Dr. Oz Television Show Features Positive Segment on Homeopathy

The Dr. Oz Show is one of the most watched syndicated medical shows in the world. Dr. Oz, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, has been a professor at the Department of Surgery at Columbia University since 2001 and is the host of the show. On his popular television show, he featured a segment on homeopathy where he admitted that three generations in his family have used homeopathic remedies successfully and he utilizes them on a regular basis. He introduced important homeopathic remedies for home care. He called it the Dr. Oz homeopathic remedy kit.

An expert homeopath and naturopath introduced the theories behind homeopathy and helped to describe the important remedies. Three conventionally trained Medical doctors also appeared describing how homeopathy has revolutionized their practice and helped their patients.

The Dr. Oz show, which debuted on September 14, 2009, is co-produced by Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures Television Distribution. One year, Dr. Oz took home an Emmy for best talk show host and the show has won an Emmy for “Outstanding Informative Talk Show” two years in a row. The show’s fourth season premiered on September 10, 2012. The show has 3 million plus viewers in the United States  alone and is broadcast worldwide including Europe, Australia, South America, South East Asia, the Arab world etc.

Homeopathy can be used for many acute and first aid situations by individuals and families. As well, well trained homeopathic practitioners approach chronic disease in a uniquely effective way.

Rock Star Peter Townshend Uses Homeopathy Successfully

The Who’s Pete Townshend discussed his ongoing battle he has had with the hearing disorder tinnitus in an interview on the David Letterman television show. He also said on this US national television show that he owes the improvement of his condition to homeopathy:

“Right now I don’t have it badly. I have done quite a lot of new age medicine stuff to help me. And a homeopathic teacher, or a homeopathic doctor, helped me a lot with this, so I would recommend that.”
The rock band the Who is on an international tour.

Townshend is the primary songwriter for The Who, having written well over 100 songs for the band’s 11 studio albums, includingconcept albums and the rock operas Tommy and Quadrophenia, plus popular rock and roll radio staples such as Who’s Next, and dozens more that appeared as non-album singles, bonus tracks on reissues, and tracks on rarities compilations such Odds & Sods. He has also written over 100 songs that have appeared on his solo albums, as well as radio jingles and television theme songs. Although known primarily as a guitarist, he also plays other instruments such as keyboards, banjo, accordion, ukulele, mandolin, violin,synthesizer, bass guitar and drums, on his own solo albums, several Who albums, and as a guest contributor to a wide array of other artists’ recordings. He is self-taught on all of the instruments he plays and has never had any formal training.

Townshend has also been a contributor and author of newspaper and magazine articles, book reviews, essays, books, and scripts, as well as collaborating as a lyricist (and composer) for many other musical acts. Townshend was ranked No. 3 in Dave Marsh‘s list of Best Guitarists in The New Book of Rock Lists,^[3] No. 10 in Gibson.com’s list of the top 50 guitarists,^[4] and No. 10 again in Rolling Stone magazine’s updated 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.^[5] Townshend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Who in 1990.

-Wikipedia

Scientific Trial: Homeopathic Remedy Treats Menopausal Hot Flushes Successfully

A study using a homeopathic remedy with menopausal women experiencing hot flashes in 35 active gynaecologists’ practices in France has shown dramatic success. Researchers are now recommending it as a “new therapeutic option with a safe profile for hot flashes in menopausal women.” “BRN-01 [the homeopathic remedy] seemed to have a significant effect on the HFS, compared with placebo.” The study included one hundred and eight menopausal women and was multicentered, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled.

Here is the Abstract

Background: Homeopathic medicines have a place among the non-hormonal therapies for the treatment of hot flashes during the menopause.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the non-hormonal treatment BRN-01 in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.

Study Design: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study carried out between June 2010 and July 2011.

Setting: The study was conducted in 35 active centers in France (gynecologists in private practice).

Patients: One hundred and eight menopausal women, >=50 years of age, were enrolled in the study. The eligibility criteria included menopause for <24 months and >=5 hot flashes per day with a significant negative effect on the women’s professional and/or personal life.
Intervention: Treatment was either BRN-01 tablets, a registered homeopathic medicine containing Actaea racemosa (4 centesimal dilutions [4CH]), Arnica montana (4CH), Glonoinum (4CH), Lachesis mutus (5CH), and Sanguinaria canadensis (4CH), or identical placebo tablets, prepared by Laboratoires Boiron according to European Pharmacopoeia standards. Oral treatment (2 to 4 tablets per day) was started on day 3 after study enrollment and was continued for 12 weeks.
Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was the hot flash score (HFS) compared before, during, and after treatment. Secondary outcome criteria were the quality of life (QoL) [measured using the Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS)], severity of symptoms (measured using the Menopause Rating Scale), evolution of the mean dosage, and compliance. All adverse events (AEs) were recorded.
Results: One hundred and one women were included in the final analysis (intent-to-treat population: BRN-01, n = 50; placebo, n = 51). The global HFS over the 12 weeks, assessed as the area under the curve (AUC) adjusted for baseline values, was significantly lower in the BRN-01 group than in the placebo group (mean +/- SD 88.2 +/- 6.5 versus 107.2 +/- 6.4; p = 0.0411). BRN-01 was well tolerated; the frequency of AEs was similar in the two treatment groups, and no serious AEs were attributable to BRN-01.
Conclusion: BRN-01 seemed to have a significant effect on the HFS, compared with placebo. According to the results of this clinical trial, BRN-01 may be considered a new therapeutic option with a safe profile for hot flashes in menopausal women who do not want or are not able to take hormone replacement therapy or other recognized treatments for this indication.
Trial registration number (EudraCT): 2009-016959-21.

New Study Shows Homeopathy Has Impact On Musculoskeletal Disorders With Fewer Side Effects

A new study  that was published in a leading pharmacology journal shows that homeopathy has an impact on muscular skeletal disorders. The study was completed at the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; LA-SER Centre for Risk Research, Montreal, Canada

The study followed 1153 patients that were broken down into 3 groups- 1. those who went to a conventional doctor, 2. those who went to an MD who practiced alternative health or complimentary alternative medicine and 3. those who went to a homeopathic medical doctor. The homeopathic patients took 50 per cent less painkillers and yet experienced much benefit and of course less adverse drug effects from the conventional medications.

The conclusion of the study was “MSD patients seen by homeopathic physicians showed a similar clinical progression when less exposed to NSAID in comparison to patients seen in CM practice, with fewer NSAID-related adverse events and no loss of therapeutic opportunity.”- PubMed

Clinical Study Shows Homeopathy is Effective in Sinusitis

A multicentre observational study at the Institues and Units of the Central Counceil for Research in Homeopathy has shown that homeopathy can be effective in chronic sinusitis. The study involved 628 patients and results were confirmed on X-ray. Here is the abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to ascertain the therapeutic usefulness of homeopathic medicine in the management of chronic sinusitis (CS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Multicentre observational study at Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Symptoms were assessed using the chronic sinusitis assessment score (CSAS). 17 pre-defined homeopathic medicines were shortlisted for prescription on the basis of repertorisation for the pathological symptoms of CS. Regimes and adjustment of regimes in the event of a change of symptoms were pre-defined. The follow-up period was for 6 months. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.

RESULTS:

628 patients suffering from CS confirmed on X-ray were enrolled from eight Institutes and Units of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. All 550 patients with at least one follow-up assessment were analyzed. There was a statistically significant reduction in CSAS (P = 0.0001, Friedman test) after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Radiological appearances also improved. A total of 13 out of 17 pre-defined medicines were prescribed in 550 patients, Sil. (55.2% of 210), Calc. (62.5% of 98), Lyc. (69% of 55), Phos. (66.7% of 45) and Kali iod. (65% of 40) were found to be most useful having marked improvement. 4/17 medicines were never prescribed. No complications were observed during treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Homeopathic treatment may be effective for CS patients. Controlled trials are required for further validation.

-Pubmed, April 2012

Official Swiss Government Study and Report Dramatically Affirms Homeopathy’s Positive Results, Safety and Cost Effectiveness

A new study and report by the Swiss Government has been published in an English book form.  It is the most comprehensive study of homeopathy undertaken  by a government.  As reported on Huffington Post the report is the most significant and largest study of homeopathy ever undertaken.

“The Health Technology Assessment report on effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of homeopathy was compiled on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health (BAG) within the framework of the ‘Program of Evaluation of Complementary Medicine (PEK)”.

After carefully monitoring homeopathic treatment in Switzerland and also taking an extensive overview of all scientific studies of homeopathy it concludes that “taking internal and external validity criteria into account, effectiveness of homeopathy can be supported by clinical evidence and professional and adequate application be regarded as safe”(PubMed).  They concluded that homeopathic treatment should continued to be reimbursed by Switzerland’s national health insurance program.

“The Swiss government’s “Health Technology Assessment” on homeopathic medicine is much more comprehensive than any previous governmental report written on this subject to date. Not only did this report carefully and comprehensively review the body of evidence from randomized double-blind and placebo controlled clinical trials testing homeopathic medicines, they also evaluated the “real world effectiveness” as well as safety and cost-effectiveness. The report also conducted a highly-comprehensive review of the wide body of preclinical research (fundamental physio-chemical research, botanical studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies with human cells).

And still further, this report evaluated systematic reviews and meta-analyses, outcome studies, and epidemiological research. This wide review carefully evaluated the studies conducted, both in terms of quality of design and execution (called “internal validity”) and how appropriate each was for the way that homeopathy is commonly practiced (called “external validity”).

After assessing pre-clinical basic research and the high quality clinical studies, the Swiss report affirmed that homeopathic high-potencies seem to induce regulatory effects (e.g., balancing or normalizing effects) and specific changes in cells or living organisms. The report also reported that 20 of the 22 systematic reviews of clinical research testing homeopathic medicines detected at least a trend in favor of homeopathy.* (Bornhöft, Wolf, von Ammon, et al, 2006)

The Swiss report noted that the Shang team [who authored the Lancet meta-analysis] did not even adhere to the QUORUM guidelines which are widely recognized standards for scientific reporting (Linde, Jonas, 2005).

Dana Ullman MPH on Huffington Post

Swiss Government Study: Homeopathy is Most Cost Effective

The Swiss government has determined that homeopathy is the most cost effective method of the medical treatment of ‘ambulatory’ patients.

“From 1999 to 2005, 5 methods of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) applied by physicians were provisionally included into mandatory Swiss basic health insurance. Within this process, an evaluation of cost-effectiveness is required.”

Homeopathy was one of the five methods and it turns out that it is the most cost effective, more than conventional medicine or any other complimentary medicine. And patients reported better quality of the patient-physician relationship and fewer adverse side effects with all complimentary medical approaches.

The positive general conclusion of the study was: “This  study uses a health system perspective and demonstrates at least equal or better cost-effectiveness of complimentary and alternative medicine in the setting of Swiss ambulatory care. CAM can therefore be seen as a valid complement to conventional medicine within Swiss health care.”

The study “Comparison of swiss basic health insurance costs of complementary and conventional medicine” was published in PubMed.

Shocked Canadian Homeopaths and Homeopathy Supporters Ask, “Is the CBC Marketplace Show Infiltrated by Pharmaceutical Company Sponsored Skeptics?”

Canadian homeopaths and homeopathic professional organizations are reeling from a one sided and unfair piece on homeopathy by the CBC television network. Not only that, they are questioning the unscrupulous methodology of producers of the show.

As the sales of homeopathic and aruvedic remedies increase faster than pharmaceutical drugs in strong economies like Brazil and India, conventional pharmaceutical companies have created and funded skeptic organizations like “Sense about Science” in western countries to discredit them. There are over hundreds of thousands of registered homeopaths in India with 13,000 new ones registering each year and tens of thousands in Brazil.

Now a number of organizations directly funded by pharmaceutical companies have developed aggressive and hostile tactics to fight homeopathy and discredit its practitioners. Infiltrating conventional media sources is one method just as the head of one of the largest pharmaceutically sponsored skeptic organizations “Sense about Science” is a former public relations consultant for pharmaceutical companies.

In Canada, homeopathic practitioners are now being regulated in the province of Ontario by an act of provincial parliament. They are also being targeted by skeptic organizations. Producers at CBC Marketplace decided to do a show on it and took the skeptical premise that homeopathy was simply belief and unscientific, questioning the regulation and even what is in a homeopathic remedy.

Experienced Canadian homeopaths are complaining that these producers at this Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television show comprimised journalistic integrity by taking such a strong one sided point of view right from the beginning and to the very end.

There were some blatant untruths in the show particularly around the show stating that they tried to get comments from various organizations.  As word of the show spread to the homeopathic community some organizations and homeopathic supporters actually contacted the producers and continued to discuss the show with them. The producers did not wish to have any experienced homeopaths on the show, (not asking the most experienced Canadian practitioners at all) but rather sought new and poorly trained homeopaths to be able to highlight their negative premise and create an aura of flakiness and danger. The actual registrar of homeopaths in Ontario, an experienced and sensible homeopath  was not asked to be interviewed.

Pro-homeopathy scientists, experienced practitioners and other journalists were frustrated in their attempt to give the producers positive information and emphasize its safety. The producers even ignored the body of scientific information and papers that demonstrate and scientifically prove homeopathic remedies are more than “sugar and water” or placebo. They sought opinions and gave final say from individuals who were well known skeptics and know little if nothing about homeopathy.

In a recent interview with noble prize winning Dr. Luc Montagnier he actually gives homeopathy some credit within his body of work yet the show decided to take a quote from him from many years ago.

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by tens of millions daily worldwide, and the second most utilized complementary health discipline in the world.  It has a laudable 200-year clinical record.  There are literally hundreds of high quality basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing it works.