WELCOME! to the web-site of ECCH, the professional platform for the homeopathy profession in Europe made up of 27 member professional associations in 24 EU & EEA countries. More introductory information about ECCH is available under Public Services on this site.
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Latest News: 27 March 2012
Cancer and the
contribution of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
A Round Table Meeting of
the European Parliament Interest Groups MEPs Against Cancer and MEPs for CAM on
the above topic took place on Tuesday 27th March 2012 in the
European Parliament.
A European survey has shown that more than a third of
cancer patients in Europe use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), to
increase their body's ability to overcome the disease, to enhance their health
and well‐being, to feel empowered, and to alleviate
physical and/or psychological distress.
Emerging evidence from scientific studies suggests
that several CAM therapies may address pain, fatigue, and psychological distress
and improve quality of life in cancer patients. Because of the growing interest
in CAM by patients, academic cancer centres are exploring ways to integrate
such care into a conventional cancer treatment system.
Prof. Dr. Dobos, Professor of Internal Medicine and
Chair of Complementary and Integrative Medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen
Germany and Dr Madeleen Winkler, an experienced anthroposophic medical doctor
and general practitioner from Gouda Netherlands, speaking on behalf of Prof. Dr
Harald Matthes, Charité University Berlin, Germany, made presentations
outlining the role of CAM in prevention and treatment of cancer, and the
benefits of integrating both approaches. Ms Heidi Brorson, a representative
from the Norwegian Cancer Society and cancer league made a presentation on how
they work with and advise cancer patients about using CAM as part of their
cancer treatment plans.
MEPs Sirpa Pietikäinen of MEPs for CAM and Alojz
Peterle representing MAC, MEPs Against Cancer, co-chaired the meeting. They
concluded the meeting with a call to the European Commission and the European
Parliament to actively support the greater integration of CAM into the
healthcare of EU citizens, particularly with regards to the prevention and
treatment of cancer including empowerment of patients in self-care. They also
called for greater investment in research into an integrated approach into the
care and treatment of patients with cancer.
For more information
contact: European Cancer Leagues
Sales of homeopathic and anthroposophic medicines exceed € 1 billion annually in Europe
ECHAMP the European Coalition for Homeopathic and Anthroposophical Medicinal Products in its publication 'Facts and Figures 2011" records that in 2010 for the third year in a row sales of homeopathic and anthroposophic products exceeded €1 billion. This reflects a steady growth in sales and use by consumers of these products over the past decade amounting to almost 50%. The sector represents only 0.7% of the total turnover of the pharmaceutical industry yet in fact reaches a high number of European citizens due to the cheapness of the products and the fact that dosages to achieve a required therapeutic effect are often small in number. Manufacturers of these products are experiencing consistently high and increasing demand for these products from patients, doctors and homeopaths. To purchase a copy of ECHAMP's full report 'Facts and Figures 2011' please go to: http://www.echamp.eu/publications/brochures.html
31 January 2012
New study finds homeopaths to be open, caring, understanding and altruistic
Design: The NEO-PI-R describes personality scores on five traits;
Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and
Conscientiousness. A cross-sectional survey of 128 (39%) members of the
Norwegian association for homeopaths was compared with the Norwegian
population norm sample.
Results: Compared to the norm population score with a mean of 50, the
homeopaths scored significantly higher on the personality traits
Openness (54.7) and Agreeableness (58.0). Significant, but small
differences were also observed with a higher score on Conscientiousness
(52.3) and a lower score on Extraversion (48.3). There were no
significant differences on Neuroticism (49.7).
Conclusions: People who work as homeopaths can be described as open
to new and different ideas, and as caring, understanding, and altruistic
persons. Therefore, there is reason to believe that these dispositions
are central in choosing homeopathy as an occupation. Further research
should investigate whether personality traits are associated with
important occupational areas such as job satisfaction, occupational
stability, or income.
28 December 2011 Homeopathy in Healthcare - Updated Swiss Government HTA Report Published - 'homeopathy is a valuable addition to health care'
A full Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report on the effectiveness, appropriateness, safety and costs of homeopathy in health care has been published in an updated English translation. The report was commissioned by the Swiss Health authorities to inform decision-making on the further inclusion of homeopathy in the list of services covered by the statutory health insurance. The report offers a differentiated evaluation of the practice of homeopathy in health care and confirms it as a valuable addition to the conventional medical landscape - a status it has held for a long time in practical healthcare in Europe and around the World.
An HTA is an established scientific procedure which, in contrast to the meta-analyses and systematic reviews specified by the Cochrane Collaboration Standards, examines not only the efficacy of a particular intervention, but especially also its 'real-world' effectiveness, its appropriateness, safety and economy. HTAs are therefore much wider in scope and politically more informative. They include material that is 'normally' not taken into consideration, such as observational studies, good case series and longitudinal cohort studies. This revised version of the report first published in German in 2004 especially re-evaluates the separate deeply faulted quantitative analysis of Shang et al published in 2005 in The Lancet accompanied by the unfortunately titled editorial 'The end of homeopathy' . Taking into consideration criteria of external and model validity as well as internal validity the re-evaluation produces a truly remarkable result in favour of homeopathy. In summary, the report concludes there is sufficient evidence for the preclinical effectiveness and the clinical efficacy of homeopathy and for its safety and economy compared with conventional treatment. It is a highly popular intervention. Future research methods must respect the unique qualities of homeopathy by attaching more weight to single case evaluations, by including practically and expertly applied homeopathic treatment into research and clinical practice in order to identify its real potential and limitations. Copies of the report can be purchased from the following web-site where sections of it can also be read online. http://www.springer.com/medicine/complementary+%26+alternative+medicine/book/978-3-642-20637-5
18 November 2011 Antimicrobial Resistance: homeopathy is part of the answer 18 November 2011 is the 4th European Antibiotic Awareness Day. Antibiotic resistance has become a global health problem. Over-use and mis-use of antibiotics has caused the development of lethal antibiotic resistant micro-organisms. Multiple prescribing of antibiotics is now also suspected of causing cancer. Can homeopathy serve as an alternative?
International warning from World Health Organisation On 7 April 2011 the WHO used the opportunity of World Health Day to issue a major warning about the advancing crisis of antibiotic resistance1. In the EU, Norway and Iceland alone at least 25,000 people a year die from common resistant bacterial infections – figures for the rest of Europe are unknown. The estimated total cost to society of antibiotic resistance in the EU alone is estimated to be € 1.5 billion.
It is well known that antibiotics are of no use in viral infections and they should not be used in uncomplicated bacterial infections such as light ear, throat and sinus infections2. The EU funded European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also warns that infectious micro-organisms have become increasingly resistant to existing antibiotics3. Replacement products are proving difficult to find. Governments and researchers across the world are searching for alternatives.
Antibiotics may cause cancer A Finnish study based on three million people correlates a higher risk of developing prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancer with multiple use of antibiotics4. Researchers are currently unsure as to whether antibiotics are carcinogenic and directly cause cancer, or that cancers develop as a result of antibiotics disturbing the body’s protective intestinal micro-biotic environment.
Homeopathy – effective in infectious diseases Research shows that homeopathy can serve as an effective alternative to antibiotics in a range of infectious conditions for which they have been commonly used5-13.
Out of 500 patients suffering from upper respiratory complaints, 82 % receiving homeopathy improved within 14 days, compared to 67 % treated conventionally10. In another study with 169 children, those receiving homeopathic treatment had significantly less symptoms and shorter duration of disease compared to other children11. Their parents also had less time away from work.
Homeopathy is effective in treating recurrent ear infections in children7-8. Over 70 % had no ear infections after homeopathy, compared to 57 % percent receiving conventional drugs8. Out of 230 children those receiving homeopathic treatment recovered 2.4 times faster than others7.
Three surveys show that homeopathy is at least as effective as conventional treatment in treating sinus infections5,12-13.
Patients receiving homeopathic treatment need antibiotics less often. Moreover, no complications are found. Homeopathy is not only effective and avoids the creation of antibiotic resistance, but is also shown to be potentially a more cost-effective solution14-16.
In summary: Homeopathy may be at least as effective as conventional treatment in treating infectious diseases. It could therefore serve as an effective first line option in treating viral and mild bacterial infectious diseases and so help preserve antibiotics For a copy of the above text and a list of the associated references please click here: antibiotics pr 2011.pdf 2 November 2011
New study shows highly diluted tinctures act as biological response modifiers
A research group has been
investigating the action of highly diluted substances and tinctures on
cells from the immune system. Based on the results obtained their
experiments appear to show that highly diluted tinctures modulate immune
responses. They posit therefore that there is an indication that such
highly diluted tinctures could be used as therapeutic interventions in
disorders where the immune system is compromised.
A new piece of exploratory research from India published in JACM appears to show that responses of human subjects to the taking of potentised medicines can be measured and differentiated. The objective of this investigation was to observe the changes produced in the variability spectrum of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood flow variability (BFV) following administration of placebo and different potencies of certain homeopathic medicines. HRV and BFV were measured using a Medical Analyser System developed by the Electronics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. The effect of different homeopathic potencies of Aconitum napellus, Arsenicum album, Gelsemium sempervirens, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla nigricans, and Sulphur on HRV and BFV were recorded in 77 subjects within an age range of 18 -35. The results show a range of responses that are varied and interesting e.g. A pattern seems to emerge from these experiments that medium potencies such as 30c and 200c have probable action on HRV and higher potencies such as 1M have probable action on BFV. However, the authors state this is an exploratory study and that ‘These are observations from exploratory experiments in emerging areas of physiologic variability and need validation by repeated experiments of this type. Detection of response was the primary objective of this study, which has been achieved. The number of subjects in each group was small; hence it was not possible to show the statistical significance of the results, an aspect that will be covered in future studies.’ A full copy of the article can be accessed at: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine Volume 17, Number 8, 2011, pp. 705–710 http://www.liebertonline.com/toc/acm/17/8
20 June 2011 Homeopathy works - it's its plausibility that is the problem
A meta-analysis of a subset of eight ‘larger higher quality’
randomised controlled trials (RCTs), drawn from 110 matched RCTs each
of homeopathy and conventional medicine, concluded that the results of
the trials were consistent with the hypothesis that homeopathy is a
placebo effect [1]. This meta-analysis was criticised for the
heterogeneity of the trials on which its conclusion was based (all
eight were for different conditions).
In an apparent paradox, the same meta-analysis concluded that
homeopathy had a ‘substantial beneficial effect’ in acute upper
respiratory tract infections (URTI), without evidence of positive bias.
Other meta-analyses have reached similar conclusions [2, 3]. There is
evidence from clinical studies of varying designs that homeopathy may
be effective in treating acute otitis media [4-6]. Homeopathy is
frequently prescribed for URTI by homeopathic GPs [7]. There is also
some evidence from western Europe that general practitioners (GPs) with
homeopathic training prescribe fewer antibiotics than their
counterparts in conventional medicine [8-10].
The plausibility paradox
The problem with homeopathy for most doctors and scientists is the
inherent implausibility of the idea that ultra-diluted solutions can
have chemical effects [11]. Clearly it is highly unlikely that a
medicine that does not contain a single molecule of the original
substance could work like a conventional medicine. Sometimes the
outcome of RCTs overturns theory, but at other times evidence is
dismissed because of theory. Vandenbroucke states “Accepting that
infinite dilutions work would subvert more than conventional medicine;
it wrecks a whole edifice of chemistry and physics” [12].
10 April 2011 World Homeopathy Awareness Week celebrates Samuel Hahnemann's Birth 256 years on
10 April 1755 was the day Samuel Hahnemann was born. The discoverer of the natural principles that underpin homeopathy could not have envisioned that 256 years later homeopathy, the medical art and science he developed from those principles, has spread right around the World, is used by millions of people every day and is practised by 100s of thousands of homeopaths and medical doctors. Yet even now homeopathy remains controversial simply because it's mechanism of action is still not fully elucidated and it poses a perceived threat to the current paradigm and practices of the medical and pharmaceutical establishment, just as it did in Hahnemann's day. That homeopathy works there is no doubt, how it works still needs to be established. To honour Hahnemann's birth we offer a short résumé of the growing body of clinical evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy in musculo-skeletal complaints. With an aging population becoming an increasing challenge to healthcare and to healthcare budgets, and in the face of the increasing awareness of the adverse affects of NSAIDS and steroids in patients suffering musculoskeletal complaints, the role of homeopathy in this important area needs to be taken into serious consideration.
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) have established that homeopathic medicines may work on the principle of nanotechnology.
Homeopathy is controversial because medicines in high potencies such as 30c and 200c involve huge dilution factors (1060 and 10400 respectively) which are many orders of magnitude greater than Avogadro’s number, so that theoretically there should be no measurable molecular remnants of the starting materials. Using market samples of metal-derived medicines from reputable manufacturers, scientists at IIT_B have demonstrated for the first time by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction and chemical analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), the presence of physical entities in these extreme dilutions, in the form of nanoparticles of the starting metals and their aggregates.
EU Antibiotic Awareness Day: Time for Alternatives to Antibiotics to be Seriously Considered in the EU
'The latest data confirms that across the European Union the number of patients infected by resistant bacteria is increasing and that antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health'
Antibiotics have been one of the miracle discoveries of 20th century medicine. But now, in the 21st century, due to a problem of vast over-prescribing in humans and widespread use in the animal food industry they have become a huge public health problem in themselves. Hospital acquired infections such as MRSA and Chlostridium Difficile are now widespread throughout national healthcare systems and the associated virulent bacteria are now being increasingly found out in the community. Infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis are now increasingly anti-biotic resistant. Is the only answer to seek for ever more powerful antibiotics? Of course not, because the ever adaptive organisms at which they are targeted will just develop an even more unassailable resistance once more.
It really is time for the EU and its Member States to begin to look at investing in other ways of preventing and treating infectious illness that are more sustainable and which work to strengthen the immune systems of living beings to be more resistant to infection. These ways already exist in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). EU citizens are increasingly using CAM approaches to improve their health in order to prevent and treat disease. They are increasingly asking for an integrated approach that includes the best of both conventional and complementary healthcare applied in a manner that is most appropriate to their health needs at any one time.
Homeopathy and other CAM approaches have an important and an essential role to play in a future heatlthcare where antibiotics can be used less - thereby maintaining their potency for when they are truly needed.
8 November 2010
High levels of satisfaction with homeopathy reported in pediatric oncology in Germany
In a recently published article in the open access journal 'Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine' researcherscompared the responses of homeopathy users (HUs) and users of other forms of CAM (NHUs) in pediatric oncology (PO) in Germany. The study concludes that homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM treatment in PO in Germany.
HUs sustain treatment and therapies considerably longer than NHUs. Most
families who had used homeopathy before their child was diagnosed with
cancer also used homeopathy for the treatment of their child's cancer.
Compared to other CAM treatments, patient satisfaction with homeopathy
appears to be very high. The study also shows that non-medical practitioners played a considerably greater role as source of information than did treating physicians.
A full copy of the abstract and report can be found here:
INDIVIDUALISED HOMEOPATHY EFFECTIVE IN SLEEP DISORDERS
An ECCH document published in March this year,
entitled ”Sleep well with homeopathy” (1), summarised existing research
evidence in homeopathic treatment of sleep disorders. This publication included
reference to a study by Naudé et al. (2).
In a recently published letter in the journal “Sleep
Medicine Reviews” Cooper and Relton (3) specifically refer to the Naudé
publication.The two authors previously
published the results of a systematic review of homeopathy for insomnia, where
the Naudé publication had not been included (4).
In their systematic review Cooper and Relton had found
four double-blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing homeopathic
medicines (or rather potentized remedies) versus placebo. All four previous
studies had used pre-specified remedies (NOT individualized to each individual
patient). Cooper and Relton point out that patients in the Naudé trial were
prescribed individualized remedies according to their symptom picture. The
total number of hours slept per week increased from 35 to 41 in the homeopathy
group (p=0.002) from baseline (start of the trial) to week 4, compared to an
increase from 34 to 35 hours in the placebo group (not statistically
significant change). Homeopathy was therefore better than placebo at 4 weeks
(p=0.036). Moreover, patients in the homeopathy group improved according to all
11 out of 11 questions that were asked about their sleep, whereas patients
receiving placebo had an initial improvement, but then relapsed.
Cooper and Relton point out that the number of
participants was not high in any of the studies they have reviewed (n=26-61),
but the methodological quality was higher in the Naudé study compared to the
four previous trials. Results are promising and more research of equally high
methodological and homeopathic quality should be carried out, with larger
patient numbers.
References
1.European
Central Council of Homeopaths (ECCH). Sleep well with homeopathy. March 2010.
2.Naudé
DF, Couchman IMS, Maharaj A. Chronic primary insomnia: Efficacy of homeopathic
simillimum. Homeopathy 2010, 99: 63-68.
3.Cooper
KL, Relton C. Homeopathy for insomnia: Summary of additional RCT publiched
since systematic review. Sleep Med Rev, 2010 Sep 2 [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 20819153.
4.Cooper
KL, Relton C. Homeopathy for insomnia: a systematic review of research
evidence. Sleep Med Rev, 2010.
23 August2010
Objective Measures Show Positive Effects of Homeopathic Medicines on Disturbed Sleep
An article published in the respected journal Sleep Medicine shows that two homeopathic medicines known for their impact on sleep patterns in susceptible human subjects, have positive effects as measured by objective measuring procedures called polysomnographic recordings. Polysomnographic recordings involve various sleep study measurements, including monitoring many body functions including brainwaves (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity or skeletal muscle activation (EMG) and heart rhythm (ECG).
While this is is not a study involving individualised patient prescribing it does show the positive effects of two remedies known to have a significant relevance to sleep disturbance and builds on earlier experiments in animals using the same two remedies that produced positive results.
ECCH celebrates 20 years of representing homeopaths in Europe
At its 19th Annual General Meeting, held in the beautiful city of Helsinki Finland, ECCH celebrated 20 years of its existence and status as the established professional platform for homeopathy practitioners in Europe. Kindly hosted by the Finnish national association of homeopaths, Suomen Homeopaatit Ry, the Council met over four days and enjoyed a programme of formal and informal meetings and celebrations. On Saturday afternoon the Council meeting was joined by Sirpa Pietikäinen, (centre photo) Member of the European Parliament representing the Finnish National Coalition Party. After listening to two short presentations, one from ECCH Chairman Petter Viksveen (far right of MEP) on the history of ECCH and one from ECCH General Secretary Stephen Gordon (right of MEP) on the place of homeopathy and complementary medicine in Europe, Sirpa Pietikäinen responded with her thoughts on the current state of health and healthcare in the EU. She congratulated the Council on its work and invited the Finnish representatives and the ECCH officers to continue to maintain contact with her for future work in developing an agenda for a more integrated and holistic healthcare agenda for EU citizens. The Chairwoman of the Finnish Association Irmeli Lehtioksa (left of MEP) thanked Sirpa Pietikäinen on behalf of everyone for having taken the time off from her busy schedule to attend the meeting and assured her of future contact. .
Note: ECCH began when a handful of national association representatives from 5 countries met for the first time in Baarn in the Netherlands in June 1990. A decision was taken at that very first meeting to form a pan-European council to represent the homeopathy profession in Europe. 20 years later, one of those original founders, Stephen Gordon, is still serving as the appointed General Secretary of ECCH. The Council itself now has a membership of 27 national associations in 24 different countries in Europe.
15 March 2010 Third EU Homeopathy Day Celebration Takes Place in the European Parliament 23 March 2010
100 million EU citizens, some 29% of the EU's population, use homeopathic medicines in their day-to-day healthcare, accessing it either through the purchase of over-the-counter medicines or through consultation with one of the tens of thousands of doctors and practitioners who provide homeopathic treatment professionally. The continuing rise in homeopathy's popularity is due to the simple fact that, for many, many patients, it works for them and their health problems. Hence the title of this year's event 'Homeopathy - because it works for me!
Joint Statement from ECCH and ICH: UK House of Commons Enquiry and its Final Report Found to be Deeply Faulted
After consideration of the UK House of Commons Science and Technology Committee's "Evidence Check' enquiry report on homeopathy the ECCH and ICH Councils reject the report published on 22 February as the product of a deeply faulted process that appears to have been driven by the coordinated efforts and opinions of a few members of the UK homeopathy sceptic cabal working inside and outside the House of Commons.
As evidence emerges of how the enquiry was carried out it would appear that the institutions and processes of the House of Commons have been used to produce a report that was never ever going to be anything but negative in its conclusions. A more detailed critique of the report and the process that has given rise to it is in preparation and will be published at a later date on this web-site.
15 February 2010
High Potency Homeopathic Medicines Affect Cancer Cells
Hard on the heels of the evidence for the effects of high dilutions published in the current volume of 'Homeopathy (see 25 January news item) comes yet more evidence for the effect of high dilution homeopathic medicines in a study published in the high impact, highly respected 'International Journal of Oncology'.
The study reveals that certain high potency homeopathic remedies have preferentially elevated cytotoxic effects on breast adenocarcinoma cells compared with cells derived from normal breast epithelium. The experiments were conducted in triplicate and repeated at least twice in each case of a remedy. The homeopathic medicines tested included: Carcinosin, 30C; Conium maculatum, 3C; Phytolacca decandra, 200C and Thuja occidentalis, 30C The strongest effects were found from Carcinosin and Phytolacca, remedies that are well documented in the homeopathic literature for their beneficial effects in patients with cancer.
The researchers concluded, "the ultra-diluted natural homeopathic remedies investigated in this study offer the promise of being effective preventive and/or therapeutic agents for breast cancer and worthy of further study.".
More Positive Evidence for the Effects of High Dilutions and Homeopathy's Effectiveness -
The latest double volume edition of the journal 'Homeopathy' is dedicated to the sharing of further proof that high dilution medicines have an effect. Both volumes contain a range of articles revealing the effects of high dilution medicines in in-vitro experiments as well as some trials showing the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. The journal owner and editor have generously made the second volume free to access and download. It can be found at:
3 Year EU CAM Research Project Kicks Off in Munich
A three year EU Commission funded project to research the area of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM) in Europe kicked off with
an inaugural meeting of the project group in Munich on the 21 & 22
January 2010. The project entitled CAMbrella is led by a consortium of
16 university-based research teams working together with an Advisory
Group of stakeholder representatives from the CAM sector and from other
groups representing patients and consumers. The meeting was addressed
by a representative from the EU Commission Directorate General for
Research and Development who outlined the various responsibilities
involved in managing the project and the 1.5 million Euro grant awarded
to the successful CAMbrella consortium, one of several that bid for the
funding.
The project will extend over a period of three years and culminate in
December 2012 with a summary report being produced and a final project
conference in which the results will be presented and discussed. Areas
to be researched through 8 work package agendas include descriptions of
the various CAM modalities and and definitions of terms; patient use,
needs and expectations; provider perspectives including those of the
CAM therapeutic medicines and products industry and a roadmap of
recommendations for future research in to CAM as a springboard for
future research in the area. ECCH is represented on the CAMbrella Advisory
Board by General Secretary Stephen Gordon.
Antibiotics:
Life savers and cause of death. Alternatives needed
Antibiotic resistance has become a global health problem.
Over-use and mis-use of antibiotics has caused the development of lethal
antibiotic resistant micro-organisms. They are now also suspected of causing
cancer. Can homeopathy serve as an alternative?
International warning
18 November 2009 was the 2nd European Antibiotic
Awareness Day. The European Centre of Disease
prevention and Control (ECDC)warned about the
threat of antibiotic resistance andcalledfor antibiotics to be used far more responsibly in
the treatment of infectious diseases1. Antibiotics are of no use in
viral infections and they should not be used in uncomplicated bacterial
infections such as light ear, throat and sinus infections2.
The ECDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) warn that
infectious micro-organisms have become increasingly resistant to existing
antibiotics3.Replacementproductsare proving
difficult to find. Governments and researchers across the world are searching
for alternatives.
Antibiotics may cause cancer
A Finnish study based on three million people correlates a
higher risk of developing prostate, breast, lung, and colon cancer with
multiple use of antibiotics4. Researchers
are currently unsure as to whether antibiotics are carcinogenic and directly
cause cancer, or that cancers develop as a result ofantibiotics disturbingthe body’s protective intestinal micro-biotic
environment.
Homeopathy – effective in infectious diseases
Research shows that homeopathy can serve as an effective
alternative to antibiotics in a range of infectious conditions for which they
have been commonly used5-13.
Out of 500 patients suffering from upper respiratory
complaints, 82 % receiving homeopathy improved within 14 days, compared to 67 %
treated conventionally10. In another study with 169 children, those
receiving homeopathic treatment had significantly less symptoms and shorter
duration of disease compared to other children11. Their parents also
had less time away from work.
Homeopathy is effective in treating recurrent ear infections
in children7-8. Over 70 % had no ear infections after homeopathy,
compared to 57 % percent receiving conventional drugs8. Out of 230
children those receiving homeopathic treatment recovered 2.4 times faster than
others7.
Three surveys show that homeopathy is at least as effective
as conventional treatment in treating sinus infections5,12-13.
Patients
receiving homeopathic treatment need antibiotics less often. Moreover, no
complications are found. Homeopathy is not only effective and avoids the
creation of antibiotic resistance, but is also shown to be potentially a more
cost-effective solution14-16.
In summary: Homeopathy may
be at least as effective as conventional treatment in treating infectious
diseases. It could therefore serve as an effective first line option in
treating viral and mild bacterial infectious diseases and so help preserve
antibiotics for when they are really needed.
2.Arroll B, Kenealy T. Are antibiotics
effective for acute purulent rhinitis? Systematic review and meta-analysis of
placebo controlled randomised trials. BMJ 2006, doi:10.1136/bmj.38891.681215.AE
4.Kilkkinen
A, Rissanen H, Klaukka T, Pukkala E, Heliövaara M, Huovinen P, Männistö S,
Aromaa A, Knekt P. Antibiotic use predicts an increased risk of
cancer. Int. J. Cancer 2008, 123, 2152–2155.
5.Adler
M. Efficacy, safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis.
Adv Ther 1999; 16: 103-111.
6.De Lange de Klerk E, et al. Effects of homoeopathic medicines on
daily burden of symptoms in children with recurrent upper respiratory tract
infections. BMJ 1994; 309: 1329-1332.
7.Frei H,
Thurneysen A. Homeopathy in acute otitis media in children: treatment effect or
spontaneous resolution? Br Homeopath J 2001, 90: 180-182.
8.Friese
K-H, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H. Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in
children: comparisons with conventional therapy. Int J Clim Pharmacol Ther
1997; 35: 296-301.
9.Jacobs
J, Springer DA, Crothers D. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in
children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis
J 2001; 20: 177-183.
10.Riley
D, Fischer M, Singh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M. Homeopathy and conventional
medicine: an outcojmes study comparing effectiveness in a primary care setting.
J Altern Complement Med 2001; 7: 149-159.
11.Steinsbekk
A, Fønnebø V, Lewith G, Bentzen N. Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper
respiratory tract infections in children: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled
trial comparing individualised homeopathic care and waiting-list controls.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2005, 13, 231-238.
12.Weber
U, Luedtke R, Friese KH, Fischer I, Moeller H. A non-randomised pilot study to
compare complementary and conventional tretaments of acute sinusitis. Forsch
Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2002; 9: 99-104.
13.Wiesenauer
M, Gaus W, Bohnacker U, Haussler S. (Efficiency of homeopathic preparation
combinations in sinusitis. Results of a randomized double blind study with
general practitioners.) Arzneimittelforschung 1989; 39: 620-625.
14.Rossi
E, Crudeli L, Endrizzi C, Garibaldi D. Cost-benefit evaluation of homeopathic
versus conventional therapy in respiratory diseases. Homeopathy 2009, 98, 2–10.
15.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.
Van Wassenhoven M, Ives G. An observational study of patients receiving
homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy 2004, 93, 3–11.
Public Services
If you are a member of the public seeking brief information about homeopathy then you should go to our introductory page.
If you are seeking the services of a qualified and registered homeopath in your particular country then please see if there is a member association of ECCH in your country in the ECCH Members section.
For information about ECCH itself please click here.
For Homeopaths
As well as the introductory pages for the members of the public we have developed a number of other web-pages of interest to homeopaths in this section of the site.
appropriateness, safety and costs of homeopathy in health care has been published in an updated English translation. The report was commissioned by the Swiss Health authorities to inform decision-making on the further inclusion of homeopathy in the list of services covered by the statutory health insurance. The report offers a differentiated evaluation of the practice of homeopathy in health care and confirms it as a valuable addition to the conventional medical landscape - a status it has held for a long time in practical healthcare in Europe and around the World.
that two homeopathic medicines known for their impact on sleep patterns in susceptible human subjects, have positive effects as measured by objective measuring procedures called polysomnographic recordings. Polysomnographic recordings involve various sleep study measurements, including monitoring many body functions including brainwaves (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity or skeletal muscle activation (EMG) and heart rhythm (ECG).
and Homeopathy's Effectiveness - 