A recently published review on homeopathy, titled "The End of
Homeopathy," claimed that homeopathic medicines were only as good as
placebos. However, now two new studies conclude that the review
describing homeopathy as a placebo was flawed. Both the events together
seem to have marked the end and resurrection of homeopathy, at least
theoretically.
Homeopathy, a type of alternative medicine. Alternative medicines refer to all healing practices that fall out of the purview of conventional medicine such as aromatherapy,
massage therapies, magnetic therapy, crystal therapy, etc. It was first
introduced to the world by Samuel Hahnemann in the 18th century. It is
based upon a central philosophy, that sickness can be treated using a
substance that can produce symptoms similar to those of the illness, in
a healthy person. Over the years the practice has been used by an
increasing number of people worldwide, debated all over and has also
fought back the attacks leveled against it, such as now.
The Rise of Homeopathy
During the last 30 years or so this alternative medicine has achieved a
high status and popularity, estimates put it's growth rate to about
20%.
Considering that most of the referrals to a homeopathic clinic are
through word of mouth that seems to be a very good figure.
In the US, about 62% of the population uses some sort of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine. Further,Homeopathy which is a part of “Whole
Medical Systems” ranks at number four position as the most popular form
of Complementary and
Alternative Medicine (CAM). It
accounts for 2.7 percent of CAM users. The popularity of other
types of CAMs is, Mind Body Medicine (52.6%), Biologically Based
Practices (21.9%), Manipulative and Body-Based Practices (10.9%) and
Energy Medicine (0.5%).
Further, compared to other therapies of its kind viz. Acupuncture,
Ayurveda, and Naturopathy, the
Homeopathic Medicine with
41% users ranks second being next only to Acupuncture, whose users
make up for 45 percent of all the four therapies combined.
Aside from the USA, in countries around the world, the popularity of
homeopathy excellent. For instance in a recent Global TGI survey,
people were asked whether they trust homeopathy? The following are the
percentages of people living in urban areas who said YES:, India
62%, Brazil 58%, Saudi Arabia 53%, Chile 49%, United Arab Emirates 49%,
France 40%, South Africa 35%, Russia 28%, Germany 27%, Argentina 25%,
Hungary 25%, USA 18%, UK 15%.
A number of famous people use or have used homeopathic remedies
including the royal families of Europe. In fact Queen Elizabeth II of
England is said never to travel anywhere without her supplies of
homeopathic remedies.
Homeopathy is practiced nowadays in countries all over the world and
the legacy of homeopathy, now 250 years old continues. If history is an
indicator of future success, then homeopathy will continue to
illuminate the
medical industry for as long as it lasts.
