It’s a debate that has been raging fast and furious over the past several years. Does homeopathy really work? Or is it all sheer propaganda put forward by believers in alternative medicine? It’s difficult to decide because proponents of both sides have the ability to argue their case skillfully and convincingly. In addition, there are plenty of studies which confirm the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in the area of pain reduction and treatment of various diseases.
At the same time, you can find plenty of research material to totally debunk homeopathy’s claim of being a valid branch of medical science.
What Proponents of Homeopathy Say
The effectiveness of homeopathy is backed by various clinical studies. These include:
- A 1994 study conducted in Nicaragua and led by Dr Jennifer Jacobs. The results were published in an American scientific journal. It involved 81 children suffering from acute diarrhea. All the children were given the standard rehydration treatment. In addition, half the group was also given homeopathic medicines for diarrhea treatment. The other half were given a placebo. The children who were given homeopathic medicines recovered 20 per cent faster than the other group.
- The British Medical Journal published a study in 1991. It covered 107 clinical studies. Homeopathic treatments proved to be successful in 81 cases. The test subjects were suffering from a variety of ailments including respiratory infections, digestive problems, rheumatologic disorders, pain and injury, and psychological problems. This, say the proponents proves that homeopathy can cure a variety of ailments.
- A study conducted and published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 1989 concluded that 66% of people suffering from fever recovered within 48 hours when treated with a homeopathy medication. In contrast, the group that was given a placebo took a longer time to shake off their fever.
- Randomized controlled trials have shown that homeopathy works well in treatment of influenza, allergies, and diarrhea in children.
The supporters of homeopathy often cite these studies to try and convince skeptics about the effectiveness of the treatment. They say that the logic behind homeopathic treatment itself is proof of its effectiveness. Homeopathy works by getting the body to cure itself. It’s an auto-regulatory and self-healing process.
What the Opponents of Homeopathy Say
- Several studies conducted to analyze the effectiveness of homeopathy have been flawed. There is little actual evidence to suggest that homeopathy is a credible form of treatment.
- The principles of homeopathy works are just too far-fetched. They have no relation to the laws of science. Medicines are prepared by selecting a substance by matching the patient’s symptoms with the symptoms produced by these substances in a healthy person. The substance is then diluted and shaken with water. The proponents of homeopathy claim that the information from the `substance’ is imprinted in the water. Such notions do sound wondrous in the modern age, especially when most homeopathic formulations use minute amounts of the active ingredient.
- Homeopathic formulations are basically placebos. It uses very highly diluted forms of botanical substances and minerals. Basic chemistry teaches us that there is a limit to which dilution can take place without losing the substance itself. In view of such high rates of dilution how effective can the so called 'active ingredient' be?
The opponents are thus extremely scathing in their opposition to homeopathy and deride its very foundation.
Given the strong viewpoints on both sides, it’s a tough call to make. The answer to whether this form of treatment works basically boils down to the belief of individuals. If it works for you, it’s effective. If not, join the queue of skeptics!
