What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy, or Homeopathic medicine, is a medical system developed over 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahnemann.  Homeopathy relies on three basic principles:

• When taken in small doses, the substances that cause certain symptoms can also help to alleviate those symptoms. 
• The lower the dose of medication, the greater the effectiveness. 
• The whole person, not just symptoms, must be taken into consideration when choosing a remedy. 

According to the Sage Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Society, in 1900, there were 22 homeopathic medical schools, 100 homeopathic hospitals, and 1,000 homeopathic pharmacies located throughout the United States. 

Then the Flexner Report happened. The Flexner report was commissioned by John D. Rockefeller, the richest American of all time. Rockefeller owned 90% of all oil refineries in the United States and decided to use some of his  vast wealth to acquire a pharmaceutical company and establish a similar monopoly on health care by eliminating the competition from natural medicine. Released in 1910, the report was critical of all forms of complementary and alternative medicine. It advocated for the standardization of medical education and treatment in a way that eliminated non-patented medicine from accepted medical care. In the years following its publication, homeopathic hospitals and medical schools around the country were forced to close their doors. As a result of the Flexner report, the biomedical model was established as the gold standard of medical training. 

How are homeopathic remedies made?

The thousands of remedies that are available are derived from plants, minerals, and animals. They are prepared based on Hahnemann’s methods which involved “succussion”—the vigorous shaking of diluted preparations. After substances are crushed, they are placed in a solvent such as grain alcohol. After that, the extract is further diluted in a mixture of alcohol and water. 

Do these remedies have side effects?
 

Homeopathic remedies are generally safe. Negative health effects have been reported by consumers who have ingested products fraudulently labeled as homeopathic that have contained substantial amounts of active ingredients or contaminants. For this reason, remedies should only be taken under the guidance of a trained homeopath or purchased from reputable companies. Trustworthy companies include Boiron, Hyland’s (Standard Homeopathic Company) and Hahnemann Laboratories. 

Homeopathy research
 

Clinical trials of homoeopathy, a research article that appeared in the British Medical Journal, presented results of a  meta-analysis that assessed the methodological quality of 105 controlled trials. Eighty-one of the trials reported positive results. The study concluded that “there is a legitimate case for further evaluation of homeopathy, but only by means of well performed trials.” 

In a recent span of just two years alone, there were more than 300 randomized controlled trials conducted on homeopathic treatments for a variety of medical conditions.  

Homeopathy and the placebo effect: the data

Many critics of homeopathy state that homeopathic remedies are so diluted that they could not possibly have any effect and that the reported positive effects are due to the placebo effect.  A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials was published in 1977 in the Lancet.  The results of the meta-analysis were “not compatible with the hypothesis that the clinical effects of homoeopathy are completely due to placebo.” The subject is a contentious one, and homeopathy continues to be discredited by many in the medical field. In the decades following publication of the 1977 meta-analysis, the Lancet has printed many articles that are highly critical of homeopathy. 

Homeopathy  treatments for pain: clinical trials, studies and reviews
 

According to Homeopathy Use in the USA and Implications for Public Health: a review that appeared in a 2018 issue of Homeopathy: 

• A meta-analysis that “examined controlled clinical trials (n=5 studies; total N=183 subjects) of homeopathy to treat fibromyalgia and found significant improvements in tender-point count, pain intensity, and fatigue compared to placebo.”
• Homeopathic potentized estrogen “was significantly more effective than placebo for reducing endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.  
• Homeopathy has also shown promise for the treatment of pediatric migraine headaches with reduced frequency and severity of headaches and less time off from school. 
• An analysis of the EPI3 cohort (a nationwide observational cohort of a representative sample of general practitioners and their patients in France) also demonstrated that homeopathy decreased use of NSAIDS and other analgesics, including narcotics, in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

Homeopathic treatment of patients with chronic low back pain: A prospective observational study with 2 years' follow-up, published in the May 2009 issue of the Clinical Journal of Pain, concluded that “Classic homeopathic treatment was effective for low back pain and other diagnoses. It improves health-related QoL (quality of life) and reduces the use of other healthcare services.”

Clinical Trials, Potential Mechanisms, and Adverse Effects of Arnica as an Adjunct Medication for Pain Management, published in the October 2021 issue of Medicines, concluded that “Arnica presents comparable activity to standard medications, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, for pain management under different medical conditions. It also shows fewer adverse effects along with lower costs. Arnica could be an adjunct approach for acute and chronic pain management.”

According to Homoeopathic therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: evaluation by double-blind clinical therapeutic trial, published in 1980 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, significant improvement occurred in rheumatoid arthritis subjects treated with homeopathic remedies but not in the placebo group. Within one year, 42% of homeopathically treated patients were able to stop all conventional pharmaceutical treatments.

Can I treat myself with homeopathy?

Yes. Although the best results, especially for chronic conditions, are achieved through a comprehensive evaluation and recommendations by a trained homeopath, low potency homeopathic remedies are available over the counter and can be used for symptom relief. For instance, a popular remedy for muscle pain and bruising is arnica montana. Another popular remedy is Ruta graveolens, frequently used to reduce inflammation. Hypericum perforatum is used for nerve pain. Alternative Pain Treatment Directory founder and CEO Cindy Perlin reports she has used these remedies instead of NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen and Celebrex for over 40 years. NSAIDs have many dangerous side effects including increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage and GI bleeding and increase the risk of acute pain turning into chronic pain.
 

 Other popular over the counter remedies include Calms Forte, a combination remedy made by Hyland’s for help with sleep and Oscillococcinum, used to prevent and treat flu-like symptoms.

How does the cost of homeopathy compare to that of seeing a general practitioner?

The initial consult with a homeopath usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and typically costs more than a consult with a general practitioner who spends much less time with a patient. Homeopathic remedies are very inexpensive and typically cost around $10. According to a study conducted in France, those seeing a homeopathic GP incurred overall a significantly lower cost for medical care. 

Are homeopathic remedies “one size fits all?”

No. For example, five people experiencing similar symptoms could receive five different treatments based on their individual mental, emotional, and physical qualities. 

The FDA's War Against Homeopathy
 

The standards for homeopathic remedies are set forth in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) which provides a clear set of standards for the manufacture of homeopathic products. It has been in continuous publication since 1897 and was officially recognized under the U.S. Food Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938.

In 2015, after interest in homeopathy is the U.S. experienced a resurgence and became a multi-billion dollar industry, the FDA announced it would re-evaluate its regulatory framework for homeopathy. This culminated in the issuance of  the Homeopathic Drug Products Guidance for FDA Staff and Industry in December 2022 in which the FDA declared that it now considers all homeopathic medicines to be new drugs which have not undergone the required pre-market approval process. According to the  American Institute of Homeopathy, this puts all homeopathic drugs at risk and is a "recipe for the destruction of homeopathy as we know it in America.”

If this action by the FDA concerns you, please support Americans for Homeopathy Choice.

Is homeopathy widely practiced in other countries?

According to the Homeopathy Research Institute, homeopathy is used on a regular basis by 200 million people throughout the world. It is included in the national health system in numerous countries, including Brazil, Chile, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Switzerland. Ten percent of people in the U.K. use homeopathy including Queen Elizabeth. It has been reported that when traveling on overseas trips, the Queen carried a small leather case containing various homeopathic remedies. 

Conclusion

Homeopathy is a safe and effective treatment for many acute and chronic pain disorders.