# Homeopathic "medicines" now in drugstore **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 21, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860 "2013-10-21T20:17:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/61 "2013-10-23T13:02:59Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > I’m sorely tempted to buy a bottle of homeopathic sleeping pills and chug the whole thing on the way out the door. But (a) I’m not actually keen on being that big a jerk to the CVS staff, and (b) until I managed to convince someone that I _knew_ the pills were harmless, I might be vulnerable to a psych hold for attempting suicide. Wouldn’t last long (psych nurses and doctors aren’t dumb), but it wouldn’t be fun, either. [It’s already been done](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10:23_campaign) (sort of), [with predictable results.](http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/1023/page/2/) ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/62 "2013-10-23T13:50:30Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > You guys are behind the times. I have unlimited free homeopathic medicine available for use in my house 24/7. Really? What I get is too high in Ca, Na, Fe, and Cl, especially Cl, to constitute true homeopathic medicine. Probably some other things too. But certainly not distilled water. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/63 "2013-10-23T13:56:10Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > At the outset, I will say there’s lack(or absence) of scientific proof. > The evidence is the number of people who got cure or stabilized or felt improvements with homeo, especially in allergies, blood related or nerve disorders. > The obvious criticism is the extreme dilution. But the undiluted form/mother tincture form is also commonly prescribed. > There are 100s of homeo remedies. I know a couple that were used by someone I know - Hypericum(St Johns Wart - it has SSRI anti-depressants) and Passiflora(for insomnia - pls read [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora#Medical_and_entheogenic_uses)) . \*Definite \*improvements were felt using these two in the patient. Placebo effect. The funny thing is that most of my illnesses eventually end, mostly with no treatment. The ones that don’t are chronic. No evidence means no evidence better than the placebo effect. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/64 "2013-10-23T14:47:27Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > [It’s already been done](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10:23_campaign) (sort of), [with predictable results.](http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/1023/page/2/) [Your links have given me a great idea!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=705766) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/65 "2013-10-23T15:14:30Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > [It’s already been done](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10:23_campaign) (sort of), [with predictable results.](http://www.merseysideskeptics.org.uk/category/1023/page/2/) So I thought it’d be fun appropriate since it is 10/23 (in the US at least) to have a little overdose party today. I just got back from Walgreens and could not find a single box or bottle of homeopathic sleeping pills. The perverse selection now has substitute words such as “all-natural” and “dietary supplement”. In fact, it’s funny. ALL of the non-drug sleep aids had the words “dietary supplement” on them as though it’s right up there with getting your carbs and proteins. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/66 "2013-10-23T16:06:41Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > Placebo effect. The funny thing is that most of my illnesses eventually end, mostly with no treatment. The ones that don’t are chronic. No evidence means no evidence better than the placebo effect. [Medicinal uses of Passiflora](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora#Medical_and_entheogenic_uses)(which was prescribed in undiluted form) > [@](#): > > P. incarnata (maypop) leaves and roots have a long history of use among Native Americans in North America and were adapted by the European colonists. The fresh or dried leaves of maypop are used to make a tea that is used to treat insomnia, hysteria, and epilepsy, and is also valued for its analgesic properties.[12] P. edulis (passion fruit) and a few other species are used in Central and South America for similar purposes. Once dried, the leaves can also be smoked. > Many species have been found to contain beta-carboline harmala alkaloids,[13][14] which are MAO inhibitors with anti-depressant properties.[medical citation needed] The flower and fruit have only traces of these chemicals, but the leaves and the roots are often more potent and have been used to potentiate the effects of mind-altering drugs.[citation needed] The most common of these alkaloids is harman (1-methyl-9H-β-carboline), but harmaline (4,9-dihydro-7-methoxy-1-methyl-3H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole), harmalol (1-methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydropyrido[3,4-b]indol-7-one), harmine (7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) and harmol[clarification needed] were found.[13][14] The species known to bear such alkaloids include: P. actinea, P. alata (winged-stem passion flower), P. alba, P. bryonioides (cupped passion flower), P. caerulea (blue passion flower), P. capsularis, P. decaisneana, P. edulis (passion fruit), P. eichleriana, P. foetida (stinking passion flower), P. incarnata (maypop), P. quadrangularis (giant granadilla), P. ruberosa, P. subpeltata and P. warmingii.[13][14] > Other compounds found in passion flowers are coumarins (e.g. scopoletin and umbelliferone), maltol, phytosterols (e.g. lutenin) and cyanogenic glycosides (e.g. gynocardin) which render some species, i.e. P. adenopoda, somewhat poisonous. Many flavonoids and their glycosides have been found in Passiflora, including apigenin, benzoflavone[disambiguation needed], homoorientin, 7-isoorientin, isoshaftoside, isovitexin (or saponaretin), kaempferol, lucenin, luteolin, n-orientin, passiflorine (named after the genus), quercetin, rutin, saponarin, shaftoside, vicenin and vitexin. Maypop, Blue Passion Flower (P. caerulea), and perhaps others contain chrysin, a flavone with confirmed anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory,[medical citation needed] and supposed aromatase inhibitor properties.[medical citation needed] Also documented to occur at least in some Passiflora in quantity are the hydrocarbon nonacosane and the anthocyanidin pelargonidin-3-diglycoside.[13][14][15] > As regards organic acids, the genus is rich in formic, butyric, linoleic, linolenic, malic, myristic, oleic and palmitic acids as well as phenolic compounds, and the amino acid α-alanine. Esters like ethyl butyrate, ethyl caproate, n-hexyl butyrate and n-hexyl caproate give the fruits their flavor and appetizing smell. Sugars, contained mainly in the fruit, are most significantly d-fructose, d-glucose and raffinose. Among enzymes, Passiflora was found to be rich in catalase, pectin methylesterase and phenolase.[13][14] > The medical utility of very few species of Passiflora has been scientifically studied.[14] In initial trials for treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, maypop extract performed as well as oxazepam but with fewer short-term side effects. It was recommended to follow up with long-term studies.[16] In another study performed on mice, it was shown that Passiflora alata has a genotoxic effect on cells, and further research was recommended before this one species is considered safe for human consumption.[17] > Passionflower herb (Passiflorae herba) from P. incarnata is official in the European Pharmacopoeia. The herbal drug should contain not less than 1.5% total flavonoids expressed as vitexin. It is used in sedative tea mixtures with other calming herbs. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/67 "2013-10-23T16:15:58Z")
Yeah, it’s the _diluted_ homeopathic version that we are saying is bullshit. Nobody is saying non-homeopathic herbal remedies are all bunk. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/68 "2013-10-23T16:19:54Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > [Medicinal uses of Passiflora](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora#Medical_and_entheogenic_uses)(which was prescribed in undiluted form) Totally off-topic. Care to talk about homeopathetic medicine, and leave the herbal remedy stuff for another thread? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/69 "2013-10-23T16:20:11Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > pls read this If you’re going to homeopathically dilute the word “please”, it should be no more than pl, and preferably . ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/70 "2013-10-23T16:21:38Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > They’ve been selling that Airborne junk for over a decade now. Oscillococcinum, made from a 200X dilution of duck heart and liver, has been available for many years too. And some people really swear it works. Placebo effect, anybody? There’s a homeopathic colic remedy that some parents swear by, and I believe that the flavoring is what’s really effective. IIRC, it’s licorice which does have some medicinal effects. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/71 "2013-10-23T16:22:06Z")
If a witch doctor hands someone an aspirin, does it somehow legitimize witch doctoring? ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/72 "2013-10-23T17:18:58Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Yeah, it’s the _diluted_ homeopathic version that we are saying is bullshit. Nobody is saying non-homeopathic herbal remedies are all bunk. The undiluted/mother tincture form is also commonly prescribed in homeopathy, so are the acceptable dilutions like 1x(1:10), 3x(1:1000). Like I said earlier, homeopaths have undiluted/1x/3x forms of most remedies with them.\* Thats all a part of homeopathy.\* I have been in agreement all along about the other common dilutions that they work as less as placebo. for eg. 3c=1: (100)^3 , 6c = 1: (100)^6 etc, these are all useless. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/73 "2013-10-23T17:29:57Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > The undiluted/mother tincture form is also commonly prescribed in homeopathy, so are the acceptable dilutions like 1x(1:10), 3x(1:1000). Like I said earlier, homeopaths have undiluted/1x/3x forms of most remedies with them.\* Thats all a part of homeopathy.\* > > I have been in agreement all along about the other common dilutions that they work as less as placebo. > for eg. 3c=1: (100)^3 , 6c = 1: (100)^6 etc, these are all useless. It’s still called undiluted when it’s just 1x/3x diluted? That’s the dumbest use of the English language I’ve seen in a while. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/74 "2013-10-23T17:37:46Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > It’s still called undiluted when it’s just 1x/3x diluted? That’s the dumbest use of the English language I’ve seen in a while. Your understanding is incorrect, I have referred to 1x/3x as dilutions which have a chance of working. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/75 "2013-10-23T17:41:03Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > Your understanding is incorrect, I have referred to 1x/3x as dilutions which have a chance of working. Either solution is still a twisted version of sympathetic magic so, no, it won’t work. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2013, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860/76 "2013-10-23T18:52:47Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > [Medicinal uses of Passiflora](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora#Medical_and_entheogenic_uses)(which was prescribed in undiluted form) :dubious: > [@Czarcasm](#): > > Totally off-topic. Care to talk about homeopathetic medicine, and leave the herbal remedy stuff for another thread? What happened to “I have no reason to obfuscate people”? :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeopathic-medicines-now-in-drugstore/671860.md?page=3)