The Queen’s pharmacist is criticised for selling powdered Berlin Wall as a miracle cure for relationship troubles
- The Berlin Wall remedy is available via a UK-based supplier called Ainsworths
- The firm even holds a Royal Warrant from the Queen and the Prince of Wales
- Professor Edzard Ernst has slammed the Berlin Wall product in his new book
- He said that the final product does not contain a ‘single molecule from the wall’
A homeopathic remedy that is said to contain the ‘essence’ of the Berlin Wall has been slammed by a renowned expert.
Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of complementary medicine at Exeter University, is a known critic of the controversial practice.
He said producers of the product believe it carries the ‘spiritual force’ from the wall, which divided the German city until it was tore down in 1989.
However, the bogus remedy is so heavily diluted that not even a single molecule is left in the final product, Professor Ernst added.
The Berlin Wall remedy is available via a London-based supplier called Ainsworths, which bears the Queen’s seal of approval on its website.
Edzard Ernst, emeritus professor of complementary medicine at Exeter University, is a known critic of the controversial practice. He said producers of the product believe it carries the ‘spiritual force’ from the wall, which divided the German city until it was tore down in 1989
Speaking at the Science Media Centre, Professor Ernst said: ‘People think that homeopathy is based on natural substances. Berlin Wall shows this is not true’
The firm sells the product on its website, costing £4.20 for a 1g vial of lactose tablets, up to £120 for 1,000ml in liquid potency (23 per cent alcohol).
It holds a Royal Warrant from the Queen and the Prince of Wales, who is also patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy.
Ainsworths said it would not be commenting on the matter. Professor Ernst criticised the remedy at the Science Media Centre today.
Homeopathy is a branch of medicine that treats ailments using extremely diluted doses of natural substances.
It is known as a complementary or alternative approach because it is different from traditional Western medicine.
Speaking at the Science Media Centre, Professor Ernst said: ‘People think that homeopathy is based on natural substances. Berlin Wall shows this is not true.’
He writes about the treatment in his new book. He added: ‘Homeopaths do not believe it is a pharmacological action, but it is a sort of vital force that is acting’
Ainsworths sells the Berlin Wall remedy on its website, costing £4.20 for a 1g vial of lactose tablets, up to £120 for 1,000ml in liquid potency (23 per cent alcohol)
He writes about the treatment in his new book, classing it as an ‘exotic remedy’. He added: ‘Homeopaths do not believe it is a pharmacological action, but it is a sort of vital force that is acting.
‘So the vital force, the spiritual force that was in the Berlin Wall, the intention that was in the Berlin Wall, is in the remedy.’
Asked whether the idea is that it ‘brings down walls’ between people, the author of Alternative Medicine: A Critical Assessment Of 150 Modalities said ‘yes’.
Professor Ernst said consumers are likely to have read about the remedy online, on social media or through books.
He suggested the belief is that the wall inhibited communication, so if you have a problem with that, the remedy is supposed to help.
‘It is a truly exotic homeopathy remedy. I bet many homeopaths have never used Berlin Wall, but it exists,’ said Professor Ernst.
He added: ‘The lamentable thing is not that shops sell it, the lamentable thing is that people are being misinformed.’
PRINCE CHARLES IS ACCUSED OF BEING ANTI-SCIENCE AFTER TAKING UP ROLE AS PATRON OF THE FACULTY OF HOMEOPATHY
Prince Charles was in June accused of promoting disproven and dangerous medical treatments in his new position as patron of the Faculty of Homeopathy.
The Prince of Wales is a long-time supporter of homeopathy and has used his royal position to try to get it widely accepted.
This is despite some homeopaths operating in the UK claiming to cure autism and offering alternatives to traditional vaccinations.
Homeopathy is a branch of medicine that treats ailments using extremely diluted doses of natural substances. It is known as a complementary or alternative approach because it is different from traditional Western medicine.
The style of treatment originates from ideas developed in the 1790s, which claim that the more a substance is diluted, the more powerful it is as a treatment.
Supporters claim, for example, that traditional inhalers used to treat asthma can be replaced with diluted plant extracts. The Faculty of Homeopathy is the professional body for homeopaths.
The prince has faced a backlash for associating with these practitioners and peddling alternative treatments. He has had treatment himself from herbalists and chiropractors for ailments including severe back pain.
He also founded the Foundation for Integrated Health in 1993 but the charity closed in 2010 after a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud and money laundering.
The Prince of Wales is also Patron to traditional medical establishments. Pictured: In his role as Patron during a visit to City Hospice, Whitchurch, Cardiff