Abstract:
Homoeopathy is one of the alternative systems of medicine based on the “Law of Similia” to provide harmless treatment in all types of cases. Palliation means decrease or removal of the most troublesome symptom in any case without providing cure of the disease. If the most similar remedy administered in any case with deep irreversible pathology than that medicine
acts as a palliative one. According to the World Health Organization, every year approximately 40 million people need palliative care worldwide. This article explains about the potential role of Homoeopathy in future palliative care.
Key-words: Alternative system of Medicine, Homoeopathy, Law of Similia, Palliation, World Health Organization.
Introduction:
Homoeopathy – an alternative system of medicinal therapeutics discovered by Dr Hahnemann, is derived from the Greek words “Omosis” means similar and “Pathos” means suffering which is based on fundamental principle of nature. 1,2,3 Among all the principles, Law of Similia is one of the pillars of Homoeopathic cure which suggest that if a substance have
capacity to produce certain sign and symptom in healthy person than that substance can cure same group of symptoms also. 3 Before Dr Hahnemann many other stalwarts also use law of similia in many instances. According to some ancient database, Hippocrates – a father of medicine, apply this law to treated mania by administering small doses of the “MANDRAKE
ROOT” which in large doses is known to trigger it. 1 Dr Hahnemann apply same principle on the patients suffering from Intermittent fever by using “PRUVIAN BARK or CINCHONA BARK” as it mentions in Cullen’s Materia Medica
that Cinchona Bark have capacity to produce symptom like Intermittent fever. 3 He also potentize his medicine to resurface the dynamic properties of the substance which help to cure disease without any harmful effects. 1 Homoeopathy is a pathy which can be apply in all type of diseases irrespective of their type and state. 3
Among all types of treatment, World Health Organization provide data that world-wide 40 million people needed palliative care or treatment every year and this number will reach up to 87% till 2060. 4,5,6 This global need is increasing because of the rising burden of non- communicable disease as well as aging of the populations. 4 World Health Organization stated that palliation or palliative care is, “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and tat of their families who are facing challenges
associated with life – threatening illness, whether physical, psychological, social or spiritual”. It also recognizes as basic individual health right. 5 Dictionary suggest that, word palliation is derived from the Late Latin word “palliates” means to reduce or ease the violence of symptom of diseases without curing it. 7,8 It is helpful to address the wide range of patient
which are neither classifying under “Dying” nor “Healthy” but needed some well appropriate efforts to reduce their suffering to improve quality of life. 6 The concept of palliation in homoeopathy is unique cost effective to the patient across the
world for relieving the burden of suffering. 9 As per the View of Dr J. T. Kent, Homoeopathic Palliation is one of the best ways among all the other one to provide harmless care to the
patient. 10
Evaluation of Palliation As Treatment:
Palliation as therapeutic care treatment evolved from the hospice movement. Some important
years in the history of India and world to represent the evaluation of palliation.
▪ 1967: Dame Cicely – Transformed the way of society to care for the ill, the dying and the bereaved.
▪ 1975: The Govt of India – National Cancer Programme – to make pain relief one of the basic services to be delivered at the primary health care level.
▪ 1990: World Health Organisation – Speciality dedicated treatment exclusively to the relief of suffering and improving the Quality of Life of the patient with life limiting illness.
▪ 2008: Kerala – Palliative Care Policy – Includes Homoeopathy for palliative care. 9
Importance of Palliation:
▪ It provides temporarily relief of the most annoying symptoms of the disease to ease the distressed state of the patient. 2
▪ It can help to improve the quality of life of the patient as well as family members.
▪ It can reduce unnecessary hospital admission. 1
▪ When death is near, a gradual stimulation of the vital organs will help without removal or cure of the patient.
▪ In exceptional cases can be used as an anaesthetic. 2
Use of Homoeopathy as palliative care treatment:
According to Stuart Close, some substance uses in certain conditions without following nature’s law will lead to depression and destruction of normal reactivity of the person which make a patient’s condition worse rather than treating or helping to remove the problematic symptoms. 11 He called this type of palliation as 11 , “HOLLOW MOCKERY FROM STANDPOINT OF A TRUE TERAPEUTICS” For the palliation, in any case whether incurable or not, law of similar should always follow to find the appropriate Homoeopathic medicine. Narcotics and sedatives which are a common modern medication for palliation should not use because it destroys bodies power of elimination which ultimately leads to increase of dose subsequently. 12
According to the law of similia, if a most similar medicine will prescribe in any disease which are at an incurable stage than that medicine will act as palliative one. 13 Because Homoeopathic medicine are capable to bring the immune system back to its original potential strength. The philosophy or theory or law of palliation in homoeopathy come sin a picture when it is
evident that the possibility of cure is difficult to achieve in any particular case because if the symptomatology is clearly expressed and capable of individualization than according to the principles of homoeopathy healing is possible. But in former situation physician cannot use
law of individualisation to help the patient by any means. So, in incurable conditions, the suitable homoeopathic remedies will relieve the symptoms and will palliate the patient if given by following law of similia as a base. 9 Dr Hahnemnan mention about the use of Electricity and Galvenism for the palliation purpose as auxiliary measures in 286 aphorism of his book organon of medicine, 6 th edition. 14
Following types of cases can get better by using Homoeopathy as Palliative medicine:
▪ Advanced cases – Irreversible pathological changes: administration of a closely matching remedy generally brings relief for at least a few days or many be longer. 12
▪ Neurodegenerative & Neuromuscular cases with disease progression.
▪ Cases where treatment has been deferred due to non –response or non- compliance.
▪ Paediatric palliative cases.
▪ Cases with adverse drug reactions.
▪ Cases with recurrences.
▪ Geriatric cases.
▪ Chronic cases at an incurable stage.
▪ Inoperable cancer cases.
▪ Cancer cases which require correction of physiological equilibrium. 9
▪ In surgical and most painful cases. 12
Guideline to provide palliative care in any case Homeopathically:
▪ All the cases, irrespective of their place in disease classification, should inquire properly by using Dr Hahnemann’s criteria for case taking according to 83 to 104 aphorisms.
▪ After proper analysis and evaluation – totality of the symptom should form, includes all the most troublesome symptoms of the patient which require palliation.
▪ By using Law of Similia – a prescription of most similar remedy should made. 12
▪ Repetition Criteria: Single dose should be prescribed in low to moderate potency. If symptoms return, the same remedy can be given again as needed. This approach helps improve the patient’s comfort and overall well-being. 13
Precaution while administering Homoeopathic Medicine as Palliative:
▪ Certain deep acting constitutional remedies should avoid because of their precipitative
extreme actions.
▪ Avoid using high potencies esp. in cases of involvement of Vital organs because of
chances of production of aggravating symptoms.
▪ Avoid unnecessary injudicious repetition.
▪ As a replacement of deep acting remedy – a superficial acting remedy can be use.
▪ At terminal stage – deep acting remedy like, PHOSPHORUS or SULPHUR can
prescribe in certain circumstances to achieve certain goals like Euthanasia. 13
Potential Benefits of using Homoeopathy instead of other medication for the purpose of
Palliation:
As explained earlier, modern medication mostly relies on the use of narcotics and sedatives for the palliation in any case. This type of medications come with their potential side effects on the already debilitated patient because of the long continued deep irreversible pathological disease. Homoeopathy can be a potential alternative to narcotics in cases esp. surgical one as
pre and post operative medication. It helps to ease the patient’s mental and physical distress to promote a smoother recovery if possible. It can help the patient to improve their quality of life at physical, psychological and social level. 12
Conclusion:
Palliation is one the need of today’s healthcare sector because of factor like increase aging, irreversible deep non communicable diseases as well as increase of number of communicable life-threatening diseases. Worldwide development of palliative care is rising and among them Homoeopathy can be one the contributing therapeutic system because of its beneficial effect on health to boost immune system as well as harmless treatment to avoid further damage in the already debilitated patient. Homoeopathy can be a replacement option of sedatives and narcotics in wider range. If apply carefully by using law of similia, a quality of patients as well as their relative’s life can be change for the better in all the extent – Physical, Psychological as well as Social.
Reference:
- R. V. C., Homoeopathy: its role in palliative and curative care of cancer, International Journal of Homoeopathic Sciences 2021; 5(3): 160-171. Homoeopathy: It’s role in palliative and curative care of cancer
- Dr Ghodke M., Dr Ahmad R. F., Enhancing Quality of Life: The Integrative Role of Homoeopathy in Palliative Care, International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 6, no 2, pp 1361-1362 February 2025. Enhancing Quality of Life: The Integrative Role of Homoeopathy in Palliative Care”
- Sarkar B. K., Organon of Medicine, 5 th and 6 th Edition, Birla Publication PVT LTD.
- Palliative care, World Health Organization, 5 th August 2020.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care - Agrawal A., Pando A., Chanchlani R., A Review on Palliative Care Challenges and
Benefits, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, September -2022.
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Concept Analysis Review, SAGE Open Nursing, August – 2022.
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Author Detail:
Devarsh Kanjibhai Bhikadiya, B.H.M.S. Scholar, Swami Vivekanand Homoeopathic Medical
College, Bhavnagar.
Parth Bharatbhai Jadav, B.H.M.S. Scholar, Swami Vivekanand Homoeopathic Medical
College, Bhavnagar.
Guided By: Dr Twincle Rameshchandra Raval, M.D. [ Homoeopathy], Assistant Professor in
Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Swami Vivekanand Homoeopathic Medical
College, Bhavnagar.
