Integration of Homeopathy in One Health

INTRODUCTION

The concept of One Health has ancient origins, with its roots traced back to early thinkers. Hippocrates, in his work “Airs, Waters and Places,” recognized the interconnectedness of public health and a clean environment.¹ Aristotle, in his book “Historia Animalium” around 384 BCE-322 BCE, delved into comparative medicine, identifying shared characteristics among diverse species.² Virchow, from 1821 to 1902, introduced the term “zoonosis” to describe diseases transmissible from animals to humans.³ In 1947, Steele established the Division of Veterinary Public Health at the CDC, underscoring the intrinsic link between animal health and public health.⁴ The Conservation Society, in 2004, emphasized the vital role of the environment in both animal and human health.⁵

ONE HEALTH AND HOMEOPATHY

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), areas of work where the One Health approach is particularly relevant include food safety, zoonotic disease control, laboratory services, neglected tropical diseases, environmental health, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).⁶ Although the dilution law has been questioned as violating Avogadro’s law, it has shown significant improvement in cases involving human, animal, and environmental health.⁷

HOMEOPATHY IN TREATING ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Zoonotic diseases are diseases that are transmitted by human animal contact.⁸ In India, the major public health zoonotic diseases are rabies, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, cysticercosis, echinococcosis, Japanese encephalitis (JE), plague, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, and Kyasanur forest disease (KFD).⁹ When it comes to acting on zoonotic diseases, homeopathic medicines act miraculously.

From table 1, it can be inferred that the presented studies offer preliminary insights into the potential use of homeopathic interventions for dengue and JE. Rath et al.’s case series of four dengue patients at Dr. D.P.R.C.R.I.(H), Noida, suggests a correlation between symptomatology and Eupatorium perfoliatum, emphasizing caution in extending observations to the genus Epidemicus.¹⁰ Mahesh et al.’s study with ten dengue patients in Bengaluru indicates the potential of classical homeopathy in treating dengue, calling for larger-scale investigations to validate its efficacy comprehensively.¹¹ Gadugu et al.’s prophylactic project, B.C.T, demonstrates a notable reduction in JE mortality and morbidity rates, supported by government acknowledgment.¹² While these findings are promising, further robust research is imperative to establish the efficacy and broader applicability of homeopathic approaches in the management and prevention of these infectious diseases.

ROLE OF HOMEOPATHY IN AMR

According to the W.H.O., “AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to drugs, making infections more difficult to treat and increasing the risk of spreading disease, serious illness and death.” There is evidence that homeopathy works well for upper respiratory tract infections by reducing the use of antibiotics for these conditions.¹³

As described in table 2, the diverse studies which are presented shed light on various aspects of homeopathy’s potential role in addressing infections and antibiotic resistance. Macrì’s randomized trial with children suggests that homeopathy may reduce the need for antibiotics, aligning with the broader literature advocating for complementary and alternative medicine in combating antibiotic resistance.¹⁴ Weiermayer et al.’s equine case report highlights the potential of homeopathic medicines in treating infections in animals, urging further research and collaboration between veterinary clinics and homeopathic practitioners.¹⁵ Frass et al.’s study on severe sepsis patients implies a beneficial effect of homeopathic treatment on long-term survival, emphasizing the need for more research and increased availability of trained homeopaths in medical settings. Rigorous research and collaboration are imperative for a comprehensive evaluation of its efficacy and mechanisms of action.¹⁶

ROLE OF HOMEOPATHY IN ANIMAL DISEASES

Studies that were conducted by Mathie and Clausen, and Zeise and Fritz, contribute valuable insights into the role of homeopathy in animal health, specifically in distinguishing clinical intervention with homeopathic medicines from placebos. Mathie and Clausen’s meta-analysis, while highlighting very limited evidence, underscores the challenges posed by the low number and quality of trials, making it difficult to draw decisive conclusions [Table 3].

ROLE OF HOMEOPATHY IN ENVIRONMENT

In brief, the studies by Aparicio et al. and Pinto et al. offer intriguing insights into homeopathy in environmental contexts. Aparicio et al.’s research on Phos 30c implies its influence spreads through extensive water volumes, with observable changes, suggesting potential applications in drinking water, agriculture, and ecology through physicochemical monitoring [Table 4].^24,25

CONCLUSION

Integration of homeopathy within the One Health paradigm holds promise for addressing challenges in human, animal, and environmental health. The discussed studies underscore the potential of homeopathic interventions across diverse health domains.

Homeopathy, grounded in the principle of “Similia Similibus Curentur,” contributes uniquely to the One Health paradigm. Noteworthy studies shed light on its potential applications, particularly in infectious diseases, AMR, and environmental health. Investigations by Rath et al., Mahesh et al., and Gadugu et al. suggest encouraging outcomes in managing diseases such as dengue and JE through homeopathic interventions, calling for comprehensive validation in large-scale studies.^10-12 In the realm of AMR, studies by Macrì, Weiermayer et al., Hossen et al., Dutta and Maria, Pareek and Bhargav, Viksveen, and Zanasi et al. collectively propose homeopathy as a potential mitigator, indicating a reduction in antibiotic reliance with positive implications.^14-21 Exploring homeopathy’s role in animal health, studies by Mathie and Clausen, and Zeise and Fritz, provide evidence distinguishing homeopathic interventions from placebos, albeit urging more robust trials for conclusive determinations.^22,23 In addition, a research by Aparicio et al. and Pinto et al. underscores the potential environmental impact of homeopathic medicines, introducing a novel avenue for evaluating repercussions within extensive water volumes.^24,25