The father of homeopathy was Samuel Hahnemann who created this form of alternative medicine over 200 years ago. Hahnemann studied and practised as a doctor, but gave up his practise to earn a living as a translator of medical books. Translating a text on the treatment of malaria, he concluded that a drug “which can produce a set of symptoms in a healthy individual, can treat a sick individual who is manifesting a similar set of symptoms”.
This “fight fire with fire” solution led to the name homeopathy, derived from the Greek homios (similar) and pathos (suffering). He published his first work on the subject in German in 1807, and an English language account found its way into the British medical journal Lancet 20 years later.
Modern use of homeopathy divides opinion. The British government has stated that “homeopathy is a placebo treatment … and prescribing pure placebos is bad medicine”. In Germany, though, there are 7,000 homeopathic doctors and the vast majority of state-backed insurance companies will pay for homeopathic remedies.
Worldwide EUR 1.5 billion in homeopathic drugs is sold per annum, making up approximately 0.3% of the global market. Belief in the effectiveness of the remedies is reflected in the location of sales. 70% of all homeopathic products worldwide are sold in Europe, with France and Germany being by far the largest markets.
