February 10, 2006 – Individualized homeopathic treatment would benefit children with recurrent upper respiratory infections. Norwegian researchers have just added a stone to the body of data which indicates that homeopathy could contribute to the prevention and treatment of ENT infections (ears, nose and throat).
With funding from the Norwegian state, the researchers conducted a trial1 in 142 children under 10, all prone to recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, including otitis, sinusitis and tonsillitis. Over a 12-week period, 68 of them were referred to a homeopath who prescribed individualized homeopathic treatment, while the rest were placed on a waiting list. All subjects were to keep a register of their symptoms.
The results indicate that, in children treated with homeopathy, the number of days with symptoms decreased by 30% compared to the other group. In addition, the intensity of their symptoms was less.
The researchers admit that in the absence of a placebo treatment, these results do not provide definitive proof of the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies, but they do point out that the effectiveness of the treatment was very real.
In all, 22 different homeopathic remedies were prescribed during this trial. Participating homeopaths were instructed to administer individualized treatment based on the principles of classical homeopathy. Each subject therefore received a treatment specifically adapted to his constitution. Each treated child saw the homeopath one to four times during the 12 week period and treatment could vary from visit to visit. The duration of the first consultation was approximately 50 minutes while subsequent visits lasted an average of 24 minutes.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
1. Steinsbekk A, Fonnebo V, Lewith G, Bentzen N. Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children: a pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial comparing individualized homeopathic care and waiting-list controls, Complement Ther Med, 2005 Dec; 13 (4): 231-8. Epub 2005 Oct 18.
