Homeopathy, developed by the German physician Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, seeks to treat the patient as a whole, addressing not only isolated diseases, but also physical, mental and emotional balance. It acts through energetic stimuli that rebalance the individual's vital energy gently and without adverse effects. In Brazil, the practice was introduced on November 21, 1840 by French physician Dr. Benoit Jules Mure.
For this reason, in Brazil, this day is considered the National Day of Homeopathy, and the month of November is dedicated to a movement known as “Novembro Verde”, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024. “Novembro Verde” was born with the aim of valuing and publicizing homeopathy, presenting its benefits to society and strengthening this medical practice. It is a date of great importance for spreading the word about homeopathy, making it better known and more accessible, since it can effectively treat humans, animals and plants. As well as being effective, homeopathy is a gentle, environmentally sustainable and low-cost therapeutic alternative.
In this article, however, we won't be talking about the benefits of Homeopathy for treating humans and animals. Instead, we will explore how Homeopathy can contribute to mitigating a serious environmental problem: water pollution by pharmaceuticals.Water pollution by drugs is a growing and worrying problem, with impacts on both human and veterinary health, as well as having significant repercussions for aquatic ecosystems. This sort of pollution occurs when drug residues that are partially absorbed by the body or their metabolites are excreted and end up in water treatment systems or directly in rivers, lakes and oceans. In addition, the improper disposal of pharmaceutical products also contributes to aggravating this problem.
Unfortunately, veterinary medicine also contributes to this type of pollution. Veterinary drugs are released into the environment both directly and indirectly. In fish farms, for example, drugs are put directly into the water, while in agriculture, the use of manure from animals treated with antibiotics and other drugs can contaminate the soil and water bodies. In addition, the incorrect disposal of veterinary medicines, such as antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, among others, contributes significantly to environmental contamination.
And the impacts of drug pollution are worrying. Studies show that drug residues can affect the behavior, reproduction and survival of aquatic organisms such as fish, amphibians and invertebrates. In addition, the presence of antibiotics in water can contribute to the development of bacterial resistance, putting public health at risk. These chemicals can also enter the food chain through the consumption of contaminated fish and seafood, or through the ingestion of contaminated food and water.
To mitigate water pollution from medicines, coordinated actions are needed, ranging from proper management of pharmaceutical waste by hospitals, clinics and individuals to the development of water treatment technologies that remove these chemicals from supply systems and greater awareness of the responsible use and correct disposal of medicines. Research is also crucial to better understanding the impacts of this pollution and finding effective solutions to combat this problem.
And how does homeopathy relate to all this?
Homeopathy can play an important role in reducing water pollution from medicines by offering a holistic and sustainable approach to treating illnesses. Unlike conventional medicines, which can be excreted in their original form or as active metabolites, homeopathic remedies are highly diluted and prepared according to the principles of the “law of similitude”. These medicines do not generate chemical residues or metabolites, which means they do not contaminate water or groundwater.
In addition, the production of homeopathic remedies is simple and has less impact on the environment, as it uses small quantities of natural ingredients, without chemicals, and the manufacturing process requires less energy and generates little waste, almost all of which is biodegradable.
By adopting homeopathy as a way of treating humans, animals and plants, we can reduce the need for conventional medicines, reducing the amount of chemical substances released into the environment. This contributes to the preservation of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to public health. Investing in research, education and the dissemination of Homeopathy is therefore fundamental to promoting a more sustainable approach to health and the environment. By integrating Homeopathy into clinical practice, whether in human or veterinary medicine, we can move towards a more balanced and healthy future for all.
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