Evidence For Homeopathy: Scientific Research
If you’ve ever been told that homeopathy is “just placebo,” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common criticisms—and one of the easiest to disprove. In fact, there’s a growing body of high-quality research showing that homeopathy is effective, not only beyond placebo but often comparable to conventional care, especially for common conditions like infections, allergies, and chronic complaints.
Here are just a few examples:
1. Respiratory Infections
A large international study across 8 countries (over 1,500 patients) found that homeopathy was non-inferior to conventional treatment for ear infections and upper respiratory tract infections. Findings also showed that the onset of improvement within the first 7 days after treatment was significantly faster upon homeopathic treatment both in children and adults. A French study found that patients who chose to consult GPs certified in homeopathy used less antibiotics and antipyretic/anti-inflammatory drugs for upper respiratory tract infections than those seen by GPs prescribing conventional medications.
2. Acute Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infections) in Children
A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of homeopathy in treating otitis media (middle ear infections) in children. Multiple studies (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) have shown that children treated with individualised or combination homeopathic remedies experience faster pain and symptom relief, fewer treatment failures, reduced need for antibiotics or other drugs, and reduced recurrence rates compared to those receiving placebo or conventional care.
3. Hayfever and Allergies
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The Lancet found that patients given potentised homeopathic preparations of allergens (e.g. grass pollen) experienced significant improvement in hay fever symptoms. This study of 430 patients showed the effectiveness of an integrated homeopathic treatment approach resulting in a considerable reduction in allergic symptoms, conventional drug use and improved quality of life; and another study of 123 patients with a history of allergic rhinitis found that the administered homeopathic blend resulted in a substantial improvement of symptoms and a clear increase in quality of life. Smaller studies, such as this one and this one report similar findings.
4. Chronic Illness
A 2005 German cohort study of more than 3,900 patients found significant and lasting improvements in symptom severity and quality of life over two years of homeopathic treatment - particularly for conditions like headaches, skin complaints, and respiratory issues. Read the study summary here. Another UK study conducted at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital followed 6,500 patients with chronic conditions. Over 70% reported clinical improvement, including those with eczema, asthma, IBS, arthritis, and menopausal symptoms. Read the summary here.
5. Recurrent Tonsillitis
A controlled clinical trial of 256 patients showed that using a specific homeopathic treatment alongside standard care reduced the frequency and severity of recurrent tonsillitis and the need for antibiotics, compared to standard treatment alone.
6. Fibromyalgia
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) published in Rheumatology found that patients with fibromyalgia who received individualised homeopathic treatment had significant improvements in tender point pain and overall health scores.
7. Vertigo
A meta-analysis of four clinical trials comparing the homeopathic medicinal product Vertigoheel to conventional treatments for vertigo found that it was equally effective in reducing the frequency, duration, and intensity of vertigo episodes.
8. Swiss Government Review of Homeopathy
A comprehensive Swiss health technology assessment (HTA) based on dozens of clinical trials, concluded that homeopathy is effective, safe, and cost-efficient. These findings led to homeopathy being officially recognised in Switzerland’s public healthcare system. Read more about the Swiss government review here.
9. Mental Health, Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
This study of 110 patients found that older individuals who consulted homeopathic GPs report less psychotropic drug use and were more likely to experience clinical improvement than those receiving conventional care.
10. Autism Spectrum Disorder
A retrospective study of 40 children with ASD found a statistically significant reduction in Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist scores following homeopathic treatment, compared to scores prior to treatment.
In CONCLUSION
These studies reflect a broader pattern: when homeopathy is well-matched and properly prescribed, it can offer measurable and meaningful results. It can be used alongside conventional care, and always with the goal of gently supporting the body’s own natural healing ability.
If you're curious about how homeopathy could support your health journey, book a consultation or reach out with questions. I'm always happy to help you explore your options.
REFERENCES:
Bell IR, Lewis DA 2nd, Brooks AJ, Schwartz GE, Lewis SE, Walsh BT, Baldwin CM. Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004 May;43(5):577-82. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keh111. Epub 2004 Jan 20. PMID: 14734789.
Bornhöft, G., & Matthiessen, P. (Eds.). (2011). Homeopathy in healthcare: effectiveness, appropriateness, safety, costs. Springer Science & Business Media.
Danno, K., Duru, G., & Vetel, J. M. (2018). Management of anxiety and depressive disorders in patients≥ 65 years of age by homeopath general practitioners versus conventional general practitioners, with overview of the EPI3-LASER study results. Homeopathy, 107(02), 081-089.
Ferreri, R., Bernardini, S., Pulcri, R., Cracolici, F., Rinaldi, M., & Porciani, C. (2016). Improved quality of life and reduction of conventional drugs in allergic patients treated with homeopathy. Homeopathy Research Institute, 1(31), 1-2.
Frei H, Thurneysen A. Homeopathy in acute otitis media in children: treatment effect or spontaneous resolution? Br Homeopath J. 2001 Oct;90(4):180-2. doi: 10.1054/homp.1999.0505. PMID: 11680801.
Friese KH, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H. The homoeopathic treatment of otitis media in children–comparisons with conventional therapy. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997 Jul;35(7):296-301
Grimaldi-Bensouda L, Bégaud B, Rossignol M, et al. Management of upper respiratory tract infections by different medical practices, including homeopathy, and consumption of antibiotics in primary care: the EPI3 cohort study in France 2007-2008. Plos one. 2014 ;9(3):e89990. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089990. PMID: 24646513; PMCID: PMC3960096.
Haidvogl, M., Riley, D.S., Heger, M. et al. Homeopathic and conventional treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints: A comparative study on outcome in the primary care setting. BMC Complement Altern Med 7, 7 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-7-7
Jacobs J, Springer DA, Crothers D. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2001 Feb;20(2):177-83.
Palm, J., Kishchuk, V. V., Ulied, A., Fernández, J. P., De Jaegere, S., Jong, M. C., ... & TocTo Research Group. (2017). Effectiveness of an add-on treatment with the homeopathic medication SilAtro-5-90 in recurrent tonsillitis: An international, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 28, 181-191.
Pandey V. Hay fever & homeopathy: a case series evaluation. Homeopathy. 2016 May;105(2):202-8. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2016.01.002. Epub 2016 Feb 23. PMID: 27211328.
Rajalakshmi, M. A., & BHMS, M. PUBLICATION IN HOMEOPATHY FOR EVERYONE 17 NOVEMBER 2018.
Reilly DT, Taylor MA, McSharry C, Aitchison T. Is homoeopathy a placebo response? Controlled trial of homoeopathic potency, with pollen in hayfever as model. Lancet. 1986 Oct 18;2(8512):881-6. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(86)90410-1. PMID: 2876326.
Schneider et al. Treatment of vertigo with a homeopathic complex remedy compared with usual treatments – a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Arzneim.-Forschung, 2005; 55(1): 23-29 | PubMed
Sinha, M. N., Siddiqui, V. A., Nayak, C., Singh, V., Dixit, R., Dewan, D., & Mishra, A. (2012). Randomized controlled pilot study to compare Homeopathy and Conventional therapy in Acute Otitis Media. Homeopathy, 101(01), 5-12.
Thompson, E. A., Mathie, R. T., Baitson, E. S., Barron, S. J., Berkovitz, S. R., Brands, M., Fisher, P., Kirby, T. M., Leckridge, R. W., Mercer, S. W., Nielsen, H. J., Ratsey, D. H. K., Reilly, D., Roniger, H., & Whitmarsh, T. E. (2008). Towards standard setting for patient-reported outcomes in the NHS homeopathic hospitals. Homeopathy, 97(3), 114–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.homp.2008.06.005
Taylor MA, Reilly D, Llewellyn-Jones RH, McSharry C, Aitchison TC. Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series. BMJ. 2000 Aug 19-26;321(7259):471-6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.321.7259.471. Erratum in: BMJ 2000 Sep 23;321(7263):733. PMID: 10948025; PMCID: PMC27460.
Trompetter I, Lebert J, Weiß G. Homeopathic complex remedy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: results of a prospective, multicenter observational study. Forsch Komplementmed. 2015;22(1):18-23. doi: 10.1159/000375244. Epub 2015 Feb 9. PMID: 25824400.
Witt, C.M., Lüdtke, R., Baur, R. et al. Homeopathic medical practice: Long-term results of a cohort study with 3981 patients. BMC Public Health 5, 115 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-5-115