Homeopathy
Greek: homoios ('similar') and pathos ('suffering').
Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century, based on the principle that highly diluted substances that cause symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in an unwell one. Its remedies are diluted to the point that many contain no detectable trace of the original substance.
Homeopathy's central like cures like principle and its use of extreme dilution are not supported by current scientific understanding of pharmacology, and major reviews, including a 2015 assessment by Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council, have found no reliable evidence that homeopathic remedies are more effective than a placebo for any health condition.
Homeopathy was developed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century around two core principles: 'like cures like,' meaning a substance causing symptoms in a healthy person can treat similar symptoms in illness, and extreme dilution, often far beyond the point where any original molecule remains. Major evidence reviews, including Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council in 2015, found no reliable evidence homeopathy is effective for any health condition beyond a placebo response, which is why it should never replace evaluation or treatment for a serious or diagnosed medical condition.
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