special subjects
Homeopathy
Evidence for Homeopathy
The two primary principles of homeopathy are "like cures like" and diluting makes preparations stronger. A preparation diluted so much that it has no active ingredient to have physiologic effects (other than those of a placebo) is biologically and chemically implausible. However, some proclaimed homeopathic preparations do contain active ingredients in concentration sufficient to have physiologic effects (eg, Zicam, which contains a measurable amount of zinc). Efficacy of homeopathic remedies for various disorders has been extensively studied. A 2010 analysis of systematic reviews found that homeopathy is no more efficacious than placebo for any indication, as did the United Kingdom's House of Commons Science and Technology Committee after an exhaustive review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of homeopathy (2010) ( References , Homeopathy continues to be explored given its gentle effect and low likelihood of toxicity. In some clinical conditions lacking clearly beneficial conventional medicine strategies, including fibromyalgia, homeopathy might be considered given data from small studies of potential symptom relief and lack of harm ( References , 