Homeopathy; Facts to Know

NWHRC Health Center - Homeopathy, Sept 8, 2008

Homeopathic remedies are considered safe since they are so highly diluted; most are available without a prescription.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't limit the percentage of alcohol in homeopathic remedies. Although, given the usual doses of three to five drops at a time, very little alcohol is actually consumed.

Homeopathy, already popular in many European countries, is gaining stature in the United States; at least 2.5 million people annually seek out some sort of homeopathic care.

The FDA regulates the manufacture and sale of homeopathic medicines. The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States was written into federal law in 1938.

Traditionally, only one homeopathic medicine is used at a time, although combination remedies are commonly found in health food and other stores that sell the remedies over the counter.

Homeopathic practitioners often have health care training, such as a degree in dentistry, medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic or naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic physicians, unlike most other licensed health care professionals, receive formal homeopathy training as part of their standard medical school curriculum.

The law of similars, a basic tenet of homeopathy, states illness can be cured by a substance that creates symptoms in a healthy person similar to those the patient is experiencing.

Homeopaths tailor their treatments to the patient; two people with the same condition may not receive the same remedy. Environmental factors, diet and health history all determine what type of remedy you receive.

References

"Questions and Answers about Homeopathy." NCCAM, The National Institutes of Health. October 2007. http://nccam.nih.gov. Accessed March 2008.

"What are the medicines?" The National Center for Homeopathy. http://www.homeopathic.org. Accessed March 2008.

"AMSA EDCAM INITIATIVE: A National Curriculum For Medical Students c5. Homeopathy AND FLOWER ESSENCE THERAPY." Updated 2003. http://64.233.169.104. Accessed March 2008.

"Regulation of homeopathic drug products." The National Center for Homeopathy. January 2006. http://www.homeopathic.org. Accessed March 2008.

"Major Domains of Complementary and Alternative Medicine." National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. Updated May 2002. http://nccam.nih.gov Accessed November 2003.

"Introduction to Homeopathy." National Center for Homeopathy http://www.homeopathic.org. Accessed November 2003.

"Frequently asked questions." The Baltimore Homeopathic Study Group. http://baltimore-homeopathy.org. Accessed November 2003.

"Standards of Homeotherapeutic Practice." American Institute of Homeopathy. http://www.homeopathyusa.org. Accessed November 2003.

Buck, A. "Homeopathy, An Introduction." Nursingceu.com (Online continuing education for nurses) Posted June 2002. http://www.nursingceu.com. Accessed November 2003.

"Homeopathic Materia Medica." Eden Botanicals. http://edenbotanicals.tripod.com. Accessed November 2003.

Taylor, M, et al. "Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series." British Medical Journal 2000;321:471-476.

Barrett, Stephen. "Petition Regarding Homeopathic Drugs" Quackwatch.org. http://www.quackwatch.org. Accessed November 2003.

Barrett, Stephen. "Homeopathy, the Ultimate Fake" Quackwatch.org. Updated August 2001. http://www.quackwatch.org. Accessed November 2003.

Keywords: homeopathy, homeopathic remedies, homeopathic medicine