Homeopathy

Homoeopathy is a traditional method in treating disease. The principle relies on using highly diluted remedies that, were they to be taken in larger amounts, would actually produce the symptom?s of the disease being treated. Its underlying philosophy, on which the cures are based, explores ways in which the human mind, body and soul works.

Conventional medicine views symptoms as signs of illness. Modern treatments are intended to fight disease by targeting the pathogen causing the symptoms. According to homeopathy, however, symptoms are actually the bodies way of fighting 'dis-ease' (verb not noun.) Homeopathy teaches that symptoms are to be encouraged, by way of prescribing a remedy in miniscule doses that in large doses would produce the same symptoms seen in the patient. These remedies are intended to stimulate the immune system, helping to cure the illness.

Homeopathy is generally unregulated, prompting suggestions that homeopathic doctors could potentially cause more damage than harm. Also, proponents of convential medicine charge that patients who rely fully on homeopathic techniques, denying any conventional medicine, are at risk of leaving some easily treatable diseases (such as some early skin cancers) until they become untreatable.

Proponents and opponents of homeopathy disagree over whether scientific trials with the use of placebo?s have shown success with homeopathic methods. Some clinical trials have produced results supporting homeopathy, but critics contend that these trials are flawed. In 1997, the British medical journal Lancet published a meta-analysis of 89 [clinical trial]?s, with a resultingly ambiguous conclusion that served as fodder for both supporters and critics of homeopathy.

Critics argue that diluting substances as much as homeopathy does should vastly decrease any effects they may have. Interestingly, recent research indicates that in certain situations the further diluted a substance, the more its molecules tend to clump together. Some see this as the beginnings of evidence supporting homeopathic therapies. However this doesn't explain why the substances need to be diluted, just that they might remain active after this preparation, and many scientists doubt that it has any implications with regard to homeopathy at all. Homeopathy proponents argue that not knowing the underlying mecahnism for why something works is irrelevant, pointing to aspirin as an example of a drug that was used for years before anyone knew why it worked.

Some homeopathic practitioners may ascribe the lack of definitive support from controlled trials to the the absence of emotional doctor-patient bond that is necessary in order for treatment to be successful. Despite these claims, debate continues on the results of further trials.

Additional information

• Homoeopathic Medical Association (HMA)

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