Drug addicts and homeless people are among disadvantaged groups in Oxfordshire being offered free complementary medicine in the first scheme of its kind in England.

Wendy Dant, who is looking for fellow helpers Although a private consultation can cost between £50 and £80, members of Homeopathy 2 Oxfordshire, known as H2O, will visit family centres, homeless shelters and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres.

Coordinator Wendy Dant, who practises in Corn Street, Witney, said: "Homeopathy is so amazing that to us it doesn't seem right that you can't get it easily on the NHS.

"We want to do something to help redress the balance. We could go down the lane of getting the NHS to help, but it would take a long time to do that, so it's easier to offer it free to people instead."

Homeopathy uses a range of minerals, plants and animal products, including garden flowers, oyster shells and bee venom, in very diluted quantities.

Mrs Dant said: "Homeopathy is fabulous for any condition, and we want to use it alongside orthodox medicine. We don't view it as something to replace everyday medicines."

Supporters say the medication can treat everything from asthma and ear infections to stress and depression. H2O, which already has nine fully-trained homeopaths, aims to wean addicts not only off the drugs and alcohol they crave, but also the medication they take to deal with the addiction.

The group needs money to pay for the remedies, as well as for its practitioners' travel expenses.

It is searching for new members who would be willing to take on fundraising.

Call her on 01993 200109 or email

homeopathy2ox@yahoo.co.uk