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Homeopathy on the crossroads of traditional and integrative medicine in the Middle-East

  • Homeopathy and Integrative Medicine
  • Published:
Journal of Medicine and the Person

Abstract

The Middle-East is characterized by a rich spectrum of complementary and traditional medicine therapies, which are used by patients in parallel with conventional medicine. Indigenous traditional medicine practices in the region focus mainly on herbal medicine and far less on the use of European-based complementary medicine modalities such as homeopathy. Little has been reported on the extent to which homeopathy is being used in the Middle-East, this despite an emerging body of basic science and clinical research on the subject from countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon. We compare the foundations of homeopathy with those of traditional Middle-Eastern medicine in the Middle-East, and explore the possibilities of collaborative research and clinical practice. In particular, qualitative research is warranted to explore patients’ expectations regarding homeopathic consultation and feasibility of its integration into Middle-Eastern health systems. Studying patient–homeopath communication patterns may be used to promote the clinical implementation of patient-centered care, based on a bio-psycho-social-spiritual health model.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Integrative Oncology Program, The Oncology Service, Lin Medical Center, 35 Rothschild St., Haifa, Western Galilee District, Israel

    Eran Ben-Arye & Noah Samuels

  2. Clalit Health Services, Haifa, Western Galilee, Israel

    Eran Ben-Arye

  3. Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Eran Ben-Arye

  4. Tal Center for Integrative Medicine, Institute of Oncology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel

    Noah Samuels

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  1. Eran Ben-Arye
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  2. Noah Samuels
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Correspondence to Eran Ben-Arye.

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Ben-Arye, E., Samuels, N. Homeopathy on the crossroads of traditional and integrative medicine in the Middle-East. J Med Pers 13, 65–71 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12682-014-0196-z

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