II. Efficacy

  1. No scientific support for effect in any condition
    1. (1999) Med Lett Drugs Ther 41(1047): 20-1 [PubMed]
    2. Shang (2005) Lancet 366:726-32 [PubMed]
  2. Meta-analysis of 89 controlled trials
    1. Effect not fully explained by Placebo
    2. Ineffective for any single condition
    3. Linde (1997) Lancet 350:834 [PubMed]
  3. Not found to be effective in:
    1. Migraine Headache
      1. Whitmarsh (1997) Cephalalgia 17:600 [PubMed]
    2. Muscle soreness
      1. Vickers (1998) Clin J Pain 14:227 [PubMed]
    3. Upper Respiratory Infection prevention in children
      1. de Klerk (1994) BMJ 309:1329 [PubMed]

III. Precautions

  1. Dilute solutions without any proven efficacy or safety
  2. Hemeopathic agents may claim any benefit and safety without evidence or penalty from FDA
  3. Homeopathic agents contain ingredient concentrations so low, they may lack even a single molecule
  4. Contaminants may be present, with risk of harm, and in higher concentrations than the active ingredient

IV. Ingredients

  1. Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of United States
    1. Includes 1200 homeopathic recipes
    2. Based on "like cures like"
      1. Example: Emetic Strychnine used as Anti-emetic
    3. Based on individual's experiences ("Provings")
  2. Contents
    1. Minerals
    2. Botanicals
    3. Animal parts
    4. Microorganisms
  3. Dilution
    1. Serial Dilutions
      1. X (1/10): 1X=1/10, 3X=1000, 6X=1/Million
      2. C (1/100): 1C=1/100, 3C=1/Million
    2. Typical Dilution: 6X to 30C (as high as 200C)
      1. 24X (12C) is diluted above Avogadro's Number
      2. Unlikely that product contains even one molecule
      3. Vallance (1998) J Altern Complement Med [PubMed]

V. References

  1. (2022) Presc Lett 29(4): 22-3

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Ontology: Homeopathy (C0684199)

Definition (MSH) A system of therapeutics founded by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), based on the Law of Similars where "like cures like". Diseases are treated by highly diluted substances that cause, in healthy persons, symptoms like those of the disease to be treated.
Definition (CHV) method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated.
Definition (CHV) method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated.
Definition (CHV) a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated.
Definition (CHV) a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated.
Definition (CHV) a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated.
Definition (NCI) A method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so as to prevent or treat illness.
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) An alternative approach to medicine based on the belief that natural substances, prepared in a special way and used most often in very small amounts, restore health. According to these beliefs, in order for a remedy to be effective, it must cause in a healthy person the same symptoms being treated in the patient.
Concepts Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure (T061)
MSH D006705
SnomedCT 151251003, 182968001
English Homeopathy, Homoeopathy, Homeopathic, Homeopathic Remedy, Homeopathy Therapy, homoeopathy, homeopathy, homeopathic therapy, Homeopathic therapy (procedure), homeopathic medicine, Homeopathic therapy, Homeopathic therapy (regime/therapy), Homoeopathic therapy
Swedish Homeopati
Japanese ホメオパシー, ホメオパシー, 同種療法, 類似治療法
Czech homeopatie, Homeopatie
Finnish Homeopatia
Russian GOMEOPATIIA, ГОМЕОПАТИЯ
Croatian HOMEOPATIJA
Polish Homeopatia
Hungarian Homeopathia
Norwegian Homøopati
Spanish Homoeopatia, homeopatía, tratamiento homeopático (régimen/tratamiento), tratamiento homeopático, Homeopatía
Portuguese Homoeopatia, Homeopatia
Dutch homeopathie, Homeopathie
German Homoeopathie, Homöopathie
French Homéopathie
Italian Omeopatia

Ontology: Homeopathic Remedies (C0920324)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121)
MSH D008419
SnomedCT 349363001
English Homeopathic Drugs, Remedies, Homeopathic, homeopathic medicine, homeopathic remedy, homoeopathic medicine, homeopathic drug, homoeopathic medicines, homeopathic drugs, homeopathic medicines, homeopathic remedies, drugs homeopathic, homeopathic products, Homeopathic, HOMEOPATHIC DRUGS @ @ EACH, HOMEOPATHIC DRUGS EACH, Homeopathic medicine, Homoeopathic medicine, Homeopathic medicine (product), Homeopathic medicine (substance), Homeopathic Medicine, Homeopathic remedies, Remedies, Homeopathic Remedies
Portuguese Remédios Homeopáticos
Spanish Remedios Homeopáticos, medicamento homeopático (producto), medicamento homeopático
German Homöopathische Heilmittel
French Remèdes homéopathiques, Médicaments homéopathiques
Norwegian Homøopatiske midler, Homøopatiske legemidler
Czech homeopatická léčiva
Italian Rimedi omeopatici