Agência Brasil
Brasília – The use of homeopathic medicines in farm animals is a good thing. In cows and chickens its use can increase production of milk and eggs, stimulate growth and combat parasites. At least that is what Luiz Miguel Mangini, the president of the Brazilian Veterinary Homeopathic Medicine Association (AHB), says. His comments were made on the eve of the 27th Brazilian Homeopathy Congress which begins on Saturday in Brasilia.
Mangini claims that research projects that have been concluded and research that is underway, around the world, all show that veterinary homeopathy is cheaper than regular treatment, as well as efficient.
The method is so good that there has also been a strong demand for homeopathic treatment for domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, reports Mangini.
There is also interest among members of the veterinary profession. In order to become a specialist, it is necessary to complete a three-year course. At the moment, there are some 600 qualified practioners of veterinary homeopathy in Brazil.
Homeopathic medicine was invented in Germany by Dr Christian Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) and arrived in Brazil at the turn of the 20th century. But in the 1920s, with the discovery of antibiotics, homeopathic medicine lost its institutional seal of approval. It became popular again in the 1970s as part of the counterculture.
In Brazil, for over a decade, it has been used in the public healthcare system (SUS), presently operating in 20 states and over 100 municipalities. There are 457 registered homeopathic practioners in the SUS. In 2003, over 300,000 SUS medical consultations were made involving homeopathic procedures. At the beginning of this year the Ministry of Health created a planning group on natural and alternative medicine.