Hawthorne Berry Extract is well know for it's use in treating arterial and heart problems. Was around long before Beta Blockers and the like. My cardiologist is happy that I use both. "Who knows which helps most" is his attitude.
Equally dandylion leaves boiled and made into a "Tea" are a very good diuretic and it is proven that Lettuce has a soporific effect as good as any non prescription sleeping pill.
All I am saying is "we don't know everything"
No, we don't know everything...
But dandelion and lettuce contain chemicals that can be extracted, tested and proven to have beneficial effects.
The very point of Homoeopathy is that chemicals (some prolly extracted from dandelion and lettuce) are diluted to the point where they don't actually exist in the solution. Moreover, scientific double-blind tests have proven that apart from the placebo effect a homoeopathic remedy is no better than tap water.
The point of the original post was to ask if a subject like homoeopathy should be taught in university (what do they do for three years FFS?) and carry the same qualification as one of the real science degrees?
Take your point about degrees completely and also the placebo effect (see my comment "If you think it does you good it probably does"). But then with regard to universities (and in particular the "uprated" polytechnics etc) ~ they offer degrees in almost anything. It is incumbent upon employers to dig a little deeper into what the BSc or BA is actually about. That said employers still like to see that a person has the ability to apply themselves to a three/four year course of non compulsory education no matter what the discipline. Anyone who chooses the so called "soft options" and the "fringe" qualifications still has to study and, perhaps more to the point, pay for the privilege. There is no such thing as a free ride at university any more. If they want to put themselves into hock to gain a qualification that is, in the opinion of many, a useless discipline good luck to 'em. That's what me Dad fought a war for ~ so that these people can do what they want with their lives and money.
Having a "qualified" (yes from Sussex University) Homeopath (Homoeopath if you prefer. OED says either is acceptable) for a cousin, I know she worked hard, they have to learn a f*ck of a lot of plant biology/recognition etc + Human physiology and such, as well as the right incantations to use when mixing their potions and spells. I dunno if it really works or if it should be a degree that she has (
Her BSc Hom seems to cover what it is for BTW) But I do know she paid out a lot for four years as a mature student and now makes a bloody fortune selling her "skills" in private practice.
Homeopathy is also available on the NHS so someone must think it has a place.
