graded Degree Course) BHMS Regulations1983 for the Diploma Holders to attain proficiency in Degree.
3. Homoeopathy (Post-Graduate Degree Course) M.D.(Hom) Regulations 1989 through which Post graduate training of three years duration is available to the BHMS degree holders

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) is the premier organisation in the country engaged in systematic and scientific research in the field of Homoeopathy. It is an autonomous organisation of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and was set up in 1978. The Council is carrying out clinical research in various diseases, clinical verification of lesser-known drugs, drug proving researches on new medicines, carrying out drug standardisation, surveys of medicinal plants etc.

National Institute of Homeopathy (NIH is an model institute in Homeopathy established by the Central Government as an autonomous Institution in 1975. This Institute sets standards on applied teaching and evolves research modules and also acts as a nucleus in pedagogic methods & educational research in Homoeopathy to all other Homoeopathic teaching institutes. This Institute is conducting both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Homoeopathy and is situated at Salt Lake city . It is affiliated to the West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Kolkata.

NGO'S are playing a key role in the education, research and development of homoeopathy in India. Some of these are R & D sections of pharmaceutical industry and others are acting independently. In a developing country like India with limited resources for propagation of health systems, they are popularizing and providing Homoeopathic health care not only in the urban areas but also to the remotest areas in rural sector.

Homeopathic treatment is suitable for most people and has the advantage of being safe when used correctly. A Homoeopath makes efforts to see the disease holistically and that is the main reason why this system is getting more acceptability

Many people prefer to be benefited through natural treatments rather than by conventional drugs or surgery. Public is also anxious about side effects of drugs, or about its long continued use, especially where children are involved. In case of0 Homoeopathy, these problems do not occur. Studies shows an increasing number of people are turning towards Homoeopathy every year as sales of Homoeopathic medicines have more than doubled in the recent years. Homoeopathy may be the most appropriate treatment for you.

Homoeopathic medicines are not harmful because the crude substances used for preparation of medicines are processed through a process called drug dynamisation, where in the toxicological effects are removed and the dynamic properties are enhanced. They are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They are prepared in laboratories licensed by the Department of Health, to stringent standards of quality.

Since the early nineteenth century homeopathy has proved effective for a verity of clinical conditions; it has often been successful where other forms of treatment have less to offer.

In India, Homoeopathy is recognized through the Homeopathy Central Council Act, 1973. The system is accepted as a National system of medicine. 20 State Governments has also enacted State legislation and constituted State Boards /Councils to regulate the practice of Homeopathy.

Always follow your doctor’s advice as stopping some medicine that you are already taking may be harmful.

Homoeopathic medicines seek to stimulate the diseased system so that the body will overcome the disease naturally. In that case at times there may be a brief aggravation of the symptoms. This usually means that the medicine is acting. Some time if the medicine taken is wrong, then there will be an increase of the suffering due to natural progress of the disease. Your doctor shall be the best person to decide whether the aggravation is due to medicine or diseases. Please consult him at the earliest.

The safety of homoeopathic medicines is well known. Still it is advised to take the opinion of a qualified Homoeopathic doctor where ever needed.

Yes, Homeopathic medicines are safe to even to infants.

In most cases the 6th potency should be used, but choosing the right remedy is the most important thing to do. If the remedy is right, the results will be good.

Homoeopathy is as effective for animals as it is for humans

Homoeopathy has proven strength in the treatment of allergic disorders, skin diseases, children's problems, several so called surgical problems like piles, tonsillitis, sinusitis, menstrual disorders, life style diseases etc.