Homeopathy

Homeopathy (or homoeopathy) is a 200-year-old form of alternative medicine. Those who practise it describe it as a holistic system based on the theory of treating “like with like”. They claim it stimulates the body’s own healing response to disease using specially prepared, highly diluted preparations, and that it strengthens the body’s ability to heal itself.

Homeopaths say they aim to treat the whole person, taking into account personality, lifestyle and hereditary factors as well as the history of the illness. Because they regard every person as unique, homeopathic medicines are prescribed to treat individuals rather than conditions alone.

The effectiveness of homeopathy has not been proven by medical science. There is no such thing as a homeopathic vaccine, and homeopathic medicines are not a replacement for conventional treatment of serious diseases or infections.

Is homeopathy safe?#

Homeopathic medicines are not generally considered harmful in themselves. However, homeopathy can be dangerous if a person relies on it instead of conventional medical treatment when dealing with serious diseases or infections.

If you are considering homeopathy, do some research into its effectiveness first. Always use a registered homeopath, and tell your doctor before starting any new treatment, including homeopathy.

Lack of evidence of effectiveness#

The effectiveness of homeopathic preparations is disputed within medical science. Scientists question how a substance diluted so heavily could retain any biological effect.

Major reviews of the available clinical evidence have concluded there is no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for any health condition. On this basis, homeopathy should not be used to treat conditions that are chronic, serious or could become serious.

People who choose homeopathy may put their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments that have good evidence for safety and effectiveness. Anyone considering homeopathy should first get advice from a registered health practitioner, and those who use it should tell their doctor and keep taking any prescribed treatments.

Independent reviews of rigorously conducted clinical trials, including Cochrane reviews, have also failed to find evidence of benefit from homeopathy beyond the placebo effect.

Homeopathic medicines are not vaccines#

There is no such thing as a “homeopathic vaccine”. Immunisation is a medical term for the process by which the body is stimulated to develop resistance to a range of infections. Vaccines are made from germs and work by prompting the body to form antibodies (specialised germ-fighting cells) to produce immunity.

Homeopathic medicines are not based on forming specific antibodies or germ-fighting cells and are not an acceptable alternative to conventional vaccines. Parents are advised that they remain responsible for having their children immunised in line with recognised health recommendations.

Laws and regulation of homeopathic medicines#

Homeopathic medicines are made from a variety of sources, such as plants, animals and minerals, and are prepared according to guidelines set out in pharmacopoeias. They are generally considered safe and free from serious adverse reactions.

Regulation varies between countries. In many places, homeopathic preparations are not registered in the same way as conventional medicines and may be exempt from some manufacturing requirements. If you want to use homeopathic treatment, consult a registered practitioner.

Choose a qualified and registered practitioner#

Where formal registration exists, choosing a registered homeopath helps ensure a recognised standard of training and practice, and some health insurers may offer rebates for treatment by a registered practitioner.

Naturopaths are not homeopaths#

Naturopathic training does not by itself meet the standards expected of homeopathy, although some naturopaths undertake additional study to do so.

Homeopathy treatment#

To work out a treatment plan, a homeopath considers all of a person’s symptoms, whether physical, mental or emotional, and identifies the remedy that is said to produce, in a healthy person, symptoms most “like” those the person is experiencing.

Homeopathic medicines may come as liquid, granules, powder or tablets. Your practitioner might also advise general lifestyle and dietary changes as part of a treatment plan.

Homeopaths say that symptoms sometimes get temporarily worse before they get better, and that this “aggravation” of symptoms can be part of treatment. Even so, you should tell your homeopath and your doctor if you have reactions. Your homeopath may refer you to a doctor or another healthcare practitioner if necessary.

Preparation of homeopathic medicines#

Homeopathic medicines are prepared by repeated dilution and shaking, a process homeopaths call “potentisation”. They believe this renders the remedies capable of stimulating the body’s natural healing forces.

After about the 12th dilution there is no discernible chemical trace of the original substance left in the medicine, but homeopaths believe the preparation retains the qualities of the original substance.

Conventional medicine and homeopathy#

All treatments, whether conventional or alternative, have the potential to interact. To avoid harm, you should:

• Tell your doctor if you are planning to start a course of homeopathic treatment.
• Never stop taking conventional drugs without the knowledge and approval of your doctor.
• Tell your homeopath which conventional drugs you are taking.

Key points#

• People who choose to use homeopathy should tell their doctor and keep taking any prescribed treatments.
• If you want to use homeopathic treatment, consult a registered practitioner.
• Your practitioner might also advise general lifestyle and dietary changes as part of a treatment plan.
• Homeopaths say that symptoms may temporarily get worse before they get better.
• This “aggravation” of symptoms is said to be part of homeopathic treatment.

Where to get help#