Homeopathy is a type of alternative medicine invented in the late 18th century by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. It is based on two ideas: "let like cure like" (similia similibus curentur),[1] meaning a substance which causes disease symptoms can also cure those same symptoms; and that dilution with a large quantity of water increases potency.[2] Both ideas are not only the opposite of what medical science usually observes, but the opposite of common sense too.

Homeopathy is fundamentally different from herbal medicine, with which it is often confused. While some "homeopathic" medicines are simply herbal supplements labeled as homeopathic, often to take advantage of regulatory loopholes, true homeopathic remedies are so greatly diluted they contain no active ingredients. The only measurable ingredients are the putative "inactive" ingredients, such as water,[3] alcohol,[4] or sugar. Those homeopathic pills for sale at your local pharmacy? They're sugar pills, prepared by taking a sugar pill, letting a drop of the homeopathic preparation fall on it, and then letting it evaporate away. What you're left with is the original sugar pill you've likely spent considerable money to obtain; and yet, this fraud is perfectly legal.

The scientific and medical consensus – based on numerous studies and meta-studies – is homeopathy has no effect other than the placebo effect, which is not surprising considering homeopathic "medicine" typically contains no active ingredient. While evidence for the efficacy of conventional medicine was strong in placebo-controlled clinical trials, the evidence for homeopathy was weak and any efficacy was likely caused by the placebo effect.[5] Aspects of homeopathic practice such as elaborate "provings" and one-on-one consultations can raise a patient's expectations and thus position homeopathy to be an especially convincing placebo – but still a placebo. The theories behind homeopathy's purported efficacy would, if true, overturn most of modern chemistry, physics and biology; and the first person to demonstrate in a scientifically valid and repeatable manner that homeopathy actually has any of the claimed effects and properties, will likely receive Nobel prizes for chemistry and medicine, plus the endless gratitude of of humanity for coming up with effective remedies that are exceedingly cheap, childishly simple to produce, and guaranteed without side effects. (And yes, this already sounds too good to be true, even without getting into any details.)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3924683&forum_id=2#35653126)

MD's say the losenges are more effective and less risky to the sense of smell

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3924683&forum_id=2#38328578)

not sure how the lozenges work, but the most rigorous studies on zinc for cold shortening examined them versus sprays. i recall the zinc may be transported through the lymph system. the most effective lozenge formulations are very slow dissolving as the purpose is not to ingest them.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3924683&forum_id=2#38328579)