Homeopathy: A chat with Dr. Aadil Chimthanwala
During my medical internship in India, I met with Dr. Aadil Chimthanawala, a renowned homeopathic doctor, to learn about homeopathy and how it differs from modern medicine. Although he has degrees in modern medicine and homeopathy, he has built his practice on homeopathy. During his final year of medical school, he pursued homeopathic medicine instead of modern medicine. Why?
When working closely with patients, he noticed many continued to suffer while taking allopathic medications. He realized that contrary to popular belief, allopathic medicine did not always work, and adding to that, the side effects of allopathic medicine can sometimes do more harm than good. With permission from his supervisors and after consulting his dad, a renowned homeopathic doctor, he took a step that had not been done in his hospital before. Instead of further prescribing allopathic medications, he moved towards prescribing homeopathic medication to such patients. Within a few weeks, they were shocked to see the patients responding positively to the new form of treatment. From then on, he knew that homeopathic medicine was what he wanted to pursue.
Dr. Aadil Chimthanawala has been practicing homeopathy for over 25 years. In this interview, he shares how homeopathy has evolved and how it is practically applied. He also addresses common misconceptions about homeopathic medicine and discusses the growing role of homeopathy in medicine today, specifically its ability to treat acute and chronic conditions and how it complements traditional medical treatments.
Dr. Aadil explained that homeopathy originated with Samuel Hahnemann, who was frustrated with the harsh effects of modern medicine at the time. Out of annoyance, Hahnemann developed a more gentle and effective approach to healing: homeopathy. He points out that homeopathy seeks not only to alleviate symptoms but also to treat the whole person, taking into account the individual’s emotional state, lifestyle, and genetic makeup.
One thing that surprised me was when he explained that homeopathy works not only on humans but also on plants and animals. He explained that he conducted an experiment on plants to see if homeopathic medication would have an impact on their growth, flavor, and colour. Within a few weeks, he and his team noted that the medication, despite not making the plants grow more, enhanced the plant's overall health as its leaves had a stronger and better taste. Similarly, he found that homeopathic medication can also be used for animals.
Throughout the interview, he reviewed and addressed several misconceptions about homeopathy, clearing up misunderstandings and offering scientific evidence.
Homeopathy can treat emergencies: He clarifies that homeopathy is not limited to chronic conditions but is also highly effective in acute situations and emergencies. He shares a case where a patient with a complete heart block was successfully treated with homeopathic remedies when traditional treatments, including pacemaker implantation, were either unavailable or unattainable. Dr. Aadil stresses that homeopathy can be a life-saving option in critical situations.
Homeopathy Always Causes Aggravation Before Improvement: It is often believed that homeopathic treatment makes one condition worse before the actual healing begins. While some individuals may experience a temporary worsening of symptoms, this is not the norm. Homeopathy generally follows a course of cure in which improvement is gradual and lasting.
Throughout the interview, homeopathy is stressed as having a critical role in modern healthcare, particularly for those seeking noninvasive, affordable, and holistic treatments. He explains that homeopathy can complement conventional therapies, addressing the physical symptoms and the underlying emotional and psychological causes of illness.
Homeopathy isn’t just sugar pills. Dr. Aadil explains that while homeopathic medicine is often made of sucrose or lactose as carriers, it is also coated with the active homeopathic remedy. These remedies, he explains, are strong enough to stimulate healing, even in small doses.
In his practice, Dr. Aadil uses evidence-based approaches to homeopathy, drawing on clinical studies, laboratory research, and patient testimonials to support the effectiveness of this form of medicine. He also highlights the growing recognition of homeopathy as a treatment option, particularly in countries like India, where the integration of traditional and modern therapies is becoming increasingly common. According to him, homeopathy is not a replacement for modern medicine but rather a complementary approach that can offer patients a personalized, safe, and effective way to better their health.