Join Carry the One Radio for an exclusive preview of an upcoming podcast episode discussing the history of homeopathy, as we trace the complex relationship between feminism, healing, and alternative medicine from ancient naturopaths through the modern day. We’ll focus our discussion on the example of Dr. Florence Nightingale Ward, a prominent homeopathic surgeon and OB-GYN who trained and practiced in San Francisco in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and will view her medical kit now housed in the UCSF Archives & Special Collections.

These days, homeopathy and some forms of alternative medicine fall soundly in the realm of pseudoscience. Not only that, but the wellness industry has capitalized on the popularity of these practices in predatory ways, selling promises of improved health with no evidence to back them up. In the United States, the marketing of these alternative ‘wellness’ products primarily targets women – evidenced by yoni eggs, vaginal steamers, and more.

If we turn back the clock about 150 years, however, homeopathic medicine didn’t look so different from the techniques being practiced in the medical mainstream. There was one important distinction, though – homeopathic colleges were more welcoming to women who wanted to practice medicine.

About Carry the One Radio:

Founded in 2009, Carry the One Radio is a podcast that aims to ignite scientific curiosity in the general public. Carry the One is run by a group of dedicated young scientists at UCSF who hope to showcase what makes science so exciting - the joy of discovery, the beauty of nature, and the promise of a better tomorrow. We publish two episodes each month covering topics from dark matter to the history of IUDs and everywhere in between. You can find Carry the One on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This event is brought to you by the UCSF Archives & Special Collections and Carry the One Radio.

Archives Talks are free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided while supply lasts. 

Click for directions to Parnassus Campus: UCSF Library, 530 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco CA 94143