Conventional medicines like antihistamines and regular use of antibiotics and corticosteroids can have severe side-effects and long-term repercussions. Common illnesses like asthma, allergies and eczema can be cured even without allopathy. This is where homeopathic practitioners like Dr. Denise Rodrigues come in. Having done her Homoeopathy (BHMS) in Goa in 2007 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Nutrition (PGDPDN) from IGNOU in 2012, Dr. Denise has her own clinic, by the name of ‘Evolve Homoeopathy’ at Raia village in South Goa. She also practices at the Menezes Polyclinic in Altinho – Panjim every Friday and also offers online consultations. Dr. Denise believes that homeopathy as a science is an abyss and the learning never stops.
In a light hearted chat with ItsGoa, Dr. Denise shared insights into her life, her career, her future plans and lots more…
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and brought up in the city of Mumbai. I am an alumnus of St. Xavier’s, Mumbai. In the year 2007, I moved to Goa to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in Homoeopathy (BHMS). The way homoeopathy worked for a range of illnesses was what I loved the most.
After completing my BHMS, I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Nutrition (PGDPDN) from IGNOU whilst doing an internship in the year 2012. To further complement the nature of my work, I did a Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (PGDGC) from Nirmala Institute of Education at Altinho-Panaji in the year 2020-2021.
What was your childhood ambition?
Thanks to my father who back in the day used to be a medical representative for Alembic, I was exposed to medicine samples and visual aids at a very young age. And right there began my interest in medicine. I was always fascinated to see new medicine samples and visual aids being brought home and it was my mum who would show me pictures and read out the alphabets from the visual aids. Since then, I became very much inclined towards medicine and decided that I wanted to become a doctor.
What inspired you to take up homoeopathy as a career choice?
My belief in Homeopathy was self-learnt. My PCOD took me to Late Dr. Ratnarkar in Mumbai who did a fabulous job, helping me manage my PCOD really well. And that resulted in me becoming more interested in the practice of Homeopathy.After careful thinking, I decided that Homeopathy was what I wanted to pursue as a career and a lifestyle choice.
Take us through the course of your career as a homoeopathic practitioner.
Soon after my graduation in 2013, I moved to Mumbai to work with an internationally acclaimed Homoeopath, Dr. Dinesh Chauhan of Swasthya Homoeopathic Healing.
I consider Dr. Dinesh and his wife, Dr. Urvi, as my mentors as they’ve been instrumental in moulding me to become the Homoeopath and Teacher that I am today. Homoeopathy, as a science, is an abyss and the learning never stops. From learning all about the human core and the depth of diseases to the healing shift, I have witnessed it all live in patients coming to the clinic, which has been an amazing experience for me.
Apart from handling regular patients at the clinic, I was also a part of the team handling Dr. Dinesh’s international clientele as he would visit 33 countries each year, teaching at Homoeopathic seminars and treating patients there. Since 2018, I have been a part of the teaching faculty of the Athato Brahmo Jigyasa Foundation (ABJF), a non- profit organization run by Dr. Dinesh and Dr. Urvi.
The organization has a vision to impart every upcoming homeopath with a wealth of knowledge for practical application of true classical Homoeopathy and the holistic healing art to reach out to needy patients so that they avail of better holistic health.
In 2015, I moved back to Goa and started my own practice in Raia called Evolve Homeopathy. The beginning was challenging as Homeopathy, even today, isn’t a widely accepted way of healing. And that became a personal mission for me; to spread the word about how Homoeopathy works and heals. I started conducting workshops at multiple schools, the credit of which goes to Fr. Valmiki Gonsalves Dias of Daddy’s Home Special School, Gogol. He has been of great help since the day I started Evolve Homeopathy. Fr. Valmiki gave me the platform to speak at the the PTA meets of his school and that was the beginning of Evolve Homeopathy getting recognition.
From 2017 to 2019, I worked part-time, on a lecture basis, as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Homoeopathic Medicine at Shri Kamaxidevi Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital at Shiroda. I also worked as a Resident Medical Officer at Victor Hospital, Margao from December 2019 to July 2020.
Give us details about the places where you are available for consultation.
My clinic, Evolve Homoeopathy, is located at Raia in South Goa. I also practice at the Menezes Polyclinic in Altinho – Panjim every Friday. In addition to in-person consultations, I also engage in online consultations with patients from Mumbai, Delhi, Haryana, Bangalore as well as overseas patients from USA, Australia, New Zealand, UK and UAE.
How can people contact you if they wish to consult you? Mention your clinic timings as well.
The best way to reach me would be to send an email to [email protected] or call on the clinic landline on 0832-2776965.
Another way would be to send me a WhatsApp message on +918806082879 in order to book an appointment with me.
Give us details about the various types of illness that you prescribe homoeopathic treatment for.
Homoeopathy can help in treating a wide variety of illnesses, be it acute or chronic ones. Common illnesses like asthma, allergies, and eczema can be easily taken care off with Homoeopathy.
I have successfully managed to weane patients off conventional medicines like anti-histamines and regular use of antibiotics and corticosteroids. From hair fall to an integrated holistic approach in treating cancer and as an adjunct to lifestyle illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) as well as hormonal issues like hyperthyroidism and PCOD, I have treated cases of all kinds.
It doesn’t stop there; I have used Homoeopathy to treat ADHD, behavior disorders, OCD, anxiety and depression and have seen lovely results. Illness originates from the mind and manifests itself in the body. Using this principle; I treat patients with carefully selected Homoeopathic remedies.
What were the challenges that you faced when you just started your career? And how did you overcome them?
The initial hurdle I faced was the acceptance of Homoeopathy as a treatment of choice. Not knowing many people in Goa, it was hard to have people trust the work I did. I began my journey by giving heaps of awareness talks and lectures on the holistic healing power of Homoeopathy for a myriad of illnesses. My only aim was to offer the masses a choice to make with regards to a safe and natural healing modality.
Who were the people who have been of immense help and support to you during the initial phases of your career?
My parents, Lorna and David, and my younger sister Davina, believed in every little idea I had with regards to setting up my clinic and everything I aspired to do. They have held my hand during the initial phases of my career and have been my biggest cheerleaders.
Fr. Valmiki Gonsalves Dias’ presence in my life has also been a big blessing for me as he gave me the very first opportunity to speak about holistic health at Daddy’s Home Special School at Gogol. He trusted my ability to deal with young children having behavior issues and referred a lot of patients to me.
I also joined, and am still, a part of other networking and social groups like the Rotary Inner Wheel Club where I was president for a term, and BNI, where I was part of the leadership team for an entire term as well. All of these initiatives have introduced me deeper into the Goa market and has helped me in getting more patients.
Do you conduct seminars on homoeopathy?
I have conducted multiple seminars and have also been a part of panels for talks on Homeopathy. As mentioned earlier, I am a lecturer on the panel of ABJF, a not for profit organization which trains upcoming Homoeopaths. Apart from that, I started a mentorship programme called ‘Evolve With Me’ Holistic Mentorship Programme, which ran from November 2021 to March 2022. It focused on training students of Homoeopathy as well as interns and practitioners about the ways of understanding a patient’s core and prescribing an apt remedy.
Have you attended and been a speaker at any conferences on homoeopathy in India/abroad?
I have been a speaker for the World Homoeopathy Day event organised by the Directorate of Health Services and the AYUSH Cell in April 2022. At this function, I presented a case of how Homoeopathy helped a young person with Psoriasis and the difference it made in the quality of her life after treatment.
I also presented a study via ZOOM in May 2021 for the New Zealand Council of Homoeopathy (NZCH) about how Homoeopathic remedies helped during the 1st wave of COVID where I treated 100+ patients who responded beautifully to Homoeopathy. Also, in March 2021, I was felicitated by the Indian Medical Association – Goa branch, who along with the Homoeopathic Medical Association of India – Goa Branch had a group of doctors who volunteered their services by monitoring COVID patients under home isolation.
