How is Ayurveda different from Homeopathy?

In the wake of digitization, we are filled with a constant urge to improve our professional life, which is good! But in this journey of ours, we have forgotten to take care of our health. This had led to disrupting life flow. There is a need to understand what drives our health and the right treatment to combat health crises.

In times of pain and illness, we look for easier and quicker options staking our health at risk. Often we forget the gift of natural and organic medical interventions that have stood the test of time. Two popular science of medicines or alternative medicines-Homeopathy and Ayurveda, have got merged into the newest medical system. But do you know homeopathy and Ayurveda have two different origins and fundamentals?

Homeopathy - It believes that ‘Like cures like.’

Ayurveda - Ayurveda believes in curing people based on their life energies or their dosha constitution.

Let’s learn more about them.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda translates as “The Science of Life.” Ayurveda dates back to the times when Rishi and Munis used to write text on a piece of wood or leaves. Basically, it was the Vedic period that existed 5,000 years back. Its fundamental beliefs are imputed to the fact that each human being is different not in terms of our physical and mental constitution but each person has a particular pattern of energy. This constitution is present since birth and remains throughout. If, however, this constitution is disturbed, we get sick. So the core focus is on identifying our inner constitution and external factors that disrupt the normal flow of our health and on working on restoration.

Ayurvedic Kidney Disease Treatment

Ayurveda claims that we have three types of energies, known as the doshas, and this is universal for one and all. They are named to be Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Vatta is movement and activity, while Pitta and Kapha are responsible for digestion and lubrication in the mind and body respectively. Imbalance in these doshas is the main reason why we catch a disease and fall prey. But the good news is that these life energies can be restored by making subtle changes in our lifestyle and eating habits.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is also an alternative system of medicine. The term homeopathy is made up of two words (Origin from the Greek Language) ”Homoios,” which means like, and “Pathos,” which implies suffering. It is based on the principle that like cures like. Homeopathy stands out on the ideology that food that can cause symptoms in a healthy person can be taken in a significant amount by a person with the same disease. These foods, which act as homeopathic medicines, trigger the body's immune system to fight against the disease. Based on these, some of the key points that create a rift between Ayurveda and homeopathy are as follow:

Ayurveda

1. It is an alternate system of medicine, originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.

2. The main constitution of the body is classified into doshas, also called three life energies: Vat (wind), Pit (bile), and Kaf (phlegm).

3. Ayurveda is made of two Sanskrit words: "Ayur" means life, and "Veda" means knowledge, so it means knowledge of life.

4. Medicines are prepared from rare and authentic herbs, spices, vegetables, and minerals, etc.

5. Medicines are not individualized as the same medicine can be prescribed to a different person suffering from a similar disease.

Homeopathy

1. This alternate system of medicine was curated by Samuel Christian Hahnemann in the late 18th Century.

2. Here the principle approach is "like cures like.” Foods that cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat a diseased with similar signs.

3. It is derived from two Greek words: "Homoios" means similar, and "Pathos" means "suffering.”

4. Medicines are prepared using plant parts, vegetables, minerals, etc., and diluting them in alcohol or distilled water.

5. Homeopathic medicines are individualized and specific for a specific person.

Why are Ayurveda & Homeopathy criticized?

Both Ayurveda and homeopathy are alternative forms of medicines not praised worldwide. Ayurvedic medicines are under scrutiny for being owing to the lack of evidence about the effectiveness of drugs. Not every herb is a host of benefits for every constitution. Homeopathic medicines, on the other hand, are used as dilutes, and there is no trace of the original substance used in the dilution. More of it is the placebo effects that lead to an improvement in the health of the patients taking homeopathic medicines.

But all these criticisms suppress the benefits both the medicinal systems have to offer. They foster an alternative system of treatment from the ill-effects of allopathic medicines. Both the medicinal systems are known to have a positive effect on the mind and body. Instead of treating the signs only, medicines dive deeper into the holistic approach of health and living. Even despite criticism, both medicines are still studies, practiced, and adopted worldwide.