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What Science Says About Homeopathy
Homeopathy lacks both clinical evidence and theoretical plausibility, therefore there its use is not supported by the scientific evidence.
What is Homeopathy?
Homoeopathy is a form of alternative medicine that use special preparations to treat various aliments. These preparations are typically an ingredient dissolved in a liquid, usually water or alcohol, which is then ingested.
The theory of homeopathy is based on a few simple principles. First the Law of Similars, or like cures like. This states that if a substance (say onions) causes an ailment (watery eyes) then it also cures it. The next principle is called the Law of Infinitesimals. This states that the effectiveness of the substance increases as the amount decreases. Using these two ideas Homeopaths create their preparations by creating extreme dilutions of the various substances.
Basic chemistry can shows that the dilutions used by homeopaths are unlikely to contain any of the original substance. Thus homeopaths will often talk about water memory. Water memory essentially means that the water can remember the substance that was used, even though there is none left, and it is this memory that causes an effect.
Clinical Results
Experiments testing homeopathic treatments are largely negative. The studies that claim to show an effect are poorly conducted, where as the well designed studies show no effect. Therefore the experimental evidence does not support the efficacy of homeopathy.
Theoretical Plausibility
The theory of Homeopathy is inconsistant and scientifically unsound. The theoretical basis of homeopathy, the law of similars, the law of infinitesimals, water memory, etc have no scientific basis. None of the claimed effects have ever been demonstrated. There is no theoretical reason to believe homeopathy should work.
References
Sites/Articles
- http://www.homeowatch.org/
- http://www.ratbags.com/rsoles/comment/homeopathy.htm
- http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/holmes.html
Blog Postings
- Neurologica Blog
Audio
- Quackcast
Studies/Experimental Results
- etc
- etc