Gone were the days when Homeopathy use to be a hobby, it’s a full-fledged profession now. From using homeopathy at home, after reading books, it has become a system of medicine now – taught and practiced with medical acumen. With each passing day, the finer shades of homeopathy are being explored and experimented. The teaching methodology has changed over decades. Despite huge changes in the system in terms of educative material, establishments, delivery of content, there still exists a gap between choosing a remedy and using a remedy. This is one of reasons why people have different opinions and prescriptions for the same case.
Many practising homeopaths are not teachers, and a vast number of teaching professionals are not into active homeopathic clinical practice (opinion). Thus, a scenario arises (especially for a budding homeopath) – how to use a remedy. We usually apply best of the techniques in our medical colleges to choose a remedy for a patient (or a given set of symptoms) but when it comes to application of art part of homeopathy, we miserably fail. Yes, it is one side of the coin. The other side of story is something more different.
For many of our crucial years as learners (or beginners) in homeopathy, we spend too much time in reading. Reading is not bad, but reading irrelevant literature at a wrong time, in a wrong manner is surely not good either. Knowingly or unknowingly, we make favorite remedies. We are forced (or motivated) to follow one or more authors with full heart. So, just to flow with the wind we try to follow legends of homeopathy and in this race of having a “successful book”, “successful author”, “shortcuts of success”, or “quick way to be a legendary homeopath ourselves” we overlook the part called using a remedy.
Following a school of thought is not bad, but without knowing the basics about Homeopathy, will not let anyone to be on a sure path of success. Before standing on the shoulder of giant, we need to climb up to the shoulder of giant!
The other challenge is with the subjective opinions and experiences which become facts within few years of practice in a homeopath’s life. Yes unknowingly, it is true. Sharing experience is good but impounding it as a fact is not good. Therefore, in a passive way it affects our prescription i.e. using a remedy. We try to fit the read remedies to every diagnosis we encounter, to every symptom we hear or telling it on daises when offered.
This aspect has been discussed by Hahnemann in the form of Theoretical medicine.
Now, we have problem statement, what is the way out?
Let me simplify and impound my thoughts
More clinical exposure – As a rule, our teaching faculty should be encouraged to do clinical practice. Successful clinicians should be invited more often to clinical discussions at every level of teaching and practice.
Promote Evidence based Homeopathy – Rather than anecdotal experiences and citations, homeopathy practice should include the evidence-based SoPs (standard operating procedures) and standard formats of reporting outcomes. (Art part still suggested to be purely homeopathic).
Potency and Dosage – Rather than running around the 100-year-old bush, let us be a part of the evolution! Discuss openly about potency and dosage to be used in clinical practice.
Right habit of choosing tools – relying only on materia medica, or repertory or any school of thought is not sufficient, it must be the right habit of choosing a tool needed to work out a case.
Thing may see easier to read and write but need few more decades to strengthen the balance of Choosing and Using a Remedy.
Would love to read your views. Please be a part of the discussion. Leave your comment now.
What you think for the two aspects of same coin – Choosing a Remedy and Using a Remedy?
How can we a bridge the gap between choosing a remedy well and using it clinically?
How to eliminate theoretical medicines in homeopathy practice?
How to choose potency and repetition well after selecting a remedy?
Dr. Saurav Arora is an internationally acclaimed medical homeopath, consultant, and independent researcher having 17+ years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and a teacher.
