‘Homeopathy Captivates Me’

Dr Saleha AGGARWAL responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.

Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor? 

I harboured a deep passion for spreading the wonders of homeopathy to the world, from my childhood, because I was an ardent ‘witness’ to my grandfather and father’s dedication to homeopathic clinical practice and their success with patients. This served as a profound inspiration for me — to continue our family legacy in the field.

What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?

I’d like to recall an event in my childhood, a time when I fell ill and discovered the incredible power of homeopathy. Each time I faced an illness, homeopathy came to my rescue, guiding me towards speedy recovery. As a young child, I wholeheartedly believed in safe, also gentle, homeopathic healing. I was determined to share its healing potential with every sick child I encountered. Yet another incident from my childhood stands out vividly in my memory. I recall my mother cautioning me that she’d switched on the iron to press clothes. Call it a prank, or what you may, I touched the’ red hot’ iron and ended up with a severe burn on my palm. I kept my injury hidden, fearing the consequence, but the pain was unbearable, and tears welled up in my eyes. When my mother discovered my little secret, she swiftly reached for a tiny bottle containing Cantharis vesicatoria [mother tincture], a homeopathic remedy for burns. She applied it to my wound, and to my amazement, the burning sensation subsided within a few minutes. I was astounded and overjoyed by its miraculous effects. Experiences such as these propelled my unwavering conviction in homeopathy. They solidified my belief in the potential of this medical system, leading me on a path to study and specialise in it — the sole purpose being to bringing the same, subtle healing effects to others.

What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?

I have had the privilege of observing my father closely at his clinic. It has been truly enlightening to witness the remarkable effectiveness of his treatment. Patients are often instructed to wait for just a few minutes after taking the sweet pills — to see how quickly they get relief. I have experienced the power of homeopathy first-hand. I remember a particular incident when I had an accident and broke my left malleolus and was in excruciating pain. I just took four pills of Arnica montana, a homeopathic remedy for injuries, and the pain was significantly reduced in five minutes. I continued taking the medication, at regular intervals. It helped me cope through the ordeal. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel the need to use any conventional painkillers during the time. After two days, I returned home. I visited our family [orthopaedic] physician for X-ray and received necessary treatment. However, it was homeopathy that provided me with the initial relief; it also played a crucial role in my recovery.

What unique and special skills you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?

I believe that my ability to communicate effectively and my compassionate nature are two key elements that sets me apart. They, I reckon, have a profound impact on my patients. I approach my role, not just as a doctor, but also as a friend to young patients who come to my clinic. I’m a paediatrician specialised in homeopathy. I obviously see several children in my practice. I recall a particular instance when a seven-year-old boy visited me, and I asked him to show me his tongue for examination. He hesitated and insisted that we play together first. I happily agreed, while understanding the import of building rapport and trust. We engaged in a game of rock, paper, scissors, and when I won, he finally showed me his tongue. This simple act of pure fun created a bond between us, allowing him to feel more comfortable and also be open with me. I approach my patients with warmth, patience, and a clear willingness to connect at their level. I strive to build a safe and supportive environment for them. Being able to engage with children in a way that makes them feel at ease is also a unique skill that, I think, enables me to forge strong relationships and provide the best possible care for them.

What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why? 

Optimal wellness is beyond just the absence of illness, nay freedom from physical, or emotional, illness. It is also, over and above, the concept of ‘dis-ease,’ which refers to any state in which the body feels uneasy, or imbalanced, aside from physical symptoms. For instance, consider a person who experiences anxiety due to a deep-seated phobia. Despite not having a physical illness, their overall well-being is compromised due to this constant unease. So, there you are: optimal wellness is clearly a state of harmony and balance across all dimensions of well-being. It involves nurturing and maintaining a balance, or equilibrium, in various aspects of life, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. It is the delicate interplay and integration of every dimension that contributes to a state of overall well-being. When such delicate, also workable, dimensions are in balance, we experience a sense of wholeness, fulfilment, and vitality. Optimal wellness is more than just physical health — it acknowledges the interconnectedness of different aspects of well-being, while helping us to achieve a state of elevated health and wellness.

Your ‘best’ case?

I’ve come across a host of remarkable cases — and, there is one case in point that stands out in my mind. It involved a baby who presented with infantile inguinal hernia. This condition typically requires surgical intervention, but I opted for a different approach using homeopathic treatment. I prescribed the appropriate homeopathic remedies tailored to the infant’s specific needs for over a month. To my delight, also surprise, the hernia got completely resolved without the need for surgery. That’s the healing power of homeopathy — a truly astounding outcome. This is nothing short of a testament vis-à-vis the efficacy of homeopathy in providing alternative treatment options for certain conditions. It also  highlights the potential of this gentle and non-invasive approach to delivering successful outcomes, even in cases where surgical intervention is archetypally considered the treatment of choice.

Your ‘not-so-good’ case?

Most cases of epilepsy, I believe, are extremely challenging. While I have observed significant improvement in certain cases with homeopathic treatment, it is important to note that conventional medical treatment needs to be continued alongside homeopathy. Finding the right balance and management for such cases remains the ongoing focus of my work.

What appeals to you the most?

Kindness.

What annoys you the most?

Disrespect.

Your favourite book?

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Dr Joseph Murphy.

Your favourite joke?

I love jokes. Here’s one, a light-hearted joke: It is about the misconception that homeopathy is slow. I always find this amusing. Let me share an incident to illustrate this. Once a patient with vertigo came to my clinic. She was in a miserable state and could barely walk. My father prescribed a homeopathic remedy for her, right away. We asked her sit on the clinic couch and wait for the medicine to take effect. Surprisingly, after just half-an-hour, she felt significantly better and was able to go home on her own. This highlights the efficacy of homeopathic treatment in providing swift relief; it also reminds us not to underestimate its potential. It brings a smile to my face whenever I recall the incident. 

Your favourite song?

I am a singer and lyrics appeals to me the most. I like surfeit of songs, but if you ask me to choose my all-time favourite, it would be Kinare [Queen/Mohan Kannan/Anvita Dutt/Amit Trivedi].

Your favourite movie? 

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do and Queen. I’d watch them innumerable times without ever getting bored.

Your favourite TV, Netflix show? 

Friends. The Bold Type.

Your other interests, or hobbies?

I love singing. It is not just my interest, but also my passion.

Your goal in life?

To spread the goodness of homeopathy throughout the world, because I am driven by a deep passion to promoting awareness for this remarkable system of medicine. I believe that it is by sharing the myriad  benefits and healing potential of homeopathy that we’d make a positive impact on the lives of as many people as possible, while contributing to their overall wellness.

DR SALEHA AGGARWAL, BHMS, a third generation homeopathic physician, from New Delhi, is a Final Year MD [Hom] student, specialising in paediatrics, at Bakson Homeopathic Medical College, Greater Noida, UP, India. She holds a Fellowship in Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine and has participated in several healthcare activities and programmes. She is also a singer in her own right — Sangeet Prabhakar from Prayag University. She ‘hooks up’ her fascination for and natural interest in music to her mother’s genetics.