King Charles' care is overseen by a trusted royal physician who – like the monarch himself – is a staunch supporter of homeopathic medicine
King Charles has long been a proponent of homeopathic medicine and believes that complementary therapies have great value.
He is so convinced that he has appointed 71-year-old Dr Michael Dixon, an ardent supporter, as head of his royal medical court in 2022.
After his appointment was made public, Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying: “Dr. Dixon does not believe that homeopathy can cure cancer.
'His position is that complementary therapies can sit alongside conventional treatments, provided they are safe, appropriate and evidence-based.'
Cancer Research UK states that some patients use complementary therapies to feel better, ease the side effects of these treatments and improve quality of life.
King Charles has long been a proponent of homeopathic medicine and believes that complementary therapies have great value
Charles appointed Dr. Michael Dixon, 71, a staunch supporter, as head of his royal medical household in 2022
Aromatherapy, acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage therapy, visualization and yoga are among the most common examples.
The charity notes that 'a good complementary therapist will not claim that therapy will cure your cancer' and adds that they should 'always encourage you to discuss any possible therapies with your cancer doctor or GP'.
Many health professionals support people with cancer using complementary therapies.
But some may be reluctant to have their patients use them.
This is usually because many therapies have not been tested in the same way as more conventional treatments.
Dr. Dixon has backed the provision of treatments such as aromatherapy and reflexology to the NHS.
Alternative therapies are typically used in place of medical treatments, but there is no scientific evidence that they can cure cancer, cause harmful side effects, or interfere with other treatments.
Some examples of alternative therapies for cancer include 'shark cartilage supplements', laetrile (a herbal compound) and Gerson therapy, which involves eating an organic vegetarian diet and having up to five coffee enemas per day.
King Charles previously expressed his support for the Gerson therapy, which also involves drinking up to 13 glasses of fruit juice a day.
In 2004, he told the Royal College of Gynecology that the therapy should be explored for its 'useful nature', rather than rejected.