NEW YORK, August 21 (Praxis Press). Studies have suggested that homeopathic remedies improve symptoms in people with allergies, but controversy persists about the possible role of a placebo effect. Taylor and colleagues compared symptoms in 51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis randomized to an oral, 30c dilution of a homeopathic preparation of their principal inhalant allergen or to a placebo. Over four weeks of treatment, nasal airflow improved up to 21% in patients taking the homeopath
The Scientist Staff
NEW YORK, August 21 (Praxis Press). Studies have suggested that homeopathic remedies improve symptoms in people with allergies, but controversy persists about the possible role of a placebo effect. Taylor and colleagues compared symptoms in 51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis randomized to an oral, 30c dilution of a homeopathic preparation of their principal inhalant allergen or to a placebo. Over four weeks of treatment, nasal airflow improved up to 21% in patients taking the homeopathic preparation and up to 2% in patients taking placebo (p = 0.0001). Both treatments improved self-reported symptoms, although in three of four study centers, there was a trend toward greater subjective improvement in the homeopathic group. Patients using homeopathic preparations were more likely to experience an early aggravation of symptoms (p = 0.04). Homeopathic immunotherapy has an intrinsic therapeutic effect that exceeds the placebo effect; however, a placebo produces similar...
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