History & Philosophy of Natural Medicine-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the History and Philosophy of Natural Medicine. Answer: Homeopathy is an alternative medicine system whose aim is to cure symptoms of a disease rather than curing the disease itself. This medical system is a pseudoscience and opponents argue that it is incorrectly presented as having a scientific rationale behind it (Roberts et al., 2016). The present paper describes the underlying theoretical structure that homoeopathic medicine system is based on. Further, the contribution of cultural and historical aspects to the development of this form of medicine is highlighted. Lastly, how this medical system is practised today and how is differ from its historical usage is analysed. According to Frei-Erb et al., (2016) homoeopathy system was brought into existence by Samuel Hahnemann who believed in the doctrine of like cure like. His claim was that an agent causing symptoms of a disease could cure the same type of symptoms in people who are unhealthy or sick. The belief behind the medical system is that the underlying cause of disease is certain phenomena that are responsible for causing complications in the body. The homoeopathic preparations capable of addressing these phenomena, as suggested by Hahnemann. The preparations are made through the process of homoeopathic dilution that considers diluting a substance in a repetitive manner in distal water or alcohol while bashing the containing vessel aginst an elastic material. Dilution is done till the original substances molecules are not into existence. The dilutions are prescribed to the patients on the basis of the personal traits, symptoms, life history, psychological state and physical state of the patient. After its first announcement in the year 1814, homeopathy created a warfare between itself and orthodox medicine. Opponents had the belief that homeopathy medicine was not to be considered as a reasonable and convinceable treatment system since the tenets and code of belief regarding how the drugs work were opposed by different discoveries across scientific world. However, Hahnemann insisted that the medicine could retain a diversified therapeutic power and cure almost all forms of diseases, as announced by him in 1828. However, his followers brought modification to the claims so that it became accepted by orthodox medical practitioners. In 1903, the American Medical Association considered including homoeopathy within its domains. He Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1939 in the USA allowed homoeopathic medicines to be sold openly on the market. There has been much evolution and revival of the use of homeopathic medicine. In 2002, research indicated that the use of such remedies has inc reased by almost 500% in the last seven years (Roberts et al., 2016). At present, the diseases that are mostly considered for treatment by homeopathic medicine include asthma, allergic rhinitis, depression, otitis media, headache neurotic disorders, hypertension, non-specific allergy, dermatitis and arthritis. Previously the medical system was used for curing only a few diseases. A number of countries across the globe have engaged in research practices to highlight the optimal benefits that can be gained from this medical system. Some practitioners have to opine that randomised controlled trials have established the efficiency and efficacy of homeopathic medicines. However, some other groups of scholars have pointed out that homeopathy has a negligible therapeutic effect and this is more prominent since the randomised controlled trials had limitations of suitable study methodology (Mathie et al., 2013). In Australia, the homeopathic profession has gained major milestones in the past one decade. Thus, the profession has achieved the type of self-regulat ion and organisation suggested by the Government. The homeopathic profession, together with the Federal Government, had founded the National Competency Standards in Homeopathy in the year 1999. Such approaches are found in many other countries as well (Wardle et al., 2013). References Frei-Erb, M., von Ammon, K., Torchetti, L. (2016). Use of homeopathy in patients with organ transplant in Switzerland: first results and further steps.Homeopathy,105(1), 25. Mathie, R. T., Hacke, D., Clausen, J., Nicolai, T., Riley, D. S., Fisher, P. (2013). Randomised controlled trials of homeopathy in humans: characterising the research journal literature for systematic review.Homeopathy,102(1), 3-24. Roberts, E. R., Tournier, A. L., Chatfield, K., Viksveen, P., Mathie, R. T. (2016). How safe is homeopathy? An analysis of the Posadzki et al. 2012 safety paper and fresh review of the same literature.Homeopathy,105(1), 20. Wardle, J., Adams, J., Sibbritt, D. (2013). Homeopathy in rural Australian primary health care: a survey of general practitioner referral and practice in rural and regional New South Wales, Australia.Homeopathy,102(3), 199-206.