Homeopathy

Homeopathy is one of the most common complementary therapies used by cancer patients. It was found in the late 1700s in Germany. The basic principle of Homeopathy is – like cures like. Hence, in homeopathy, the homeopath uses tiny doses of the substance which, if used in large doses can cause the symptoms of the illness. It is believed that these small doses provide a molecular blueprint which triggers healing mechanisms in the body.

Founded in the late 1700s in Germany, homeopathy has been widely practised throughout Europe. Homeopathy is based on the theory that “like cures like”—a very small dose of a substance that causes a symptom in a healthy person may cure the illness. In theory, a homeopathic dose enhances the body’s normal healing and self-regulatory processes.

Homeopathy and Cancer

Homeopaths use different approaches to treat cancer patients as described below:

• In one approach, they use homeopathic remedies to target the tumours directly. Therefore, the homeopath chooses remedies matching the symptom of the tumor. The primary focus is on reversing the growth of the tumor.
• In another approach, they use remedies to strengthen cell detoxification and heal the eliminative channels like kidneys, urinary tract, liver, etc. In this approach, the homeopath attempts to detoxify particular substances.
• A homeopath can also try to address the overall constitution of the patient. The patient’s physical, emotional, and mental symptoms are recorded and a constitutional remedy is provided. This addresses and resolves the energy underlying the tumour which can result in the elimination of the tumor itself.

Apart from these approaches, many patients use homeopathy as a complementary therapy offering the following benefits:

• It helps relax the mind and body.
• Patients feel better equipped to handle stress, anxiety, and/or depression.
• It reduces symptoms and side-effects of other treatments like pain, fatigue, etc.

Over the years, many studies have been conducted to assess the clinical efficacy of homeopathic remedies in cancer treatment/ care.  While most studies have reported insufficient evidence to arrive at any conclusion, some studies have found preliminary data in support of the effectiveness of homeopathy in cancer care. 

Some Homeopathic Centers in India for Cancer Care

Reference

1. Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
2. ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
3. Kassab S, Cummings M, Berkovitz S, van Haselen R, Fisher P. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009 Apr 15;(2):CD004845
4. Supplementary Data – Science Direct – https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2452336417300419-mmc1.docx
5. Ernst E. Homeopathy: what does the “best” evidence tell us? Medical Journal of Australia. 2010 Apr 19;192(8):458-60.
6. Laurie Monteleone. Homeopathy. cancure.org.
7. WebMD. Homeopathy—Topic Overview. Viewed September 18, 2018.
8. Cancer Research UK. Homeopathy. February 5, 2015. Viewed September 18, 2018.
9. Carole O’Toole and Carolyn B. Hendricks: Healing outside the Margins: The Survivor’s Guide to Integrative Cancer Care
10. Cancer Research UK
11. Neil McKinney, BSc, ND: Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition
12. Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
13. University of Arizona: Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine Online Courses
14. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth. April 7, 2016. Viewed February 5, 2018.
15. Marlow MM, Shah SS, Véliz EA, Ivan ME, Graham RM. Treatment of adult and pediatric high-grade gliomas with withaferin A: antitumor mechanisms and future perspectives. Journal of Natural Medicines. 2017 Jan;71(1):16-26.
16. Hashim YZ, Kerr PG, Abbas P, Mohd Salleh H. Aquilaria spp. (agarwood) as source of health beneficial compounds: a review of traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2016 Aug 2;189:331-60.
17. Baliga MS, Rao S, Rai MP, D’souza P. Radio protective effects of the Ayurvedic medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Holy Basil): a memoir. Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics. 2016 Jan-Mar;12(1):20-7.
18. Acharya N, Acharya S, Shah U, Shah R, Hingorani L. A comprehensive analysis on Symplocos racemosa Roxb.: Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2016 Apr 2;181:236-51.
19. Jayaprakasam B, Zhang , et al. Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from Withania somnifera leaves. Life Sciences. 2003;74(1):125-132. As cited at About Herbs. Ashwagandha. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. March 2, 2017. Viewed February 26, 2018.