Q: My family and I have been using Homeopathic medicines for the past 3 years for various ailments and have found relief. My question is related to some rumours that homeopathic medicines have traces of steroids and other harmful chemicals that enable cure and in turn have long term effect. Kindly give your advice about this information and also clarify if there is any need to worry regarding these medicines?

A:When one thinks of taking a medicine, three questions should be asked: 1. Is it really necessary, or will the condition improve without the medication? 2. Is the medication harmful? 3. Is the medicine reliable? All too often the answers are (1) The medicine is not really needed; (2) The treatment could be harmful; (3) The preparation is contaminated or unreliable in quality and quantity of the active drug. These concerns are most applicable to homeopathic medications. It is therefore essential to think carefully before taking a drug preparation, and one should only purchase products that come from reliable manufacturers and retailers.