Effectiveness

Homoeopathy is a branch of western medicine which has mostly been rejected by western orthodox medical authorities for the last 200 years, mainly due to a conceptual and scientific clash. Yet despite this strong orthodox rejection, homoeopathy has established itself throughout much of the world.

Medical authorities have not argued that homoeopathy is totally ineffective. There is strong skepticism however, because there has not been a plausible explanation in current scientific terms for a mechanism of action for the natural phenomenon on which it is based. This skepticism and strong rejection has continued over the last 200 years despite its clinical success in the field. There are many books written over the years that document this success, particularly in epidemics like cholera prior to the wide scale use of antibiotics.

One of the biggest problems facing homoeopathy today is official skepticism regarding its effectiveness. This skepticism revolves around the mystery of how homoeopathy works and yet all medical care has its mystery and confusion.

Many skeptics have misconceptions about homoeopathy that affect their attitudes towards both clinical and statistical studies which show homoeopathy is more effective than placebo (blank pills). These studies are being conducted by institutions like the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital and the International Institute of Advanced Homoeopathy.

A recent independent review of the Homoeopathic Medicine Research Group ordered by the European Parliament concluded and reported that the balance of scientific evidence is in favour of homoeopathy. (Boissel J-P, Cucherat M, Gauthier E. Critical literature review of the effectiveness of homoeopathy: overview of data from homoeopathic medicine trials. In Report of Homoeopathic Medicine Research Group, European Commission Directorate-General XII, Brussels, 1996 195-210).

The growth of Homoeopathy is evident around the world, for example in the United Kingdom the sale of homoeopathic medicines in pharmacies is increasing between 15% and 20% a year. Referrals to the national health service Homoeopathic Hospitals is also increasing and in Scotland over 25% of Scottish GP’s have taken some basic accredited training in homoeopathy. This type of growth is further evidence of effectiveness.

Today Homoeopathy is finding a resurgence because it is helping millions of people throughout the world with their health problems.

What does this mean for the average Australian?
The majority of orthodox health care providers in Australia do not know of, or do not understand homoeopathy, and have not witnessed its effectiveness. Many Australians are familiar with the complementary therapies like Naturopathy or Acupuncture, however Homoeopathy is relatively unknown to Australians. The establishment of private professional homoeopathic specialist practices across Australia is ensuring that Australians can begin to reap the health benefits of homoeopathic health care. As Australians look for answers to their health concerns and find themselves at the door of a Homoeopathic Practitioner, then this is the moment of truth for Homoeopathy in Australia.

The majority of people who seek homoeopathic treatment in Australia for the first time usually do so as a last resort in the treatment of a chronic complaint that they have suffered for years, and for which orthodox or other complementary treatments have failed. A recent report from Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital showed that 60% of people with these types of complaints reported significant improvement in their main complaint.

Similar reports are not available in Australia as resources to pull such statistics from private practitioners across Australia are not available in the private sector. In the national health service where publicly funded resources are available, it does not appear that there is any proposal of research. Currently there does not appear to be anyone in the national health service in Australia who is practically trying the process that is homoeopathy and recording their results, neither does it appear that anyone is examining the phenomenon of the numerous numbers of people who are having positive results.

In Calcutta, at the International Institute of Advanced Homoeopathy, thousands of people are treated with homoeopathic medicine exclusively by Prof. Dr. Parimal Banerji and his team. This institute has records of millions of cases, data on many different diseases treated with homoeopathic medicine from gall colic to pneumonia, and with a very high success rate.

There is a challenge to medical authorities to visit this institute and others around the world and see with their own eyes what can be achieved with homoeopathic medicine. Perhaps then, they will realise that dogma is causing unnecessary suffering. A revolution in the making? There is a need for ongoing research and hospital facilities for homoeopathic medicine in Australia. Without private practice, there would be no homoeopathic medicine in this country, yet even with the limited resources and support, positive outcomes are occurring everyday across the country in homoeopathic practices. Imagine the potential if even a few public resources were expended.