The Faculty of Homeopathy was formed in 1944 from the British Homeopathic Society (founded in 1843). It was incorporated by the Faculty of Homeopathy Act 1950, which confers an educational function on the Faculty. The Faculty promotes the development of homeopathy.
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are claimed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient. The collective weight of scientific evidence has found homeopathy to be no more effective than a placebo.
The Faculty claims "over 900 members worldwide". Membership is open to statutorily registered healthcare professionals, with student membership available to undergraduates on medical courses.
Faculty-Accredited courses in homeopathy are taught at four locations in the UK and at four overseas. After specified training periods, students are eligible to sit the specialist examinations, which lead to the Faculty's qualifications: LFHom, MFHom (for dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and podiatrists), VetMFHom (for veterinary surgeons) and DFHom (for pharmacists and podiatrists). The qualifications do not themselves confer any legal qualification to practise homeopathy.
The Faculty publishes Homeopathy (formerly the British Homeopathic Journal -BHJ). This journal was first published in 1844, as the British Journal of Homoeopathy (BJH), which became the BHJ in 1911.
Simile is a regular Newsletter-type publication, for the service of members.