Is Homeopathy Vegan?
While homeopathy is not inherently vegan, with the right skills, resources and passion, it can easily be made so. Lucky for me, as a vegan homeopath, I’ve got all of those things!
Vegan healthcare in general can be difficult to access, whether in a more natural-oriented/alternative medical system or the conventional western medicine system, and here’s why:
Pharmaceutical drugs are tested on animals
Many drugs and medications contain lactose (milk sugar)
Many drugs, supplements, and medications contain gelatin (bones, cartilage, connective tissue and skin of animals)
Many vaccinations contain eggs
Many hormonal and enzymatic medications are sourced from various animal organs
Many supplements and medications will contain glycerin and stearic acid, which can be sourced from animal fat
My veganism preceded my homeopathic studies and I had a bit of an existential crisis in terms of my choice in career path, dedication to studies and all the money I just put into tuition when I realized that homeopathy is not inherently vegan. I didn’t know too much about homeopathy before deciding to study it, and I figured that as a natural field of medicine it would be vegan. Unfortunately that is not the case, but I’ve been able to carve out a path for myself (and you!) that can successfully be vegan.
Homeopathic Remedy Pillules
Most people are familiar with homeopathy as the “white little pills that you put under the tongue.” These white little pills are known as pillules, or pellets, and are made from lactose (milk sugar). These lactose-pillules are the basis of homeopathic remedies as the medicinal substance starts in a liquid form and is sprayed onto the pillules for easy dosing.
The most common brands of homeopathy in Canada unfortunately use these lactose-pillules. These are brands like Boiron and Homeocan. I’ve found some amazing work-arounds to this issue: pharmacies that offer remedies on lactose-free pillules, and liquid tincture remedies.
If you’d like to see how homeopathic remedies are made, here is a great (albeit old) video.
Animal Remedies
The main categories of homeopathic remedies are plant, mineral and animal remedies (there are some remedies that exist outside of these categories). The polychrests are the top 25 or so homeopathic remedies that are widely, commonality and effectively used. Of these polychrests, there are about 5 remedies that are animal remedies. If you go to a homeopathic practitioner, the chances that you’ll be given an animal remedy at some point is quite high.
But it doesn’t necessarily need to be that way.
There are thousands of homeopathic remedies, meaning that there are so many options available that aren’t animal-based.
I found an interesting fact along the way in my research about homeopathy and veganism. As homeopathy is a highly diluted form of medicine, such a small amount of the original substance is required in order to make the homeopathic medicine. When I inquired with Helios Homeopathy about their source for Sepia, a remedy made from squid ink, they informed me that the source they are using currently was obtained over 40 years ago. This demonstrates that even in the procurement of homeopathic animal remedies, relatively very little harm is done (as opposed to the scale and persistence of suffering in other animal-sourced industries such as dairy, gelatin, meat, etc).
I respect and value the boundaries that each individual has around what they do or do not wish to put in their body. Therefore, I offer homeopathic care that excludes the use of animal remedies. I emphasize informed consent and personal choice.
Animal Testing
While homeopathy is not inherently vegan, it does have roots in not standing for animal testing.
When it comes to homeopathic remedies, animal testing simply just doesn’t make sense. It is a strong belief in the homeopathic community that animal testing is useless: They are entirely different species from us humans, and therefore the information that may be provided through animal testing is not applicable to the homeopathic care of humans.
Homeopathic pharmacies do not test on animals. Unfortunately, as research around homeopathy is budding there does seem to be some research facilities around the world that are utilizing this method of testing. Fortunately, this does not mean that every homeopathic remedy is being tested in this way.
Nutritional Support
And of course, although it probably goes without saying, I fully, entirely and enthusiastically support plant-based diets! I can offer further support and resources to ensure you are successfully and healthily vegan.
Personal Experience
As a vegan myself, I love to seek out other vegan professionals to support me and my health and I know they aren’t always easy to find. I understand the importance of value-alignment and a judgement free zone when it comes to seeking out a healthcare practitioner. And perhaps most importantly, I understand the intricacies of the decisions we as vegans make on a day-to-day basis, and how it’s not always so black-and-white.
