Ministry to try homeopathy in Sing Buri to fight dengue

[Lite Beer]

Ministry to try homeopathy in Sing Buri to fight dengue
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry is thinking of implementing alternative therapy homeopathy in all districts of Sing Buri this year, after a report that it could boost the human's body immunity to fight dengue fever, an inspector-general at the ministry said.

Homeopathic medicines had been given to Sing Buri volunteer students from kindergarten to lower-secondary level in a 2012-13 trial and it yielded satisfactory results, said Dr Jakkriss Bhumisawasdi, director of the Inspector-General Region 4 Bureau of Inspection and Evaluation.

The number of dengue fever cases in Sing Buri have gone down, taking its rankings from No 67 in the country (with one death) in 2011 to No 76 in 2012. As there was a nationwide dengue fever outbreak in 2013, Sing Buri reported the country's lowest prevalence at 44.95 per 100,000 population.

Jakkriss said "homeopathy" was safe and low-cost and had been used in various countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, Australia, India and Malaysia.

Pilot project

Next, the system of medicine would be implemented in Region 4 Bureau's seven other provinces: Nakhon Nayok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Sara Buri and Ang Thong. If this one district per province pilot project went well, they would consider implementing it across the country, he said.

Sing Buri Hospital paediatrician Dr Wali Suwatthika said the preparation involved dissolving Eupatorium herbal pills in drinking water. Each child would be given 3cc of this tasteless water every three months. The trial, which began in July 2012, covered 4,250 children in Muang district and only four of them developed mild dengue fever in one year, while seven out of the district's 2,856 remaining kids who didn't get the medicine had dengue fever, in a more severe condition.

Thailand reported 150,934 dengue fever patients last year, double the previous year's number, and 133 deaths. As there is no vaccine for dengue fever, the Public Health Ministry used a combination of several measures, including the eradication of mosquito larva incubation grounds and a campaign for people to install mosquito nets.

-- The Nation 2014-03-16

[daoyai]

A couple weeks early for the April fools day article. Astounding lack of medical knowlege from the "public health ministry", Of all the quack therapies homeopathy is the best tested and soundly debunked crock of superstitious garbage available. Pathetic.

Edited March 16, 2014 by daoyai

[AyG]

Anyone with even a modicum of scientific knowledge knows that homoeopathy is bunkum. So, the question must be, who profits from the sale of the so-called "medicine"?

[sirineou]

They got to be kidding, do they even know what Homeopathy is?

Jakkriss said "homeopathy" was safe and low-cost and had been used in various countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, Australia, India and Malaysia.

Of course it is low cost, it is pure water.

It is a substance that has diluted in water or other medium so many times not even a molecule of the original substance remains in the solution.

[lemonjelly]

Medical use

The common names for the plants are all based on the previous usage of one species, Eupatorium perfoliatum, as an herbal medicine. Despite its name, boneset is not used to treat broken bones[1], instead the common name apparently derives from the herb's use to treat dengue fever, which was also called breakbone fever because of the pain that it caused. The name thoroughwort also comes from Eupatorium perfoliatum, and refers to the perfoliate leaves, in which the stem appears to pierce the leaf (i.e. go through, note that in older usage "thorough" was not distinguished from "through", compare for example the word thoroughfare).

Boneset, although poisonous to humans and grazing livestock, has been used in folk medicine,^[6] for instance to excrete excess uric acid which causes gout. Caution is advised when using boneset, since it contains toxic compounds that can cause liver damage.^{[citation needed]} Side effects include muscular tremors, weakness, and constipation; overdoses may be deadly.

[cloudhopper]

Shocking ignorance. Or maybe not so shocking. Wonder where this witch doctor went to school?

[keestha]

Placebo effect?

[AleG]

In case anyone is ambivalent over homeopathy, please see this talk by James Randi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWE1tH93G9U

And this is the Public Health Minister? to give an idea of what homeopathy is like it would be like Plodprasop plan of using boat propellers to push the flood waters downstream, but using a tea spoon pushing the water up stream and the smaller the spoon the better. That is how ridiculous homeopathy is.

It's a ludicrous "medicine", a health official proposing it should be sacked, stat.

Edited March 16, 2014 by AleG

[JusMe]

[sarcasm Alert]

Of course, they do realize that homeopathy will also prevent aids and pregnancy, so encourage lots of sexual activity in young people!

[geriatrickid]

I am at a loss to understand why this is being done. Although there is a historical use of Eupatorium perfoliatum to relieve the symptoms of dengue, I know of no clinical trials undertaken to demonstrate its preventative benefits. The one clinical trial that I am aware of was decades ago when it was compared to aspirin in the treatment of patients suffering from severe colds. (It wasn't any better.)

Why would anyone administer a drug, especially to children, in the absence of knowing its benefits? One should not be administering any substance of this kind without the informed consent and approval of the parents. This cannot be compared to proven vaccines and It is wrong in so many ways. I believe this is an unethical proposed undertaking.

[madmitch]

The UK, France, Switzerland and Belgium.

Homeopathy must work as there have been no dengue outbreaks in these countries.

[LukDod]

Ah, yes, it's Amazing Thailand in so many ways.
It has so many fine medical doctors, then were have this:

"Jakkriss said "homeopathy" was safe and low-cost and had been used in various countries including
the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, Australia, India and Malaysia"

And, some people in the above countries have likely tried as iridology, reflexology, aromatherapy, accupuncture,
magnetic therapy, collodial silver, reiki and other unproven or fraudulent medical practices to cure various
diseases and ailments.

If Jakkriss were to read any of the _ethical_, peer-reviewed, medical journals, he would find that
homeopathy is mere insubstantiated quackery.

[h90]

Anyone with even a modicum of scientific knowledge knows that homoeopathy is bunkum. So, the question must be, who profits from the sale of the so-called "medicine"?

Homoepathy shows very good results.....on the bank account....and that is the reason.

[notmyself]

[bagheera65]

I can't believe the amazingly stupid comments posted above... Does any of you, and i mean ANY OF YOU - ever studied of be healed with Homeopathy? And i don't mean to have take once or twice homeopathy pills but REALLY studied it during years and years? Obviously not, because if you did it like i did during the last thirty years you'll know that homeopathy is pure genius, and even a medicine closer to quanta physics than regular medicine as we know it. It's about time that homeopathy is introduced in Thailand as not only it can heal Dengue but also a lot of other diseases or problems more simple like the heat intolerance. And don't believe any of the supposed scientists telling you that homeopathy is bullshit it's their analysis which is. Believe me these guys NEVER tried homeopathy even once in their life! And by the way, Acupuncture is also a great medicine and it's a medicine at least 2000 years old, it was not invented yesterday.

What i can admit is someone saying "i'm sorry but from all what i've studied i can't see how Homeopathy can work". THAT would be fair, and objective. Because this is where all the problem is: they don't understand why it works because homeopathy seems to go against all known scientific current knowledge. Now, mark my words, folks: Homeopathy is so ahead of anything that science knows ( so far ) that when they'll find finally why it works it will revolutionize all others theories.

Nuff said'

[thepool]

I really hope that this is not true.

Dengue is a serious disease which if "treated" with sugar pills and "magic" water will result in more deaths.

[bagheera65]

I really hope that this is not true.

Dengue is a serious disease which if "treated" with sugar pills and "magic" water will result in more deaths.

It is NOT "sugar pills and magic water". The pills are sugar indeed but they've been through a high dilution of a product, depending of the disease. However what is WRONG in what they intend to do is to do it a preventive treatment. homeopathy works like genius WHEN the disease is here. But who knows, it'll be interesting to see if it works, used as preventive treatment...

And by the way, for those who thinks about the money question: homeopathy is probably the CHEAPEST medicine in the world, that's why the big laboratories developing medicines used in "classic medicine" ( antibiotics, etc... ) are fighting it.

[siampolee]

Dr Jakkriss Bhumisawasdi, director of the Inspector-General Region 4 Bureau of Inspection and Evaluation.

Note that it also cures the affliction of deafness and no doubt other ear infections too.

Bet Chalerms down for a crate or two of this miracle cure.

Edited March 16, 2014 by siampolee

[bagheera65]

To siampolee about the picture posted above:

And so, what? Did you EVER took homeopathy pills before? If you never did, it simply means that you're talking about something you don't know anything about, it's just a s simple as that.

Edited March 16, 2014 by bagheera65

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I really hope that this is not true.

Dengue is a serious disease which if "treated" with sugar pills and "magic" water will result in more deaths.

It is NOT "sugar pills and magic water". The pills are sugar indeed but they've been through a high dilution of a product, depending of the disease. However what is WRONG in what they intend to do is to do it a preventive treatment. homeopathy works like genius WHEN the disease is here. But who knows, it'll be interesting to see if it works, used as preventive treatment...

And by the way, for those who thinks about the money question: homeopathy is probably the CHEAPEST medicine in the world, that's why the big laboratories developing medicines used in "classic medicine" ( antibiotics, etc... ) are fighting it.

OK but the question has to be asked .

Are you willing to be "protected" with "magic" and then exposed, under laboratory conditions, to all 5 serotypes of Dengue ?

Then once suffering the disease only accept "magic" water and sugar pills by way of treatment ?

Are you able to produce a single shred of evidence for your claims (only scientific, peer reviewed articles published in reputable scientific journals will count )

Edited March 16, 2014 by thepool

[siampolee]

bagheera65 post # 19

To siampolee about the picture posted above:

And so, what? Did you EVER took homeopathy pills before? If you never did, it simply means that you're talking about something you don't know anything about, it's just a s simple as that.

I am 68 years old and in fine health, not had to consult a doctor more than 6 times in my life apart from my yearly medical which is always positive in its results.

If I was in need of treatment for the delights of dengue I would much prefer a tried and proven course of medication as opposed to some jollop dispensed by some character wearing bones through it nose and living in a dream world.

Nip back to your dried bats wings and toads eyes,, tiger and bear penis powders etc and cure thyself

Edited March 16, 2014 by siampolee

[brit1984]

@ bagheera65

please feel free to post the best peer-reviewed academic paper that you have come across during those 30 years you've been "studying" homepathy, that provides any evidence of homepathy's medical benefits

[thepool]

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@ bagheera65

please feel free to post the best peer-reviewed academic paper that you have come across during those 30 years you've been "studying" homepathy, that provides any evidence of homepathy's medical benefits

Especially those which demonstrate "magic" protects from or cures Dengue !

[marstons]

Maybe some ministry should get into the root cause of the problem and starting talking to the Americans how the control mosquitoes in places like Florida. But then again health ministry probably knows more in their minds than any developed nation.

[siampolee]

bagheera65 post # 15

Now, mark my words, folks: Homeopathy is so ahead of anything that science knows ( so far ) that when they'll find finally why it works it will revolutionize all others theories.

Nuff said'

Look at that which you wrote in your post. It proves that the whole issue of the treatment by homeopathy is of no value at all.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

bagheera65 post # 15

Now, mark my words, folks: Homeopathy is so ahead of anything that science knows ( so far ) that when they'll find finally why it works it will revolutionize all others theories.

Nuff said'

Look at that which you wrote in your post. It proves that the whole issue of the treatment by homeopathy is of no value at all.

The "proof" will be available when bagheera65 cures him/her self of haemorragic dengue or any other serious disease process with magic water and sugar pills.

The reality is that these people run to the doctor when they have big toe ache !

[brit1984]

guys - for those of you who have no clue what homeopathy is, there is a good introduction on the NHS (National Health Service for the UK) website... www.nhs.uk/conditions/Homeopathy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

if there was any one entity in the world that could benefit from a cost saving new medicine, it would be the NHS but their position on this is very clear...

"There has been extensive investigation of the effectiveness of homeopathy. There is no good-quality evidence that homeopathy is effective as a treatment for any health condition"

[bagheera65]

@ bagheera65

please feel free to post the best peer-reviewed academic paper that you have come across during those 30 years you've been "studying" homepathy, that provides any evidence of homepathy's medical benefits

I was waiting for this one! Listen, life is simple and science too. And science is all about experiment, and experiment, and experiment again and again. You want to know the truth about Homeopathy? Just try it ( only when you need it , when you're sick of course ) or if you don't want , if you prefer to continue to, as i always say, "to talk about a movie that you've never seen" then go ahead, i don't mind and i'm not going to loose a single second of my life to try to explain something to people who obviously have decided that it's simply bullshit , even if they've NEVER experienced it before. What a great scientific attitude.....

[Shamrock 1234]

I am amazed to read the prejudiced and ill formed dismissal of homeopathy here. Have the detractors ever taken any time to look into its wonderful power. The British Royal family amongst many other well know people are keen proponents of its healing power. I am amazed,too, to read the strident dismissal of the placebo effect. Where are you people coming from? Haven't the detractors realized that science took a quantum leap thanks to the work of Einstein and others.way back in the early twentieth century? We no longer liver in the mechanistic Universe of Newton, Darwin and Descartes but in a world of quarks and bozons where atoms can be both particles and waves! Everything is energy, and to see the awesome power of that energy we need look no further than the horrific atomic explosions that obliterated the towns on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The Chinese were the first to talk about energy cures when Yellow Emperor's book of healing showed that energy flowed through the body via the meridian system. This appeared 2,500 years ago and gave rise to the science of acupuncture.. Homeopathy is also a form of energy healing. All these modalities are far older than the current drug based medical treatments. The linear thinking behind this treatment is that for illness to occur something is lacking, so we give a chemical medicine that makes up for the missing component.. It does not take into account the holistic nature of a quantum perspective of the human body. Histamine is released by the body as a precursor to inflammation. This creates great pores in the surface of the arterial system. The result is a rash if you fall into a nettle patch. If histamine, however, enters the brain it stimulates thinking and motor activity. That's a very different reaction. That example explains why all pharmaceutical medications have side effects. Homeopathic remedies do not cause side effects. There are more than 20,000 homeopathic remedies; select the correct remedy at the correct potency and it will always work. Choose the wrong remedy and nothing happens! The irate dismissal of the amazing healing power of homeopathy comes from close minded blind prejudice that is deliberately fostered to protect the financial interests of the pharmaceutical industry but does little to improve the overall health of the population of this planet

[Chicog]

Maybe some ministry should get into the root cause of the problem and starting talking to the Americans how the control mosquitoes in places like Florida. But then again health ministry probably knows more in their minds than any developed nation.

Do they have Dengue in Florida? Or Malaria? Or any other serious Mosquito-borne disease?