Proving that homeopathy works for hayfever

In my nearly 10 years as a homeopath I’ve had my most satisfying results treating people for hayfever. I reckon I have an 80-90 per cent success rate in easing symptoms (significantly easing them!), and sometimes I can get rid of them completely. People who’ve been walking balls of itching and irritation for years are often astounded that they can actually live a normal life. If I treat someone for more than one season, there is a possibility of eradicating their hayfever altogether.

But I would say that, wouldn’t I?! You have every right to be doubtful…

Good clinical proof that homeopathy is more than just placebo is a bit thin on the ground and, yes, I know there’s been a lot of adverse publicity that homeopathic remedies are nothing but sugar pills. So this year I’ve decided to put my money where my mouth is and prove it! I’m going to show that homeopathy is a highly effective way of treating people with hayfever by conducting a study at Boldre Homeopathic Practice.

Anyone coming for hayfever treatment in 2012 will be invited to take part in my mini-trial. In return for half-price monthly consultations* all you will be asked to do is take the remedies I prescribe and fill in a form at each appointment, reporting back on your symptoms.

The protocol I’ll be using to collate the results is a MYMOP questionnaire, which is a method of publishing medical studies used and respected by academics and the medical profession. It’s a simple form where you grade the improvement (or not) in all your symptoms – with MYMOP this is very much your view of how things have changed, not mine. I am hoping to recruit 100 people for the study.

Homeopathic treatment for hayfever involves:

• Being de-sensitised to the pollens that you are particularly susceptible to (this is best done pre-season, February onwards). I can diagnose whatever pollen it may be that’s giving you the problems – it may be grass, or trees, or plants, or weeds (or perhaps something quite unusual); pine is a particularly common irritant around the New Forest. De-sensitising you to these allergens early in the year raises your resistance to them once they’re in the air later. It works in a similar way to vaccination (but without the side effects): I give a miniscule dose of the pollen to you for a week, which helps build your immunity to it.
• Taking specific homeopathic remedies chosen to ease your particular symptoms. I have over 100 remedies to choose from for hayfever, so the person whose eyes puff up every time someone mows the lawn will receive a different pill from the one who itches for England or the one who sneezes non-stop.
• Attending monthly check-ups throughout your hayfever season.

It doesn’t matter what age you are to take part – homeopathy is perfectly safe for everyone, and my biggest successes for treating hayfever have always been with children. People can come onboard the study at any point, though best results are experienced if you are treated pre-season.

If you’re interested but want to find out more, I’m giving a talk on hayfever on 7 April, 10am-1pm at the clinic, for just £10 (bookable in advance). Do come and join us!

* SPECIAL OFFER: HALF-PRICE TREATMENT
Initial consultation: £30 for adults, £22.50 for children (incl remedies)

Follow-up appointments: £22.50 for adults, £17.50 for children (incl remedies)

De-sensitising: from £15 (but usually no more than £30)

For more information please contact Sue Leach on 01590 624020, e-mail: sue@NewForestHomeopathy.co.uk or visit www.NewForestHomeopathy.co.uk.