The Hindu Business Line : Same difference!

In homeopathy (Greek `homoios' or similar and `pathos' or suffering/disease) the Law of Similars, as developed by Dr C.F. Samuel Hahnemann, is based on the premise that symptoms of a disease can be cured by using extremely small amounts of substances that produce similar symptoms in healthy individuals when administered in large doses.

Dr Hahnemann proved his theory by administering himself and other willing individuals with such doses of different drugs. He observed and noted down every possible reaction to these substances in the various individuals and finally compiled the `Materia Medica' , which relates symptoms and the corresponding drugs.

According to Dr Hahnemann disease results from the body's inability to heal itself due to the weakening of its vital force, which only requires a mild stimulus to be reactivated. Thus was born the law of infinitesimals or the administration of high potencies of homeopathic drugs in several stages of dilutions.

Homeo drugs are prepared using plants, metals, minerals, water, glands and glandular secretions, and living and dead tissues of both humans and animals.

Chitra Ramaswamy