My baby son had agonizing screaming painful colic…then he had a homeopathic remedy….then the colic instantly disappeared. It works for me - now you try!

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by more than 200 million people worldwide. It has a laudable and extensively documented clinical record and there are literally hundreds of high quality, peer-reviewed basic science and clinical studies showing its effects. Those studies have been published in journals like “Lancet,” “Chest,” “Rheumatology,” “Pediatrics,” “Archives of Internal Medicine” and “Neurotoxicology,” to name just a few.

Given these facts, we’d like to offer additional facts to your readers about your March 6 health feature, “Homeopathy prospers even as controversy rages.”

For the article, Edzard Ernst was asked to comment about homeopathy. Professor Ernst openly boasts to having no training in homeopathy. Since that is true one has to ask why and how he has assumed an expertise in this field? Would one listen to the comments of a biologist on a sophisticated particle physics question? Interestingly, Ernst, who calls homeopathy the “worst example of faith-based medicine,” said that even if the solution is structurally different, it doesn’t matter. That comment is a striking admission. On the one hand, Ernst contends remedies are no more than pure water and yet he admits that homeopathic remedies have unique characteristics.

Taking the lead from Ernst, the piece continues with these comments: “Few things rile scientific skeptics more than homeopathy?” Who, we must ask, are these “scientific” skeptics? Many of the most outspoken ? like Simon Singh (a partner of Ernst’s), those from Sense About Science, The American Council for Science and Health and others have strong financial ties to the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Are these self proclaimed “skeptics” credible commentators on a system competitive with these industries?

Also in the piece: “Though it has been used for centuries and some studies have reported positive findings, the practice has no known scientific basis. Most analyses have concluded there’s no evidence it works any better than a sugar pill.”

There is a large body of emerging research by a number of credible scientists, including Nobel Laureate Dr. Luc Montagnier, that point to possible mechanisms of action. Claims that homeopathy defies all we know about chemistry and physics is simply false as scientists from Penn State, the University of Washington, Stanford, Harvard, Moscow State University, London South Bank University and others have shown.

And “most analyses have concluded there is no evidence it works?”? To make this claim is to not know all the facts. There are literally hundreds of studies ? pre-clinical and clinical showing homeopathy works.

We acknowledge that homeopathy is a difficult system to write about. But it is also a system relieving the suffering of many hundreds of millions around the world because it works!

– Timothy W. Fior, Center for Integral Health, Chicago

– Anthony Qaiyum, Merz Apothecary, Chicago

– Christophe Merville, Boiron, Philadelphia

Original Article http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-03-14/news/chi-110314fior_briefs_1_homeopathy-edzard-ernst-studies

Interview with research scientist, Dr. Iris Bell, M.D. Ph.D

In this interview, research scientist and Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Dr. Bell discusses research in homeopathy.  Dr. Bell answers the key questions “Is there evidence that homeopathy works?” and “Is homeopathy biologically active?”.

Dr. Bell also highlights the key differences between the “properties” of homeopathic medicine and conventional medicine.  The evidence coming from multiple laboratories, multiple technologies and multiple investigators overwhelming demonstrates that homeopathy demonstrates biological activity.  Further, plausibility is addressed by ground breaking research in material science.

Click the file below to play the podcast or download using the arrow in the upper right corner.

by Tim Fior, MD

In the study of eczema (dermatitis), there have been 3 good clinical studies published.  Keil and colleagues from the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics in Berlin, Germany studied 118 children suffering from atopic eczema.  54 children were treated with homeopathic medicine and 64 children were treated with conventional dermatology drugs.  Both groups were followed for a period of 12 months.  Children in both groups had their eczema symptoms improve.  Disease-related quality of life improved equally in both groups.  However, improvement of eczema as observed by physicians was significantly greater in the homeopathic group (p<0.001).  (Keil T, et.al.  Complement Ther Med. 2008: Feb; 16(1): 15-21.)

In Japan, Itamura and Hosoya studied 17 patients with intractable atopic dermatitis.  These patients had previously failed conventional dermatological drug therapy.  They were then treated with individualized homeopathic medical therapy, in addition to conventional dermatology therapy.  The study’s follow-up period was 6 to 31 months.  The efficacy of homeopathic medicine was measured by objective assessments of the skin condition and the patients’ own assessments, using a 9 point scale.  1 patient cleared completely,  7 patients partially cleared (=80% better), and 9 patients partially cleared (=50% better).  Importantly, 5 of 17 patients (29%) were able to stop the use of topical steroid ointments.  (Itamura R, Hosoya R. Homeopathy.  2003: 92; 108-114.)

In an observational study, Witt and colleagues studied 225 children with atopic eczema.  The children were treated with homeopathic medicine and were allowed to also use conventional dermatology drugs.  They were followed for 24 months.  The severity of eczema in these patients improved and the changes in severity assessment were of large effect size.  Reductions in the use of conventional dermatology drugs were observed.  (Witt CM, et.al.  Acta Dermato Venereol.  2009: 89(2); 182-183.

In a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial, Cavalcanti and colleagues studied the effect of homeopathic treatment on itching of hemodialysis patients.  Kidney failure patients undergoing dialysis treatment often have severe itching, which is difficult to control.  The researchers assessed the role of individualized homeopathic treatment in this situation.  Itching was evaluated using a previously published scale.  Patients were classified as responders if they had greater than 50% reduction of itching.  20 patients were analyzed.  Reduction of itching was statistically significant at every point of observatiion (p<0.05).  According to the patients’ own assessment at the end of the study period, the homeopathic treatment reduced the itching score by approximately 49%.  (Cavalcanti AMS, et.al.  Homeopathy.  2003: 92, 177-181.)

Mousavi and colleagues studied the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy, Ignatia 30C in the treatment of oral lichen planus, a painful inflammatory dermatological disease.  In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 30 consecutive patients with oral lichen planus were randomized into two groups:  one group received homeopathic Ignatia and the other group received placebo.  The patients were treated for 4 months.  The results showed that the size of the oral sores decreased significantly in favor of the homeopathic Ignatia treated patients.  Also, the average pain was significantly lower in the homeopathic Ignatia group.  The researchers concluded homeopathic Ignatia has a beneficial effect in the treatment of oral lichen planus in selected patients.  (Mousavi F, et.al.  Homeopathy.  2009: 98, 40-44.)

Pommier, et.al. published a phase III single-blind randomized comparison trial of homeopathic calendula ointment versus trolamine ointment in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in women undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for breast cancer.  The researchers studied 254 patients.  They found that the occurrence of acute radiation dermatitis (grade 2 or higher) was significantly lower (41% versus 63%; p<0.001) in the homeopathically treated calendula ointment group.  The homeopathic group also had less frequent interruption of radiation therapy and less radiation-induced pain.  The researchers concluded that homeopathic calendula ointment is highly effective for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis of grade 2 or higher.  (Pommier P, et.al.  J Clin Oncol.  2004: 1447-1453.)

In an animal model study, de Paula Coelho and colleagues evaluated the homeopathic remedy Dolichos pruriens in the treatment of heat-induced itching in laboratory rats.  The researchers found that in this blinded study, homeopathic Dolichos pruriens significantly demonstrated therapeutic effects in the inhibition of itching.  The homeopathic remedy had no adverse effects.  It is possible that the homeopathic remedy Dolichos pruriens could potentially be useful in humans with generalized itching without an eruption (e.g. “itching of unknown origin”).  (de Paula Coelho C, et.al.  Homeopathy.  2006: 95(3); 136-143.)

This event was broadcast live over the internet and the FULL debate is now archived  AT THIS LOCATION. (Please be patient with loading. Debate begins after a few minutes.)  If you have trouble loading this URL, try this alternate URL, which might work better on Macs.  Here are some excerpts from the homeopathic side of the debate:

Dr. Rustum Roy, Ph.D. discusses evidence that structure of water is altered during homeopathic remedy preparation.

by Emlyn Thomas, RSHom, DPhysEd

My introduction to homeopathy was a dramatic one. While skiing in Austria 20 years ago I tackled a very steep ridge. Suddenly there was a stony outcrop that I could not avoid, and I ended up on only one ski, with my right leg in a very odd ­position. When I retrieved the other ski, I found that my knee was extremely painful. From my experience in rehabilitation work and physical education training, I realized that my medial cartilage meniscus—one of two “shock absorbers” in the knee joint—was damaged. I could also feel the notch in the medial collateral ligament (one of four ligaments that stabilize the knee joint) and realized that I had suffered a minor tear. Every movement, even sitting, was painful.

When I returned home and visited the doctor, he confirmed my fears and recommended painkillers and a pressure bandage. This would mean using crutches for “probably six weeks.”

While the nurse was strapping the padding and crepe bandages to my leg, she suggested that a homeopathic remedy could help. “You could get some Ruta graveolens and take 3 tablets a day,” she said. Always happy to take advice from nurses, I did as I was told. The next day the pain stopped. The pressure bandage stayed off, and the crutches languished unused.

Three days later I started to run gingerly, and I was playing rugby again after two weeks! I found a book about homeopathy and began a journey that has not yet finished.

Remarkable Ruta

Having prescribed Ruta graveolens many hundreds of times since this first experience, I am still amazed by its effects on tendons and cartilage, and I wonder why so many athletes of all grades and standards remain ignorant of this wonderful remedy. It could bring them back to active exercise and performance so quickly and effectively. One hears of soccer players whose careers are endangered because of repetitive tendon injury or cartilage injury, and of dancers who are injured yet continue to dance through pain so as not to lose their jobs. One must ask, “Why do their rehabilitation doctors and physical therapists not know about Ruta graveolens and all the other effective and safe homeopathic remedies that could restore their patients to health and competition?”

Symphytum Officinale

The homeopathic remedy Ruta graveolens is prepared from common rue, an herb native to southern Europe that has been used medicinally through the ages. Ruta graveolens will aid the recovery of any injury—whether from trauma or overuse—that involves connective tissue, such as tendons, cartilage, and periosteum (the thin layer covering bones). It acts well on the main joints—ankles, wrists, shoulders, and hips. The person needing Ruta graveolens usually feels a deep bruising sensation and stiffness or lameness of the joint. They feel worse from cold, lying, sitting, and exertion, and better from warmth and massage. Emotionally, they may be cranky and moody, unwilling to do rehab exercises and saying things like, “This is probably the end of my playing days.” In my experience, Ruta graveolens can have the immediate effect of making the person believe he will recover when he is most depressed and despondent about his injury. He begins to want to get better, to exercise, and to do physical therapy.

More perplexing questions

As a homeopath and athlete, I find it extraordinary that coaches, trainers, physical therapists, and team physicians can afford to remain ignorant of the possibilities for quicker recovery that homeopathic medicine offers. The costs of injuries to the individuals and their clubs are enormous.

And it is not only Ruta graveolens that could help so many professional and weekend sports enthusiasts. Why do athletes and dancers, or even recreational joggers, not use Arnica? It would do so much to keep them active.

One hears of dancers who are injured yet continue to dance through pain so as not to lose their jobs.
I took a call from the mother of a rugby player. Her son, who played for a Premiership team in the UK and hoped to become an international player, had started getting knee pain after every training session and game. His physio doctor had given him a bleak diagnosis, suggesting possible surgery with uncertain outcome. I asked this young player some questions such as: “Can you describe the pain?” (deep soreness and stiffness); “When do you get the pain?” (after working out, especially after hard practices); “Does any particular movement make it worse?” (using the stairs); “Does anything make it feel better?” (heating pads, massage). I sent him some Ruta graveolens 30c, just 4 tablets, one to be taken night and morning, for 2 days. I also suggested that when he resumed training and playing, he should take Arnica 30c before and after every training session or game (as this would help prevent muscle stiffness or internal bruising that accompanies overexertion) until the pain ceased or he forgot to take the remedy. This is a typical prescription for me to make.

The treatment was very effective. This player was later selected as an international and went on to play in the England team that won the Rugby World Cup.

Combining remedies

Yes! I know. We are taught to give single remedies and doses. But I believe that Samuel Hahnemann, in his later practice, often gave patients more than one remedy early in the patient’s treatment.*

In my experience with sports injuries, Ruta graveolens often works well in combination with other remedies, as in the following case. William, aged 40, was a very active mountaineer, rock climber, and skier. To keep fit, he played badminton once a week, and played very vigorously. Stretching forward for a stroke one day, he felt pain, “as if someone had slammed my leg with a hammer.” He was diagnosed with a partial tear of his right Achilles tendon. He was offered the choice of restorative or conservative treatment by the orthopaedic surgeon, and, naturally for an active person, he chose restorative surgery, although this might mean a longer recovery period.

He consulted me almost immediately after the procedure, since he was dissatisfied with the prognosis of inactivity for the next 3 months and an uncertain outlook for the future.

I prescribed Arnica 200c, two doses (once at night and once in the morning), followed by Ruta graveolens 30c, once daily for 3 days. Then I prescribed Symphytum officinale 30c, once daily for 7 days, followed by nothing for 7 days, and then a repeat of the Symphytum 30c for 7 days. I chose Arnica to address the initial trauma including swelling and bleeding into the tissues that occurs with any such injury and with the surgery; Ruta graveolens to deal with the injury and stretching to the tendon itself; and Symphytum for its ability to help fuse the partially torn tendon ends back together.

William had a cast fitted to his lower leg below the knee. I encouraged him to continue weight training and to exercise the rest of his body, especially the part of his leg unaffected by the injury. He did this so enthusiastically that he called me after 3 weeks to say that he was doing as many as 300 straight-leg lifts with weights in a session. That worried me! I suggested he should moderate the exercise!

William was walking unsupported six weeks after the accident and returned to full activity, including hiking and rock climbing, ten weeks after injury—much earlier and with much more function than his doctors had predicted. He is now fully fit.

Repairing damaged tissue

I took a call from Lydia in her early 40s who was a keen equestrian. She had had a fall in a cross-country event some three months previously and had suffered a fracture to her thigh bone (femur). Despite hospitalization and good treatment by her orthopedist with proper realignment of the bones and immobilization of the area with a cast, the bone ends were not fusing and a satisfactory callus (i.e., early bone growth as a fracture begins to heal) refused to form.

Lydia reported feeling otherwise well; in fact, she said she was “fine apart from not being able to ride.” She obviously needed Arnica montana; the patient who needs Arnica has suffered traumatic injury but almost always replies that they are fine despite being obviously in need of help.

What potency of Arnica did she need?

It is my experience that the choice of potency for Arnica works according to a rough rule of thumb, as follows:
• Immediately, as soon as possible after injury—6c or 30c potency.
• One to three months after injury—200c.
• Three months to a year later—1M.
• One year and longer afterwards—10M.

In Lydia’s case, since it was 3 months since her injury, I prescribed Arnica 200c, 2 doses, once at night and once in the morning.

This was followed by the second ­element of the prescription protocol: Symphytum officinale 30c, one pill daily for 14 days, nothing for 7 days, and then Symphytum 30c once daily for a further 14 days.

Six weeks after the first prescription, Lydia reported, very happily, that her fracture was resolving well. She was walking comfortably again, and best of all, she was riding horses again.

I have used this protocol several times since, always with excellent results for repairing fractured bones and torn tendons.

Symphytum knits more than bones

Symphytum is the homeopathic remedy prepared from the common hedgerow plant—comfrey. Comfrey’s ancient English name is “knitbone,” and it is said that country bone-setters used it to help repair broken bones. The story is that the bone would be set and then comfrey leaves would be bound to the area around the fracture with bandages and a cow pat. The heat from the cow pat would help drive the knitbone into the bone.

Taken orally in its homeopathically prepared and diluted form, Symphytum has a strong reputation for helping to heal fractures, especially those that are slow and difficult to unite. What is less well known is that Symphytum can also help torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are slow in healing—it simply promotes fusion. (I’ve read in the old herbal books that if boiled meat falls apart into pieces, adding comfrey leaves to the liquid makes the meat come together again. I have never known anyone who has tried this!)

I’ve found Symphytum especially useful for torn Achilles tendons, as well as for meniscus damage and collateral ligament tears in the knee. It can also help with vertebral fractures/degeneration of the spine, and for trauma or blows to the eyeball and eye socket.

An elderly woman came to the clinic after a fall. She had extensive multi-colored bruising to her eye and face, which had taken the main force of the fall. I gave her one dose of Arnica 30c immediately and told her to take one dose of Symphytum 30c the following morning. She returned one week later to show me that the bruising had almost completely disappeared and her face was back to normal. These were very good results since elderly people typically take much longer to repair tissue than younger people do. Symphytum is the single “grade 3 remedy” in the repertory for bruised and painful eyes.

We can’t wait

It may be worth recalling what happens when a person injures a joint, limb, muscle, or other body part traumatically. Almost every injury results from a blow, twist, wrench, strain, or other outside influence that damages tissue. This causes the blood vessels in the damaged area to bleed into surrounding tissue. The body views this blood as foreign matter and treats it as if it were an infection.

The result of the immune system’s reaction to infection is inflammation, swelling, and immobilization. In nature, an injured animal rests until its immune system can deal with the infection. But we humans, especially athletes and dancers, cannot accept the need for rest. We impatiently want to get going again, to heal more quickly and effectively, and to “work through” the pain and immobi­lization. Reports of injuries to athletes and players always stress how long it will be before they are able to play again. Injuries cost money.

Expediting recovery

What we really need to do is to keep the bleeding into the tissues to the very minimum. If we can do this, the resultant inflammation, swelling, and immobilization will be limited, and recovery will be faster and more effective.

That requires a safe and effective remedy. We have one. It is homeopathic Arnica montana. Why do we not publicize this remedy more? Why would sports teams, coaches, and managers not use this great remedy to reduce the huge costs of injuries?

Whole person healing

But it is not just money. Injury affects the whole person. The injured athlete loses out socially, is no longer part of his team, training mates, and social group. He becomes an injured athlete, anxious, dissatisfied, needing treatment, and suspicious that his team, club, group, or company believe that he is not really keen to get back to fitness. Likewise, the injured amateur who looks forward to that once or twice weekly golf game or exercise class to keep fit will also feel the effects when denied this outlet. Dissatisfaction and lethargy can set in, which takes a toll on a person’s home, work, and social life.

As homeopaths, we understand this holistic nature of injury, and our treatment is also holistic—it always addresses the whole person. Specific protocols for sports injuries, such as using Arnica for shock or Ruta for tendon injuries, are simply tried-and-tested methods for treating acute injuries, since most people respond to injuries in very similar ways. If such a routine prescription fails, we know to reconsider the totality of the person’s symptoms—including not just the physical symptoms but also the mental, emotional, and general symptoms—in order to find the most helpful remedy.

Indeed, there are times when a “constitutional remedy” based on the person’s entire symptom profile may do a better job at healing their injury than will a specific “injury remedy” or protocol.
But that may be another article!

Emlyn Thomas, RSHom, DPhysEd, of North Wales, UK, served in the Royal Air Force as a Physical Education Officer for 27 years, where he trained coaches, parachutists, and mountain rescue leaders and commanded rehabilitation centers. He played rugby and competed/coached track and field. A practicing homeopath for 17 years, he has taught in the UK as well as in Ethiopia, Sarajevo, Cuba, and Oslo. He is the author of Homeopathy for Sports, Exercise, and Dance.

More and more children around the world are being diagnosed with a condition called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD.  Some of the symptoms commonly seen include being easily distracted, missing details, having difficulty focusing, being easily bored, having trouble completing homework assignments, and seeming not to listen when spoken to.  Conventionally, many children receive the controversial drug Ritalin for this condition.  There is another option that is safe with no side effects - homeopathy.

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by over 200 million people worldwide.  It has a laudable and extensively documented clinical record and there are literally hundreds of high quality, peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing its effects.

In 2005, Heiner Frei, M.D. and his colleagues conducted a rigorous randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial to determine whether homeopathy could help children with ADHD (Eur J Pediatr. 2005 Dec, 164, 12, 758-67). Eighty-three children diagnosed as suffering from ADHD using DSMIV (diagnostic) criteria were treated with individually prescribed homeopathic medicines. Using the Connor’s Global Index scale to measure outcomes, it was determined that 63 of these children responded to treatment. These children were then randomized to receive either placebo or homeopathic medicines for 6 weeks and then crossed over to receive placebo if they’d been using the homeopathics or visa versa.  At the end of this period it was found that homeopathic therapy provided significantly better results than placebo.

For more information on this system and the extensive research supporting homeopathy and it’s efficacy, please visit
http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/articles-research

Successfully treating chronic disease is one of the great challenges facing conventional medicine.  Americans with chronic ailments have another option to consider – homeopathy.  Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by over 200 million people worldwide.  It has a laudable and extensively documented clinical record and there are literally hundreds of high quality, peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing its effects. 

In 2005, Claudia Witt M.D. and her colleagues conducted a multicentre cohort study with 103 primary care practices (with additional specialization in homeopathy) in Germany and Switzerland.

A total of 3,981 patients participated in the study (BMC Public Health 2005, 5:115) including 2,851 adults (29% men, mean age 42.5 ± 13.1 years; 71% women, 39.9 ± 12.4 years) and 1,130 children (52% boys, 6.5 ± 3.9 years; 48% girls, 7.0 ± 4.3 years).

Ninety-seven percent of all diagnoses for these patients were for chronic ailments with an average duration of over 8 years.   During homeopathic treatment, disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline and 24 months (adults from 6.2 ± 1.7 to 3.0 ± 2.2; children from 6.1 ± 1.8 to 2.2 ± 1.9). Physicians’ assessments yielded similar results. In addition, for adults and young children, major improvements were observed for quality of life.  The researchers concluded that their findings indicate that homeopathic medical therapy may play a beneficial role in the long-term care of patients with chronic diseases.

For more information on this system and the extensive research supporting homeopathy and it’s efficacy, please visit
http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/articles-research

by Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA), NCH President

The NCH, in partnership with major North American homeopathic associations, is pleased to announce the 6th Annual Joint Homeopathic Conference, to be held April 8–10, 2011 in Alexandria, VA. The conference promises to be a truly unique event, bringing together homeopaths from around the globe under the banner: “Homeopathy Meets the World—An International Forum of Teachers, Cases and Results.”

First of its kind

Never before has the Annual Conference offered such a spectacular, world-class homeopathic opportunity. From a speaker roster that reads like a “Who’s Who” of world-class teachers, to the introduction of 21st-century technologies like world-wide web casting and video reports from Africa, Haiti, and India, this promises to be the not-to-be-missed conference of 2011. Whether you’re a home user for family and friends, a homeopathic student, a part-time practitioner, or a professional homeopath practicing in a clinical setting—there’s a place for you at this truly remarkable event.

“Homeopathy Meets the World—An International Forum of Teachers, Cases and Results” packs an incredible amount of information into a busy three-day schedule! Beginning with a special live webcast kickoff by Professor George Vithoulkas and Jeremy Sherr, Friday’s Practitioner Day includes a host of practical and informative workshops designed to propel homeopaths and the homeopathic profession itself to a new level of visibility and mainstream acceptance. Saturday’s Introductory Sessions, designed to build your confidence in using homeopathy for the most common first-aid and home-care scenarios, run concurrent with the International Forum, where you’ll have an opportunity to explore the treatment of many frequently-seen complaints from the viewpoint of today’s most respected teachers. Sunday continues the International Forum, and includes a very special look at modern homeopathy’s most inspiring success stories from around the world.

Increase your success!

We’re sure you’ll appreciate the topical focus of this year’s conference, where we take a fresh look at treating the most common complaints seen by homeopaths: headaches, back pain, skin complaints, autoimmune diseases, etc. Focusing on these common complaints and addressing strategies for their treatment is the foundation for this year’s call to action: increase the success of your practice, and contribute to the advancement of homeopathy around the globe!

A who’s who of world-class speakers

Whether you’re a “newbie,” a 20-year veteran practitioner… or somewhere in between…. the presentations at this year’s conference will inform, refresh, and inspire! Consider our lineup of world-class presenters in the International Forum: George Vithoulkas, Jeremy Sherr, Massimo Mangialavori, Farokh Master, Anne Vervarcke, ­Alastair Gray, Joe Kellerstein, Annette Sneevliet, and Will Taylor. Topics and presentations in this exciting three-day event include:

• Homeopathic Medicine in the Treatment and Management of Drug and Alcohol Issues
• Managing Difficult Cases—Creating a Successful Practice (Dr. Massimo Mangialavori, arguably one of the most sought-after teachers in the world.)
• Homeopathic Treatment of Skin Diseases (Dr. Farokh Master, beloved Master Teacher, celebrated practitioner, and prolific author.)
• 30 Years of Severe Pain: The Homeopathic Treatment of Headaches (Dr. Annette Sneevliet, one of Europe’s most famous “Sensation” practitioners.)
• Homeopathic Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases (Dr. Will Taylor, Chair of the Department of Homeopathy at Oregon’s National College of Natural Medicine—and conference favorite!)
• Homeopathic Treatment of Back Pain (Anne Vervarcke, whose “Vital Approach” is earning her a well-deserved place in the ranks of world-class “Sensation” teachers & practitioners.)

(Alastair Gray, Australia-based homeopathic researcher, educator, and Master Practitioner.)
Plus… more then a dozen additional engaging speakers on treating coughs, anxiety, first-aid, and much, much more!

Case-based & practical

This is a case-based conference, where presenters will share ­information gleaned from their own practices—the ideal way to illustrate the principles involved in any approach to the homeopathic art. We’ve deliberately selected practitioners from across a broad spectrum in order to accurately represent both the historical roots of homeopathy and the current trends. Dr. Joe Kellerstein of Toronto, for example, will be presenting a retrospective of the most striking cases from his 25 years of practice, each selected to ­demonstrate the importance of basing our work on the foundation of Hahnemann’s Organon of Medicine. On the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Annette Sneevliet’s presentation will walk us through a case of severe headache to demonstrate the newer “Sensation” approach to homeopathic case taking. Anne Vervarcke’s ­presentation, Homeopathic Treatment of Back Pain, again using actual case examples, will demonstrate how a homeopathic remedy can address not only a purely mechanical complaint like back pain, but can simultaneously harmonize and bring well-being at all levels.

Dr. Farokh Master will address some of the most common misconceptions and philosophical questions surrounding the treatment of skin complaints. “Is the re-appearance of an old skin eruption actually a good sign?” “Is Hering’s Law a rule or dogma that may lead us astray?” Along with illustrative clinical cases, Dr. Master will address the all-important issue of dose and potency in the treatment of skin complaints, including the use of LM potencies.

Evaluating homeopathy’s effectiveness

Evaluating the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment is an essential skill for every practitioner. We are honored to host a special presentation by Professor George Vithoulkas on this very subject during our upcoming conference. In his presentation, Levels of Health, Professor Vithoulkas will elaborate his concept of levels of health, and he will share tools for assessing a patient’s present state of health, as well as to evaluate progress during treatment.

Global healing

What makes “Homeopathy Meets the World—An International Forum of Teachers, Cases and Results” such a special conference is not just the wide array of internationally-respected teachers; it’s not just the focus on building success through addressing our most commonly-encountered clinical complaints; it is just as importantly the special place we’re giving to the remarkable work that is taking place throughout the world. We’ll hear from Jeremy Sherr about his unique project, Homeopathy for Health in Africa, where homeopathy is meeting the challenges of the AIDS epidemic in Tanzania. We’ll see and hear reports from around the globe, giving cause for celebration, illuminating the challenges ahead, and ultimately serving as an inspiring call to action.

A new level of visibility

For the first time ever, our Friday Practitioner Day will help practitioners move seamlessly into grassroots definition of our beloved profession. Learn how to: generate evidence-based research from each case in your office…explore the legalities of practice in your state…develop state leadership to raise the awareness of the consumer…educate legislators on the importance of choice and access to homeopathy. This day is a must for all practitioners!

The NCH has taken a proactive stance with regard to the healthcare reform law and its implementation for integrative healthcare providers, including homeopaths. As such, policy experts Wayne Jonas of the Samueli Institute, Janet Kahn of the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium, Jack Killen of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), and I will be hosting a Friday evening panel to update you on how, when, where, and why homeopathy is being included in mainstream healthcare reform.

I am eager to meet and greet each one of you in all the glorious diversity of interests in our profession and community!

For conference details and registration information, click here “Homeopathy Meets The World”

Nancy Gahles, DC, CCH, RSHom(NA), NCH President, practices homeopathy and ­chiropractic in NYC and Belle Harbor, NY. She operates Health and Harmony Wellness Education, which offers consultations and symposia on Complementary and Alternative/ Integrative Medicine. She also serves as a CAM expert on the panel of Mothering ­magazine. She was named one of the Top Ten People of 2009 in Integrative Health Care for her efforts toward furthering integrative health care policy.

How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment? – Results from a long term observational study

Claudia M Witt, Rainer Lüdtke, Nils Mengler and Stefan N Willich

Abstract
Background
Homeopathy is a highly debated but often used medical treatment. With this cohort study we aimed to evaluate health status changes under homeopathic treatment in routine care. Here we extend former results, now presenting data of an 8-year follow-up.

Methods
In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 homeopathic primary care practices in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age >1 year) consulting the physician for the first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: The patients’ perceived change in complaint severity (numeric rating scales from 0 = no complaint to 10 = maximal severity) and quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at baseline, and after 2 and 8 years.

Results
A total of 3,709 patients were studied, 73% (2,722 adults, 72.8% female, age at baseline 41.0 ± 12.3; 819 children, 48.4% female, age 6.5 ± 4.0) contributed data to the 8-year follow-up. The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis and headache in adults, and atopic dermatitis and multiple recurrent infections in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline, 2 and 8 years (adults from 6.2 ± 1.7 to 2.9 ± 2.2 and 2.7 ± 2.1; children from 6.1 ± 1.8 to 2.1 ± 2.0 and 1.7 ± 1.9). Physical and mental quality of life sores also increased considerably. Younger age, female gender and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better therapeutic success.

Conclusion
Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably. These effects persist for as long as 8 years.

BMC Public Health 2008, 8:413doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-413
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/8/413
© 2008 Witt et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine used successfully by many over 100 million patients worldwide.  It has a laudable and extensively documented clinical record and there are literally hundreds of high quality, peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies showing it works.  For more information on this system and the extensive research supporting homeopathy and it’s efficacy, please visit www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org