Below is the Letter to the Editor I wrote upon reading the biased and non-factual article, “The Guru will see you now” written by Barbara Bensoussan, printed in Mishpacha’s Family First Magazine October, 2024. The below response printed in the letter to the editor section, November, 2024
The Truth about Homeopathy
Dear Editor,
I appreciate Family First’s coverage of the legitimate reasons many of us have grown skeptical of modern medicine, highlighted in the feature The Guru Will See You Now by Barbara Bensoussan. I especially valued the acknowledgment of modern medicine’s limitations and the misjudgments by some in the medical field that have misled undiscerning patients. However, I find it troubling that alternative medicine modalities, many with numerous science-backed successes like homeopathy, are dismissed despite rigorous scientific research supporting its safety and effectiveness.
Contrary to popular belief, therapies like homeopathy are supported by credible peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate their efficacy. For instance, in a study on classical influenza, patients who received a homeopathic remedy had a higher recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment than the placebo group. Another trial on homeopathy in childbirth found the efficacy to be dramatic—the remedy reduced the average duration of labor by 3.4 hours and decreased difficult deliveries from 40% to 11%! Additional studies support homeopathy’s effectiveness for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, and allergies.
These studies confirm that homeopathic remedies deliver real, measurable effects beyond those of a placebo. Furthermore, when clinical studies on homeopathy report success rates of 80-90%, the disparity is clear — something more than mere placebo is at work. As Linda Johnston, MD, highlights, “When we treat patients and get 80-90% response rates, that is certainly not placebo.” Moreover, homeopathy’s successes are well-documented in treating infants, children, and animals, none of whom are susceptible to placebo effects.
As a parent, I have witnessed remarkable improvements in the health and well-being of my children thanks to alternative medicine. When I sought help from mainstream medicine for my child’s severe dust allergy, I was told by a top allergist to administer Zyrtec daily—indefinitely. Another child I know was prescribed MiraLAX every day to manage GI issues, despite the fact that it is not FDA-approved for children and carries serious side effects. Responsible parents have the right — and responsibility — to question whether this is truly the best approach for their children.
Homeopathy provided a solution where modern medicine failed: not only did my child’s dust allergy heal entirely, but his related asthma also resolved without any medication. The healing I witness every day is genuine and indisputable.
Many doctors can attest to this as well, like Joseph A. Prahlow, MD, Professor of Pathology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO who writes, “Those of us who have been the beneficiaries of homeopathic care, or who have seen the benefits in others, know with no doubt whatsoever that homeopathy represents a truly amazing form of alternative medicine that is able to successfully treat patients having a wide range of health concerns, including some very ill individuals.“
In your article, Dr. Arnold Berlin correctly acknowledges that within modern medicine “Ninety percent of headaches and thirty percent of stomach complaints have no identifiable basis.” This highlights the gaps in conventional medicine, where doctors often admit they are unable to understand, treat or cure many chronic conditions. It’s precisely why many educated, proactive individuals are driven to homeopathy and alternative medicine, which offer real solutions for these persistent health issues.
Homeopathy’s appeal lies in its holistic approach, understanding and addressing the root cause and treating the patient as a whole. Unlike conventional medicine which often suppresses symptoms—like using cortisone for eczema, only for symptoms to return with greater severity once the treatment stops, or “managing” asthma with steroids—homeopathy seeks true healing. As Douglas Falkner, MD, MHoM says, “Instead of constantly managing disease, homeopathy will effectively restore health instead of putting a bandaid on the symptoms.” Time and again, we witness that when issues are suppressed, they eventually reappear, often in deeper physical, emotional, or mental forms, underscoring the need for genuine healing.
Most importantly, the article wrongly suggests that parents turn to alternative medicine out of “ignorance, naivete, and lack of education”. This biased accusation fails to recognize the primary reason families seek out alternatives: conventional medicine often lacks true solutions. Many highly educated, discerning parents seek alternatives not out of gullibility but from informed skepticism and a commitment to the wellbeing of our children.
The article raises a valid observation from Dr. Berlin: that the breakdown in doctor-patient relationships is not just due to time constraints; the internet has also empowered patients to seek their own answers. However, it is unfair to imply that this independent research results from misguided thinking, or that obtaining knowledge is wrong. In reality, many parents are highly informed and have carefully researched alternative approaches to health. We act out of care and with intelligence, not out of ignorance.
To conclude, I appreciate you opening this important conversation about modern medicine. I urge Family First to foster a balanced discussion by acknowledging the scientific studies supporting alternative medicine, which are readily available for those willing to explore them. This issue is vital, as it greatly impacts the well-being of many families.
Advocating for a fair discussion.