What are the Pros and Cons of Homeopathy for Children?

The use of homeopathy for children is usually associated with pros, but there are cons as well. Many people consider the fact that homeopathic treatments are natural as the primary pro. Some people may also appreciate the fact that harsh side effects are far less likely to occur with homeopathy. Likewise, these treatments often smell and taste better than traditional medicine options. When considering the cons of homeopathy for children, however, the chief issues are the fact that homeopathic treatments do not always work and may cause adverse effects.

One of the pros of homeopathy for children is the fact that it is natural. Many parents are leery of giving their children synthetic chemicals and substances that contain artificial flavorings and colorings. To many people, these kinds of substances may seem almost as harmful as the illness, injury, or condition they are trying to treat. For this reason, they work to protect the health of their children by opting for homeopathic treatments over those used in traditional medicine.

Another possible pro of using homeopathic medicines for children involves side effects. Often, traditional medicines cause gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Others may cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, drowsiness, confusion, sleep trouble, or even addiction. Some traditional medications have the ability to adversely affect a child’s nervous system or damage his liver. These issues are not usually a concern when it comes to homeopathic treatments for children, and homeopathic treatments are unlikely to prove addictive.

Often, parents also consider the taste of homeopathic treatments as among the pros of using them. In many cases, parents can find homeopathic treatments that do not have an unpleasant taste. They may even find some that both smell and taste good. This may allow parents to have an easier time administering medicines, as their children may be less likely to refuse them.

There are also some cons associated with homeopathy for children, such as the fact that some homeopathic medications may not work as well as expected. In some cases, an ineffective homeopathic treatment may put a child’s health at serious risk. For instance, if a child has a bacterial infection, his parents may opt to treat it with homeopathy. If the homeopathic treatment fails to work, however, the parents may have lost valuable time for treating the infection. In the time they spend trying homeopathic remedies, the bacteria may grow and multiply enough to cause serious health complications.

Another possible con of homeopathy for children is the potential for it to cause adverse health effects. Many people equate the word homeopathic with safe. Unfortunately, however, homeopathic treatments can cause side effects and allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, some homeopathic treatments may interfere with traditional treatments the patient is also taking.