“Homeopathy is all about science and arts,” states Dr Sweta Gandhi, Consultant Homeopath at
North Goa District Hospital, Mapusa. In today’s world where Allelopathy is
considered the only option, people are learning about and opting for a much
better and simpler route of treatment through Homeopathy. Homeopathy is a
science that is based on some fixed principles. It is all about understanding
the person and treating them with proper medicine. Homeopathy works on the
principle of ‘Like cures like’, wherein the doctors consider the cause of the
disease and the symptoms, which could defer from person to person, and aim at
treating the root cause of the disease. There are many who still do not
understand the principles of homeopathy.
“There are many myths about homeopathy.
Firstly, patients feel that it is a very slow process and their first question
is about the duration of treatment. Secondly, patients feel that if they are
following allelopathy, they cannot take homeopathy. That is not true. Thirdly,
people feel that the same pills are given to everyone, which is false. We have
the extraction of the medicine, which is liquid, and we use it depending upon
the patient. Many of the diabetes patients feel that the sweet pills might
affect them but no, these pills are made of lactose and are not harmful; the
sugar content is minimal,” informs Dr Sweta Gandhi, who has been with North Goa
District Hospital for the last six years.
She feels that it is important for people
to understand the difference between acute and chronic disease. She states that
acute diseases are cured faster by homeopathy than any other type of medicine.
Chronic diseases usually take time. Also, along with the medicines, the
patient’s lifestyle, especially diet and exercise, should also go in hand in
hand. If the patient is willing to work on all these aspects, the process will
be faster.
It is when you eradicate the misconceptions that you can see the
benefits. “Your disease is treated from the root. It does not only cure the
disease but also cures the person. We try to treat the patients at an emotional
level and I’ve understood it is more of counselling. They change as we start
treating them. All this is tackled through homeopathy. Psychology and
homeopathy go hand in hand. When your mind is unstable then your body starts
reacting. Over a period of time, people have understood the concept of
homeopathy. The reaction that the patient gives is important for us,” expresses
Dr Gandhi. She also adds that the importance of homeopathy is definitely growing
and is a holistic medicine that has no side effects; recovery too is much
faster.
With an experience of 12 years, she has realised that it takes
time to build a rapport with the patient.
Nilesh Gadekar, who has been undergoing homeopathy treatment for
the last two years, feels that it is a good form of treatment as it does not
have any side effects. “I am suffering from kidney stone and felt a relief
after taking the medicines for 2-3 weeks.” Another patient suffering from
diabetes expresses that homeopathy does work. The patient has been taking
homeopathy for the last five years. In their opinion, homeopathy goes to the
root cause of the disease and makes a big difference as compared to
allelopathy.
When
asked about the scope and the future of homeopathy, Dr Gandhi feels, “In Goa,
people have still not understood the concept as compared to other states. There
are no proper homeopathy hospitals and there is only one college in Goa. Even
then, I feel that the future of homeopathy is very bright. Nowadays, people are
becoming more cautious about their well being and hence, the number of patients
opting for homeopathy is at an increase. Gradually they will understand the
importance of homeopathy. Homeopathy heals at the mental as well as physical
level. It will happen depending upon people. When the demand will increase,
there will be more doctors in Goa.”