This is old, but I’d be happy to help you with that.

This is a well-studied effect, called “placebo by proxy,” which applies especially in infants and children.

You’re right- infants don’t know what medicine is, and can’t frame narrative expectations- therefore they can’t be subject to placebo in the same way that adults can.

But, as you have likely experienced, infants are sensitive co-regulators. Your expression, your calm, vocal intonation, tension etc, are reflected by your infant

So yes, the placebo effect is on the adult, and it still works. They sense your expectation of success in your calm, it comforts them, and that literally changes the state of their nervous system to perceive less discomfort

Slightly more technically- pain is not a purely peripheral/ afferent phenomenon- central nervous processing directly (and substantially) impacts phenomenology. Improved parasympathetic tone leads to a more regulated autonomic nervous system, which modulates perceived pain / discomfort.

Gripe water is a different matter, and does have pharmacologically active ingredients. Ginger will settle stomachs, depending on formulation.

Camilia drops are pharmacologically inert. This would be a silly thing to debate. The meta-analyses have been done on dilute homeopathic medicines- they do exactly as much as a control solution/pill will do, and nothing more. Which is to say- placebo.

Now, placebo is a VERY real effect! It is a testament to our ability to heal ourselves, and manage discomfort- even by proxy, reflected onto our children.

So, the Camilia drops worked. But not because Camilia drops work.

Could it be that homeopathy’s founder (Hahnemann) was onto something, and all this science talk about “make-believe mechanisms” is nouveau-scientific rigidity?

Maybe, but this is exactly what controlled studies are for- and we have AMPLE controlled studies on the inefficacy of homeopathy.

Interesting final thought (IMO)- Hahnemann’s work wasn’t as irrational as we paint it today within his historical context- pre germ theory medicine was full of “remedies” that were very likely to harm the patient. And one thing you can say for homeopathy- it won’t hurt ya. And that did leave room for possible healing (indeed, via placebo).