The history of Medicine in India can be traced to Ayurveda, which means ‘the science of life’ and is believed to be as old as the Vedas. The mention and use of herbs and plants has been done in the Rigveda. India has rich flora and fauna and ancient Vedic medicine practices of traditional medicine in India revolve around the utilization of plants and plant-based preparations in healthcare. The saints of ancient India, who are very thorough and meticulous on the medicinal virtues of indigenous plants of India, believed that there was a remedy for disease rampant in the universe. The richness of the medicinal properties of our plants and minerals was recognized early by the west and W W Hunter, in his book ‘Indian empire’ recognizes a book ‘The Materia Medica of Hindus’ by Udoy Chand Dutt which embrace a vast collection of drugs belonging to the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms, many of which have been adopted by European and American physicians.
Indian medicines are used by about 60% of the world’s population. These are used for primary health care, not only in rural areas of developing nations but they are also used in the developed countries where modern medicine is predominantly used. In the western world the use of medicinal herbs is continuously growing, approximately 40% of the population is using herbs for medical illness due to increased incidences of adverse effects of allopathic medicine. There are about 45000 plant species in India, Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andman and Nicobar Islands are the hot spot for medicinal plants.
Homoeopathy accepted the Indian medicines and literature from ‘Materia Medica of Indian Drugs’ by Dr Prosad Bannerjee explains that although we are rich in many forest and mineral resources, inhabitants of this country are being disregarded as they failed to evaluate their indigenous herbs under the influence of western Drugs. On the other hand Many Indians were aware of the medicinal properties of herbs but their scope of explaining and expanding the knowledge was limited as most of the population had a prosaic view of these things due to absence of a systematic study course.
Further works by Dr S C Ghosh in his work ‘Drugs of Hindoostan’ has been an excellent addition to the homoeopathic treasure and his contribution on indigenous drugs is still knee-high though; they depend much on plant kingdom in the field of treatment.
Many more instances can be cited from traditional medicine practice which indicates that these indigenous drugs could no longer be brushed aside and their curative effect could no longer be overlooked. These drugs should adorn the pages of Materia Medica and should have an abiding place there. Many homoeopaths from the inception of this science are using these medicinal herbs gathering their knowledge from different journals, some valuable books, and also from some haphazard sources. But unfortunately a qualitative, updated literature on this aspect for homoeopathic doctors is very much lacking. Now in India, CCRH has undertaken this aspect in a very systematic, methodical, updated way to remove this long felt want & already proved some drugs. Homoeopathic Materia Medica of Indian drugs published by CCRH comprises some of these drug provings of their own and compilation from other source books.
Indianization of homeopathy roots into the fact that vegetation of this country is said to be so rich in medicinal herbs that its Materia Medica hardly could be equalized in any other country. A good many homoeopathic remedies are now prepared from indigenous plants and herbs from India. Their efficacy in acute and chronic diseases has been acknowledged and experienced by many homeopaths across the globe.
India is a vast country and a rich reservoir with a treasure house of remedial agents and sincere efforts should be made in the direction of unlocking this treasure with the key supplied by the acumen and genius of Hahnemann by proving these medicines on healthy human beings for the benefit of mankind.
There are still many herbs and plants in India whose therapeutic virtues and identities are insufficiently known to us and if they are thoroughly prepared and proved may turn out to be very useful drugs of Homoeopathic Materia Medica. The need to introduce new indigenous plants to Homoeopathy is important to explore nature’s treasure.
Recently medicines like Phyllanthus niruri (Bhoomi amla) and Moringa oleifera (Sahjan, Drumstick) have been introduced into Homoeopathy. The Phyllanthus niruri plant originated in India, and it is native to tropical coastal areas. Bhumi Amla helps in managing liver disorders and reverses any damage caused to the liver due to its hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antiviral activities. It also helps to prevent ulcers by reducing gastric acid production as well as protecting the stomach lining against damage caused by excessive gastric acid. Bhumi Amla might also reduce the risk of kidney stone formation due to its diuretic property. It does so by promoting the removal of salts (mainly oxalate crystals) that are responsible for the formation of kidney stones. It is also known as Phyllantus amara, Nirurisannua, Nymphanthus niruri, Phyllanthus niruri, Diasperus niruri. Some authors dispute them as different varieties/spices. This drug was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy at 2 centres. The Council undertook proving of Phyllanthus niruri in 1994–1995 at Drug Proving Research Unit (H), Ghaziabad (U.P.) and Kolkata (W.B.). The proving details were published in “New Drugs Proved by CCRH” by the council in 2008. It was also proved by an independent scholar Dr.George Mathew and published in www.homeobook.com. Whole plant is used for the preparation of mother tincture.
Moringa is a plant native to India. Moringa oleifera is a plant that has been praised for its health benefits for thousands of years. It is very rich in healthy antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds. So far, scientists have only investigated a fraction of the many reputed health benefits. It contains proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making it useful to fight malnutrition. These properties make Moringa a superfood in the present era. Moringa mother tincture is prepared by incorporating the whole plant so that this homeopathic mother tincture is rich in all the available benefits of the herb. Hence Moringa oleifera mother tincture is rich in all the medicinal and nutritional benefits this homeopathic mother tincture offers. Moringa Oleifera Mother Tincture is helpful in regulating blood sugar. It is rich in antioxidants, boosts immunity, and Strengthens bones. This homoeopathic medicine is effective in treating rheumatic complaints. It also aids in breast milk production.
Research studies on these medicines (Phyllanthus niruri Q and Moringa oleifera Q) has been taken up at R.B.T.S. Govt Medical College & Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar to explore the beneficial activities of these medicines in cases of liver disorders and anemia respectively. Preliminary clinical trials show that these medicines have untapped potential and further studies should be carried on using the dilutions of these medicines.
Likewise, there are many more medicines in the bosom of our nature whose potentials can be unearthed and used in the service of mankind. It is gratifying to see that indigenous medicinal plants are being recognized and sincere efforts should be made to incorporate these medicines in Homoeopathy. This will not only enhance the scope of Homoeopathy but also help to pave the path of integrative medicine which is the need of the hour. Indian Homoeopathy and Indian Homoeopathic fraternity has to show the world that the land which has nurtured this therapeutic method to the extent of calling it our ‘own’ can contribute much more to the growth of this therapeutic science.
