Hard times for soft medicine

"We should only offer our patients an understandable and science-based medical treatment," said Rector Markus Müller. Also at the University of Graz, "until further notice, no lectures on homeopathy will take place". In Linz, there are other ways, especially because the event is in great demand by the students, says Andrea Olschewski, vice-rector of medicine in Linz. "We propose a complementary module in JKU's medical studies – but with a different purpose – this module addresses the uses and limitations of complementary medicine versus conventional medicine, critically addressing the topic as a whole. "

"We vehemently resist when we are accused of depriving our patients of vital and orthodox medical treatment." In Austria, all homeopaths have studied medicine, "says Bernard Zauner, vice president of the Medical Association of Clbadical Homeopathy (ÄKH) .Zauner is a general practitioner, spa doctor and homeopath. elective surgery in Bad Schallerbach for 18 years.

"You could not do this for so long if homeopathy had no effect," he says, referring to Swedish scientific articles that would corroborate the effect of this cure.

Pros and Cons: Is Homeopathy Effective?

The European Academy of Sciences – an opponent of homeopathy – explains however that there is no scientifically valid and reproducible evidence that homeopathic products – beyond the effect placebo – are effective in all diseases. On the contrary, they can even be harmful if their administration delays or even omits a specific treatment.

Even within the medical profession, the subject "homeopathy" as well as the diploma of the medical badociation are more than controversial. Peter Niedermoser, president of the Upper Austrian Medical Association, is graduating. "I think it's important that homeopathy be in the hands of front-line doctors, where they know when, and when it's best to use conventional medicine," says the pathologist. In addition, doctors should be familiar with homeopathy when asked. Because: The request of Globuli et Cie exists. Since 1983, homeopathic medicines are considered as official medicines and are subject to the German drug law.

"Many people are interested in homeopathy, but this is not limited to blood cells, but is a complementary medical direction, which is a priority in the field of self-medication," says Monika Aichberger , vice-president of pharmacists in Upper Austria. The prohibition of sales in pharmacies claimed by Sigrid Pilz, defender of the rights of defense in Vienna, considers it totally exaggerated.

In Germany, where various health insurance companies pay for homeopathy, the doctor Natalie Grams has asked to put an end to this procedure.

The explosive factor: Natalie Grams was a homoeopath for years, until she came to the conclusion. Put an end to it and write a homeopathic critical book titled "Revised homeopathy – What really helps patients". His conclusion: "All diseases related to homeopathy would be pbaded without them, often treating them with small pills – cough, runny nose, hoarseness, stomach ache or discomfort – and here it is: after a while, the discomfort is gone and we are inclined What we forget is that it is not the globules that make healing possible, but the body's defenses, its healing power itself, " said the doctor in an interview to the German magazine Stern.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a method of alternative medical treatment based on the ideas of the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. He published his ideas from 1796.

The method is based on the so-called similarity principle. The symptoms of the disease should be fought with a substance causing symptoms as similar as possible. For the manufacture of homeopathic remedies, the basic substances are "potentialised", that is to say diluted.

Great fame: Homeopathy is the most well known and used complementary medical healing method. It is therefore clearly ahead of acupuncture and before therapy with natural remedies / home remedies or teas. This is the result of a survey conducted by the GfK market research institute.
The most common indications of homeopathy are flu infections, coughing and runny nose and strengthening the body's defenses. Usually, the whole family is treated. In sick children, it is mainly used for colds, teething problems, strengthening of the immune system as well as for problems with restlessness and sleep related to homeopathic medicines. This was the result of the GfK investigation.

"back to health"