Modern science is a dynamic field, and it differs from the traditional Mendel-ian science that was based on simple observation. With the use of nowadays’ technologies, we have more tools, and capabilities to control the experiments in the lab. Most importantly, we have extremely sensitive and specific tests to assess the result of each experiment accurately.
Consequently, modern science will always have something to add or to modify in the traditional science results, but sometimes the new results will show us how faulty and inaccurate some of the old ideas were, and we should always keep an open mind.
This is the case for Homeopathy…
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) is a German physician who lived way before the development of modern medicine and all the germs, genes and antibiotics theories… He was unsatisfied with the medical practice of his days, so he started testing new medicines. After years of unsuccessful trials, he came across the “Cinchona Bark” that contains Quinine the anti-malarial active ingredient, and what he observed is that it induces Malaria-like symptoms. Based on this observation, he came up with his first law “similia similibus curentur” Or like be cured by like. The latter means that for a drug to cure a disease it should induce the disease’s symptoms.
He continued and classified all the diseases in three offending categories in what he called the Miasm Theory. Finally, he added to his hypothesis that in order for his remedy to work, it should be diluted, 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times for some medications! I m not exaggerating with the zeros! This is the actual number of dilutions some of the homeopathic remedies need. Homeopaths claim by using this dilution and by shaking vigorously between each manipulation the solution (water or alcohol) will retain the memory of the active ingredient, and will not retain its side effect!
By reading through the above information, every scientist or any person with common sense should be insulted. The basis of all pharmacological concepts is based on the dose/effect relationship; the higher the dose the more the effect, a discussion of the topic should be obsolete these days!
In addition, we all know that the classification of disease is way more complex than three groups. Each disease have multiple classification, ending up with thousands of possible categorizations.
Furthermore, “like cure like” doesn’t make any sense on any level! A lot of clinical trials you can check debunked this theory and has made this way of thinking obsolete.
Modern homeopaths try to defend their beliefs (yes, that’s the word I’m choosing) by saying that it’s similar to vaccines, in other words, you are giving a remedy that usually causes the symptoms to try and protect the body from being ill. Well first, the amount of active ingredient in a vaccine is easily detectable, in contrast with homeopathic remedies that you cannot detect even one molecule in it. Second, vaccines are mostly used to prevent infections and not treat them, which makes a huge difference.
In conclusion, believing in homeopathy is not an option anymore, a lot of studies have proven that at its best it ‘s comparable to placebo, and some countries are looking into banning it. Unfortunately, a lot of homeopathy remedies still exist on the market as OTC and a lot of patients are using them without being aware it’s homeopathy… so please consult your doctor and pharmacist before using any medication.
And for the love of science! stop talking about the benefits of homeopathy!!
Here are few jokes you can find all over the internet about homeopathy that you will definitely enjoy:
Cocktail’s Ingredients:
http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/homeo.html
http://homeoint.org/morrell/articles/pm_miasm.htm
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