By Steven Sandberg
 
November 2, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - As people attempt to stay healthy during the flu season, many are turning to alternative forms of medicine.
 
Some are using natural homeopathic treatments, despite a debate over whether they really work.
 
"In my experience, it not only works, it works better than just about any alternative that's out there," said Dr. Douglas Falkner with Ashland Mountain Homeopathy.
 
Falkner says the reason people turn to natural remedies is because they treats patient-specific symptoms.
 
"And this is why, in the flu season, we won't have just a single remedy that we'll apply for that flu, we'll have several remedies that are known to address the known pattern of illness that that patient experiences with the flu," Falkner said... "Generally speaking, there is a response within hours of taking the remedy, people start to feel like they're improving and on the mend," Falkner said.
 
However, the Food and Drug Administration doesn't feel the same way. In a recent statement, the FDA said there is no evidence that homeopathic products prevent the flu. The FDA warns consumers that homeopathic treatments are distributed without FDA approval.
 
Falkner says that just because it's hard to measure, doesn't mean it doesn't work.
 
"In this country, in our medical system, we have a very strong emphasis on science. And there are claims that homeopathy is not scientifically validated," Falkner said.
 
Annual sales for homeopathic medicines in the U.S. total more than $200 million.