References Bower, DL. (1998). Homeopathy. World Book Encyclopedia [CD-ROM]. Conan, N.. (1998). Transcripts of Talk of the Nation (National Public Radio), Homeopathy.[Online]. Available: http://www.elibrary.com/. Consumer Online. (1997, September). Consumer Magazine [Online] Available: http://www.consumer.org.nz/consumer/Sept97-survey.html Gibson, R., Gibson, S., MacNeill, A., Buchanan, W. (1980). Homeopathic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evaluation by Double-Blind Clinical Therapeutic Trial, British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 9, 453-459. Jennifer, J., Jimenez, M., Gloyd, S. (1994, May). Treatment of Acute Childhood Diarrhea with Homeopathic Medicine: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Nicaragua. Pediatrics,93, (5) 719-25. Khuda-Bukhsh A.R., Banik, S. (1991). Assessment of Cytogenetic Damage in X-irradiated Mice and its Alteration by Oral Administration of Potentized Homeopathic Drug. Berlin Journal of Research in Homeopathy,1, 254. Kleijnen, J., Knipschild, P., Riet, G.. (1991, February 9). Clinical trials of Homeopathy. British Medical Journal, 302, 516(8). Langman M. (1997, October). Homeopathy: Does it really work? Or is it merely a placebo effect? Healthfacts, 22, 3. Reilly, D.T., Taylor, M.A., McSharry, C., Aitchison,T. (1986). Is Homeopathy a Placebo Response? Controlled Trial of Homeopathic Potency, with Pollen in Hayfever as Model. Lancet,2, (8512) 881-886. Webster's New World Dictionary.(1982). (2nd ed).. Springfield, MA: G.

s them. Homeopathy is one of the fastest growing areas of alternative medicine. Homeopathic remedies are sold in pharmacies over the counter although some homeopathic drugs can be obtained by prescription only. Since homeopathy is attracting more interest and therefore an ever-increasing number of patients, it is also appealing to a large and quickly growing number of practitioners as well. Some of these are medical doctors who are frustrated by what they view as the limitations of conventional medicine. These professionals, who are utilizing homeopathy as an alternative medical treatment to offer their clients, are seeking methods that emphasize treating the entire patient as opposed to focusing on just the illness, as conventional medicine tends to do. Homeopathy closes the distance between healer and patient. A gap that some argue mainstream medicine not only created but continues to widen with it's tendency towards coldness and indifference to it's patients. Homeopathic is effective for a wide range of ailments such as colds, flu, arthritis, allergies, and sprains to name just a few of the maladies for which there are homeopathic treatments for. But even homeopathy's most devoted supporters can not explain why it works, only that it does work. Critics of the homeopathic methods argue that the fundamental ideas behind homeopathy defy the laws of chemistry and physics and that it's theory makes no sense in the scientific world. (Langman, 1997). They also claim that homeopathic 'cures' are due to the so-called placebo effect; that the patients and professionals of homeopathy believe so strongly in their treatment that their belief system is actually the cure, not the homeopathic method used. (Langman, 1997). Homeopathy's newfound success also dismays many physicians, scientists and consumer advocates who regard the homeopathic formulas as ineffective, at best, and dangerous, at worst. They're especially concerned that by attempting to cure their ills with the homeopathic method, patients will not seek assistance from established treatments for very serious, perhaps life threatening ailments. Whether the treatment is mainstream or alternative medicine, as is the homeopathic method, there will always be critics as well of converts. Regardless of the criticism, as alternative medicine becomes more prevalent in western society there is a need to further educate nurses and other healthcare providers as to the advantages and possible disadvantages of homeopathy. Homeopathy is an alternative sy

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