Scientists line up to attack Prince Charles' 'fixation' with alternative medicines

Prince Charles will not accept alternative medicine is of little benefit to patients because he is 'ideologically fixated', it was claimed today.

Homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy are ineffective in most cases, said science author Simon Singh.

Hundreds of studies had concluded that alternative medicine mostly does not work, but Prince Charles still backs these treatments because of his commitment to the natural world, he claimed.

Alternative: Acupuncture treatment which has come under fire from science author Simon Singh

Speaking at the Hay Festival in Kerala, India, Mr Singh said: ' ‘He [Charles] only wants scientific evidence if it backs up his view of the natural treatment of health conditions.



‘It’s a shame, because he’s so influential.’

In Trick or Treatment, a book he co-authored in 2008, Mr Singh examined more than 30 alternative medicine treatments and their effectiveness.

It was dedicated to the Prince after the heir to the throne publicly demanded more research to decide whether natural therapies worked.

Royal approval: Prince Charles at the NHS Gateway Clinic and Chinese Herbal Medicine Centre, in Lambeth, south London

Pill-popping: Vials containg pills for homeopathic remedies

The book – which he sent to Clarence House - claimed the outcome of alternative therapies when compared to conventional medicines was ‘dismal’.

But the Prince would not budge from his beliefs, Mr Singh told the festival, which is sponsored by the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Singh claimed Charles believed in climate change but did not understand it.

He said that whatever the evidence the Prince would be in favour of combating climate change, but if there wasn’t evidence he would not change his mind

He added: 'I’m sure he doesn’t understand the science behind it.’

The Prince, whose profitable Duchy of Cornwall farms grow organic food, has also spoken out against the development of genetically modified crops.

Mr Singh blames the growing alternative medicine industry partially on celebrity endorsements, including the Prince.

He revealed his doubts about acupuncture by taking a handful of homeopathic insomnia pills on stage.

‘You’ll fall asleep before I do,’ he said to the audience and accused alternative medicine practitioners of effectively hoodwinking patients by giving them 'sugar pills'.