Simile Educational Materials

Simile Editorial Team

Members can read FULL editions digitally by clicking on the relevant links below.

Non-members can read a selection of articles as a taster of this member publication - please click on links which do not specify 'members only' to access.

Dr Steven Kayne

Editor, Simile

Gill Graham

Features Editor, Simile

Dr Gabriella Day

Clinical Editor, Simile

Simile Full edition - March 2025 Volume 54 Issue 1 - Members Only

AGM 2025 – Dr Lee Kayne elected 82nd Faculty President

The Faculty AGM was held in the heart of London’s West End at the Royal Society of Chemistry, based in Burlington House, Piccadilly, on a bright and sunny Spring Equinox Day.

Dr Gary Smyth commenced by guiding members through the agenda, during which he encouraged members to read the Annual Report for a detailed account of Faculty activities during the past year. Gary expressed delight at the growing membership and presented certificates to the newly elected Fellow, Wendy Scrase FFHom and to Dr Neeraj Mohan DFHom of Mumbai. Steven Kayne gave a short presentation on the success and importance of Simile and encouraged members to submit articles and interact with its content.

Gary thanked colleagues and staff for all the support he had received during his six and a half years in office, having taken over following the tragic passing of Dr Peter Fisher.

He then announced that Dr Lee Kayne from Glasgow had been elected President of the Faculty for the next three years and passed the Chain of Office to him. Lee expressed his gratitude to the Faculty members for placing their trust in him to lead the organisation. He said it was a privilege that he did not take lightly, and he was committed to serving to the best of his abilities. Lee then recognised the exceptional leadership of the now Immediate Past President, Dr Gary Smith, who had worked tirelessly for the Faculty, sometimes too tirelessly (judging by the number of 2am emails he was in the habit of sending to colleagues!).

Vice President, Gill Graham gave a tribute to Gary, thanking him for his time as President, and detailing his considerable efforts and highlighting the landmark occasions during his term in office. She then presented him with gifts from both the Council, admin staff and the Faculty.

Earlier in the day there were meetings of Council and the Fellows at which Dr Helen Beaumont retired as Chair (see page 27) passing the responsibility to Dr Gary Smyth.

The AGM was followed by the Richard Hughes Memorial Lecture given by Rachel Roberts, CEO of the Homeopathic Research Institute (HRI), in the presence of HRH Duke of Gloucester. Her interesting presentation was entitled Homeopathy Research in Context: 20 Years of Debate and Counting which stimulated considerable discussion. Wearing a Faculty tie, HRH Duke of Gloucester then addressed members and guests with stories of his mother, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who lived to 102, being treated by the Royal physicians Sir John Weir and Dr Margery Blackie. He wished the Faculty well in their future activities and then spent time chatting with members.

Simile Full edition - December 2024 Volume 53 Issue 4 - Members Only

President opens Faculty 100th Congress

The first full day of the 100th Congress was clear and bright, with a ‘feels like’ temperature of -8. Still, inside Wolfson Hall at Surgeons’ Quarter, the atmosphere was warm and friendly as delegates eagerly waited for the official opening of the first Congress since Liverpool six years ago. The President, Dr Gary Smith, welcomed the audience in person and online, the latter made possible by a grant from the Scottish Homeopathic Research and Education Trust (SHRET).

The President was delighted to announce that this was the largest Homeopathic practitioner-based event in the UK for many years. With 300 delegates from 30 countries. He told the audience that Edinburgh holds special significance for us. Dr William Cullen, a medical school graduate, inspired Samuel Hahnemann’s initial interest in homeopathy. Other Edinburgh graduates, including Doctors Quinn, Henderson, and Dudgeon, helped promote homeopathy across these islands and beyond.

The theme of the Congress was ‘Homeopathy: Integrative Medicine for a Sustainable Future,’ and it would explore the important role of homeopathy in modern healthcare. Gary hoped delegates would find the 42 presentations, including a video link from Professor George Vithoulkas, both insightful and inspiring. Accompanied by a rousing cheer from the audience, Gary declared the Congress open.

The previous evening, a drinks reception was followed by dinner for 35 faculty Fellows and guests. This was preceded by a ceremony at which the Fellows were dressed in academic robes, courtesy of the Hong Kong Association of Homeopathy, to mark the awarding of an Honorary Fellowship to its President, Professor Aaron To Ka Lun. An Honorary Fellowship was also awarded to Dr Issac Mathai (India).

In addition to the oral presentations, posters and sponsors’ displays were spread over three rooms.

Simile Full edition - June 2024 Volume 53 Issue 3 - Members Only

Welcome to Scotland!

For the second time this century - a warm welcome to Congress in Edinburgh!

We are very excited at the prospect of hosting the Faculty’s 100th Congress in our Capital City and we hope that – like the other occasions on which it has been held here – you have a fantastic time.

Glasgow people – affectionally known as ‘Weggies’ – often consider going to Edinburgh as ‘capital punishment’ but not for you – our guests from all those places below the Border – and beyond. The meeting venue – Surgeons’ Hall – and the Congress Hotel – 10 Hill Place – are two great venues, just a few minutes apart. The Royal Mile and Princes Street are in close proximity. An added bonus is that restaurants of every conceivable ethnicity to satisfy adventurous palates are also a few steps away.

The programme features an array of over 40 prominent speakers. In addition, the late-night discussions around the bar on important homeopathic issues – and some not so important! – are always a feature of Congress.

We can’t promise good weather but we can promise interesting presentations, good company and maybe the odd dram or three. How better to spend three days in November?

Simile Full edition - June 2024 Volume 53 Issue 2 - Members Only

His Majesty King Charles III to continue patronage of the Faculty

The Faculty of Homeopathy is delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III has been confirmed as Patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy.

As Prince of Wales, His Majesty became Patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy in 2019, marking the 175th anniversary of the founding of the organisation. Following a major review of Patronages on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Coronation, Buckingham Palace has confirmed the news that His Majesty has graciously chosen to retain and continue this Patronage.

Dr Gary Smyth, President of the Faculty of Homeopathy, commented:

“It is an enormous honour to enjoy the Patronage of His Majesty The King. We are deeply grateful for this generous endorsement, and the continued, long-term support of Homeopathy as part of an integrative and sustainable approach to healthcare. This news marks a significant milestone for the Faculty of Homeopathy, in this 180th year since the founding of the organisation. This strengthens our resolve to advance our important work to promote and support the highest standards of practice, education and research in Homeopathy. I look forward to continuing to raise awareness of this valuable system of medicine.”

This award of Patronage follows the appointment of homeopathic physician Dr Michael Dixon FFHom (Hon) in December last year as leading the Royal Medical Household – the medical wing that comprises a range of physicians and surgeons to the Sovereign and to the Royal Household. He was awarded the CVO in the Birthday Honours List.

Simile Full Edition - March 2024 Volume 53 Issue 1 - Members only

Good by and thank you to Cristal

Gill interviews Cristal, who is leaving and seeking pastures new after 24 years of dedicated service to the Faculty and Homeopathy UK.

Goodbye and thank you Cristal! The Congresses in Edinburgh (2006) and Glasgow (2014) were highly successful and colleagues can be assured that all who stray across the border – and locals of course! – will enjoy an extremely warm welcome. In addition, locals promise ‘Send tyou homeward tae think again!’ as the Flower of Scotland, the National song, proclaims! Surgeons’ Hall is a great venue – in recent years it has become an important venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, having spaces for several different performances at the same time. I recently had the pleasure of chatting to Cristal Skaling-Klopstock, who leaves her position as Chief Executive of Homeopathy UK on March 1st. Cristal has had many roles during her (almost) 24 years of involvement with homeopathy, which, as well as her CEO role with H-UK, include being Chair of 4Homeopathy (a coalition in the UK for the promotion and defense of homeopathy), Co-President EFHPA (European Federation of Homeopathic Patients’ Associations) and a Council member, and ECH (European Committee for Homeopathy) and of course, a former CEO of the Faculty of Homeopathy.

Simile Full Edition - December 2023 Volume 52 Issue 4 - Members only

Ground breaking Science: Homeopathy and the Future of Global Health

INTERNATIONAL EDITION

This conference took place on October 20th-22nd 2023 at UConn Health, which is a major medical school and teaching hospital in Connecticut. The event featured leading research scientists and physicians from around the world presenting the latest basic science, pre-clinical and clinical research in homeopathy.

Simile - Full Edition September 2023 Volume 52 Issue 3 - Members only

Climate change and global health – what should the homeopathic community do?

Climate-related environmental disasters have not let up this summer. Heat waves are roasting the United States, Europe, China and North Africa while wildfires are raging in Canada and Greece. Choking smoke from the Canadian fires has obscured skies throughout the United States. This is harmful to everyone, but especially children.

The main cause of climate change is well known – massive increases in greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal, and vehicle emissions. At the 2021 COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, King Charles while speaking of the need to abandon fossil fuels said, “We might be forced to put ourselves on a warlike footing”. It seems that ‘net zero’ is, at best, a quarter of a century away – at worse, not at all. Other causes relate to deforestation, agricultural practices and the production of cement. There are natural causes of climate change too – they include those resulting from solar irradiance – changing energy from the sun has affected the temperature of earth and volcanic eruptions. Sceptics maintain that climate change is a natural phenomenon, but none of these events could cause environmental disturbances on the scale experienced.

Simile Full Edition - Volume 51 Issue 1 - March 2023 - Members only

Faculty to expand overseas membership

The Faculty of Homeopathy has been innovative and inclusive from its very beginnings. It was the first homeopathic membership organisation to offer a post graduate course for doctors who wanted to add homeopathy to their portfolio of professional services. That postgraduate course led to the Faculty of Homeopathy Membership by Examination (MFHom) qualification and since then this has been developed for all statutorily registered healthcare professionals, including veterinary surgeons.

Faculty Council, Members’ Committee, our supportive staff and some enthusiastic longstanding Faculty members have been working over the last few years to bring clarity to our understanding of the Faculty Act and Byelaws and to bring the Faculty into the changing world of healthcare provision. Over the years we have seen the healthcare professionals who are statutorily registered grow in line with the delivery of healthcare today. As a Faculty we want to be able to welcome those healthcare professionals whose standards align with the Faculty and who wish to include homeopathy within their skillset and scope of practice, into our membership. It is vital that we are an active growing membership who represent the demographics of the world in which we operate. It’s vital that we stand up for the place of homeopathy in healthcare and the freedom of choice for our patients.

It’s also important that we continue to include our global membership in these plans. There are so many healthcare professionals worldwide whose qualifications and standards align with Faculty values and who enrich our organisation, some in the UK and others wider afield.

Steven Kayne

[email protected]

Simile Full Edition - December 2022 - Members only

The Faculty welcomes our new monarch

We warmly welcome King Charles III and wish him a long and happy reign with his gracious Queen Consort beside him.

King Charles III has promoted homeopathic and herbal treatments since the 1980s despite criticism from several influential sources. In 1990, the then-Prince of Wales set up Duchy Originals Foods Limited, to sell organic food products. A decade later the brand went into partnership with Waitrose. Also in the 1990s, he launched the Foundation for Integrated Medicine, a charity created to advance acceptance and understanding of complementary and alternative medicine in the UK. The organisation provided advice on the regulation of massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, and other complementary therapies. Unfortunately, the foundation was obliged to close in 2010.

In 2019, Prince Charles became patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy. The future of this position is currently in discussion with his representatives. On his accession to the throne the new King announced that he would not be so vocal about political, healthcare, and social issues in the future.

His commitment to homeopathy has always been greatly appreciated, and it is hoped that he will continue his support during his reign, albeit to a lesser extent.

Steven Kayne

[email protected]

Simile Full Edition - September 2022 - Members only

On the 6th July 2022 an exciting collaboration, which has been 178 years in the making, took place. Dr Gary Smyth, President of the Faculty of Homeopathy (FOH), and Dr Alex Bekker, President of the American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH), signed an agreement to collaborate on many joint projects, such as research, including sharing best practices, networking, and educational events.

Simile Platinum Jubilee Edition - June 2022 - Members only

This is the celebratory issue for the Platinum Jubilee. There is a fascinating article on the Royals and some fantastic cases on a Royal theme. Also, in this issue Is a reflection on the events of the tragic Staines air crash 50 years ago and a tribute to those who lost their lives.