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Original poster

Is it a con or can it help my sick child?

392 replies

Nightswimminginoldpants · 21/08/2025 23:11

Homeopathy?

Feeling a bit vulnerable at the moment, so not sure if it’s clouding my view.

Dd is ill and I’m getting desperate. Have been talking to a homeopathist online, she is very intent that homeopathy will help my Dd get better.

Does it work?

OP posts:
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7
missrabbit1990 · 22/08/2025 06:49

It’s a con sadly. So sorry your child is suffering .

Zezet · 22/08/2025 06:48

So sorry to hear about her illness.
Homeopathy won't help.
(Agree with others it's distinct from herbal therapy, though perhaps you said homeopathy when you meant any alternative therapy?)
Good luck to you and her.

Greysowhat · 22/08/2025 06:39

Sorry but homeopathy will not help

Serpentstooth · 22/08/2025 06:38

If homeopathý offered effective treatments there wouldn't be a pharmaceutical industry. It's magic, OP, for the easily persuaded. Please don't trust your child's health to charlatans.

BusWankers · 22/08/2025 06:37

Booboobagins · 22/08/2025 06:32

Years before big pharmacy came along, homeopathy was all we had.

Indigenous tribes still use it. My dad used to make his own medicine, it was unbelievable.

It can work, but without specifics, who knows if you're being sold snake oil or not. My view would be to start thinking your child is well, tell your child to start thinking they are well. Tell the body to self heal (I know it sounds barmy but lots of scientific research going into this right now) and if the homeopathy isnt expensive, you can afford it, and it doesnt workcobtrary to the medication your DC is taking, try it.

Btw 25-50% of pharmaceuticals are derived from plants/natural substances.

Oh yes, I'll get my mother to fix her failing heart with the power of a positive mental attitude and drinking water. 🙄

HumphreyCobblers · 22/08/2025 06:35

Are you in the PANS/PANDAS UK Facebook group? Excellent support to be found there. Also you won't get people mentioning what a controversial diagnosis it is, particularly galling when you and you child are struggling in the middle of a flare.

VimtoGarden · 22/08/2025 06:34

Booboobagins · 22/08/2025 06:32

Years before big pharmacy came along, homeopathy was all we had.

Indigenous tribes still use it. My dad used to make his own medicine, it was unbelievable.

It can work, but without specifics, who knows if you're being sold snake oil or not. My view would be to start thinking your child is well, tell your child to start thinking they are well. Tell the body to self heal (I know it sounds barmy but lots of scientific research going into this right now) and if the homeopathy isnt expensive, you can afford it, and it doesnt workcobtrary to the medication your DC is taking, try it.

Btw 25-50% of pharmaceuticals are derived from plants/natural substances.

No we had herbal medicines - this is not the same as homeopathy.

BusWankers · 22/08/2025 06:34

FeelingForced · 22/08/2025 05:41

Homoeopathy worked wonders on my toddler son's eczema years ago. It cleared up his skin the way that steroid creams never could. I don't think it could be a placebo effect either, as I didn't tell him that what he was drinking was supposed to be medicine.
I was dubious about it before we started, but it worked. This is just personal experience, of course.

Drinking water did not clear your son's eczema.

spoonbillstretford · 22/08/2025 06:34

Booboobagins · 22/08/2025 06:32

Years before big pharmacy came along, homeopathy was all we had.

Indigenous tribes still use it. My dad used to make his own medicine, it was unbelievable.

It can work, but without specifics, who knows if you're being sold snake oil or not. My view would be to start thinking your child is well, tell your child to start thinking they are well. Tell the body to self heal (I know it sounds barmy but lots of scientific research going into this right now) and if the homeopathy isnt expensive, you can afford it, and it doesnt workcobtrary to the medication your DC is taking, try it.

Btw 25-50% of pharmaceuticals are derived from plants/natural substances.

You are mixing up homeopathy with herbal medicine.

Booboobagins · 22/08/2025 06:32

Years before big pharmacy came along, homeopathy was all we had.

Indigenous tribes still use it. My dad used to make his own medicine, it was unbelievable.

It can work, but without specifics, who knows if you're being sold snake oil or not. My view would be to start thinking your child is well, tell your child to start thinking they are well. Tell the body to self heal (I know it sounds barmy but lots of scientific research going into this right now) and if the homeopathy isnt expensive, you can afford it, and it doesnt workcobtrary to the medication your DC is taking, try it.

Btw 25-50% of pharmaceuticals are derived from plants/natural substances.

BusWankers · 22/08/2025 06:30

Why would WATER be the solution to all your ailments?

If it was, nobody would get ill...

Mumtobabyhavoc · 22/08/2025 06:29

FeelingForced · 22/08/2025 05:41

Homoeopathy worked wonders on my toddler son's eczema years ago. It cleared up his skin the way that steroid creams never could. I don't think it could be a placebo effect either, as I didn't tell him that what he was drinking was supposed to be medicine.
I was dubious about it before we started, but it worked. This is just personal experience, of course.

Or he could have grown out of it as many do.

Mumofoneandone · 22/08/2025 06:29

I'm a fan of homeopathy, used correctly, through a experienced practitioner, it can have really positive results. However, I'm also pragmatic in engaging with NHS medicine as needed. A decent homeopath will encourage you to use conventional medicine - if they don't, avoid them.
It's worth contacting Helios homeopathy - details on line for some guidance.
It's also worth exploring other forms of complementary medicine as NHS medicine doesn't have all the answers. (FWIW I've been diagnosed with CFS/ME - by the NHS but they do next to nothing to support recovery. I'm having to explore and use a variety of other avenues to improve my health. I'm due to homeopathy to the mix of therapies soon.....)
My mum's thyroid issues were cured with homeopathy and a friend's skin issues. Also have family who've used it to support healing of broken bones.
Homeopathy is knocked by much of the science industry because it doesn't pass tests in a certain way. Also, if it actually cures people, there's no need for them to continue taking expensive drugs created by big pharmaceutical companies. Whilst we do, at times, need to use mainstream drugs, the pharma industry is invested in making money. They can also cause harm.

BusWankers · 22/08/2025 06:29

autienotnaughty · 22/08/2025 06:01

I tried homeopathy for severe anxiety. It did not help.
hypnotherapy helped a lot but not sure if it would be suitable for a child

If course we r didn't. Water doesn't help with anxiety.

BusWankers · 22/08/2025 06:28

BunfightBetty · 22/08/2025 01:12

In my experience it works brilliantly, and can often work well when conventional medicine doesn't, BUT this is dependent on getting the exact right remedy and that can be tricky. It's important to work with a skilled homeopath.

I completely understand why people pooh-pooh it, I can't explain why it works, it shouldn't really, based on what we currently know. But I have had many good experiences over many years, including treating animals who didn't know they were getting any remedies. The fact it does work in my experience is good enough for me. I don't expect to convince any skeptics though - you do you!

As long as you keep up with any medical treatment, and can afford the consultation fee, then I think to me it seems reasonable to give it a go. What's the harm.

Well ... What did the magic water help you with? In what way did water cure your ailments?

oldclock · 22/08/2025 06:25

Morningsleepin · 22/08/2025 04:38

Homeopathy is brilliant. Here in Mexico, it is highly respected and a lot of people use it.

Lots of creams that are theoretically homeopathic, when analysed actually contain very strong steroids or immunosuppressants. Thats the likely explanation

oldclock · 22/08/2025 06:25

FeelingForced · 22/08/2025 05:41

Homoeopathy worked wonders on my toddler son's eczema years ago. It cleared up his skin the way that steroid creams never could. I don't think it could be a placebo effect either, as I didn't tell him that what he was drinking was supposed to be medicine.
I was dubious about it before we started, but it worked. This is just personal experience, of course.

Lots of creams that are theoretically homeopathic, when analysed actually contain very strong steroids or immunosuppressants. Thats the likely explanation

RentalWoesNotFun · 22/08/2025 06:24

BunfightBetty · 22/08/2025 01:12

In my experience it works brilliantly, and can often work well when conventional medicine doesn't, BUT this is dependent on getting the exact right remedy and that can be tricky. It's important to work with a skilled homeopath.

I completely understand why people pooh-pooh it, I can't explain why it works, it shouldn't really, based on what we currently know. But I have had many good experiences over many years, including treating animals who didn't know they were getting any remedies. The fact it does work in my experience is good enough for me. I don't expect to convince any skeptics though - you do you!

As long as you keep up with any medical treatment, and can afford the consultation fee, then I think to me it seems reasonable to give it a go. What's the harm.

My experience is the same. It can be a good help but you need to find the right one and it’s not like paracetamol that you feel benefit from 20 mins later, it’s very gradual and one day you realise “Ive not had those symptoms for a while that’s strange oh yeah Im on that homeopathic medicine…”

Id suggest speaking to an acupuncturist.
That is a therapy which there is no doubt about it working. In china they use it all the time because it’s proven to work. You can feel different right away or it can take a few days. It’s about £60-£85 an hour here. Some GPs use it further limited things but I’d suggest a private therapist who dues it day in day out for your child, even if your gp dues it.

Depending on the type and thickness of needles used it can be totally painless. They treat babies to OAPs as age isn’t a problem.

Im currently seeing a jananese style acupuncturist after many years of regular Chinese ones (not sure the ‘correct’ name for the types).

It’s working really well for me. It can do things western medicine cannot. I’d suggest that rather than homeopathy for your child as it’ll be quicker. As long as your child can tell you if they have symptoms or you can notice the symptoms yourself so you can know whether or not things are improving.

I’ve used both homeopathy and acupuncture over the years due to western medicine being unable to treat my symptoms and have had most success from the acupuncture but homeopathy has benefits too if you can find the right homeopathic medication. Which isn’t easy. Can takes many false starts. Hence its reputation goes downhill. Plus Big Pharma doesnt like anything outwith it’s control.

dashingandcrashing · 22/08/2025 06:22

You could try looking for a Functional Doctor who has some knowledge of PANDAS. Functional Medicine is just about what works - some of it is alternative and some is conventional medicine. Some alternative stuff has science behind it but not big money/funding. This does not include Homeopathy though - there really is no science behind it. None of the Functional medics I consulted took it seriously at all. Im so sorry your son is struggling though. It's horrible seeing someone you love suffer.

autienotnaughty · 22/08/2025 06:01

I tried homeopathy for severe anxiety. It did not help.
hypnotherapy helped a lot but not sure if it would be suitable for a child

EyeLevelStick · 22/08/2025 05:57

oldclock · 22/08/2025 01:40

The principle behind homeopathy is that as you dilute a substance more it gets stronger

Stop and think about that for a minute and you'll realise that of course it's nonsense

Quite. And once science had caught up and demonstrated that the ‘active’ is diluted so much that there is unlikely to be even one molecule left in each dose, the story shifted to “oh, but water has a memory”.

So water can remember the homeopathy “active” but conveniently forgets every other molecule it’s been in contact with since the beginning of time? Sure…

YouOKHun · 22/08/2025 05:55

I can completely understand why you are feeing desperate and looking for a solution to help your DC and it makes me angry that people are prepared to exploit that by making cure claims. Homeopathy has been thoroughly debunked and has no value beyond placebo.

I’m not trying to make light of your search for help for your DC but I think this from Mitchell & Webb is a good sketch about Homeopathy

Barnbrack · 22/08/2025 05:54

Who diagnosed pans/pandas? It's a very controversial diagnosis in that there's no real test for it. Most consultants I know consider it to be autism that is impacted by fevers etc while a child is ill. How old is your child? What does their doctor say about treatment etc?

Homeopathy is complete and utter money grabbing nonsense with no basis in reality, well done for being concerned and asking.

EyeLevelStick · 22/08/2025 05:50

BunfightBetty · 22/08/2025 01:12

In my experience it works brilliantly, and can often work well when conventional medicine doesn't, BUT this is dependent on getting the exact right remedy and that can be tricky. It's important to work with a skilled homeopath.

I completely understand why people pooh-pooh it, I can't explain why it works, it shouldn't really, based on what we currently know. But I have had many good experiences over many years, including treating animals who didn't know they were getting any remedies. The fact it does work in my experience is good enough for me. I don't expect to convince any skeptics though - you do you!

As long as you keep up with any medical treatment, and can afford the consultation fee, then I think to me it seems reasonable to give it a go. What's the harm.

The harm is separating OP from her hard earned money in return for snake oil.

If homeopathy worked there would be studies proving its efficacy.

FeelingForced · 22/08/2025 05:41

Homoeopathy worked wonders on my toddler son's eczema years ago. It cleared up his skin the way that steroid creams never could. I don't think it could be a placebo effect either, as I didn't tell him that what he was drinking was supposed to be medicine.
I was dubious about it before we started, but it worked. This is just personal experience, of course.