omeopathic Treatment May Offer More Relief Than Placebo

Homeopathic Treatment May Offer More Relief Than Placebo

GLASGOW, Scotland--Hay fever sufferers may realize more relief from homeopathic remedies than from a placebo, according to a study published in the Aug. 19 issue of the British Medical Journal (321:471-476, 2000). The four-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial treated sufferers of perennial allergic rhinitis to test whether homeopathic treatments offered more relief than placebo. Fifty-one patients were randomly assigned to take either an oral 30c homeopathic preparation of each patient's principal inhalant allergen or a placebo.

Fifty patients completed the study and were found to have significant improvements in nasal airflow compared to the placebo group. These results, combined with the results from three previous trials [using 253 volunteers in all], showed a mean symptom reduction of 28 percent compared to three percent for placebo groups. On average, no significant difference was seen on visual analogue scale scores [a scale based on patients' responses to "how are you feeling today"] between the two groups. It was noted that initial aggravations of rhinitis symptoms were more common in the homeopathic groups.

"Homeopathy has something to offer everyone," said Jay Borneman, a board member with the National Center for Homeopathy. "[This study proves] that it's not all in your head."

Patients stopped drug intake for rhinitis symptoms two weeks before the study but were allowed to use the drugs when needed. The study also noted that practitioners offering the homeopathic treatment and placebo were familiar with homeopathic principles but were not experienced in homeopathicimmunotherapy. For a copy of this study, visit www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7259/471.