The History of Homeopathy
Homeopathy was discovered over 200 years ago by the German physician, Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). By the early 1840s, homeopathy was growing in popularity. It had established itself in many countries. At the turn of the 20th Century, homeopathy was being practiced in over 60 countries worldwide, including France, Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Holland, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, Russia, and many other countries. It is estimated that over 400 million people were receiving homeopathic treatment at that time. Homeopathic hospitals and medical schools were being established all over the world.
The first homeopathic medical school in the United States was established in 1835 by Dr. Constantine Hering, a student of Hahnemann's. By 1900, there were over 100 homeopathic hospitals and 22 medical schools in the United States.
During this time, the practitioners of allopathic medicine (conventional medicine) were vehemently opposed to homeopathic medicine. The American Medical Association was formed to break the virtual monopoly of homeopathy.
The "miracle drug" revolution began in 1909 with the discovery of the first anti-bacterial drug called "Salvarsan". By 1936, a whole range of sulphonamide drugs was discovered. Soon amphetamines, barbiturates, antibiotics, and penicillin were introduced. These "wonder" drugs put the safe, gentle, and less spectacular homeopathic remedies in their shadows. The decline of homeopathy began. The multinational pharmaceutical companies were pouring millions of dollars into research and development of new and spectacular drugs.
Renewed interest in homeopathy began in the 1970s and over the past 20 to 30 years, homeopathy has regained its rightful place as a very effective, holistic, non-addictive, side-effect free, inexpensive, and safe healing system, which does not require testing on animals.
There are many reasons for the renewed interest in homeopathy: concern over the devastating, sometimes permanent side-effects of conventional drugs; the addictive nature of conventional drugs; certain diseases are impervious to conventional drugs; rejection of research on animals; high cost of conventional drugs; and the desire for people to be treated in a humane and holistic manner.
The Future of Homeopathy
Homeopathy is the fastest growing health care system in the world. According to the American Homeopathic Pharmaceutical Association, homeopathic remedy sales exceed $166 million per year in the United States. The World Health Organization has determined that homeopathy is the #2 form of medicine used for primary care in the world.
Homeopathy is widely used in Europe, India, and Israel. The remedies are used by millions of people in over 65 countries and recommended by more than 400,000 health care providers worldwide. In Great Britain, homeopathic hospitals are a part of the national health care system and homeopathy is recognized as a postgraduate specialty by an Act of Parliament.
Homeopathic remedies have successfully been used throughout the world for various acute and chronic health conditions. The effectiveness of these remedies has been demonstrated by over 200 years of successful treatment. There is clinical evidence of this success, as well as prominent research published in various medical journals. All homeopathic research is carried out on healthy humans and never on animals.
Homeopathy is a compassionate, safe, gentle, effective, and holistic approach to health care, which has withstood the test of 200 years of practice. Homeopathy is the energy medicine of the 21st Century!