Homeopathy in Europe: Is the Tide Starting to Turn?

[Northerner]

Evidence-based medicine – treatments based on evidence of safety and efficacy from clinical trials – has been in the ascendant for decades now in Europe and around the world. So why is one system of treatment which has been dismissed as ineffective by clinical trials still in use?

History
Homeopathy, developed in the 18th century by physician Samuel Hahnemann in Germany, is based on the principles that 'like cures like' and that greater dilutions of treatments have the most beneficial effects. When mainstream treatments included blood-letting and purging, and surgery frequently led to fatal infection, these principles may have had the benefit of at least seeming benign. But now that modern medicine has a far greater understanding of the causes of disease and their treatments, homeopathy has been dismissed as – at best – a placebo.

There are signs that governments in Europe are hardening their attitudes to state funding of homeopathy, with the UK, France, and Spain all announcing an end to funding or support for homeopathic products or services in recent months. We took a look at the popularity of homeopathy across the continent, the different traditions of its use, and ask whether attitudes are changing.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/916128

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[Ralph-YK]

I remember a story a few years ago, when Boots said their homepathy products were of no benefit, and that they solded them because their customers bought them.

 

[mikeyB]

Well, it is a 200 year old theory, when its basic theories were as credible as "miasma" causing cholera. Science has moved modern treatments, and the cause of disease onwards in that 200 years, but Homeopathy sticks with its 200 year old theory that water can remember its its previous dissolved constituents, even when diluted to the point where none of that substance remains. Its a good job that's nonsense, otherwise folk drinking London tap water will be imbibing all sorts of horrible water memories.

Still, all power to a movement that can sell distilled water and sugar pills to folk for 200 years to gullible folk. Not good for diabetes, mind, I've seen a T! die after using homeopathic medicine instead of insulin. Not a condition that can be controlled with a placebo.

 

[nick72]

I find it shocking that there are people who still believe in homeopathy. Should be banned.

 

[MikeTurin]

Because "works". Some illnesses will cure itself without treatment, like the common cold, one could take some FANS.
Or take some milk and garlic, or better milk and bourbon before going to sleep.
Or instead of a bottle of Four Roses one could buy a bottle of homoeopathic rose extract... Results will be almost the same.
Except that milk and bourbon tastes good.