Homeopathy, A 200+ year old system of medicine which works on the principal of “Similia similibus curentur” (Let likes be cured by likes), addresses the body in a holistic manner and takes into account all symptoms, behavioral and physical. The homeopathic remedy stimulates the body’s own immune system to respond and heal itself by strengthening the body’s overall constitution. Homeopathy does not follow the "One size fits all" approach. It is a highly individualized system, and the same remedy given to a number of different people will not work in all cases.
Homeopathy was initially discovered by a German physician and is much more popular in European and Asian countries. In the United States, Homeopathic remedies are prepared according to the guidelines of the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States, which was written into law in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Homeopathic remedies are regulated in the same manner as nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs. However, because homeopathic products contain little or no active ingredients, they do not have to undergo the same safety and efficacy testing as prescription drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that homeopathic remedies meet certain legal standards for strength, purity, and packaging. The labels on the remedies must include at least one major indication (i.e., medical problem to be treated), a list of ingredients, the dilution, and safety instructions.
In the United States, Homeopathy is considered difficult to study using current scientific methods because they are highly diluted substances (known as ultra-high dilutions) which cannot be readily measured and also due to the fact that homeopathic treatments are highly individualized. Most analysis of the research on homeopathy have concluded that there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific condition, and that many of the studies have been flawed. For example, the study on “Quality assessment of physical research in homeopathy” where the objective was to assess the evidence of published homeopathic preparation (potencies) that target physical properties had serious flaws that prevented any meaningful conclusion. However, there are some individual observational studies, randomized placebo-controlled trials, and laboratory research that report positive effects or unique physical and chemical properties of homeopathic remedies.
Homeopathy is a controversial area because a number of its key concepts are not consistent with established laws of science. Critics think it is implausible that a remedy containing a miniscule amount of an active ingredient (sometimes not a single molecule of the original compound) can have any biological effect. Others point to observational and anecdotal evidence that homeopathy does work and argue that it should not be rejected just because science has not been able to explain it.
Although the side effects and risks of homeopathic treatments are not well researched outside of observational studies, the general points that are made about the safety of these treatments are:
National certification may be obtained through organizations such as the Council for Homeopathic Certification, American Board of Homeotherapeutics, and the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. The U.S. Department of Education has not recognized these organizations; however, members of the homeopathic community consider certification a way to help set education and competency standards for practicing homeopathy.
Homeopathy should not be used as a replacement for proven conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. While remedies are non-toxic, they are not harmless and at the same time, they may not be without consequence to consume excessive doses of the remedy or take multiple remedies at once. Each one remedy creates a specific reaction with our vital force, which can be difficult to prove by research but is shown symptomatically. Homeopathy is considered to be powerful and especially known for its effectiveness in chronic diseases.
In the United States, Homeopathy is considered difficult to study using current scientific methods because they are highly diluted substances (known as ultra-high dilutions) which cannot be readily measured and also due to the fact that homeopathic treatments are highly individualized. Most analysis of the research on homeopathy have concluded that there is little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific condition, and that many of the studies have been flawed. For example, the study on “Quality assessment of physical research in homeopathy” where the objective was to assess the evidence of published homeopathic preparation (potencies) that target physical properties had serious flaws that prevented any meaningful conclusion. However, there are some individual observational studies, randomized placebo-controlled trials, and laboratory research that report positive effects or unique physical and chemical properties of homeopathic remedies.
Homeopathy is a controversial area because a number of its key concepts are not consistent with established laws of science. Critics think it is implausible that a remedy containing a miniscule amount of an active ingredient (sometimes not a single molecule of the original compound) can have any biological effect. Others point to observational and anecdotal evidence that homeopathy does work and argue that it should not be rejected just because science has not been able to explain it.
Although the side effects and risks of homeopathic treatments are not well researched outside of observational studies, the general points that are made about the safety of these treatments are:
Ø A systematic review found that homeopathic remedies in high dilution, taken under the supervision of trained professionals, are generally considered safe and unlikely to cause severe adverse reactions.
Ø Liquid homeopathic remedies may contain alcohol. The FDA allows higher levels of alcohol in these remedies than it allows in conventional drugs. However, no adverse effects from alcohol levels have been reported to the FDA.
Ø Homeopaths expect some of their patients to experience homeopathic aggravation (a temporary worsening of existing symptoms after taking a homeopathic prescription). Researchers have not found much evidence of this reaction in clinical studies; however, research on homeopathic aggravations is scarce.
Ø Homeopathic remedies are not known to interfere with conventional drugs; however, if you are considering using homeopathic remedies, you should discuss this with your health care provider first.
There are currently no uniform licensing or professional standards for the practice of homeopathy in the United States; the licensing of homeopaths varies from state to state. Usually, a homeopathic practitioner is licensed in a medical profession, such as conventional or osteopathic medicine. Homeopathy is also part of the medical education for naturopathy. For example, licensure as a homeopathic physician is available to medical doctors and doctors of osteopathic in Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada. Arizona and Nevada also license homeopathic assistants, who are allowed to perform medical services under the supervision of a homeopathic physician. Some states explicitly include homeopathy within the scope of practice of chiropractic, naturopathy, physical therapy, dentistry and nursing.National certification may be obtained through organizations such as the Council for Homeopathic Certification, American Board of Homeotherapeutics, and the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. The U.S. Department of Education has not recognized these organizations; however, members of the homeopathic community consider certification a way to help set education and competency standards for practicing homeopathy.
Homeopathy should not be used as a replacement for proven conventional care or to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. While remedies are non-toxic, they are not harmless and at the same time, they may not be without consequence to consume excessive doses of the remedy or take multiple remedies at once. Each one remedy creates a specific reaction with our vital force, which can be difficult to prove by research but is shown symptomatically. Homeopathy is considered to be powerful and especially known for its effectiveness in chronic diseases.
