BHA

How does homeopathy work?

Evidence by condition

View conditions with at least one positive RCT, systematic review or non-randomised study

The evidence base

Randomised controlled trials

A total of 142 RCTs in homeopathy have been published in good quality scientific journals: positive effects have been reported in 63 (44% of the total) and negative findings have been reported in 11 (8%), while 68 (48%) have not been conclusively positive or negative.

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of homeopathy have also reported positive effects in the following conditions: allergies and upper respiratory tract infections; childhood diarrhoea; rheumatic disease; seasonal allergic rhinitis; vertigo; fibromyalgia; osteoarthritis and sinusitis.

Two page summary of evidence with full references

Patient outcome studies

Bristol Homeopathic Hospital, 2005
In 2005, the largest service evaluation of homeopathic treatment reported that 70% of 6,500 follow-up patients experienced improvement in their health. Eczema, asthma, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, depression and chronic fatigue syndrome – difficult chronic problems suffered by many people – all improved. Download full paper

Five-hospital study, 2008
The most recent hospitals outcome study confirms the findings of earlier studies. A total of 1,602 patients were seen at follow-up appointments in all five UK NHS homeopathic hospitals during one month in 2007. The study found that eczema is currently the most common referral to homeopathy by NHS doctors. Other commonly treated complaints were chronic fatigue, menopausal disorder and osteoarthritis. Download full paper