Agro-Homoeopathy- Healing Beyond Humans

Abstract: Agro-homoeopathy is a new approach being adopted in Homoeopathy.¹ Organic agriculture follows four principle, health, ecology, care, and fairness, and these are the substances that are used for the care and nourishment of plants and protection from pests which must be safe for people, animals, and the environment.²  The use of chemical products in agriculture has negatively impacted soil health and human health.⁸ Agro-homoeopathy is an integrative approach to improve organic agriculture and homoeopathic medicine have little or no ecological side effect due to their high ultra dilution.² Homeopathic preparations when used on medicinal plants affect their growth, secondary metabolites production, essential oil yield and phytochemical profile.³  The agrohomoeopathy can reduce the cost of chemical fertilizers and insecticides thereby increasing the income of farmers.⁴ 

Keywords: Agro-homoeopathy, Organic farming and ecological effects, plant growth, economy. 

Introduction: 

The first study on Agro-homoeopathy was done by Kolisko in 1923 on wheat germination. Another researcher Junker in 1928 published a study on the effects of high dilution on microorganisms. These two researchers were the beginnings of a field that was recently defined as Agrohomeopathy, a field that began to develop more intensely in the late 60s.¹¹

Dr. V. D. Kaviraj, a Dutch Homoeopath, introduced a new approach to agriculture in 1986. This method uses homoeopathic principles to promote organic farming and eliminate chemical use in crop production.⁵

Agro-homoeopathy has shown great potential in increasing crop yield, managing pests and diseases and improving soil quality.⁵ Agro-homoeopathy starts with healing the soil and goes deeper – nourishing plants naturally, restoring balance, and creating a healthier world for all.¹⁰ Agro-homeopathy is a special field of homoeopathic practice that is used to treat garden and agriculture related ailments.⁶ It can contribute to controlling pests and diseases which directly lead to increase in yield and improvement in qualitative characteristics of the product. For example, Homeopathic medicines strengthen plants by giving them Silicea 200C in early spring.⁶ 

An important aspect of Agro-homoeopathy is that plants respond immediately when treated with homoeopathic products. This means that both farmers and homoeopaths have good reasons to use homoeopathy in agriculture, because the results can be reliable: farmers achieve efficient and lasting results and homoeopaths obtain new evidence of the validity of their method.¹¹ Homoeopathic Ultra High Dilutions are safely used for a variety of purposes that is seed germination, soil health improvement, seedling growth, flowering, fruiting, disease protection and overcoming environmental stress.⁴

Homoeopathic medicines can be used in agriculture for various purposes ranging from seed germination to crop production. The study of Agrohomoeopathy is not limited to seed germination only. Alleviation of biotic and abiotic stresses is also made possible by the practice of homoeopathy in agriculture. In 1986, V.D. Kaviraj first successfully used Belladonna to treat a diseased apple tree. He opened a new door for agricultural research. V.D. Kaviraj preferred low potency homoeopathic medicines, while recent studies have shown that some high potency homoeopathic medicines also appear to be very effective on seed germination and stress resistance.¹¹

Core Principles Of Agro-Homoeopathy:

Agro-homeopathy is based on the principle of Like Cure Like. For example-

1. Calcarea carbonica is prepared from oyster shell symbolizes strength and protection. In plants, it provides vitality, strengthens plant structures, and increases overall stability.
2. Natrum muriaticum derived from salt crystals, is a symbol of water balance and regulation. In plants, it aids in proper water metabolism and helps maintain moisture balance. 
3. Silicea is a hard, crystalline, rock-like structure that symbolizes strength and solidity. In plants, silicea also strengthens plant tissues.
4. Sulphur is yellow in colour symbolizes warmth, energy, and purification. In plants, it promotes purification and helps improve the health of soil and crops.
5. Helix tosta is derived from snail shell symbolizes natural defense against pests such as snails and slugs. Following the principle of “like cures like,” it is used to help repel the same pests.

Organic Farming And Ecological Effects: 

India is the second largest consumer of fertilizers in the world after China.¹¹ During the initial phase of the green revolution around the world pesticides and chemical fertilizers was a boon.  Horrifyingly, chronic diseases such as cancer spread and soil degradation were everywhere.⁷ 

In modern agricultural system, synthetic pesticides are used to prevent the infestation of insects/pests, diseases and weeds.⁹ Soil health management remains a vitally important tool for global food security. Fertilizers and pesticides stay in the soil for a long time, so they affect soil microbes which deteriorate the soil health.¹¹ Worldwide, around two million tons of pesticides are used every year. However, this increases rapidly every year and is estimated to be around 4.11 million tons.⁹ Abundant evidence has shown that these chemicals pose potential hazards to humans and other life forms and have undesirable adverse effects on the environment. ¹¹ The first report of pesticide poisoning in India was recorded in Kerala in 1958, when more than 100 people died after eating wheat flour contaminated with parathion.⁸ In one study, seven different pesticides were analyzed, two of which were detected in apples, tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, and grapes. These were analyzed for each pesticide or pesticide group and accounted for 5.2% of the total samples. 0.32% residues found which are higher than the respective MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) for that specific pesticide.⁸

This scenario requires the use of alternative models in agricultural practices to prevent diseases and maintain the health status of the population. It is also very important to get rid of the damage caused to the soil.⁷  Agro-homoeopathy can reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Agro-homoeopathy can be a good alternative to traditional agricultural and pest control methods in India.¹¹

Economical Effect: 

Agriculture is the largest source of income in India and has a huge economic burden of providing livelihood especially in rural areas.⁸ It is also a major source of contribution to the GDP. It is the primary source of income for about 58 percent of India’s population.⁸ GVA growth in agriculture and allied sectors stood at 4 per cent in FY 20. About three-quarters of households in India depend on rural income. There is a huge burden on agriculture to increase rural income and food security.⁸ 

Agro-homoeopathy can bring beneficial solutions, providing a means to treat plants with low doses of substances without any toxicity and providing significant economic benefits due to reduced costs, increased yields and better-quality crops. Homoeopathic medicines are economical as compared to chemical fertilizers and are required in very small quantities.¹¹ 

In the near future agro-homoeopathy will be one of the most widely spread tools in farms, used mainly by those who are unable to use green biotechnology and allopathic approaches in agriculture. The future success and survival of agriculture, and possibly the survival of humans, will depend on the potential of plants.¹²

Agro-Homoeopathic Remedies ¹³

1. Arnica montana- Tumors resulting from improper tree pruning, even cancerous ones, can be cured, provided they were caused by some type of injury. After planting, hail damages the roots, and the damaged leaves turn yellow or red, similar to deciduous trees in the fall. ¹³
2. Bombyx- Caterpillars, vegetable-eating insects, sawfly larvae, armyworms, cabbage moths. Plants develop the ability to fight off caterpillar infestations by using this remedy. ¹³
3. Calendula- Wounds that have been incised and ulcerated, such as those caused by cutting or tearing roots during planting. Calendula repels the asparagus beetle. ¹³
4. Delia- Delia is an excellent solution. One application provides season-long protection for any lawn against this destructive pest, maggot. ¹³
5. Equisetum- Fungal diseases of grapevines, vegetables, roses, and fruit trees; mildew diseases. ¹³
6. Helix tosta- This remedy has undergone extensive clinical trials. When mixed with water or used as a spray, it has proven effective in protecting plants from snail attacks, allowing the plant to absorb it. ¹³
7. Lapis alba- Black rot in radish, black spot in rose, blossom end rot in strawberry, gangrene in potato. Rot and decay in all species. These symptoms appear only on the blossom end of the fruit. That part becomes brown, hard, and sunken. ¹³
8. Magnesia carbonica- Magnesium plays an important role in photosynthesis. Magnesia carbonica is useful not only for magnesium deficiency but also for symptoms of burns. ¹³
9. Phosphorus- Applying phosphorus just before flowering accelerates flowering and thus increases yield. Phosphorus deficiency causes discoloration of leaf margins. ¹³
10.  Silicea- Soil remedy. Nutrients are needed but not absorbed. Weak, stunted plants, stunted growth. ¹³
11.  Sulphur- Fruit borer, dry fruit beetle, fruit fly, fruit spot insect, wilted plants, situation worsens after rain can be treated by sulphur. ¹³
12.  Tanacetum vulgare- Flies, insects of all kinds, Japanese beetles, ants, moths, fleas. Premature fruit drop. ¹³

Limitation Of Agro-Homoeopathy ¹⁴

1. Limited awareness among farmers- Agro-homoeopathy remains relatively unfamiliar to many farmers, as they have limited access to training, resources and guidance for its effective use in different crops and environmental conditions.
2. Challenges in standardization– The lack of standardized dosages, strengths, and methods of administration makes it challenging to ensure uniform use across different regions and to establish uniform agro-homoeopathic practices.
3. Insufficient large-scale research- Most of the evidence supporting agro-homeopathy is based on small-scale studies and observations of farmers. Its acceptance among mainstream agricultural scientists and experts becomes more challenging due to the limited availability of large-scale and long-term research.
4. Not always a stand-alone solution- While agro-homoeopathy can be beneficial, it is often most effective when integrated with other sustainable agricultural practices such as composting, crop rotation, and biological control, especially in cases of severe pest pressure or poor soil conditions.

Conclusion

Agro-homoeopathy is a subject which can be researched in various fields of agriculture. It is believed that Agro-homoeopathy can be a good alternative to organic farming without causing any harm to plants, environment and humans. Agro-homoeopathy can increase the income of farmers by reducing the cost of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides which are hazardous. The only solution to these hazardous chemical compounds and their side effects is organic farming. It is also economical for farmers and researchers, although more studies are needed to improve its impact and outcomes. Homoeopathy can play an important role in organic farming. Proper selection of Homeopathy medicament for each case is very important, to have high efficiency and profitability. Agro-homoeopathy offers cost-effective farming and improved human health. This comprehensive review underlines the importance of exploring organic and eco-friendly approaches in agriculture. Agro-homoeopathy is able for the transition of conventional farming to agro-ecological farming and promotes a healthy lifestyle. To properly assess the effects of Homoeopathic drugs, more in-vitro studies are needed. More research and field trials are needed to increase the success rate. Agro-homoeopathy is a developing subject which requires intensive research for creation of new scientific knowledge and its technical and productive application in organic agriculture. 

Abbreviation

GDP: Gross domestic product

GVA: Gross Value Added

FY: Financial Year

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