UNLABELLED Homeopathic medicine is commonly believed to be relatively harmless. However, treatment with improperly used homeopathic preparations may be dangerous. CASE REPORTS Case 1 presented with melanosis and keratosis following short-term use of Arsenic Bromide 1-X followed by long-term use of other arsenic-containing homeopathic preparations. Case 2 developed melanotic arsenical skin les...

OBJECTIVE To explore the characteristics of patients and their gender influences concerning the use of homeopathic medicine, visiting both homeopathic and conventional medicine (allopathic) clinics. METHODS This cross sectional study was carried out on 200 patients who attended private and public homeopathic and allopathic clinics or hospitals in Karachi using a pre-tested self-administered q...

Homeopathic drugs have been evaluated for their suitable candidature as potent antimalarials. However, the exact mode of action, of these homeopathic remedies still remains a matter of conjecture. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of potentized homeopathic antimalarials on the integrity of the DNA of Plasmodium berghei (ANKA strain), in erythrocytes of Swiss albino mice. Short term in vi...

OBJECTIVE To assess homeopathic consultations in NHS general practice over a 12-month study period; to analyse the conditions treated homeopathically and assess the responses to homeopathy prescribed in a standard 10 min GP consultation. METHODS Data on each homeopathic consultation over 12 months were recorded: including patient details; condition/diagnosis; response score; prescribed medici...

Purpose Homeopathy has few legal regulations acting as gatekeepers. The remedies may be in widespread use despite unclear mechanism of effect and safety assessment. Uncontrolled studies of homeopathic practise document consistently strong therapeutic effects and sustained patient satisfaction however, cases of adverse effects have also been reported. According to homeopathic theory transient wo...

An analysis of 7218 consultations showed that homeopathic medicines are being used to treat a wide range of morbidity in the United Kingdom. The data were derived from all consecutive consultations during one week by 73 doctors who used homeopathic medicine. Of these consultations 88% were conducted as part of the National Health Service (the majority in general practice). Thirty five per cent ...

Homeopathy is a popular but implausible form of medicine. Contrary to many claims by homeopaths, there is no conclusive evidence that highly dilute homeopathic remedies are different from placebos. The benefits that many patients experience after homeopathic treatment are therefore most probably due to nonspecific treatment effects. Contrary to widespread belief, homeopathy is not entirely devo...

BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition with no known cure. Many sufferers seek complementary and alternative medicine including homeopathic treatment. However there is much controversy as to the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. This three-armed study seeks to explore the effectiveness of individualised homeopathic treatment plus usual care compared to both an attentio...