The
Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CCRIMH) was
established in 1969 to carry out researchers in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani
medicine, Yoga and Homoeopathy. The
Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), one of the successor
organizations to the erstwhile CCRIMH was established as an Autonomous
Organization, at New Delhi in 1978, with a view to conduct scientific research
in the field of Homoeopathy. It remains
a unique organization engaged in organized research in Homeopathy in the world
ever since.
The main
objectives: To formulate the aims and patterns of research on scientific lines
in Homeopathy; to initiate, develop,
undertake and coordinate scientific research in fundamental and applied aspects
of Homeopathy; to exchange information
with other institutions, associations and societies interested in the
objectives similar to those of the Council; to collaborate research studies
with other Institutes of Excellence towards promotion of Homeopathy and to
propagate research findings through monographs, journals, newsletters, I.E.C.
materials, seminars/workshops and develop audio-visual aids for dissemination
of information to the professional and public.
The Council
is carrying out research on various aspects of Homoeopathy through a network
of 36 Institutes and Units all over India.
Research Activities
The
Council’s Survey, collection and cultivation of Medicinal Plants Unit is
located at Udhagamandalum, Tamil Nadu.
The climate at Udhagamandalum is conducive for cultivation of medicinal
plants, including exotic ones. By
conducting surveys in the Southern India, the Unit has collected medicinal
plants, prepared Herbarium sheets and is cultivating some exotic medicinal
plants.
Drug Standardization
Drug
standardization is conducted to ensure quality, genuineness, authenticity of
raw drugs and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs.
The Council has conducted Pharmacognostic, Physico-chemical and Pharmacological
studies on 106 drugs used in Homoeopathy.
Pharmacognostic studies on 227 drugs, Physico-chemical studies on 205
drugs and Pharmacological studies on 124 drugs have also been completed. Similar
studies on other drugs are in progress.
New Protocols
The
Council has recently formulated new protocols for the Drug Standardization
studies, with the help of Task Force Committees consisting of experts from
concerned fields. Taking into consideration the WHO’s Quality Control Methods
for medicinal plants, tests for heavy metals and adulterants are also
incorporated in the standardization studies.
The
emphasis of the Council has been to prove drugs of indigenous origin and those
with fragmentary provings. The
Council has proved 71 drugs, on healthy human volunteers.
In
an attempt to ensure transparency and accuracy in its Drug Proving Programme
has decided to involve the budding Homoeopathic physicians in its Drug Proving
Programme.
The Clinical Verification Program of the Council is now based on the
new protocol formed by the Homoeopathic experts. The Ethical Committee of
the Council has approved the new protocol. The Clinical Verification program
is being conducted to clinically verify 35 drugs proved by the Council.
Clinical Research
Clinical
Research is one of the major research activities of the Council, whereby open
clinical trial is conducted to ascertain the role of Homoeopathic therapy in
individual disease conditions. Council has completed 97 clinical studies which
includes Disease related and Drug related studies. It has now initiated work on
18 clinical diseases, where protocols have been formulated, on modern
scientific parameters in consultation with experts of allied disciplines as
well as Homoeopathic experts. These studies are aimed at conducting research
studies with an emphasis on evidence based outcome parameters without
compromising the doctrines of Homoeopathy.
An essential component of research today is formation of a team, which
can work in close coordination and put in their best efforts together. Collaborations
are needed to form one such team, where the best of the brains and the resources
can come together. Council has been collaborating with reputed institutes
for a very long time. Some very useful studies have been conducted following
such collaborations with institutes like, Indian Council for Medical Research,
Banaras Hindu University, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, University
of California Los Angeles, etc. A book comprising of Collaborative studies
conducted by the Council has been published.
Documentation and
Publication
Documentation
and publication section of the Council is engaged in bringing out various
publications from time to time.
The other activities of the Council include Literary Research, participation
in health melas, conducting and organizing seminars and training programmes
and providing specific library services to the benefit of the profession.
International Recognition
After
the successful presentation of the activities of CCRH in the International
Conference at London in January 2006, the International Bodies like
International Federation of Classical Homoeopathy, Royal London Homoeopathic
Hospital, European Committee of Homoeopathy & American Institute of
Homoeopathy recognized the role of CCRH in promoting research in Homoeopathy
and have desired to involve CCRH in future researches, particularly in
Influenza including Avian Flu.
It is the continuous hard work and dedication of the Research Personnel
and other supporting staff of the Council, which would pave the way for future
research in Homoeopathy. The endeavor of the Council is to conduct good quality
research for the times to come so that the Council can carve a niche for itself
among the Homoeopathic fraternity all over the world.
*Inputs from Department of
Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
(Release ID :23987)