Homeopathy, postherpetic neuralgia and the suffering of two old friends, past and present.
When prescribed in accordance with the therapeutic similitude principle - that is, for the individual - homeopathy is evidence based medicine.
Iris was forced to quit her job in 2017 after two years of daily, debilitating, intercostal neuralgia.
Iris had shingles in the same spot in 2015, ‘as if a spear went through me and got stuck’ attributed to the ‘shock and pain’ of being cheated by her best friend and business partner.
Within one month of taking her prescribed homeopathic medicine Iris was back at work ‘feeling better than I have done for years.’
Six years later, one day after a verbal altercation with ‘the splitting image of that person who cheated me’ Iris developed a cough and accompanying strong pain ‘like shingles inside my head.’
After two weeks of suffering Iris was prescribed a repeat of her homeopathic medicine and once again rapidly regained her health.
In January 2025, Iris reconnected with her old friend Lily who suffers postherpetic neuralgia twice a year since developing shingles in 2001 immediately following an incredibly painful emotional upset.
Typically lasting for three weeks each time, Lily was in the agonizing midst of the ‘worst attack to date’ accompanied by emotional pain described as ‘the thrill of living has gone.’
One month after the prescribed homeopathic medicine Lily reports ‘feeling better, faster’, ‘huge energy’, ‘not having felt so refreshed and cheerful for ages’ and most importantly ‘a happiness to be alive again.’
Time will tell…
A homeopathic medicine, when prescribed by a competent homeopath, has potential to act upon the mental, emotional and physical aspects of a person and result in simultaneous healing.
According to the homeopathic model the primary cause of disease is an imbalanced biofield12 the complex organizing energy engaged in homeodynamics/homeostasis.34
The electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyogram (EMG) all measure aspects of the biofield.567
Use of EEG to detect treatment effects of homeopathy (across all frequency bands (δ, θ, α, and ß)8 has been demonstrated in fibromyalgia,9 insomnia,10 and environmental chemical intolerance.11
The World Health Organisation classifies pain relief as a human right12 and states that homeopathy (alongside Traditional Chinese Medicine) is formally acknowledged by 100 of its Member States, including New Zealand.13
Meta analysis found homeopathic Arnica equal to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in treating postoperative pain, swelling, and functional limitations14 and its use in the treatment of pain, bruising, and swelling in traumatic and sporting injuries, surgical interventions, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is supported by systematic review.15
Systematic reviews also suggest homeopathy alleviates symptoms of fibromyalgia1617 better than controls - a 2004 study (published in Rheumatology) found significant results for tender point pain; quality of life; and trend toward less depression.18
Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials have tested homeopathy and chronic pain in Low-back pain,19 Sciatica,20 Cervical spondylosis,21 Knee osteoarthritis,22 Lumbar monosegmental spinal sequestrectomy,23 Plantar fasciitis,24 Dysmenorrhea,25 and Premenstrual syndrome.26
George Guess M.D, presenting five case reports of resolved herpes zoster, demonstrates there is never, ever a one size fits all homeopathic medicine.27
When prescribed in accordance with the therapeutic similitude principle - that is, for the individual - homeopathy is evidence based medicine.28
A BIG thank you to you for taking some precious time out of your life to read my works, I am grateful to you for your time, energy and interest!
It’s always so cool to be in touch with you so do feel free to drop a comment below or to contact me, Sarah Penrose, direct via my website goodhealthforgreatlife.com
Homeopaths, I am writing so often here at Substack not because I am trying to set myself up as some kind of ‘expert’ when I am far, far from it but because I see the lines of what homeopathy is (& isn’t) becoming more and more blurred as time passes. Evidence Based Homeopathy? is my attempt to educate and always to lead by example.
My second favoured way of learning homeopathy (besides actually prescribing it!,) is reading well put together case reports mostly coming out to us courtesy of The International Academy of Classical Homeopathy who have always kept the science in homeopathy.
We as homeopaths achieve superior outcomes for the people we work so hard to serve when we keep respect for the individual at all times front and centre.
P.S March 2025 marks the beginning of the weekly international Wounded Healer Study Groups for homeopaths which aim to strengthen our resolve as homeopaths so we can be of better service to mankind.
And, being secure in the wisdom of a mostly female group - who have historically always been warriors for homeopathy - is a powerful way to build us up as individuals and collectively!
Just like homeopathy, Chiron can be ‘a seed that uses the power of something extremely small to bring about changes in the world around!
Homeopathy & Chiron
These study groups are not about emulating ‘tricky’ prescribing, 'invented' methodologies or ‘the latest’ remedy… Practicing as a homeopath should be simple and easy ! Truly !
Not achieving the results you so desire for the people you work so hard for, especially those promised by the college guru or during that flashy 'expert' webinar / presentation / podcast, wounds you and your abilities as a healer.
Teixeira MZ. Telomere and Telomerase: Biological Markers of Organic Vital Force State and Homeopathic Treatment Effectiveness. Homeopathy. 2021 doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1726008
Vithoulkas, G. 2024 International Academy of Classical Homeopathy. Homeopathy article from the Encyclopedia Papyros-Larousse-Britannica.
Lloyd D, Aon MA, Cortassa S. Why homeodynamics, not homeostasis? ScientificWorldJournal. 2001 Apr 4;1:133-45. doi: 10.1100/tsw.2001.20
Rubik B, Muehsam D, Hammerschlag R, Jain S. Biofield Science and Healing: History, Terminology, and Concepts. Glob Adv Health Med. 2015 Nov;4(Suppl):8-14. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.038.suppl.
Rowold J, Hewson PD. 2020. Biofield Frequency Bands-Definitions and Group Differences. Glob Adv Health Med doi.org/10.1177/2164956120982568
Hammerschlag R, Levin M, McCraty R, Bat N, Ives JA, Lutgendorf SK, Oschman JL. Biofield Physiology: A Framework for an Emerging Discipline. Glob Adv Health Med. 2015 Nov;4(Suppl):35-41. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.015.suppl.
Muehsam D, Chevalier G, Barsotti T, Gurfein BT. An Overview of Biofield Devices. Glob Adv Health Med. 2015 Nov;4(Suppl):42-51. doi: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.022.
Bell IR, Howerter A, Jackson N, Brooks AJ, Schwartz GE. Multiweek resting EEG cordance change patterns from repeated olfactory activation with two constitutionally salient homeopathic remedies in healthy young adults. J Altern Complement Med. 2012 May;18(5):445-53. doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0931
Bell et al., 2004. EEG alpha sensitization in individualized homeopathic treatment of fibromyalgia. Int J Neurosci. Sep;114(9):1195-220. doi.org/10.1080/00207450490475724
Bell et al., 2012. Nonlinear dynamical systems effects of homeopathic remedies on multiscale entropy and correlation dimension of slow wave sleep EEG in young adults with histories of coffee-induced insomnia. Homeopathy. Jul;101(3):182-92. doi.org/10.1016/j.homp.2012.05.007
Bell et al., 2013. Acute electroencephalographic effects from repeated olfactory administration of homeopathic remedies in individuals with self-reported chemical sensitivity. Altern Ther Health Med. Jan-Feb;19(1):46-57 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23341426/
Lipman AG. Pain as a human right: the 2004 Global Day Against Pain. J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 2005;19(3):85-100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16219619/
World Health Organization. (2019). WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/312342
Gaertner et al., 2021. Is Homeopathic Arnica Effective for Postoperative Recovery? A Meta-analysis of Placebo-Controlled and Active Comparator Trials. Front Surg. Dec 17;8:680930. doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2021.680930
Toma CC, Marrelli M, Puticiu M, Conforti F, Statti G. Effects of Arnica Phytotherapeutic and Homeopathic Formulations on Traumatic Injuries and Inflammatory Conditions: A Systematic Review. Plants (Basel). 2024 Nov 4;13(21):3112. doi: 10.3390/plants13213112
Boehm et al., 2014. Homeopathy in the treatment of fibromyalgia-a comprehensive literature-review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med. Aug;22(4):731-42. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.005
Perry et al., 2010. A systematic review of homoeopathy for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Clin Rheumatol. 2010 May;29(5):457-64. doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1361-2
Bell et al., 2004. Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo. Rheumatology (Oxford). May;43(5):577-82. doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keh111
Muduli S, Sarkar S, Pal RK, Ghosh S, Alam SM, Saha S, Naskar S, Roy S, Saha A, Halder I, Ghosh P, Shaikh AR, Koley M, Mukherjee SK. Homeopathic Treatment of Chronic Low-Back Pain: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Integr Complement Med. 2025 Feb 14. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2024.0564
Das SK, Basu T, Tabassum SN, Sarkar A, Ghosh S, Koley M, Saha S, Nath A, Khamrui S. Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Sciatica Pain: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Integr Complement Med. 2024 Jul;30(7):671-681. doi:10.1089/jicm.2023.0260
Tomar et al., Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Complement Med Res. 2023;30(1):26-36. doi.org/10.1159/000527523
Bhattacharyya S, Chatterjee C, Saha S, Naskar S, Bhattacharya P, Alam SM, Sengupta S, Ahamed S, Shaikh AR, Koley M, Ghosh P, Mukherjee SK. Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Feasibility Trial. Homeopathy. 2024 Aug;113(3):158-166. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1771025
Raak et al., Hypericum perforatum to Improve Postoperative Pain Outcome After Monosegmental Spinal Sequestrectomy (HYPOS): Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Integr Complement Med. 2022 May;28(5):407-417. doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2021.0389
Shahid et al., Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Plantar Fasciitis: Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Homeopathy. 2022 Feb;111(1):22-30. doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1731383
Ghosh et al., 2021. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med. Jun 3. doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0512
Yakir et al., 2019. A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Randomized Trial with Individualized Homeopathic Treatment Using a Symptom Cluster Approach in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome. Homeopathy. Nov;108(4):256-269. DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1691834
Guess G. 2023. The Homeopathic Approach to the Treatment of Acute Herpes Zoster. Altern Ther Health Med. Jul;29(5):90-96. http://alternative-therapies.com/oa/index.html?fid=7763
Hamre HJ, Glockmann A, von Ammon K, Riley DS, Kiene H. Efficacy of homoeopathic treatment: Systematic review of meta-analyses of randomised placebo-controlled homoeopathy trials for any indication. Systematic Rev. 2023 Oct 7;12(1):191. doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02313-2
Hi Sarah, are you allowed to link or reference articles on what might help the sniffles, post nasal drip, and scratchy throat? I believe it pollen related as the flowers and trees are waking up? If not no worries. I take hot showers and get steamed up. It helps. Thanks!😊
What a wonderful inspiring post, Sarah. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise and evidence based wisdom 💙 🙏 I love the drawing! xx