Is Homeopathy a Hoax?

Homeopathy has long been questioned as a legitimate medical practice. Most Western medical practitioners feel that homeopathy is completely ineffective. When any significant effects are seen in the use of homeopathy, most of these medical professionals credit those results to the placebo effect, a psychological response to the belief that something – like a medication - will help, making the brain believe that it does help.

Most of the theory behind homeopathy is, in fact, contradictory to the basic scientific principles of pharmaceutical medical practices. This is because there is no convincing or substantial scientific evidence to suggest that homeopathy is effective. But this is not to say that homeopathy doesn’t work. Some people do find relief from their medical symptoms through the use of homeopathic products. And while Western medicine feels these results are psychological, homeopaths feel that not only do homeopathic treatments work, they work both physiologically and psychologically.

Risks of Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are extremely safe and have no harmful side effects. There is a risk of homeopathy medicine when needed therapies and/or diagnostic tests are excluded. In this case, a Homeopathy remedy and conventional medicine may be used hand in hand.

Two barriers that raise the risks of homeopathy:

• Time and patience are needed to find the right homeopathic remedy for your symptoms. This process may take longer than using conventional medicine. Unfortunately, there is no standard remedy to cure every symptom.
• The remedy must be matched to your particular symptom, where it occurs, what brings it on, what aggravates it and other symptoms you experience.
• If the remedy is not one of 30 or so commonly used and readily available, it may be difficult to obtain.

After starting a homeopathic remedy, some patients feel worse for a brief period of time. This is interpreted as the body temporarily stimulating symptoms while it makes an effort to restore health. A treatment should stop when a symptom clears up. Otherwise the treatment may produce a recurrence of the symptom.

Risks of homeopathy can include liquid remedies that contain alcohol and are permitted to have higher levels of alcohol than conventional drugs for adults. Some consumers may be concerned. However, no adverse effects from the alcohol levels have been reported in Homeopathy literature or to the Food and Drug Administration.

If you are considering using a homeopathic remedy and currently take a conventional drug, consult with your healthcare provider. Though Homeopathic remedies are not known to interfere with conventional drugs, each case should be handled on an individual basis. If you have more than one provider, discuss with each one.

Other risks of homeopathy include:

• Reports of the sale of over the counter homeopathic drugs
• Lack of tamper-resistant packaging
• Improper labeling
• Products that contain vitamins or plants not listed in homeopathic references but are promoted as homeopathic
• Labeling is too vague. For example: “treats gastrointestinal disorders” is too general. This could include a wide variety of conditions
• Though homeopathic remedies often contain only water and/or alcohol, in rare cases the original ingredients is present at detectable levels causing a risk of homeopathy treatment. One report showed an unusually undiluted solution allegedly caused a small percentage of users to lose their sense of smell. There were 340 cases settled out of court.
• In 1938 the U.S. Congress passed a law declaring homeopathic remedies be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the same manner as over the counter drugs (non prescriptions). Although new over the counter and conventional drugs must under go through testing and review for safety by the FDA, this requirement does not apply to homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy Medicine

Homeopathy medicine utilizes micro doses of substances from the plant, mineral or animal origin to stimulate a person’s natural healing response. Unlike conventional medicines that attempt to suppress symptoms without the body healing, homeopathy medicines do not have side effects. They work gently with the body to produce balance and healing and reduce the percent of doctor-induced (iatrogenic) diseases.

Homeopathy medicines consist of extremely diluted natural substances. Potency is determined by the amount of dilution and the defense system of the body is stimulated by these dilutions. A common example would be 30X. The number indicates how many times a product has been further diluted. The letter “X” is the method of dilution. X means 1 part crude (remedy) to 9 parts dilatant, which is a 1:10 ratio.

There are certain guidelines to follow when taking homeopathy medicine to maximize the effectiveness:

• Limit contact with cigarette smoke as much as possible.
• Do not take anything by mouth 10-20 minutes before and after a dosage. This includes food, drink, chewing gum, toothpaste, etc
• No camphor and avoid moth ball fumes.
• Limit caffeine as much as possible, including chocolate, coffee and soft drinks
• If dental drilling is necessary, request an injectable or extra dermal application
• Eat cooked garlic only, avoid raw.

Most single remedy homeopathy medicines (pellets or tablets) dissolve in the mouth or under the tongue. For fast relief, sprays are applied under the tongue. In most cases, food should not be taken with medicines. The success of these medicines depends largely on the situation and duration of the ailment. The length of the ailment is relative to the length of the healing process.

Some of the newest homeopathy medicine combinations include treatment of restless leg syndrome; leg cramps; earaches; seasonal allergies; flu; and diaper rash.

To determine which remedy is needed, a self help book or homeopathic practitioner will explain several common single remedies. Select the remedy most like your situation.

As an alternative, the Materia Medica contains detailed descriptions of the homeopathy medicines and the symptoms they treat. Medicines labeled by the Latin name of the drug, substance or compound are used for manufacturing.

Conventional medicines and homeopathy medicines may work together. A homeopathic practitioner should closely monitor this situation. Homeopathy medicines do not interact with other medicines since they have no side effects.

The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States establishes industry standards with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Due to the overwhelming safety record and extreme dilutions, the FDA does not use the same standards of approval for homeopathy medicines.