Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice involving the oral or topical use of highly diluted substances, which practitioners believe can stimulate the body to heal itself.

Homeopathy does not have any reliable scientific grounding and homeopathic remedies are not approved, nor regualted by the Food and Drug Assocation (FDA)Trusted Source.

While many people believe in the curative powers of homeopathy, many scientists have difficulty aligning its concepts with well-established scientific understanding.

In this article, we discuss the anecdotal basis of homeopathy, its alleged benefits, and the science around it.

Introduced in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Homeopathy draws upon age-old principles rooted in traditional healing practices and ancient beliefs about how the body and nature interact.

The preparation of homeopathic remedies involves a process of dilution and shaking, with the notion that the more diluted a substance becomes, the more potent it isTrusted Source within the context of homeopathy.

Supporters of homeopathy claim that it works by triggering your body’s innate healing responses. There is no reliable scientific support for this claim.

Homeopathy operates on two core principlesTrusted Source:

  • like cures like
  • law of minimum dose, or the law of infinitesimals

Like cures like

‘Like cures like’ means that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person might be used to treat similar symptoms in someone who is sick.

For instance, if you have a cold with a runny nose and watery, irritated eyes, a homeopath might suggest Allium cepa. This remedy is made from red onion, which can cause similar symptoms. The idea is that the diluted remedy could help your body’s natural defenses kick in to relieve your cold symptoms.

Law of minimum dose

The homeopathic law of minimum dose states that the more diluted a substance is, the more potentTrusted Source its healing properties.

Preparing a homeopathic remedy involves highly diluting the original substance in water or alcohol. This diluted mixture is then vigorously shaken or “potentiated.”

Homeopaths believe that through this process, the water or alcohol retains a memory or “energetic imprint” of the original substance, even when it’s so diluted that there’s often none of the original substance left.

Homeopathic remedies involve various substances derived from plants, minerals, and animals. These substances are diluted and potentiated through a series of dilution and shaking steps.

Treatments in homeopathy are “individualized,” meaning they’re customized for each person. It’s not uncommon for individuals with the same condition to receive different treatment approaches.

Examples of potential homeopathic treatments include:

  • Headache: If you have a headache that feels throbbing and is worse on one side, a homeopath might recommend Belladonna as a remedy. Belladonna is made from the deadly nightshade plant, which can cause similar symptoms.
  • Eye Infection: If you have red, watery, and irritated eyes from an infection, a homeopath might consider the remedy Euphrasia, a flowering plant also known as eyebright. In its natural state, this plant can cause symptoms like redness, watering, and irritation of the eyes.
  • Fever and chills: If you have the flu with fever, chills, and muscle aches, a homeopath might consider the remedy Gelsemium. Gelsemium is made from the yellow jasmine plant, which can cause similar symptoms.

it is essential to note that the FDA does not approve any homeopathic treatments for use. As a result, they may not meet modern standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality. In 2022 the agency published guidanceTrusted Source on a new risk-based strategy for regulating homeopathic products.

Despite the lack of evidence for its efficacy, people use homeopathy to address a wide range of health conditions, including:

When should homeopathy be avoided?

You should always speak to a doctor before using alternative medicines, and they should not replace traditional treatments. The need to seek professional medical help is especially great in the case of chronic conditions.

Homeopathic products aren’t FDA-approved like conventional medications. While many people share positive experiences with homeopathy, there is little to no reliable evidence of its efficacy.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH)Trusted Source plainly states, “There’s little evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment for any specific health condition.”

However, supporters often still claim anecdotal benefits, and limited studies have previously reported positive effects. For example, a 2023 meta-analysisTrusted Source reported moderate benefits of homeopathic therapy over placebos. However, the included studies only involved plant, animal, and test-tube studies and did not include any controlled human trials.

Homeopathy is generally considered safe by its practitioners, as the remedies are highly diluted and typically contain minimal or no active ingredients in the traditional sense.

However, the safety of homeopathy is a subject of ongoing debate due to several reasonsTrusted Source:

  • Lack of regulation: Homeopathic products aren’t subject to the same rigorous testing and regulation as conventional medications.
  • Delayed medical treatment: Relying solely on homeopathy to treat serious or chronic conditions may delay seeking necessary medical care, potentially allowing the condition to worsen.
  • Potential for allergic reactions: Some homeopathic remedies are made from substances that could trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, even when highly diluted.
  • Interactions with conventional medications: Homeopathic products can potentially interact with prescription drugs or other supplements a person is taking, leading to unintended side effects or reduced effectiveness of treatment.

It’s crucial to note that if you’re considering using homeopathic products, you should consult with a qualified healthcare professional first.

Homeopathy is an alternative treatment based on the idea that if a substance can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person, using a highly diluted form of that substance might trigger your body to fight off similar symptoms when you’re sick. The diluted substance is believed to gently prompt your body’s natural healing responses.

There is no reliable scientific backing for homeopathy as a treatment for any condition.

If you’re considering using homeopathic medicine, it’s a good idea to discuss it with your general practitioner to make sure it won’t interfere with any conditions or medications you’re taking.