Homeopathic Remedies
I believe that the body can be assisted with it’s own healing through homeopathy. That choice is in the process of being eliminated by the FDA.
Enjoy,
David Proctor
From Seed To Fork, Egg To Plate.
We may not live on a farm, but we can grow where we live.
Homeopathic Remedies & Treatment
by David Proctor
March 2, 2023
Urban Farm Lifestyle Magazine Published Weekly
This is taken from the FDA website:
What is homeopathy?
Homeopathy is an alternative medical practice that was developed in the late 1700s.
Homeopathy is generally based on two main principles:
- that a substance that causes symptoms in a healthy person can be used in diluted form to treat symptoms and illnesses, a principle known as “like-cures-like”; and
- the more diluted the substance, the more potent it is, which is known as the “law of infinitesimals.”
Historically, homeopathic products have been identified through “provings,” in which substances are administered to healthy volunteers in concentrations that cause symptoms.
Symptoms experienced by volunteers are recorded to indicate possible therapeutic uses for the substances.
In other words, if a substance causes a particular symptom, individuals experiencing that symptom would be treated with a diluted solution made from that substance.
What are homeopathic products and how can you tell you are taking one?
There are no FDA-approved products labeled as homeopathic; this means that any product labeled as homeopathic is being marketed in the U.S. without FDA evaluation for safety or effectiveness.
These products are often marketed as natural, safe and effective alternatives to approved prescription and nonprescription products, and are sold online and in major retail stores.
Products labeled as homeopathic can contain a wide range of substances, including ingredients derived from plants, healthy or diseased animal or human sources, minerals, and chemicals.
Products labeled as homeopathic generally include:
- The word “Homeopathic”
- The ingredients listed in terms of dilution, e.g. 1X, 6X, 2C
Is FDA concerned about the safety of homeopathic products?
While products labeled as homeopathic are generally labeled as highly diluted, some of these products have been found to contain measurable amounts of active ingredients and therefore could cause significant patient harm.
Additionally, FDA has tested products that were improperly manufactured, which can cause incorrect dilutions and increase the potential for contamination.
Further, some products labeled as homeopathic are marketed to treat serious diseases or conditions.
What should consumers know about homeopathic products?
Products labeled as homeopathic and currently marketed in the U.S. have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any diseases or conditions.
FDA’s evidence-based drug reviews play an essential role in ensuring that drugs are made with quality manufacturing processes, and are safe and effective for their intended uses.
Products that have not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness may harm consumers who choose to treat serious diseases or conditions with such products, and consumers may be foregoing treatment with a medical product that has been scientifically proven to be safe and effective.
FDA recommends consumers talk to their doctor or health care professional about safe and effective treatments for their disease or condition.
How are homeopathic products regulated?
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, homeopathic products are subject to the same requirements related to approval, adulteration and misbranding as other drug products.
There are currently no homeopathic products approved by FDA.
In 1988, the FDA issued Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) 400.400, entitled “Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May be Marketed,” which described the agency’s enforcement policy. On October 24, 2019, FDA withdrew(1) CPG 400.400 because it is inconsistent with our risk-based approach to regulatory and enforcement action.
FDA also issued a revised draft guidance: Drug Products Labeled as Homeopathic (2), for public comment.
Since homeopathic drug products have not been approved by FDA for any use, they may not meet modern standards for safety, effectiveness, and quality.
This revised draft guidance proposes a comprehensive, risk-based enforcement approach to homeopathic products marketed without FDA approval.
FDA’s proposed approach prioritizes regulatory and enforcement actions involving unapproved homeopathic products that pose the greatest risk to patients. Many homeopathic products will likely fall outside the risk-based categories described in the revised draft guidance. FDA intends to focus its enforcement authorities on the following kinds of products:
- with reported safety concerns;
- that contain or purport to contain ingredients associated with potentially significant safety concerns;
- for routes of administration other than oral or topical, e.g. for use as an injection or taken nasally;
- that claim to treat or prevent serious and/or life-threatening diseases and conditions, such as cancer;
- marketed to vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women and the elderly; or
- with significant quality issues.
Is FDA going to remove homeopathic products from the market?
FDA’s top concern is patient “safety”. (That means YES)
When the draft guidance is finalized, it will specify the categories of products the agency intends to prioritize for enforcement.
In the interim, before the draft guidance is finalized, FDA intends to apply its general approach to prioritizing risk-based regulatory and enforcement action.
Check It Out!
American Institute of Homeopathy
Quick Tip
Bibliography:
“American Institute of Homeopathy.” American Institute of Homeopathy – American Institute of Homeopathy, https://homeopathyusa.org/.
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Homeopathic Products.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/information-drug-class/homeopathic-products.
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