Homeopathy vs. Traditional Chinese Medicine

¶ … traditional Chinese Medicine homeopathy

While the society evolves, alongside with technology and medicine, modern day individuals seek to gather more information and identify more health conscious alternatives when treating their diseases or discomforts. A notable trend is that of reducing the use of highly chemical pharmaceutical products and turning to more natural products that help maintain and preserve health. And as part of this trend, people turn more and more to homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine.

The two alternatives are often viewed as either substitutes or complementaries to the pharmaceutical products, but a confusion is often made in believing that the two are synonymous. The two concepts do share some notable common points, the most important of them being that they both seek to create a balance of energies within the body and thus to preserve or restore health.

"Both Homeopathy and TCM work to correct internal imbalances or imbalanced energy, and are both described as energetic medicine. Energetic medicine is the practice of treating ailments and promoting health by working with the energy pathways of the body" (Eliaz).

Homeopathy, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, is an alternative to the traditional medical system, which was developed in Germany, over two centuries ago, and which is based on two basic principles. The first of its principles is the "like cures like" theory, which states that an illness in an individual can be cured by a substance which produces similar symptoms in a healthy person. The second principle is the "law of minimum dose," which states that an illness can be cured with the minimum dosage of the recommended substance -- and oddly enough, the treatment sometimes administered does not even contain the initial substance any more.

Homeopathic products often come in the form of small, sugary pellets, which contain some small percentage of a medical substance and which are administered by keeping them under the tongue until they dissolve; while this is the most common form, the homeopathic products can also be found in the form of ointments, drops, gels, tablets or creams (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

Traditional Chinese medicine has its origins in ancient China and has evolved over millenia. Its primary focus is that of aligning the mind and the body in order to increase the chances of health; in mind and body practices, traditional Chinese medicine also uses herbs and various techniques, such as acupuncture or tai-chi. While in China and other regions of Asia, the traditional Chinese medicine is still sometimes used at the single form of treatment, the populations in the western states use it complementary to modern day medicine and pharmaceutical products (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

The table below summarizes the primary principles of the two concepts and presents them in a structured manner, for improved clarity and visibility.

Homeopathy

Traditional Chinese medicine

Origins

Was developed 200 years ago in Germany

Evolved over thousands of years in ancient China and contemporary China

Regards of modern medicine and pharmaceuticals

Substitute

Complementary

Efficiency

The research so far conducted does not indicate homeopathy as an effective treatment

Has yet to be attested within the long-term through more through research

Form

Sugary pellets, gels, ointments, tablets or drops

Herbs, tai-chi, acupuncture, meditation etc.

Side effects

Can occur based on the quantity of substance contained; drug interactions are also possible

Tai-chi and acupuncture are generally considered safe, but the herbs might be contaminated or can interfere with drugs

Regulations

Regulated by the FDA only in terms of contents, not effectiveness and safety

Often sold and food supplements, which are not regulated by the FDA

Homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine are clearly two different concepts, relying on different principles and coming in different forms. For instance, while one is based on products to be used, the other is based on practices to be implemented. Then, while homeopathy is usually perceived and promoted as a substitute for modern day medicine, traditional Chinese medicine is used as a complementary practice. And while homeopathy is a relatively novel practice, traditional Chinese medicine has been practiced and has evolved over thousands of years.