On the efficacy of anthroposophical medicines

Abstract: Inspired by a German study of a herbal medicine, a questionnaire/semistructured interview technique was used to gather and collate the clinical experiences of medical practitioners prescribing anthroposophical medicines. 18 medicines emerged (Table 1) as having been observed to be efficacious with a high degree of certainty on the part of the doctor concerned, and this observation independently reported by at least three practitioners. The method included questions to test the practitioner's ability to be self critical regarding the results of his prescribing. A smaller number of medicines emerged where practitioners had questions about their efficacy as presently prepared and prescribed. Information on the indications and prescribing details of the medicines observed as efficacious was also gathered (Table 2) and observations regarding the side-effects of these medicines. Additionally, the practitioners were given the opportunity of commenting on the fundamental assumptions on which the study was based.

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