TUBERCULOSIS AND TUBERCULAR MIASM: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW INTEGRATING CONTEMPORARY MEDICAL UNDERSTANDING AND HOMOEOPATHIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious diseases globally, posing a major public health challenge despite advances in diagnosis and treatment. Caused primarily by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the disease predominantly affects the lungs but may involve multiple organ systems, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. India continues to bear a significant burden of TB, necessitating strengthened preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies under national health programs. From the homoeopathic perspective, tuberculosis is closely associated with the tubercular miasm, a mixed miasmatic state characterized by hereditary susceptibility, rapid tissue destruction, hypersensitivity, recurrent infections, and constitutional weakness. Classical homoeopathic stalwarts including Hahnemann, J.H. Allen, Kent, and Margaret Tyler described the tubercular constitution as one requiring deep constitutional understanding for effective management. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of tuberculosis, including its epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and national control programs, while simultaneously exploring the concept of tubercular miasm and its relevance in homoeopathic philosophy and therapeutics. Literature from modern medical sources, national tuberculosis guidelines, World Health Organization recommendations, and classical homoeopathic texts was reviewed to analyze the clinical and constitutional dimensions of tuberculosis. The review highlights the importance of integrating modern understanding of TB with homoeopathic miasmatic concepts to support constitutional prescribing and holistic patient care.