Public trusts homeopathy
Only a few decades ago the term 'homeopathy' was used to describe all naturopathic therapies, regardless of whether teas were prescribed, needles inserted, injections administered or homeopathic remedies prescribed.
By now almost everyone (94%) knows that homeopathy is the medicine of the little white pellets, as a survey by the Institute for Demoscopy in Allensbach into the awareness and use of homeopathic remedies(1) shows. But that is not all: far more than one in two (60%) have used homeopathic remedies at least once. Five years ago, a comparable study (2)) showed 53%, and in 1970 only 24%. The circle of homeopathy users has thus doubled over the past four decades. Nine out of ten users report positive treatment outcomes, with almost every second (48%) reporting a clear improvement of symptoms in all cases. A further 39% say that homeopathic remedies have at least helped them in some cases. By far the most frequent successful uses were against colds and influenza-like infections (56%), also to strengthen the immune system (30%), for insect stings/sunburn (24%), followed by headaches (22%), digestive complaints (21%) as well as insomnia and stomach complaints (each 19%).
The survey also reveals that personal recommendations from friends, acquaintances or family members pave the way to homeopathic remedies. Their spread has also been aided by the positive image of homeopathic products, as they are regarded as low in side effects (65%), well tolerated (52%) and particularly easy to use (43%). Among those who take homeopathic remedies, the corresponding figures are about ten percentage points higher (78%, 63% and 53%).
Since only 12% of the population definitely rule out taking homeopathic preparations, the circle of users of homeopathic remedies is likely to grow further in the coming years, the survey concludes.
1 tBetween 28 May and 13 June 2014 the Allensbach Institute surveyed a representative cross-section of a total of 1,503 people aged 16 and over. This study was commissioned by the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (Bundesverband der Arzneimittel-Hersteller e.V.). t
t2 tIn this study, also carried out by the Institute for Demoscopy, 1,853 people aged 16 and over were surveyed between 13 June and 27 June 2009. Homeopathic Medicinal Products in Germany: widely used and valued. In: Allensbacher Reports 2009: 14 t
