9/17-9/23: Homeopathy -- Hope or Hoax?

The recent Tripod Homeopathy series generated an onslaught of feedback, both complimentary and accusatory. The former congratulated Tripod on recognizing the growing popularity of alternative medicine, homeopathy in particular. The latter called Tripod "irresponsible" for suggesting that such remedies might work. What do you think: Do homeopathic remedies really work? Or is it all a hoax -- an expensive, fancy-labeled placebo?

Here's what Tripod members had to say:

RCalvert: I think homeopathy has its' place in modern medicine, but like medicine itself, it is limited. I mean come on, the claims they made about melatonin, it does work as an occasional sleep remedy, but when taken over a period of time, it doens't "reverse" the aging process as some claim. In me it caused mennieres disease.

Mur: People were taking herbal remedies long before any modern medicine was invented. People in the 1500's didn't run to the apothecaries for Tylenol, beleive it or not. Modern medicine is wonderful, but if people decide they want a natural remedy, the remedy can be found out there, and it's not a hoax. It never was.

Colestock: Homeopathy seems to work for me, especially for treatment of colds and allergies. But they don't work any better than over the counter medicine and the use of the recommended dosage makes the price higher than over the counter medicine. My wife prefers it, though, when pregnant, for the fact that there is much reduced danger and less worry than the use of traditional medicine. I believe this should get full medical endorsement and equal medical research.

sartori: Homeopathy takes a more holistic approach to illness than does the type of medicine that society currently accepts as scientific. I think it makes more sense to treat the whole person or animal if there is a sickness rather than targeting the problem area. Current standard medical practices attack the symptoms. Homeopathy treats the root of the problem.

MikeLittle: Most doctors will tell you that time will heal most illnesses. They buy time with pain medications, plenty of liquids, comforting talk, and become miracle workers...and quite wealthy. On homeopathy: I strongly believe that some herbal cures work..Consumer Reports agrees. I also don't disbelieve that homeopathic remedies work. I think that some of the feedback in here confuses homeopathy with herbal and other remedies. RCalvert is an example: Melatonin is not a homeopathic remedy.

Applecheeks: I believe it is past time for Homeopathic medicine to take its place in American society. As an RN who worked 25 years (mostly in hospitals) I can say without hesitation that most MD's are only interested in how much money they can make! Disease starts in the mind and then shows up in the body as illness. The homeopath knows this and treats the entire individual. Unfortunately, since the AMA does not recognize them as "legitimate" doctors, it is quite difficult to find a homeopathic doctor outside of California.

Tripod_janet: One of the big problems involves confusing herbal remedies with homeopathy. They're not the same. Homeopathy involves (as best as I can guess) innoculating yourself against illness by purposefully exposing your immune system to manageable (and arguably negligible) quantities of a "bad guy" or plant derivative that causes the same effects as the "bad guy". Herbal remedies are plant derivative, but do not presuppose minute dosages. It's important to make that distinction. Both these and other approaches to health care require attention and an open mind.

cybergal1: I like MikeLittle's comments the best -- that the body does heal itself in time...and the doctors treating the patient get all the credit for doing nothing but making the body comfortable with pain medication (take two asprins and call me in the morning) while it heals itself. I don't know what homeopathy is but herbs are great!!

Apel: Well, sure homeopathy has been around for a long time. But does that make it good? No. Look at it this way: homeopathy, herbal remedies, witch doctors, and religious healing were all very popular in the 1600s, and the life span was 30 years. Now, people go to Medical Doctors with high-tech equipment and powerful, FDA-approved, scientifically-tested drugs -- and the life span is over 70 years, and increasing. The improvements in technology and medicine in just the last 20 years has drastically increased the quality and length of the average life. Homeopathy had hundreds of years to do the same thing -- and it just plain hasn't.

027: There are now quite a large (and growing) number of Doctors out there who support and recommend Homeopathic and Naturopathic treatments and remedies. These remedies have been around for many centuries and continue to be with us, for one reason: they work. Homeopathy and Naturopathy, while two different fields of medical treatment, treat the whole person, beginning with the mind (from where did the current symtom derive) and following with the body. Once the current symptoms have disipated, the treatment continues with preventive maintenance. This is a major difference between Natural remedies, and current Scientific medical treatment (which only deals with trying to eliminate the current symtoms).

LoronWinn: The problem with most of the preconditioned (by institutionalized authorities) people on the street is that they don't realize that liquid (water and milk etc) has "memory." It is on this basis of memory that homeopathy works. The dilutions are so minute that they can't even be measured scientifically; consequently people think there is nothing there. BUT the water molecule knows -- it remembers -- and transforms itself into a wonderful healing mechanisim. Put into the RIGHT hands a Homeopathic practitioner can create miracles with this system that modern medicine only dreams about. Only few people can become a GOOD Homeopath. It is such a difficult science. Only a medical doctor who takes further training can become a true Homeopath. There are plenty of lay Homeopaths and that I think is where the crux of the problem lie. Yes -- it is a fabulous science that works, and don't let anyone tell you differently. Just find a qualified practitioner.

MarianeM: I have used homeopathic remedies for my two-year-old daughter and have fnd them to be very effective. We were "kicked out" of our pediatrican's office for not subjecting our daughter to their immunizations and she has only been sick a handful of times with minor colds and flu. Compared to other toddlers who have been fed formula and given unnecessary vaccinations she is extremely healthy.

naving: Well I am from India, (a mecca for alternative healing), and I can say for sure that homeopathy works. The Indian version (developed by sadus and other devotees) has a very definite science to it. Take aspirin for instance: there is a tablat that homeopaths in India prescribe that has many of the same properties as the active ingredient. There is another plant, it is a very good source of fiber, and has been presribed in India for thousands of years. Yet, homeopathy can only be practiced with full kowledge and faith, anything less will lead to disaster. So I would suggest, before going to the doctor or even a homeopath:
a) Read a book on yoga, or any other proven method of self healing.
b) If the problem is a long term one, then go see a homeopath (ie if you need a triple bypass, go to a doctor, not a homeopath, homeopathy is long term curing. So if you need a short term cure, go get one). If not, go see your regular doctor.
And for MarianeM, not giving your child immunizations is stupid. Sure homeopathy is great, but it doesn't discount the validity of normal medicine. Vaccines are essential, and not vaccinating your child, when they are cheap and readily avalible is something that you will live to regret.

Mikemikef: I was undergoing a life transforming experience and I got stuck. I went to a homeopathic MD and was given 1M sulpher. I felt my life energy start moving again and my life energy has never stopped moving to greater health and happiness. Like anything, it works when you work it. For the rest of my story check http://pages.prodigy.com/mikemike.

wesgator: Homeopathy has been around for a long time and has gone through several refinements along the way. There are companies who have seen what it can do for a person and have sponsered their own R & D efforts that are starting to show great progress. One example is Rexall's subsidiary, RSI. They have several products on the market that have been used by thousands of people with fantastic results. Personally, I've used their products to almost eliminate my allergies and have lost over 20 pounds. I think we, as a people, have a way's to go but are definitely on the right path.