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Choosing a homeopath

A good homeopath is qualified and registered, respects your other treatment, explains what to expect, and knows when to send you to a medical doctor. This guide shows how to tell.

BHMS: 5½-year degree Check State Board registration Ask for remedy names in writing

Reviewed September 2026 · For information, not diagnosis

A homeopath talking with a patient in a consulting room
On this page Qualifications Checking registration Signs of good practice Warning signs Questions to ask Profiles on NeedsDoctor Find a homeopath Sources

Qualifications

QualificationWhat it means
BHMSBachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery: a five-and-a-half-year degree including a one-year internship, covering anatomy, physiology, pathology and medicine as well as homeopathy.
MD (Hom)A three-year postgraduate degree in a homeopathic subject such as materia medica, repertory, paediatrics or psychiatry.
Older diplomas (e.g. DHMS)Recognised qualifications from earlier courses; the practitioner should still be registered.
Short courses and certificatesDo not qualify someone to practise homeopathy independently.

Homeopaths are trained in homeopathy, not in modern (allopathic) medicine. A homeopathic doctor prescribing antibiotics, steroids or other allopathic drugs is generally acting outside their field, except where a state has specifically allowed limited practice.

Checking registration

  • Every practising homeopath must be registered with a State Board or Council of Homoeopathy; their names appear on the national register maintained under the National Commission for Homoeopathy.
  • Ask for the registration number — it is usually displayed in the clinic — and check it with the State Board if you have any doubt.
  • Registration means the practitioner is qualified and answerable to a regulator if something goes wrong.

Signs of good practice

  • Asks about your diagnosis, current medicines, allergies and test reports, and examines you where relevant.
  • Tells you plainly not to stop prescribed medicines, and is happy to work alongside your doctor.
  • Explains what to expect, how long to try the treatment, and how you will both judge whether it is helping.
  • Writes down the name and potency of each remedy.
  • Recognises warning signs and refers you promptly to a medical doctor or hospital.
  • Is open about the limits of homeopathy and about the evidence.
  • Charges clear fees per consultation and does not pressure you into long, prepaid packages.

Warning signs

  • Tells you to stop inhalers, insulin, thyroid tablets, epilepsy medicines or other prescribed treatment.
  • Promises a guaranteed or permanent cure — especially for cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, autism, infertility, HIV or heart disease.
  • Advises against vaccination, or offers remedies as an alternative to vaccines.
  • Discourages tests, scans or specialist opinions.
  • Dispenses unlabelled pills or powders and will not tell you what they are.
  • Your symptoms improve dramatically and very quickly on “homeopathic” medicine for eczema, asthma or joint pain — which may mean a hidden steroid.
  • Describes any worsening as a healing crisis and advises you not to see a doctor.
  • Demands large advance payments for treatment courses.

Questions to ask at your first visit

  1. What are your qualifications, and what is your registration number?
  2. Have you treated people with my condition? What results do you usually see, and how long before we review?
  3. Should I continue my current medicines? (The answer should be yes, unless my own doctor changes them.)
  4. What is the name and potency of the remedy, and does it contain alcohol or any undiluted substance?
  5. What signs mean I should see a medical doctor straight away?
  6. Will you share notes with my doctor if I ask?
  7. What will the full course cost?

Profiles on NeedsDoctor

Homeopath profiles on NeedsDoctor show the qualifications, speciality, location and experience that practitioners provide. Use them to shortlist and contact a practitioner, and confirm registration yourself as described above. Ratings reflect patients’ experience of care, not whether a treatment works.

Find a homeopath

If you would like to try homeopathy, see a registered homeopathic doctor (BHMS or MD (Hom)) who will take a full history, knows your other treatment and will tell you when you need a medical specialist. Take your prescriptions and recent test reports with you.

Search all homeopaths → Are you a homeopathic doctor? Create your profile.

More guides

📚 Learn about homeopathy 💧 What is homeopathy? 🔬 What the research says 🛡️ Using homeopathy safely 🩺 Browse conditions

Sources

  1. National Commission for Homoeopathy — Government of India
  2. Ministry of Ayush — Government of India
  3. Homeopathy (summarises the NHMRC 2015 review and its advice) — Better Health Channel, Victoria State Government
  4. Homeopathy (includes the NHMRC 2015 findings: 57 systematic reviews, 176 studies) — US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

This page is general information, reviewed September 2026. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the doctor who prescribed it. In an emergency in India call 112 (ambulance 108).