s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy Newsletter October 2013

Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt (above),has publicly stated that he no longersupports homeopathy in an interview onRadio 5 Live. Questioned on his positiontowards the complementary therapy MrHunt claimed that as a young memberof parliament he once, at the request ofa constituent, signed an early day motion(EDM) praising the work of the NHShomeopathic hospitals. But despitewillingly signing the EDM in 2007 itappears the minister has now had achange of heart and his reply to theinterviewer’s question was unequivocal:“I don’t support homeopathy.”

Ever since his appointment wasannounced in September 2012, Mr Hunthas been asked repeatedly to clarify hisviews on the therapy but up to now hasrefused to be drawn one way or the other.His sudden public rejection of homeo -

pathy is seen by many as an attempt todraw a line under the issue and put an endto the constant questioning, thus allowinghim to concentrate on talking about thegovernment’s NHS reforms.

However, concerns have been raisedthat by voicing a personal opinion abouthomeopathy on national radio, theminister’s viewpoint could be mistakenby the public as government policy. Asthis is most definitely not the case, theBritish Homeopathic Association (BHA),on behalf of patients, has written toJeremy Hunt calling on him to make an

official statement clarifying the govern -ment’s current position on NHS homeo -pathy to ensure the public – and inparticular those millions of peoplethrough out the UK who use homeopathyand want NHS access to this form oftreatment – are fully aware of its contin -uing availability on the NHS. The BHA iswaiting for his reply.

Mr Hunt’s U-turn was widely reportedin the media and resulted in Facultypresident, Dr Sara Eames, appearing onRadio 5 Live and BBC World Newswhereshe passionately debated the future ofNHS homeopathy with arch scepticProfessor David Colquhoun, a pharma -cologist at University College London.

The next British Homeopathic Congresswill take place in Glasgow from 13 to15 November, 2014. The venue, subjectto contracts being signed, will beGlasgow’s historic Grand Central Hotel,which recently has undergone a £20-million refurbishment transforming itinto one of the city’s most stylish four-star hotels

“Glasgow was agreed by FacultyCouncil as our 2014 Congress venue for a number of reasons,” said ChiefExecutive, Cristal Sumner. “Foremost isthat we all felt we should show supportfor our colleagues in Scotland who havebeen battling to retain services of late.We also felt it important to host theevent in the north again, someplaceeasy to reach and in a lively city centre.Glasgow fits the bill and the programmeis already developing into somethingspecial. I personally can’t wait to joineveryone next year.”

Although the congress theme hasyet to be decided, plans are alreadyunderway to make the event asmemorable as previous years. Theseinclude the social events which for 2014will feature the ever-popular Gala dinneron Saturday night and an evening trip tothe House for an Art Lover. Set in thegrounds of Bellahouston Park, thisfabulous example of modernist

2014 Congress announced

architecture and design was built in1989 from the 1901 drawings ofinternationally acclaimed Scottisharchitect Charle Rennie Mackintosh(1868–1928), which he had produced fora competition that sought designs for a“Grand Residence for an Art Lover”.

Further information about the 2014British Homeopathic Congress,including booking forms and a call forabstracts, will be appearing in simileand on the Faculty website.

Health minister’s homeopathy U-turn

IN THIS ISSUE:News 1, 3Editorial 2

Research update 5Conference reports 6, 8Case studies 10, 15, 16

Feature 13What’s on 19

Glasgow Grand Central Hotel

Photo: Department of Health

Photo courtesy Glasgow Grand Central Hotel

2

•• editorial

On 7 March 2013 I was appointedpromotions convener for the Faculty ofHomeopathy (FOH), having previouslyserved as the podiatry members’representative on the Members’Committee for almost of ten years. I’ll be very open with you all – I hadsome misgivings about taking on thenew role and remember voicing myreservations at the council meeting just before this year’s AGM.Nevertheless, I decided to “test thewater” (no pun intended) and see formyself the challenges we currentlyface as statutorily registered healthcareprofessionals using homeopathy andtry to understand why homeopathy issubjected to so much hostility.

To this end I decided to enter thelions’ den and attend a “Skeptics in thePub” event in Sheffield. The “skepticmovement” claims to pursue the truththrough reason and evidence. The talk I attended was given by Andy Lewis, a well-known homeopathy antagonist,who on this occasion was aiming todebunk Steiner schools. However,homeopathy was also discussed and I couldn’t fail to notice a few factualerrors in what was being said. Later

I approached Mr Lewis to correct theseerrors and he told me he doesn’t wantto stop homeopathy, just remove it fromthe NHS. To be fair, I found him to bequite an amiable fellow but he is veryserious and committed, and any attemptat dialogue with him or others of his ilk,in my opinion, would be fruitless.

Central to the homeopathy debateis the scientific evidence. Interestingly,at the same time I was invited to jointhe Faculty Council I was also studyingfor my MSc in podiatry for which I needed to acquire the skills andknowledge for critically appraisingresearch literature. This made mequestion my own podiatry practice.

Was I delivering evidence-basedpractice? If not, was I potentially

putting patients at risk? These werejust two of the many questions that I asked myself and others about theinterventions we increasingly haveavailable to us. These questions havebecome particularly relevant, for as from2014 advanced practitioner podiatristsand physiotherapists will be able toindependently prescribe medicines.

I’ve also read Bad Pharma, a bookby Ben Goldacre, which raised morequestions about drug interventions and the pharmaceutical industry’s lessthan objective approach to research. It appears that many drugs we havethought to be evidence based are infact not, and this has undoubtedlyharmed patients. Several drugcompanies have deliberately misledmedicine licensing bodies andhealthcare professionals by hiding data and publishing only favourableoutcomes for their products. The AllTrials1 campaign has led to certainpharmaceutical companies declaringthey will publish the results of all trials. So in future let us hope evidence-based medicine is exactly that and allhealthcare professionals will be morereliably informed.

This leads me on to the BritishHomeopathic Association’s (BHA)systematic review programme andmeta-analysis of placebo-controlled

A voice from the Faculty Council

Jane E Greenwood

trials, which is vital if homeopathy is to be taken seriously in the future.Although we still await the results, the importance of this work cannot be underestimated, for it shows ouropponents and, more importantly, other healthcare professionals and thescientific community that homeopathsare serious about rigorous research and committed to demonstrating thathomeopathy is evidence based.However, as reported in last month’ssimile Research Update, in futurehomeopathy may be known asadaptive network nanomedicine to“reflect the integration of our historicalmedical system with modern scientificfindings”. Perhaps a rebrand at thispoint in time is not such a bad idea?

In the current climate it is easy forus to feel isolated and alone. Activeinvolvement in the Faculty can quicklydispel these feelings. Simply by joiningthe Promotions Network you willreceive email updates keeping youinformed of the latest developmentsconcerning homeopathy, and I promiseyou it’s not all bad news! To becomepart of the Promotions Networkcontact the Faculty’s communicationsofficer at jburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org who will put you on the mailing list.

Alternatively, there are still anumber of vacancies on the Members’Committee, the work of which isexplained in an article by Dr GarySmyth on pages 13 and 14. Or why not write for this newsletter; yourviews and ideas are important to theFaculty and getting them published insimile is a great way of sharing themwith colleagues.

These are just a few of the ways for you to become actively involved withthe Faculty. And the more people whoare involved with the organisation, thericher and more vibrant it will become.

Jane E GreenwoodMChS DPodM DFHom(Pod)

Reference1. www.alltrials.net

Editor: John BurryConsultant Editor: Cristal Sumner

Faculty of HomeopathyHahnemann House29 Park Street WestLuton LU1 3BE

Tel: 01582 408680Fax: 01582 723032Email: simile@facultyofhomeopathy.orgWeb: www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

All the material in this publication is copyrightand may not be reproduced without permission.The publishers do not necessarily identify withor hold themselves responsible for contributors’,correspondents’ or advertisers’ opinions.

Design: Wildcat Designwildcat1@ntlworld.com

Printing: Berforts Information Press

s m leThe Faculty of Homeopathy

Newsletter

“the more people involved with theorganisation, the richer and more vibrant

it will become.”

•• news

3

County Antrim.“At Bannside pharmacy

our goal is to provide the bestpossible healthcare servicefor our customers,” saysEoghan.

To achieve this, Eoghanensures his staff completetraining programmes relevantto their role in the pharmacyteam. This enables them tooffer patients the most up-to-date information relevant totheir condition and wherenecessary supply them withan appropriate medicine:conventional, herbal, homeo -pathic or a dietary supplement.

“The overall aim is toempower the pharmacy’scustomers to take moreresponsibility for their ownhealth,” says Eoghan.

The Education and SelfDevelopment for the Futureof Pharmacy category wassponsored by Pfizer. Present -

ing the award on behalf ofthe pharmaceutical giant, Mr Gary Marshall saidEoghan’s project was wellthought through and that hewas a deserved winner.

Dr Gary Smyth, Chair ofthe Faculty of HomeopathyNorthern Ireland branch, said:“This is a very appropriaterecognition of all of Eoghan’sdedication and hard workwithin both pharmacy andhomeopathy. I wish himevery continued success for the future.”

Faculty pharmacist wins awardEarlier this year, Facultypharmacist Eoghan O’Brienwas honoured at the NorthernIreland Healthcare Awardswhen he was named winnerof the Education and SelfDevelopment for the Futureof Pharmacy Award.

The annual awards, spon -sor ed by Medical Communi -cations Ltd, publishers ofpharmacy and healthcare mag -azines, recognise out stand ingachievement in the healthcaresector in the Province.

Eoghan says he was“absolutely shocked” atwinning the award, as thestandard of competition wasextremely high.

The judges said they wereimpressed with Eoghan’sdedication and innovation in introducing a culture ofeducation, training and develop -ment throughout his Bannsidepharmacy in Portglenone,

Eoghan O’Brien

now has a brighter moremodern design and is easierto navigate.

Among the new featuresvisitors will find a video playeron the home page; an eventssection integrated withGoogle maps; a graphic “slider”

Visitors to the Faculty websitewill have noticed that it hasundergone a makeover. It stillprovides members with thelatest news, research inform -ation, examination dates andforthcoming events – alongwith much, much more – but

Faculty website makeover

A date for your diaryThe Annual General Meet -ing (AGM) of the 70thsession of the Faculty ofHomeopathy will take placeon Thursday 13 March 2014.The venue in London willbe announced later. TheRichard Hughes MemorialLecture follows the AGM.The speaker and topic willbe announced shortly.

The Faculty is seekingnominations for the follow -ing posts: President, PrimaryCare representative, Second -ary Care representativeand Independent Practicerepresentative. Memberswill be receiving nominationforms in the post. Anymember interested in beingnominated for one of thesepositions should contactCristal Sumner at csumner@facultyofhomeopathy.orgor call 01582 408674.Elections for these postswill be held early in 2014and the results ratified atthe AGM.

to aid navigation around thesite; and a Twitter feed.

The main innovation,however, cannot be seen andinvolved moving the websiteto a Word Press template.This allows Faculty staff tohave greater control overmanaging the content of thesite, eliminating the need forexternal website support.

Mohammed Saqib Ali,the Faculty’s digital market -ing officer, said: “The mainadvantage of moving toWord Press is that now thecontent management isexclusively in-house. Withthe old system we had torely on outside support whenwe wanted certain elementsof the site changed, whichcould take up to two weeks.Now the changes can bemade immediately andwithout incurring any cost.”

So why not visit www.facultyofhomeopathy.org andlet us know what you think.

VeterinaryDean

The Faculty ofHomeopathy is seeking

applications for the position ofVeterinary Dean.

To commence office inJanuary 2014.

Any veterinary memberwith a VetMFHom iswelcome to apply.

Deadline forapplications is the 15 November 2013.

If interested in this position, please contact

Cristal Sumner atcsumner@facultyofhomeopathy.org or call 01582 408674.

4

•• news

Dr Bob Leckridge

A new Scottish charity promot -ing the need for diversity inhealthcare is now operatingfrom the NHS Centre forIntegrative Care – GlasgowHomeopathic Hospital (NHSCIC).

The charity is called TheVital Force and will develop,promote and deliver courses,workshops, campaigns,information and research inintegrative approaches tohealthcare. Specifically, it willlook after the British Homeo -pathic Library in NHS CIC, and has plans for two excitingprojects there. The first is the creation of a homeopathiclearning network, creating andsharing materials developedby users of the library. Thecharity also plans a Classic

Collection, a restoration anddigitisation project based onthe older journals and booksin the library collection.

The new charity is amembership organisationwith no membership fees,and anyone living in Scotlandcan become a member. Themembership will elect theboard of trustees annually.The financial model is to besupported in money, time and skills from volunteers,supporters and donors.

Dr Bob Leckridge is thefirst Chair of The Vital Force.An inaugural AGM to electthe first formal board tookplace in early October.

The Vital Force is aScottish Charitable Incorpor -ated Organisation (SCIO),which is a new legal form ofcharity in Scotland, registeredwith and monitored by theOffice of the Scottish CharityRegulator (OSCR).

If you are keen to activelycontribute to a positivedevelopment of health andhealthcare in Scotland,become a member bycontacting The Vital Force on 0141 211 1617 or emailintouch@thevitalforce.org. To find out more visitwww.thevitalforce.org

Charity cycle challengeraises funds for the BHA

New integrative healthcarecharity launched in Scotland

An organisation providingtraining in veterinary homeo -pathic medicine has announcedit is to dissolve due to a fall instudent numbers. The Homeo -pathic Professionals TeachingGroup (HPTG) will cease allteaching activities once thecurrent courses are completedat the end of June 2014.

Originally called theHomeopathic PhysiciansTeach ing Group, the organis -ation was founded in 1992 bya group of pioneering Facultytrained doctors with the aimof providing training inhomeopathic medicine tofellow doctors. From the out -

set the venture was successfuland over the years its activitiesexpanded to include vets andmembers from the medicaland veterinary nursingprofessions. In due coursevets joined both the coreteachers and the governingpartnership, and to reflect itsexpanding role the name ofthe organisation was changedto the Homeopathic Profess -ionals Teaching Group. Later,changes in recruitmentcircumstances led to theorganisation becoming an allveterinary group, providingcourses in the UK and, atvarious times, in Australia,

South Africa, Canada, Latviaand Japan.

News of the HPTG’sdemise will undoubtedly be asource of great sadness, notonly to the present partnersbut also to all those who inthe past have given so muchtime and expertise to homeo -pathic education through theorganisation, as well as themany students who havebenefited from it courses.

Education in veterinaryhomeopathic medicine willnot cease, and the spirit ofthe HPTG continues at theFaculty teaching centres bothin the UK and abroad.

Veterinary training group calls time

British Homeo pathic Associat -ion (BHA) funds have beenboosted by more than £800thanks to the efforts of theFaculty’s membership officer,Tracey Simmons.

To raise money for herfavourite charity Tracey aband -oned her car and cycled towork throughout August, around trip of eight miles a dayand a total of 176 miles overthe month. It was the firsttime Tracey had ridden a bikeregularly since she was ateenager, and she admits to having had a number ofconcerns before embarkingon her cycle challenge.

“I was concerned aboutcycling home as it’s uphillalmost all the way, as well asthe weather because I didn’twant to get my hair wet on

the journey into work.”But it rained only once

during the month and on Friday29 August Tracey pedalledhome to successfully completeher month-long challenge.

“Overall I enjoyed cyclingmuch more than I thought Iwould and will definitely begetting on my bike moreoften, but perhaps not everyday,” said Tracey. “But mostimportantly, I’m delighted tohave raised so much moneyfor the BHA.”

The BHA is the Faculty’ssister organisation, and as acharity it relies on generousdonations and the fund-raisingefforts of its supporters toenable it to fulfil its aims:• Promote wider access tohomeopathy for everyone

• Encourage more research• Provide high qualityinformation to the public

• Educate healthcareprofessionals abouthomeopathy

It’s not too late to show yoursupport for Tracey’s cyclechallenge. To make a donationvisit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TraceySimmons.Alternatively, email tsimmons@britishhomeopathic.org or callher on 01582 408681.

The Faculty’s

Twitteraccount

now has1049followers.

To keep up to date

with the verylatest news and views about

homeopathyjoin this

vibrant socialmedia forum.

Log on tohttp://twitter.com/fohhomeopathy

5

•• research

titration to achieve adequate pain reliefwith tolerable adverse events: onlythose patients with treatment successare then randomised, blindly, betweencontinuing therapy and placebo. Suchtrials, known as “enriched enrolment,randomised withdrawal” (EERW) trials,have lower failure rates. EERW trials maytherefore reflect the “real world” moreaccurately, and might be a more appro -priate test of efficacy for many drugs.

EERW trial designs thus seempromising, but there are few goodexamples, and they are not alwaysaccepted or understood. The authorsmake the comment that new trialdesigns of this nature are alsopotentially important for non-druginterventions, including complementarymedicine, which may producesubstantial benefits in relatively fewindividual patients. [The comment mayparticularly apply to clinical trials ofnon-individualised homeopathy – RTM]

Reference Moore A., Derry S, Eccleston C, Kalso E.Expect analgesic failure; pursue analgesicsuccess. BMJ 2013; 346: f2690.

regimen, and trials involving suchplacebos must be adequately blinded.

Reference Howick J, Friedemann C, Tsakok M, WatsonR, Tsakok T, Thomas J, Perera R, Fleming S,Heneghan C. Are treatments more effectivethan placebos? A systematic review andmeta-analysis. PLoS One 2013; 15: 8.

The authors aimed to test for differencesbetween treatment and placebo effectswithin similar trial populations. Forcontinuous outcomes data, theycompared mean difference (MD)between placebo and no treatment withMD between treatment and placebo. For binary outcomes data, theycompared the risk ratio (RR) fortreatment benefit (versus placebo) withthe RR for placebo benefit (versus notreatment). Several sub-group analyseswere conducted: objective versussubjective outcomes; conditions testedin three or more trials; trials with varyingdegrees of bias.

In trials with continuous outcomes(N=115), there was no differencebetween treatment and placebo effects

(MD=-0.29, 95% CI=-0.62 to 0.05,P=0.10); however, when all criteria forreducing bias were ruled out, placeboswere more effective than treatments(MD=1.59, 95% CI=0.40 to 2.77,P=0.009). In trials with binary outcomes(N=37), treatments were significantlymore effective than placebos (RR=0.72,95% CI=0.61 to 0.86, P=0.0003).Treatment and placebo effects were notdifferent in 22 out of 28 sub-groupanalyses. Of the six sub-groups withdifferences, treatments were moreeffective than placebos in five.

The authors conclude that placebosand treatments often have similar effectsizes. Placebos with comparativelypowerful effects can benefit patientseither alone or as part of a therapeutic

Our systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trialsof individualised homeopathictreatment is continuing apace; the synthesis of results is nowwell underway, being carried outaccording to the study protocolpublished in the BHA website’sResearch section (Our systematicreview programme). The corres p -ond ing review and analysis ofclinical trials in veterinary homeo -pathy is also well advanced.

Robert Mathie, Research Development Adviser,British Homeopathic Association

BHA research

Comparatively powerful placebos

From averaged to individualised clinical outcome

•• research updateFrom the journals

Could EERW trials be a better way to test drugs?

photo: Wikim

edia.com/ root66

In this issue, we look at two papers from outside the field ofhomeopathy. They present interesting – perhaps important –perspectives on the “placebo effect” and on clinical trial design. My thanks to Bob Leckridge for alerting me to the second paper.

This article is based on the awarenessthat most analgesic drugs work well butin only a small percentage of people.More generally, it is known that mostconventional drugs work in only 30-50%of people. The authors argue that weneed to move away from a focus onaverage response and to seek out what

works for each individual patient.From a research perspective,

classical clinical trials may under-estimate drug efficacy, and fixed-doseregimens may exacerbate adverseevents and withdrawals, resulting inhigher failure rates. An alternativeapproach is to allow patient-directed

6

of a trial of homeopathic treatment ofautoimmune thyroiditis in children fromthe Central Council for Research inHomeopathy, India.

Dr Robert Mathie gave a presentationon the development of a method forassessing model validity of clinical trialsof homeopathy on which he is leading.Further presentations covered a trial of homeopathy for Attention DeficitHyperactivity Disorder from India with positive results; a 129 subjectsrandomised controlled trial of homeo -pathy for hypertension, again withpositive results; the work of thePitigliano Hospital in Tuscany; and Dr Laurence Terzan, Medical Director at Boiron, delivered a talk on the EPI-3programme, a study of the impact ofhomeopathy in primary care in France.

Poster presentations featuringhomeopathy included a systematicreview of the safety of homeopathyfrom Denise Adams at the University of Alberta, Canada; a discussion of the challenges of clinical trials forhomeopathy as an add-on in cancertreatment; 33 case histories ofdepression treated with homeopathyfrom Ronko Itamura in Japan; and areport from Eva Kristova from Pragueestimating that 20% of Czech GPshave trained in homeopathy.

On reflectionOther keynote sessions included health economics from James Raftery,Professor of Health Technology Assess -ment at the University of Southampton;and entertaining presentations fromProfessor Fabio Perazzo of the Universityof São Paulo, Brazil, on the medicalpotential of the rainforest and fromProfessor Manjari Dwivedi of the Hindu University of Varnasi in India, on Ayurveda. On the social side, ahighlight was the eruption into thecongress dinner of opera singers

congress split into four streams: oneducation, musculoskeletal, medicineand qualitative methods. Over the nextday and a half there were also symposiafocusing on social science research inEast Asia, medicine, health servicesresearch, spirituality and health, crossdisciplinary methodology, CAMbrella(the pan-European research network for complementary and alternativemedicine) and use of technology inintegrative oncology research. Parallelsessions included neurology/addiction,chronic illness, cancer, basic science,the consultation, research methodology,psychological distress, paediatrics healthmaintenance, placebo integration safety,mindfulness and health, and women’shealth, among others.

There was also a “soapbox” sessionfor controversial ideas, featuring amongothers, Dr Helmut Roniger arguing that it will soon be unethical to practisemedicine without integration. In totalthere were over 120 oral presentationsand around 400 poster presentations in two separate sessions.

Homeopathy Homeopathy was well represented and featured in presentations thatlooked at: a mapping of the untappedpotential for complementary medicine in chronic disease in New Zealand; asystematic review of the prevalence of complementary medicine in theEuropean Union (which madehomeopathy one of the most popularmethods with usage rates ranging from2–27%); a survey of CAM provision inEurope (which estimated that there are45,000 medical and 5,800 non-medicalpractitioners of homeopathy in Europe,again among the most popular forms of CAM); a survey of the use of CAMtherapies in Germany which gave a 12-month usage rate for homeopathy of15–20% of the population; and a report

In April, London hosted the eighthannual congress of the InternationalSociety for Complementary MedicineResearch (ISCMR) which had thetheme “Long Term Conditions:developing global, integrative andsustainable solutions”. The event was held at the University of LondonInstitute for Education and attended by nearly 500 delegates from all overthe world including China, Korea, India,Japan, the US and Canada, Australasia,Latin America and many Europeancountries.

At lunch time on 11 April thecongress opened with a history ofISCMR from Professor Marja Verhoef,Canada Research Chair in Complement -ary Medicine at the University of Calgary,and was followed by a warm andentertaining welcome from ProfessorAidan Halligan of University CollegeLondon Hospitals. Then Sir JohnOldham – recently retired as theDepartment of Health’s clinical lead for quality, innovation, productivity andprevention – delivered a rather moresobering address on the formidablepressures facing the NHS and healthservices throughout the world.

Varied programmeThe morning had been devoted to sixpre-congress workshops including one on recent developments inhomeopathy and scientific research,which included a talk from Dr RobertMathie, the British HomeopathicAssociation’s Research DevelopmentAdviser, on his sterling work reviewingthe randomised controlled trialliterature in homeopathy. The otherworkshops focussed on education,health economics, safety issues inCAM and paediatrics, anthroposophicalmedicine and systematic reviewmethodology.

Following the opening session the

•• research

Complementary medicine research comes Dr Peter Fisher reports on the ISCMR’s International Congress for Complementary Medicine Research.

7

•• research

disguised as waiters!Altogether this was a lively and

exhilarating congress. From myperspective as an organiser, it wasexhausting, constantly bordering on thechaotic, but for positive reasons: therewas so much going on that it was hardto keep under control! The venue attimes felt a bit like a multi-storey carpark, but it is central and very functional.Above all it is very heartening to seethat homeopathy is at the heart ofcomplementary medicine and that wehave many friends all around the world.We sometimes feel beleaguered in theUK but the international scene and theresearch prospects are bright.

The abstracts of this congress areavailable online at: www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/220059.

Dr Peter FisherMA MB BChir FRCP FFHom*Co-chair, 2013 International Congressfor Complementary Medicine Research

The International Society for Complementary Medicine ResearchThe International Society for Complementary MedicineResearch (ISCMR) is an international, professional,multidisciplinary, non-profit, scientific organisation dedicatedto fostering complementary and integrative medicineresearch and provides a platform for knowledge andinformation exchange to enhance internationalcommunication and collaboration. The InternationalCongress for Complementary Medicine Research is anannual conference co-organised by ISCMR.

This year’s congress in London was jointly organised by the School of Primary Care Research at the Universityof Southampton (Professor George Lewith) and the RoyalLondon Hospital for Integrated Medicine (represented by thehospital’s senior research coordinator Dr John Hughes andDr Peter Fisher). Other members of the committee wereProfessor Claudia Witt of the Charité University Medical

Centre, Berlin; Professor Torkel Falkenberg and Dr JoannaHök of the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm; and ProfessorAdi Haramati of Georgetown University, Washington DC.

The congress enjoyed the support of a wide range ofexternal partners including NAFKAM and NICM, the nationalcomplementary medicine research bodies of Norway andAustralia respectively; KIOM, the Korea Institute of OrientalMedicine; the US Consortium of Academic Health Centresfor Integrative Medicine; Diabetes UK and the BritishMedical Acupuncture Society; and of course the Faculty of Homeopathy, among many others.

ISCMR rotates its conferences between Europe, NorthAmerica and Asia. ISCMR’s next conferences will be inMiami, Florida in May 2014 and in South Korea in 2015:www.iscmr.org/events

Dr Peter Fisher

to London

8

•• research

During the summer the HomeopathyResearch Institute’s (HRI) inauguralInternational Research Conference took place in Barcelona. The theme of“Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy”allowed for a diverse two and a half dayprogramme, featuring the latest findingsfrom researchers worldwide. With aprogramme dedicated solely to highquality scientific research, this was thefirst gathering of its kind in a decadeand after 18 months of preparation andanticipation, the event did not disappoint.

Delegates from around the worldhailed the conference a huge successand a significant step forward for thefield of homeopathy research, a senti -ment summed up by Dr Robert Mathie,research development adviser for theBritish Homeopathic Association.

“The HRI conference broughttogether a critical mass of research andresearchers that encapsulated themomentum and originality of currentwork and also the opportunities fornew developments in the field.”

A quality programmeThe primary goal for the conferencewas to gather together the bestresearchers in the world from as manysubfields of homeopathy as possible.To this end, a rigorous peer review andselection process was implemented,involving experts within HRI’s ScientificAdvisory Committee, plus colleaguesfrom around the world.

However an event organised in themanner of an academic scientificconfer ence was something new tomany members of the homeopathiccommunity. Alexander Tournier, HRIChairman and Executive Director,explains:

“Most talks being no longer than 15minutes duration was a bit of a shockfor some presenters used to the morerelaxed format of many homeopathyconferences. If you’re used to speakingfor an hour or more, it’s something of achallenge to get your ideas acrosseffectively in 15 minutes, especiallywhen you’re dealing with complexconcepts such as proving theory orfundamental research. It was great tosee presenters who were new to thisstyle of event rising to the challengeand participants enjoying the intensityof the programme.”

HRI’s approach of prioritising“quality rather than quantity” wascertainly well appreciated by attendees.

“This conference – it wasperfection,” said Dr Elio Rossi,prominent homeopathic physician and

clinical researcher from Italy. “The levelof the presentations was very high.Homeopathy is always considered theCinderella of CAM, from a scientificpoint of view, but it was not so inBarcelona, the opposite in fact.”

Broad support Support from the international homeo -pathic community was a key factor inmaking the event such a success. Andwith 180 attendees from over 30countries, it was a truly global event.

The opening ceremony includedpresentations by local homeopath DrAnna Pla (Research Coordinator for theMedical Association of BarcelonaHomeopathic Section and Member ofthe European Council for Homeopathy’sResearch subcommittee), as well as DrJosep Davins representing the Ministryof Health, Cataluña.

Representatives were present fromacross the profession including ECH(representing medical homeopaths),ECCH (representing non-medicalhomeopaths), ECHAMP (representingEuropean homeopathic manufacturers

and pharmacies), as well as students,academics, researchers and varioushomeopathic industries.

Basic scienceWhile there were innumerable highquality talks, some particularly capturedthe theme of “Cutting Edge Researchin Homeopathy”. Keynote speaker DrStephan Baumgartner from the Universityof Bern in Switzerland summarised thestate of play and way forward for basicresearch. This thought-provoking talk set the scene perfectly for a sessionexploring possible mechanisms ofaction of homeopathic medicines.

Professor Iris Bell from the Universityof Arizona College of Medicine joinedthe conference live online from the US.She shared her theory that nanoparticlesplay a key role in the mechanism ofaction – an appealing hypothesis as itpotentially brings homeopathy into therealms of conventional nanomedicine.Dr Alexander Tournier presented analternative theory based on quantumcoherence domains, which he considersto be more consist ent with the observedproperties of homeopathic preparations.

Clinical researchClinical studies testing homeopathicproducts for named conditions (e.g. teeth -ing in children), were presented by severalEuropean research teams, as well astrials showing the effective ness ofindividualised homeopathic prescribingfor conditions such as PMS and ADHD.

Clinical research methods applied tohomeopathy were critically evaluatedand the best ways forward for futurestudies were presented. Dr RobertMathie discussed the importance ofassessing model validity when determin -ing the quality of a piece of researchi.e. how appropriate was the homeo -pathic treatment delivered within aresearch study? Alastair Gray discussedways to ensure that future provings arecarried out in accordance with modern

HRI conference highlightsgrowing interest inhomeopathy researchDr Alexander Tournier and Rachel Roberts report

All photos courtesy of the Hom

eopathy Research Institute

Dr Robert Mathie addresses the conference

9

scientific standards, without losingvaluable aspects of traditional provingmethod. Jeremy Sherr looked at howprovings can challenge the idea thathomeopathic medicines are simplyplacebos. And Dr Lex Rutten presentedhis work on the application of probabil -ities to homeopathic clinical work, aninteresting approach in an increasingly“evidence based” medical environment.

Other sessions concentrated on thepragmatic realities of delivering homeo -pathy within public health systems andfeatured Dr Elizabeth Thompsonpresenting the results from the BISCUITstudy – an economic evaluation of theBristol Homeopathic Hospital – whichsuggests that the homeopathic packagesof care provided by this hospital mayhave an impact on patients’ quality oflife and wellbeing.

This topic was also explored by Dr Elio Rossi who discussed findingsfrom observational studies carried outat Lucca Hospital demonstratingpositive clinical outcomes and costbenefits from integration of homeopathywithin the public health system ofTuscany from 1998-2011.

Dr Gustavo Bracho from the FinlayInstitute in Cuba (the team behind themanagement of a Leptospirosis epidemicin Cuba using homeopathic medicinesin 2007) proposed a scheme to integratehomeopathy in hospitals as a first lineof defence against epidemics. Hesuggested that homeopathy could beused prophylactically to treat infectedpatients as they come into hospitals,thereby shortening their stay and therisks of further contamination.

The important issue of antibioticineffectiveness was discussed by DrPeter Fisher, who demonstrated that withsound homeopathic intervent ion a healthand cost burden could be lifted fromthe bottom line of healthcare budgets.

More from the laboratoryWhile homeopathy is practised anddispensed in surgeries and practicesworldwide, one driving force of researchremains in the laboratory. In this areaDr Christian Endler announced theresults of an independent meta-analysis of 20 years’ worth of work byhis team, testing homeopathic dilutionson highland amphibians. This new studyhas concluded that Thyroxine 30x

produced a clear trend of inhibitingamphibian metamorphosis in 22 experi -ments and that this effect was observedby seven independent researchers.

Delegates also heard from Dr YaccovFreed who reported his findings thatCocculus 30c improves the behaviouraland hormonal changes caused by sleepdeprivation in rats. While Professor LeoniVillano Bonamin revealed her fascinatingresults demonstrating that Thymulin5CH can modulate the inflammatoryresponse in mice.

Looking forwardThe outcomes from Barcelona have beenexcellent, with several new collaborat -ions in development both for the HRIand other teams around the world.

Rachel Roberts, HRI Chief Executive,said: “The message coming throughfrom attendees is that this was a much-needed event which happened at justthe right time, providing a springboardfor renewed activity in the field. TheHRI has been overwhelmed by thepositive response to the conferenceand we look forward to doing it all overagain in 2015.”

A full conference report and allabstracts will be appearing in the Januaryedition of Homeopathy. To be notifiedwhen the filmed presentations go live,sign up to the HRI mailing list at www.homeoinst.org or follow HRI on Twitter.

Dr Alexander Tournier and RachelRoberts, HRI Management Team

For more information about theHomeopathy Research Institute visitwww.homeoinst.org.

Rachel Roberts, HRI Chief Executive, in discussion with the Faculty’s Dr Liz Thompson

10

No one prepared me before – theywere all laughing – no one told me itwould be that bad. I needed oxygen to help me to breathe. You have to runaway or it will kill you.

Explain about “Run away or it willkill you”?A. If I had not got out of tunnel I think I would have stopped breathing. I feelvery desperate. I feel taken over and outof control. It is an ache like someonesqueezing, as if squeezing somethingthrough that does not want to go.

What is the opposite of tight andsqueezing?A. No pain; normality; a feeling ofnothing. I feel this is the enemy. This is the enemy – when will it leave mealone?

Tell me more about the enemy?A. The unknown; the enemy coming tokill me; I need to run away from it. It isall about the food chain – I’m part ofthe food chain. I am so insignificant;one of one hundred thousand million. I will not make any difference. It is allpart of nothingness and out of mycontrol. I could not control whathappened to my mum. It comes downto my belief system that we will be

Andrea was a 39-year-old lady who wasvery smartly dressed in a black skirt andtights, with a red jumper and black shinyboots. She talked very fast with greatemphasis and it was a struggle to recordall the information. Over the last six toseven years she had had a lot of pain inher left arm and chest on exercise, andan angiogram had shown micro vascularangina. She was given a GTN spray andtold to go away. She had come forhomeo pathy as she felt things weredeteriorating and did not know whereto turn.

Tell me about the angina?A. It felt as if someone was tickling mychest; going cold and tickly and the GTNspray did not work. I went into shockand thought this was it. Are they lookingfor lupus? I got into a real state andthought: “Oh my God, I am going todie! I have small children, who will lookafter them.”

I was waking up with pain in myarm, the pain comes from my neck intothe shoulder and down into my hands,then my hands go blotchy with tinypurple veins. It is as if there are littleburns all over my hands – burns all overmy rib cage as if someone had burntme. I am scared – scared I am going todie. I’m scared as my mum died when I

was 21 and I don’t want that for mychildren.

Describe the pain a little more.A. As if someone is standing on mychest and stopping me from breathing.I feel as if my hand would explode, thepressure normally starts in my fingersor starts in the chest and goes downthe left arm. It is as if somebody had a belt and was squeezing the whole of my chest and all down my arm,squeezing air out of me.

The breath is all squeezed out and then you die of a heart attack. I thoughtI would die. Feeling dread all along, inthe back of my mind. Is this how it willhappen – the struggle for breath andthen the unpleasant death?

I feel as if I’m pinned down; if Iwanted to get up I couldn’t. It’s like beingin a tunnel, there is no getting awayfrom it and I am out of control totally: it feels like something out of a film.

During the PET (Positron EmissionTomography) scan they all had whitecoats on, like an experiment: all for theresearch, not for me. I was their victim,their guinea pig. I felt tricked. Like out of a sci-fi movie – a big lab to one side. When the dyestuff came it hitme, like knocked me back and I couldnot get up.

•• case study

Photo: Lisa S./S

hutterstock.com

Fearing insignificanceand death

Following Jonathan Hardy’s butterfly case study in the April issue of simile,

Dr Helen Beaumont presents another insect remedy.

Ladybird, ladybird fly away home,Your house in on fire and your

children are gone,All except one and that’s little Ann,For she crept under the frying pan.

11

gobbled up. Why am I so frightened? It will be me next and why should it not be me?

Tell me more about “gobble up”? A. It’s something greater and morepowerful than me. I’m not very power -ful. I’m not bright. I have had to struggleby, had to struggle to achieve.

Say a little more about “gobble up”?A. Powerful – it would be huge! I wouldbe absolutely nothing. I would justdisappear – that would be IT!

What would the experience be todisappear?A. Black, very lonely, very frightened!To go on for ever, no reprieve from itall, go on and on and on and on and onand on. A huge thing, a galaxy out ofspace, gobble up this little thing that isso insignificant.

You are breathing and alive, that is the only way to be effective or youhave no effect on people around you. If you are still breathing you can beeffective.

You are so small you could be any animal, like a ladybird or abutterfly, but then you are nice to theeye – nice to a spider. The butterfly has a nice life. It tries to do its best but

they are all so insignificant; all dieanyway – no point.

Will I be alive? I can’t live like this anymore. The butterfly is so insignificant, itis just taken away in one go. Like withme. So many doctors: no one is givenan opportunity to talk, to say anything.

The ladybird is more insignificant.You don’t see them any more. Everyonelikes to look at a butterfly, but is it somuch harder for the ladybird. I haveseen what my kids do –people stand onthem. They can fly – now that would beso lovely. There would be liberatingfreedom. It is so nice to have transition,to uproot whenever you want to.

Tell me about uproot?A. I feel tied with job, tied to his [herhusband] job, tied to all this … trappings.I do not buy into this, although I used tobuy into it. He is focused on work, workand work. This does not do it for me, I just feel trapped. What if somethinghappens to me? Who would look after the children? He would not give up his job.

Tell me more about the ladybird?A. A ladybird is so insignificant. A littlechild might play with it; a novelty for a while, then dismiss it to one side. A ladybird would stay in a bush, hiding

away. It does not know what is there,what is around the corner.

This is what I am doing with this. It will not happen prematurely; I amtrying to hedge bets so I can foreseeproblems before it gets worse. A ladybird would not put itself outthere. They get caught because theydon’t know about the predators – noone told them. They are innocent justgoing about their business, but if theyknew they would not do it.

What are you passionate about?A. Black and red clothes – they are the only ones I wear, and it drives myhusband mad.

I love my children but I don’t haveenergy for them – my mind is too busythese days.

I loved exercise but can’t do that anymore; it used to sort me out mentally.

What are your fears?A. I will not get sorted on a time line. I am waiting any day now for somethingto happen. I still feel shocked. I feel I have to plan everything.

Tell me about your dreams?A. Dropping down, falling off a cliff andI could not stop, so I wake up frightened.The weird thing was I could not wake up,I was fighting to wake up but couldn’t.I am trying to inside myself but myeyes would not open. I looked dead but I was alive inside and wanting tobounce out. If you were buried aliveyou could not get out, you are trapped.It would be a slow painful death.

They do that, don’t they? Ladybirdshave an egg, then a cocoon likebutterflies do?

What is the experience to bounce out?A. It is good to come out, bounce out;there is freedom, relief, reassuring,peaceful. All I want is inner peace, tryingto seek inner peace. I have to deal withit in a peaceful way or I’m no good toanybody.

This is bigger than me. I am not incontrol at all. I loved travelling, buttrapped now I can’t travel. I alwaystravelled … just pick up and gowhenever I wanted.

AnalysisThis patient was part of the animalking dom with her issues of survival,the enemy and being part of the foodchain. The sub-kingdom was defined as insect; she talked about transform -ation from egg to cocoon and thendelight of flying.

12

•• case study

Insects• Small with a short life span• Organised and Busy• Industrious – will not survive ifnot doing something

• Suddenness; Restless Hyperactive• Constant intense activity with aconstant need for change

• Intense pace and speed• Territory is defined and that isinvaded/encroached/intruded

• Entire focus is very basic, food,reproduction and sexuality

• Shameless, destructive, rush ofthoughts, thoughts wandering

• Colours especially very bright• Sensations – burning, heat,stinging, biting, stitching, shifting

So what insect? It was important tostudy both butterfly and ladybird as thepatient had mentioned them spontan -eously when talking “source” language.Though it is too simplistic and naive toprescribe Coccinella on the grounds ofred and black clothes, repertory studyof Coccinella and the recent Bulgarianproving of the remedy provided moreinformation and I prescribed Coccinellaseptempunctata 1M, a single dose.

Materia medica see chart, right.

Follow-upWhen reviewed a month later she hadmade progress; she was much calmerand less stressed about her symptoms.She had not used her GTN spray after thefirst three days of treat ment and hadgradually been able to attend the gym,using the treadmill slowly but withoutpain and tightness. She was still worriedthat she might have lupus and that “thedoctors must have missed something”.Coccinella septem punctata 1M wasrepeated in a single dose as the under ly -ing fear and sensation was still presentdespite improving physical symptoms.

A review eight weeks later showedfurther improvement, with the patientreporting she had experienced no moreangina. The burning and pricklingsensation in her left hand and fingerswas absent and exercise tolerance hadincreased. Her general energy and sleepwere good and she was wearing browntrousers a green top and low shoes!

I have continued to see this patienton average about once a year. She hasoccasionally felt the symptoms might bereturning but they settle within threedays of a single dose of the remedy.

Dr Helen Beaumont MBChB MRCGP DRCOG FFHom*

Coccinella septempunctata

Photo: D

ominik Stodulski/ W

ikimedia

Physical symptomsknown for long time,affinities; teeth

Throbbing neuralgia ofteeth

Tooth ache with vertigoand fainting

Pain spread across face

Pain in repeated shortattacks

Sensation as if teethhollow, coldness in teethor as if would be tornout with a hook

Hydrophobia, < brightobject

Neuralgia < night

Prostration

Cold sensation in mouth,teeth, icy cold limbs andcold moist skin

Sensation of sharpsplinters in fingertips

Accidents

Natural disasters

Floods

Earthquakes

House being demolished

Concern for children andanimals

Homeless,dispossessed, gypsies

Desire to help people

Care for others

Desire to be helped

People should care for her

Make life easier for her

Haughty

Can have high self-esteem and confidence

Desire to be beautifuland buy clothes – highheeled boots

Sheathed wings

Hardened covers thatsheath the wings

Beetle features include:

Fragile, hard sheath,shield, shell hardened,protection, hiding,retracting, hibernating,isolation

Metamorphosis

Moulting

Layers falling off

Coats slipping off

Complete change

Coccinellaseptempunctata

New proving done in Bulgaria

Ladybird –Coleoptera family

13

representatives. For those who traveldistances to attend the meetings,expenses are reimbursed by the Faculty.

Representing youRegional representatives are elected bythe members from each region, whereasthe professional group representativesare elected by the Faculty membershipof that particular profession. In theabsence of any proposals members canself-nominate themselves for consider -ation. In order to qualify for professionalgroup representation there must be aminimum of 30 Faculty associates andmembers from that profession. Appoint -ments are usually for a three-year term,with the option of continuing, if appro -priate. The committee has its owndefined Terms of Reference and Areasof Activity and these documents areavailable on request. A full list ofrepresentatives is shown below.

The regional representatives maintainand develop the structure of local groupnetworks, arrange educational meetingswithin the region and act as the mainpoint of contact for members withinthe area. So, if you have any ideas forevents or courses in your area – pleaseget in touch! Perhaps you haveencountered problems or difficultiesand have not shared these with yourrepresentative – once again, please getin touch! Or maybe you have grownweary and disillusioned and aren’t surehow to tackle a problem or even whatto do with your qualification – pleaseget in touch! No matter what the issue– please get in touch with yourrepresentative!

Do you have a burning issue thatyou would like raised? Have you got agreat idea that no one else has thoughtof? Are you frustrated at the changes(or lack of changes) within homeopathyor within the NHS and healthcaregenerally? If so, please get in touch –as we would love to hear from you.

Committee businessCommittee members elect a convenerwho sits on the Faculty Council torepresent members’ views; currently thisrole is performed by Dr Patricia Ridsdale.Through this representation the views,aspirations and concerns raised at meet -ings are shared with council members.The convener’s position on the FacultyCouncil serves to create a two-way flowof information, for not only are the viewsfrom the wider membership discussedbut the council’s position on specificissues, its priorities and future strategycan be reported back to the Membership

The Members’ Committee representsmembers’ views and concerns, and actsas the main link between the FacultyCouncil and the wider membership. It is one of five standing committeeswithin the Faculty (the other fourcomprising Faculty Council, AcademicBoard, Promotions Network and theDisciplinary Committee).

The committee is made up ofrepresentatives from 15 regions of theUK plus the Republic of Ireland, alongwith representatives from the medical,dental, pharmacy, veterinary, nursingand podiatry professions. These 22representatives are joined at committee

meetings by the Faculty’s MembershipOfficer, Tracey Simmons, andoccasionally by the Faculty Presidentand Chief Executive.

Face-to-face meetings take placetwice a year – usually in the spring andautumn – and generally in London,although recently we have used thefacilities at the Faculty’s offices in Luton.We also have a third meeting in thesummer which takes the form of an e-meeting. This regular contact strikesa balance between having sufficientlyregular meetings to enable continuationof threads of discussion, without gener -ating an onerous commitment on the

Working togetherto make things better

Dr Gary Smyth is the Northern Ireland branchrepresentative on the Faculty’s Members’ Committee.In this article he discusses the work of the committeeand its important role within the Faculty.

Photo: K

onstantin Chagin

/ Shutterstock.com

•• feature

14

•• feature

Committee, allow ing the representativesto brief members via their local groupsand professional networks.

At committee meetings each regionalrepresentative presents an update onthe activities of their local group orFaculty branch. Similarly, each of theprofessional group representativesbring to the committee matters arisingfrom within their respective professionalgroup. A wide variety of important issuesare discussed ranging from grassrootsfeedback, through to aspects affectingmembers nationally and internationally.Topics range from the concerns ofindividual members to new initiativesand developments within the homeo -pathic community. Some recentdiscussions have included membershipfees, the ongoing challenge of recruit -ment and retention of members,promotion of homeopathy among fellowprofessionals, education and CPD,revalidation and appraisal, research andevidence, plus the use of social mediaand online communications.

Playing your partYou will see from the list of represent -atives that there are several vacancieson the committee – namely for ScotlandSouth East, Scotland Central, EastAnglia, the Manchester Area and SouthWales, as well for the medical andpodiatry professions. These five regionsand two professions comprise asignificant number of members who areat present not being represented on thecommittee. Therefore, if you are in anyof these regions or from these profess -ions and are interested in getting involvedwith the Faculty, please contact TraceySimmons at tsimmons@facultyofhomeo

pathy.org or call 01582 408681. AnyLicensed Associate, Diplomate orMember of the Faculty can become arepresentative, with the only otherrequirements being an interest inrepresenting fellow members, alongwith an awareness of the current issues

facing the Faculty and its membership,and the desire to become part of anenergetic and vibrant committee.

Representatives must be able toattend committee meetings, althoughunforeseen circumstances can developand on occasions this may not bepossible. In these circumstances therepresentative should appoint a deputyto attend the meeting on their behalf.This can be a great opportunity to getinvolved and I would encourage anyonewho is interested in doing this to let theirrepresentative know – I’m sure they willbe delighted to know there is some onewho can help them out. Indeed, speaking

personally, this is exactly how I firstbecame involved with the Members’Committee several years ago.

A fantastic forumThe members are the Faculty, and theMembers’ Committee is a vital anduseful link between grass rootsmembers and those serving on theFaculty Council. It offers a fantasticforum for discuss ing all manner oftopics relating to homeopathy and is agreat opportunity to get involved with acommunity of professionals who allshare the same passion for thisparticular form of medicine.

Since becoming Northern Ireland’sbranch representative, I firmly believethat the work of the Members’Committee has focussed my thoughtsin relation to homeopathy. Furthermore,I’ve enjoyed every moment of workingwith colleagues from across the UK andacross the various professions, and I would heartily recommend gettinginvolved with the Members’ Committee.

Finally, if you are curious about howthe Members’ Committee works andwould like to attend a meeting as anobserver, this can be arranged by priorrequest – just get in contact with TraceySimmons (details above). There really isno excuse for not being involved!

“When you do nothing you feel over -whelmed and powerless. But whenyou get involved you feel the sense ofhope and accomplishment that comesfrom knowing you are working tomake things better.” Maya Angelou

Dr Gary SmythMB CHB DGM DMHDRCOG DFSRH MRCGP MFHom

Dr Gary Smyth

Members’ Committee – regional and professional representativesScotland North Ms Catherine Tiphanie

c.tiphanie@btinternet.comScotland Central [vacant]Scotland South East [vacant]Scotland South West Dr Moira McGuigan

moiramcguigan@virginmedia.comNorthern Ireland Dr Gary Smyth

drgaryjsmyth@gmail.comRepublic of Ireland Mr Michael Clancy

michaelfclancy@hotmail.comEngland North East Dr Margaret Reidand International harveyreid@btinternet.comManchester area Dr Sue de Lacy

suedelacy@hotmail.co.ukSouth Wales [vacant]Midlands Dr Bishan Chohan

bishanchohan@yahoo.co.ukLondon area Dr Ralf Schmalhorst

londonralf@aol.com

England South Dr Patricia Ridsdaleand Central trish@lastmango.co.uk

and Dr Jenifer Wordenjenwor@doctors.org.uk

England South East Dr Andrew Sikorskiandrew.sikorski@doctors.org.uk

England South West Mrs Elizabeth Baineslizzy50.baines@gmail.com

East Anglia [vacant]

Doctors [vacant]Dentists Mr Brian Teall

teallbrian@gmail.comPharmacists Miss Evelyn Liddell

e.liddell@weleda.co.ukVets Mrs Anne O’Reilly

the61stfloor@yahoo.ieNurses and Midwives Ms Karen Hooton

karenhooton10@hotmail.comPodiatrists [vacant]

•• case study

15

cheeks and falling off her chin. She justlets the tears run and makes no attemptto suppress the tears or wipe them offher face until she has finished crying.

M: I cry easily, I always have and I feelbetter after having a good cry. I am veryemotional and get upset easily. I cry ifpeople are kind to me. I feel a lot betterif my husband hugs and comforts me.

I love pasta, but my real favourite isdesserts especially meringue with freshfruit. I hate fat on meat and hot spicythings. I am terrified of closed in smallplaces – I can’t breathe and panic.

Analysis and prescriptionThe whole energy of the case, thelanguage and symptoms point stronglyto Pulsatilla which I prescribe as onedose of 200C

Consultation – September 1993M: Nothing has changed. Now I am onVentolin and Becotide inhalers andBeconase nose spray, but I havestopped the Dermovate so my skin ismuch worse.

Analysis and prescriptionI am surprised that Pulsatilla has had noeffect and realise that this is the firsttime I have truly seen an obstacle tocure and prescribe Mutabile 30C, threedoses, 12 hours apart.

Telephone consultation – threeweeks later M: Three days after the Mutabile theskin on my legs got much worse; myenergy went up a lot; my asthmaimproved; and my nose got better – lessblocked – and then my nose cleared for

Consultation – June 1993M: I have nasal polyps and am waitingfor an operation to remove them. I havehay fever all year round and asthma andthree different kinds of skin rashes. SinceMay my nose has been completelyblocked. I have polyps both sides of mynose. I cough and wheeze with theyellow phlegm and it wakes me upthrough the night, at 2 or 4 or 6 a.m. I ammuch better outside in the open air andworse in the house.

The eczema has been bad for thepast two years on my legs. I useDermovate. Then I have a rash likelumps, like insect bites. They itch likemad and are worse in heat, especiallygetting hot in bed. This rash comes onwhen my nose is badly blocked. I alsohave a bit of psoriasis on my elbowsand knees and scalp.

When I was five I had whoopingcough, chicken pox and then measles,all one after the other. My father died ofprostate cancer and my mother died ofa stroke. I am an only child. I have hadthree children with no problems. I hadthe menopause OK. I love gardeningand painting.

I am always warm and get terrible if itis too hot – I get tired and such a terribleheadache. I avoid hot countries becauseI just faint. I avoid the sun – I must sit inthe shade – and have never been ableto sunbathe. I am so much bettermoving about outside in the fresh air

Last year I had some terrible worry.My son-in-law kidnapped my grandson.He and my daughter were havingtrouble and getting divorced.

Observation: she begins to weep openly.Great big tears are rolling down her

with Dr Raymond SevarCase taking

Photo: G

abriela S

chaufelb

erger/ isto

ckphoto

M is a 57-year-old lady with grey hair and blue eyes. She is suffering from asthma,eczema, perennial rhinitis and psoriasis. She has an open straightforward manner.

the first time in ages. I went intohospital to have my polyps removed andthey said that the polyps havedisappeared, so they sent me home. It is like a miracle.

I advised her to stop using Beconase

Consultation – December 1993M:My asthma was better so I stoppedthe inhalers for two weeks and theasthma has returned. My skin is evenworse. It is so very itchy all the time and I scratch until it is raw and bruised. I have more patches on my body andbottom and thighs.

I prescribe Pulsatilla LM1 30ml, 10succussions and two drops daily inwater.

Consultation – January 1994M:My skin is better. The improvementbegan after a few days. My skin hasgradually got better first in my body,then my arms. My thighs are clearingand my lower legs are getting better –they are less red, less scaly, but still itchy.

The asthma is better. I have stoppedthe inhalers apart from a very occasionaldose. I am not wheezing and have verylittle cough. My nose is fine, but I stillhave no sense of smell.

I recommend she continue with thePulsatilla LM1 daily.

Telephone consultation – February 1994 The eczema rash is clearing slowly, nowit is only on my lower legs – the patchesare smaller, the itch is less and I have nonew patches. The rash-like bites arealmost gone. The psoriasis is almostgone. I am taking Becotide inhaler nowand again because my GP insisted, butit seems to make me gasp immediatelyafter I take it and for a few minutesafterwards.

I advise her only to take inhalers forwheezing when she actually needs toand to continue Pulsatilla LM1 threedays a week until she forgets or issymptom free.

Dr Raymond Sevar BSc MBChB DCH MRCGP FFHom*

16

•• case study

Mrs P, an elderly, thin lady of 70, walkedinto the clinic complaining of skineruptions, predominantly on her feet.The eruptions had started almost a yearback with very tiny spots on her palmsand soles of the feet, which a homeo -pathic doctor she visited had diagnosedas Palmoplantar psoriasis.

“I didn’t agree with the doctor,” shesaid. “I felt that I knew how ugly psoriasislooks and my eruptions looked nothinglike that … so I did not take medicinesthen and chose to ignore my symptoms.”

However, within a month theitching had increased considerably and she went to a skin specialist whoconfirmed it to be psoriasis andprescribed her the routine steroidointments. As was expected, her skinbecame absolutely normal within amonth. But this improvement lasted for only three months; then all theeruptions came back with a vengeance.

When I saw her, almost fivemonths after the recurrence of hereruptions, the soles of her feet werecompletely covered with thick blackeruptions about 3-5mm in thickness, withlots of cracks and a serous discharge.She was very uncomfortable even show -ing it to me and kept saying “how uglyit made her feel”, and tried hard to holdback tears as she spoke. The palms

were comparatively better with a fewpsoriatic patches, but her nails werepitted and had black pigmentation.

She was a retired school teacher andboth her sons lived abroad with theirfamilies – something she was not toocomfortable talking about. Like a lot ofmiddle class Indian patients, it was verydifficult to elicit her mental history in thebeginning and she was decidedly closedon talking about anything on her personalfront. I made a mental note to revisit itlater but did not pursue it at the time.

Distant sonsI decided to speak to her more abouther presenting symptoms. She had madeit very clear that besides being veryitchy and painful, the eruptions madeher feel “ugly”. Though she had neverbeen able to tolerate heat, surprisinglyher eruptions felt better after a warmbath or when covered. There was aconstant urge to scratch but scratchingcaused bleeding and increased discharge.On direct questioning she mentionedan unquenchable thirst but no particularfood likes or dislikes. When I asked herif she felt hurt easily or wept easily shewas quick to reply: “What is there tofeel bad about? Everyone anyway doeswhat suits them.”

I asked her to elaborate on this

feeling, which is when she reluctantlystarted talking about how much itupset her that her sons chose to stayaway from her, and in a differentcountry at that.

“I’m a teacher. I teach little childrenabout values and the importance oftaking care of parents in their old ageand yet here I am! I do not wish toburden my sons by saying this to themdirectly and would hate for them to doanything out of pity for me. Besides,I’m sure they know how I feel and yetchoose to do as it pleases them. I haveno other complaints of them, they areperfectly good sons but at this age Iwould have loved to have them and mygrandkids more accessible.”

On further questioning it turned outthat her symptoms had first appearedaround the time her second son decidedto settle abroad.

The rest of her medical history wasfairly unremarkable and not particularlyhelpful, except for a past history ofmigraines which had reducedsubstantially without any treatment.

Treatment and follow-upI do not always repertorise for each andevery case but depend more on thetypology and a combination of mental,physical and general symptoms.

Feelings of “ugliness”– more than skin deep

In 2008, Dr Renuka Kshirsagartrained in homeopathy at theRoyal London Hospital forIntegrated Medicine and todayhas a private practice in Mumbai.Writing for simile for the firsttime, Dr Kshirsagar recountsone of her early cases that left a lasting impression on her.

Photo: D

aniele Petrobelli/Shutterstock.com

17

The most important features in thispatient were:

• thin, emaciated lady• lot of repressed grief, associatedwith her children

• feelings of disappointment• not comfortable talking about herfeelings

• past history of migraines• psoriasis started after sons movedaway

• thick, crusty, black, dischargingeruptions, worse for scratchingand better for warmth

Based only on her skin eruptions, Arsen -icum album seemed to be the bestchoice, but in this case I felt that hersymptoms were a direct outcome of hermental state and chose to focus moreon her mental picture which brought outNatrum muriaticum very prominently(see the chart below).

I prescribed Natrum mur 1M, as asingle dose constitutional remedy andcalled her back in two weeks.

The second visitAt her second visit, Mrs P walked in witha big smile and I was shocked to seethat her skin had improved by almost30 per cent. The thickness of theeruptions had reduced, the small patcheson the palms were completely gone andthe itching had substantially reduced.

I was surprised to see such a drasticdifference in just two weeks, especiallysince Kent talks of how Natrummuriaticum is known to act slowly.

The patient was also pleased andconfessed how she didn’t really expecthomeopathy to work and she had triedit only on someone’s persistence. “I feellike some load has come off me … I cannot describe the feeling any better,”she said. “I have been so worried aboutthis skin appearance but it seemshopeful now.”

When I saw her again two weekslater there was no difference and Irepeated Natrum mur 1 M and arrangedto see her again after a month.

When I saw her for the fourth timeher feet were almost 80 per cent better.There was no recurrence of patches onher palms. The patient spoke of a great

surge in confidence and a feeling of joy.She had also planned to visit her sonsabroad and was overjoyed by this.

Over the next two months her feetbecame absolutely normal with noeruptions at all.

It has been over three years since I first saw her and her feet haveremained unaffected in this period.Every time her sons left after a visit,there was an appearance of smalleruptions on the palms of her handswhich would disappear with a singledose of Natrum mur 1M. In the lastyear, however, she has not neededanother dose and she continues to beasymptomatic.

ConclusionI saw this case in my early days ofpractice and it taught me a lot. Wheneverthe correct similimum is found it worksalmost “magically” and very quickly. I can only assume, but I feel that evenArsenicum album would have helpedthe patient to an extent, although itwould probably be a slow response and maybe not so complete.

It is not always easy to elicit arelevant mental history but I feel thatnowhere is it as important as it is in skinconditions. As I saw later, every case ofeczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis etc,almost invariably has a deep root in thepatient’s mental picture. Medicinecannot change what a person choosesto feel bad about, but it can definitelyhelp them to cope better with it in that atleast the pain/grief/hurt does not transferto the body in the form of disease.

Dr Renuka Kshirsagar MBBS MFHom

Ailments from –anger – silent grief;with

Ailments from –rudeness of others

Delusions –wretched; she looks

Weeping – pitied, ifhe/she believeshe/she is

Chapped – hands –fingers

Discolouration –fingers – nails –black – around

Emaciation –extending to –downward

Discharging – thin

Crusty – thick

Crusty – painful

Crusty – horny

Crusty – bleeding

Crusty – black

Cold agg.; becoming

Chronic

Bleeding – scratching;after

Mind Extremities Generals Skin – eruptions

Natricum muriaticum

Photo: V

it Kovalcik

/Shuttersto

ck.com

18

•• events

•• examinations calendar 2014

EXAM EXAM DATE VENUE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE EXAMPHCE 6 June 2014 Bristol 4 April 2014

MEMBERSHIP EXAM – OPEN TO NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HAVE PASSED THE PHCE

MFHom / MFHom (Nurse) TBA TBA 11 April 2014MFHom / MFHom (Nurse) TBA TBA 19 September 2014

SPECIALIST REGISTRATION – OPEN TO DOCTORS WHO HAVE GAINED THE MFHom

Assessment 10 March 2014 Luton 16 January 2014Assessment 17 March 2014 Glasgow 13 January 2014Assessment 10 October 2014 Glasgow 8 August 2014Assessment 16 October 2014 Luton 15 August 2014

VETERINARY LICENTIATE EXAMLFHom (Vet) 6 June 2014 Bristol 4 April 2014

VETERINARY MEMBERSHIP EXAM

VetMFHom TBA Oxon 31 January 2014

Other exams not currently noted on the calendar will be arranged as required.

Members-only areaValuable new information is now available in the Members’ area of the Faculty website.

n Guidance for promoting your websiten Peer appraisal forms and informationn Congress presentations for reviewn Media toolkit

To access the Members’ area you will need your user name and password to login – for a login reminder email: info@facultyofhomeopathy.org

What’s on the website www.facultyofhomeopathy.org

•• case studies

19

•• events

•• what’s on

Complementary therapies in dentalpracticeEvent Date: 04/10/2013What does the future hold? (B Teall, P Wander,P Darby), Practical uses of cellular medicinein general health and dentistry (R Wilson),Basic Homeopathy for beginners (KHajikakou), Classic Homeopathy (S Farrer),Experiences in Holistic Dental Practice (D Sutcliffe), Acupuncture (T Thayer),Hypnosis (V Walters), Traditional ChineseMedicine for dentists and their patients (L Hua)Cost £95 Hygienist / £125 Dentist• Venue: British Orthodontic Society12 Bridewell Place, London EC4V 6AP

• Reservations and information:catherinedomanski@positivecomm.com

Gradually Evolving Mastering Sessions(GEMS)Date: 11 October 2013. 9.15am-4.30pm.The Acids – Remedies for Exhaustion andDepletion. We will be looking at the Acids,both organic and inorganic. All teaching will besupported by study of cured cases. With JulieGeraghty, Geoff Johnson and Liz Thompson.These CPD study days are open to fullyqualified practitioners registered with theSociety of Homeopaths or the Faculty ofHomeopathy. Cost £75 (lunch and refreshments included)Number of places is limited, please book by1 October. • Venue: Penny Brohn Cancer Centre in Pill, Nr Bristol.

• For further information, please emailrenata.sopiarz@uhbristol.nhs.uk

Canadian Homeopathic Conference 2013Dynamic Harmony (3rd annual event) Event Date: 18-20 October 2013• Venue: Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport Hotel,Toronto, Canada

• For more information visitwww.chconference.ca

Treating Children with ADHD and OtherBehavioural Disorders.Date: 19 October 2013. 10.00am-4.30pm.Master class with Philippa Fibert (researchconsultant, Society of Homeopaths) This master class will offer an overview ofthe current literature on this subject;description of cases; and a discussion ofemerging treatment protocols. CPD 4hrs 50 min. This event suits all levelsof experience including students.Cost £65. Number of places is limited, pleasebook by 1 October. • Venue: Penny Brohn Cancer Centre in Pill, Nr Bristol.

• For further information call 0117 342 9830or email renata.sopiarz@uhbristol.nhs.uk

Gifts of the Mother: the matridonalremediesEvent Date: 19/10/2013. 9:30am - 5:00pmSpeaker: Dr Jonathan Hardy The seminar will study the themes of thematridonal group, the provings of theindividual remedies and will feature a numberof cured cases on video.The seminar is open to medical and non-medical homeopaths of all levels. 6 CPDhours. Price: £60.00 (refreshments included)

• Venue: The Unitarian Cross Street ChapelCross Street, Manchester M2 1NL

• For more information or to book a place,please contact: Dr Eftihia Metallidou on0161 4747301 weekdays 12-4.00pm oremail at: eftmet@gmail.com

International Conference and Exhibitionon Traditional & Alternative MedicineEvent Date: 09/11/2013 – 11/11/2013Traditional Medicine-2013 Through thetheme, Traditional Medicine: Promotion &Development, Traditional Medicine-2013 isplanned to bring together practitioners in herbal,Ayurvedic, homeopathy and various practices ofCAM fraternity to showcase the importanceof traditional and alternative medicine.

• Venue: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel HyderabadBanjara Hills, 8-2-409 Rd No. 6 Banjara HillsHyderabad 500034 India

• For further details, visit: www.omicsgroup.com/conferences/traditional-medicine-2013/cfa.php

Northern Ireland Homeopathic GroupDate: 13 November 2013 at 7.45pmThe Role of Homeopathy in DentistrySpeaker: Anne Gooding, MFHom (Dent)Open to all Faculty affiliated healthcareprofessionals, regardless of experience.

• Venue: Toome House, 55 Main Street,Toomebridge, County Antrim, BT41 3TE

• For more information please contact: Dr Gary Smyth, E-Mail: drgaryjsmyth@gmail.com, tel: 07712 188165

Northern Ireland Homeopathic GroupDate: 12 February 2014 at 7.45pmThe Role of Homeopathy in Podiatry Speaker: Elaine McLaughlin, LFHom (Pod)Open to all Faculty affiliated healthcareprofessionals, regardless of experience.

• Venue: Toome House, 55 Main Street,Toomebridge, County Antrim, BT41 3TE

• For more information please contact: Dr Gary Smyth, E-Mail: drgaryjsmyth@gmail.com, Tel: 07712 188165

69th Congress of Liga MedicorumHomoeopathic InternationalisEvent Date: 16-19/07/2014Homeopathy on the move: strategies,healing, simillimum, simile.

• Venue: Palais des Congres – Paris, France.• For more information visit:www.lmhi2014.org

Regular meetingsW Surrey & W Sussex Homeopathic Group15/10/2013 and 19/11/2013 – Event Time: 20:00 until 22:00Members include doctors, vets, dentists and pharmacists. The aim of the group is to actas a forum for ongoing learning and support, covering all aspects of homeopathy andmedical practice.The Punch Bowl, Oakwood Hill, nr Ockley, Surrey RH5 5PU.• Charles Forsyth on 01737 226338 (office), 01737 248605 (home), 07802 293006 (mobile)or charles@dr-forsyth.com

Leeds Homeopathic GroupRegular meetings in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Adel, north Leeds.• Jutta Prekow on 0113 203 7329 or at jutta.prekow@bradford.nhs.uk

Manchester-Liverpool Homeopathic GroupMeetings for discussing homeopathic cases and other matters relevant to homeopathy.Open to doctors, vets, nurses, pharmacists of all levels. Location varies, so contact in advance for details:

• Dr Eftihia Metallidou on 0161 4747301 weekdays 12-4.00pm or email: eftmet@gmail.com

If you are organisingan event and would like

it to be included infuture listings,please contactJohn Burry at

jburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org

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Contact John Burry on 01582 408682 or emailjburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org

l Sara Eames, President:sara.eames@uclh.nhs.uk

l Liz Thompson, Vice-President:Elizabeth.Thompson@ubht.swest.nhs.uk

l Christopher Day, Veterinary Dean:cd@alternativevet.org

l Patricia Donnachie, Nursing Dean:patriciadonnachie@blueyonder.co.uk

l Jonathan Hardy, Independent PracticeRepresentative:drjonathanhardy@havant-homeopathic.co.uk

l Lee Kayne, Pharmacy Dean:lee.kayne@nhs.net

l Tariq Khan, Podiatry Dean: tariq.khan@uclh.nhs.uk

l Russell Malcolm, Dean:russellmalcolm@hotmail.co.uk

l Patricia Ridsdale, Members’ Committee Convener:trish@lastmango.co.uk

l Helmut Roniger, NHS Secondary CareRepresentative:helmut.roniger@uclh.nhs.uk

l John Saxton, Immediate Past-President: john.saxton@talk21.com

l Ralf Schmalhorst, NHS Primary CareRepresentative:londonralf@aol.com

l Jane Greenwood, Promotions Convener:holisticfoothealth@gmail.com

l Andrea Wiessner, Treasurer:andrea.wiessner@uclh.nhs.uk

l Cristal Sumner – Chief Executive:csumner@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408674

l John Burry – Communications Officer:jburry@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408682

l Robert Mathie – Research Development Adviser:rmathie@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408683

l Nilesh Mulji – Financial Controller (part-time):nmulji@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408678

l Tracey Rignall – Membership Officer:trignall@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408681

l Lilia Russell – Executive Assistant to ChiefExecutive:lrussell@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408676

l Mohammed Saqib Ali – Digital Marketing Officer:sali@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408680

l Education:education@facultyofhomeopathy.org01582 408680

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