Press Release
News Release from the Irish Society of Homeopaths
Irish Society of Homeopaths - Official Statement
The ISH regards the 10:23 stunt as highly irresponsible.
To suggest that taking an overdose of a medicine is a good way of testing
its effectiveness gives an extremely dangerous message to the public.
It also shows that the participants have no understanding about
how to select or use homeopathic medicines in an appropriate manner.
30 million EU citizens use homeopathy (EU Commission Statement, 1997).
It is estimated that 500 million people worldwide use it[1].
Critics of homeopathy choose to ignore the importance and evidence of patient outcomes.
In 2005 the results from a six-year outcome study at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital[2]
were published. This was an analysis of over 23,000 outpatient consultations from
1997 to 2003. Over 70% of follow-up patients reported ‘clinical improvement’ following
homeopathic treatment, learly demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of the
homeopathic intervention (Spence et al 2005).
A pilot study undertaken in Northern Ireland in 2008 funded by the UK NHS
showed that 79% of patients with chronic illness had improved.
Homeopathy received the highest percentage of reported improvement.
(Evaluation of Complementary and Alternative Medicines Pilot Project 2008[3])
Hundreds of double blind trials have been undertaken, the vast majority of
which are positive. It is also worth pointing out that trials have been undertaken on animals,
further demonstrating Homeopathy’s effectiveness.
Fascinatingly the evidence for the effectiveness of highly diluted substances in
the laboratory setting is also mounting. Two commonly used models are the
effect of dilute arsenic on the growth of arsenic impregnated wheat seedlings[4]
and of highly diluted histamine on basophil activity[5], replicated by different groups
of researchers in 4 different European centres. (Belon P, Cumps J, Ennis M, Mannaioni PF,
Roberfroid M, Sainte-Laudy J, Weigant FAC.
Histamine dilutions modulate basophil activation. Inflamm. Res. 2004; 53: 181-188).
The Irish Society of Homeopaths supports a system of integrated medicine where
the patient can make informed choices under expert advice from a range of disciplines.
1. European Central Council of Homeopaths http://www.homeopathy-ecch.org/
2. British Homeopathic Association list of randomised controlled trials for an A - Z of illnesses and
conditions http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/export/sites/bha_site/research/evidence_
by_condition_refs.pdf
3. Study by the Dept of Health, UK carried out in Northern Ireland showing the effectiveness of
Homeopathy http://homeopathicgarden.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/homeopathy-79-ofpatients-have-improvement-cam-report/
4. Homeopathy stops Cancer cells trial (published in The International Journal of Oncology Feb 2010)
http://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/36/2/395
5. Study showing high dilutions of histamine are able to inhibit basophil activation
http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov
6. Homeopathy in E coli diarrhoea in neonatal piglets - a randomised, observer blind, placebo-controlled
clinical trial.
100217 E Coli trial piglet.doc
7. Nobel Prize winner 2008 Professor Luc Montagnier and his team through a series of rigorous
experiments investigating the electromagnetic (EM) properties of highly-diluted biological samples
found that bacteria and viruses, serially diluted and highly agitated induce electromagnetic waves at
high aqueous dilutions (this step was 'critical for the generation of signals'). Click here for his report
8. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WXX-4FYX2J5-D&_
user=10&_coverDate=04%2F32F2005&_alid=1215306559&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_
orig=search&_cdi=7170&_sort=r&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=10&_
acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=
876b655f70b99312f4bafe54eea881cd
The current flu-like epidemic - Homeopathy can help!
Have you been hit by the current epidemic of flu-like symptoms which cannot be treated with
antibiotics?
If so, homeopathy can help…….
This flu-like illness which hit the country over a month ago is largely due to a viral infection which does
not respond to antibiotics. Doctors and pharmacists have been running local and national information
campaigns to explain to the public that antibiotics are not suitable for viral infections, which are mainly
effective in treating bacterial infections.
Homeopathy, however, can treat this flu-like condition in a safe gentle way without side effects.
As homeopathy is a holistic medicine, there is no ‘one-fits-all’ cure or remedy for this virus.
Homeopathic remedies are chosen to match each patient’s individual symptoms which will strengthen
their immune system and fight off the infection.
Known as the “science of small doses”, homeopathic remedies are extremely dilute and so can
be used by young and old alike, pregnant or nursing mothers and, if required, alongside other
medication, with no side effects.
Statistics show how effective Homeopathy is in dealing with these types of illnesses.
For example, in one international study, eight in 10 patients treated with homeopathy for throat and ear
complaints,
reported a significant improvement in their condition compared to 68pc of those being treated with
conventional medicine.
The study involved 30 homeopaths in four different countries treating 500 patients.*
Another study comparing homeopathic treatment and antibiotic treatment of children with acute
rhinopharyngitis
showed homeopathy had significantly better results.
The children aged 18-4 years had less complications and a shorter duration of the illness.**
The Irish Society of Homeopaths currently has over 300 fully Registered members in this country with
members reporting a huge demand for treatment for these flu-like symptoms.
The Society is the organisation responsible for setting and maintaining standards in homeopathic
practice in this country for almost 20 years. All members abide by a Code of Ethics and Professional
Standards and are fully insured. Graduates have at least four years training at an accredited college
and registered members, who carry the letters ISHom after their name, have undergone additional
training
under the Society’s Registration process.
For more information on Homeopathy or to find a registered Homeopath in your area, please visit our
website
www.irishhomeopathy.ie where you will find a list of all registered Homeopaths, or write or telephone
directly
to our office at 6 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 (Tel: 01-6755177 Email info@irishhomepathy.ie).
*(Riley, et al, 2001)Riley D, Fischer M, Singh B, Haidvogl M, Heger M. Homeopathy and conventional
medicine:
on outcomes study comparing effectiveness in a primary care setting. J Altern Complement Med 2001;
7:149-159.
**Trichard M, Chaufferin G, Nicoloyannis N. Pharacoeconomic comparison between homepathic and
antiboiotic
treatment strategies in recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis in children. Homepathy, 2005 Jan; 94(1):3-9.