What's the Bottom Line?

What is known about how well homeopathy works?

• Current scientific research provides little reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for treating any particular medical condition.

What is known about the safety of homeopathic products?

• Some items marketed as homeopathic may contain measurable amounts of active substances and have the potential to cause side effects or interact with other medications.

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy, sometimes referred to as homeopathic medicine, is a system of health care created in Germany more than two centuries ago. It is built on two central ideas that differ from conventional medical science:

• “Like cures like,” meaning a substance that produces symptoms in a healthy person is believed to treat similar symptoms in someone who is ill.

• The “law of minimum dose,” which holds that remedies become more potent as they are increasingly diluted. In many cases, dilutions are so extreme that no measurable trace of the original ingredient remains.

Homeopathic remedies may be derived from plants (such as red onion, arnica, poison ivy, belladonna, or stinging nettle), minerals (including white arsenic), or animal sources (such as whole bees). They are commonly prepared as small sugar pellets dissolved under the tongue, but may also appear as creams, ointments, gels, tablets, or liquid drops. Treatment is typically individualized; two people with the same diagnosis may receive different remedies. Practitioners use their own system to match symptom patterns with specific preparations, which differs from diagnostic methods used in conventional medicine.

Use in the United States

Data from a large national survey conducted in 2012 estimated that about 5 million adults and 1 million children in the United States had used homeopathy in the previous year. While roughly 1.8 percent of children used homeopathic products, only a small fraction visited a homeopathic practitioner. Later analyses suggest that many adults self-prescribe these products, often for colds or muscle and joint pain.

In 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that over-the-counter homeopathic products making health claims must meet the same standards of evidence required for other products. Companies are expected to support claims of effectiveness and safety with competent and reliable scientific evidence.

In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a risk-based enforcement strategy for homeopathic products. Under this approach, increased scrutiny would apply to:

• Products associated with safety concerns.

• Products that are not taken orally or applied to the skin.

• Products intended for vulnerable groups.

• Products that fail to meet legal standards for quality, strength, or purity.

• Products promoted for serious or life-threatening conditions.

What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Homeopathy

A major 2015 review conducted by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council concluded that there is no dependable evidence supporting homeopathy for any specific health problem. The review applied strict criteria for study quality, including adequate sample sizes and rigorous methodology, and examined dozens of systematic reviews encompassing many individual studies. An updated review is in progress.

Homeopathy remains controversial because its underlying principles do not align with established scientific understanding. For example, remedies diluted beyond the point where any molecules of the original substance remain present significant challenges for conventional research methods. Some investigators are exploring the physical properties of highly diluted solutions to determine whether they can be meaningfully characterized.

No Evidence To Support Homeopathic Immunizations

Some homeopathic preparations, sometimes called “nosodes” or “homeopathic immunizations,” have been promoted as alternatives to standard vaccines. Public health authorities state that there is no credible scientific evidence that these products can prevent infectious diseases. National health agencies recommend following established vaccination schedules for both children and adults.

What the Science Says About Safety and Side Effects of Homeopathy

• Although many remedies are extremely diluted, certain products labeled as homeopathic may contain significant quantities of active ingredients. These products can cause side effects or interact with other medications, and adverse events have been reported.

• A 2012 review of case reports found that some homeopathic products—particularly those containing inadequately diluted heavy metals such as mercury or iron—or replacing effective conventional treatment with ineffective homeopathy can lead to harm, occasionally serious.

• Liquid remedies may contain alcohol, sometimes at higher levels than those permitted in conventional medications.

• Some practitioners describe a temporary worsening of symptoms, known as “homeopathic aggravation,” after treatment begins. Limited research has examined this effect. Any changes in symptoms should be discussed with a qualified health care provider.

• The FDA has issued warnings about certain homeopathic products in the past, including teething tablets found to contain excessive amounts of belladonna and over-the-counter asthma products that were not evaluated for safety or effectiveness.

Homeopathic products are regulated as drugs under federal law and must meet requirements related to labeling, manufacturing quality, and safety. At present, no homeopathic products have been formally approved by the FDA.

In 1988, the FDA issued a compliance policy outlining conditions under which homeopathic drugs could be marketed. In 2019, this policy was withdrawn and replaced with draft guidance proposing a comprehensive, risk-based enforcement approach for unapproved products.

Regulation of homeopathic practice varies by state. In many areas, licensed health professionals may incorporate homeopathy into their practice. Some states allow nonlicensed practitioners to offer homeopathic services.

Arizona, Connecticut, and Nevada maintain licensing boards specific to physicians practicing homeopathy. In several other states, naturopathic licensing examinations include homeopathic content.

More To Consider

• Do not use homeopathy as a substitute for proven medical care or delay consulting a health professional about a health concern.

• If you are thinking about using a homeopathic product, show it to your health care provider to review possible risks, including side effects or interactions.

• Follow recommended vaccination schedules and do not rely on homeopathic products in place of immunizations.

• Pregnant or nursing individuals, and those considering homeopathy for a child, should seek advice from a qualified health care professional.

• Inform your providers about any complementary health approaches you use so that you can make coordinated, informed decisions together.

For More Information

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse offers information about complementary and integrative health practices, including publications and searches of federal scientific databases. It does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or practitioner referrals.

Toll-free (U.S.): 1-888-644-6226

Telecommunications relay service: 7-1-1

Email: [email protected]

Know the Science

Educational resources from national health agencies help explain how scientific research works and how to interpret health information. These materials include interactive tools, videos, and guidance on understanding clinical studies and journal articles.

PubMed®

PubMed is a database of citations and summaries from biomedical and scientific journals, maintained by the National Library of Medicine. It can be used to search for research on homeopathy and other health topics.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The FDA monitors the safety of foods, medicines, medical devices, dietary supplements, and cosmetics in the United States.

Toll-free (U.S.): 1-888-463-6332

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC works to protect consumers from deceptive or unfair business practices, including misleading advertising claims.

Toll-free (U.S.): 1-877-382-4357

NIH Clinical Research Trials and You

This resource explains what clinical trials are, why they are important, and how individuals may participate. Clinical trials are essential for developing improved methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases.

Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORTER)

RePORTER is a searchable database of federally funded biomedical and public health research projects.

MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus provides reliable health information from national health agencies and other trusted organizations to help answer medical questions.

Key References

• Selected peer-reviewed articles and systematic reviews examining the effectiveness, safety, history, and scientific evaluation of homeopathy.

• National survey reports on the use of complementary health approaches in the United States.

• Government assessments evaluating evidence related to homeopathic treatments.

• Reviews analyzing adverse effects and methodological concerns in homeopathy research.

Acknowledgments

This material was reviewed and updated by scientific staff to ensure accuracy and clarity.

This publication is in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.

The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified health care provider regarding decisions about diagnosis or treatment. Mention of specific products or services does not imply endorsement.