There is a growing movement in the UK of so-called skeptics, whose followers feel that science is being undermined by homeopathy because its principles are as yet unexplained by their narrow interpretation of scientific ‘laws’.  Instead of investigating the phenomenon of the effects of solutions when diluted past the point where no molecules remain (Avogadro’s constant: 10²³), they claim that homeopathic remedies are ‘just placebo’ and it is therefore unethical for homeopathic practitioners and pharmaceutical outlets, such as Boots, to sell them.

Boots recently confirmed they would continue to stock homeopathic products and in response, at least 300 skeptics plan to protest at 10.23am on 30^th January, by each taking the contents of a bottle of homeopathic pills outside Boots in major UK cities, with the intention to prove that they have no effect.  It is believed that the remedy taken will be either Belladonna or Coffea in low homeopathic potency, such as 6c or 30c.

The skeptics claim there is no evidence that homeopathy works, despite numerous high quality placebo controlled trials, successful animal, biological and GP trials, and its everyday use in many countries around the world.  There is a small provision for homeopathy in the NHS (£4million per annum or 0.004% of a total NHS budget of £110billion) but provision by Primary Care Trusts is patchy.

Homeopaths know that taking several pills at once is the equivalent of one dose, as it is not the quantity taken but the time between doses.  Each one acts as a stimulus to trigger the body’s healing reaction.  Therefore taking a bottle in one go of the lower potencies that Boots sell is unlikely to do much, unless the person taking them already has similar symptoms or is particularly sensitive.  To bring out the symptoms of these low potency remedies, regular doses need to be taken over several hours or days.  This is in fact how new homeopathic remedies are tested by volunteers, in what are known as ‘Provings’.

Homeopathy treats symptoms through ‘Like for Like’ and so Belladonna derived from the Deadly Nightshade plant is a very useful fever remedy when characterised by redness of the skin, dilated pupils and a throbbing pulse, which it would cause when taken in a material dose.

Likewise, in low homeopathic potency, Coffea from coffee is useful when there is sleeplessness due to overexcitement and mental activity.  A proving of Coffea is likely to produce symptoms of wakefulness initially and not bring on immediate sleep unless the taker is already sleep deprived and in a similar state to one where too much coffee has been drunk.

Please tell your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to support homeopathic treatment and patient choice in the NHS.