Homoeo Info

Osteoporosis is a condition that results in loss of bone strength and density, causing bones to become more fragile and easily susceptible to fractures. It is often called a "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without any overt symptoms. Osteoporosis mostly affects women, as its victims are 80 percent female and 20 percent male. One quarter of all women above 60 years old are afflicted by the condition. In India, one out of two women over the age of 45 years is affected. It is caused by poor calcium and vitamin D intake and absorption, as well as being a side effect of hormone replacement therapy. The most serious health implication of osteoporosis is frequent fractures, which can be caused by even routine activities like bending to lift a bucket or even just coughing or sneezing. Repeated fractures can cause you to lose several inches in height as your posture becomes stooped.
Homeopathy is a safe and gentle way to tackle osteoporosis. It provides vital nutritional remedies that not only help to prevent the disease but also to minimise it. It works both to correct osteoporosis and prevent further nutritional deficiency of the bones, as well as enables the body to absorb natural vitamin D by synthesising the sun's rays. Choosing homeopathy for other ailments can also prevent you from developing osteoporosis as a side effect. A major clinical trial published in the journal of the American Medical Association showed that women on hormone replacement therapy for various ailments like menopause and PCOD were at a much higher risk for breast cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis than those using homeopathy.
Homeopathic remedies
* Calcarea Carb 30, five pills twice a day
* Calcarea Phos 6X, two tablets twice a day
Express Pharma, India - Feb 7, 2008

Labels: India

New Delhi: The government may take back its earlier plan to provide five-year data protection to traditional systems of medicine.
The change has been triggered by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) taking the view that such a protection will lead to similar demands from the allopathic segment.
While the government has been supporting the move to introduce data protection for traditional medicines, it has been reluctant to offer similar protection to the pharmaceutical sector in general due to the concerns of the domestic drug industry.
Domestic manufacturers say 'data protection', which results in 'non-reliance' of data generated by the patent-holding company, will increase the cost of drug production and delay the entry of generic drugs into the domestic market.
Incidentally, it was the Department of AYUSH that initially proposed such a protection to encourage generation of data for scientific validation of traditional medicines.
The government's plans for data protection began after a high-level inter-ministerial committee, set up by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals in 2004, favoured such protection for traditional medicines and agro-chemicals.
Joe C Mathew/Business Standard, India - Feb 8, 2008

Labels: India

Mangalore: All-India Homeopathy Lecturers' Workshop, sponsored by the ministry of health and family welfare, was inaugurated at Fr Muller Homeopathic Medical College (FMHMC), Deralakatte here on Monday, February 4.
Dr P N Verma, renowned homeopathy surgeon and medical expert, speaking at the inaugural ceremony urged the lecturers to make optimum use of the workshop which will provide them with an opportunity to interact with experts and clarify doubts in order to teach effectively.
Fr Patrick Rodrigues, director of Fr Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) expressed that these workshops should be held frequently to keep abreast with the latest innovations in the field. He assured every assistance on the part of FMCI in this regard.
Daijiworld.com, India - Feb 6, 2008

Labels: India

Charting out expansion plans in domestic and overseas Markets, homoeopathic clinic chain Dr Batra’s on Monday said it will set up 50 clinics across the country in the next five years, besides opening its first international centre in London this year.
“We target to set up 10 clinics each year and it requires an investment of about Rs 50 lakh each. We will set up around 50 clinics in the next five years,” Dr Batra’s Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Batra told PTI.
On expanding overseas, he said the company has incorporated a subsidiary, Dr Batra’s International, in London and would open up the first clinic there in the next 3-6 months.
Dr Batra’s is also in the process of opening a chain of clinics in Oman, for which talk are going on.
“We are in discussion with a big company from Muscat and will open a chain of clinics in the country in two months. We are also thinking to start a centre in Dubai and other cities as well,” Batra said, but declined to divulge the name of the local partner.
The company is also exploring opportunities in 3-5 other countries, he said, but did not reveal any details.
Financial Express, India - Feb 4, 2008

Labels: India

Jammu: Minister for Health & Medical Education, Ladakh Affairs Mangat Ram Sharma while replying the resolution moved by Nassrullah regarding recognition of Electro-Homeopathy as 5th Medical Science in the state said “there are scores of local traditions of medicines and streams of alternative medicines in the country but most of these have not yet acquired the status of system of medicine even though these are practicing in different parts of the country for treatment and cure of human illness and diseases. The government of India recognizes only six of these systems of medicines viz Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy, which at Central level are known as AYUSH.
It is reported that some private institutions in some states are conducting degree courses in Electropathy and Electro-Homeopathy. Their qualifications under the name of Bachelor of Electropathic Medicine and Surgery (BEMS) are neither recognized by the Centre nor by the state government. Youths of various states including from J&K have been undergoing these courses at various institutions. One such institute under the name of PN Medical Institute of Electropathy Jammu and Pathankote was operating near Jammu which no longer exists in Jammu. It is reported that it has been shifted to Punjab.
These degree holders had been agitating at national and state level for recognition of their degrees and system of medicines for last 10 to 15 years. They had filed writ petitions in different courts. The High Court of Delhi in CWP No. 4015/96 and O.M./ No. 8468/97 dated November 18, 1998 had directed inter-alia central and state government to consider legislation to grant of license to existing and new institutes to control and regulating various un-recognized streams of alternative medicines.
The feasibility of making legislation, the committee considered all new streams of medicines but did not recommend any other alternative medicines except already recognized systems of medicines viz Ayurveda, Sidha, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy, which alone were found to fulfill the norms for recognition as system of medicines.
However, the state government initiated process to explore possibilities of absorbing BEMS & BHEMS degree holders health department based on their recognized qualification of 10+2, as we cannot take cognizance of their qualification, which is not recognized.
The government is fully conscious of the fact that these youths are suffering as they have no avenues to earn their livelihood on the basis of their unrecognized degrees. In order to channelize their potential, the state government is considering their case sympathetically and formulating a proposal after seeking approval of Chief Minister to offer to them job of para-medical staff.
GreaterKashmir.com , India - Jan 24, 2008

Labels: India

Diabetes in the initial stages, can be treated by Homoeopathy. If the condition has existed for long, the role of Homoeopathy becomes supportive in preventing further deterioration and minimising the complications of the disease.
In Homoeopathy, the symptoms of an illness are viewed as a direct result of the body's attempt to heal itself. In doing so, Homoeopathy attempts to stimulate the body's own natural healing capacity with medicines acting as a trigger for the body's own healing forces. In this manner there has been a good response in treating diabetes in the initial stages. If the condition has existed for long, the role of Homoeopathy becomes supportive in preventing further deterioration and minimising the complications of diabetes. Constitutional medicines after a detailed evaluation and understanding the case are given. Secale Cor is used in wounds and ulcers, or sores in diabetics, enabling to dry rapidly, and heal. Uranium nitrate is another remedy, which gives universally good results. It lessens the sugar and quantity of the urine. The other medicines, which have given good results, are Arsenicum album, Natrum Muraticum, Acid Phos, Phosphorus. These Homeopathic remedies address the problem in a complete way. From nature the plants like Syzigium Jambulanum, Cephalandra Indica, Gymnema Sylvestra prepared in a Homoeopathic way helps in preventing as well as maintaining the blood sugar levels. A patient suffering from diabetes goes through treatment like other diseases and much depends on how far tissue change has taken place at the beginning of treatment. Advanced cases may never cease treatment altogether but may live as long as other people.
Homoeopathy, used for chronic illness from an early life, very rarely develops any complications. It’s power in prevention is marvellous.
Dr Sudha/Deccan Herald, India - Jan 18, 2008

Labels: India

Indore: The department of AYUSH, ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India is organizing AROGYA, a comprehensive health fair on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy from January 4-7 next year at Lalbagh Palace ground here.
Every year such a fair is organized in New Delhi to showcase the strengths, potential and the latest advancements made in India in the traditional medicine sector and Homoeopathy. The AROGYA fair showcases the advancements in clinical practices, research and documentation, manufacturing and the processes involved in these systems of medicines and also the medicinal plants sector.
This annual fair in Delhi attracts international researchers, manufacturers and processors and people from all walks of life who evince a great interest in the ancient and classical knowledge systems of Ayurved, Siddha and Unani medicines and wonderful therapeutic effects of yoga which is globally famous as drugless therapy system.
Central Chronicle, India - Dec 30, 2007

Labels: India

Ghaziabad: A Central Drug Authority (CDA) will be set up soon to tackle spurious drug trade in the country.
Speaking at a function to release the fifth edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia here on Tuesday Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said, "A Central Drug Authority will be set up in the country very shortly to keep a check on the trade of fake and spurious medicine in the Indian market."
A law would also be enacted soon to tighten the noose on people involved in spurious drug trade, he said.
Ramadoss also inaugurated buildings of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for the promotion of homoeopathy and other forms of natural medication in our country.
PTI/Hindu, India - Dec 28, 2007

Labels: India

India is a land of diversity where alternative systems of medicine like ayurveda, unani, siddha, and homeopathy are practiced with equal fervour as allopathy. Thus, clinical studies for their evaluation can also be conducted with ease. Internationally, there has been recognition of the Indian advantage, which is luring pharmaceutical companies to adopt collaborative outsourcing strategies so as to tap the potential to its fullest. Owing to these factors, India is globally attracting collaborative contract proposals for conducting clinical trials and many have already come forward to set up their clinical research organisations (CRO's).
Irrespective of the fact that a drug has been developed in India or abroad, or whether its clinical studies have already been conducted abroad, every new drug needs evidence from clinical research to support its launch. Thus, whether it is a new chemical entity or an existing drug that is being marketed for a new indication, clinical studies have to be conducted. Similarly, launch of new formulations, drug delivery systems or even new fixed dose combinations, require clinical data before they can be marketed. Hence, it is obvious that the area of clinical research holds immense scope and promise, for without the supporting data, drug launches are not feasible. Clinical research should not be merely viewed as a subsidiary to pre-clinical research. On the contrary, it is of prime importance, for it has to be conducted even in cases where pre-clinical studies are not warranted (new formulations/fixed dose combinations/bio-equivalence).
Clinical research holds tremendous scope and opportunities not only for trained medical, pharmaceutical and paramedical professionals, but also for regulatory authorities, government and the society at large. A mechanism of knowledge transfer can be worked out, which would lead to a definite improvement in hospital infrastructure. It will make available the state-of-the-art therapy for many deserving Indian patients who were hitherto deprived of such therapeutic advances. Consequently, the projected figures for the various aspects of clinical research (market value, revenue, staff requirement) for the next five years, promise a growth at a rate greater than 20 percent (Table 1).
Dr S K Gupta, Galpalli Niranjan D/Express Pharma, India - 26 Dec 2007

Labels: India

Panaji: The 16th National Homeopathic Conference will be jointly organised by the Research Society of Homeopathy, India and Shri Kamaxidevi Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Shiroda, Goa on February 9 and 10, 2008 at the Kala Academy, Panaji.
Addressing a press conference today, the principal of Shri Kamaxidevi Homeopathic Medical College, Dr Arvind Kothe, said the objective of the conference is to ascertain the role of Homeopathy in the National Health Programme and to enhance the scope of Homeopathic practice at primary and secondary levels of health care delivery systems.
The theme of the conference is ‘National Health Programme and Homeopathy’ and it will have seven sessions on various topics like national rural health mission, lifestyle-related diseases, vector-borne diseases, reproductive child health, mental health, AIDS – case studies and multi-disciplinary research in Homeopathy.
Apart from 500 delegates from all over India who are expected to participate, delegates from countries like Switzerland, Bulgaria, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal will also attend the conference.
Navhind Times, India - 14 Dec 2007

Labels: India

Homeopathy literally means ‘similar suffering’. It is based on the principle that ‘like cures like’, or that small amounts of poison and disease-causing substances can cure your illness. Like it or not, they must be greatly diluted: the second principal principle says ‘less is more’; or the higher the dilution, the more effective is the medicine.
Many homeopathic ‘medicines’ are so diluted that not a single molecule of the original substance is left. Yet homeopaths believe that the ghost or ‘spirit-like essence’ of the substance remains in the diluent, which is good enough to do the job. It has been pointed out such dilute products contain less of the intended substance than of contaminants like dust particles and insect faeces, which cannot be kept out even in cleanest manufacturing conditions.
Nowadays attempts are being made to defend the ‘spirit-like powers’ claimed for such medicines by resorting to the theory of relativity, and declaiming that ‘subatomic fields’ do the work after the substance is gone. You don’t have to be Einstein to see these are not the world’s greatest scientists. As for the big scientists themselves, they are repeatedly warning against homeopathy.
Some people may argue that we should not listen to snooty voices coming from the West (especially from someone who is both Sir and King). They forget the home of homeopathy was the West ~ at a time when the West was undeveloped. Now they’re developed, and are shutting their homeopathic colleges. Perhaps it’s time for us to catch up.
So is homeopathy mere quackery? I prefer to duck the question. There’s always a small chance that it will one day be proved right. There’s also a chance we’ll discover the earth is flat, or that global warming can be cured by more of the same; but unless cap costs go through the roof I won’t worry my head about it.
The Statesman, India - 14 Dec 2007

Labels: India

New Delhi: Homoeopathy appears set to grow at 25-30 per cent over the next three years to become a Rs. 2,600-crore industry, driven largely by increasing interest and the inclination of the people towards this alternative system of medicine.
Making these projections, Assocham on Sunday said the current size of the homoeopathy market in the country was estimated to be Rs. 1,250 crore. While the pharma industry would grow at 13-15 per cent, homoeopathy would register a growth rate of 25-30 per cent on the back of growing number of alternative medicine users.
“Homoeopathy has been effective in treating chronic aliments like arthritis, diabetes, obesity and respiratory, hair and skin problems,” the chamber said and pointed out that during 2006-07, 4-5 crore patients resorted to homoeopathic treatments and this was likely to grow to 10 crore in the next two to three years in view of its growing acceptability among the masses.
Though homoeopathic treatment lasted longer than allopathic medication, an increasing number of people, Assocham president Venugopal Dhoot said, preferred the former since they did not have to worry about side effects.
10/12/07 The Hindu, India

Labels: India

Mangalore: Homeopathic conference 2007 will be organized by Fr Muller Homeopathic Medical College, Derlakatte here on Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9.
This year the theme for the conference will be 'Research in Homeopathy'
The conference is exclusively meant for deliberations on the issue of research in Homeopathy. Research already done and that which is being carried out by Homeopathic scientists and others will be presented to the audience.
Dr Chaturbhuj Nayak, director, CCRH, Prof Jindal of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Dr K M Dhawale, director, ICR Mumbai and Dr Girish Gupta, Guarang research institute, Lucknow will be the resource persons.
The said conference will be inaugurated at 9.30 am on Saturday December 8.
Daijiworld.com, Dec 07, 2007

Labels: India

New Delhi: The government has approved a package of Rs 550 crores for upgrading state-run centres offering education in alternative health programmes such as ayurvedic and homeopathy during the 11th Plan period.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Friday gave its approval for implementation of the scheme of development of the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (Ayush) Institutions with a plan outlay of Rs 550 crores in the 11th Plan," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the CCEA meeting.
He said government aid to Ayush colleges under various heads would be revised for upgradation of various institutes.
"The implementation of this scheme of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy (ASU&H) will definitely improve upgradation of infrastructure at drug testing laboratories and state pharmacies. It will also ensure enforcement mechanism of ASU drugs at state levels," the minister said.
PTI/Hindu, India - 30 Nov 2007

Labels: India

He is a doctor who believes that prevention is better than cure. And that prompts him to visit primary and Madhyamik schools and train the kids in yoga and other physical exercises. All for free.
Pabon Kolay, 58, a resident of Qazipara at Dum Dum, at present visits 10 schools where he goes alternately and imparts physical training to the kids. An the homoeopathy practitioner, Kolay also buys the necessary kit for the children and also teaches them the virtue of patriotism.
For the last 17 years thus has been his daily routine.
“It was in 1990 when I realised that I should do something for the improvement of the health for our children. As a medical practitioner I saw most of the children suffer from ill health. I went through the syllabus of our schools, particularly our the primary sections and saw that there was a certain period of time every day in their daily routine that was earmarked for physical training. But after checking with most of the schools I have found that PT classes are not held as the schools have hardly had any PT teacher,’’ Kolay said.
He then offered himself as an honorary PT teacher and most of the schools gladly accepted him. “I suggested that I could give them physical training and for that they won’t have to pay me anything. And whatever kit is required, which includes the costumes and mat will be provided by me. And they readily agreed,’’ Kolay said.
Kolkata Newsline, India - Nov 24, 2007

Labels: India

According to WHO, homeopathy is the second largest system of medicine in the world and is experiencing an annual growth of around 20-25 per cent. It is estimated that by 2017, the world homeopathy market would be equivalent to the current alternative healthcare market, which is Rs 52,000 crore.
The research was conducted to gauge the potential of the industry through market study and a patient behaviour analysis. It also highlighted the contribution of Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinics towards homeopathy. For the research, AC Nielsen conducted 650 interviews across seven cities among a mix of people with certain specific characteristics. About 222 interviewees were regular allopathy users, 215 non-Dr Batra's homeopathy users and 213 Dr Batra's homeopathy users between November 2006 and April 2007.
According to the research, 51 per cent of the people suffering from chronic ailments try home remedies and 30 per cent prefer to leave it unattended. Around 26 per cent of the people resort to medical intervention, of which 47 per cent people visit their family doctor or a GP (general practitioner), 18 per cent resort to conventional treatments and 34 per cent visit a homeopath if their ailment is chronic.
The research threw light on the friction between conventional medicine and homeopathy. It highlighted that while people opt for conventional medicine because it enjoys top-of-mind recall (59 per cent) and has immediate results (56 per cent), they choose homeopathy because it is safe (53 per cent) or is recommended by friends and relatives (50 per cent). Also, 20 per cent of the population who had never tried allopathy would opt for it because it provides quick relief, and solutions for all problems. An important aspect to be considered is that while 62 per cent of the current homeopathy users have never tried allopathy, 82 per cent of homoeopathy users would not switch to conventional treatments.
Express Healthcare Management, India - Nov 18, 2007

Labels: India

In a significant development, homeopathy – a favorite form of medical treatment among Indians that has been popular for nearly 250 years now, has now come under attack from the British doctors.
While the esteemed medical journal 'Lancet' has blasted the popular medical practice, widespread protests sparked off in Britain following the announcement of a seminar to be organized by the European Society of Homeopaths to discuss the role of homeopathy in treating HIV/AIDS on December 1.
Meanwhile, homeopath doctors who have been using this form of medicine to cure as well as enhance the quality of life of HIV/AIDS victims in India are gearing up to strike back at Baum’s report. They say that studies conducted in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai have found that homeopathy greatly helps HIV patients by improving their nutrition, lowering their anxiety and improving their health. On the contrary, these medicos alleged that homeopathy is cheaper and easier to practice compared to other procedures and surgeries, many doctors in the West are becoming apprehensive about the future of their own income.
Chandan Das/News Locale, India - Nov 18, 2007

Labels: India, UK

A two-part special report explains how homeopathy faces growing pressure in the UK, while it enjoys an remarkable boom in India.
The first part of the Special Report, written by Udani Samarasekera, The Lancet Senior Editor, writes about the anti-homeopathy movement which seems to have been gathering pace in the UK over the last couple of years. Anti-homeopathy campaigners are irritated by a symposium which will take place in London, on December 1st; it is looking at the role of homeopathy in HIV/AIDS treatment and is organized by the Society of Homeopaths.
Michael Baum, professor emeritus of surgery, UCL (University College London), a well-known critic of homeopathy, suggests that homeopaths are becoming overconfident.
Baum, and UCL colleague David Colquhoun, among others sent a letter to all Primary Care Trusts in the United Kingdom expressing their concerns about homeopathy gaining a footing as part of the NHS (National Health Service).
Surprisingly, and to the dismay of several UK doctors and scientists, homeopathy received some unanticipated support. The MHRA (UK Medicines and Regulatory Agency) decreed that manufacturers will only be required to provide safety evidence and data on what the homeopathic remedy is traditionally used for - this is not the case with conventional medicines.
Raekha Prasad, a journalist, writes about the booming homeopathy industry in India in the second part of the Special Edition. In India 100 million people depend exclusively on homeopathy for their health care.
According to SP Singh, Indian Ministry of Health, homeopathy has no side-effects. He added that a small amount of medicine can help a large number of people. He adds "Homoeopathy has a biological effect..all homoeopathic medicines are therapeutically proven." This is despite the fact that most evidence points the other way.
India is in a tiny minority in its recognition of homeopathy as a legitimate system of medicine.
Medical News Today, UK - Nov 16, 2007

Labels: India, UK

London: Even as homeopathy gains popularity in India, it is coming under pressure in Britain, with a proposed seminar on its role in the treatment of HIV/AIDS sparking protests.
The seminar, organised by the Society of Homeopaths and scheduled to be held here on Dec 1, has invited criticism from Michael Baum, professor emeritus of surgery at the University College London (UCL), according to the medical journal The Lancet.
The Lancet has also slammed the growing popularity of homeopathy in India.
'People say homoeopathy cannot do any harm but when it is being promoted for HIV then there is a serious problem,' Baum is quoted as saying in a two-part special report in the medical journal.
Baum and others had sent a letter last May to all primary care trusts in Britain to voice concern about homoeopathy treatment through the National Health Service (NHS).
Seemingly in response, one trust stopped NHS funding for the Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital, one of five that provide homoeopathy treatment on the NHS.
Despite this, says the report, homoeopathy remains popular with the public, with the 2007 market estimated to be worth 38 million pounds ($78 million). This figure is expected to rise to 46 million pounds in 2012.
Baum believes the public backs homeopathy in the belief that it is herbal medicine.
Several studies, including one by The Lancet, have shown that the clinical effects of homoeopathic remedies are placebo effects.
Earthtimes, UK - Nov 15, 2007

Labels: India, UK

On this World Diabetes Day, we have to remind ourselves of the UN Resolution 61/22 which requires all member countries to develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes. This is an indicator of the alarming situation caused by the ailment which by and large is the result of self- indulgence, negligence and callousness.
It seems rather strange, that an ailment which fifty years ago, was little known, very expensive to treat and even now become more common than the common cold everywhere in the world.
What is needed today is the readiness of the people to seek proper advice on the ailment.
An ideal state can be reached only step by step, and each step has to be such that it can be managed by the particular individual. For instance, when a diabetic patient rushes through the daily routine, one activity encroaches on the time and space of another and causes great mental strain, aggravated by the fear of not performing well.
Being in this state of mental stress continuously, eventually nullifies the effectiveness of the medication. On the other hand, one can do everything from waking up in the morning to bed time according to a regular schedule i.e., more or less at fixed times of a day.
This regularity allows a person some time before and after each activity, and this will go a long way in achieving equanimity and thus be free from mental stress.
The basic philosophy of the Homeopathy system of medicine is to treat the mind and the body together. Any diagnosis always factors in the mental condition as well as the physical disorder, before suggesting any treatment.
The prescription is always accompanied by a few simple suggestions to the individual to overcome the idiosyncrasies which are impediments to a ready response to the drugs. In this way the patient gets the counselling proper to his condition.
Homeopathy controls diabetes effectively. It is gentle in its action and can be easily accepted by any physical constitution of the human being. By boosting the natural healing mechanism of the body it prevents fatalities like renal failure.
Above all, it does not cause any side effects even after decades of using the drugs and is within the affordability of the common man. By offering a regimen that the patient feels comfortable with, it ensures that people suffering from diabetes do want to be treated and keep it under their control.
Dr. R. Thiyagarajan, India/Ceylon Daily News, Sri Lanka Nov 14, 2007

Labels: India, Sri Lanka

New Delhi: “We attach high priority to focused development of homoeopathy and other Indian systems of medicine and in the 11th Five Year Plan the outlay for the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has been increased,” said Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi inaugurating a two-day workshop on “Homoeopathy for healthy mother and happy child” here.
Organised by the Department of AYUSH and the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy as part of the National Campaign on Homoeopathy for Mother and Child Care on Monday, the initiative is aimed at sensitising policy makers, medical practitioners and non-government organisation towards increased use of homoeopathy in the care of mother and child.
Addressing the workshop, Ms. Lakshmi highlighted the growing acceptance and popularity of homoeopathy all over the world and called for its focused development.
Hindu, India - Nov 7, 2007

Labels: India

New Delhi: So far they have administered sweet pills to patients, but now the homeopathic doctors may be allowed to deliver babies as well. Conceding to the longstanding demand of homeopathic doctors, the government is actively considering a proposal to train homeopathic doctors in basic gynaecology and obstetrics so that they can deliver babies in normal cases and handle minor pregnancy-related matters at local levels.
“When paramedics and midwives can deliver babies why can’t homeopathic doctors,” said Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, union minister for Health and Family Welfare. The ministry feels that such a move may help the government combat shortage of doctors in the rural areas to some extent. However, since homeopath doctors are not trained in surgery, they may not be allowed to handle caesarean cases.
In a bid to incorporate Indian systems of medicine and homeopathy with the mainstream, the government is also thinking of introducing Ayurveda, Homeopathy etc in the MBBS courses.
Vineeta Pandey/Daily News & Analysis, India - Nov 7, 2007

Labels: India

New Delhi: Speaking at the Valedictory Session of the National Campaign on Homoeopathy – Workshop for Healthy Mother and Happy Child, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said today, that these national campaigns being launched by the Department of AYUSH will be serving a very useful purpose of focusing attention on the urgent need to integrate the Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy with mainstream health care in the country. The integration of AYUSH services with mainstream health care has long been the stated policy of the Government, but practical integration has not really taken place in most parts of the country. By focusing on specific AYUSH interventions for common health and disease conditions, these national campaigns will, I hope, generate more enthusiasm among health administrators for integrating Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy with mainstream health care in the country.
The two-day Workshop was organized by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Department of AYUSH as a part of the National Campaign on Homoeopathy for Mother and Child Care. Besides Dr. V.K. Gupta (former Principal, Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Delhi), the function was also attended by Smt. Anita Das, Secretary (AYUSH), Dr. N.K. Ganguly, DG, ICMR, Shri Verghese Samuel, Joint Secretary (AYUSH), Dr. S.P. Singh, Adviser, (Homoeo), (AYUSH), Prof. C. Nayak, Director, CCRH and other senior officials from the Ministry.
Press Information Bureau (press release), India - Nov 6, 2007

Labels: India

New Delhi: The Government on Monday kick-started a sustained campaign to make people aware of the usefulness of homeopathy for diseases relating to mother and child.
Inaugurating a National Workshop on Homeopathy for Mother and Child Care, Minister for State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi said, "this is the beginning of a long and sustained campaign proposed by the Ministry to generate awareness about the usefulness of homeopathy for mother and child care".
Homeopathy has a definite role to play in Indian health system not only because its medicines are simple to administer but also because it is effective, safe and affordable, she said.
"With mounting price rise and increasing incidence of adverse drug reactions people are using homeopathy and the Homeopathic institutions for the treatment of their ailments," she added.
PTI/The Hindu, India - Nov 5, 2007

Labels: India

Kolkata: A team from Columbia University visited city-based Prasanta Banerji Homeopathy Research Foundation (PBHRF) for a possible research collaboration and exchange of medical expertise in the field of paediatric oncology.
A five-member team from the university's Integrative Therapies Programme for Children with Cancer visited the PBHRF Saturday, and studied the entire therapeutic method, Banerji Protocol, a new method of treatment under which specific medicines are prescribed for specific diseases after being diagnosed by modern methods of homeopathic treatment, unlike classical homeopathy.
'They have come to see our work and how we treat patients. They have spent their entire day at the PBHRF and met over 30 patients of paediatric oncology. We are planning for research collaboration with the paediatric division of Columbia University's Integrative Therapies Programme for Children with Cancer in the days to come,' co-founder and deputy managing trustee of PBHRF Pratip Banerji told IANS.
The US team was led by Elena Ladas and Kara Kelly, the university's medical director of the Integrative Therapies Programme for Children with Cancer.
IANS/ Earthtimes, UK, Nov 3, 2007

Labels: India, USA

New Delhi: India will promote homeopathy for bettering mother and child health in areas like anaemia, asthma and diarrhoea, a senior health ministry official said Tuesday.
'Homeopathy is used by many people in India but the usage is very patchy. Through a concerted campaign, we are going to promote homeopathy across the country, especially for mother and child health promotion,' joint secretary health V. Samuels said.
Under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the government has decided to promote this form of medicine at the national, state and district level.
'All the hospitals and homeopathy practitioners will be brought under a network to facilitate the success of the programme,' Samuels said at a function.
Giving details about the initiative, Chaturbhuja Nayak, director of the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH), said the effort would address the 'unsatisfactory health status of women and children in the country and also the high morbidity and mortality of infants and young children'.
Currently, the infant mortality rate is 58 for every 1,000 childbirths, while maternal mortality is 301 for every 100,000 deliveries.
He said problems like anaemia, deficient secretion of milk, urinary tract infections, skin disorders, asthma, diarrhoea, chikungunya, respiratory problems, sleep disorder and many such health problems could be addressed effectively through homeopathy and with less expenditure.
Indo-Asian News Service/Earthtimes, UK - 30 Oct 2007

Labels: India

Homeopathy can help treat stone formation in the salivary gland, says Dr S. Chidambaranathan.
Calculus is medically meant for any abnormal concretion of mineral salts formed inside the body. 'Sial' refers to salivary gland and 'Sialolith' refers to salivary gland calculus. Tendency to salivary calculus or formation of salivary calculus is termed as 'Sialolithiasis'. Stone formation can obstruct the pathway and cause infection and pain in the glands. The obstruction can be complete or partial.
Three pairs of salivary glands produce saliva persistently and dispense them into the mouth through ducts almost continuously, i.e., even at night time (during sleep) to keep the mouth moist. Saliva constitutes mainly water, salts, electrolytes, waste products of body (urea, uric acids, acetone, etc.) and epithelial cells. It is the first digestive juice of the digestive tract which helps to breakdown the food particles to get dissolved and digested easily. It also makes the food bolus to swallow easily. Salivary calculus is a type of salivary gland disorder where normal saliva flow is interrupted (partially or totally) to cause dryness of mouth, pain in salivary gland with or without altered taste in the mouth.
Chennai Online, India, Oct 29, 2007

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Imphal: Manipur has the potential to get India the individual Olympic gold that has eluded it so far, but sportspeople from the state need to be mentally strong and well informed not to fall into the drug trap and get busted, a sports medicine expert has said.
“This is where an alternative therapy can help. Homoeopathy treats not only the body but also the mind,” homoeopathy practitioner Jatin N. Valia said on the inaugural day of a six-day workshop on holistic medicines and sports psychology for coaches of the National Sports Academy and youth affairs and sports department. Herbs are abundant in the country and there is no risk to the health of sportspersons, Valia said.
He said that in almost all major games, sportpersons from the state are representing the country in many international events and bringing back laurels.
Valia presented slideshows on different aspects of injuries, ailments and their treatment. Nitesh Dubey, another homeopathic practitioner from Mumbai, will deliver a lecture during the workshop.
Calcutta Telegraph, India, October 29, 2007

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New Delhi: The Centre will launch a national campaign to promote homoeopathy for mother and child care. The proposed campaign aims at sensitising policy makers and modern medicine health professionals about the strengths of homoeopathy.
There are a large number of homoeopathic medical colleges and institutionally qualified physicians in the country whose services are underutilised in the various national health programmes, according to the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, and the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy.
Since there is a limited awareness about homeopathy’s potential for improving the health status of women and children, the national campaign is expected to provide the necessary co-ordination for the utilisation of homoeopathic practitioners and institutions for the provision of health services in this sector.
Homoeopathic medicines can be safely administered for various ailments throughout pregnancy without any adverse reaction, can be used during childbirth to contain problems associated with labour, and are effective for post-delivery and lactational complaints and the pills are sweet and, thus, child-friendly.
Hindu, India, Oct 28, 2007

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New Delhi: Inaugurating today the comprehensive Health Fair on Indian Systems of Medicine, AROGYA 2007, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that with the changes in the lifestyle of people, it has become clear that chemical drugs alone cannot provide adequate solutions to lifestyle-related chronic and psychosomatic health problems. This is one of the main reasons why there is a global resurgence of demand for traditional medicines.
The following is the summary of the Health Minister’s speech:
On behalf of the Government of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, I heartily welcome you all to the AROGYA- 2007. The Department of AYUSH have been organizing this comprehensive Fair and exhibition since 2001 showcasing developments in the AYUSH field and we have found a consistent rise in the public interest and attendance at the Fairs.
For the first time this year, an International Meet of Traditional Medicine Regulators and Industry is also being organized and many foreign regulators, technical experts and consultants are registered to participate in the event. Buyer-seller meets have also been organized to discuss the market development of AYUSH products in India and abroad. This time the exhibition has an international dimension and I would like to congratulate the organizers- the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Commerce, ITPO and Pharmexcil for having expanded the scope of the AROGYA Fair in this manner.
New developments in technology now enable scientists to explore possible solutions from traditional medical knowledge. India is fortunate to have a long history of practice of the codified traditional medical knowledge systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and Siddha. These systems, which are officially recognized in India, have immense scope to provide solutions for diverse health problems. Even though AYUSH systems are gaining popularity, there are still doubts in the minds of some people that they are not evidence based, and therefore, not safe and efficacious. We need to address these issues and to dispel these doubts through research.
There is increasing evidence of a global resurgence of interest in Indian systems of medicine all over the world. There is a great deal of demand for Ayurveda and Yoga in particular in many countries around the world, especially in the USA, Germany, Hungary, Italy, UK and Russia. During my tenure as Health Minister, a good number of foreign delegations have shown interest in bilateral cooperation in the area of Indian systems of medicine and have sought India’s support for conducting collaborative educational and research activities. We are very happy about such initiatives and will provide all possible support for them.
We are making all out efforts to push AYUSH products into the emerging global market for natural products and in order to achieve significant results, the Government of India is determined to make certain strategic interventions. To begin with, we have recently signed an agreement with the International Trade Centre (ITC) for a global market analysis for export promotion of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani products. Once the report of ITC is received, we will take the measures necessary to implement its recommendations.

It may be true that many aspects of AYUSH treatments and medicines cannot be tested with available scientific tools and technology. But it is also true that these systems have withstood the test of the time. However, there is no other option but to follow universally acceptable modes of evaluating safety and efficacy if we intend to certify the scientific basis of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani treatments and medicines. As a medical professional and the Health Minister of the country, I feel that there must be an overwhelming commitment to R&D from all concerned both in the public and private sectors in order to achieve credibility and global acceptance for the Indian systems of medicine.
The Department of AYUSH in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have initiated a Golder Triangle Project for scientific validation and development of R&D based Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines for a variety of disease conditions for which there is no satisfactory treatment in conventional medicine. Way back in 1960s Pharmacopoeia Committees were constituted for these systems for laying down Pharmacopoeial standards based on modern analytical parameters. The work of laying down Pharmacopoeial Standards of crude drugs is almost over and now the work of laying down now Pharmacopoeial standards for compound formulations is currently underway. First volume of Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia Compound Formulations has been published.
For technological upgradation of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drug industry it is proposed to develop common facilities for quality control, raw material standardization, sophisticated packing machines etc. in places where there is a cluster of 25-30 manufacturing units. Good manufacturing practices for these drugs has been made mandatory and financial assistance is being provided for establishment of in-house quality control laboratories by manufacturing units as also for upgradation of their facilities to WHO GMPs standards. Mandatory testing for heavy metals in purely herbal medicines for export has been introduced w.e.f. 1.1.2006 and an export inspection mechanism is also being put in place shortly to address safety and quality concerns. AYUSH and International Trade Centre, Geneva have signed a framework for cooperation for international market development for ASU&H drugs.
The Government of India have increased the 11th Plan outlay for this sector fourfold as compared to the 10th Plan which shows the commitment of Government of India for the fullest development of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy in an Evidence Base framework.
I hope the AROGYA Fair, the buyer-seller meets and the international meet of regulators and industry being organized here from 26th to 29th October 2007 would be informative and beneficial for visitors, intellectually stimulating for the regulators from abroad and profitable for the commercial interests. AROGYA Fairs continue to be important for awareness generation about the strengths, developments and future potential of the Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy systems of medicine. We will continue to organize and support such fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad. I compliment the Department of AYUSH for organizing the AROGYA in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, ITPO and Pharmexcil.
Press Information Bureau (press release), India, Oct 26, 2007

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Today India has the largest pool of homeopathic doctors in the world.
According to Dr S P Singh, advisor (homeopathy), ministry of health and family welfare, ‘‘There are over two lakh registered homeopaths in the country currently, with approximately 12,000 more being added every year. The size of the homeopathic drugs market is also expanding fast. Even though these medicines cost only a fraction of allopathic or even ayurvedic medicines, its market in India is already worth nearly Rs 400 crore.’’
So, what is fuelling the growth of homeopathy? After all, it’s been around in India for over 150 years. Most of us would have childhood memories of swallowing those little sugar-coated pills, and even sneakily having them. A number of reasons have contributed to its increasingly popularity, says Singh.
Primary, it is the regulation of standards of homeopathic education and registration of practitioners. Before Independence, homeopathy was practised largely by individuals, which included missionaries, officers of civil and military services and even retired people. All this is changing now. In 1973, the government recognised homeopathy as one of the national systems of medicine and set up the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH), to regulate its education and practice.
Another reason for homeopathy’s popularity has been the growing disillusionment with conventional allopathic medicine, which has, for many years, been the first line of treatment for most patients.
Also, with more educated people understanding homeopathy’s methodology, its credibility has increased. ‘‘Earlier, people used to be dismissive,’’ says Dr Anil Chandra Sarin, a practitioner whose family has been practising homeopathy for 70 years.
Many patients also feel that homeopathy is a more personalised treatment, with greater one-on-one interaction between the patient and the physician. Bineeta Modi, who swears by homeopathic medicines after she was cured of a severe case of eczema, says many patients already feel better after discussing their condition with a homeopath.
Not surprisingly, many celebrities are ardent champions of homeopathy. Prince Charles as well as his mother, the Queen, never travel without their box of homeopathic medicines. Yesteryear actor Ashok Kumar was also a successful homeopath. Mahatma Gandhi termed it the safest, economical and most complete medical science, apt for India. And now, with more and more Indians re-discovering homeopathy, the magic of the little white globules is all set to spread.
Atul Sethi/Times of India, India October 21, 2007

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According to WHO, homeopathy is the 2nd largest system of medicine in the world and is experiencing an annual growth of around 20-25%. It is estimated that by 2017, the world homeopathy market would be equivalent to the current alternative healthcare market which is Rs.52,000 crore.
The research was conducted to gauge the potential of the industry through market study and a patient behaviour analysis. It also highlighted the contribution of Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinics towards homeopathy. Observing the potential in the industry, this initiative was taken to conduct the first-of-its-kind patient perspective study of the homeopathy sector in India. The objectives of the research were to understand the patient psychographics regarding chronic ailments, to determine the psychographics of conventional treatments vs. homeopathy and to evaluate the brand perception of Dr. Batra’s ®. For the research, AC Nielsen conducted 650 interviews across 7 cities among a mix of people with certain specific characteristics. 222 interviewees were regular allopathy users, 215 non-Dr. Batra’s® homeopathy users and 213 Dr. Batra’s ® homeopathy users between November, 2006 and April, 2007.
Homeopathy is an effective means of treating chronic ailments. These ailments include hair & skin problems, respiratory problems, arthritis and other miscellaneous treatments like thyroid, bed-wetting, diabetes, and obesity. According to the research, 51% of the people suffering from chronic ailments try home remedies and 30% prefer to leave it unattended. Recurrent use of self-medication and ignorance of proper treatment could lead to severe consequences. 26% of the people resort to medical intervention, of which 47% people visit their family doctor or a GP (general practitioner), 18% resort to conventional treatments and 34% visit a homeopath if their ailment is chronic. Commenting on this, Dr. Mukesh Batra, Chairman cum Managing Director, Dr. Batra’s Positive Health Clinics Pvt. Ltd., said, “81% of people suffering from chronic ailments either self medicate or do nothing at all. This is a disturbing trend throughout the country. Homeopathy is often approached as a last resort when all other treatments have failed. Due to this, the duration of the treatment increases since the ailment reaches an advanced stage. In fact, 73% of homeopathy as well as conventional medicine users believe that we provide the best solution in homeopathy. 52% people in Mumbai believe that homeopathy is safe. ”
The research threw light on the friction between conventional medicine and homeopathy. It highlighted that while people opt for conventional medicine because it enjoys top-of-mind recall (59%) and has immediate results (56%), they choose homeopathy because it is safe (53%) or is recommended by friends and relatives (50%). Also, 20% of the population who had never tried allopathy would opt for it because it provides quick relief, and solutions for all problems. An important aspect to be considered is that while 62% of the current homeopathy users have never tried allopathy, 82% of homoeopathy users would not switch to conventional treatments.
Moneycontrol.com, India - Sep 20, 2007

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Chandigarh: Claiming alternate medicinal therapies were highly in demand in Europe and the US, two NRI physicians have said Indian doctors could meet the demand.
"Indian doctors have better success rate and future doctors will be required to be well-versed with various ayurvedic, unani, homeopathy treatments as well as knowledge of yoga which is becoming a part of holistic treatment abroad," Associate Dean at All Saints University of Medicine Jagmohan Singh Sidhu said at a conference "Future of Medicine".
All Saints University of Medicine (ASUM), Aruba Director of Clinical Affairs Gurmit Singh Chilana said there was a growing trend towards alternate medicine in Europe.
Chilana and Sidhu visited the city and Punjab for a tie-up with medical institutions to provide for clinical rotation in US-based hospitals.
Sify, India - Oct 14, 2007

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In spite of being the second largest system of medicine in the world and having proved its efficacy in many therapeutic segments, homeopathy still remains much unorganised and often the last resort. Sushmi Dey explores the promising system of medicines.

Docs and the bitter pills have always been objects of threat to patients of all age groups. Homeopathy has not just come as a relief to all such ideas but also as an effective alternative system of medicine. The origin of homeopathy is also as interesting as the system of medicine itself. Remarkably, the system of homeopathic treatment was first cracked by none other than a physician who himself used to practise conventional medicines. Back in the late 18 century, harsh and threatening methods of medical treatment prompted Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, chemist and linguist to develop an alternative and less threatening way of treatment. Way back then, medicines contained toxic elements like arsenic and mercury and treatments involved lot of blistering and bloodletting (according to reports). The first breakthrough occurred while Hahnemann, disturbed with such medical practices, was translating an herbal text and came to know of a treatment used to cure malaria with Cinchona bark. Hahnemann observed the undiluted bark for sometime and discovered that he himself developed symptoms similar to malaria symptoms. This observation proved to be a landmark and lead to the concept of homeopathic medicines.
Express Pharma, India - Oct 4, 2007

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Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Health Minister P.K. Sreemathi has said that disputes between various streams of medicine would only have bad effects on medical sciences.
She was speaking after inaugurating the eye camp organised by Thiruvananthapuram Press Club and Sreedhariam Eye Hospital here on Sunday.
All streams of medicine have both good and bad sides. The need of the hour was to bring together the good side from every stream of medicine, she said.
The faith of the people was the most important factor for any system of medicine, whether allopathy, ayurveda or homoeopathy, she said.
Press Club president K. Sreekandan presided over the function.
15/10/07 Newindpress, India

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