Zicam is NOT homeopathic surely!!?

[Carol Boyce]

In response to recent attack on homeopathy via the issue of Zicam.

Yes we should be defending a CAM product that is not being held to
the same standard as pharmaceutical drugs - iatrogenic disease is no
longer news.

HOWEVER I think we do homeopathy a great disservice if we defend
Zicam as if it were homeopathic - it's a very dangerous road to walk
down.

As far as I can tell Zicam is not homeopathic by any standard
definition we would use.

According to the web: active ingredient: Zincum Gluconicum 2x

Nonactive ingredients: Sodium Chloride, Purified Water,
Benzalkonium Chloride (detergent, fungicide, bactericide), Glycerol,
Hydroxyethylcellulose (stabilizer), Sodium Hydroxide.

Reason for prescription : generic common cold

The ONLY association I can see with homeopathy is that the Zinc
Gluconate is potentised to 2X - which as we have discussed on this
list many times does NOT make it homeopathy.

I think it dangerous to defend Zicam when we have enough to do
protecting homeopathy.

I move to separate it out as a CAM product and if we want to speak
for it then do so - but let's not endorse the media's suggestion that
Zicam is homeopathic - and on the contrary point out that it is not
homeopathy.

Carol

Carol Boyce MCH, CCH, RSHom(NA)

[Elizabeth Brandegee]

I agree to separate it in relation to being truly homeopathic by definition. We don't have to bicker on the perfect definition of homeopathy in certain respects, just agree on what homeopathy isn't.....which is the practice of random choices of *something* that has been potentised a bit....being used routinely to the entire public without *any* individualization. This product was not an epidemic remedy situation. It does not fit homeopathic philosophy, period.

Making this clear cuts the cord in association for the majority of homeopathic practice and pharmacy standards.

Otherwise it remains sticky, with ongoing expectation we will support and protect *anyone's* version of homeopathic, leaving us all open to further goop. No thanks.

As far as being a pat on the back for getting attention, I think that is misplaced here. There is no debate getting attention for all successful individualized work those cultural heroes experienced and respected, but with someone's product that leaves out the core all of that was based on. Perhaps some studies reported good things, luckily for certain people it fit, but allopathic in use and therefore rightfully open to their own criticism. That is what has to be mirrored back.

We don't pose a threat...that would just be ego. The system based on lies and poisoning is crumbling because of that, not us. We are happily replacing care for those that end up in the void and through those who have spread words of awareness and good results.

Liz
--- In minutus@yahoogroups.com, Carol Boyce wrote:

[Tanya Marquette]

over the past 2 yrs i have noticed an ad on tv selling
something that is called homeopathic. it clearly is not
but the marketing is picking up on this to confound the
the public while selling this product. at first i thought
it a marketing ploy to suck back some of the money being
spent on holistic protocols. but now i am seeing a more
sinister game being played as well. first a drug product
is sold in a dishonest manner as homeopathic and then
using it to attack homeopathy. we are under increasing
assault and it ain't goin' to git any easier!
you have to marvel at their creativity--it is a study in
itself. we need to get just as good: not in lying, but
in being creative, and assertive. and since the media won't
give us equal play, i think the bumper sticker campaign is
a sharp and inexpensive way to begin an organized effort.
tanya

[stagebabe2003]

I agree with you Carol. This product is also viewed as a "one size fits all" type of product and that is not homeopathy. (AND now the FDA is stating that this product does not work as intended -- because there is no "one size fits all" that will ultimately "fit all". I don't trust the FDA at all...)

Although Zicam has one component of a homeopathic remedy (that of potentised), it is not a true homeopathic remedy and does not fall under any other category. It is not prescribed in the manner a homeopathic remedy is prescribed and is based on the "one size fits all" allopathic model.

Blessings,
Meo

[Tanya Marquette]

then it seems to me that has to be the argument against it.
and we should note the intentional confusion being created
by calling it homeopathic!
tanya

[Joy Lucas]

It is a horrible combo made up from Luffa, Galphimia, histamine, sulphur with the gel delivery system being made up of benzalkonium, glycerine, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and hydroxyethylcellulose.

Apparently is takes your sense of smell away.

As homeopathic as swine flu oinkment

Yuk!

http://www.joylucashomeopathy.com
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeopathystudy/

[Teresa Kramer]

Do you know the precise ingredients in Zicam? I spent some time on the net searching for them (out of curiosity) but was not able to find anything. I would love to see the list of active and inert (!) ingredients. Teresa (Northern VA)
________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Joy Lucas
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 1:37 PM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] Re: Zicam is NOT homeopathic surely!!?
It is a horrible combo made up from Luffa, Galphimia, histamine, sulphur with the gel delivery system being made up of benzalkonium, glycerine, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and hydroxyethylcellulose.
Apparently is takes your sense of smell away.
As homeopathic as swine flu oinkment
Yuk!
http://www.joylucashomeopathy.com

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeopathystudy/
then it seems to me that has to be the argument against it.

and we should note the intentional confusion being created

by calling it homeopathic!
tanya

[Leilanae]

http://www.zicam.com/

Products, top in orange bar
Faqs in drop down, click

"What are the active ingredients ..........."

----------------------
Also ixquick/google Zicam ingregients.
----------------------------------

When "Consumer Reports" did the piece on Zicam/Homeopathy a while ago, I went to the store to get the ingredients from the package. Also checked out the inert ingredients to find some "interesting side effects".

Leilanae

[Teresa Kramer]

I followed instructions but both those ideas were very unsatisfying; just named the two “active” ingredients but not potency, nor whether there was anything else “active” in it. When I buy vitamins and such from the Vitacost site, it is possible to scroll down on each one and see EXACTLY what is in the product (active and “inert”). Zicam is of course not on their site.
How can we know what to think of Zicam for sure if we don’t even know what is/was in it? Teresa (Northern VA)
________________________________

From: minutus@yahoogroups.com [mailto:minutus@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of leilanae
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 3:59 PM
To: minutus@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Minutus] Re: Zicam is NOT homeopathic surely!!?
Do you know the precise ingredients in Zicam? I spent some time on the net searching for them (out of curiosity) but was not able to find anything. I would love to see the list of active and inert (!) ingredients. Teresa (Northern VA)
http://www.zicam.com /
Products, top in orange bar

Faqs in drop down, click
"What are the active ingredients ..........."
----------------------

Also ixquick/google Zicam ingregients.

----------------------------------
When "Consumer Reports" did the piece on Zicam/Homeopathy a while ago, I went to the store to get the ingredients from the package. Also checked out the inert ingredients to find some "interesting side effects".
Leilanae

[Joy Lucas]

Well I was as precise as was necessary, how much more detail is necessary

Joy

http://www.joylucashomeopathy.com
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/homeopathystudy/
________________________________