Homeopathy Reconsidered (eBook)

Natalie Grams, born 1978 in Munich, is a doctor and author and also leads the "Information Network Homeopathy". The German-language edition of this book "Homöopathie neu gedacht" and her critical assessment of homeopathy have given her much media exposure in Germany, and have unleashed a renewed debate about this form of treatment. She is a member of the Advisory Board of the Giordano Bruno Foundation, and communication manager for the German Skeptic Association.

Preface to the English Edition 5
Acknowledgements 8
Contents 9
1 How and On What Basis Does Homeopathy Treat? 12
References 17
2 Homeopathy - What Are We Talking About? 19
2.1 Is There “One” Homeopathy? 19
2.2 Samuel Hahnemann, Founder of Homeopathy 21
2.3 Medicine in the Days When Homeopathy Came into Being 22
2.3.1 The Homeopathic Method - What Is Different? 25
2.3.2 Homeopathic Repertories and Materia Medica 28
2.3.3 Homeopathic Anamnesis 30
2.3.4 Homeopathic Medicines (Potentization) 32
2.4 Homeopathic Diagnosis, the Principle of Similarity, and Homeopathic Drug Testing (Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials - HPT) 36
2.5 The Sensation Method in Homeopathy 39
References 41
3 Is Homeopathy Part of Today’s Medicine? 42
3.1 Why Do We Need Science at All? 42
3.2 On My Personal Situation: In Conflict with Science 44
3.3 Spirit-Like Energy and Lack of Active Ingredient - The Problem of Potentiated Drugs in Homeopathy 47
3.4 The Problematic Concept of Vital Force 52
3.5 Homeopathic Drug Testing (Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials - HPT) 55
3.6 Is Homeopathy Medicine? 58
References 59
4 Why Do Patients Turn to Homeopathy? 60
4.1 The Therapeutic Setting of Homeopathy 62
4.1.1 Time, Empathy, and Care 62
4.1.1.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 64
4.1.2 Individual Point of View 64
4.1.2.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 65
4.1.3 Being Able to Do Something 65
4.1.3.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 66
4.1.4 No Side Effects 67
4.1.4.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 68
4.1.5 Deep Doctor-Patient Relationship 69
4.1.5.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 70
4.1.6 Holistic Approach 70
4.1.6.1 Criticism of This Aspect of Homeopathy 73
4.2 The Homeopathic Clinical Picture 73
4.3 Levels of Disease 75
4.3.1 Physical Level 75
4.3.2 Emotional Level 76
4.3.3 Spiritual Level 78
4.3.4 Levels of Disease – Summary 82
4.4 The Terms “Spirit” and “Spiritual” 84
4.5 Homeopathic Medicines and the Placebo Effect 87
4.6 What Can Homeopathy Do That Medicine Cannot? 92
4.6.1 Homeopaths as Possible Health Coordinators 96
4.6.2 The Life-Changing Goal of Self-knowledge 98
References 101
5 What Remains of Homeopathy in the 21st Century? 104
5.1 Which Parts of Homeopathy Are to Be Discarded? 104
5.2 Which Parts of Homeopathy Need to Be Reconsidered? 105
5.3 Why Should We Think Again About These Points? 108
5.4 How Can We Take a Stance on This Through Science? 109
5.5 Homeopathy as the Patient - A Last Example 119
5.6 What Now? A Conclusion 122
5.7 An Epilogue for Patients and Homeopaths 124
References 126
6 Here and Now 128
6.1 One Call - and No Response 128
6.2 The Way Forward 129
6.3 The “Model” of Reconsidered Homeopathy - Quo Vadis? 130
6.4 From “ Reconsidered “ Homeopathy to Modern Medicine 131
6.5 Looking Forward 132