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[Nickbat]

I recently read a blogger ranting on about homeopathy and how it was all bogus and that anyone who believed in it lived in la la land etc, etc.

I didn't give the subject much thought, to be honest. However, today I caught a fascinating programme (by the Deadly 60 bloke, who's name I've forgotten) about how, in Thailand they have discovered that the root of some plant has been scientifically proven to act as a 100% antidote to the King Cobra venom.

I also seem to recall that aspirin and trees are linked (though maybe that's my dusty mind playing tricks).

So, if some medicines can be found in nature, what's the beef about homeopathy?

As I say, I have no opinion on this subject at all, but I am keen to read the views of others.

Quackery or science? You decide!   
 

[tidla]

my mother was always treating me with her remedies, some times it worked, sometimes it didnt.
nowt wrong with me , tud durr margret, where are you margret. wev got a customer....

[HolyCount]

Lots of medicines have their origins in nature and natural substances ( as do a lot of poisons!).

If homeopathy works for you, go for it ----- belief in the treatment can have a great placebo effect, if nothing else.

Incidentally, the last time I had a small operation I took Arnica before and after (treats bruising and swelling) and all I can say is that the bruising, swelling and general discomfort seemed less than I have had after other procedures.

[Nickbat]

Lots of medicines have their origins in nature and natural substances ( as do a lot of poisons!).

If homeopathy works for you, go for it ----- belief in the treatment can have a great placebo effect, if nothing else.

Incidentally, the last time I had a small operation I took Arnica before and after (treats bruising and swelling) and all I can say is that the bruising, swelling and general discomfort seemed less than I have had after other procedures.

I remember my mum applying that (and Witch Hazel, or is that the same thing?) fro bruises. Thanks for stirring my memory banks!

[cem_devecioglu]

As far as I know all drugs-medicines have the active agent(s) extracted from plants.. medicines are mostly more complex compared to simple plants as they are mixtures of many extracts and some chemical additives..but using plants is obviously cheaper..

and looking from trade point of view there are big profits in this area.. and most countries pay enormous sums which can already be solved cheaply..


I remember from tv programs some doctors try to cure cancer with those plants directly which causes a big war..

[tidla]

pigs bladder elements has been used to help repair damaged limbs of soldiers that would normally have been amputated.

it works, docs dont as yet know why.

why not plant extracts??

[Banjax]

this interesting documentary may shed some light on the topic


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0[/media]
 

[HolyCount]

Lots of medicines have their origins in nature and natural substances ( as do a lot of poisons!).

If homeopathy works for you, go for it ----- belief in the treatment can have a great placebo effect, if nothing else.

Incidentally, the last time I had a small operation I took Arnica before and after (treats bruising and swelling) and all I can say is that the bruising, swelling and general discomfort seemed less than I have had after other procedures.

I remember my mum applying that (and Witch Hazel, or is that the same thing?) fro bruises. Thanks for stirring my memory banks!

Arnica and Witch Hazel are different, but both used for bruising (amongst other things).

Witch Hazel is an astringent so shrinks blood vessels. Arnica promotes healing by dilating blood vessels !!!  You pays yer money and takes yer choice !

[jereboam]

You are confusing Homeopathy with Herbal medicine.

Homeopathy is the one which says that a little bit of the poison that made you ill will make you better.

It is also the one that insists that the more you dilute the remedy, the more effective it becomes.  This leads to the situation whereby the dose you take may (statistically) not contain a single molecule of the declared active ingredient.  This is explained by something called "water memory". 

Herbal medicine is simply using naturally-occurring compounds to cure disease.  Aspirin is derived from the leaves and bark of the willow tree. 

Chinese herbal medicine is unregulated in the UK and somebody died last year from being treated with something containing a toxic substance.

All things considered, the NHS doesn't do a bad job.

[Nickbat]

You are confusing Homeopathy with Herbal medicine.

Homeopathy is the one which says that a little bit of the poison that made you ill will make you better.

It is also the one that insists that the more you dilute the remedy, the more effective it becomes.  This leads to the situation whereby the dose you take may (statistically) not contain a single molecule of the declared active ingredient.  This is explained by something called "water memory". 

Herbal medicine is simply using naturally-occurring compounds to cure disease.  Aspirin is derived from the leaves and bark of the willow tree. 

Chinese herbal medicine is unregulated in the UK and somebody died last year from being treated with something containing a toxic substance.

All things considered, the NHS doesn't do a bad job.

Thanks for that, JB. I was unaware of the definition of homeopathy as it has not been an area of great interest to me. 

[BigAl]

You are confusing Homeopathy with Herbal medicine.

Homeopathy is the one which says that a little bit of the poison that made you ill will make you better.

It is also the one that insists that the more you dilute the remedy, the more effective it becomes.  This leads to the situation whereby the dose you take may (statistically) not contain a single molecule of the declared active ingredient.  This is explained by something called "water memory". 

Herbal medicine is simply using naturally-occurring compounds to cure disease.  Aspirin is derived from the leaves and bark of the willow tree. 

Chinese herbal medicine is unregulated in the UK and somebody died last year from being treated with something containing a toxic substance.

All things considered, the NHS doesn't do a bad job.

As JB states, you are mixing up the two different approaches , A lot of modern medicines are based on natural remedies, current example :- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8650695.stm
also simple remedies, like using Doc leaves to counter the effects of nettle stings

[Nickbat]

A lot of modern medicine are based on natural remedies, current example :- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/8650695.stm
also simple remedies, like using Doc leaves to counter the effects of nettle stings

Good find! 

"Scientists have discovered that an extract from the skin of the phantasmal poison frog Epipedobates tricolor, a chemical called Epibatidine, could block pain 200 times more effectively than morphine, and without addiction and other serious side effects."

Oh, and I've used Dock leaves countless times to counteract nettle stings! 

[BigAl]

Tea tree oil - I believe is being looked into to counter MRSA as it the only naturally occurring substance that is an:- antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent
Silver threaded NHS gowns are also being investigated to combat MRSA

[jereboam]

Tea tree oil - I believe is being looked into to counter MRSA as it the only naturally occurring substance that is an:- antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent
Silver threaded NHS gowns are also being investigated to combat MRSA

On the advice of my dentist, who, to be kind, is somewhat eccentric, I invested a substantial wodge of money in a bottle of Tea Tree oil.  It was supposedly guaranteed to alleviate some ailment which I can no longer recall.  I applied said tincture to the injured section of my anatomy.  After 10 minutes, I was obliged to go and take a shower to remove the loathsome smell of the foul stuff.  The shower did not achieve this, and it required two perfumed baths to restore me to my usual fragrant state.

I really would not recommend Tea Tree Oil.

[cem_devecioglu]

You are confusing Homeopathy with Herbal medicine.

Homeopathy is the one which says that a little bit of the poison that made you ill will make you better.

It is also the one that insists that the more you dilute the remedy, the more effective it becomes.  This leads to the situation whereby the dose you take may (statistically) not contain a single molecule of the declared active ingredient.  This is explained by something called "water memory". 

Herbal medicine is simply using naturally-occurring compounds to cure disease.  Aspirin is derived from the leaves and bark of the willow tree. 

Chinese herbal medicine is unregulated in the UK and somebody died last year from being treated with something containing a toxic substance.

All things considered, the NHS doesn't do a bad job.

same applies to normal drugs also.. when normal dose is exceeded it can kill you.. but that doesnt proove using plants are wrong..