Homeopathy in the therapy of acne and rosacea

Abstract

Homeopathy is a holistic system of integrative medicine that uses highly diluted doses of substances to achieve clinical effects. Despite some evidence for its efficacy, homeopathy remains controversial for many. Homeopathy is one of the commonest forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for outpatient skin conditions (37.9% of cases), being used by 2.1% of Americans and 27% of Germans. Acne and rosacea are among the commonest disorders treated with CAM. Homeopathic Zingiber officinale, Arctium lappa, Azadirachta indica, Tuberculinum, and Sulphur could be useful treatments for acne and acne scars. Individualized homeopathy using Lycopodium clavatum, Platinum metallicum, and Palladium metallicum may be efficacious acne therapy. Long-standing erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea responded to individualized homeopathic therapy in one case study using homeopathic Causticum, Lachesis muta and Lycopodium clavatum.