What Are the Dangers of Homeopathic Medicine?
Homeopathic medicine is a form of health care created in Germany. It has been practiced in the U.S. from the early 19th century. Remedies, which are created based on two laws within homeopathic theory, are sold in tablets, pellets, and liquid form.
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Definition
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In homeopathic medicine, it is believed that everybody has energy known as a vital force, or a self-healing response. When this vital force becomes unbalanced, illness can occur.
Law of Similars
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This theory states that large quantities of some plant, mineral, and animal substances, when given to a healthy person, can create disease symptoms, but smaller doses given to an ill person can relieve the same symptoms.
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Law of Infinitesimals
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The law of infinitesimals asserts that substances can treat diseases effectively if highly diluted, in water or alcohol, to the point where none of the original substance remains.
How Used
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Homeopathic medicine is used to stimulate the body's healing responses; remedies are created by incorporating small doses of substances that mirror symptoms in order to spur the body's own defenses. The remedies are commonly used for such conditions as vertigo, pain, flu, allergies, and acute childhood diarrhea.
Dangers
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According to the Mayo Clinic, there have been no good studies to prove the effectiveness of homeopathic medicine; the scientific community finds the homeopathic theories questionable. The primary danger lies in using ineffective medicine rather than proven conventional medicine. Further, homeopathic medicines are not federally regulated.
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