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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 (and sometimes alcohol) based
solutions containing tiny amounts of certain naturally occurring
plants, minerals, animal products, or chemicals. The term "homeopathy"
comes from the Greek words "homoios" (similar) and "pathos"
(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,
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 very 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, which 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.
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 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 water remaining 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 the recommended homeopathic remedy.
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 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 of testing for safety or effectiveness, as have
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. Two such studies published in 2006 show the challenges in
this field. The 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
over 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. A placebo is an
inactive substance or treatment.
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?
This product is sold as a dietary supplement in the
United States. Unlike drugs (which must be tested before being allowed
to be sold), the companies that make supplements are not required to
prove to the Food and Drug Administration that their supplements are
safe or effective, as long as they don't claim the supplements can
prevent, treat, or cure any specific disease.
Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Actual amounts per dose may vary
between brands or even between different batches of the same brand.
Most such supplements have not been tested to find
out if they interact with medicines, foods, or other herbs and
supplements. Even though some reports of interactions and harmful
effects may be published, full studies of interactions and effects are
not often available. Because of these limitations, any information on
ill effects and interactions below should be considered incomplete.
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, 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 ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton
& Co; 1998.
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. Available online at:
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/096_home.html. Accessed April 2005.
Holmes OW. Homeopathy and its kindred delusions. 1842. Available online
at: www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holmes.html. Accessed
June 28, 2007.
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. Available online at:
www.mdanderson.org/departments/cimer/display.cfm?id=86407E5A-13EE-11D5-811000508B603A14&method=displayFull&pn=6EB86A59-EBD9-11D4-810100508B603A14.
Accessed June 28, 2007.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Homeopathy. 2006.
Available online at: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69254.cfm.
Accessed June 28, 2007.
Milazzo S. Russell N. Ernst E. Efficacy of homeopathic therapy in
cancer treatment. European
Journal of Cancer. 42(3):282-289, 2006 .
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.
Sampson W. Inconsistencies and errors in alternative medicine research.
Skeptical Inquirer.
September/October 1997;21:35-38.
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.
Revised: 07/20/2007
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