Is Homeopathy Modern Day Folk Medicine ?

Samuel Hahnemann

Homeopathy is a kind of alternative medicine made popular by a German, Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century.

Homeopathy is essentially a system which procures treatments to stimulate the body to heal itself. Unlike conventional medicine, which uses artificially manufactured drugs to control or suppress the illness, homeopathic medicine uses the natural properties of plants, minerals and even animals to stimulate the natural defenses of the body to initiate the healing process.

Some people criticise homeopathy is being just some kind of modern alternative medicine or a practice of folk remedies associated with witchdoctors, similar to the practice of a Malay Bomoh or the Chinese Sinseh (herbalist and traditional medicine practitioner).

Homeopathy is getting popular in Malaysia as a form of alternative medicine. There are currently Malay, Chinese and Indian homeopathic clinics in every major town in Malaysia.

Apparently homeopathy was brought to Malaysian (then called Malaya) in 1940's by some Indian British army officers from India.

Currently, traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practices, which includes Bomohs , Sinsehs, reiki, homeopathy practitioners etc are not regulated in Malaysia.

There is an article in the Star on 13 July 2008 by Dr Milton Lum - Regulating traditional medicine

Polycrest is a society which promotes the practice of homeopathy in Malaysia, for those who are interested to know more.

Is homeopathy a genuine science ? Judge this for yourself, here is the list of the Top 50 Homeopathy Blogs, for you to visit and make an educated evaluation.

Please post your comments.