Allergies: more research needed say Lords
 A report published in September by the Lords Science and Technology Committee has included a call for "robust research" into complementary therapies for allergies. The Faculty of Homeopathy, the body for medical homeopaths that works closely with the British Homeopathic Association, submitted evidence to the Committee. Nine out of 13 randomised controlled trials, or RCTs (seen as the 'gold standard' of measuring efficacy in conventional medicine), have shown that homeopathy is effective in allergies. As well as outlining the strong evidence base that already exists, the Faculty called for funding for more and better research in this area.
Homeopathic doctors use a variety of treatment approaches for allergies. The choice of medicine can be based on the actual symptoms (local prescribing), on the person as a whole as well as their symptoms (constitutional prescribing) or on the family history of allergies (miasmatic prescribing). Homeopathic doctors may also use 'isopathy', where the allergen causing the problem (for example, grass pollen) is given to the patient in homeopathic potency to reduce the allergic response. All of the NHS homeopathic hospitals take referrals for patients with allergy problems, and there are specialist allergy clinics at the hospitals in Glasgow and London.
Read Health and Homeopathy article on allergies
Allergy UK website
Water does have a memory
Papers published recently in the journal Homeopathy have shown that water can 'remember' information from substances it has been into contact with. The July issue of the Faculty of Homeopathy's journal brought together scientists from around the world to publish new data, reviews and discuss recent scientific work exploring the idea. Dr Peter Fisher, editor of Homeopathy, says "There is no doubt that, at a simple level, water memory effects do exist... this is far from proving that they have the features which would be required to account for the claimed effects of homeopathy... but at this stage we can say one thing with certainty: the assertion that homeopathy is impossible, because the 'memory of water' is impossible, is wrong." The idea of 'water memory' came to prominence in 1988, the term coined by the French press after the late Jacques Benveniste claimed, in a Nature article, to have demonstrated that very high dilutions of a substance had exerted an effect. Benveniste's results could not be replicated and the work was discredited by sceptics at the time.
Psoriasis sufferers try homeopathy
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition which currently affects 2-3% of people in the UK. It appears as reddened areas covered in silvery scales, most commonly on the elbows, knees and scalp, although any part of the skin surface may be affected. It is thought that 10-20% of people develop a form of arthritis as a result of chronic psoriasis. It can make life a misery for sufferers - in extreme cases the condition may require hospitalisation.
According to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA), more and more sufferers are turning to complementary medicine because conventional medicine does not always help. Patients are worried about using steroid creams to control the condition in the long term, as these are thought to thin the skin. For some people they simply don't work.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, like other chronic diseases, are highly amenable to the homeopathic approach. Results from the NHS homeopathic service in Liverpool showed that 53% of patients saw an improvement in their condition after homeopathic treatment; at Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital, 67% of patients improved.* And last year, a double-blind placebo-controlled trial published in the American Journal of Therapeutics (2006; 13; 121-126) found positive evidence for homeopathy in the treatment of psoriasis.
Download Health & Homeopathy article on skin disorders
Read about one patient's successful homeopathic treatment for psoriasis
Find a medically-qualified homeopathic practitioner in your area
Visit the PAPAA website
Visit the Psoriasis Association website
The curative effects of Calendula
 Many people will recognise Calendula officinalis as the common garden plant, the marigold. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties have been employed since ancient times. Such large amounts are grown for medicinal use in the former Soviet Union that it has earned the name of Russian penicillin! Often in the form of a cream, it can be used wherever there is inflammation, including on skin that is broken. It is particularly good for slow-healing wounds. In tincture form it makes a good gargle for mouth ulcers and sore throats, and its blood-clotting properties can help to control bleeding following tooth extraction. The humble marigold also has a reputation for removing warts, corns and calluses. Read about Marigold Therapy for foot problems
Patients unite!
Bristol Homeopathic Hospital is forming a patient support network. Regular meetings, seminars and newsletters are planned to encourage learning and understanding of homeopathy and for patients to share their experiences. The first meeting will take place at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JU on Tuesday 27 November at 7.30pm. For further info contact Holly Mash on 07875 767403.
Get in touch
Please contact Sarah Buckingham at sbuckingham@trusthomeopathy.org if you have ideas for articles or questions about homeopathy.
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