Homeopathy (Photo : www.yummymummyclub.ca)
Homeopathy is no more effective than placebos in treating health conditions, the National Health and Medical Research Council, reported. The NHMRC has released its findings after carefully examining 1, 800 papers about the efficacy of "alternative medicine."
The review has concluded that homeopathy was not, in any level, more effective than sugar pills in treating common medical issues like ulcers, attention deficit disorders, anxiety, asthma, and headaches.
NHMRC has also found no study that presented enough participants and evidences that can fully support the claim that homeopathy can equal the benefits of medical treatments.
Professor Warwick Anderson, the chief executive of NHMRC, said that all medical interventions and treatments must be backed-up with reliable evidences.
"NHMRC's review shows that there is no good quality evidence to support the claim that homeopathy works better than a placebo," Anderson said.
"People who choose homeopathy may put their health at risk if they reject or delay treatments for which there is good evidence for safety and effectiveness. People who are considering whether to use homeopathy should first get advice from a registered health practitioner and in the meanwhile, keep taking any prescribed treatments," he added.
A leaked research paper draft was published by The Age in 2012 showing that the council was considering homeopathic treatment unethical.
Meanwhile, Dr. Brian Morton, the Australian Medical Association chairperson, supported the council's findings.
"People could erroneously endanger their health through utilizing remedies that they believe will work even without evidences. It is a waste of money," Morton explained.
