Homeopathy: The Natural Killer

Friends of my family range in background from industrial argon suppliers to a holistic practice masseuse. When I lived with my parents I would occasionally visit the masseuse in the hope of relieving some discomfort associated with my mild scoliosis. We would also see each other at yoga class and various functions common to a small town. I give this background to say that I both love and respect Trish (the masseuse). With that said, Trish believes some things that are utterly asinine. She believes in homeopathy and uses it to the extent possible (meaning she will accept the service of an M.D. when she is in need, but much prefers other methods). In this post, I would like Trish to serve as a sort of figurehead for those who believe in homeopathy; people I often love and respect, and who believe things that make my (medical) mind ache. When my mother had issues with sleep due to pre-menopausal hormone fluctuations Trish gave my mother an essential oil to place on her pillowcase to help her sleep. I would like to examine this example more deeply. First, we can see that Trish had positive intentions. Second, we can see that Trish offered a therapeutic she believes to be effective, therefore she is providing what she considers good care based on her belief system. Third, a pleasant scent may offer some degree of benefit. Next, we must consider the ramifications of this. If my mother pursued only this method (she did not) the underlying condition responsible for her symptoms would not be targeted. This means that the underlying issue would continue to remain untreated. In her case and many others, this presents a dangerous alternative, especially when we consider how many disease processes manifest out sight from the human eye.

            Why do people believe believe in homeopathic treatments? Well, there is a history to it. During the 19th century physicians made use of “heroic” therapies. This term does not imply that medical practice was heroic, moreover the term was applied because a patient needed to be heroic to undergo treatment. Physicians made use of powerful purgatives and emetics, and frequently employed blood letting. If anyone is curious as to the rationale behind these, I will happily go into more detail. Anyone will admit these treatments are unpleasant and uneffective. During this period multiple sects of medical practitioners arose, such as homeopaths, hydropaths, and Thomsonians. While they did not all have degrees, they did have something to offer to patients. In response to harsh mainstay therapies, homeopathic practitioners gave herbal rather than chemical therapeutics. In certain cases they were as harsh as their chemical relative, however it was common for the therapeutics offered to be much more mild and have far fewer negative side effects. Surgery at this time was not the developed field we recognize it to be. To simply the options, people could choose between a net negative treatment from physicians or an ineffective treatment from alternative practitioners. Couple this type of dichotomy to cultural preferences such as those carried with the German Baptists and other immigrants during the 19th century and you’ll find a richly conditioned market for homeopathy.

            What is the modern impact of this? Well, it seems to go one of two ways. Homeopathy, when applied to a condition that isn’t serious in the first place (common warts, for example) is fine and well. Homeopathy, when applied to serious conditions will result in harm to patients. By serious condition, I am broadly referencing any condition that without medical intervention will worsen (my mother’s pre-menopausal hormone fluctuations, for example). Homeopathy can result in patients delaying effective treatment, leading them to present in a more acute stage.

           

How can people believe this today? Homeopathy, in many cases, often does not cause symptoms. An essential oil given to my mother won’t induce a new condition. Any worsening is ascribed to the underlying disease, and not to the failure of the therapeutic. Clinical medicine often carries side effects, visible, real, and in need of elimination through research and targeted patient care. When people examine more radical examples such as chemotherapy I can understand how clinical medicine engenders fear. Why do I have an issue with homeopathy? It stems in part from the example of delaying care and presenting in a more acute stage. Why else? Homeopathy is based on a doctrine that looks at symptoms and self reporting for diagnosis and treatment, and does not seek to find and treat the underlying anatomical, physiological, and chemical basis of a condition. In cases of depression, schizophrenia, PD, AD, and the other afflictions of the mind I care too deeply to allow potential patients to languish in ineffective care.  I want patients to have the most precise and compassionate care possible, and do not believe homeopathy serves the complex challenges presented by the diseased human body.