Homeopathy as an effective solution against antibiotic resistance
ÖGVH President Dr Petra Weiermayer calls for an integrative medical approach in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Vienna (OTS) – The problem of Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is huge: according to expert estimates, antibiotic resistance could cost more lives than cancer by 2050 – if no action is taken. “This is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by all medical therapies working together. As an effective and cost-effective treatment method, homeopathy must, therefore, be used as a valuable supplement to conventional medicine,” explained Dr Petra Weiermayer, President of the ÖGVH, during her lecture (English version, German version) on the European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).
The symposium was organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection on 18 Nov 2019 in its Festsaal. International and national experts discussed the threat to public health, but also possible measures to curb antimicrobial resistance. “We must drastically reduce the use of antibiotics, not only in humans but also in livestock farming,” warned Weiermayer. The great benefit of homeopathy can be seen in organic farming. For several years, the EU organic regulation has required the preferential use of homeopathy and phytotherapy in organic farms. And it turns out that veterinarians with complementary medical training prescribe significantly fewer antibiotics than their conventional colleagues – with the same success! “But the use of homeopathy in livestock farming has even more advantages,” summarized the specialist veterinarian, “there is no residue and inhibitor problem, which has a lasting positive effect on humans, animals and the environment. Apart from that, there is no waiting time and therefore no financial loss for the farmer – and homeopathic treatment is also less expensive than the use of antibiotics”.
In its strategy paper Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014 – 2023, the WHO also calls for the inclusion of integrative medicine in national health systems. Weiermayer: “As early as 2012, an Australian report showed promising evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy in various indications. Since then, the evidence has been confirmed many times,” and thus the ÖGVH President presented studies and EU research projects that show that homeopathic remedies can be effective in the treatment of bacterial infections in combination with antibiotics or as sole therapy. “For it is not a question of either-or between conventional and complementary approaches to healing, but working together both ways. It is also about freedom of choice and diversity in health care. All this applies to people, animals and agriculture. The basic prerequisite for the effectiveness of homeopathy, however, is the individual selection of the remedy by appropriately trained homeopathic veterinarians,” emphasized Weiermayer.
Find the press release here
Health news related to Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Do you want to stay informed about health news in relation to CAM?
