December 2012
Homeopathy is a popular form of alternative medicine practiced as a modality by health care providers of all types. Invented by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1843-1755), homeopathy is based on the theory that a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in a healthy person will cure that same disease in a sick person. This is known as “the law of similars” and is also referred to as “like cures like.”
While translating medical texts, Hahnemann noted that cinchona, derived from the bark of a Peruvian tree, was used to treat malaria. After experimenting on himself and ingesting cinchona, he noticed it produced symptoms similar to actually having malaria, and concluded that it would do the same in other healthy people.
Based on this idea, he postulated, “That which can produce a set of symptoms in a healthy individual, can treat a sick individual who is manifesting a similar set of symptoms,”1 heretofore known as “the law of similar.” (The law of similars is actually an axiom, and not a true law of nature.)
Hahnemann thought that by using a substance to cause symptoms, these symptoms would then stimulate the body’s innate healing response, expelling the original disease, and the artificially induced symptoms would resolve once the patient discontinued treatment.
In other words, a substance that is ingested in large amounts will create symptoms of a certain disease, while very small doses of the same substance cures that same disease. This is similar to the theory behind vaccinations as well.
Prescribing Homeopathy
A homeopathic medicine is known as a remedy, and is regulated as a drug under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); however, current FDA policy doesn’t evaluate them for effectiveness or safety. Remedies are widely available and sold in stores without a doctor’s prescription.
Approximately 3,000 different homeopathic remedies are used today, all of which are derived from a broad variety of animals, plants and minerals. All homeopathic medicines must contain ingredients listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS).
True homeopathic prescribing occurs after a painstaking review of the patient’s symptoms, physical condition, health history and psychological state. Once this information is gathered, a prescriber may consult one or both types of standard homeopathic reference manuals to help pick the exact remedy based on the “totality of symptoms” garnered during the patient’s interview.
A “materia medica” lists a number of remedies and describes the collection of symptoms associated with each. A “repertory” is an index of symptoms followed by a list of remedies associated with it.
Preparing Homeopathic Remedies
Remedies are prepared through a process known as potentization, where a substance undergoes serial dilutions with either water or alcohol. This is necessary because Hahnemann noted using material doses actually worsened patient’s symptoms, causing sometimes dangerous reactions. He then decided that the medicinal substances be diluted.
After each dilution, the remedy is then forcefully struck against a hard object. This is called “succession,” and is thought to increase the remedy’s potency. Hahnemann claimed that succussion enhanced the energy of the diluted substance, making it stronger.
Remedies are diluted to the point where none of the original substance remains in the liquid. This is one of the main points of criticism about homeopathy. Another area of confusion surrounding homeopathy stems from the fact that ingredients listed on a remedy may, at times, be mistaken as actually containing the substance. However, due to the dilution process, true homeopathic remedies contain no biologically active ingredients, per standard definitions.
Remedies are diluted based on logarithmic scales, of which several are in use. Hahnemann created what is known as the centesimal or “C” scale, which called for a substance to be diluted by a factor of 100 at each succession. This method is still in use today.
For example, in order to make a 2C remedy, a substance is diluted to one part in 100, and then one part is further diluted by 100 again. A 6C would be diluted this way six times, which ends up being one part in one trillion. Higher dilutions continue, with the more diluted the solution, the stronger its action. A common homeopathic dose is 30C, diluted at 1060.
Lastly, remedies are made by soaking a small white pill, typically comprised of lactose (milk sugar) with a drop of the potentized liquid solution. You may also find liquid remedies that are dosed using a dropper.
Does Homeopathy Really Work?
Homeopathy has been subjected to intense scrutiny ever since its conception, with no end in sight. Despite this, homeopathy remains highly popular today, with many practitioners and widespread over-the-counter availability.
In fact, according to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, nearly four million adults and 910,000 children used homeopathy in 2006, and spent an estimated $2.9 billion on homeopathic medicines and $170 million for visits with homeopathic practitioners.2
As such, there are thousands of published studies investigating it, with both positive and negative outcomes, each of which are highly scrutinized by opposing schools of thought.
A meta-analysis published in September 1997 of 119 homeopathic studies concluded in its final analysis that the clinical effects of homeopathy could not be completely attributed to placebo, yet the analysis also found evidence lacking that homeopathy was completely effective, either.3
Similarly, another meta-analysis of homeopathic studies published in April 2000 concluded that there was “some evidence” of homeopathic medicines being more effective than placebo. However, the evidence was considered weak due to the poor quality of the individual studies.4
Other meta-analysis reported similar outcomes, that homeopathic medicines seem to exert some positive effects, greater than placebo, yet without convincing clinical outcomes.5,6 Yet other meta-analysis (published in December 2002, January 2007 and August 2005) concluded that homeopathic medicines had no effect greater than placebo.7,8,9
Top Homeopathic Remedies
If you have not yet given homeopathy a try, here are a few of the most popular remedies and their indications. These descriptions are more basic in nature, so be sure to consult more expansive resources for complete indications for each homeopathic.
Many homeopathic medicines are derived from very toxic substances. Taking them in any preparation other than a true homeopathic can endanger one’s health.
Aconite is derived from the plant Aconitum napellus. It is considered a “rescue remedy” for people who are panicked or fearful, especially children. Best for:
- Illness that comes on suddenly with intense pain (high fever, croupy colds, sore throats)
- Worse at night, especially after midnight
- Anxiety, restlessness, fear, panic
- Nightmares, sleeplessness
- Burning, stinging of eyes
- Red, raw nose and upper lip
- Colic and gas pains
- Fearful of pain becoming unbearable
- Injuries and bleeding from trauma
- Sprains, strains, bruises and swelling
- Pain from injury, sports, yard work
- Post-surgical care
- Hot, red and dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Excited and restless
- Hallucination-like dreams during high fevers
- Colic, teething, ear infections, coughs
- General fussiness
- They will demand things but refuse them when they get it
- Loud crying, inconsolable
- Animal and insect bites
- Splinters
- Negative local effects from injections (vaccines, IVs, shots)
- Painful wounds, wounds that have long- lasting discoloration
- Overeating and fullness
- Heartburn, indigestion, bloating, gas
- Easily frustrated, impatient and angry
- Insomnia from overstimulation
Pulsatilla is indicated for rapidly changing symptoms and is fantastic for children. Best for:
- This person is almost opposite from one who needs Chamomilla, they will whimper and want sympathy and nurturing
- Easily moved to tears and laughter
- Painful, irregular menstrual periods
- Skin ailments resembling poison ivy (red, itchy, blisters)
- Sprains and strains
- Symptoms that are worse in the morning
Making the Homeopathic Decision
Use of homeopathy in clinical practice has been extensively researched, with varied results. Still, it remains an intensely debated subject with convincing arguments coming from both sides of the debate.
At a minimum, the use of homeopathy may be considered harmless by some, due to the extensive dilutions of the medicine. On the other hand, eschewing medical care for homeopathy may lead to worsening of potentially dangerous health conditions.
Your best bet is to educate yourself on the matter and discuss the use of intense homeopathic remedies—especially when used in place of other therapies—with your healthcare practitioner.
References:
1. www.skylarkbooks.co.uk/Hahnemann_Biography.htm.
2. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/homeopathy.
3. Linde, K. Lancet. 1997 Sep 20;350(9081):834-43.
4. Cucherat, M. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Apr;56(1):27-33.
5. Linde, K. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2001;1:4.
6. Linde K. J Altern Complement Med. 1998 Winter;4(4):371-88.
7. Ernst, E. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;54(6):577-82.
8. Altunç, U. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007 Jan;82(1):69-75.
9. Shang, A. Lancet. 2005 Aug 27-Sep 2;366(9487):726-32.
Source: Homeopathy: A Natural Vaccine?
