The term “homeopathy” comes from the Greek words homious, which means “like” and pathos, which means “suffering.” The concept behind homeopathy is that “like is cured by like,” which means that the cause of any disease should be treated with a small portion of the substance that causes it.

What are described as homeopathic remedies are extracts that come from animals, plants, insects, or minerals. The remedies — which may be prescribed in forms such as tablets, powders, or granules — are prescribed by doctors who have been trained in homeopathic techniques or homeopaths who are not medically qualified. While some research has found homeopathy can improve lung function, its value to improving asthma in children has not been proven by any current study. However, NIH clinical trials have been suggested to clarify the roles of herbal products in addressing asthma symptoms.