A new detailed report from the European Council for Classical Homeopathy (ECCH) entitled ‘The Safety of Homeopathy’ concludes that homeopathic treatment is safe. Published in January, it comes at a time when patient safety is high on the political agenda of the European Union. The European Commission has recently published figures estimating that 197,000 deaths per year in the EU are caused by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and that the total cost to society of ADRs in the EU is €79 billion.

The overall conclusion of the new report is that homeopathic medicines are safe, as is homeopathic treatment by trained and regulated homeopathic practitioners. The use of homeopathic medicinal products as self-medication for self-limiting conditions can be considered safe as well.

The report covers four main areas: the safety of homeopathic medicinal products as a result of the manufacturing method; research evidence on reported adverse events and adverse drug reactions; the safety of homeopathic treatment by practitioners; and the safety of individuals who self-administer homeopathic medicinal products. It contains overviews of recent observational and experimental studies as well as case reports which consider possible adverse events from homeopathic treatment and gives an overview of the very low number of cases of unethical or malpractice over past decades. It also includes a number of definitions including that of ‘homeopathic aggravation’ and an extensive reference list.

The publication confirms a widespread and longstanding belief that CAM therapies and especially homeopathy have an overall positive safety profile. Homeopathic medicinal products very rarely cause adverse drug reactions. In the exceptional cases that are described, the reactions are only mild or moderate and transient.


Nand De Herdt
ECHAMP General Secretary