From the Research
Effectiveness of Homeopathy
The effectiveness of homeopathy in treating medical conditions is a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies suggest that homeopathy may be effective for certain conditions, while others find no evidence of its efficacy.
- A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2003 found that homeopathy may be effective for the treatment of influenza, allergies, postoperative ileus, and childhood diarrhea, but ineffective for migraine, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and influenza prevention 1.
- Another study published in Homeopathy in 2003 found that the weight of evidence favors a positive treatment effect of homeopathy for eight medical conditions, including childhood diarrhea, fibrositis, and upper respiratory tract infection, but found insufficient evidence to conclude its efficacy for other conditions 2.
- A review of the literature on homeopathy published in Advances in Therapy in 2025 found evidence of clinical benefits of homeopathy for various diseases, but noted that more rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to establish its effectiveness 3.
- In contrast, a study published in HNO in 2021 found no reliable evidence of specific medical effectiveness of homeopathy, and concluded that it is obsolete as a therapeutic option 4.
- An outcomes study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2001 found that homeopathy was at least as effective as conventional medical care in the treatment of patients with upper respiratory tract complaints, lower respiratory tract complaints, and ear complaints 5.
Conditions Treated with Homeopathy
Homeopathy has been studied for its potential effectiveness in treating a range of medical conditions, including:
- Childhood diarrhea 1, 2
- Fibrositis 2
- Hayfever 2
- Influenza 1, 2
- Pain (miscellaneous) 2
- Side-effects of radio- or chemotherapy 2
- Sprains 2
- Upper respiratory tract infection 2
- Allergies 1, 5
- Ear complaints 5
- Lower respiratory tract complaints 5
- Migraine 1
- Postoperative ileus 1
- Cancer 3
- Depression 3
- Psoriasis 3
- Allergic rhinitis 3
- Asthma 3
- Otitis 3
- Neuroses 3
- Joint disease 3
- Insomnia 3
- Sinusitis 3
- Urinary tract infections 3
- Acne 3