Homeopathy is based on two “laws”:
- The “law” of similars (aka like cures like): Substances that cause specific symptoms in healthy people can be used to treat diseases that cause the same symptoms.
For example: -Hay fever with watery nose and runny eyes is cured by Allium Cepa, or onions. -Oppression and feelings of isolation and despair is treated with Murus Berlinensis, or the Berlin Wall. -Feelings of being restricted or separated from people can be cured with Latex Vulcani, or condoms. -Self-disgust, suppression of anger, and low self-esteem with dependency is treated with Excrementum Caninum, or dog poo.
- The “law” of infinitesimals: The more a substance is diluted, the stronger it becomes. How? Shaking between dilutions results in vibrations that cause the water to remember the medicine, even when there’s literally none of it left.
Consider Oscillococcinum, the popular homeopathic flu “remedy.” It’s “active ingredient” is duck liver. (The "reasoning" is that, because birds can carry bird flu, duck liver would treat the flu.) But even if duck liver could treat the flu, it’s so diluted (200C, or one part per 10^400) that it would require 10^320 more atoms than exists in the universe to contain one molecule. (The package of sugar pills costs $30!)
Let’s be clear: Homeopathy doesn’t work. Well-designed studies have consistently demonstrated that it’s no more than a placebo. (Because it is.)
Even more: Homeopathy can’t work. The claims make no sense –– it would violate nearly everything we know about chemistry and physics.
THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Homeopathy’s superpower is that most people don’t know what it is… which means its kryptonite is education.
