It’s understood as mainstream medicine in many countries and not just as complementary or alternative. 

Homeopathy Is an advanced, effective and gentle form of holistic medicine that has been used for over 200 years and is on every continent. It is a federally recognized form of medicine in some countries, and it’s backed by thousands of research studies, papers and clinical trials. 

Currently, an estimated 500 million people worldwide use homeopathic medicines as their primary choice of medicine. There are many physicians who also practice it. This number continues to grow.  Britain and India have government-run Homeopathic hospitals. In many European countries, Homeopathic treatment is state-funded and receives medical insurers’ support. Homeopathy remains very popular in South America, South Africa, Australia and the United States.

Homeopathy is widely referred to as the medicine of the 21st century. More and more people are looking for a treatment that heals the whole body, not just the physical; that treats the root of the problem, not just the symptoms; that is natural and chemical-free and non-addiction forming: Homeopathy is such a therapy.

In India, homeopathy is the third most popular method of medical treatment, after allopathy and Ayurveda. It is considered mainstream medicine as opposed to complimentary care or alternative medicine. 

There are over 200,000 registered homeopathic doctors currently, with approximately 12,000 more being added every year.

Homeopathy was introduced in India the early 19th century. It quickly flourished and spread all over India. Mahendra Lal Sircar was the first Indian who became a homeopathic physician. A number of allopathic doctors started homeopathic practices following Sircar’s lead. In 1881 the first medical college, The Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College, was founded. Thereafter many other homeopathic medical schools were formed. Many allopathic physicians often refer patients to homeopathic MDs colleagues when they are unable to help someone. In 1973, the Government of India recognized homeopathy as one of the national systems of medicine and set up the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH) to regulate its education and practice. Today, in addition to a minister of health there is a minister of homeopathy. 

• Homeopathy is included in the national health systems of a number of countries e.g. Brazil, Chile, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Switzerland.

India

• India leads in terms of number of people using homeopathy, with 100 million people depending solely on homeopathy for their medical care.1

• There are over 200,000 registered homeopathic doctors currently, with approximately 12,000 more being added every year.3

Europe

• 100 million EU citizens, some 29% of the EU’s population, use homeopathic medicines in their day-to-day healthcare.2

• Homeopathy is practiced in 40 out of 42 European countries.4

UK

• 10% of people in the UK use homeopathy – an estimated 6 million people.5

• In Britain, the market for homeopathy is growing at around 20% per year. In 2007, it was estimated to be worth £38m, and is projected to reach £46m in 2012.6

• There are ~ 400 doctors in the UK that use homeopathy, regulated by the Faculty of Homeopathy and promoted by the British Homeopathic Association.7

• There are ~1,500 professional homeopaths (non-medically qualified homeopaths) in the UK,8 regulated by the Society of Homeopaths (65%), Alliance of Registered Homeopaths and Homeopathic Medical Association. They largely operate in private practice outside the NHS.

• See NHS spending on homeopathy

US

• According to the National Institute of Health, over 6 million people in the United States use homeopathy, mainly for self-care of specific health conditions.

• Of those who use homeopathy, ~1 million are children and over 5 million are adults.9, 10

References