Homeopathy: What It Is, How It Claims to Work, and What the Evidence Actually Says

I. Hook / Snap Stat

II. The Two “Laws” in 60 Seconds

• Law of Similarities: “like cures like” (e.g., onion → colds).
• Law of Infinitesimals: More dilution means more power; water has a “memory.”

III. A Gallery of Common Homeopathic Products

• Forms: Pellets, drops, creams, teething gels.
• Common Raw Materials: Belladonna, red onion, crushed bees, arsenic trioxide.

IV. Evidence Map: What Human Studies Really Show

A. Minor Conditions (Low-Quality RCTs)

• Diarrhea in children: Slight advantage over placebo.
• Otitis media, allergies, PMS: Inconsistent results with high risk of bias.

B. Mental Health (Very Small Trials)

• Depression, PDD: Trend toward placebo; insufficient statistical power.

C. Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses

• 2017 NHS England Review: “No reliable evidence” for any condition.
• 2022 Umbrella Meta-Analysis: Effect size matches placebo after excluding low-quality studies.

V. Safety and Regulatory Environment (Timeline)

• FDA (2015–2022): Warnings about belladonna in teething tablets and unproven asthma “cures.”
• FTC (2016): Over-the-counter homeopathic products must substantiate claims or state “No scientific evidence.”
• Risks: “Ultra-dilute” does not guarantee safety; some lots contain toxic levels of belladonna or ethanol, posing risks of seizures or infant death.

VI. Criticisms from Scientific and Medical Organizations

• American Physical Society: “Scientifically implausible.”
• UK NICE: “Should not be used for life-threatening illnesses.”
• Ethical Concern: Delays evidence-based care.

VII. Practitioner Credentials: ND, Homeopath, or Naturopath?

VIII. Safety Checklist if You Choose to Use Homeopathy

1. Consult your MD/DO first; do not discontinue prescribed medications.
2. Select products with FDA disclaimers; avoid pediatric oral liquids with >20% alcohol.
3. Monitor symptoms; discontinue if worsening or no improvement after 7 days.
4. Never substitute homeopathy for vaccines, antibiotics, rescue inhalers, or cancer treatment.

IX. Evidence-Based Alternatives for Common Uses

X. Key Takeaways

1. Homeopathy is scientifically implausible and no more effective than placebo in rigorous trials.
2. Regulations require disclaimers; always check labels for unproven claims.
3. For serious or acute conditions, use homeopathy only as a supplement to evidence-based care—never as a replacement.