I know it seems like I have a bee in my bonnet when it comes to some alternative medicine practices and perhaps that’s so but this week I absolutely have to get homeopathy off my chest, then I promise to change the subject once and for all.

To set the record straight, I do think complementary and alternative medicine has a place but not when it comes to homeopathy.  How anyone could give this whacky woo any credence whatsoever is totally beyond me.

Yep, I’m stirring the pot here but in all seriousness, I think this is an important topic which came up again this week, so I’m putting it out there. Let’s talk about it.  Tell me your views – as I know so many of you like to do.  I’m happy to debate this one for as long as it takes.

Why is homeopathy my particular bugbear? Because despite a general perception that at worst it’s harmless quackery, homeopathy is in fact, far from innocuous. 

Consider the following recent cases in point:  The preventable death of Penelope Dingle whose homeopath practitioner talked her out of proper pain relief and conventional treatment to treat her colorectal cancer. 

Then there’s that awful story that was all over the news a couple of years ago about baby Gloria Thomas who died from septicaemia and malnutrition from severe eczema after her parents rejected conventional medicine for homeopathic treatment. They were jailed for their part in her treatment or lack thereof.

Or, epileptic toddler Isabella Denley whose anti-convulsive medication was replaced with a homeopathic treatment which appears to have resulted in her tragic death.

Sure, medical doctors get it wrong too and sometimes their mistakes do result in preventable deaths so I’m not saying conventional medicine is perfect but at least it’s an evidence-based practice and is constantly and rigorously subjected to scientific scrutiny.

Homeopathy, on the other hand defies common sense. There is no actual medicine involved in this pseudo-science but instead it is based on the theory of treating ‘like with like’.  For instance, homeopaths believe that if you take a substance like pollen, dilute it with water, and I mean really dilute it so it’s essentially pure water again, then give it to somebody who is allergic to pollen it will cure their hay fever by stimulating the body’s natural healing forces.

What’s even more bizarre is that the preparation of this homeopathic “medicine” necessarily involves much shaking and tapping of said substance after each dilution which is supposed to increase the healing effect of the mixture. 

So, let’s get this straight – the more diluted the substance the better it works.  Huh? 

It’s okay, you’re not the only one confused.

Anyway, I think this hilarious video explains it better than I can.  It’s a skit by the British comedy duo, Mitchell and Webb.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0

But if you beg to differ, do let me know your thoughts.  It would be good to have another opinion on the page.

Stay healthy

Amanda – Editor