It's difficult to know where to start with what's wrong with homeopathy as there is just so much of it that is complete rubbish. Of all the 'alternative' medicines and practices it's the one I find most disagreeable. I did have a think about this I and the conclusion I came to was that the likes of Gillian McKeith may talk some utter rubbish (these seeds contain all the energy they need to grow into plant) at least the basic premise is eat more healthy or more annoyingly buy my books and eat my own brand of super foods. Anyway back to homeopathy - Ben Goldacre has a regular column in The Guardian called Bad Science (www.badscience.net) and published a rececent article "A kind of magic?" (www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/nov/16/sciencenews.g2) in reply to "In Defence of Homeopathy" by Jeanette Winters (www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2209998,00.html), also in the Guardian. I think my favourite part is the following statement ...
"This seems to be partly why tests used for conventional medicines fail when used to test homeopathy. Sceptics will say it is the medicines that fail, and not the trials, but if the medicines really are ineffective, why is it that so many people who have tried homeopathy have found that it makes a difference to their wellbeing?"
I think this really sums up what is so wrong with the whole homeopathy world - their sheer inability to actually accept what has been demonstrated in trail after trial that the placebo effect is at work and nothing more. (Ben Goldacre's article contains a good explanation of how far reaching the placebo effect is and it's not just defined as giving out pills.). Why homeopathy should be immune to normal scientific trails is never explained - it just is ok! - and there is always the fall back of well it does work and it's all a big conspiracy by pharmaceutical companies to silence the truth and anyway is all down to nano particles or quantum something or other. I for one find the whole area mired with the worst aspects of mumbo jumbo and pseudo-science that seems to be so prevalent today and just to make it worse hospitals that use these methods are actually funded by the NHS - where did it all go wrong?
Just had a quick look at Gillian McKeith's site and couldn't help but notice this wonderful piece of advertising about Goji Berries ...
"Because the Goji Berry is a nutritious powerhouse, packed with antioxidants and so very tasty!
Discovered in the Himalayan mountains, Goji berries are regarded in the Orient as an anti-aging, strength building superfood. This sacred Goji berry is so cherished by Tibetan monks that they traditionally honour it for a two week celebration at the end of every year."
Wells this ticks all the boxes for woolly advertising that says lots but falls short of claiming anything as then she may actually have to prove the claims. Oh and naturally you won't be seeing Goji Berries at your local supermarket but fortunately they are available from her website at a very reasonable price.
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