CBC's Marketplace examines homeopathy in the Jan. 14, 2011, episode.
Homeopathic remedies take an ingredient — from a plant, animal or mineral — and dilute it repeatedly with water. The theory is that water retains the memory of the original ingredient. Practitioners say the more dilutions there are, the stronger the remedy.
Critics say homeopathic treatments do nothing, putting people in danger as they delay getting conventional medical treatments. Supporters counter that it works on everything from headaches to cancer, even if they can't explain why.
CBC asked a chemist with the University of Toronto to analyze two popular homeopathic remedies. Watch the full Marketplace investigation to see the results.
Download Flash Player to view this content.
Share Tools
Big Box Advertisement
Top News Headlines
- Search continues for 2 missing New Brunswick fishermen
- A search effort has resumed for two missing fishermen off the coast of New Brunswick, after a distress call was issued from their boat early Saturday. more »
- Jeep driver apologizes after stunt kills Edmonton woman
- A man claiming to be the driver of a Jeep that struck and killed a spectator at a charity event in Edmonton says he is sorry for what happened. more »
- Senior Pakistani politician shot dead
- Gunmen in Pakistan have killed a senior member of Imran Khan's Movement for Justice (PTI) party outside her home in Karachi. more »
- Virginia parade crash driver likely had medical problem
- Authorities believe the driver who plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Virginia mountain town parade suffered from a medical condition and did not cause the crash intentionally, an emergency official said Sunday. more »
Must Watch
Latest Health News Headlines
- Should genetic testing for cancer be available to all Canadians?
- The revelation that Hollywood celebrity Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy as a preventative measure against cancer stoked heated discussion this past week, but one prominent cancer researcher says it demonstrates the need to make genetic testing available to all Canadians. more »
- Antipsychotic drugs recalled
- Health Canada says three companies are voluntarily recalling all lots of the antipsychotic drug quetiapine. more »
- Diane-35's benefit as acne drug outweigh risks, Health Canada finds
- The benefits of Diane-35, an acne drug that is prescribed as birth control, outweigh its risks, Health Canada says. more »
- Tenderized beef to get new safe-cooking labels
- Federally registered meat plants will be required to put new labels on tenderized beef in order to make it safer for consumers, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says. more »
FEATURED HEALTH
- Harper chief of staff resigns amid Senate expense scandal
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- Car drives into crowd at Virginia parade
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford cancels weekly radio show
- Email is proof Senate greenlit expenses, Brazeau says
- Senior Pakistani politician shot dead
- Winning ticket sold in Florida for $590M Powerball jackpot
- Rescue attempt over for New Brunswick fishermen
- Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life
