Dr. John Martin Honigberger

(1795-1869)

The history of Homoeopathy in India is linked with the name of a Romanian, Dr. John Martin Honigberger. Dr. Honigberger was born at Krostadt, a town in Transylvania, in Romania. After passing his M.D. with distinction, he became a successful practitioner.

Dr. Honigberger arrived at Lahore in 1829 - 30, and was later invited to treat the Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, who happened to be seriously ill. The Maharaja was impressed by him when he treated his favorite horse of its bad leg ulcers. In 1835 he traveled to Paris and met Dr. Hahnemann. He bought a large quantity of homoeopathic medicines from Hahnemann's Pharmacist, Lehmann of Kothen.

In 1836 Dr. Honigberger went to Vienna and caught an infection of cholera. He saved himself by taking Ipecac every half hour. He was impressed greatly by the results of homoeopathic medicine both in himself and others.

He decided to start his practice at Constantinople. He treated cases of plague with Ignatia. He was led to use it because he saw Armenians there wearing a string tied to a bean of Ignatia and it seemed to give them protection where so many people were dying every day. He also treated a case of haemorrhage with Aranea-diadema; this case brought him fame and recognition.

Dr. Honigberger was the first man to introduce the name of Samuel Hahnemann and his healing art to India.