Jacques Benviste

[Christine Wyndham-Thomas]

PROOF POSITIVE: Homeopathy works, but Dr Jacques isn't around to hear his
work vindicated

It is tragic that it has taken 16 years to vindicate the controversial
discoveries of Dr Jacques Benveniste - and in the very week that he has died

Dr Benveniste scientifically proved the basis of homeopathy in a series of
experiments with water, which were published in Nature in 1988. Thereafter
the medical establishment pilloried him, research funding was taken away,
and his very promising career in science was ended. Television magician
James Randi visited Benveniste's laboratories but, not surprisingly perhaps,
was unable to verify his discovery.

But scientists, rather than celebrities, have finally proved his findings.
Four independent laboratories, in Ireland, Italy, France and the Netherlands
have discovered that effects can occur below the level at which any
molecule of the substance is present.

Sadly, their findings were published in the week that Dr Benveniste died
following heart surgery.

(Source: Inflammation Research, 2004; 53: 181-8).

* The work of Dr Jacques Benveniste, and his struggle against the
prevailing establishment, is outlined in Lynne McTaggart's inspiring book
The Field. To order your copy, click on this link: http://www.wddty.co
uk/thefield/about_book.asp
MORE PROOF POSITIVE: Scientists show that herbal medicine works, too

It was also a good week for herbal medicine after researchers found that it
offered 'real benefits'. Scientists at King's College London tested a
variety of herbal remedies, and found that they could help treat conditions
such as diabetes and cancer.

The curry leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) was singled out for special mention
as an effective treatment for diabetes. It seems to restrict the action of
the digestive enzyme pancreatic alpha-amylase, which helps break down
dietary starch to glucose.

A diabetic does not produce enough insulin to deal with rapid rises in blood
glucose levels, so slowing the rate of starch breakdown can help establish a
more even release of glucose.

The findings are not particularly startling, especially as many
pharmaceutical drugs are based on herbal remedies, and herbal medicine
follows a similar paradigm to allopathic medicine.

It is all the more surprising, therefore, that Edzard Ernst, professor of
complementary medicine at Exeter University, should give the findings no
more than the most cautious of welcomes. Oddly, Prof Ernst does not seem to
be much of an advocate for the medicine he represents, but we're sure it's
just a matter of time.
Christine

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]