Complementary Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine

234 Alternative Cardiovascular Medicine
but it is generally not profound or long-lasting. Likewise, recently there
have appeared “homeopathic combination patch” remedies that would
raise the same concerns.
The use of homeopathy for cardiology patients can be considered
regardless of whether tissue change is present. Most patients would
benefit from constitutional care, and drug interactions or side effects are
not seen. Patients generally enjoy the homeopathic interview and the
decrease in symptoms and increased feeling of well-being offered by
homeopathic care.
EDITORS’ CONCLUSION
For the Western physician or other health care provider, knowledge
of the clinical approach that patients will experience and the nature of the
pharmaceuticals prescribed in a homeopathic practice are critical to
providing advice to patients. Integrating homeopathic care within the
context of the patient’s selection of complementary homeopathic medicine
will represent a challenge. However, because the major adverse
event related to homeopathic medication is potential for the patient to
fail to receive necessary traditional medical care, it is a challenge that
must be met effectively. The cause of “head scratching” by medical
scientists is the small number of clinical trials whose outcome supports
the clinical efficacy of selected homeopathic treatments. As Dr. Merrell
points out, larger well-designed and carefully controlled clinical trials
are important to address meaningfully the issue of the clinical efficacy
of homeopathic medicine.
RESOURCES
General
New England School of Homeopathy
356 Middle Street Amherst, Boston, MA 01002
413-256-5949
Fax: 413-256-6226
Website: www.nesh.com
E-mail: nesh@nesh.com
National Center of Homeopathy
801 North Fairfax, Suite 306
Alexandria, VA 22314-1757
703-548-7790
Fax: 703-548-7792
E-mail: info@homeopathic.org
Website: www.homeopathic.org