Homeopathy is one of the best known forms of alternative medicine – and certainly one of the most controversial. Does it work or does it not work? Can one really only approach the decision between homeopathy and conventional medicine with “either … or …”? The discussion about globules and co. is heating up the minds. In the following, we illuminate what is behind the homeopathic remedies.
Samuel Hahnemann as the inventor of homeopathy
Dr. Christian Samuel Friedrich Hahnemann, the father of homeopathy, would certainly have had something to say about this discussion. After all, the all-around scientist, who was born on April 10, 1755, was known as a critical researcher and careful observer. Hahnemann, like many scholars of his time, was an extremely educated and curious person. He studied pharmacy and medicine and was not ready to believe everything he read.
Treat similar with similar
This attitude then ultimately led to the discovery of the principle of action of homeopathy: treat similar with similar. Because he did not want to believe the reports in a pharmacist’s magazine that cinchona bark helped against malaria, Hahnemann undertook a self-experiment and ingested a few grams of cinchona bark. Only a few hours later, the physician developed typical malaria symptoms such as fever attacks with chills, headaches and sweating. After numerous further experiments on sick and healthy people, Samuel Hahnemann formulated his treatment principle in 1796. The term “homeopathy” picks it up: “homoion” is the Greek word for “similar”, “pathos” stands for “suffering”.
Three guiding principles of homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on several guiding principles:
- Similarity principle
- Potentiation
- Drug testing
The first basic rule of homeopathy – the already mentioned principle of similarity – is based on the knowledge that a substance that causes certain symptoms of disease in a healthy person, can cure a sick person suffering from similar symptoms. For example, someone suffering from insomnia and palpitations can be helped with a homeopathic coffee infusion. Those who have a fever can be given a remedy that raises body temperature in healthy people.
Potentiation: increasing efficacy through dilution.
Homeopathy works with natural substances – today, about 2,500 homeopathic medicines are derived primarily from plant, mineral and animal substances. Many basic natural substances, such as aconite or belladonna, which are used in homeopathy, are initially highly toxic. Therefore, they are diluted. Hahnemann’s experience was that the healing power increased as a result of dilution. A possible explanation for this effect was provided by Korean scientists, who discovered that the dissolved molecules did not distribute themselves evenly in the solvent, as had previously been assumed, but clumped together and formed larger components. The greater the dilution, the larger the clumps became. Hahnemann called this approach “potentization.” Dilution is gradual, with the remedies being triturated or “shaken” over and over again.
Homeopathic drug testing
Indispensable, according to Hahnemann, is the exact knowledge of homeopathic remedies and their effects. Unlike conventional medicine, in which medicines are tested on the sick, the principle of homeopathic drug testing involves healthy people taking the homeopathic remedies and noting symptoms, reactions, or changes they notice in themselves. Even during Hahnemann’s lifetime, numerous so-called “drug pictures” of various homeopathic remedies were thus recorded – even today, many descriptions of their effects date from this time.
Which homeopathic remedy is the right one?
Closely related to the principle of similarity is the need for a distinctly individualized treatment of the patient. This individual principle helps to find the right remedy in the right dosage for each patient. This requires time and attention. Consequently, an initial examination by an alternative practitioner or physician with additional homeopathic training may take two to three hours.
Openness in treatment required
In order for the treating homeopath to prescribe the right remedy in the right dosage, he or she must be intensively involved with his or her patient.Conversely, the patient must be willing to face his complaints and his illness. This includes observing one’s own lifestyle, “listening” into the body, which helps the homeopath to better differentiate a chronic cough, for example. Does the cough only occur at night? After certain foods or activities? Is it associated with certain feelings or behaviors? Everything comes to the table during the initial anamnesis – you have to engage in this much openness and navel-gazing if you want to carry out a homeopathic treatment.
What does D6 or C4 mean?
Such abbreviations are used to designate dilution factors of homeopathic remedies. The preparation of homeopathic remedies is an art in itself, following rules developed by Hahnemann. Pressed juice from fresh plants is mixed 1:1 with alcohol, or dried parts of plants are soaked in alcohol for ten days and then filtered off. This is to extract the active ingredients from the plant cells. Solid substances such as highly mineralized shell limestone or gold are rubbed in a mortar for an hour with just as much lactose and the resulting substances are then diluted in alcohol, water or lactose. The individual letters in the different potencies, for example D6 or C4, stand for the different dilutions:
- For “D” is diluted in a ratio of 1:10.
- For “C” is diluted in the ratio 1:100
- For “LM” or “Q” is diluted in the ratio 1: 50,000
The number after the letter indicates how often diluted. In the case of C4, this means: 1 ml mother tincture is added to 99 ml of alcohol and mixed accordingly. One milliliter of this mother tincture is then added again to 99 ml of solution and mixed. This process is repeated a total of four times.
Globules, drops and other forms
The solution thus obtained can be used either in the form of drops, as a tablet, suppository or ointment. The small beads, also called globules (Latin globus – the ball), are actually made of lactose and get a spray coating of the tincture. Homeopathic remedies are usually available only in pharmacies, but over the counter.
Homeopathy as an alternative to conventional medicine?
Homeopathy is considered one of the most popular alternative healing methods among patients. Many people like to reach for globules and Co. to treat illnesses. Under no circumstances, however, should a homeopathic treatment be carried out without professional support. Homeopathic physicians have completed a course of study in conventional medicine and, after graduating, have undergone further training that is recognized and prescribed by the state medical associations. However, the term “homeopath” is not protected. Heilpraktiker are therefore allowed to open a “practice for homeopathy” even without specialized training. However, a good homeopath will readily provide information about his training and qualifications at any time.
Homeopathy usually not on medical certificate
As a rule, the statutory health insurance companies do not cover the treatment costs for homeopathic remedies. Only in the context of the individual case decision, the homeopathic anamnesis (case recording) is paid by the statutory health insurance. Homeopathic medicines are also only reimbursed in exceptional cases. Private supplementary insurances usually reimburse the costs of homeopathic treatment.
Effectiveness under criticism
To date, the effectiveness of homeopathy is not considered scientifically proven. Numerous studies and meta-analyses have examined the effects of homeopathics and have failed to find any effect beyond the placebo effect. While some studies also appear to demonstrate a health effect of homeopathics, these studies are mostly criticized due to methodological weaknesses. In addition, there is no scientific reason why homeopathy should work – on the contrary, Hahnemann’s principles partly contradict the laws of nature. One point of criticism is that the remedies are sometimes diluted to such an extent that no molecule of the original active ingredient can be detected in them. According to critics, homeopathy is therefore not only ineffective, but also risky: doctors warn against treating serious illnesses in particular exclusively with homeopathic remedies. If conventional medical treatment is delayed too long in favor of homeopathy, it may be too late for life-saving measures (such as the surgical removal of a tumor).
Conclusion: homeopathy can support, not replace
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, homeopathy has many supporters. Even children and animals are often treated with the supposedly gentle medicine. However, one should be aware that homeopathy can not replace conventional medical treatment according to the current state of science. After consultation with the treating physician, however, homeopathy can be used in a supportive manner. It is important to consult an experienced homeopathic physician. This is because homeopathic remedies can also sometimes have serious side effects if the remedies are not potentized strongly enough and the active ingredients they contain cause poisoning, allergic reactions or interactions with other medications.
