homoeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine developed in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on the principle of "like cures like," meaning a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by diluting a substance, often to the point where no original molecules remain, and then repeatedly shaking the mixture, a process called succussion.

The remedies are typically administered orally in the form of pellets or liquid. Homeopathic practitioners believe that these highly diluted substances stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. The practice has gained popularity worldwide, but its efficacy has been a subject of considerable scientific debate.

Scientific and medical consensus, as reflected by major health organizations and regulatory bodies, is that there is no reliable scientific evidence that homeopathy is effective for treating any health condition beyond a placebo effect. Numerous studies and systematic reviews have concluded that homeopathic remedies are not effective and that the claimed mechanisms of action are scientifically implausible. Despite this, many individuals continue to use homeopathy, often alongside conventional medical treatments. Its use is regulated differently across various countries, with some requiring specific labeling regarding its lack of proven efficacy.