What is Homeopathy?

What is the controversy around the use of homeopathy?

The primary controversy around homeopathy arises because the remedies or drugs used are often diluted to a point where it does not seem likely that any of the starting material would be present in the pellet, pill, granule or liquid. Critics have said this means that homeopathy cannot possibly work and, therefore, it must be no better than a placebo. Supporters say that the process of producing remedies, which involves both dilution and succession (shaking), produces nano-particles (small particles) or other molecular forms in the pill or liquid that can produce physiological effects; therefore, the pill or liquid does not require the original substance to be present in the final product. Critics claim there is no clinical evidence or placebo-controlled studies proving homeopathy works. Supporters cite both observational and randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that show homeopathy’s effectiveness.

What is the American Institute for Homeopathy?

The American Institute for Homeopathy is the oldest existing national physician’s organization in the United States; it was established in 1844, three years prior to the founding of the American Medical Association. The organization is composed of medically licensed individuals who are also trained in homeopathy. They come from different medical fields including physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, naturopaths, chiropractors, veterinarians, pharmacologists and pharmacists. The organization holds annual organizational and educational meetings and oversees the certification of a specialized certification: Diplomate of Homeotherapeutics (D.Ht.).

In order to receive a D.Ht., physicians are required to meet prerequisites and pass both a written and oral examination. These include being a licensed and practicing medical physician (M.D. or D.O.) and obtaining 350 training hours.

What conditions does homeopathy treat?

Homeopathy is used for a variety of both mental and physical health conditions and used to address symptoms related to chronic health concerns including, but not limited to:

• ADHD
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Allergies
• Diabetes
• Digestive issues
• Ulcerative colitis
• Emphysema
• Parkinson disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Respiratory infections

Is there evidence that homeopathy works?

There is a growing body of research on homeopathy. This includes nearly 400 published laboratory studies, 1000 clinical studies and 6 systematic reviews or meta-analyses, as well as multiple government evaluations and reports. A majority of the systematic reviews have found that homeopathy is more effective than placebo. A study looking at homeopathic research over a 20-year span found that 70 percent of homeopathy trials had positive outcomes, including many that were double blind and randomized (considered the gold standard of evidence).⁵ While debate over the mechanisms and effectiveness of homeopathy remains controversial, several large observational studies on the effects of homeopathy in actual practice have reported significant benefit.^6-7 Some of these studies indicate that homeopathy might help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use (a major global problem) and lower costs in primary care.⁸

Are there precautions, side effects or safety concerns from homeopathy?

A systematic review found that homeopathic medicines taken under the supervision of a qualified homeopath are generally considered safe.¹⁰ If you are under the supervision of a trained and certified homeopath, many of the safety concerns and risks can be avoided. Please consider the following when beginning any homeopathic treatments:

If you are purchasing products claiming to be homeopathic, check that they have been properly prepared. They should be prepared using standards approved by both the Food and Drug Administration and the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States (HPUS). These regulations are not the same as the regulations for dietary supplements.

• Always look for the initials “HPUS” on the label to indicate that medicines are prepared in correct manner. Products labeled as homeopathic are not always prepared according to these regulations, and you may be ingesting a non-homeopathic dose. This is especially important to verify when taking additional medications since a higher dosage of the chemical in a false homeopathic medication may result in a negative reaction or interaction with other drugs you are taking.
• It is not recommended that you cease the use of any proven mainstream forms of medicine for the use of homeopathy unless advised to do so by your physician.
• Homeopathic products referred to as “nosodes” or “homeopathic immunizations” have been advertised as replacements for conventional immunizations. These advertisements can be dangerous as there is no evidence supporting this claim; you should not avoid immunizations.

If you would like to read more about the potential safety concerns when using homeopathic treatments, please visit: www.nccih.nih.gov/health/homeopathy.

How often and how long is each session?

How often and for how long you will see a homeopath is dependent on the reason you are seeking the help of a certified homeopathic clinician and the homeopath’s approach to treatment. In the original form of homeopathy, called “classical” homeopathy, the first session can last up to an hour or more depending on the symptoms you are experiencing, the depth and duration of the condition and the time the homeopath uses for determining a medication for your symptom profile. Other forms of homeopathy or treatment for acute conditions can be much shorter. Typically, after your first session, your homeopath will want to schedule a follow-up consultation in one month to six weeks (in the “classical” form) or at another interval from your first appointment.

What training/certifications do homeopaths need to practice?

Globally, the licensing of homeopaths varies considerably from country to country, with some countries fully legalizing the practice and some restricting or banning it. Please see the following document published by the WHO to review the current status of homeopathy throughout the world:

• apps.who.int/medicinedocs/pdf/h2943e/h2943e.pdf

The WHO also produced the following document to assist Member States on technical aspects of the production and manufacture of homeopathic medicines:

• www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/prephomeopathic/en/

In the United States, homeopathic certifications and diplomas are not currently regulated at a national level. Regulation of homeopaths occurs on the state level and by licensing boards whose requirements may differ depending on the state and the specialty. A current directory outlining the requirements needed by a homeopath to practice by state does not currently exist. If you would like to learn about your state’s requirements, you should either contact your state or the professional organization that licenses the provider. One of the following organizations can also provide more information for some types of providers:

• North American Society of Homeopaths: www.homeopathy.org
• Council for Homeopathic Certification: www.homeopathicdirectory.com
• American Institute of Homeopathy: www.homeopathyusa.org

Individuals who have some form of training and who practice homeopathy tend to be licensed medical doctors (MDs), osteopathic medicine doctors (DOs), chiropractic doctors (DCs), naturopathic doctors (NDs) or nurse practitioners (NPs). Individuals who are not licensed in a medical field can receive homeopathic training and are only allowed to act as counselors/advisers to individuals interested in using homeopathy, not to practice medicine.

Formed in 1982, the National Center for Homeopathy created the Council on Homeopathic Education (CHE), an independent organization founded with the purpose of setting professional standards for homeopathic training. Since there is a lack of uniformity regarding training approaches and guidelines, the CHE has created a directory of schools and a list of certification programs that provide physicians and medical practitioners with training to act as homeopaths. The following websites can provide you with an overview of the CHE’s approved schools and certification programs:

• National Center for Homeopathy: www.homeopathycenter.org/professional-and-organizational-directory; www.homeopathycenter.org/studying-homeopathy
• American Institute of Homeopathy—Diplomate Specialty Certification: www.homeopathyusa.org/certification.html. MDs and DOs may seek the Diplomate Specialty Certification (D.Ht.), a specialized certification overseen by the American Institute for Homeopathy.

How do I find a practitioner near me?

The following links provide information on homeopathic providers in the United States:

• The Council for Homeopathic Certification
• The National Center for Homeopathy
• The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
• The North American Society of Homeopaths
• Homeopathic Educational Services in Berkeley, California
• American Institute for Homeopathy

How much will seeing a homeopath cost me?

The cost of seeing a homeopath will vary based on location, provider and extent of services needed. Costs for seeing an MD or DO homeopath in the United States range widely from $150 to $500 for your first session, which may last from one to two hours. Some non-MD homeopaths charge less ($30-$80) per consultation. Providers who simply incorporate the use of homeopathic remedies into their regular practice may not charge any additional fees beyond their normal visit costs. Homeopathic remedies themselves typically cost less than $10. Costs in other countries vary widely by country and location.

Will my insurance company cover the cost of seeing a homeopathic practitioner?

It is unlikely that your insurance company will cover the cost of seeing a homeopath or pay for the medication he or she prescribes. However, it is possible that your insurance company will cover the services of a licensed medical professional such as an MD, DO, NP, ND or DC who also practices homeopathy.

Should I inform my primary care physician?

Yes. It is important when using homeopathy to let your primary care physician and any other health care provider treating you know that you include homeopathy in the tools you are using. To receive optimal treatment and effectively address your condition, it is best to openly communicate with all your health care providers. Open communication can help you and your health care provider optimize treatment and avoid complications.

The following websites might be of assistance to you and your physician when discussing homeopathic treatments:

• The Homœopathic Pharmacopœia of the United States
• Homeopathic Products

References:

1. World Health Organization. Safety issues in the preparation of homeopathic medicines. 2009. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/Homeopathy.pdf. Accessed December 10, 2018.
2. Bell IR, Schwartz GE. Adaptive network nanomedicine: an integrated model for homeopathic medicine. Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2013;1(5):685-708.
3. Bergquist PE. Therapeutic Homeopathy. In: Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018;4(115):1064-1072.
4. Dossett ML, Davis RB, Kaptchuk TJ, Yeh GY. Homeopathy use by US adults: results of a national survey. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(4):743-745.
5. Endler PC, Bellavite P, Bonamin L, Jäger T, Mazon S. Replications of fundamental research models in ultra high dilutions 1994 and 2015—update on a bibliometric study. Homeopathy. 2015;104(4):234-245.
6. Mathie RT, Lloyd SM, Legg LA, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trials of individualised homeopathic treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev. 2014;3:142.
7. Haidvogl M, Riley DS, Heger M, et al. Homeopathic and conventional treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints: a comparative study on outcome in the primary care setting. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007;(7):7.
8. Trichard M, Chaufferin G, Dubreuil C, Nicoloyannis N, Duru G. Effectiveness, quality of life, and cost of caring for children in France with recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis managed by homeopathic or non-homeopathic general practitioners. Dis Manage Health Outcomes. 2004;12(6):419-427.
9. Witt C, Keil T, Selim D, et al. (2005). Outcome and costs of homeopathic and conventional treatment strategies: a comparative cohort study in patients with chronic disorders. Complement Ther Med. 2005;13(2):79-86.
10. Witt CM, Lüdtke R, Baur R, Willich SN. Homeopathic medical practice: long-term results of a cohort study with 3,981 patients. BMC Public Health. 2005;5:115.
11. Trichard M, Chaufferin G, Nicoloyannis N. Pharmacoeconomic comparison between homeopathic and antibiotic treatment strategies in recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homeopathy. 2005;94(1)3-9.
12. Colas A, Danno K, Tabar C, Ehreth J, Duru G. Economic impact of homeopathic practice in general medicine in France. Health Econ Rev. 2015;5:18.
13. Dantas F, Fisher P, Walach H, et al. A systematic review of the quality of homeopathic pathogenetic trials published from 1945 to 1995. Homeopathy. 2007;96(1):4-16