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<div class="usermessage plainlinks">The Editorial Council has made a unanimous decision on December 17, 2010, to blank this draft article and to place a minimum of a one-year moratorium on any further edits to this article. The discussion concerning this decision may be found at [http://locke.citizendium.org/cz_ec/DR-2010-006].  The Talk page remains, but its present contents will be moved to an archive.  The Approved Main Article also remains in place. This page is now protected by the Constabulary and no further edits can be made to it. After one year has passed, Citizens may ask the Editorial Council to reconsider their decision but there is no guarantee that they will do so.
<br>
The Secretary of the Editorial Council, [[User:Hayford Peirce|Hayford Peirce]] 04:09, 17 December 2010 (UTC)


'''Homeopathy''' is a system of [[Complementary and Alternative Medicine|alternative medicine]] that uses extremely small doses of the drugs that cause a similar syndrome of [[symptom]]s as the person's illness, to treat that person. Homeopaths describe their art as "a therapeutic method which stimulates the natural healing processes of the body, with the help of sub-physiological doses of medicines to bring about a natural healing and health restoration" <ref>Dr.W.E.Boyd <!--do we know who this guy is?--></ref>.
==== Moratorium extended ====
 
The moratorium has been extended by another year. [http://ec.citizendium.org/wiki/EC:D-2012-002 EC:D-2012-002]. --[[User:Peter Schmitt|Peter Schmitt]] 01:20, 20 January 2012 (UTC)
The underlying premise of homeopathy is that the signs and symptoms that accompany a particular illness are not simply the result of the breakdown of the organism, but instead part of the organism's defenses in an effort to fight infection, adapt to stress, and/or respond to toxic insult. The homeopath does not attempt to inhibit symptoms or suppress disease, but rather considers the remedies that they feel will best "...mimick the body's wisdom and therefore augment immune response."
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The terminology used by homeopaths, such as immune response, do not use the framework generally accepted in molecular models of immunology, making it difficult to evaluate their approach. ''Augmenting immune response'' causes conflict with current medical concepts of numerous diseases, where the pathologic mechanism can be associated with autoimmunity; a hyperactive immunologic mechanism attacking cells or releasing inflammatory substances.
 
Tests of the efficacy of homeopathy have frequently reported positive results, but large randomised controlled trials have generally not been supportive of any effectiveness beyond placebo effects. There is no clearly understood, generally accepted mechanism of action for the extremely small doses used in homeopathy and this remains a stumbling block to its acceptance from mainstream medicine and science.
 
Homeopathy is based on the principles, first laid down by Dr.[[Samuel Hahnemann]] (1755 – 1843), a  physician who observed that some medicines evoked symptoms similar to those of the illnesses for which they were prescribed.
 
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==Introduction==
Homeopathic medicines are generally designed to treat a ''person with an illness'' (rather than an ''illness''<ref>This patient-centered approach has often been viewed, from the side of homeopaths, as a superiority of the homeopathic method over the so-called '''''allo'''pathic methods'' (''allo'' : other; alienated from the patient) and from the other side, as a proof that homeopathy is not falsifiable, because it is immune to any form generalization. However, as discussed below, homeopaths do not use a new substance for each new patient, and will use the same substances very consistently when confronted with intoxications or poisonings)</ref>) with preparations that contain, after numerous succusions (or "shakings") and dilutions of a given substance, infinitesimally small doses of the substance (or none of it). The substance that is used is chosen in accordance with its ability to cause, at larger doses, symptoms that are similar to those of the ''person with the illness'' (treating 'like with like').  This "law of similars" (''Similia similibus curantur''), as it is called, is an ancient principle that has been adopted by different cultures (the Oracle at Delphi was known to say "That which makes sick shall heal"). The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazier is a treatise on the history of religion and magic, and one of its early chapters (pages 12-42) is entitled "Sympathetic or Homeopathic Magic").
 
===''Similia similibus curantur'': the law of similars===
Today, two notions, vaccination and mithridatization, are used to integrate homeopathy's law of similars in the scientific discourse.
 
'''Vaccination'''
 
In vaccination, small doses of antigens directly taken from [[pathogen|pathogenic organisms]], trigger an immune response that can often be detailed at a molecular level. Some allergy treatments involve controlled administration of small amounts of allergenic substances to desensitise the allergic response.
 
Some homeopaths might say these are applications of the principle of similars, but these conventional treatments involve application of small but measurable doses of substances, at levels known to activate mechanisms of cellular response, as opposed to externally observed symptoms in response to subphysiologic amounts of a substance (due regard must be given to the different uses of the terms [[symptom]] and [[sign]] in homeopathy and medicine). Hyperimmune responses, either at the initial immunisation challenge or in the amplification of immune response, can be observed in cellular mechanisms such as [[basophil degranulation]], or at a molecular level, with changes in the levels of messengers such as [[prostaglandin]]s or [[leukotriene]]s; reduction of the intensity of these mechanisms are described in terms of molecular pharmacology, such as selective or nonselective inhibition of[[cyclooxygenase]]s, [[phosphodiesterase]]s, or [[lipoxygenase]]s. Although some studies on the molecular effects of homeopathic preparations involve the measurement of such messenger levels and enzyme activities, it should be clear that homeopathic preparations do not contain physiologically relevant levels of molecules known to activate any given metabolic or signalling pathway.
 
'''Mithridatization'''
 
Mithridatization is the chronic administration of subtoxic doses of a toxin, in an attempt to strengthen the defenses of an individual, in prevention of an actual intoxication. It is believed that the roman emperor Mithridate used this technique to protect himself from his enemies. Still today, mithridatization is used by persons exposed to venoms, including Bill Haast, director of the ''Miami Serpentarium Laboratories'' known for his exceptional tolerance to venomous bites.
 
Mithridatization can be used more adequately than vaccination as a methaphor of the process claimed to take place in the course of an homeopathic treatment. Mithridatization is not an immunological process. Contrary to vaccination, it does not elicit the activation of specialized cells: it is an attempt to "inform" the organism with non-toxic doses of a toxin. This technique, which remains poorly understood (it is known by anecdotal evidence), is based on the notion that, over time, the organism will change more than if exposed only once to a subtoxic dose of the toxin. In the theory of homeopathy, the sequential dilutions and dynamizations fulfill the same role as time, in the mithridatization process.
 
===Dynamisation===
 
Controversially, homeopaths believe that the 'potency' of a remedy can be ''increased'' by serial dilutions (repetatively adding water or alcohol) combined with vigorous shaking in-between each dilution, to the point where often little or none of the original solution remains as part of the final prepared remedy. Homeopaths assert that this process of dilution and vigorous shaking changes the structure of the water <ref>Chaplin M (2007) The memory of water; an overview, ''Homeopathy'' 96 (2007) 143-150. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2007.05.006.  Further reference information on the research, theories, and controversies on the "memory of water" is available at: http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/homeop.html.</ref>. The water or alcohol used for diluting, is imprinted by the medicinal substance due to the vigorous succussion (shaking in a particular way). Scientists at several universities and hospitals in France and Belgium have discovered that the vigorous shaking of the water in glass bottles causes small amounts of silica fragments or “chips” to fall into the water <ref>Demangeat J-L, ''et al.'' (2004) Low-Field NMR Water Proton Longitudinal Relaxation in Ultrahighly Diluted Aqueous Solutions of Silica-Lactose Prepared in Glass Material for Pharmaceutical Use, Applied Magnetic Resonance, 26:465-481.</ref>. The interaction of these silica fragments with the medicinal solution may help to change the structure of the water in a way.<ref>Anick DJ, Ives JA. (2007) The silica hypothesis for homeopathy: physical chemistry ''Homeopathy'' 96:189-195. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2007.03.005</ref>. Homeopaths, on the other hand, say that the remedies are not influenced by the silica.
 
Homeopathy (from the Greek ''hómoios'' (similar) and ''páthos'' (suffering)) regards diseases as 'morbid derangements of the organism', that involve some  disturbance in a 'vital force.' Today, most homeopaths still believe that the fundamental causes of disease are internal and constitutional and that it is contrary to good health to suppress symptoms with crude or powerful doses of drugs. Most homeopaths also accept the concept of 'miasms', a homeopathic concept of genetic disease in which the signs and symptoms of an organism’s imbalance indicate that a specific homeopathic medicine is needed for treatment.
 
==The popularity of homeopathy==
 
The word 'homeopathy' was first used by the German physician [[Samuel Hahnemann|Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann]] (1755-1843). Hahnemann was an eminent physician and chemist as well as a prominent public health reformer. He believed that his new system was more humane and effective than the conventional medicine of his time<ref>Hahnemann S (1796) translated into English as  [http://www.minutus.org/library/article_read.asp?id=6 "Essay on a New Principle"]. Hahnemann's[http://www.homeopathyhome.com/reference/organon/organon.html
''Organon der Heilkunst''] in English translation</ref>, but it was greeted by the establishment with derision and contempt.<ref>
Dean ME (2001)
[http://shpltd.co.uk/dean-homeopathy.pdf Homeopathy and the progress of science] ''Hist Sci''xxxix</ref>  Today, homeopathy is not an accepted part of conventional medicine, and its theories are not generally regarded as scientifically credible, but nevertheless it has more than 100,000 practitioners worldwide, and 500 million users.
 
Homeopathy is popular in Europe and in India, but less so in the USA, where non-orthodox therapies are more tightly regulated. There are estimated to be more than 100,000 practitioners worldwide, and 500 million people receiving treatment. In Germany, homeopathy has been recognized as a 'special form of therapy' since 1978, meaning that its remedies do not have to have been shown to be efficacious, but since 2004, most are not covered by public health insurance. In Switzerland, homeopathic remedies were covered by the basic health insurance system, if prescribed by a physician, until June 2005, when the Government, after a 5-year trial, withdrew insurance coverage for homoeopathy and four other complementary treatments, as they did not meet efficacy and cost-effectiveness criteria. In the UK, homeopathic remedies are sold over the counter, and five homeopathic hospitals are funded by the [[National Health Service]]. Homeopathy is not practised by most of the medical profession, but is supported by the [[Prince of Wales]] and other members of the royal family. <ref>Leary B ''et al'' (1998) "It Wont Do Any Harm: Practice and People At The London Homeopathic Hospital", 1889-1923, in Juette R ''et al'' (1998) Eds. 'Culture, Knowledge And Healing: Historical Perspectives On Homeopathy In Europe And North America' Sheffield Univ. Press, UK
[http://www.homeoint.org/english/index.htm Homéopathe International The English language version]</ref><ref>Fisher P, Ward A (1994) Medicine in Europe: complementary medicine in Europe ''BMJ'' 309:107-111[http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/309/6947/107]; Homeopathy was regulated by the European Union in 2001, by Directive 2001/83/EC. [http://www.pheur.org European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines]</ref>
 
An international market research survey discovered relatively high levels of "trust" in homeopathy worldwide. <ref>http://www.tgisurveys.com/documents/TGIbarometerhomeopathy_Jan08.pdf</ref>  Specifically, they found that 64% of people in [[India]], 58% of [[Brazil|Brazilians]], 53% of [[Chile|Chileans]], 49% of [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabians]], 49% of [[United Arab Emirates]], 40% of [[France|French]], 35% of [[South Africa|South Africans]], 28% of [[Russia|Russians]], 27% of [[Germany|Germans]], 25% of [[Argentina|Argentians]], 25% of [[Hungary|Hungarians]], 18% of [[United States|Americans]], and 15% of [[United Kingdom|British]] "trust homeopathy."
 
==History==
:''(see main article [[History of Homeopathy]])''
 
For the early Greek physician [[Hippocrates]] of Cos, who lived at about 400 BCE <ref>See [http://www.iep.utm.edu/h/hippocra.htm Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy].</ref>, the four 'humours' (blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm) were the key to understanding disease. His ideas persisted through the writings of [[Galen]] (131-201 CE) until at least 1858, and [[Rudolf Virchow]]'s theories of cellular pathology. Diseases, it was thought, were the result of some 'imbalance' of the humours, and physicians of the day focused on restoring that balance, either by trying to remove an excess of a humour, or by suppressing the symptoms. "[[Bloodletting]], fever remedies, tepid baths, lowering drinks, weakening diet, blood cleansing and everlasting aperients and clysters (enemas) form the circle in which the ordinary German physician turns round unceasingly", wrote Hahnemann while translating into German the ''Treatise on [[Materia Medica]]'' (1789) by the Edinburgh physician [[William Cullen]]. <ref>See Peter Morrell, [http://homeoint.org/morrell/articles/index.htm Articles on Homeopathy]
:''Homeopathy Timeline''[http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_pro/homeopathy_1825_1849.html] </ref>
 
After 1783, disillusioned with medicine and the many toxic effects of its cures, Hahnemann gave up his medical practice and devoted himself to the translation of Medical books, as he knew many languages. Cullen had written that Cinchona bark (which contains [[quinine]]) was effective because it was bitter, and Hahnemann pondered about this; he felt that this explanation was implausible because other substances that were as bitter had no therapeutic value. Accordingly, he took Cinchona bark himself and saw that its effects were similar to the symptoms of the diseases for which it was prescribed. For Hahnemann, this was a breakthrough, and it led him to formulate the 'Principle of Similars' on which homeopathy is based, expressed by him as ''similia similibus curentur'' or 'let likes cure likes'. <ref>At least one writer has suggested that Hahnemann was hypersensitive to quinine, and that he might have had an allergic reaction ([http://www.angelfire.com/mb2/quinine/allergy.html Thomas WE "The basis of homeopathy"]).</ref>
 
He had concluded that diseases are caused by "spirit-like derangements of the spirit-like power that animates the human body", and was searching for a way to harness this power for healing, which led to a system he later named Homoeopathy (now spelt  Homeopathy).
 
===Provings===
:''(see main article [[homeopathic proving]])''
 
The indications for using homeopathic medicine are found by experiments called 'provings', in which volunteers are given substances (usually in single-blind or double-blind trials), the effects of which are recorded in books (called materia medica and repertories) and now in software programs. The symptom complexes or "drug pictures" that these substances are found to cause are subsequently used to compare with a patient's symptoms in order to select, as a remedy, the substance whose effects are closest to the patient's symptoms. Today, homeopaths use about 3000 different remedies from animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic substances, including 'Natrum muriaticum' (sodium chloride or table salt)<ref>[http://www.abchomeopathy.com/r.php/Nat-m ABC Homeopathy: Natum Muriaticum]</ref>, '[[Oscillococcinum]]' (a 200C product made from [[duck]] heart and liver that is prescribed for flu-like symptoms) and '[[Arnica]]' <!-- removed this reference as it times out: <ref>[http://www.jr2.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/booth/alternat/AT012.html ]</ref> -->. Other 'isopathic' remedies involve diluting the agent or product of the disease; for example, [[Rabies]] nosode is made from the saliva of a rabid dog. A small number of homeopaths use more esoteric substances, known as 'imponderables' because they originate from electromagnetic energy 'captured' by alcohol or lactose, such as 'X-ray' or 'Magnetic North' (north pole of a magnet).
 
===Preparation of homeopathic remedies ===
The most characteristic &mdash; and controversial &mdash; principle of homeopathy is that the efficacy of a remedy can be enhanced and its side-effects reduced by ''diluting'' it, in a process known as 'dynamization' or 'potentization'. Liquids are diluted (with water or alcohol) and shaken by ten hard strikes against an elastic body ('succussion'). For this, Hahnemann had a saddlemaker construct a special, wooden, 'striking board', covered in leather on one side and stuffed with horsehair (the board is displayed at the [http://www.igm-bosch.de/english/f10.htm Hahnemann Museum] in Stuttgart). When insoluble solids are used as the basis of remedies, such as [[quartz]] or  [http://www.homeoint.org/morrell/articles/pm_calc.htm oyster shell], they are diluted by grinding them with [[lactose]] ('[[trituration]]'). The original serial dilutions by Hahnemann used a 1 part in 100 (centesimal; 'C' potencies), or 1 part in 50,000 ( Quintamillesimal; 'LM' or 'Q' potencies). The dilution factor at each stage is 1:10 ('D' or 'X' potencies) or 1:100 ('C' potencies); Hahnemann advocated 30C dilutions for most purposes (i.e. dilution by a factor of 100<sup>30</sup> = 10<sup>60</sup>). The number of molecules in a given weight of a substance can be calculated by [[Avogadro's number]]; the chance that there is even one molecule of the original substance in a 15C solution is small, and it is very unlikely that one molecule would be present in a 30C dilution. Thus, homeopathic remedies of a high 'potency' contain just water, but water that, according to homeopaths, retains some essential property of one of the substances that it has contacted in the past. <ref>There are 6.02 × 10<sup>23</sup> molecules in one [[mole]] of a substance ([[Avogadro's number]]). [[Seawater]] tastes salty because it contains [[sodium chloride]] (common table [[salt]]), and typically one drop of seawater (0.05 ml) contains about 200 mg of salts, mainly sodium chloride - about 2 × 10<sup>19</sup> molecules. One drop of a 10C dilution of this would be expected to contain at most one molecule of sodium chloride. [http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/water/ ''Water Structure and Behaviour''] has references to current scientific understanding of water, with entries on "memory effects" and homeopathy</ref>
 
Hahnemann's explanation for how higher potencies could be more efficacious was that the friction involved in succussion might release some hidden curative power of substances. He wrote in 1825: "The effect of friction is so great, that not only the physical properties, such as caloric, odour, etc., are thereby called into life and developed by it, but also the dynamic medicinal powers of natural substances are thereby developed to an incredible degree".
 
==The skeptical view of homeopathy==
:''As I understand it, the claim is that the less you use Homeopathy, the better it works. Sounds plausible to me'' ([[David Deutsch]], physicist) [http://www.qubit.org/people/david/index.php?blog=20040808030513]
 
Homeopathy was developed at a time when many of the most important concepts of modern chemistry and biology, such as molecules and germs, were understood poorly if at all. While proponents may consider the mechanism of homeopathy to be an interesting side issue, skeptics consider the lack of any plausible mechanism to be a serious problem, raising the bar on the quality of evidence required before accepting the existence of the phenomenon under the motto 'Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof'.
 
In Hahnemann's day, many chemists believed that matter was infinitely divisible, so that it was meaningful to talk about dilution to any degree. Although the hypothesis of atoms can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, their size was not calculated until 1865 (by [[Loschmidt]]). There are 6.02×10<sup>23</sup> particles in a mole ([[Avogadro's number]]), so homeopathic dilutions greater than about 24X or 12C are virtually certain to contain not even a single molecule of the initial substance. This is recognized by advocates of homeopathy, who assert that the essential healing power of their preparations is not to be found in the chemical action of molecules, but perhaps in the arrangement of the water molecules, giving rise to the expression 'the memory of water'. This concept is closely related to the belief in a 'vital force', which was common in Hahnemann's day, but was discarded by the scientific community as more and more life processes came to be describable in purely materialistic terms, and as the medical model of disease came to be focused on the failure of particular organs and processes in the body. <ref>There have been occasional reports of effects of highly diluted solutions on organic processes, including on histamine release by leukocytes :{{cite journal|author=Davenas E ''et al''| title=Human basophil degranulation triggered by very dilute antiserum against IgE |journal=Nature|year=200? |pages=816-8|volume=333 }}[http://br.geocities.com/criticandokardec/benveniste01.pdf PDF]; However, attempts to replicate these studies failed.{{cite journal|author=Walach ''et al''|title=Research on homeopathy: state of the art |journal=J Alt Comp Medicine|year=2005|pages=813–29 |volume=11 }}[http://www.iscmr.org/publications/2005_JACM_Homeopathy.pdf PDF]</ref>.
 
For critics, a closely related question is that of logical consistency of the theory. The theory assumes that water is imprinted by the properties of molecules that it once came in contact with, even when the molecules are diluted away. If so, then where did the pure water used in this process come from? The water that homeopaths use was once in contact with other chemicals, including chemical wastes, radioactive metals, dinosaur urine, and various poisons. According to this skeptical interpretation of homeopathic theory, all water in the world should remember its contact with millions of chemical substances and not just the properties of the chemicals that the homeopath claims will be useful.<ref>'''Skeptics'''
:Simpson JY (1853) 'Homoeopathy, Its Tenets and Tendencies, Theoretical, Theological and Therapeutical' Edinburgh: Sutherland & Knox 11
:'A close look at homeopathy' [http://www.skepticreport.com/health/hahnemann.htm skepticreport]
:'A skeptical guide to homeopathic history, theories, and current practices' [http://www.homeowatch.org/ homeowatch]
:'Dilution or delusion?' [http://www.skepticreport.com/health/dilutiondelusion.htm skepticreport]
:'Magical thinking in complementary and alternative medicine' [http://www.csicop.org/si/2001-11/alternative.html CSIOP]
:'Homeopathy - a sceptical view' [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A954740 BBC]
:BBC News, 25 October 2006 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6085242.stm 25 October 2006]</ref> Homeopaths respond to these concerns by asserting that homeopathic manufacturers, who in each country are regulated as drug companies, use a double-distilled water which may clear the "memory" of past water history.


 
<hr><br>
 
== Medical organizations' attitudes towards homeopathy ==
 
In the USA, the [[National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine]], part of the [[National Institutes of Health]], funds research into homeopathy. According to its [http://nccam.nih.gov/health/homeopathy/#q8 statement on homeopathy], controlled clinical trials of homeopathy had produced mixed results; in some, homeopathy appeared to be no more helpful than a placebo, but in others, more benefits were seen than expected from a placebo.
 
Historically, the [[American Medical Association]] (AMA) was founded in 1847, three years after the forming of the [[American Institute of Homeopathy]].  In the AMA's charter, it was in part formed to slow the growth of the homeopaths.  From 1860s to the early 20th century, the AMA's ethic code disallowed its members to consult with fellow medical doctors who practiced homeopathy. Although the AMA didn't typical enforce many of its ethical guidelines, the "consultation clause" was one of the few ethical violations that was enforced.<ref>Harris Coulter, Divided Legacy: The Conflict Between Homoeopathy and the American Medical Association. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 1975.</ref>  Today, the AMA is no longer antagonistic to homeopathy, though they recommend that more research is needed.[http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13638.html]
the [[American Medical Association]]. Their current policy statement says: "There is little evidence to confirm the safety or efficacy of most alternative therapies. Much of the information currently known about these therapies makes it clear that many have not been shown to be efficacious. Well-designed, stringently controlled research should be done to evaluate the efficacy of alternative therapies" <ref>Report 12 of the [http://www.ama-assn.org/ American Medical Association] Council on Scientific Affairs {{cite web|url=http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13638.html|title=alternative theories including homeopathy}}</ref>
 
According to the UK [[National Health Service]] (NHS), homeopathy is one of the most popular alternative and complementary treatment modalities.  The NHS recognizes that there have been about 200 randomised controlled trials evaluating homeopathy, some of which shows efficacy of treatment and some which doesn't. They conclude, "Despite the available research, it has proven difficult to produce clear clinical evidence that homeopathy works" <ref>[http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=197&sectionId=27# NHS Direct]</ref>.
 
According to the [http://indianmedicine.nic.in/html/homoeopathy/homoe.htm Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare], homeopathy is one of the National Systems of Medicine in India, and it plays an important role in health care for many people. "Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels."
 
==Safety of homeopathic remedies==
:''The highest ideal of cure is the speedy, gentle, and enduring restoration of health by the most trustworthy and least harmful way'' (Samuel Hahnemann)
 
The [[European Union]] allows homeopathic medicinal products, provided they are prepared according to the European Pharmacopoeia or the pharmacopoeias currently used officially in the Member States. Further the products must be diluted sufficiently so that there is no risk for the patient. In particular, the homeopathic product may not contain either more than one part per 10&thinsp;000 of the mother tincture or more than 1/100th of the smallest dose of an active substance that requires doctor's prescription. No specific therapeutic indication  may be given on the label of the product.<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32001L0083:EN:HTML Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council] relating to medicinal products for human use.</ref>
 
The U.S. [[Food & Drug Administration]]'s [http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/096_home.html view of homeopathy] is that there is no real concern about the safety of most homeopathic products, due to the long history of safety in their use and because its dosages "have little or no pharmacologically active ingredients". There have been some reports of illness associated with the use of homeopathic products, but in cases that they reviewed, the FDA concluded that the homeopathic product was not the cause of the adverse reactions. The main concern about the safety of homeopathy arises not from the products themselves, but from the possible withholding of possibly more efficacious treatment, or from misdiagnosis of dangerous conditions by a non-medically qualified homeopath. For example, a 2006 survey by the UK charitable trust 'Sense About Science' revealed that homeopaths were advising travelers against taking conventional anti-malarial drugs, instead providing them with a homeopathic dilution of quinine. Even the director of the The Royal London Homeopathic Hospital condemned this:
 
:"I'm very angry about it because people are going to get malaria - there is absolutely no reason to think that homeopathy works to prevent malaria and you won't find that in any textbook or journal of homeopathy so people will get malaria, people may even die of malaria if they follow this advice."  [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5178488.stm].
 
A particular concern is that homeopaths discourage the use of [[vaccines]]. Homeopathy is superficially like vaccination, in that vaccines contain a small dose of the 'disease' against which they offer protection (a vaccine is usually made from a bacterium or virus that is either dead or weakened so that it cannot produce symptoms, while still providing enough information to the immune system to generate antibody production). However, some homeopaths believe that vaccination has the potential to create serious health consequences, in part because of the mercury in them and in part because they believe that some childhood diseases (i.e. measles, chicken pox) may have certain immunological benefits that should not prevented.<ref>Randall Neustaedter, The Vaccine Guide. Berkeley: North Atlantic, 2004.</ref>
 
== Notes==
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Latest revision as of 09:28, 14 February 2021

This is an out-of-date version of the article that was created separately (possibly in error). It is retained here to preserve the edit history.
Do not edit this version: see 'Homeopathy' for the latest one.
The Editorial Council has made a unanimous decision on December 17, 2010, to blank this draft article and to place a minimum of a one-year moratorium on any further edits to this article. The discussion concerning this decision may be found at [1]. The Talk page remains, but its present contents will be moved to an archive. The Approved Main Article also remains in place. This page is now protected by the Constabulary and no further edits can be made to it. After one year has passed, Citizens may ask the Editorial Council to reconsider their decision but there is no guarantee that they will do so.


The Secretary of the Editorial Council, Hayford Peirce 04:09, 17 December 2010 (UTC)

Moratorium extended

The moratorium has been extended by another year. EC:D-2012-002. --Peter Schmitt 01:20, 20 January 2012 (UTC)


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