- Treatments
- Efficacy
- Placebo effect
- Side effects
- How to lose weight safely
- Summary
Homeopathy relies on natural remedies like plants, minerals, and animal products to treat different conditions. Some people swear by homeopathic remedies. But there often is little or no scientific evidence to support homeopathic medicine.
Reports about the efficacy of homeopathic medicine may also be flawed, inaccurate, or biased. This is because the studies often don’t have enough participants, or they are poorly funded and designed.
Homeopathic treatments aren’t usually regulated either. That makes it difficult to assess their quality and how effective they will be for each person.
Some remedies show promise, such as arnica for bruising. But there isn’t enough research yet on many of these remedies.
The best and most effective way to lose weight is through a combination of exercise and a healthy diet. Even though homeopathic remedies may promise to help you lose weight quickly, they might not be safe for your health.
If you need help or aren’t sure how to lose weight, see a doctor. They can help you create a plan to reach your weight loss goals.
Homeopathy for weight loss
There’s currently no medical research or scientific studies that prove that homeopathic treatments are effective for weight loss.
If you want to try homeopathic treatments, be sure to talk to your doctor first. They need to confirm that a treatment you want to try won’t affect any current medications you’re taking, as well as explain possible side effects.
The following homeopathic remedies may be recommended for weight loss:
- calcarea carbonate, made from oyster shells
- graphites, made from carbon
- pulsatilla nigrans, made from pasqueflowers (windflower)
- natrum muriaticum, made from sodium chloride
- ignatia, made from the seeds of the St. Ignatius bean tree
Does homeopathy treatment for weight loss work?
Scientific and medical studies are very limited about the efficacy of homeopathic treatments for weight loss.
A small 2014 study examined weight loss through nutritional interventional and homeopathic treatments for 30 overweight or obese individuals.
Researchers found that homeopathic treatments along with nutritional intervention may be more effective than just nutritional intervention alone. But due to the small size of the study, more research is needed to confirm its results.
The study also found using homeopathic treatments made no difference in the body mass index (BMI) of the participants. It’s also unclear if the study examined the “placebo effect” of adding in homeopathic remedies for participants.
Another small studyTrusted Source, conducted in 2016, examined the effect of homeopathic medicines like calcarea carbonate and pulsatilla nigricans on overweight or obese pregnant women. Participants were trying to not gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy.
Researchers found that weight gain was about the same for both women who tried the homeopathic treatments and those who were given a placebo.
They also found that the homeopathic treatments had potentially negative side effects for a fetus during pregnancy.
Homeopathic treatments are generally not considered safe during pregnancy. Talk to a doctor first if you intend to use them while pregnant.
Placebo effect caveat
While there’s little evidence that homeopathic medicine is effective for weight loss, its placebo effectTrusted Source on certain medical conditions has been studied.
For example, one medical trial compared homeopathic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a placebo. Researchers found participants reported lower pain scores after three months of placebo therapy compared to active homeopathic therapy.
Studies that specifically compare homeopathic remedies with placebos for weight loss are limited.
It’s important to remember that homeopathic remedies aren’t a medical treatment, and that there isn’t any science to support their use for losing weight.
Side effects of using homeopathic medicine for weight loss
Homeopathic treatments are unregulated. That means the side effects of any remedy may be unknown. Some potential side effects of homeopathic remedies may include:
- interfering with current medications
- allergic reactions, including rashes
- nausea
Some homeopathic supplements may contain toxic ingredients like arsenic and aconite. If these are improperly diluted, they can even be fatal.
Be sure to choose homeopathic remedies from manufacturers or experienced practitioners you trust.
If you experience negative side effects, stop taking your homeopathic medication and see a doctor.
The proven way to lose weight
The only proven way to lose weight is through diet and exercise.
To lose weight safely, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit by eating less each day or by increasing your physical activity.
Healthy women should never eat less than 1,200 calories per day. Healthy men shouldn’t eat less than 1,500 calories per day unless instructed by a doctor.
Aim to lose just 1 to 2 pounds per week. Losing weight too quickly can be dangerous for your health.
If you need help creating a weight loss plan, see a doctor or a certified nutritionist. If you choose to supplement your weight loss program with homeopathy, run it past your doctor first.
