Ayurveda and Homeopathy

In Ayurvedic medicine, there are six basic therapeutic approaches with which diet, herbs and lifestyle can be utilized to deal with various disorders. In Homeopathic medicine the approach of treating “similar with similar” is just one among the six approaches of Ayurveda.

Homeopathy uses a method to create subtle medicines through a method of “potentizing” substances; herbal, mineral or animal. In Ayurveda this methodology is known and is part of Dravyaguna called Rasashastra. Methods are different in some respects, however the main concept and idea is the same.

According to Ayurveda – who for the last several thousand years is using six different therapeutic approaches – Homeopathy works through the Pranamayakosha and the Manomaykosha. Ayurvedic herbs and diets work through the Annamayakosha. Normally there will not a conflict between these two approaches unless Ayurvedic preparations of Rasashastra are being used. Normal herbal preparations and diets from Ayurveda work through digestion and Agni whereas Homeopathy works on a more subtle level through the mind and prana directly.

Although Homeopathic doctors do not like to mix their treatments with other herbal preparations (understandably) they do not work on the same level of the human being, nor by the same mechanism. Therefore, in some cases, the two systems can work well together.

People often forget that the source of the three doshas is prana and prana is another name of the vital force so much spoken of in traditional Homeopathy. Hence, there is not as much difference in Homeopathy and Ayurveda as people would like you to think. Ayurveda divides the life force into three forms – vata, pitta, kapha – (and fifteen sub forms) in order to better understand imbalances. If Homeopathy were to follow this idea of seven constitutions and the pathologies that result from them they would get better results. Additionally, Homeopathy lacks a coherent methodology of dietary and lifestyle as per the individual needs of the patient.

In conclusion, it is possible to use Homeopathy as a medical system under the overview of Ayurveda – which a larger vision and field of experience. It is not possible to use Ayurveda under the directions of Homeopathy which are narrower and lacking the broader understanding of the life force, pathology and therapeutics. Homeopathic medicines work best on pathologies that have their origin in the mind or Manomayakosha. They work poorly on disorders that are caused by physical sources (e.g., Ama, etc.) in the Annamayakosha. When used correctly Homeopathic preparations work well and are safe for children which is a great advantage.

– Ayurvedic Medicine for Westerners series of textbooks

Application of Ayurvedic Treatments Throughout Life (Volume 5)

Dravyaguna for Westerners (Volume 4)

Clinical Protocols and Treatments in Ayurveda (Volume 3)

Pathology & Diagnosis in Ayurveda (Volume 2)

Anatomy and Physiology in Ayurveda (Volume 1)