Many homeopathic remedies are made from plants. Here is Joe Lillard with the Joe Pye plant that is native to West Virginia.

Like Cures Like

Vitamin Retailer
Natural Medicine

By Kate Quackenbush

Homeopathy is the second most widely used medicinal system in the world and it has been utilized safely and effectively for over 200 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), but the category has yet to experience the same acceptance in the US as it does in other world markets. Unlike a allopathic medicines, which suppress symptoms rather than curing, homeopathy supports the natural curative mechanisms within the body.

Founded by Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy focuses on helping the body regain a balance of health called homeostasis. When we are ill, our bodies try to regain this balance and the symptoms we experience are manifestations of that struggle, but they are the necessary steps back to health. Because the symptoms are necessary, a well-chosen prepared remedy will help those symptoms be properly manifested so a cure can be achieved naturally.

This branch of medicine has been accepted and preferred over the years for several reasons:

• Homeopathy is extremely effective. When the correct remedy is taken, results can be rapid, complete and permanent.
• Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medications without producing unwanted side effects. This is because the remedies are prepared in a diluted form, which releases the therapeutic properties while eliminating unnecessary or harmful physiological actions (side effects) caused by more concentrated doses.
• Homeopathic remedies are typically based on natural ingredients.
• Homeopathy treats all the symptoms as one which in practical terms means that it addresses the cause, not the symptoms.

"Homeopathic medicines appeal to consumers especially parents, who are concerned about safety," said John Durkin, vice president of sales and marketing for Boiron (Newtown Square, PA) which is best known for its top-selling homeopathic flu medicine, Oscillococcinum, and Arnicare, a line of homeopathic pain relievers. "Since these medicines do not have known side effects and drug interactions, they are a big draw for busy individuals who can't afford to lose personal or professional productivity to drowsiness; seniors on medications; and athletes and fitness buffs who need to avoid substances that hinder their performance."

Homeopathy has been proven to effectively treat common ailments including hay fever, arthritis, colds, flu, herpes, sinus, stomach cramps, indigestion, burns, accidents and shock. It can be applied to both acute and chronic health problems with mental, emotional and physical symptoms.

"In general, homeopathic remedies are geared for the minor annoyances that afflict us," said Eileen Sheets, managing director for Bioforce USA (Ghent, NY), whose homeopathic Allergic Relief and homeopathic Sinus Relief consistently outsell all of its other products year after year. "This is where homeopathy has found its niche. It works wonders on the chronic type health issues that allopathic medicine does not have good answers for."

A Growing Category

While homeopathy has a long lineage, it is not as accepted in the US as it is in other markets.

"The homeopathic medicine category is growing in the US, occupying three percent of the market with the potential of reaching 30 percent as it is in the European market," said Misty Householder, marketing manager for Washington Homeopathic Products (WHP, Berkeley springs, WV), the nation's oldest full line homeopathic manufacturers, which is also a contract manufacturer for Pflueger USA (Berkeley Springs, WV) and HomeoPet (Westhampton Beach, NY). "Today's consumers are growing weary of side effects and drug interactions and homeopathic medicine offers a safe, natural alternative that is affordable, typically costing less than the average prescription drug co-pay. Many popular women's magazines (Women's Health, Shape and Vanity Fair) have been highlighting and educating readers about homeopathic medicine. Consumer demand will continue to grow as awareness of this safe and affordable medicinal system increases."

Based on results to Mintel's July 2006 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) consumer research, which weighed in on consumers' feelings towards herbal and homeopathic remedies, just over a quarter of respondents feel that CAM is safer and has fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals, compare to three percent of respondents who believe CAM has more side effects than conventional medicines.

The study further elaborated that a number of future trends suggest that CAM is slowly becoming more of a mainstream option, and with this the market is likely to enjoy faster growth. The aging of the American population and its search for less invasive remedies to chronic conditions is likely to be a critical driver, according to the study. Work done at the National Institute of Health (NIH) that is determining the efficacy of CAM remedies may place a "stamp of approval that may prompt skeptics to try them. Lastly, the pharmcogenomic revolution - the creation and prescription of drugs based on an individual's genetic make-up-will eventually change the face of Western medicine, and may offer avenues to further validate the value of CAM, according to the study. Mintel forecasts the CAM market to grow 17 percent at current prices from 2005 to 2010 to reach over $5 million.

"We feel the category evolves by responding to both research substantiation as well as consumer lifestyle priorities and trends,' said Sheets. "We are finding there are customers who prefer to use homeopathics. There has been so much negative media about herbs, I think some customers are concerned about possible reactions and interactions from some herbal products and just feel more comfortable using a homeopathic.

"If retailers can convey these attributes on a consistent basis through their in-store materials through advertising, and appropriate inventory, they can enjoy not only consistent sales but the satisfaction of truly helping their customers and customers' families to enjoy physical well being," she added.

It's All in the Delivery

Homeopathic remedies come in many forms-from tablets to topicals, pill to pellets-as varied as the ailments they treat. Customers also have the option of taking single homeopathic medicines, which feature one active ingredient, or combination medicines, which have multiple active ingredients.

"Homeopathic medicines, like other drugs, are presented in several ways," said Boiron's Durkin. "They are packaged as combination medicines, like Boiron's Coldcalm, or more traditionally as single medicines, such as Arnica Montana 30c."

For newcomers to homeopathy, Durkin also points out the company's line of CareKits as a great introduction to these homeopathic single medicines. Each CareKit is packaged in a refillable box, containing three of the most often used single medicines to treat colds, allergies, snoring, stress, jet lag, cold sores, leg cramps, hot flashes, smoking dependency and sinus-related conditions. "Gradually, consumers may wish to customize their treatment even more by selecting other single medications. Boiron launched this line in 2003 and it has continued to grow in popularity over the years," Durkin added.

Wise Consumer Products Company's (Cincinnati, OH) Frankincense & Myrrh Sinus and Frankincense & Myrrh Cold & Flu are new entries into the topical homeopathic category. Both are mildly fragranced rubbing oils that, according to company Founder and Formulator Bill Wise, "can be easily used by folks who may be averse to swallowing pills, pellets or liquids. Frankincense & Myrrh products are blends of homeopathic ingredients and 100 percent pure plant essential oils. Frankincense and Myrrh have rich and storied histories of medicinal use, and historical use through the ages suggest strongly that these ingredients may be useful for coughs fevers fungi and bacterial infections and wounds."

But the most interesting aspect of these medications is that some have been around for years and, for some companies, they've never had a reason to change the formulations.

Pflueger USA began nearly 60 years ago in Rheda-Wiedenbruk, Germany, with the grandfather of its current proprietor, Horst Pflueger. Georg Pflueger was a renowned homeopath who developed his own natural medicines and used them with great success to treat his patients. Today, approximately 60 percent of the drugs are still based on the original formulas developed by Georg Pflueger, according to the company.

Some of the top-selling Pflueger USA products include Derivatio, the No. 1 selling Detox remedy in Europe, Chiroplexan Tablets and Ointment, offering pain relief for over exertion or sport injuries, and Fem-Balance, which effectively addresses menstral and menopausal symptoms.

Washington Homeopathic Products (WHP) was established in 1873 during a time when 20 percent of all medical doctors practiced homeopathy. In that time, it;s manufactured over 1,700 single remedies, 77 combination remedies, ointments, oils, dilutions and avariety of kits in convenient sizes. One popular product the company offers is the Poison Ivy Pack, which consists of the company's top-selling Poison Ivy Pills (1-oz.) paired with a convenient 2-oz spray bottle of Rusto Lotion. Poison Ivy Pils is homeopathic medicine taken orally to treat and possibly prevent rashes resulting from exposure to poison ivy or similar skin eruptions. Rusto Lotion is a topical treatment for the redness, itching and swelling associated with poison ivy rashes, insect bites, stings and athlete's foot.

For More Information:

Bioforce USA, (800) 641-7555
Pflueger USA, (877) 735-8872
Washington Homeopathic Products, (800) 336-1695
Wise Consumer Prducts, (513) 519-3579