Homeopathy is a non-conventional medical practice based on two principles.
The first one consists in preparing high dilutions of a substance supposed to be at the origin of the symptoms one wishes to treat. As for the second, it also involves a series of very high dilutions ofa principal active ingredient, until its concentration is negligible. As a result, the homeopathic remedy ultimately contains no active substance.
This has not prevented this kind of products from having followers, despite the scientific data that show that they are equally effective as placebos.
In this article we will look at the misconceptions about homeopathy.
Is homeopathy different from the placebo effect?
This is obviously false! Several scientific studies affirm that homeopathic products are as effective as a placebo, which is an effect due to the administration of a fake drug to a patient.
If real effects are seen, it is because the patient believes he or she has received real medicine.
According to these same scientific studies, it is impossible to associate the patient’s recovery specifically with the administration of a homeopathic product.
In Australia, an analysis of 13 health disorders showed that studies that concluded that homeopathy had a better effect than a placebo were unreliable because of serious methodological errors and insufficient numbers of trial participants.
The approval of homeopathic remedies in some countries proves their effectiveness
What are the effects of homeopathy
This is also wrong! Since they are not medicines, but natural products, manufacturers of homeopathic remedies are not obliged to demonstrate the effectiveness of their products in order to obtain approval from the competent authorities in their country.
On the other hand, manufacturers are obliged to inform the patient of the following
- the composition of the homeopathic remedy
- its dosage;
- its contraindications;
- other countries where the same substance is authorized.
It is also important that the homeopathic product does not cause side effects in the patient.
The sale of homeopathic products in pharmacies proves their effectiveness
This is not entirely untrue. On the other hand, some pharmacists believe that this gives them the opportunity to educate patients who often use homeopathic treatment, as well as to explain their ineffectiveness, especially in cases of serious illness.
Indeed, homeopathy cannot substitute a drug treatment.
Other pharmacists believe that these products have no place in the pharmacy, since they are ineffective. In fact, some pharmacists categorically refuse to sell them in their pharmacies .
Homeopathic products are not dangerous
Again, this is incorrect. The series of dilutions previously explained do not present any direct health risks, but a patient who does not consult a doctor, or who does not treat himself with the appropriate medication, could worsen his condition and even endanger his life.
As you can see, although it is an indirect approach, homeopathy can be dangerous.
Many cases can be cited to demonstrate this, such as the Italian child who died at the age of seven following an infection due to an ear infection treated with homeopathy.
A French woman also died of breast cancer treated exclusively with homeopathy. It is therefore very important to know how to use these products in order to avoid putting one’s life at risk.
In addition, despite the absence of an active principle in homeopathic products, they can cause side effects in patients who are intolerant to certain ingredients of which they are composed, such as
- sucrose ;
- lactose
- alcohol.
A few years ago, the FDA warned the American population against certain homeopathic remedies, particularly those containing high concentrations of Belladonna.
