Med Anthropol Q. 1999 Mar; 13(1): 69-78.

Homeopathic medicine in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico: patients' perspectives and observations.

Whiteford MB.

Department of Anthropology, Iowa State University, USA.

This article looks at the growth and use of homeopathic medicine in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico. Based on interviews with 174 male and female patients from half of the homeopathic clinics in the city, this research examined attitudes toward disease causation and how one stays healthy. Findings suggest that women are better at monitoring and trying to improve their health than are their male counterparts. Although homeopathy enjoys a strong and almost devoted following, women seem to be more convinced of the overall efficacy of homeopathic medicine than do men.