Homeopathy

Other common name(s): homeopathic medicine

Scientific/medical name(s): none

Description

Homeopathy is based on the idea that if large doses of a substance cause a symptom, very small doses of that same substance will cure it. Homeopathic remedies are water-based or alcohol-based solutions containing tiny amounts of naturally occurring plants, minerals, animal products, or chemicals. The term "homeopathy" comes from the Greek words homoios (meaning "similar") and pathos (meaning "suffering").

Overview

While homeopathy appears to be safe, there is little if any reliable clinical evidence that homeopathic remedies are effective in treating cancer or that they can help with the side effects of cancer or its treatment.

How is it promoted for use?

Homeopathy is most often promoted for use in treating chronic or self-limiting problems such as arthritis, asthma, colds, flu, and allergies. However, some supporters believe that homeopathy can be used to treat and cure cancer.

Some practitioners claim homeopathy can help cancer patients by reducing pain, improving vitality and well-being, stopping the spread of cancer, and strengthening the immune system. Some claim it can lessen certain symptoms and side effects from radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy, such as infections, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hot flashes, hair loss, depression, weakness, and ascites (collection of fluid in the abdomen).

Proponents claim that homeopathic solutions, even though they may contain only small quantities (or none) of the original ingredient, contain a "memory" of the substance that somehow interacts with the body to cure illness. It is also believed that shaking or diluting a homeopathic solution releases the essence, or healing life force, of the material.

Some practitioners compare homeopathy to the beliefs of ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, which claim a need to bring the body into balance in order to restore health and wellness (see Ayurveda and Chinese Herbal Medicine). Many supporters of homeopathy admit that they do not know how the treatments work, but insist that future research will unlock the mystery.

What does it involve?

Homeopathy is based largely on the "law of similars," or the notion that "like cures like." In other words, a substance that causes symptoms of illness in a healthy person can relieve those same symptoms in a sick person when given in very small amounts. For example, a patient complaining of vomiting and diarrhea might receive a solution containing tiny amounts of thorn apple, since larger amounts of that herb cause those symptoms.

The second important tenet of homeopathy is the "law of infinitesimals," which states that the more a homeopathic solution is diluted, the more powerful it becomes.

When a patient complains of certain symptoms, the homeopath consults a reference guide, that lists thousands of individual symptoms and searches for an entry that matches the patient's description. The remedy, which is determined by the person's health history and symptoms, is called the "simillium." The practitioner then takes this simillium – an extract of the plant, mineral, animal product, or chemical remedy that matches the patient's symptoms – and repeatedly dilutes it, usually in water.

In the terminology of homeopathy, adding 1 part of the extract to 9 parts water yields a 1X solution (X is the Roman numeral for 10), while adding 1 part of the extract to 99 parts water yields a 1C solution (C is the Roman numeral for 100). (The 1X and 1C homeopathic dilutions are called 1:10 and 1:100 dilutions, respectively, in conventional chemistry.) The solution is mixed vigorously, and 1 part of it is diluted again in 9 (or 99) parts water, yielding a 2X (or 2C) solution, and so on. A 6X dilution, for example, would result in 1 part extract per 1 million parts water.

Each solution may go through the dilution process as many as 30 to 50 times, to the point where it may be very unlikely that even a single molecule of the original extract remains. Homeopaths believe that even if this is the case, the remaining water retains some type of "memory" of the extract. After the dilution process is complete, the patient is given the remedy to drink or place under the tongue.

What is the history behind it?

Some of the ideas that form the basis of homeopathy go back to the ancient Greeks, but the "modern" version is credited to the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. He developed homeopathy early in the 1800s as a more civilized alternative to some of the harsh medical practices of the time, such as bloodletting and purging. Dr. Hahnemann believed a substance that caused specific symptoms in a healthy person could cure those same symptoms in a sick person, so he gave his patients diluted doses of the offending substances.

To determine the specific effects of each material, Dr. Hahnemann and his assistants conducted "provings," during which they ingested plants, minerals, and other materials, then noted what symptoms resulted. From these experiments, Hahnemann compiled a reference book containing descriptions of the effects of various materials and recommended homeopathic remedies.

In the 1800s, homeopathy may have been better for people than mainstream medicine in some instances, if for no other reason than it did less harm than some of the harsh and ineffective practices used at the time. Homeopathy remained popular through the beginning of the 20th century, when a better understanding of what caused many diseases and how they could be treated emerged.

The 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act required that all drugs be tested for safety before being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and sold to the public. This act also allowed any homeopathic remedy that was included in a standard reference book to be considered a legal drug. However, homeopathic remedies have never been held to the same standards of manufacturing or testing for safety or effectiveness, as standard drugs.

Along with the general growth of complementary and alternative methods in recent years, homeopathy has become a more popular alternative form of therapy in the United States.

What is the evidence?

Few laboratory studies of homeopathic remedies have been published, and results are sometimes conflicting. In two 2006 studies researchers found that homeopathic solutions had no effect on breast or prostate cancer cells growing in laboratory cultures, but that similar solutions slowed the growth of prostate cancer in rats.

There is no reliable clinical evidence showing that homeopathic remedies can treat cancer. The basic premises of homeopathy, developed more than 200 years ago, are not in agreement with modern scientific principles. Some researchers suggest, however, that homeopathy may result in helpful effects for patients who believe the treatment is working--a phenomenon known as the placebo or expectation effect. One study on the increased use of complementary therapies by people with cancer showed that while certain complementary therapies had no actual anti-tumor effect, patients reported psychological improvement including increased hope and optimism. The complementary therapies studied included homeopathy.

Some small clinical studies have hinted that homeopathic solutions may have some benefit in reducing certain side effects of cancer or its treatment, but other studies have found them to be no better than a placebo. The number of patients in these studies has usually been small, and few of them have been done. A 2006 review of published studies concluded that, "… analysis of published literature on homeopathy found insufficient evidence to support clinical efficacy of homeopathic therapy in cancer care." Further research would be needed before homeopathy could be considered likely to be useful for any aspect of cancer care.

Are there any possible problems or complications?

Although some homeopathic solutions contain toxic chemicals, they are typically present in amounts too small to present any danger.

Relying on this type of treatment alone, and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer, may have serious health consequences.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

The following information on complementary and alternative therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on our Web site (www.cancer.org) or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).

Guidelines for Using Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Dietary Supplements: How to Know What Is Safe

The ACS Operational Statement on Complementary and Alternative Methods of Cancer Management

Complementary and Alternative Methods for Cancer Management

Placebo Effect

Learning About New Ways to Treat Cancer

Learning About New Ways to Prevent Cancer

References

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Downer SM, Cody MM, McCluskey P, et al. Pursuit and practice of complementary therapies by cancer patients receiving conventional treatment. BMJ. 1994;309:86-89.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Homeopathy: Real medicine or empty promises? FDA Consumer Magazine; 1996. Accessed at: www.fda.gov/fdac/features/096_home.html on June 11, 2008.

Holmes OW. Homeopathy and its kindred delusions. 1842. Accessed at: www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holmes.html on June 11, 2008.

Jonas WB, Gaddipati J, Rajeshkumar N, et al. Can homeopathic treatment slow prostate cancer growth? Integr Cancer Ther. 2006;5(4):343-349.

MD Anderson Cancer Center. Homeopathy. Accessed at: www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/display.cfm?id=86407E5A-13EE-11D5-811000508B603A14&method=displayFull&pn=6EB86A59-EBD9-11D4-810100508B603A14 on June 11, 2008.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Homeopathy. 2006. Accessed at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69254.cfm on June 11, 2008.

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Oberbaum, M., Yaniv, I., Ben-Gal, Y., Stein, J., Ben-Zvi, N., Freedman, L. S., and Branski, D. "A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of the Homeopathic Medication Traumeel S in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Stomatitis in Children Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation." Cancer. 2001. 92(3):684-690.

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Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L, et al. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy. Lancet 2005; 366: 726-732

Thangapazham RL, Gaddipati JP, Rajeshkumar NV, Sharma A, Singh AK, Ives JA, Maheshwari · RK, Jonas WB. Homeopathic medicines do not alter growth and gene expression in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro. Integr Cancer Ther. 2006;5(4):356-361.

Note: This information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical situation.