Like many homeopathy companies, Heel originated in Europe. It began in the 1930s when the traditionally trained Dr. Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg witnessed homeopathy cure his father of a serious kidney disease. Reckeweg wanted to know more. He began experimenting with different combinations of single homeopathic substances, and colleagues were soon requesting his remedies for their own use. Today, a medical board at Heel’s Baden, Germany headquarters still formulates the products that Reckeweg began creating in 1936.

With an American base in Albuquerque, N.M., Heel now sells its remedies via retail channels and to a wide range of medical practitioners. Heel’s connection with practitioners has always been a global focus, and it currently distributes products to more than 10,000 different doctors, massage therapists and acupuncturists.

Heel’s flagship product, Traumeel, treats muscular pain, bruising and sports injuries. Retailers can sell Traumeel in ointment, gel, oral drop or tablet form, and it is offered to practitioners in injectable form as well.

Heel prides itself on its dedication to research. “We put a lot of financial resources annually into research on our products,” says Gibson Archer, retail sales and marketing manager for Heel USA. It’s one thing to bring a homeopathic product to a consumer, he says, but another thing to have studies—especially third-party clinical trials—behind a product that verifies its efficacy. “It’s a good selling point for us and for practitioners.”

All of Heel’s products are blends of multiple ingredients. “It’s not so much about people getting away from singles,” Archer says. “It’s about people embracing combinations. You put yourself in a better position to identify the single remedy your body needs by taking the combination approach.”

Editors' picks:

Sinusin Nasal Spray
Sinusin is available in two dosage forms: nasal spray or oral drops. Formerly called Euphorbium Sinus Relief, Heel recently changed the name to Sinusin so it could trademark the spray, which is the No. 1 selling homeopathic nasal spray in U.S. health food stores. Sinusin contains euphorbium, indicated for nasal discharge, along with seven other active ingredients.

Nectadyn Cough Syrup
Flavored with honey and lemon, this syrup is an easy sell for children. The six active ingredients include drosera to reduce coughing and rumex to decrease discharge.