World Homeopathy Day (WHD) is observed annually on April 10 to raise awareness about homeopathy, its foundational principles, and its contributions to global healthcare.
- This day also marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. In 2025, we celebrate his 270th birth anniversary.
Background:
Since 2016, the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) under the Ministry of AYUSH(Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has been commemorating WHD by organizing a series of significant events that underscore the pivotal role of research in the global advancement and acceptance of homoeopathy.
About Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann:
i.Birth and Early Life: Born on April 10, 1755, in Meissen, Germany, Dr. Hahnemann was a distinguished scientist, scholar, and linguist.
ii.Development of Homeopathy: In 1796, he introduced the concept of “Similia similibus curentur” (Latin for “like cures like”), which became the central tenet of homeopathy.
- This principle emerged from his translation of William Cullen’s “A Treatise on the Materia Medica,” during which he hypothesized that substances causing specific symptoms in healthy individuals could treat similar symptoms in the ill.
iii.Academic Contributions: Dr. Hahnemann lectured on homeopathic principles at the University of Leipzig, Germany from 1812 to 1821. In 1835, he moved to Paris, France, where he practiced homeopathy until his death in 1843.
About Homeopathy:
i.Etymology and Principles: The term “homeopathy” is derived from the Greek words “homeo” (similar) and “pathos” (suffering). It is based on the principle that substances causing certain symptoms in healthy individuals can, when highly diluted, treat similar symptoms in sick individuals.
ii.Global Recognition: The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes homeopathy as one of the most commonly used forms of Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
Homeopathy in India:
i.Introduction: Homeopathy was introduced to India in the early 19th century and has since become an integral part of the country’s healthcare system.
ii.Integration with AYUSH: Homeopathy is a key component of the AYUSH systems of medicine, which also include Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa Rigpa.
- The Ministry of AYUSH, established on November 9, 2014, aims to revitalize and promote these traditional systems of healthcare.
iii.Healthcare Infrastructure: India boasts a robust homeopathic infrastructure with over 345,000 registered homeopathic doctors, 277 hospitals, and 8,593 dispensaries.
- Additionally, there are 277 educational institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in homeopathy, regulated by the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) under the Ministry of AYUSH.
iv.Regulatory Evolution: The Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973, was enacted to regulate homeopathic education and practice in India.
- To address contemporary challenges and modernize the regulatory framework, the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020, was introduced, leading to the establishment of the NCH on July 5, 2021.
v.Research and Quality Assurance: The CCRH oversees research activities, operating 35 research centers and outpatient departments. Ghaziabad(Uttar Pradesh, UP) based Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) ensures the quality and standardization of homeopathic medicines through the publication of official pharmacopoeial monographs.
2025 Events:
i.Event Details: To commemorate WHD 2025, Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of AYUSH inaugurated a two-day convention which will be held from April 10–11, 2025, at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- This event is jointly organized by the CCRH, NCH, and the Kolkata(West Bengal, WB)-based National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH) under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH.
ii.Theme: The convention’s theme is ‘अध्ययन, अध्यापन एवं अनुसंधान’, emphasizing the three foundational pillars of homeopathy: Study, Teaching, and Research.
iii.Highlights: The event will feature India’s largest “Live Materia Medica” competition and dedicated sessions by the organizing bodies, focusing on advancements and collaborations in homeopathic research and practice.
About Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH):
Director General(DG) – Dr. Subhash Kaushik
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 1978
