Saturday Quack – Malaria Prevention and Homeopathy

Although homeopathy does no good, at least it does no harm, right? But it does if you’re using homeopathy to avoid malaria when you visit countries where it is common. BBC2 television had a program that explored this angle. A researcher went to Nelsons Pharmacy, Britain 's largest manufacturer of homeopathic remedies, and asked what they recommended for malaria. Even when the researcher said she planned to go to Malawi - a high risk area - Nelsons only suggested the addition of garlic, oil of citronella and vitamins, rather than a visit to the doctor. The Nelsons adviser told her that the homeopathic compounds would protect her. "They make it so your energy doesn't have a malaria-shaped hole in it so the malarial mosquitoes won't come along and fill that in."

British homeopathic societies, when asked, denied that their organizations promote the view that homeopathy can be used to prevent malaria. That’s probably also the case for US homeopathic societies. But that’s not the point. At the place where the patient/customer seeks advice, they get a sales pitch for a product that won’t work. Malaria nosodes 30C are made from “African swamp water containing impurities, algae, and plants, as well as mosquito slough, larvae and eggs”. Fortunately it’s diluted so much that there’s none of them left in the pill that you take. And they’re only about $20 a bottle.

For intrepid travelers who are also homeopathic believers, there’s a popular book that should answer all questions: “Browsing through the book, one can imagine being wracked with fever in an Amazon hammock desperately turning pages with shaking fingers, or at a quaint Paris bistro graciously recommending a particular wine that may settle the stomach of a traveling companion”, says a reviewer.