To be driven mad by how many people are utterly convinced by homeopathy?

[Wannabuyawatch]

I am just completely baffled by how many educated, clued up people I know, including family members and many close friends, that do not question homeopathy in any way. It is complete nonsense that bases its "science" on the memory of water?? You might as well wave your magic wand and say Hocus Pocus. Of course the placebo effect can be a cure in itself but not for children?? Even my brilliant pediatrician tries to give me homeopathy (probably bc she thinks it will calm me down rather than my children!!)
There is a mum at school whose son has horrendous allergies and asthma. She has taken him off all his inhalers as she wants to "cleanse his system" and only gives him homeopathy. Arrrgh. I see the little boy in tears every day in the spring as he can´t sleep and is exhausted due to his breathing.
My MIL insisted on giving their old dog who was in agony and riddled with cancer homeopathy instead of conventional medicine and god, did it suffer, why why??
Don´t know why but it drives me mad…such an irresponsible industry that suckers vulnerable people in and leads some to give homeopathy instead of conventional meds in dangerous situations.

An nhs consultation will always involve lifestyle advice.
It's the lifestyle changes that ppl usually want to avoid.

Moutard, you have won the pissing up the wall competition.

"Moutard, you have won the pissing up the wall competition."

interesting way to describe proper reasoned discussion. One only hopes the offensive nature of the comment means that the woo brigade are starting to realize they have no leg to stand on.

Just to add - 10 hours after my first post - mistletoe therapy is homeopathic, read the Macmillan information on it. Their website actually distinguishes between homeopathy, herbal remedies etc very well.

And the Macmillan website says "However, at the moment there’s no reliable scientific evidence that mistletoe is effective in treating cancer."

I didn't say I'd read it all moutarde ;)

Yeah right. AmandaClarke.
All NHS consultations have time for lifestyle advice !
Not in my experience .

I meant a more earthy holistic approach .

"Earthy holistic approach"?

Is that where a medically unqualified person lights an incense and talks about detoxing etc?

Actually, most consultants do dispense lifestyle advice and/ or make referrals to additional services that would do so.
Anyway, I didn't say "consultants" I said "consultations" thereby referring to a consultation with an nhs clinician.
Most clinicians, during a consultation offer "lifestyle" advice. Sadly this might often involve something the patient doesn't want to hear or adhere to (smoking cessation, weight loss, reducing alcohol consumption), so a "practitioner" of bullshit "alternative" therapies has a wide scope for flannel, which can be considered an holistic intervention.

That said, you make a valid point,because in some cases, being really listened to, in the way that many nhs clinicians often don't have the time for, is very likely to have a positive effect on a person.
But it aint gonna cure that tumor, or stop them having diabetes, or treat that bacterial infection.

What is an "earthy" holistic approach?
Because that sounds a bit like flannel. Only wholemeal.

My goodness, how brilliant to post something in the morning and come home to read 161 utterly brilliant, fascinating, infuriating and funny replies. Even an academic psychologist and neuroscientist has explained the nuts and bolts - HELLO please stop the useless arguments. What interests me though is what does it say about our society that SUCH a large proportion of the population chooses to believe the bollocks. It´s not like it´s just a small percentage of irrational conspiracy theorists, it is huge swathes of people plus many in the medical profession???

Yes Amanda
I do mean wholemeal !
I meant consultation - wretched iPod .

I think alternative thereapy helps you to connect with an inner calm - slowing your life down ,enjoying nature , observing your chemical exposure , finding pleasure in simplicity again . Sandal wearing , incense burning ,chanting or whatever does it for you .
I think these changes come about often as a result of alternative therapy and therefore the ' patient' is improved and links it to the woo woo .
I am non to clever at making a point easily understood .

I too hate any kind of charlatan , but don't believe homeopathy can be so easily written off .

How many posters who bash homeopathy have shelves full of face creams and potions ?
That's the same thing really . Products promising wonders but in reality they are just water filled crap . And that industry is worth mega bucks .
It's about choice . I can't believe the idiots who spend money in cars , but I have friends who think I'm an idiot for paying twice the price for an organic grocery shop .

Our money goes on what makes us feel good . Most of it sadly offering only temporary pleasure .

Achieving a calmer state of mind, and appreciating the simplet things in life are, IMHO, very positive. And there's no shortage of research about the positive effects of emotional well being on physical health (stress and cortisol/ effects on the cardiovascular system being a readily available and pretty simple example)
But "alternative" therapies are not needed in order to take that path. Going for a walk in the woods does not require the intervention of a cranial osteopath!
And the statements "I too hate any kind of charlatan" and "I don't think homeopathy can be so easily written off" are I'm direct conflict with each other.
Homeopathy hasn't been easily written off. It's been tested, a lot (along with effing ear candles!) and it doesn't do what the charlatans claim it does.

I use a moisturiser on my skin.
It moisturises my skin.

Homeopathy doesn't work.

How many posters who bash homeopathy have shelves full of face creams and potions?

Not this poor student. Then again, people who try face creams are probably less vulnerable that people seeking alternative therapies in a desperate attempt to manage a serious health condition. It's not comparable. I said earlier, I don't care if people want to waste their money on magic potions, I care that homeopaths and similar con vulnerable people.

Well let's take a poll.
I don't have "shelves full of face creams and potions".

Arghh !
I mean that lots of folks wouldn't find that route without first visiting therapy like homeopathy , therefore that perhaps explains why people have faith in it .

I have never spent money on one , and never would as my money goes on things I know to be good - mung bean stew is good ! No doubting that .
I can just see WHY folks do it .
'Vulnerable' people are everywhere if you start scratching . And capitalism depends on it .
I'm out now as I am not a user or a homeopath ! Be nice if one turned up .

Mung bean stew is good.
Sorry if it's been a frustrating exchange.

Not at all ! I gotta do the ocado shop before it times out , now those guys are preying vulnerable mummies like me !

YANBU. I have nursed cancer patients who have been taken in by chosen the homeopathic route over conventional medicine. The outcome has never been good. Unsurprisingly, they did not recover. IMO, the people who peddle this crap to vulnerable patients are irresponsible, immoral and fraudulent

Also, I have face creams which may or may not do what they claim to do - it doesn't really matter either way. It's hardly the same as selling me something which claims to cure my cancer/diabetes/arthritis etc.

Some of the posters on here have told Murphy that Rescue Remedy is herbal and therefore not the same as homeopathy.

Rescue Remedy is NOT a herbal remedy, it is a flower essence which is made in a similar - but not the same way - to a homepathic remedy. For anyone that does think it is herbal I would say look up how flower essences are made.

As for the alcohol in flower remedies - generally you put a small amount of drops in water and drink that so you most certainly are not relaxed because of the alcohol content. Even in the case of Rescue Remedy you are only taking a tiny amount at a time, and over half of the bottle is potentised water anyway!

If it does no harm, and works for people (placebo or not) who are we to judge.

Kolakubism the nine minute best poem is AMAZING!