By Cathy Wong
Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND 
Updated on February 10, 2021

Homeopathy has been touted as one of the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches in the management of cancer, but it has not been proven to treat cancer.(1) Homeopathic treatments may provide some relief from the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, although this has not been unequivocally proven either.(2)

Homeopathic medicine (or homeopathy) is a type of alternative medicine based on a belief that an illness can be cured by ingesting a substance that is known to elicit symptoms typical of that very illness—a philosophy of "like cures like." Homeopathic remedies are derived from plants, herbs, minerals, and animal products.

Complementary medicine (CM) is used by one third to one half of cancer patients throughout the world.(3)

Homeopathic Remedies for Cancer

Homeopathic remedies are organic substances that have been so highly diluted that there are very few molecules of the original substance remaining.

For cancer, homeopathic practitioners aim to stimulate immunity, lessen pain, and improve energy and overall well-being, especially if a person is grappling with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation such as nausea, hot flashes, infections, and sores.(4)

Homeopathic products are dosed by sugar pellets containing the diluted substance, and they are placed under the tongue or used as drops, tablets, gels, creams, and ointments. Treatments are tailored to individuals, so it’s common for two people with the same condition to receive different treatments.

Symptom Management

Homeopathy may hold an allure for people hoping to avoid the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. (5)

In a research review published in 2009, scientists examined eight studies using homeopathic remedies in the treatment of cancer treatment-related side effects.4 One suggested that Traumeel S (a mouth rinse containing several homeopathic medicines) may alleviate mouth sores caused by chemotherapy. However, the review's authors also found that homeopathic remedies had no benefit over placebo in several of the studies.

In 2011, an observational study found that homeopathic treatments did improve the quality of life for some cancer patients. (6) There also has been research suggesting that mistletoe, a semiparasitic evergreen shrub used in some homeopathic preparations, may help some cancer patients better tolerate chemotherapy. (7)