Does homeopathy work?

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The assessments discussed here do not establish dependable benefits from homeopathic products beyond placebo—an inactive lookalike. They are EASAC’s 2017 assessment and two Cochrane reviews of specific conditions. Expectations, a supportive consultation and an illness improving naturally can all help people feel better after treatment.

Why people believe it

A 2008 study interviewed eight deliberately selected patients of one homeopath in Gauteng. They had sought help after mainstream medical treatment had not resolved their health problems. Most worried about side effects of long-term mainstream medication. They valued longer consultations and approachable practitioners. They felt the treatment was natural, effective and free of side effects. Those are their experiences and perceptions. They are not proof that homeopathy works or a survey of everyone who uses it.

“Diluting it makes it stronger”

Homeopathy includes the claim that making a substance less concentrated makes it more powerful. Practitioners also claim that substances causing symptoms in healthy people can treat similar symptoms in someone ill. EASAC says homeopathy’s scientific claims conflict with established chemistry and physics. NCCIH is the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. It says many products are diluted until no molecules of the original substance remain.

“It helps children fight infections”

A 2022 Cochrane review covered 11 trials involving 1,813 children. All trials focused on upper respiratory tract infections—infections in the upper parts of the breathing system. One also included some lower respiratory tract infections. The review found no consistent benefit over placebo for preventing repeat infections or improving cure rates. Most results had low or very low certainty, meaning there was little confidence in them. Poor reporting of adverse events prevented conclusions about safety.

“It helps with flu”

A 2015 Cochrane review examined the homeopathic product Oscillococcinum for influenza (flu) and influenza-like illness. It covered two prevention trials and four treatment trials. Oscillococcinum and placebo showed no statistically significant difference in preventing influenza-like illness. A possible symptom benefit at 48 hours might reflect bias in trial methods. Only two treatment trials provided enough information for full data extraction—collecting data from the trial reports. Both were low quality. At four and five days, those two treatment trials showed no statistically significant difference from placebo. The reviewers judged that there was not enough evidence for firm conclusions.

“But some reviews say it works”

Yes: a 2023 review looked at meta-analyses, which combine results from several studies. It reported statistically significant positive effects beyond placebo. Those effects remained in three of four analyses restricted to high-quality trials. The exception was the analysis of nonindividualised homeopathy, where treatment is not tailored to each person. For individualised homeopathy—treatment tailored to each person—the authors rated evidence for positive effects beyond placebo as high. They rated it moderate for analyses combining all types and for nonindividualised homeopathy. Its trials were published through 2014. Three included reviews were judged at high risk of bias. The 2023 review did not assess results for particular conditions. The authors also cautioned that their confidence ratings concerned whether statistically significant effects existed. The ratings did not concern how large those effects were. So the ratings may not be directly comparable to those of other reviews. The 2023 review’s conclusion differs from EASAC’s 2017 conclusion.

Official positions, with dates

EASAC is the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council. In September 2017, it concluded that no known disease had strong, repeatable evidence of benefit beyond placebo. It used earlier assessments rather than analysing all the evidence again. NCCIH’s April 2021 page reports Australia’s 2015 finding: no reliable evidence that homeopathy works for any health condition. It also notes strict rules for including studies. These included more than 150 participants and the highest quality rating for study methods. Cochrane Australia reported an updated government review in April 2025. This page does not assess its detailed homeopathy findings.

Germany’s regulator BfArM says registering homeopathic products requires evidence of safety and the medicine’s quality. It does not require proof from studies in people that the products work. Its page of frequently asked questions is undated. Registration therefore does not establish that a remedy works.

What people also ask

Is homeopathy worth it?

EASAC and the two condition-specific Cochrane reviews do not establish dependable benefits from the product beyond placebo.

Is homeopathy approved by the FDA?

No: the FDA’s page, current January 2025, says no products labelled homeopathic are FDA-approved.

How are homeopathy medicines made?

The European Committee for Homeopathy describes dilution (making a substance less concentrated) while making products. It also describes vigorous shaking with impact while making products.

Do homeopathic medicines interact with medications?

NCCIH says some labelled products may contain substantial amounts of active ingredients (ingredients that have an effect). These products could cause side effects and drug interactions. Its April 2021 guidance advises against using homeopathy to replace proven conventional care or delay medical assessment.

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