For all the folks who believe in the value of homeopathy -- an alternative form of medicine developed in Germany more than 200 years ago based on the principles of similars and dilutions -- there are just as many patients and health professionals who are adamantly against it and, often, loudly so.

Yes, the naysayers have good points: According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, research on the safety of homeopathic treatments has been limited and the science behind them isn't consistent or logical. That said, I bet many of them will be surprised to learn that the true benefit of homeopathy -- similar to acupuncture or the placebo effect -- isn't in the remedies dispensed but the consultative process for patients, according to a recent study.

Researchers at the University of Southampton came to appreciate the mind-body benefits of homeopathy while monitoring the health of 83 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who participated in a series of homeopathic consultations over 24 weeks while continuing with their conventional treatments.

Interestingly, both physicians and patients reported significant reductions in many RA symptoms, including pain reduction, better moods and less swelling, leading scientists to conclude -- separate from homeopathic remedies -- that it's the consultation process focused on the patient and not on the "disease of the day" that made all the difference.

These results say very loudly -- to me anyway -- that the way a doctor works with his/her patient to promote better health is just as important as the prescriptions they may or may not write during their consultations. Besides, we've seen what happens when doctors don't communicate very well…

Rheumatology November 13, 2010 Free Full Text Study

The Telegraph November 14, 2010

ScienceDaily November 15, 2010