Are there any Homeopaths about please?

[BigFatCushion]

I'm considering using homoeopathy for DD's Molluscum Contagiosum. I am very skeptical but at that point where I'm ready to try something new.

Anyway, I was googling some homoeopaths and I'm curious about something.

A couple of people have background info and state that they trained as 'a nurse/midwife/pharmacist' which to me is reassuring.

None of the relevant registers have their name on it though. Should they still be able to use the letters after their name if they aren't actually a member of the Nursing & Midwifery Council etc?

I may just be over cautious, but using a protected title should only be allowed if they're actually registered shouldn't it?

If you are a homoeopath please tell me to go for it, and that it will work!

Dowagers - oh dear, you didn't seem to have anything to say to the problems with Cervarix safety trials did you? Without reference to any kind of source you might find unsavoury what with your very large brain and all. And you plainly don't understand anything I've posted here. So you know, you're kind of worth ignoring.

The placebo effect of homeopathy must be much more powerful than other forms of alternative treatment, I suppose.

People 'find it effective' because either a) the pahrmaceutical prodicts have finally worked (things take time sometimes) or b) it was about to clear up anyway.

Why can you not accept that 'water memory' is bollocks. If it weren;t, every glass of tap water would cure every ailment, because all the 'active ingredients' in homeopathy have been inc ontact with it at some time.
Can you give a reason why your remedies might work? A reason, not a load of anecdotes? Anecdote does not = data.

I think if you are going to be upset about dangerous and ineffective treatment you might as well start with some pharmaceutical products. The last figure I saw for conventional treatment deaths was 100-thousand a year. That's why I find the outrage over homeopathy rather hollow and silly.

Accuracy "The placebo effect of homeopathy must be much more powerful than other forms of alternative treatment, I suppose."
Do you know what the placebo effect is? It is not reliant on the type of placebo given.

Thats a completely different argument which you are only introducing because you can't explain to us how your woo water works. Stick to the topic, if you can.

Oh I understand perfectly. You're someone who believes woo and water is more effective than medicine

Also, people die after conventional treatment, yes. Maybe because they were untreatable, or maybe because of errors made by professionals. If all those having conventional treatment abandoned it and used homeopathy, many, amny more thousands (hundreds of thousands?) would die. I guarantee it.

Cardi, I think most people of a scientific bent believe that the placebo is a real thing which exists, so your first sentence wasn't really worth writing.

Your second sentence too - I believe homeopathy works by placebo or transferred placebo effect, and I've said this, so I don't know why you think I believe in the memory of water.

Your third sentence, the question, I have answered fully.

I am still reading this thread BTW. Should have known it would provoke such strong opinions.

I've watched Horizon - disproved homeopathy.
Richard Dawkins - Enemies of reason - hugely sceptical!
Now watching Ben Goldacre Vs Peter Fisher.

Fascinating stuff.

BigFatCushion - I'm a big believer in herbal remedies. Loads of them are really effective and it's worth exploring if there is anything that can help your DD in discussion with a qualified herbalist if you think it might be worthwhile. But homeopathy is nothing more than snake oil.

That's appalling statistical analysis "Accuracyrequired". Most people know that homeopathy is bollocks and don't use it, therefore of course they don't die from it. If it was used more widely, more people would die from it. Because it's water. Start using water to treat bullet wounds and gangrene and watch the body count rack up.

Penis bears repeating:
What don't you get about lying to sick people and pretending you can cure them is BAD?

BigFatCushion Thank you for watching Horizon. I don't mean to make you feel bad or anything like that I just want people to be able to make an informed decision that works for them. Homeopathy won't make your daughter worse but I would think carefully before I parted with any money.

Perhaps they would die: I'm not suggesting people stop using conventional treatment - just be more discerning. After all you all have amazing scientific understanding so that shouldn't be too hard.

Accuracy I wrote 3 sentences. THe first was a quote from you. THe second, not the third was the question. It was a bit rhetorical, as I knwo what it is but I feel you probably don't, or have deliberatley 'forgotten' it. I believe in the placebo effect, too. I also know it doesn't work for many conditions, or in the long term.
The placebo effect works, or doesn;t, because of the power of the mind. It makes no difference what the placebo is, so it is impossible for homeopathy, or any other substance, to be a 'stronger' placebo as you suggest.
WHy do you think my third sentence was a question? 3 sentences in my post:
1- your words
2- a question, which you haven't answered
3 - a fact.

I believe homeopathy works

To clarify, it's this bit which the rest of us are having trouble with.

Thank-you for the link. I am completely drawn in by this.

I honestly had no idea about this stuff!

Dowager - no you don't understand, and I think you're trying to bully me here because you couldn't respond on the other thread.

I'm not suggesting people stop using conventional treatment - just be more discerning.

Okay, next time I have to decide between a treatment which has passed clinical trials, and one which hasn't, I'll... yep I'll keep using the ones which have been proven effective.
Night all!

People 'find it effective' because either a) the pahrmaceutical prodicts have finally worked (things take time sometimes) or b) it was about to clear up anyway.

It's highly likely to be effective because of placebo effect.

Why can you not accept that 'water memory' is bollocks

I believe homeopathy works by placebo or transferred placebo effect, and I've said this, so I don't know why you think I believe in the memory of water.

Can you give a reason why your remedies might work? A reason, not a load of anecdotes? Anecdote does not = data

Placebo or transferred placebo, a very powerful one.

"Okay, next time I have to decide between a treatment which has passed clinical trials, and one which hasn't, I'll... yep I'll keep using the ones which have been proven effective."

You may be relying on dubious sources. If you want I can link you to some safety trials which are highly questionable. But I think you probably don't want.

We are discerning, thats the point...hmm, I'm ill, will I take the medicine which has been rigourously tested and approved by experts, that honestly tells me all the possible side effects and contraindications, that has been proven to work for my condition...... or will I take some specially shaken woo water with a bit of sugar in?
Let me think about that for, oh, a millisecond should do it......

Come to think of it, who needs a link. Vioxx, Thalidomide, Roaccutane.

Yes, yes, the placebo effect causes some improvement in some conditions. However, you could give someone Smarties as a miracle cure and they would have the same effect. WHy should anyone trust homeopathy, particularly?

Going back to Molluscum: Do all spots need to get itchy & infected for body to recognise the infection & get rid of it? Or is one itchy & infected spot enough?