Homeopathy is safe and very effective

Homeopathy is a system of medicine, with its own methodology and pharmacopoeia that was developed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the 1800's. Hahnemann's theory called "the Law of Similars" states that like cures like. In other words, substances which produce certain symptoms in their natural form will, in a highly diluted form, act as antidotes for those same set of symptoms. Dr. Hahnemann's unique approach included testing his remedies on groups of healthy individuals, including himself, and recording detailed results. For years he painstakingly collected data on hundreds of remedies, and published his Materia Medica, which is still the standard for homeopathic medicine today. How does homeopathy work? In the Guide to Homeopathic Medicines, Dr. Stephen Cummings explains that, "Hahnemann's observation that a substance able to mimic a sick person's symptoms can help cure the patient prompted a revolutionary understanding of symptoms. Instead of assuming that symptoms represented...unhealthy responses of the body and that they should be...suppressed, [he] learned that symptoms are positive responses, [and] represent the body's best effort to heal itself". Instead of masking symptoms, a homeopathic treatment will initially exacerbate symptoms somewhat, and then encourage the natural healing process. What, exactly, are homeopathic remedies? In short, they are medicines, whose chemical constituents are highly diluted (most beyond even the *Avogadro limit) through a process called succussion. A single drop of the extract is diluted in purified water or alcohol solution at a ratio of 1:100. This solution is then agitated, or succussed. A single drop of the new solution is then diluted at the same ratio, and the process is repeated. The numbers on the label (6c, 12c, etc.) represent the number of dilutions, referred to as its "potency". Although it seems impossible that such high dilutions could have any impact on human physiology at all, extensive clinical trials prove otherwise. Exactly how the remedies work is still unclear, but the theory is they work on the subtle energy fields to bring about change. The FDA began regulating homeopathic remedies in 1938. They must meet high standards (set by an independent governing board of homeopathic doctors) in order to qualify for the label "homeopathic". Since 1988 the FDA has also required labels on all homeopathic remedies to list indications for use. In a 6 year trial done at University Hospital in the UK of 6544 patients with chronic disease, 4627 who were treated with homeopathic medicine reported positive health changes, and more than 50% reported some improvement, (The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine). In a review of several studies, Boiron noted, "In 1991, a meta-analysis was published which involved the meticulous study of 107 trials...Among these clinical trials, a large majority (81 to be exact) has had positive results concerning the efficacy of homeopathic treatment". Homeopathic remedies have been tested on adults and infants, as well as on animals. And, many trials have ruled out the placebo effect. Homeopathic physicians undergo very strict training. It can be studied independently or complementary to the study of general medicine. There are private institutions in the United States and Europe which offer training in homeopathy. However, because conventional medicine still does not recognize the effectiveness or validity of homeopathy, homeopathic remedies are available over the counter, without a prescription. The FDA considers them safe, and unlikely to cause severe adverse reactions. As always, one should exercise caution, and not try to self-diagnose or self-medicate. While the high dilution remedies pose no threat (Hahnemann followed the motto, "first do no harm"), consumers can waste money experimenting with the wrong remedies. It is best to see a trained homeopath, and have a complete consultation.