Great Loss to Homeopaths Everywhere!

Yesterday, I heard some very sad news...one of our most gifted Homeopaths died in the middle of December 2010.  Dr. D.P. Rastogi was well-known around the world as a Master Homeopath, teacher, clinician, researcher and exemplary human being.

Dr. Rastogi led the first clinical trial looking at using Homeopathic medicine to treat people living with HIV or AIDS.  This was the first time I ever heard of his name.  At the time, I was still a student at the Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine.  I was doing research on using Homeopathic Medicine to Treat People Living with HIV/AIDS.  I came across some of his research.  Specifically, I noticed he was one of the investigators of an important study of the role of Homeopathy in HIV/AIDS.  (D.P. Rastogi, V.P Singh, V. Singh, et al., "Evaluation of Homoeopathic Treatment in 129 Asymptomatic HIV Carriers," British Homoeopathic Journal, January 1993, 82:4-8.)

I had the priviledge to meet Dr. Rastogi in October 2008 while I was still working at the Toronto People with AIDS foundation as a Treatment Counsellor.  Dr. Rastogi was gracious enough to include People Living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto in a study he was conducting comparing people with HIV who are just taking Anti-Retroviral medications with those on these medications as well as Homeopathy.  So, for 5 days in October in both 2008 and 2009 I had the opportunity to sit with Dr. Rastogi taking the cases of HIV-positive people.  We both donated our services.  I would take the cases while Dr. Rastogi would be using his homeopathic software to come up with the best medicine for each patient.

After Dr. Rastogi left, I would conduct the follow-up appointments.  I was hugely impressed by his prescribing skills.  We saw good results in the areas of improving wellness (unique symptoms experienced by each patient), gradually increasing CD4 counts and reducing side effects of AIDS meds.

I have always realized how important this experience has been for me both personally and professionally.  Dr. Rastogi and I both shared a desire to work with HIV-positive people and a firm belief that Homeopathic medicine can help with wellness.  This opportunity really fell into my lap and I realize how rare this opportunity and how rare of an individual Dr. Rastogi was.  He was generous, patient, kind and non-judgemental.  I learnt so much from him.

This is a huge loss to the Homeopathic community and his work in treating people with HIV/AIDS.  I am honoured to have met him and learnt from him.  In his name, I will continue to blaze the trail of homeopathic treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.  I will think of him and thank him as I teach my first class on Homeopathy and HIV/AIDS in early February.

I am including an obituary from the World Homeopathic Community below;

http://www.homeopathyworldcommunity.com/profiles/blogs/an-obituary-dr-d-p-rastogi-a

It's World AIDS Day Today

December 1st of each year brings with it a lot of contemplation for me.  Today is World AIDS Day.  

For me, today is the day I spend time reflecting about HIV/AIDS.  

Today, I remember all of those people who died in the early years of the epidemic in North America.  I also remember all the friends and colleagues I have personally lost to this disease.  I also know that many people around the world are still dying and don't have access to any treatment.

I also honour those living with this disease.  The medical advances in treatment and anti-retroviral treatment have been huge.  In the West at least, a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS is not a death sentence.  But, it is not easy.  For many people, the side effects of medicine can really be difficult.  Plus the stigma is still humungous for most people.  It doesn't seem to matter which community you come from, there is still ostracization, misinformation and ignorance connected to having this disease.  Plus, many people still have to give up their careers and financial security when they start treatment.  Imagine paying a minimum of $1000 per month for the cocktail alone?

I wanted to contribute more than just being an ally and supporting HIV-positive friends.  Several years ago, I thought about how best I can contribute to the AIDS movement.  While I was in school for my Homeopathic training, I was working at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA).  I consistently had wonderful people in my office struggling with side effects of medication or health conditions caused by HIV itself.  I really wanted to do something. I found out quickly that there were no other Homeopaths in Ontario actually treating people with HIV or AIDS.  This saddened me and spurred me into action.  So, I set out on my journey.  I began treating a few HIV-positive people while in school under supervision.  I noticed that Homeopathic treatment was capable of doing several things;

• Improving wellness in HIV-positive people.  This depends on each person and includes resolving complaints such as anxiety, headaches, heartburn, diarrhea, skin eruptions etc.
• Rise in CD4 counts- this occurs over gradually over time.  I have consistently observed an increase of approximately 80-100 points within 2-3 months
• Reduction in side effects- HIV-positive people receiving chronic treatment experience less side effects
• Reduction in tendency to get sick with colds, influenza etc

 Since that time, I have been fortunate to work with Dr. Rastogi of New Delhi.  Dr. Rastogi is a Homeopathic Doctor who conducted the first clinical trial measuring the impact of Homoepathy of people living with HIV or AIDS.  We are currently in the final year of a 3-year study comparing the effect of people with HIV on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) versus those on ART and Homeopathic Treatment.

I consistently see people with HIV improve their wellness under homeopathic treatment.  While I cannot promise a cure, I know from clinical observation that I can promise increased wellness.  I hope that one day that all HIV specialists would refer their patients to see a qualified Classical Homeopath. 


I do treat people with HIV based on a sliding scale.  I also offer free Homeopathic flu prevention to people with HIV. For more information, check out this article on the website Positive Lite at http://positivelite.com/content/blog/categories/health/item/treating-influenza-naturally-with-homeopathic-medicine