Homeopathy
This page tells you about homeopathy for people with cancer. There is information about
Homeopathy has been used in Britain for about 150 years. It is also sometimes spelled "homoeopathy", and it began in Germany. Homeopathy is based on the theory of ‘treating like with like’. So to treat an illness a homeopathic therapist (homeopath) uses tiny doses of a substance that in large doses would actually cause the symptoms of the illness.
Homeopathic remedies are made from plant, mineral and animal substances. They are diluted and shaken vigorously many times until there is little, if any, of the original substance left. Homeopaths believe that the original substance somehow leaves a molecular 'blueprint' in the water that triggers your body's healing mechanisms. But some medical doctors and researchers do not believe that homeopathy can work.
Homeopathy is one of the most common complementary therapies used by people with cancer. As with most types of complementary therapy, people use it because it makes them feel better or more in control of their situation. Some people choose homeopathy because it offers a completely different type of treatment compared to conventional medicine.
Homeopathy for people with cancer is promoted as a natural way to help you relax and cope with stress, anxiety, depression and control other symptoms and side effects such as pain, sickness and tiredness. Homeopaths believe it can treat a wide range of symptoms and conditions.
More than 100 published clinical trials have looked at how well homeopathy works in treating various illnesses and symptoms. None of these trials provide us with any scientific evidence to prove that homeopathy can cure or prevent any type of disease, including cancer. Many people say that homeopathy has helped their symptoms and some small trials have shown that homeopathy can have a positive effect. But some doctors and researchers have concerns about the way in which the trials were carried out.
Two studies suggest that homeopathy may help women with breast cancer to cope with menopause symptoms. But these are small clinical trials and they don’t give enough evidence to show if homeopathy really works, or how.
Some studies have found that homeopathy may be able to reduce the burning and itching sensation that some women get after radiotherapy for breast cancer. But the studies were very small and so we need further research to know whether homeopathy has an effect.
We don’t really know whether the effects of homeopathy truly come from the homeopathic medicine or because people believe they will work (the placebo effect). In 1997 the medical journal The Lancet published a meta analysis of placebo controlled trials of homeopathy in humans. A meta analysis means taking the results of several trials of a particular treatment, and looking at the results all together. This can give a more accurate picture than looking at each result individually. The researchers looked at 89 trials in all and said that the positive effects of homeopathy could not all be put down to the placebo effect alone.
Another meta analysis of 110 homeopathy trials, published in 2005, found the evidence supporting homeopathic treatments to be weak. The researchers concluded by saying that the placebo effect was quite likely. In 2006, a review of 6 trials of homeopathy in cancer care could not find enough evidence that they worked in treating cancer.
Another review in 2009 looked at the effectiveness and safety of homeopathic medicines used to prevent or treat side effects of cancer treatments. 8 trials were reviewed and 2 reported positive results. One trial of 254 people showed that calendula cream worked better than trolamine (a commonly used non-steroid cream) for preventing skin soreness due to radiotherapy. A very small trial of 32 people showed that a homeopathic mouthwash called Traumeel S (containing belladonna, arnica, St John's wort and echinacea) worked better than a placebo to prevent a sore mouth due to chemotherapy. But more research is needed to confirm these results and show whether homeopathic medicines really can help to control the side effects of cancer treatments.
You can look at our complementary therapies research page for information about the research into homeopathy in people with cancer.
On your first visit, your homeopath will ask you some general questions about your health, lifestyle, diet and medical history. They will probably ask about sleep patterns, your mood and emotions. This information helps the homeopath decide on the best remedy for you. The consultation usually lasts about 45 minutes. Further appointments may be shorter, perhaps only half an hour.
Homeopathic remedies come as tablets, granules, powders or liquid. You take them by mouth or as creams or drops. Your therapist will let you know how to take your remedies, and how often. They’ll also let you know when to come back for a check up to see if your condition has improved. If you have a long lasting (chronic) condition you may need to come back a few times to find the best remedy to help you. To make best use of these follow up appointments, your homeopath may ask you to keep a record of any changes in your symptoms or condition since taking the remedy.
You can buy homeopathic remedies in shops and over the internet, but these will not be tailored for you. A homeopath will ask about you, your lifestyle and your health. They will then pick remedies specifically for you. This is particularly important for homeopaths, as they believe that using the right remedy is more important than the size of the dose.
It is possible to buy homeopathic remedies over the counter to treat minor ailments. A pharmacist may be able to advise you on those that are safe to use.
The regulation of homeopathic remedies was changed in September 2006. Now remedies are registered according to the ailments they can be used for. Manufacturers have to supply information about how safe each product is. But some doctors and scientists are concerned because the health claims for these products don't have to be backed up by evidence from clinical trials in the same way that conventional medicines do.
Using homeopathic medicine is generally safe. Some homeopaths warn people that their symptoms could get slightly worse, before they settle down and improve. But this does not happen very often. A Swiss meta analysis of homeopathy trials in 2006 found homeopathy given appropriately by a trained homeopath was safe and had few side effects.
If you are having treatment for cancer it is important to tell your cancer doctors before using homeopathic medicine. And you should let your homeopath know that you are having cancer treatment too.
Your first consultation with a private homeopath will usually cost between £35 and £90. It may be even more than this, especially if the homeopath is also medically trained. Further appointments are usually shorter so cost less - about £20 to £60. Your homeopathic remedy will usually be included in the consultation price, but do check first.
If you have your treatment at one of the UK NHS homeopathic hospitals you won’t pay for your consultation but you will need to pay for your remedies. This will be the same as an NHS prescription cost. Appointments tend to be shorter than they would with a private homeopath. You will need a referral from your doctor to go to one of these hospitals.
It is very important that you have homeopathic treatment from a qualified therapist.
If your doctor refers you to one of the homeopathic hospitals you won’t need to find a homeopath privately. But if you are looking for private treatment, you need to make sure that you have chosen a qualified and reputable homeopath.
Currently in the UK, there is no single professional organisation that regulates homeopathic therapists. Therapists can join several associations. There is no law to say that they have to, but most reputable homeopaths do belong to one of the useful organisations. The best way to find a reliable therapist is to
- Contact one of the organisations below and ask for a list of therapists in your area
- Ask the therapist how many years of training they've had and how long they've been practising
- Ask them if they’ve treated cancer patients before
- Ask if they have indemnity insurance (in case of negligence)
For more information about finding a reliable therapist and the questions you should ask look in our about complementary therapies section.
There are 5 NHS homeopathic hospitals in the UK. They all see people with a variety of conditions, including cancer, and offer other types of complementary therapies. Some of them run programmes for people with cancer.
You will need a referral from your doctor to go to one of these hospitals. The British Homeopathic Association has information on how to get homeopathic treatment on the NHS. The 5 hospitals are listed below.
Royal London Homeopathic Hospital
Great Ormond Street
London
WC1N 3HR
Phone: 0207 391 8888
Website: http://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our+hospitals/royal+london+homoeopathic+hospital.htm
This hospital can provide complementary therapies on the NHS as well as privately. They run a care programme for people with cancer. They can provide homeopathy, acupuncture, osteopathy, stress management and many complementary therapies such as massage, and reflexology. You can ask your GP or consultant to refer you.
Bristol Homeopathic Hospital
Cotham Hill
Cotham
Bristol
BS6 6JU
Phone: 01179 731231
This hospital offers homeopathy and complementary therapies on the NHS only. There are also 3 clinics run in Bath. You can ask your GP or consultant to refer you for treatment.
Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital
1053 Great Western Road
Glasgow
G12 OXQ
Phone: 0141 211 1600
This hospital runs a specialist Cancer Care Clinic offering homeopathy on the NHS. People with cancer usually get an appointment within weeks of referral. You can ask your GP or consultant to refer you.
Tunbridge Wells Homeopathic Hospital
Church Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1JU
Phone: 01892 632801
This hospital offers homeopathy on the NHS. There is no specialist cancer clinic, but the hospital regularly sees people with cancer. You must be referred by your GP or consultant.
Liverpool Homeopathic Hospital
Liverpool Department of Homeopathic Medicine
Old Swan Health Centre
St Oswald's Street
Old Swan
Liverpool
L13 2GA
Phone: 0151 285 3707
This hospital runs a complementary cancer clinic offering treatment with homeopathic remedies and Iscador.
There are a few homeopathy organisations in the UK. They are listed here, with details of what they can offer and how you can contact them.
Society of Homeopaths
The Society of Homeopaths is the largest organisation registering professional homeopaths in Europe. You can find a local homeopathic practitioner from their website - www.homeopathy-soh.org
Council of Organisations Registering Homeopaths (CORH)
Phone: 01444 239494
Email: admin@corh.org.uk
Website: www.corh.org.uk
CORH is a group of organisations working together to develop
- A single register of homeopaths
- A minimum set of practice and training standards
- A common code of ethics for all homeopaths
- Standards of best practice for homeopathic medicine
Look on their website for a list of the organisations who are members.
British Homeopathic Association (BHA)
Hahnemann House
29 Park Street West
Luton
LU1 3BE
Phone: 0870 444 3950
Website: http://www.trusthomeopathy.org/trust/tru_over.html
This organisation can supply a list of health professionals and hospitals that practice homeopathy, books on homeopathy and a magazine.
The Faculty of Homeopathy
This is the national organisation for statutorily registered homeopaths whose members are also registered healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and dentists. They ensure the highest standards of homeopathic education, training and practice. You can contact the British Homeopathic Association (details above) to find a homeopath who is a member of the faculty.
Phone: 0870 444 3950
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