Homeopathy is considered to be the fastest growing branch of medicine in the world, and after traditional medicine, the most widely used. Nevertheless, despite its safe use over the past 200 years, it remains a controversial topic for skeptics who claim that homeopathy is “quackery” and a “waste of money.
Often mistaken for phytotherapy, homeopathy is a unique medical system that treats the whole body-not just the symptoms of disease–using the “law of likeness.
According to this practice, the patient is given a minimal dose of a substance that causes the same symptoms in a healthy person, and this exposure subsequently induces the body’s immune system to heal itself.
However, the exact effect of homeopathy remains a mystery and numerous scientific studies have failed to find evidence of its effectiveness; the positive results observed by homeopathic patients are attributed to the so-called placebo effect – when belief in the healing abilities of a remedy actually makes the patient feel better.
While this age-old debate rages on, millions of people continue to use homeopathy successfully, and many more learn about it when conventional medicine has failed them.
Pop star Cher
Oscar-winning actress and pop star Cher credits homeopathy for curing a debilitating viral infection that struck her in 1987 and manifested itself in chronic fatigue and bouts of pneumonia.
“I was taking the usual medications, and they just weren’t working. Doctors said this disease was all in my head. People thought I was crazy,” the star recalled.
“Then I went to a Sikh homeopathic doctor, almost desperate. He started prescribing homeopathic remedies with herbs and vitamin therapy. Many doctors at the time did not believe in all this. Four months later he lifted me up again and brought me back to life.”
The star backed the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital in 2004 after seeing TV reports that the government had slashed the health budget by 58 million pounds and threatened to close the hospital.
Supermodel Cindy Crawford
Supermodel Cindy Crawford said on the Oprah Winfrey show that homeopathic medicine is a must in her life.
“I’m the doctor in our family, and I’m a big fan of homeopathy,” the mother of two children told Oprah.
“If the kids are with me, I always take it with me,” she explained, showing a plastic kit containing small vials of homeopathic emergency medicine. Cindy said she takes these medicines with her for bee stings, mosquito bites and bruises. “You need five of these little balls,” she said, adding that they “taste sweet, so kids agree to take them.”
“I don’t think I would be here today if it weren’t for homeopathic medicine. I was sick with Epstein-Barr virus, which led to chronic fatigue, and I couldn’t work effectively for two years,” she told the Scottish Sunday Mail in an exclusive interview.
Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt
For years, the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, was a patient of German sports physician Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt. He first visited the doctor, who also uses homeopathy, at his Munich clinic as a teenager.
“I’ve been coming here since I was 16,” the world record holder in the 100-meter dash recently told a news conference in Munich. “We’ve been working together for a long time. Every time I have a problem, he always gives good advice and treatment. He is the best in his field. We are very close,” Bolt said, adding that he also receives “vitamin injections and medications.”
Bolt was born with scoliosis, a curvature of his lower spine, making him more vulnerable to back pain and injury.
Dr. Mueller-Wolfart is a world leader in the treatment of sports injuries and is well known for his holistic approach. Although traditionally trained in medicine and orthopedics, his treatment includes manual diagnosis as well as herbal and homeopathic remedies and acupuncture.
The basis of his treatment is what he calls “infiltration,” where homeopathic remedies and other substances are injected into the site of injury to eliminate pain and accelerate healing.
Other famous patients include Paula Radcliffe, Kelly Holmes, Tyson Gay, Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Boris Becker. He is also a doctor for the German national soccer team and FC Bayern Munich.
Actress Pamela Anderson
Model and actress, Pamela Anderson, best known for her role on “Baywatch,” was infected with hepatitis C in 2002 and believes that homeopathic treatment helps her stay well today. She reported her illness to the media, saying that she contracted the serious liver disease by exchanging needles with her ex-husband, rock musician Tommy Lee.
At first she was very worried and even predicted that she would die of the disease in ten years. But then she started seeing a homeopathic doctor in Los Angeles. Her health improved dramatically and her optimism returned:
“It was very, very scary in the beginning and it was undermining my strength,” she told a reporter in 2004. “But now I’m healthy. I just had my liver checked, and its condition has stayed the same or improved a little over the last few years. I feel fine. I am convinced that my homeopathic medicine is keeping me strong.”
Her homeopath, Wendy Hjulland, told US Weekly magazine that she “prepared a special remedy for Pam,” which Anderson takes as an alternative treatment.
Singer-songwriter Paul McCartney
Former member of The Beatles and singer-songwriter Paul McCartney is a big fan of homeopathy. “I can’t do without homeopathy. In fact, I never go anywhere without homeopathic remedies. I use them a lot,” he says. He was introduced to homeopathy by his wife Linda, who saw its great effects when she couldn’t get rid of her tonsillitis.
When she was first diagnosed with tonsillitis, she was prescribed a course of antibiotics, which only temporarily relieved her condition – her symptoms soon returned. However, when she went to a homeopathic doctor, her symptoms not only disappeared quickly; they never returned.
Rock and roll queen Tina Turner
Multiple award-winning and “Queen of Rock and Roll” Tina Turner suffered from tuberculosis in the mid-1970s and was cured only after receiving homeopathic treatment.
She was treated traditionally at first, but kept getting sick until she visited Dr. Chandra Sharma, a homeopathic physician in England. She was cured in six weeks and reportedly, through homeopathic therapy, was able to maintain the high energy level of musical action for which she is still famous today.
She considered him her physician and friend and continued to take various homeopathic prescriptions and natural medicines until his death.
In her autobiography, “I, Tina,” the star recalls how her abusive husband, Ike Turner, forced her to perform even when she was seriously ill with tuberculosis.
“The binge lifestyle wore me out, dietary changes and homeopathy saved me. I thank my homeopathic doctor for giving me back my health…”
Tina continues to be treated with homeopathy by Dr. Sharma’s son, Rajandra, who was his follower and continues his work.
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones
Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is perhaps best known for her role in “Chicago,” for which she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2003. The role as Velma required singing and dancing – and the particularly intense dance moments in the film did the trick:
“I trained for six weeks, which was incredibly tough, but I knew that this effort would be captured in the film for the rest of my life,” Zeta-Jones told the Daily Mail. “It took me a long time to learn how to swing, and I had to take long hot salt baths afterwards.”
She also credits homeopathy for treating pain and bruises. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she mentioned how arnica became her best friend on the set of “Chicago.”
“There was no pain when I took arnica. It takes away the bruises, honey.”
Actress Monica Bellucci
Italian actress and model Monica Bellucci relies on natural remedies to maintain her youthful appearance and says she will use homeopathy first before trying hormone therapy as menopause approaches.
“Menopause? I’m psychologically ready, and I’m not afraid,” the 47-year-old star recently told the Italian edition of Vanity Fair.
“I’m a big proponent of homeopathy. I will try natural remedies first and only then decide if I need traditional hormone therapy,” she said.
She added that she is not afraid of the aging process and would rather enter adulthood elegantly than undergo cosmetic surgery. “Wrinkles are better than facial plastics.”
Actress Kim Catroll
Kim Catroll, well known for her award-winning role as Samantha on “Sex and the City,” was first introduced to homeopathy when she lived in Frankfurt, Germany in the eighties.
Her favorite homeopathic remedy is Arnica and a cold and flu remedy called Ocillococcinum.
“Arnica! I love her! I use it all the time because I get bruises easily,” she told the Los Angeles Daily News. – I take Ocillo too, I love it! I lived in Germany, and that’s why I know about homeopathic medicines.”
Interestingly, her character Samantha in Sex and the City is also a supporter of homeopathy. In “Sex and the City 2,” she appears everywhere with a backpack full of homeopathic pills and creams to curb hot flashes and reduce libido.
“Homeopathy cures a higher percentage of cases than any other method of treatment and is without doubt safer and more economical, and the most complete medical science” – Mahatma Gandhi.
The Roshan family – Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan, Pinky Roshan, Suzanne Roshan – use Homeopathic medicines
Farhan Akhtar, Dabbo Malik, Zoya Akhtar, Hani Irani, Manoj Bajpai – use Homeopathic medicines.
Singer – “Shaan” uses homeopathic medicines.
Actor Govinda’s wife and daughter use homeopathic medicines.
Actor-wrestler Mr. Dara Singh uses homeopathic medicines.
Legendary actor and father of Indian cinema Ashok Kumar, in addition to being an actor, was a practicing homeopath.
Hollywood actress Liz Hurley and Madonna take Bach flower remedies for their emotional well-being.
The former president of India, the Venerable Gyanee Zail Singh, took homeopathic medicines, Dr. KPS Bakshi.
Mrs. Uma Bharti, a well-known politician and indefatigable speaker, takes homeopathic remedies for her sore throat.
In England, the Royal Family has been taking homeopathy regularly since the 1830s. Today, Queen Elizabeth II is a trustee of the famous Royal London Homeopathic Clinic, and Prince Charles is known to take homeopathic remedies with him whenever he travels.
Guy Gaer Lewes, Ph.D. (twice winner of the National Science Fiction Award) said that “Homeopathy is a highly developed medical practice that takes a systematic approach to holistic human health. Anyone seeking a fuller understanding of health and healing will find homeopathy extremely important and applicable.”
Famous people who like to gamble
Casino gambling is one of the favorite hobbies of movie and pop stars. Today, it’s no secret that many Hollywood residents are regulars in Las Vegas gambling houses and famous casinos in Europe. Ben Affleck, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr. and many other world-famous stars have been spotted at the green boughs and slot machines. And George Clooney is rumored to be planning to open his own casino, Las Ramblas, but for now he is a co-owner of a casino in Las Vegas. Clooney is said to be very strict when it comes to gambling. He has a dress-code only entrance to his place, so even the most powerful clients can’t count on any indulgences.
Rumor has it that Ben Affleck excels at playing cards and paying attention to online slots. However, his professionalism in this arena, he demonstrated in 2004. Then Affleck won the prestigious California card tournament, held annually by Commerce Casino. At that tournament, Affleck managed to beat “Spider-Man” Tobey Maguire, known as an ardent poker fan. Actress Jennifer Tilly, who starred in “Bullets Over Broadway,” “The Doors,” and “Liar, Liar, Liar,” is also a poker fan. At a tournament in 2005, she won a $158.6 million prize and won a World Series of Poker bracelet.