Stephen Barrett

Homeopathic remedies were widely used in the nineteenth century, when they were less dangerous than many standard medical practices, Stephen Barrett maintains in the following viewpoint. However, Barrett contends that those who use homeopathic remedies now should be aware that they are largely unregulated by the federal government and are therefore potentially harmful. He also asserts that the herbal solutions are impotent because they are so dilute that none of the original herb remains. Barrett is a long-time consumer advocate and the author of more than thirty-five books dealing with consumer health issues, including The Health Robbers: A Close Look at Quackery in America.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to the author, why are homeopathic remedies legally marketable as drugs?
2. What are homeopathy's historical roots, according to Barrett?
3. What is the process for making homeopathic...