Blog on scientific evidence for homeopathy
The use of homeopathy for a wide range of ailments, including infertility, has been on the upsurge in recent years, but is there any evidence it actually works?
There are quite a few studies to suggest it is effective in the treatment of infectious diseases, such as these:
Two studies were done to evaluate the immunological response to homeopathic doses of oral BCG antigen.
Rabbits were given homeopathic dilutions ranging from 1c to 30c in their drinking water for a month, and they had positive antibody responses, compared with negative controls.
In the second test, cell mediated immunity was evaluated. A tuberculin test was used to measure type 3 hypersensitivity reactions. Again, the results were positive when measured after 24 and 48 hours. The tuberculin reaction after oral administration of 30c Mycobacterium bovis were comparable to the one obtained after conventional inoculation (which was the negative control). (2).
In 1902, during a smallpox epidemic in Iowa, Dr. Eaton reported that 2806 patients were treated with Variolinum. Of the 547 patients who were definitely exposed, only 14 developed the disease. Overall protection rate was 97%.24 In 1958, during an influenza epidemic in Great Britain, 1100 workers were given prophylaxis and 500 workers were given no treatment. There was no statistical difference in the attack rates between the groups. And in 1974, during a meningococcus outbreak in Brazil, 18,640 patients were given Meningococcinum prophylaxis while 6,430 received no treatment. The treatment group reported 4 cases to 32 cases in the no treatment group (23 times more effective than no treatment). (3, 4, 6).
Additionally, some evidence has been collected during controlled studies in the lab. In 1932, Chavanon published that 45 children had changed from Schick test positive to Schick test negative (demonstrating antibody to diphtheria) after being treated with Diptherinum. Patterson and Boyd repeated this test in 1941, and 20 of 33 children treated converted to Schick test negative. Roux again repeated the study in 1946 with similar results. (5). (Taken from my Travel Vaccines Page on my site www.novelbookshop.com).
A study was published in The Lancet in 1994. Dr. David Taylor Reilly of Glasgow University carried out three clinical trials using the double-blind principle ( the doctors and patients didn't know who were receiving allopathic medication and who were receiving homeopathy). These indicated that the homeopathic treatment was more successful than an allopathic treatment in relieving hay fever and allergic asthma.
Peter Wiggins is a GP in Glasgow who supports alternative medicine. He trained in homeopathy. The 35-year-old doctor, who practises in Castlemilk, says he often gets patients saying they don't like the idea of taking drugs and would like to try complementary medicine instead.
`But they also like the idea of the doctor being interested in them,' he said. He added: `Homeopathy is cheap and effective. There is a large resistance, but the BMA has backed down. More and more people are realising the role complementary medicine has to play.'
Peter treats a wide range of conditions with homeopathy - chronic headaches, PMT, the menopause, arthritis, asthma, behavioural problems and childhood ailments among them. (7).
Sources:
2. Evidence for Homeopathic Vaccination? British Homeopathic Journal (1999), 98, 86-92.
3. The National Center for Homeopathy, www.homeopathic.org
4. Chavanon, P. La Dipterie, 4th edition. St. Denis, Niort: Imprimerie 1932.
5. Patterson, J and Boyd WE. "Potency Action: A Preliminary Study of the Alteration of the Schick Test by a Homeopathic Potency." British Homeopathic Journal 1941; 31: 301-309.
6. Eizayaga, F. "Tratamiento Homeopatico de las Enfermedades Agudas y Su Prevension." Homeopatia 1985; 51(342): 352-362.
7. Glasgow Evening Times October, 1993
I would be really interested to hear from women who have been successful at getting pregnant using homeopathy as I would like to add your success stories to this blog. If you have successfully used homeopathy, accupuncture or another therapy to have a baby, please contact me.
