Should the popularity, political expediency or profit potential of a medicine determine our support of it? That’s how a surprising number of our public health guidelines, regulations, health benefits, and even curriculums in medical and nursing schools are decided. Do we want to go to a healthcare provider whose advise and prescriptions for us are based on their popularity and ability to make extra money for them? Or do we want to trust that our provider is giving us honest advice and therapies with proven efficacy?

And as medical professionals, is it ethical to endorse and put credentials behind modalities that lack reproducible, clinical and scientific evidence — or even plausible, rational explanations in proven biophysical science — simply because patients may want them or offering them can bring in extra revenue? Or would that be taking advantage of people and betraying their trust?

These are dicey questions and confront all of us daily in mainstream medicine and public health. But complementary alternative medicines may most challenge us to think about them.

A recent story from Switzerland highlighted how we’re often led by popular beliefs rather than science when it comes to making health decisions. Homeopathy has been a hot button issue there, as supporters of alternative preparations try to force officials to pay for them under their country’s compulsory health insurance. Last year, after investigating the evidence, the interior ministry found homeopathy therapies “failed to meet the criteria on efficacy, suitability and cost-effectiveness” under their law. But the science proved no deterrent and supporters gathered signatures and petitions to force it to a popular vote giving, as SwissInfo reported, “rational voters a headache.” Health agencies around the world, from Ontario to Scotland are considering including homeopathy and other alternative modalities among recognized medical professional services.

Homeopathic products have become popular here in America , too, as sales have reached $400 million a year, according to Grant Ferrier, editor of Nutrition Business Journal. But a surprising number of people, both professionals and consumers, don’t understand what they are and only know what they’ve heard from friends or advertisements. The most common situation I encounter is that many people think they’re natural, holistic medications, and confuse them with herbs and supplements that may have some active ingredient. Even if you think you understand homeopathic preparations, the following information may come as a surprise.

