21/02/2014
The source of homeopathic medicines can be classified like following:
* 60% is of plant origin
* 25% is of chemical or mineral origin
* 10% is of animal origin
* 5% from bacteria, micro
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organism & certain disease causing factors. Since Homeopathy originated from Germany the industry is still using 150
raw materials, which are of imported origin like plants not grown in India, and minerals not found in India.
In homeopathic industry the raw material are taken and processed. From them mother tincture is obtained. This is diluted further
in alcohol. It is interesting to note that in Homeopathy the raw material requirement is not substantially large because they are used in very small quantities and then it is further diluted. But the environment required is pollution free, dust free and bacteria free. Normally, bigger companies undertake extraction, as it involves significant technical know how. Dilution, however, does not
require much complication, though the environment requirements still remain. There is also a prevalent practice of mixi
ng two or more homeopathic medicine and selling it in brand name. Estimated sale of such branded products constitutes 30% of total sales. The technology involved in Homeopathy has evolved over time, with scientists and pharmacists working in the industry
taking American, German & French methods of production as their base. The manufacturing base in India is however, not homogeneous. The production facilities available in the organised manufacturing sector are far more superior to the facilities for smalle
r units. Larger units maintain a quality control unit and research testing labs, which the smaller operations cannot always afford.
Here it should be noted that the technical requirement of the homeopathic industry is high. And interestingly, technical m
anpower in India is deficient, in spite of the system being more popular in India compared to other countries. In more advanced countries where Homeopathy is recognised systems of medicine high tech systems are used for production in view of the technical
requirements of the system.
Source:
http://www.dsir.gov.in/reports/ittp_tedo/ism/ISM_H_Intro.pdf