145
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-15
13
Homeopathy Applied
to Agriculture
Theoretical and Practical
Considerations with
Examples from Brazil
Pedro Boff
Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency of
Santa Catarina State University
University of Planalto Catarinense
Rovier Verdi
Santa Catarina State University
Coventry University
Leonardo Felipe Faedo
Santa Catarina State University
Coventry University
INTRODUCTION: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Homeopathy, as a science and art of healing, has been used worldwide for more than two centuries.
It was proposed by the physician C.F. Samuel Hahnemann ( 1755–1843) through the publication of
his pioneering treatise in 1796 which outlined the axioms for this new area of science, ‘ Essay on
a new principle for ascertaining the curative powers of drugs, with a few glances at those hitherto
employed’ ( Dougeon, 1989). Nowadays and as well as treating humans, the use of homeopathy is
successfully applied in agriculture to treat animals, plants and water, as well as the environment as
a whole. In order to understand its role in agriculture, we need to consider its historical development.
Early in his career, Hahnemann began to realise that the health care employed at that time
was neither safe nor effective. The main therapeutic methods used were blood-letting, leeches,
CONTENTS
Introduction: Historical Overview ................................................................................................. 145
Towards Understanding the Mechanisms behind the Concept of Homeopathy ............................ 147
Applying the Concept of Integrative Homeopathy ........................................................................ 148
Examples of the Use of Homeopathy in Agriculture ..................................................................... 149
The Appropriateness of Homeopathy for Agroecology ................................................................. 151
Final Considerations ...................................................................................................................... 152
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 152
References ...................................................................................................................................... 152
DOI: 10.1201/9780429440939-15
13
Homeopathy Applied
to Agriculture
Theoretical and Practical
Considerations with
Examples from Brazil
Pedro Boff
Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Agency of
Santa Catarina State University
University of Planalto Catarinense
Rovier Verdi
Santa Catarina State University
Coventry University
Leonardo Felipe Faedo
Santa Catarina State University
Coventry University
INTRODUCTION: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Homeopathy, as a science and art of healing, has been used worldwide for more than two centuries.
It was proposed by the physician C.F. Samuel Hahnemann ( 1755–1843) through the publication of
his pioneering treatise in 1796 which outlined the axioms for this new area of science, ‘ Essay on
a new principle for ascertaining the curative powers of drugs, with a few glances at those hitherto
employed’ ( Dougeon, 1989). Nowadays and as well as treating humans, the use of homeopathy is
successfully applied in agriculture to treat animals, plants and water, as well as the environment as
a whole. In order to understand its role in agriculture, we need to consider its historical development.
Early in his career, Hahnemann began to realise that the health care employed at that time
was neither safe nor effective. The main therapeutic methods used were blood-letting, leeches,
CONTENTS
Introduction: Historical Overview ................................................................................................. 145
Towards Understanding the Mechanisms behind the Concept of Homeopathy ............................ 147
Applying the Concept of Integrative Homeopathy ........................................................................ 148
Examples of the Use of Homeopathy in Agriculture ..................................................................... 149
The Appropriateness of Homeopathy for Agroecology ................................................................. 151
Final Considerations ...................................................................................................................... 152
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ 152
References ...................................................................................................................................... 152