Homeopathy: knowledge and use in Italy

A new survey of 1066 Italian adults, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Boiron in October 2022, confirms that more than half of Italians have used homeopathy in their lifetime.

The survey, “Homeopathy: knowledge and use in Italy”,  measured the behaviour and attitude of Italians towards homeopathic medicines. Its aim was to measure awareness, trust and use of various treatment options, and to understand the place that homeopathy has within modern medicine.

It showed that:

• 57% of Italians have used homeopathy in their lifetime and 46% in the last twelve months
• 81% of users declare themselves to be satisfied with it
• 66% of Italians trust homeopathic medicine and 77% consider it complementary to conventional medicine
• 86% of Italians claim to know about homeopathy but only 26% would be able to explain it correctly
• 60% expect to use homeopathy in the future – they base their choice on the fact that homeopathic medicines are natural and without the risk of side effects (57%), a preference not to use chemical medicines (45%), the effectiveness of the treatment (26%) and because they believe it to a better alternative for their health (24%)
• 45% say they would first consult a homeopathic doctor or a general practitioner, while 40% would ask their pharmacist directly
• 72% of Italians recognise the pharmacy as the most suitable place for the purchase of homeopathic medicines
• 84% of Italians believe that homeopathy should to be offered by health professionals, and about 40% would like to associate homeopathy with conventional therapies.

The study results highlight the need for more information and education on homeopathy.

 

Source: ECHAM

Integrative Mental Health – the way forward

The MEP Interest Group on Integrative Medicine and Health will host the event ‘Integrative Mental Health –  the way forward’ on Tuesday 28 March 2023 at 16:00-18:00 CET.

Take the opportunity to meet with leading academic experts and members of the European Parliament. Experts working at the intersection of mental health and Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) will share evidence-based solutions and explain the particular benefits of applying TCIM in this important area.

The role of TCIM – Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Nearly 125 million people in the WHO European region – equivalent to 13% of its population – were already living with mental illness before the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the pandemic has worsened the situation by increasing the rates of already-common conditions such as depression and anxiety by more than 25%. Mental health problems are becoming more and more serious and costly, whether they result from various factors, such as rising economic and social inequities, rapid societal, political, and environmental shifts or the COVID-19 pandemic.

To address these challenges, Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) can play an important role in mitigating the effects of these developments on the human psyche. Among the array of available TCIM techniques, popular practices such as mindfulness or yoga training, and methods such as acupuncture, should be accessible to more people. By using these techniques, Europeans can equip themselves with enjoyable and effective tools for preventing ill mental health, improving their daily management of mental illness, and building up mental and physical resilience. Mental health is critically important to everyone, everywhere, and it is essential to recognize that there is no health without mental health, as WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus rightly argues.

Register here.

EUROCAM runs the secretariat of the MEP Interest Group on Integrative Medicine and Health. ECCH is member of EUROCAM.

European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2022

Randomised controlled trials data update 2021

The Homeopathy Research Institute (HRI) is pleased to announce the findings from Dr Robert Mathie’s latest clinical evidence update:

Total number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs):
2021: 255 RCTs of homeopathic treatments for 136 medical conditions

It is promising to see a slight increase in the volume of trials published per year, i.e. 14 RCTs in 2021, compared to 12 RCTs in 2020.

Double-blind placebo-controlled trials (DB-RCTs):
Considering only DB-RCTs in humans, published in peer reviewed journals (excluding prophylaxis and cross-over studies), the analysis found:

2020: 140 trials on 86 different medical conditions
2021: 148 trials on 88 different medical conditions

148 RCTs of homeopathy (end of 2021)


The 8 new DB-RCTs – 2 positive^1,2 0 negative and 6 inconclusive^3-8 trials – have resulted in a slight shift in the overall balance of evidence as follows:

Positive:         ↓ 1%
Negative:       ↓ 2%
Inconclusive: ↑ 2%

Our most popular FAQ webpage has been updated to include:

• the new 2021 data on homeopathy trials
• the full list of references for the 148 double-blind placebo controlled trials represented in the pie chart.

New DB-RCTs: 

1. Ghosh S, Ravindra RK, Modak A et al. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med 2021 Jun 3. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0512. Online ahead of print.
2. Shahid S, Ghosh S, Chakraborty AS et al. Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Plantar Fasciitis: Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Homeopathy 2021 Sep 07. DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731383. Online ahead of print.
3. Dey S, Hashmi S, Saha S et al. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Trial of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines for Cutaneous Warts. Homeopathy 2021 Aug;110(3):149-159
4. Dey S, Shaikh AR, Saha S et al. Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Preliminary Trial. Complement Med Res2021 Apr 15;1-10
5. Dolev T, Ben-David M, Shahadi I et al. Attention Dysregulation in Breast Cancer Patients Following a Complementary Alternative Treatment Routine: A Double-Blind Randomized Trial. Integrative Cancer Therapies 2021; 20: 1–10
6. Dutta S, Ganguly S, Mukherjee SK et al. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in intervening with the progression of pre-hypertension to hypertension: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Explore (NY) 2021 Jun 5;S1550-8307(21)00098-7.
7. Parewa M, Burman AS, Brahma A et al. Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Pilot Trial. Complement Med Res 2021; 28(5):407-418
8. Sadhukhan S, Singh S, Michael J et al. Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Stage I Essential Hypertension: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial. J Altern Complement Med 2021 Jun; 27(6):515-521

What is the role of homeopathy in the treatment of depression

The project ’the role of homeopathy in the treatment of depression is completed in 2018. It carried out as part of a PhD programme at the University of Sheffield and evaluated the impact of providing homeopathic treatment in addition to usual care, for patients with self-reported depression. Multiple research methods were combined to assess the acceptability of this approach, its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

 

The research project is registered with the ISRCTN register of Current Controlled Trials to ensure that all findings are made public. The project also obtained ethics approval from an NHS Research Ethics Committee. Patients were recruited from the ongoing NIHR CLAHRC funded Yorkshire Health Study.

Research team

Dr P Viksveen – Petter carried out this project within a Health and Related Research PhD studentship, which he completed in 2016. PhD (University of Sheffield), MSc Homeopathy (University of Central Lancashire), BA pedagogy (University of Oslo), Registered Homeopath MNHL (Norway).

Supervision by:
Dr Clare Relton – Research Fellow, School of Health and Related Research (University of Sheffield), and a Registered Homeopath
Prof Jon Nicholl – Professor of Health Services Research and Dean of the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)

Advisor:
Prof Paul Bissell – Professor of Public Health and the Director of the Public Health Section, School of Health and Related Research (University of Sheffield)

Read more and see the video in which Petter Viskveen explained the importance of research.

 

Homeopathy for otitis media and upper respiratory infections in children

Homeopathic Medications as Clinical Alternatives for Symptomatic Care of Acute Otitis Media and Upper Respiratory Infections in Children

The public health and individual risks of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and conventional over-the-counter symptomatic drugs in the pediatric treatment of acute otitis media (AOM) and upper respiratory infections (URIs) are significant. Clinical research suggests that over-the-counter homeopathic medicines offer pragmatic treatment alternatives to conventional drugs for symptom relief in children with uncomplicated AOM or URIs. Homeopathy is a controversial but demonstrably safe and effective 200-year-old whole system of complementary and alternative medicine used worldwide. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate that homeopathy accelerates early symptom relief in acute illnesses at much lower risk than conventional drug approaches. Evidence-based advantages for homeopathy include lower antibiotic fill rates during watchful waiting in otitis media, fewer and less serious side effects, absence of drug-drug interactions, and reduced parental sick leave from work. Emerging evidence from basic and preclinical science research counter the sceptics’ claims that homeopathic remedies are biologically inert placebos. Consumers already accept and use homeopathic medicines for self-care, as evidenced by annual US consumer expenditures of $2.9 billion on homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy appears equivalent to and safer than conventional standard care in comparative effectiveness trials, but additional well-designed efficacy trials are indicated. Nonetheless, the existing research evidence on safety supports the pragmatic use of homeopathy in order to “first do no harm” in the early symptom management of otherwise uncomplicated AOM and URIs in children. Read the whole article here.

source: NCBI

More than half of Germans have used homeopathy

New survey: More than half of Germans have used homeopathy and 70% are open to it

A new survey shows that the proportion of adults in Germany in 2021 who have used homeopathic medicines or who would be willing to try them remains as high as last year.

More than half the respondents (54%) say they have had experience with homeopathy or have used homeopathic medicines. This proportion is consistent with user numbers at the beginning of last year: in the forsa survey in February 2020, 55% of those surveyed stated that they had experience with homeopathy.

A further 16% are generally willing to try homeopathic medicines. This proportion of potential users is also stable compared to 2020 (15%).

In total, 70% of German adults are open to homeopathy or have already had experience with this form of treatment.

More women use homeopathic medicines than men – 64% compared to 42%. The use of homeopathy is most widespread among 45-59-year-olds, 61% of whom said they had experience with homeopathy. They are closely followed by the 30-44-year-olds (59%). Even among younger adults (18-29 years), significantly more than half (57%) have used homeopathy. The lowest user base is found amongst the over 60s, at 43%.

A clear majority (67%) of those with experience of homeopathy have so far been satisfied (48%) or very satisfied (19%) with the effectiveness and tolerability of homeopathic medicines.

The survey was carried out by forsa on behalf of DHU (Deutsche Homöopathie-Union) between 30^th July and 9th August 2021. 2006 people aged 18 and over were questioned nationwide as part of a population-representative, multi-topic survey. This was the latest annual survey on the opinions of Germans on the subject of homeopathy that has been running since 2010.

 

source: ECHAMP

90-cow Cork man leading the way as homeopath farmer

That’s Farming, spoke to Pat Aherne, the homeopath farmer

Pat Aherne is located on “properly the last piece of farmland” between Cork Airport and Cork city.

He holds the title of being the last farmer in his parish of Ballyphene, a once-thriving farming community and home to the famous CMP Dairies.

He owns 90 cows under the AnnaMaria prefix, which he named after his two daughters. He is the third generation on the farm, which his grandmother bought in 1958. Pat’s father, Patrick, acquired it in 1970 before he took its reins in 2014.

 

Life-changing discovery

By happy accident, he discovered homeopathy in 2010 – an event that would change his life.

Two years later, he was so impressed with the dramatic reduction in his use of antibiotics on the herd that he began to research more into homeopathy.

His herd’s health improved so much that it led to a string of co-op milk quality awards for supplying the best quality milk to Dairygold Co-op throughout 2016.

Pat describes himself as a “conventional farmer, with an unconventional outlook”.

He has transformed his herd health and fertility whilst reducing antibiotic use through a homeopath approach learned over the last ten years.

He is passionate about a naturopathic approach to his herd of 90 dairy cows and now leads the way in Ireland and the UK as a homeopath farmer.

However, he admits it has been a journey of ups and downs, though. Pat still has cases of mastitis, but he prevents most cases from worsening and improves recovery time just by using homeopathy and holistic approaches.

The whole article about how the homeopath farmer reduced his use of antibiotics.

Narrative Review : Evidence-based homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy

Narrative Review “Evidence-based homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy, and its potential to help overcome the antimicrobial resistance problem – an overview” published in a conventional peer-reviewed journal in October 2020

 

Dr Petra Weiermayer, Prof Michael Frass, Dr Thomas Peinbauer and Dr Liesbeth Ellinger, two human physicians and two veterinarians, have written a narrative review in the spirit of “One Health”, entitled “Evidence-based homeopathy and veterinary homeopathy, and its potential to help overcome the antimicrobial resistance problem – an overview”, which was published in a conventional peer-reviewed journal.¹

The authors clarify the factual situation, which shows evidence for the effectiveness of human and veterinary homeopathy in general, and in homeopathic treatment of infections in particular.  On the basis of evidence, they criticize the approach taken in the second Australian NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) Report and the EASAC (European Academies Science Advisory Council) Statement.^{2, 3}

This review serves, among other things, as a foundation for a cooperation with universities in Austria, Germany and Switzerland regarding research projects to evaluate the potential of homeopathy and phytotherapy for the reduction of antibiotics. In view of the demands of the European Green Deal (Farm2Fork Strategy) and the EU Organic Regulation 2018/848:

1) to reduce the use of antibiotics by 50% throughout the EU by 2030⁴

2) to increase the number of organic farms in the EU from 8% to 25% by 2030⁴

3) to give preference to homeopathy and phytotherapy in organic farms before conventional medicines including antibiotics are used⁵

the application of these complementary medical disciplines in the sense of integrative veterinary medicine, i.e. to combine conventional and complementary medical therapy procedures (“best practices”), is proactive and innovative.

The conclusion of the narrative review clearly discusses the legal and scientific foundations of homeopathy.  Evidence level 1a studies are reviewed regarding external evidence on the general use of human and veterinary homeopathy, and, when focusing on external evidence on the use of homeopathy in infections, some evidence level 1a, 1b, 2c studies are described in more detail.  They conclude:

“The current national laws (Switzerland, Austria, Germany) and EU legislation guarantee the quality and safety of homeopathic medicinal products as well as the safety of homeopathic therapies carried out lege artis.^{6 – 15}

Evidence for the effectiveness of human and veterinary homeopathy in general, and in particular in the treatment of infections, is sufficiently proven for further research in this field. Five of the six meta-analyses on different indications up to 2014 (see Table 2) concluded that the effectiveness of homeopathic therapy differs from placebo.^{16 – 20} Only the systematic review with meta-analysis of 2005 as well as the second Australian NHMRC Report and the EASAC Statement, where more than 90% of the studies were excluded from the analysis in each case, did not show any effectiveness of homeopathy beyond placebo.^{21, 2, 3} A review in 2013 already confirmed that more than 90% of all studies must be excluded in order to conclude that homeopathy is not effective.²²  Individualized homeopathy especially demonstrates effects at all quality levels according to Cochrane criteria, even in the methodologically high-quality studies. Obviously non-scientific interests consequently led to misinformation about homeopathy.²³

In addition to studies on the proof of effectiveness of homeopathy for infections, data from health care research, so-called Real World Data, show the potential for a significant reduction in the use of antibiotics through homeopathic treatments (see Table 3). Not least because of the global threat posed by the problem of antibiotic resistance, further methodologically high-quality studies are urgently needed in human homeopathy just as in veterinary homeopathy.

Implementation of studies at university facilities is a prerequisite for quality assurance, which can only be achieved by integrating complementary medicine including homeopathy at the universities. This absolutely necessary consequence and demand in the interest of the patients is already asserted by the American Consensus Guideline for university continuing education in integrative veterinary medicine and is legally anchored in Switzerland according to the Medical Professions Act for teaching and research at the university. ^{24, 25}“¹

 

The full text of the narrative review including the 3 tables can be read here.
References

1. Weiermayer P, Frass M, Peinbauer T, Ellinger L. Evidenzbasierte Veterinär-/Homöopathie und ihre mögliche Bedeutung für die Bekämpfung der Antibiotikaresistenzproblematik – ein Überblick. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2020; online publication, ahead of print.
2. NHMRC Information Paper, Evidence on the effectiveness of homeopathy for treating health conditions. Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council. 2015. Canberra, Australien.https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/images/nhmrc-information-paper-effectiveness-of-homeopathy.pdf (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
3. European Academies Science Advisory Council. Homeopathic products and practices: assessing the evidence and ensuring consistency in regulating medical claims in the EU, 2017. Halle, Deutschland. https://www.easac.eu/fileadmin/PDF_s/reports_statements/EASAC_Homeopathy_Statement.jpg (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
4. European Green Deal. Organic farming – action plan for the development of EU organic production. EU Commission. Brüssel, Belgien. https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12555-Action-plan-for-the-development-of-EU-organic-production (letzter Zugriff 17.9.2020)
5. Verordnung (EU) 2018/848 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 30. Mai 2018 über die ökologische/biologische Produktion und die Kennzeichnung von ökologischen/biologischen Erzeugnissen sowie zur Aufhebung der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 834/2007 des Rates. Brüssel, Belgien. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32018R0848 (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
6. Bundesgesetz über Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (Heilmittelgesetz, HMG), Änderung vom 18.3.2016. Bern, Schweiz. https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/federal-gazette/2016/1953.pdf (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
7. Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, homöopathische Arzneimittel. Berlin, Deutschland. https://www.bfarm.de/DE/Service/Presse/Themendossiers/Homoeopathie/_node.html (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
8. Bundesrecht konsolidiert: Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Arzneimittelgesetz, Fassung vom 20.7.2020 Letzter Zugriff: 20.7.2020. Wien, Österreich. https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10010441 (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
9. Bundesrecht konsolidiert: Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Tierarzneimittelkontrollgesetz, Fassung vom 20.7.2020. Wien, Österreich. https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=20001741 (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
10. Directive 2001/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the Community Code relating to Medicinal Products for Human Use. Brüssel, Belgien.
    https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/regulatory-procedural-guideline/directive-2001/83/ec-european-parliament-council-6-november-2001-community-code-relating-medicinal-products-human-use_en.pdf (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
11. Gesetz über den Verkehr mit Arzneimitteln (Arzneimittelgesetz – AMG). Berlin, Deutschland. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amg_1976/index.html (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
12. Richtlinie 92/73/EWG des Rates vom 22. September 1992 zur Erweiterung des Anwendungsbereichs der Richtlinien 65/65/EWG und 75/319/EWG zur Angleichung der Rechts- und Verwaltungsvorschriften über Arzneimittel und zur Festlegung zusätzlicher Vorschriften für homöopathische Arzneimittel. Brüssel, Belgien. Aufgehoben durch Directive 2001/83/EC.
    https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31992L0073 (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
13. Verordnung des Schweizerischen Heilmittelinstituts über die vereinfachte Zulassung und das Meldeverfahren von Komplementär- und Phytoarzneimitteln (Komplementär- und Phytoarzneimittelverordnung, KPAV) vom 7.9.2018. Bern, Schweiz.https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/official-compilation/2018/3675.pdf (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
14. Verordnung (EU) 2018/848 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 30. Mai 2018 über die ökologische/biologische Produktion und die Kennzeichnung von ökologischen/biologischen Erzeugnissen sowie zur Aufhebung der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 834/2007 des Rates. Brüssel, Belgien. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32018R0848 (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
15. Verordnung (EU) 2019/6 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 11. Dezember 2018 über Tierarzneimittel und zur Aufhebung der Richtlinie 2001/82/EG. Brüssel, Belgien. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2019.004.01.0043.01.DEU&toc=OJ:L:2019:004:TOC (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).
16. Kleijnen, J., Knipschild, P., Ter Riet, G. (1991): Clinical trials of homeopathy. BMJ 302(6772): 316-23.
17. Linde, K., Clausius, N., Ramirez, G., Melchart, D., Eitel, F., Hedges, L.V., Jonas, W.B. (1997): Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 350(9081): 834–843.
18. Linde, K., Scholz, M., Ramirez, G., Clausius, N., Melchart, D., Jonas, W.B. (1999): Impact of study quality on outcome in placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy. J Clin Epidemiol 52(7): 631–636.
19. Cucherat, M., Haugh, M.C., Gooch, M., Boissel, J.P. (2000): Evidence of clinical efficacy of homeopathy. A meta-analysis of clinical trials. HMRAG. Homeopathic Medicines Research Advisory Group. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 56(1): 27–33.
20. Mathie, R.T., Lloyd, S.M., Legg, L.A., Clausen, J., Moss, S., Davidson, J.R.T., Ford, I. (2014a): Randomised placebo-controlled trials of individualised homeopathic treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 3: 142.
21. Shang, A., Huwiler-Müntener, K., Nartey, L., Jüni, P., Dörig, S., Sterne, J.A.C., Pewsner, D., Egger, M. (2005): Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homeopathy and allopathy. Lancet 366(9487): 726–32.
22. Hahn, R.G. (2013): Homeopathy: meta-Analysis of pooled clinical data. Forsch Komplement 20(5): 376–81.
23. Matthiessen, P. (2018): Homöopathie und intellektuelle Redlichkeit – Eine Stellungnahme. Dtsch Zeitschrift für Onkol 50: 172–
24. Memon, M.A., Shmalberg, J., Adair, H.S.3rd, Allweiler, S., Bryan, J.N., Cantwell, S., Carr, E., Chrisman, C., Egger, C.M., Greene, S., Haussler, K.K., Hershey, B., Holyoak, G.R., Johnson, M., Le Jeune, S., Looney, A., McConnico, R.S., Medina, C., Morton, A.J., Munsterman, A., Nie, G.J., Park, N., Parsons-Doherty, M., Perdrizet, J.A., Peyton, J.L., Raditic, D., Ramirez, H.P., Saik, J., Robertson, S., Sleeper, M., Van Dyke, J., Wakshlag, J. (2016): Integrative veterinary medical education and consensus guidelines for an integrative veterinary medicine curriculum within veterinary colleges. Open Vet J. 6(1): 44–56.
25. Bundesgesetz über die universitären Medizinalberufe (Medizinalberufegesetz, MedBG), Fassung vom 23.6.2003, Stand am 1.2.2020.Bern, Schweiz. https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20040265/index.html (letzter Zugriff 20.7.2020).

South-West Italy shows that nearly 800,000 residents use homeopathic medicines

Campania residents would vote in favour of homeopathy