This document has been produced by the European Network for Homeopathy Researchers (ENHR). The ENHR was established in 2004 with support from the European Council for Classical Homeopathy (ECCH). ECCH currently assists the ENHR in its secretarial work. The ENHR consists of 55 individuals from 14 different countries involved in or with a special interest in homeopathy research. The ENHR is open to membership for any individual involved or interested in homeopathy research.

Purpose of the European Network of Homeopathy Researchers (ENHR):

1. The primary aim of the ENHR is to contribute to improving homeopathy research for the benefit of patients.
2. A long-term objective of the ENHR is to contribute to carrying out international EU funded research projects within the area of homeopathy research.
3. The ENHR consists of researchers, research advisors and representatives of the homeopathy profession as well as consumer/patient groups with an interest in the area of homeopathy research.
4. Members of the ENHR inform each other about homeopathy research that is in the planning stages or being carried out, as well as published research articles.

Introduction

This document contains a sample of brief summaries of positive homeopathy research, together with the full references. Additional information may be found in the document entitled 'Facts about homeopathy and other CAM therapies’ (an ECCH document), and on the enclosed list of website addresses. Readers are recommended to read the full research articles in order to acquire a more profound knowledge base of research that has been undertaken.

Contents Page

Use of homeopathy and other CAM therapies

User surveys showing patient satisfaction with homeopathic treatment

Meta-analyses

Key trials and surveys

Diarrhoea in children

Respiratory tract complaints

Musculo-skeletal problems

Hay fever, asthma and perennial rhinitis

Pre menstrual syndrome (PMS)

Homeopathy in menopausal complaints

Homeopathy and oestrogen withdrawal

ADHD

ME/CFS

Surgery

Dengue haemorrhagic fever

Cost benefit

Basic research – The effect of high dilutions

Treatment of animals

Research website addresses

USE OF HOMEOPATHY AND OTHER CAM THERAPIES

Homeopathy is being practised in 41 out of 42 European countries.

The Legal Situation for the Practice of Homeopathy in Europe, revised report, May 2006, European Council for Classical Homeopathy. Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/ Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review, World Health Organization, 2001.

Homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM therapy in 5 out of 16 surveyed countries in Europe and among the three most frequently used in 11 out of 16 surveyed countries.

Norges offentlige utredninger, NOU 1998:21 Alternativ medisin. (Official report published by the Norwegian Department of Health. Available at: http://odin.dep.no/hd/norsk/publ/)

Ot.prp. nr. 27 (2002-2003). Om lov om alternativ behandling av sykdom mv.

Public interest in, and acceptance of alternative treatment increases in most European countries. Percentage of the population using alternative treatment varies from 18 to 71 % depending on country.

Ot.prp. nr. 27 (2002-2003). Om lov om alternativ behandling av sykdom mv. Det kongelige helsedepartement. http://odin.dep.no/repub/02-03/otprp/27/

Homeopathy is officially recognised and included in the national health system in a number of countries within and outside of Europe.

Legal Status of Traditional Medicine and Complementary/Alternative Medicine: A Worldwide Review, World Health Organization, 2001.

Three Europeans out of four know about homeopathy and of these 29 % use it for their health care.

Homeopathic medicinal products. Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directives 92/73 and 92/74.

A study of 1097 patients visiting 80 Norwegian homeopaths showed that one in four patients were children between 0 and 9 years of age, compared to one in ten in 1985 and in general practice. The most commonly presented complaints were respiratory, skin and psychological complaints.

Steinsbekk A, Fønnebø V. Users of homeopaths in Norway in 1998, compared to previous users and GP patients. Homeopathy (2003) 92, 3-10.

A survey of 1400 patients treated in a homeopathic clinic showed that 36 % were under the age of 16 in 2004, compared to 26 % in 1995. Respiratory complaints, complaints of ears and skin accounted for 70 % of patients in the age group from 0 to 10 years. More than half of the patients had university or other higher education.

Viksveen P, Steinsbekk A. Changes in patients visiting a homeopathic clinic in Norway from 1994 to 2004. Homeopathy (2005) 94, 222-228.

A survey of more than 70,000 citizens showed that approximately 9 million people in Italy (15.6 % of the population) have used at least one unconventional therapy in the period from 1997 to 1999. Homeopathy was the most frequently used (8.2 % of the population). Homeopathy was also quite commonly used by children (7.7 %). The use of CAM therapies has almost doubled since 1991.

Menniti-Ippolito, F., Forcella, E., Bologna, E., Gargiulo, L., Traversa, G., & Raschetti, R. Use of unconventional medicine in children in Italy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2002 Apr;58(1):61-4.