Homeopathy: Truly A Part of Traditional Medicine (TM)?
The 2nd Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held at New Delhi has drawn to a close successfully. As nations navigate the complex landscape of integrating diverse healing modalities into mainstream healthcare systems, questions perpetually arise regarding the explicit status and future trajectory of homeopathy within the strategic framework outlined by the World Health Organization’s comprehensive Global strategy on Traditional Medicine.
The WHO Strategies on Traditional Medicine
The latest WHO strategy, titled Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, was released on 30 October 2025. This follows two earlier global policies: the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005 and the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023.
These strategies emerged in response to unmet global health goals. The failure to achieve “Health for All by 2000” and the subsequent focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) underscored the urgency of exploring and integrating diverse healthcare approaches.
What Falls Under Traditional Medicine?
From the outset, WHO’s stance has been clear: TM strategies encompass Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and other indigenous systems. In many countries, these are grouped under terms like Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) or Integrative Medicine (IM). In India, they are formally recognized as AYUSH systems.
Homeopathy, along with Naturopathy, Chiropractic, and Anthroposophy, falls under the broader categories of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. To unify these practices, WHO introduced the umbrella term Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), often shortened to TM for brevity.
Homeopathy: An Integral part of Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM)
The role of Homeopathy towards attaining the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires serious consideration. By emphasizing individualized treatment with minimal side effects, homeopathy is positioning itself as a key component of sustainable global healthcare strategies.
The Holistic Approach
Modern biomedicine is often criticized for being reductionist—treating the organ rather than the organism. Homeopathy fills this gap by treating the patient as a whole. It considers the Emotions, intellect and body as an interconnected continuum. In the TCIM model, this holistic perspective is crucial for addressing psychosomatic ailments and complex chronic conditions where physical symptoms are deeply rooted in emotional or psychological stress.
Contribution to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Many studies have shown that reliance on Homeopathic medicines can help the patients to less rely on antibiotics and antivirals. Thus the emerging threat to public health in the name of AMR can be effectively mitigated by exploring the potentials of Homeopathic Medical System.
Patient-Centered Care
“Patient-centered care” is a catchword in modern medicine, but it is the foundational principle of Homeopathy. Homeopaths do not treat diseases in isolation; they treat individuals. Two patients with the same diagnosis (e.g., Migraine) may receive different remedies based on their unique constitution, temperament, and health profile. This individualization ensures that therapy is tailored to the specific needs of the patient, a gold standard in the TCIM philosophy.
Integration, Not Just Alternative
The narrative is shifting from “Alternative Medicine” to “Integrative Medicine.” Homeopathy is now seen as a complementary system that works alongside conventional treatments. For example, in cancer care or post-surgical recovery, homeopathy is often used to manage side effects, improve immune response, and accelerate healing, thereby improving the overall clinical outcome without interfering with conventional protocols.
Countries like India have set a global precedent by formally integrating Homeopathy into their national healthcare delivery (AYUSH). In these systems, Homeopathy is regulated, standardized, and offered alongside conventional medicine in hospitals and research institutes. This regulatory support ensures quality control, standardized education, and safety, serving as a model for other nations looking to adopt TCIM.
The Tangible Benefits of Integration
Integrating Homeopathy into the mainstream healthcare grid offers distinct advantages:
• Accessibility & Cost-Effectiveness: Homeopathic medicines are generally low-cost and easy to manufacture and distribute. For developing economies, this makes healthcare financially accessible to the poorest populations.
• Safety Profile: Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and generally safe for all age groups, including infants, pregnant women, and the elderly. This high safety profile drastically reduces iatrogenic (medically induced) diseases.
• Environmental Sustainability: Homeopathy is “Green Medicine.” The production of remedies leaves a minimal ecological footprint compared to the pharmaceutical industry, aligning with TCIM goals for environmentally sustainable healthcare.
• Managing the Chronic Burden: Conventional medicine excels in acute emergencies, but Homeopathy often shines in managing chronic, lifestyle-related conditions (e.g., allergies, autoimmune disorders, IBS, and stress). By managing these effectively, Homeopathy relieves the pressure on emergency medical services.
Conclusion
The integration of the Homeopathic system of medicine into Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) reflects a vital paradigm shift. We are moving from a reactive, disease-focused model to one that is proactive, holistic, and sustainable.
By combining traditional therapeutic wisdom with modern evidence-based frameworks, Homeopathy contributes significantly to Universal Health Coverage. It empowers patients to take charge of their health and offers a gentle, effective pathway to long-term well-being. As TCIM continues to gain global traction, Homeopathy stands ready as a reliable partner in the future of human health.
Sources:
- WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002–2005
- WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023
- WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034
