Homeopathic Medicine - Is It True?

Homeopathic Medicine

In the modern-day age, conventional medicine has dominated the western world and has left little to interpretation and superstition. However, in some countries, conventional medicine is a secondary option, and other options are considered. One such option is known as homeopathy. However, homeopathy isn’t effective and instead relies on the placebo effect to retain believers. This medical article will describe the fallacies of homeopathy and its ineffectiveness.

What is Homeopathy? Homeopathy is an alternate system of medicine that focuses on the belief that the body is an organism that can cure itself. It is based on two theories that are very unconventional and considered inaccurate based on conventional medicine. The first of these theories is known as “like cures like”. This theory suggests that a disease can be cured by something that is similar in disposition to it. For example, a poison that inflicts fevers on someone will be cured by another substance that inflicts fevers. The second theory is known as the “Law of minimum dosage” which suggests that the lower the dosage, the greater the effectiveness. Homeopathic doctors then use these theories and make tablets and solutions which are then used as cures.

What is a homeopathic remedy?

Homeopathic remedies are natural and consist of plants, minerals, and animals. These ingredients are then made into sugar pellets, ointments, gels, etc. Each remedy is made differently and the dilution of each ingredient depends on the condition as well as the person asking for it. Homeopathy, in contrast to conventional medicine, follows “individualized” treatment which means that each treatment is specifically made for the patient. It is very normal for people of similar conditions to receive extremely contrasting treatments.

Are homeopathic remedies effective?

Homeopathic remedies are ineffective based on many studies done by key researchers. One of the main reasons they are considered ineffective is due to the immense dilution that the “active ingredients” undergo. At times the active ingredient, usually a plant, goes through such intense dilution that not even an atom of the active ingredient is remaining. This leaves some homeopathic medicines as just water with no healing properties. In contrast, some medicines barely dilute the ingredients at all, leading to harmful side effects for the user. Some homeopathic remedies also contain alcohol, damaging the user and making it harder for them to recover. Homeopathic remedies are ineffective.

Why are homeopathic remedies still used around the world?

Homeopathy takes advantage of the “Placebo effect”. If a patient is afflicted with a common cold and takes homeopathic medicine, even if it doesn't do anything with their recovery, the patient will believe that it is an effective medicine. This is known as the placebo effect. Even though homeopathic medicine didn't do anything, it is used, the person attributes their health and wellness to the medicine. This leads them to prefer homeopathic medicine as it seemed to work for them before. This is one of the main reasons that homeopathic remedies are used around the world. Another reason would be misinformation. Some families believe that homeopathic remedies are significantly more effective than conventional medicine and they will continue passing this knowledge down to their family leading to the family members preferring homeopathy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Homeopathic remedies are ineffective and could even be harmful to the body. Homeopathic doctors use the placebo effect to keep their customers and homeopathy is more based on superstition and assumption in comparison to facts and research. Due to the rise in electronics, Homeopathic users have been declining as the years go by however, there is still a significant amount of people who believe in its effectiveness.