No Evidence?

In response to claims that homeopathy is a discredited system with no evidence showing effectiveness beyond placebo effect…

Letter to the Editor


Date
Name
Address

Dear Editor,
I recently read with interest the (story, op-ed piece, letter-to-the-editor) about homeopathy published in (or on) your (paper, website, blog).  Sadly, the piece failed to accurately report the facts about the subject.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that has been practiced for over 200 years with an extensive and laudable clinical record.  Tens of millions of patients currently use it around the world. 

To make the claim that there is no evidence homeopathy works is preposterous and unscientific.  Literally hundreds of basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies have been published in respected, peer-reviewed journals showing the good effects of homeopathic care.  A small sampling of those studies include those on adverse effects of cancer management (Kassab et al 2009), childhood diarrhoea (Jacobs et al., 2003), HIV/AIDS (Ullman, 2003), influenza treatment with Oscillococcinum® (Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum HPUS) (Vickers & Smith, 2006), osteoarthritis (Long & Ernst, 2001), post-operative ileus (Barnes, Resch & Ernst, 1997), rheumatic diseases (Jonas, Linde & Ramirez, 2000), seasonal allergic rhinitis (Lüdtke & Wiesenauer, 1997), seasonal allergic rhinitis (Taylor et al., 2000), upper respiratory tract infections and allergy (Bornhöft et al, 2006), upper respiratory tract diseases, including otitis media (Bellavite et al, 2006) and vertigo (Schneider, Klein, & Weiser M, 2005). 
There have also been extensive observational studies conducted throughout Europe on large patient populations.  Patient improvement on homeopathy in these studies for both acute and chronic conditions typically falls in 70-80% range with high patient satisfaction with homeopathic treatment.  And many studies find greater cost-effectiveness of homeopathy because of ability to reduce use of conventional drugs.

For a more extensive list of basic science, pre-clinical and clinical research papers showing the effect of homeopathy, another good resource in the United States is the National Center for Homeopathy’s website (www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org and look under “Articles” and then “Research”).

No evidence that homeopathy works???  Ask the tens of millions of patients that rely on the system worldwide – or check the research facts.  Both sources will tell you otherwise…
Sincerely,