About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products

Common Name

Homeopathic medicine, Homeopathic remedy

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Clinical Summary

Homeopathy is a medical system developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician, about 200 years ago. Promoted as a safer and more holistic approach to disease, it has remained especially popular in India and European countries. Practitioners select a highly dilute form of substance that would, if given in full strength to a healthy volunteer, cause the presenting symptoms of the patient. Many opponents argue that the benefits experienced by patients with homeopathic remedies are merely placebo effects.

Several studies have been conducted to evaluate homeopathic products. A randomized controlled trial of ultramolecular homeopathic formulations showed no observable effects (18) and a meta-analysis found the clinical effects to be placebo effects (20). However, a systematic review of 25 randomized clinical trials indicated that the placebo effects were no larger than those observed in conventional medicine (22). Further, data from an observational study of over 3,000 patients with chronic conditions such as headache and allergic rhinitis in adults, and atopic dermatitis and recurrent infections in children, showed improved quality of life associated with use of homeopathy with benefits persisting for 8 years (23).

In vitro studies indicate effectiveness of ultra dilute homeopathic products against breast cancer cells (24).
A randomized, double-blind trial showed homeopathic medicine to be beneficial in treating dermatitis during radiotherapy in breast cancer patients (19). Another study reported improvement in symptoms of xerostomia (21). A homeopathic injection was found to relieve post treatment pain in a small study of breast cancer patients (25). Observational data also suggest that complementing conventional treatment with homeopathy may improve fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients (26). Large scale studies are required.

There are no data to support the recent claims of a homeopathic smallpox vaccine.

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Purported Uses
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Common cold
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Eye disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Radiation therapy side effects
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Warts
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Mechanism of Action

The practice of homeopathy is governed by the Law of Similars, similia similibus curantur or “like cures like.” Hahnemann and his followers observed that while certain plants, animals or minerals could cause specific symptoms when ingested by healthy individuals, the highly diluted form of the same substance could relieve similar symptoms in ailing patients (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

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Pharmacokinetics

No pharmacokinetic studies have been performed with homeopathic preparations.

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Contraindications

Mints, coffee, tea, chocolate, spicy foods.
(2)

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Adverse Reactions

Case Report: Acute hepatitis was observed in a patient who took Lycopodium Similiaplex, a hoemopathic remedy used to treat hepatopathy, to relieve insomnia (27).

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Herb-Drug Interactions

None known

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Herb Lab Interactions

None known

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Literature Summary and Critique

Over 100 clinical trials of homeopathic preparations are published. Several report statistically significant effects of homeopathic preparations, but subjective endpoints are often used. A handful of meta-analyses and systematic reviews find insufficient evidence for the efficacy of homeopathy, although Linde et al (1997) conclude that its clinical effects cannot be completely attributed to placebo effect.
(6) (7) (8) (9) (12) (14) (15)

Shang A, et al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy and allopathy. Lancet 2005;366:726-32.
A thorough literature search was done to identify 110 homeopathy and 110 conventional clinical trials that were similar in design. An analysis of the trials indicated that in both the groups smaller trials and those of lower quality showed beneficial effects from treatment in comparison to larger well-designed trials. The study concluded that there was very weak evidence of any clinical effects from homeopathic treatments as opposed to specific effects of conventional medicine. Therefore any clinical effects of homeopathy are attributed to placebo effects.

Brien S, Lewith G, Bryant T. Ultramolecular homeopathy has no observable clinical effects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proving trial of Belladonna 30C. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;56:562-8.
253 healthy adult subjects were randomly assigned to receive either Belladonna 30C preparation or placebo. Subjects were given a proving questionnaire and asked to rate their symptoms. Only 29 subjects successfully proved — had the symptoms traditionally corresponding to Belladonna homeopathic preparation. The group difference in provers was negligible. Researchers conclude that ultramolecular preparations have no observable clinical effects.

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References
  1. Weiser M, et al. Homeopathic vs conventional treatment of vertigo: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;124:879-85.
  2. Kayne S. Complementary Therapies for Pharmacists. London UK: Pharmaceutical Press; 2002.
  3. Callinan Paul. Family Homeopathy, A Practical Guide for Home Treatment. New Canaan: Keats Publishing; 1995.
  4. The NCAHF Position Paper on Homeopathy (http://www.ncahf.org/pp/homeop.html).
  5. Cassileth B. The Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York: W.W. Norton & Company; 1998.
  6. Jacobs J, et al. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001;20:177-83.
  7. Fisher P, Scott DL. A randomized controlled trial of homeopathy in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2001;40:1052-5.
  8. Oberbaum M, et al. A randomized, controlled clinical trial of the homeopathic medication TRAUMEEL S in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced stomatitis in children undergoing stem cell transplantation. Cancer 2001;92:684-90.
  9. Vickers AJ, et al. Can homeopathically prepared mercury cause symptoms in healthy volunteers? A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med 2001;7:141-8.
  10. Vickers AJ. Clinical trials of homeopathy and placebo: analysis of a scientific debate. J Altern Complement Med 2000;6:49-56.
  11. Vickers AJ, Zollman C. ABC of complementary medicine. Homoeopathy. BMJ 1999;319:1115-8.
  12. Vickers AJ, et al. Can homeopaths detect homeopathic medicines? A pilot study for a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled investigation of the proving hypothesis. Br Homeopath J 2001;90:126-30.
  13. Vickers AJ. Independent replication of pre-clinical research in homoeopathy: a systematic review. Forsch Komplementarmed 1999;6:311-20.
  14. Linde K, et al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997;350:834-43.
  15. Ernst E. A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54:577-82.
  16. Paterson IC. Homeopathy: what is it and is it of value in the care of patients with cancer? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2002;14:250-3.
  17. Ernst E. Homoeopathy: inaccuracies, misunderstandings and half-truths in allopathic doses. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2002;14:254-5.
  18. Brien S, Lewith G, Bryant T. Ultramolecular homeopathy has no observable clinical effects. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proving trial of Belladonna 30C. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2003;56:562-8.
  19. Balzarini A, et al. Efficacy of homeopathic treatment of skin reactions during radiotherapy for breast cancer: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Br Homeopath J. 2000;89(1):8-12.
  20. Shang A, et al. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. Lancet. 2005; 366:726-32.
  21. Haila S, Koskinen A, Tenovuo J. Effects of homeopathic treatment on salivary flow rate and subjective symptoms in patients with oral dryness: a randomized trial. Homeopathy. 2005; 94:175-81.
  22. Nuhn T, Lüdtke R, Geraedts M. Placebo effect sizes in homeopathic compared to conventional drugs - a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Homeopathy. 2010 Jan;99(1):76-82.
  23. Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Mengler N, Willich SN. How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment?—Results from a long term observational study. BMC Public Health. 2008 Dec 17;8:413.
  24. Frenkel M, Mishra BM, Sen S, et al. Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells. Int J Oncol. 2010 Feb;36(2):395-403.
  25. Orellana Alvarellos G, Ruiz de Viñaspre Alvear P, Kaszkin-Bettag M. A series of case reports: clinical evaluation of a complex homeopathic injection therapy in the management of pain in patients after breast cancer treatment. Altern Ther Health Med. 2010 Jan-Feb;16(1):54-9.
  26. Rostock M, Naumann J, Guethlin C, et al. Classical homeopathy in the treatment of cancer patients—a prospective observational study of two independent cohorts. BMC Cancer. 2011 Jan 17;11:19.
  27. Braschoss A. Lycopodium similiaplex-induced acute hepatitis: a case report. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009 Jun;21(6):718-9.
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How It Works

Bottom Line: There is some evidence that homeopathy may benefit those with chronic conditions. It has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer.

Homeopathy, developed more than 200 years ago, is based on the Law of Similars, or “like cures like.” A patient experiencing a certain symptom is given a medicine containing low doses of plant extracts, animal extracts, or minerals that, when taken in normal amounts, usually cause that symptom. Homeopathy continues to be popular in India and many European countries.
Several clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate benefits of homeopathy, but data are limited and results, inconclusive. More research is needed.

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Purported Uses
  • To treat allergies
    Clinical trials have produced conflicting data.
  • To treat anxiety
    There are no studies to support this use.
  • To treat rheumatoid arthritis
    Studies have produced conflicting results.
  • To treat asthma
    Scientific evidence and clinical trials do not support this use.
  • To treat the common cold
    Data from cllinical trials have been inconclusive.
  • To treat hemorrhoids
    This claim is not backed by research.
  • To treat warts
    No scientific evidence supports this use.
  • To treat radiotherapy side effects
    One study showed that homeopathic medicine can reduce the sensation of heat of the skin caused by radiotherapy.
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Research Evidence

Over 100 clinical trials of homeopathic preparations have been conducted, with overall mixed results. Several studies show positive effects of homeopathic preparations, but there has been controversy as to whether these beneficial effects are truly a product of the medicine, or simply a placebo effect. A placebo effect is defined as an effect brought about by the patient’s expectation that something will happen, or the “power of suggestion” (i.e., a person getting better from the psycho-somatic effects of believing that their homeopathic medicine will make them better, not from any activity of the medicine). One study reviewed 89 clinical trials and concluded that, statistically, the positive effects from homeopathy could not be attributed to the placebo effect alone. While another study covered 110 trials found homeopathic medicine is no better than placebo. This debate is far from settled.

Another problem that plagues most clinical trials of homeopathy is that they rely on subjective (reported by the patient), rather than objective (observed by the doctor), measures of effectiveness. Because inter-individual perception, memory, and reporting varies, subjective results are as a rule less reliable.

A clinical trial asked 253 healthy adult subjects to report clinical symptoms after being randomly assigned to take either a very dilute Belladonna treatment or placebo. Laboratory studies found no difference between the two substances. In addition, roughly the same number of people from each group exhibited ‘tell-tale’ signs of a homeopathic Belladonna treatment. Researchers conclude that very dilute homeopathic remedies have no observable clinical effects.

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Patient Warnings

Homeopathic remedies are generally free of toxicity or side effects. However, cancer patients should be aware that homeopathy is not a substitute for mainstream care and delaying conventional care in pursuit of alternative treatments can be detrimental.

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Do Not Take If
  • You regularly eat mints, coffee, tea, chocolate, or spicy foods.
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Side Effects

Case Report: Acute hepatitis was observed in a patient who took Lycopodium Similiaplex, a hoemopathic remedy used to treat hepatopathy, to relieve insomnia.

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Last updated: October 17, 2011