Research - Homeopathy General
Usage and Attitudes Towards Natural Remedies and Homeopathy in General Pediatrics: A Cross-Country Overview
André-Michael Beer, MD, PhD1, Ievgeniia Burlaka, MD, PhD2, Stephen Buskin, MBBCH3, Borislav Kamenov, MD, PhD4, Andrea Pettenazzo, MD5, Diana Popova, MD, PhD6, María Pilar Riveros Huckstadt, MD7, Virgilijus Sakalinskas, MD, PhD8, and Menachem Oberbaum, MD9
Abstract
In order to better understand the global approach and country differences in physicians’ usage, knowledge, and attitudes towards natural remedies and homeopathy in pediatric practice, an online survey involving 582 general pediatricians and general practitioners treating pediatric diseases was conducted in 6 countries. Overall, 17% of the pediatric prescriptions refer to phytotherapy and 15% refer to homeopathic preparations. Natural remedies and homeopathic preparations are more frequently used in upper respiratory tract infections, infant colic, sleep
disturbances, and recurrent infections. In the majority of cases, they are used together with chemical drugs. Both treatment options are typically used if parents are concerned about side effects of conventional drugs or prefer natural remedies for themselves. Physicians express high interest in natural remedies and homeopathy; however, their knowledge is variable. Lack of proven efficacy, knowledge on mechanism of action, and information on indications are main factors that limit their usage
Source : Global Pediatric Health
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Solvatochromic dyes detect the presence of homeopathic potencies
Steven J. Cartwrigh
Highlights
- • Solvatochromic dyes display changes in their spectra in the presence of homeopathic potencies.
- • Interaction between solvatochromic dyes and potencies appears to occur through the dyes' intramolecular electron transfer feature.
- • Homeopathic potencies affect the supramolecular behaviour of solvatochromic dyes.
Evidence is presented using six different solvatochromic dyes in three different solvent systems. In all cases homeopathic potencies produce consistent and reproducible changes in the spectra of the dyes.
Results suggest that potencies influence the supramolecular chemistry of solvatochromic dyes, enhancing either dye aggregation or disaggregation, depending upon dye structure. Comparable dyes lacking the intramolecular charge transfer feature of solvatochromic dyes are unaffected by homeopathic potencies, suggesting potencies require the oscillating dipole of solvatochromic dyes for effective interaction.
The implications of the results presented, both for an eventual understanding of the nature of homeopathic medicines and their mode of action, together with future directions for research in this area, are discussed.
Source Homeopathy Journal
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Cell sensitivity, non-linearity and inverse effects
Paolo Bellavite , Andrea Signorini , Marta Marzotto , Elisabetta Moratti, Clara Bonafini, Debora Olioso
Abstract
Highlights
- •The opinion that the homeopathic principles conflict with scientific laws could be revised.
- •Cell and molecular mechanisms underlying the inversion of drug effects are discussed.
- •Several models have been suggested in the framework of hormesis and paradoxical pharmacology.
- •Low doses or high dilutions of drugs interact with enhanced sensitivities of regulatory systems.
- •A new conceptual model of the ‘Simile’ based on allosteric drug action is presented
Source : Journal Homeopathy
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Homeopathy and health related Quality of Life: a patient satisfaction survey in six European countries and Brazil
- Michel Van Wassenhoven1, , ,
- Maria Goossens1,
- Marco Anelli2,
- Guy Sermeus3,
- Peter Kupers3,
- Carlos Morgado4,
- Eduardo Martin5,
- Melissa Bezerra6
Highlights
•Satisfaction of patients with the medical homeopathic consultation is high.
•Difference between the final Quality of Life (QoL) scores after 6 months and the baseline are positive.
•Changes in complaint limitation scores are positive for all conditions.
•Satisfaction is linked to the perceived competence of the homeopath MD, improvement of the main complaint limitations and the time made available by the doctor
Abstract
Background
Many patients throughout the world consult homeopathic medical doctors. Using a similar methodology as in a first survey published in 2002 a second survey was done including 919 adults receiving homeopathic treatment in six European countries and Brazil aimed to look at who are they, their reasons for consultations and expectations and satisfaction with homeopathy prescribed by a homeopathic doctor after a follow-up time of six months.
Method
An initial questionnaire included demographic information and questions for assessing health-related Quality of Life (QoL). A follow-up questionnaire collected data on changes in QoL.
Results
77% patients had initially used conventional treatments and 23% other non-conventional treatments. Satisfaction of patients with the medical homeopathic consultation is high. The difference between the final QoL scores after six months and the baseline are positive. Reported differences between baseline and final index range from 3.87 to 10.41 depending on diagnosis. Taking 7% as a reference value for 'minimal clinically significant difference', this is reached for 3 of 8 conditions. Changes in complaint limitations visual scales are positive. Conclusions on clinical impact must be cautious. 6% of the patients experienced side-effects which they attributed to homeopathic treatment. 7.8% of the patients reported significant aggravation at the beginning of the homeopathic treatment and 26.2% slight aggravation of symptoms.
Conclusions
The satisfaction of patients using a medical homeopathic approach is linked to the perceived competence of the doctor homeopath, the perceived improvement of the main complaints limitations and the time dedicated to them by the doctor.
Source : Journal Homeopathy
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Do homeopathic pathogenetic trials generate recognisable and reproducible symptom pictures?: Results from a pilot pathogenetic trial of Ozone 30c
Abstract
Background
Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials (HPTs) are a pillar of homeopathy, a key source of the symptoms characteristic of a particular homeopathic medicine. Homeopaths choose homeopathic medicines by comparing these remedy pictures with the symptoms the patient is presenting. Thus, recognition of these symptom sets underpins the clinical practice of homeopathy.
Objective
To test whether HPTs generate consistent and recognisable sets of symptoms in consecutive trials.
Design
Practising homeopaths, blinded to the homeopathic medicine under investigation, were given the set of symptoms generated during an unpublished HPT and asked to identify the homeopathic medicine used.
Homeopathic trial substanceOzone, prepared by homeopathic method to the ultramolecular dilution of 30c (10−60 dilution), was chosen at random from twenty potential medicines.
Results
Seven practising homeopaths were asked to make three guesses as to the identity of the remedy. Initially from the full list of possible remedies (N = 2372). Two of the seven homeopaths guessed the identity of the remedy correctly (p < 0.0001). Subsequently, when their choice of possible medicines was restricted to a list of 20, the same two homeopaths selected the correct medicine, however none of the other practising homeopaths did so (p = 0.2).
Discussion
The selection of the correct homeopathic medicine from the unrestricted list (N = 2372 medicines) by two homeopaths is noteworthy given that the homeopathic medicine used during the HPT was diluted well beyond Avogadro's number and would not be expected to produce any detectable or recognisable symptomatology. Possible reasons why the remaining five homeopaths did not guess correctly are discussed.
Conclusion
The results show that practising homeopaths may be able to correctly identify a homeopathic medicine from the set of symptoms generated during an HPT. This suggests that such symptom pictures generated by taking an ultramolecular homeopathic medicine are recognisable and specific to the substance taken. Since identification of the remedy was based on past HPT information held in the materia medica, this demonstrates that HPT-generated symptom pictures are reproducible, thus validating the HPT methodology. These promising preliminary findings warrant replication; possible improvements to the trial design to be incorporated in future studies were identified.
Source : Journal Homeopathy
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Differences in Median Ultraviolet Light Transmissions of Serial Homeopathic Dilutions of Copper Sulfate, Hypericum perforatum, and Sulfur.
Klein SD, Sandig A, Baumgartner S, Wolf U.
Institute of Complementary Medicine (KIKOM), University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
AbstractHomeopathic remedies are produced by potentising, that is, the serial logarithmic dilution and succussion of a mother tincture. Techniques like ultraviolet spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, calorimetry, or thermoluminescence have been used to investigate their physical properties. In this study, homeopathic centesimal (c) potencies (6c to 30c) of copper sulfate, Hypericum perforatum, and sulfur as well as succussed water controls were prepared. Samples of these preparations were exposed to external physical factors like heat, pressure, ultraviolet radiation, or electromagnetic fields to mimic possible everyday storage conditions. The median transmissions from 190 nm to 340 nm and 220 nm to 340 nm were determined by ultraviolet light spectroscopy on five measurement days distributed over several months. Transmissions of controls and potencies of sulfur differed significantly on two of five measurement days and after exposure to physical factors. Transmissions of potencies exposed to ultraviolet light and unexposed potencies of copper sulfate and Hypericum perforatum differed significantly. Potency levels 6c to 30c were also compared, and wavelike patterns of higher and lower transmissions were found. The Kruskal-Wallis test yielded significant differences for the potency levels of all three substances. Aiming at understanding the physical properties of homeopathic preparations, this study confirmed and expanded the findings of previous studies.
Source : Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:370609. doi: 10.1155/2013/370609.
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Audit of outcome in 829 consecutive patients treated with homeopathic medicines
R Sevar1*
126 Whiteclosegate, Carlisle, CA3 0JD, UK
An audit was conducted of 829 consecutive patients presenting for homeopathic treatment of a chronic illness, conventional treatment had either failed, plateaued in effect, or was contraindicated by adverse effects, age or condition of the patient. Of the 829 patients, 503 (61%) had a sustained improvement from homeopathic treatment, of these:
357 patients (43%) had an excellent response;
146 patients (18%) had a good response;
6 patients (0.8%) became worse.
233 patients (28%) were lost to follow-up
Source : British Homeopathic Journal
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Patients’ assessments of the effectiveness of homeopathic care in Norway: A prospective observational multicentre outcome study
A Steinsbekk1, and R Lu¨ dtke2
1Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU),
Trondheim, Norway
2Karl und Veronica Carstens-Stiftung, Essen, Germany
Objective: To evaluate the patient reported effects of homeopathic care 6 months after first consultations.
Methods: Prospective uncontrolled observational multicentre outcome study. All patients visiting 80 homeopaths all over Norway for the first time in eight different time periods from 1996 to 1998 were approached. Patients wrote down their main complaint and scored its impact on daily living on a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at the first consultation. Six months later they were asked to score again. The
homeopaths recorded treatments given for up to two follow-up consultations. Main outcome measure: Predefined as a reduction of at least 10mm in the VAS score between the first consultation and follow-up.
Result: Patients 1097 were recruited, 654 completed the follow-up questionnaire. The main complaint improved by at least 10mm on the VAS for 71% (95% confidence interval 67–74%) of patients. The average reduction was 32mm (95% CI 30–35mm). Fifty-one per cent (95% CI 48–55%) of the patients had an improvement in their general well being of more than 10mm. The mean reduction in the whole group was 14mm (95% CI 12–16 mm). The proportion of patients using conventional medication reduced
from 39% to 16%. Regression analysis showed that lower age and higher baseline score
were predictors of better outcome.
Conclusion: In this study, seven out of ten patients visiting a Norwegian homeopath reported a meaningful improvement in their main complaint 6 months after the initial consultation.
Source : Homeopathy
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Homeopathic medical practice: Long-term results of a cohort study with 3981 patients
Claudia M Witt1*, Rainer Lüdtke2, Roland Baur1 and Stefan N Willich1
1 Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, D-10098 Berlin, Germany
2 Karl und Veronica Carstens Foundation, Am Deimelsberg 36, D-45276 Essen, German
Abstract
Background On the range of diagnoses, course of treatment, and long-term outcome in patients who chose to receive homeopathic medical treatment very little is known. We investigated homeopathic practice in an industrialized country under everyday conditions.
Methods In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 primary care practices with additional specialisation in homeopathy in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age >1 year) consulting the physician for the first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: Patient and physician assessments (numeric rating scales from 0 to 10) and quality of life at baseline, and after 3, 12, and 24 months.
Results A total of 3,981 patients were studied including 2,851 adults (29% men, mean age 42.5 ± 13.1 years; 71% women, 39.9 ± 12.4 years) and 1,130 children (52% boys, 6.5 ± 3.9 years; 48% girls, 7.0 ± 4.3 years). Ninety-seven percent of all diagnoses were chronic with an average duration of 8.8 ± 8 years. The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis in men, headache in women, and atopic dermatitis in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between baseline and 24 months (adults from 6.2 ± 1.7 to 3.0 ± 2.2; children from 6.1 ± 1.8 to 2.2 ± 1.9). Physicians' assessments yielded similar results. For adults and young children, major improvements were observed for quality of life, whereas no changes were seen in adolescents. Younger age and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better therapeutic success.
Conclusion Disease severity and quality of life demonstrated marked and sustained improvements following homeopathic treatment period. Our findings indicate that homeopathic medical therapy may play a beneficial role in the long-term care of patients with chronic diseases.
Source : BMC
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Use of Homeopathy in Pediatric Oncology in Germany
Alfred L¨angler,1, 2 Claudia Spix,3 Friedrich Edelh¨auser,2 Genn Kameda,1 Peter Kaatsch,3 and Georg Seifert4
1Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
2University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
3German Childhood Cancer Registry (GCCR), The Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics (IMBEI), University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
4Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Otto Heubner Centre of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Charit´e-Universit¨atsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Abstract
Homeopathy is a frequently used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatment. We present results comparing responses of homeopathy users (HUs) and users of other forms of CAM (NHUs) in pediatric oncology (PO) in Germany.Differences between these two groups (usage, associated demographic characteristics, previous experience with CAM) are investigated. 186 (45.2%) of the 367 CAM users were exposed to homeopathy. The treatment duration amounted to a median of 601 days for HUs and 282 days for NHUs. Parents with p (127; 76.5%) also used homeopathy for their child’s cancer. Nonmedical practitioners played a considerably greater role as source of information than did treating physician. In the majority
HUs received their prescriptions from nonmedical practitioners (56%; 29.4% of NHUs). HUs communicate more frequently with their physicians about the CAM-use (77.7% versus 65.2%) and recommend CAM more often than NHUs (94% versus 85.6%). Homeopathy is the most frequently used CAM treatment in PO in Germany. HUs sustain treatment and therapies considerably longer than NHUs. Most families who had used homeopathy before their child was diagnosed with cancer also used homeopathy for the treatment of their child’s cancer. Compared to other CAM treatments, patient satisfaction with homeopathy appears to be
very high.
Source : Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2011, Article ID 867151, 7 pages
doi:10.1155/2011/867151
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Homeopathy in emergency medicine
Menachem Oberbaum1, Shepherd Roee Singer1, Helmut Friehs2 and Michael Frass2
1The Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
2Intensive Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Summary. Background: Use of homeopathy is not frequently reported in critically ill patients. We describe our
experience treating such patients homeopathically in the emergency room, on the wards, and in the intensive care unit of conventional hospitals in Austria and Israel.
Methods: We describe a case series of patients treated in the ER for multiple casualty incidents, two cases reports of remarkable cures in the ICU, and two RCT’s demonstrating the efficacy of homeopathy in septic and intubated patients.
Results: A case series documents favorable results in homeopathic treatment of patients in the ER and wards after multiple casualty incidents. Two case reports narrate remarkable homeopathic cures to imminently terminal illnesses. Finally, homeopathy was demonstrated effective as compared with placebo in improving long term survival in severely ill septic patients and in hastening extubation ICU patients.
Conclusions: Our report suggests that homeopathy may be applicable even for critically ill patients. We discuss the obstacles encountered, including a dearth of tools for successful homeopathic prescription in these situations, suspicion and lack of cooperation by patients and conventional colleagues, and the highly suppressive nature of concomitant conventional therapies. We suggest the development of algorithms and other tools to aid rapid homeopathic prescription in critical care patients, and discuss the importance of familiarizing physicians and medical students with homeopathy in order to facilitate communication
and cooperation between these complementary branches of medicine.
Source : Wien Med Wochenschr (2005) 155/21–22: 491–497 DOI 10.1007/s10354-005-0228-7
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Use of plants in basic research in homeopathic potentisation
Stephan Baumgartner1,2,3, Tim Jäger1,4, Vera Majewsky1,4, Claudia Scherr1,3, Devika Shah-Rossi3, Ursula Wolf1
1 Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Switzerland
2 Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
3 Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland
4 Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
Plants are apt test organisms to study biological effects of potentised substances. We provide a short overview of the current state of knowledge and discuss some recent research results of our laboratories, yielding evidence for specific effects of highly diluted homeopathic preparations.
Source : HRI Research Article Issue 16 Summer 2012
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EVIDENCE BASED HOMEOPATHY NOVEMBER 2009
European Committee for Homeopathy - Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis
SCIENTIFIC FRAMEWORK OF HOMEOPATHY
Evidence Based Homeopathy
After 64rd LMHI congress - 2009
Editor: LMHI and ECH secretary for research Dr Michel Van Wassenhoven.
SUMMARY:
This booklet is aimed at considering all important aspects of the scientific framework of Homeopathic practice including ethical questions, evaluation of daily practice, looking at the level of scientific evidence of each of these aspects. The conclusions are that homeopathy has to stay in the framework of medical practice and it is even a necessity for public health. Of course more research is always necessary.
Source : Similima.com
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Scientific evidence of the homeopathic epistemological model
Marcus Zulian Teixeira
Medical School of University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Homeopathy is based on principles and a system of knowledge different from the ones supporting the conventional biomedical model: this epistemological conflict is the underlying reason explaining why homeopathy is so difficult to accept by present-day scientific reason. To legitimize homeopathy according to the standards of the latter, research must confirm the validity of its basic assumptions: principle of therapeutic similitude, trials of medicines on healthy individuals, individualized prescriptions and use of high dilutions. Correspondingly, basic research must supply experimental data and models to substantiate the basic assumptions, whilst clinical trials aim at confirming the efficacy and effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of disease. This article discusses the epistemological model of homeopathy relating its basic assumptions with data resulting from different fields of modern experimental research and supporting its therapeutic use on the outcomes of available clinical trials. In this regard, the principle of individualization of treatment is the sine qua non condition to make therapeutic similitude operative and consequently for homeopathic treatment to exhibit clinical efficacy and effectiveness.
Source : Int J High Dilution Res 2011; 10(34):46-64 via similima.com
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The Model of Superfluid Physical Vacuum as a Basis for Explanation of Efficacy of Highly Diluted Homeopathic Remedies
Liudmila B. Boldyreva1* and Elena M. Boldyreva2
1The State University of Management, Moscow, Russia
2Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia
Abstract
The results of using homeopathic remedies for treatment of milking cows with mastitis and calves with gastrointestinal disorders are described. An explanation of effects of highly diluted homeopathic remedies, based on a model of superfluid physical vacuum, is provided. Under assumption that physical vacuum has the properties of superfluid 3Не-В, the effects of ultra-low doses can be taken due to spin supercurrents between spin structures produced in the superfluid physical vacuum by the biologically active substance and the target biological object. The properties of the spin supercurrents are similar to those in superfluid 3He-B.
Source : Journal of Homeopathy + Ayurvedic Medicine
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An Endeavor to Illustrate an Objective Evidence for the Action of Homeopathic Medicines by Measuring Physiological Variability in Human Body Temperature
-Dr.Devendra Kumar Munta, MD (Homeo)
Abstract:
Homeopathic medicines of 200c potency are applied orally to human subjects. ‘Physiological variability in temperature’ from skin of forearm is measured with the help of temperature data logger and water/soil temperature sensor. Temperature readings are taken at an interval of 1 second for 5 minutes. Time series spectral analysis is performed by using Statistical processing software. The statistical procedures like Auto Regressive Spectrum (ARS) and Parametric prediction and reconstruction (PPR) are used to study the change in temperature variability. There is marked change in temperature variability after applied homeopathic medicine.
Source : Homeoresearch.blogspot research
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Plausibility and evidence: the case of homeopathy.
Rutten L, Mathie RT, Fisher P, Goossens M, van Wassenhoven M.
Abstract
Homeopathy is controversial and hotly debated. The conclusions of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials of homeopathy vary from 'comparable to conventional medicine' to 'no evidence of effects beyond placebo'. It is claimed that homeopathy conflicts with scientific laws and that homoeopaths reject the naturalistic outlook, but no evidence has been cited. We are homeopathic physicians and researchers who do not reject the scientific outlook; we believe that examination of the prior beliefs underlying this enduring stand-off can advance the debate. We show that interpretations of the same set of evidence-for homeopathy and for conventional medicine-can diverge. Prior disbelief in homeopathy is rooted in the perceived implausibility of any conceivable mechanism of action. Using the 'crossword analogy', we demonstrate that plausibility bias impedes assessment of the clinical evidence. Sweeping statements about the scientific impossibility of homeopathy are themselves unscientific: scientific statements must be precise and testable. There is growing evidence that homeopathic preparations can exert biological effects; due consideration of such research would reduce the influence of prior beliefs on the assessment of systematic review evidence.
Source : Med Health Care Philos. 2012 Apr 27
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Research on Homeopathy: State of the Art
HARALD WALACH, Ph.D.,1–3 WAYNE B. JONAS, M.D., Ph.D.,3 JOHN IVES, Ph.D.,3
ROEL VAN WIJK, Ph.D.,4 and OTTO WEINGÄRTNER, Dr.Phil.Nat.5
Abstract
In this paper, we review research on homeopathy from four perspectives, focusing on reviews and some landmark studies. These perspectives are laboratory studies, clinical trials, observational studies, and theoretical work. In laboratory models, numerous effects and anomalies have been reported. However, no single model has been sufficiently widely replicated. Instead, researchers have focused on ever-new models and experiments, leaving the picture of scattered anomalies without coherence. Basic research, trying to elucidate a purported difference between homeopathic remedies and control solutions has also produced some encouraging results, but again, series of independent replications are missing. While there are nearly 200 reports on clinical trials, few series have been conducted for single conditions. Some of these series document clinically useful effects and differences against placebo and some series do not. Observational research into uncontrolled homeopathic practice documents consistently strong therapeutic effects and sustained satisfaction in patients. We suggest that this scattered picture has to do with the fourth line of research: lack of a good theory. Some of the extant theoretical models are reviewed, including placebo, water structure, silica contamination, energy models, and entanglement models. It emerges that local models, suggesting some change in structure in the solvent, are far
from convincing. The nonlocal models proposed would predict that it is impossible to nail down homeopathic effects with direct experimental testing and this places homeopathy in a scientific dilemma. We close with some suggestions for potentially fruitful research.
Source : THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE Volume 11, Number 5, 2005, pp. 813–829
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Hahnemann´s experiments with 50 millesimal potencies: a further review of his casebooks
Ubiratan Cardinalli Adler and Maristela Schiabel Adler
Abstract
Background: This research is based on a review of Hahnemann´s clinical records at the Institute for History of Medicine of the Robert Bosch Foundation in Stuttgart. Until the end of his long and productive life, Hahnemann continued to refine his clinical method, based on his series of clinical cases. His “most perfected method” motivated him to write the sixth edition of his principal work, the The Organon of the Healing Art, proposing solutions controlling the side effects he frequently observed with repeated doses of homeopathic medicines. Unfortunately, this was published many years posthumously. The 6th edition of The Organon introduced the pharmaceutical innovation known today as the
fifty-millesimal scale because it involves diluting the medicine approximately fifty thousand times at every stage of dynamization. Objectives: To identify the clinical cases treated with fifty-millesimal potencies and analyze Hahnemann’s use of them.
Results: 1836 prescriptions of fifty-millesimal potencies were found, used between 1837 and 1843 in three phases: initially sporadic; later compared regularly to centesimal dynamizations; and finally systematically, as in the instructions of the 6th edition of The Organon. 35 medicines were identified in fifty-millesimal prescriptions, 7 in potencies higher than 10 and only 3 (Sulphur, Mercurius solubilis and Rhus toxicodendron) used up to the 30th degree. This accords with Haehl’s information about the remedies in Hahnemann´s case of fifty-millesimal potencies.
Conclusions: Hahnemann probably decided to write the 6th edition, in 1840, to incorporate his latest experience with the repetition of potentized doses and periodically modified potencies. He must have revised it after February 1842 to include his latest findings with
fifty-millesimal potencies in ascending degrees. Hahnemann´s conception about the superiority of the fifty-millesimal in comparison with the centesimal dynamization was based on a significant number of experiments with the two scales.
Source : Homeopathy, 2006, 95(3):171-181
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Towards understanding molecular mechanisms of action of homeopathic drugs: An overview
Anisur Rahman Khuda-Bukhsh
Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani, West Bengal, India
Abstract
The homeopathic mode of treatment often encourages use of drugs at such ultra-low doses and high dilutions that even the physical existence of a single molecule of the original drug substance becomes theoretically impossible. But homeopathy has sustained for over two hundred years despite periodical challenges thrown by scientists and non-believers regarding its scientificity. There has been a spurt of research activities on homeopathy in recent years, at clinical, physical, chemical, biological
and medical levels with acceptable scientific norms and approach. While clinical effects of some homeopathic drugs could be convincingly shown, one of the greatest objections to this science lies in its inability to explain the mechanism of action of the microdoses based on scientific experimentations and proofs. Though many aspects of the mechanism of action still remain unclear, serious efforts have now been made to understand the molecular mechanism(s) of biological responses to the potentized form of homeopathic drugs. In this communication, an overview of some interesting scientific works on homeopathy has been presented with due emphasis on the state of information presently available on several aspects of the molecular mechanism of action of the potentized homeopathic drugs
Source : Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 253: 339–345, 2003.
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Laboratory Research in Homeopathy: Pro
Anisur R. Khuda-Bukhsh, PhD
Abstract
Homeopathy is a holistic method of treatment that uses ultralow doses of highly diluted natural substances originating from plants, minerals, or animals and is based on the principle of “like cures like.” Despite being occasionally challenged for its scientific validity and mechanism of action, homeopathy continues to enjoy the confidence of millions of patients around the world who opt for this mode
of treatment. Contrary to skeptics’ views, research on homeopathy using modern tools mostly tends to support its efficacy and advocates new ideas toward understanding its mechanism of action. As part of a Point-Counterpoint feature, this review and its companion piece in this issue by Moffett et al (Integr Cancer Ther. 2006;5:333-342) are composed of a thesis section, a response section in reaction to
the companion thesis, and a rebuttal section to address issues raised in the companion response.
Source : Integr Cancer Ther 2006; 5; 320
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Method for appraising model validity of randomised controlled trials of homeopathic treatment: multi-rater concordance study
BMC Medical Research Methodology 2012, 12:49 doi:10.1186/1471-2288-12-49
Robert T Mathie ([email protected])
Helmut Roniger ([email protected])
Michel Van Wassenhoven ([email protected])
Joyce Frye ([email protected])
Jennifer Jacobs ([email protected])
Menachem Oberbaum ([email protected])
Marie-France Bordet ([email protected])
Chaturbhuja Nayak ([email protected])
Gilles Chaufferin ([email protected])
John A Ives ([email protected])
Flavio Dantas ([email protected])
Peter Fisher ([email protected])
Abstract
Background
A method for assessing the model validity of randomised controlled trials of homeopathy is needed. To date, only conventional standards for assessing intrinsic bias (internal validity) of trials have been invoked, with little recognition of the special characteristics of homeopathy.
We aimed to identify relevant judgmental domains to use in assessing the model validity of homeopathic treatment (MVHT). We define MVHT as the extent to which a homeopathic intervention and the main measure of its outcome, as implemented in a randomised controlled
trial (RCT), reflect ‘state-of-the-art’ homeopathic practice.
Methods
Using an iterative process, an international group of experts developed a set of six judgmental domains, with associated descriptive criteria. The domains address: (I) the rationale for the choice of the particular homeopathic intervention; (II) the homeopathic principles reflected in
the intervention; (III) the extent of homeopathic practitioner input; (IV) the nature of the main outcome measure; (V) the capability of the main outcome measure to detect change; (VI) the length of follow-up to the endpoint of the study. Six papers reporting RCTs of homeopathy of varying design were randomly selected from the literature. A standard form was used to record each assessor’s independent response per domain, using the optional verdicts ‘Yes’, ‘Unclear’, ‘No’. Concordance among the eight verdicts per domain, across all six papers, was
evaluated using the kappa (κ) statistic
Results
The six judgmental domains enabled MVHT to be assessed with ‘fair’ to ‘almost perfect’ concordance in each case. For the six RCTs examined, the method allowed MVHT to be classified overall as ‘acceptable’ in three, ‘unclear’ in two, and ‘inadequate’ in one.
Conclusion
Future systematic reviews of RCTs in homeopathy should adopt the MVHT method as part of a complete appraisal of trial validity..
Source : BMJ
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From pharmaceutical standardizing to clinical research: 20 years of experience with fifty-millesimal potencies
Ubiratan Cardinalli Adler, Amarilys de Toledo Cesar, Maristela Schiabel Adler, Ana Elisa Padula, Erika Nakabara Garozzo, Wania Papile Galhardi
Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil
ABSTRACT
Background: 20 years ago we began to standardize the procedures of preparation and use of fifty-millesimal dilutions (LM or Q) according to indications in the 6th edition of Hahnemann’s Organon. Aim: to describe the main stages in standardization as well as our teaching and research experience on Organon 6th edition. Results: with the use of standardized LM dilutions we observed a lower incidence of homeopathic aggravation than with our earlier experience with non standardized preparations. Organon.modus, a clinical-pharmaceutical protocol derived from the standardization was adequate for the teaching of homeopathy at Faculty of Medicine of Jundiai (São Paulo), the first Brazilian medical school with a graduate course on homeopathy. A randomized double-blind trial comparing individualized homeopathic medicines prescribed in LM dilutions and fluoxetine showed the former not be inferior to the latter in the treatment of moderate-to-severe depression. Conclusion: protocol Organon.modus showed to be adequate to graduate-level teaching of homeopathy and efficient in a controlled clinica
Source : Int J High Dilution Res 2009; 8(29): 173-182
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The Questioned Effectiveness of Homeopathy
Application of this technique in agriculture shows recuperation of plants and environment.
Homeopathy is known as an alternative treatment for human beings, but few people know about its utilization on animals, plants, soils, and water. This technique is the target of critiques regarding results and efficacy. One of them is about the “placebo effect” of its remedies, which do not contain any trace of the raw material used in its preparation. To answer this criticism, a clarification is necessary: homeopathy is not related to chemistry, but to quantum physics, because it works with energy, not with chemical compounds that can be qualified and quantified.
The application of homeopathy techniques to agriculture is not recent, as most people might think. One of the first studies in this field dates back to the 20s, with the research on plants carried out by the couple Eugen and Lili Kolisko, based on the theories of Rudolf Steiner about biodynamic agriculture. Since then a lot of studies have been done in countries like France, India, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, Cuba, Italy, South Africa, and Brazil. Here the Federal University of Viçosa, in Minas Gerais, is a pioneer in this field.
One needn’t be a health or environment specialist to realize that the conventional methods of treating agricultural pests and diseases produce a disequilibrium in the ecosystem and, consequently, in human beings. Pathogenic agents and pests acquire, over time, resistance to pesticides (which, by market strategy, have come to be called “agricultural defenses”). Therefore, the quantity and aggressiveness of these chemical products must be increased to overcome this situation, causing a disastrous cascade effect: the soil becomes poorer and its yield is diminished; rural workers get severely sick by constantly handling these toxic products; water supplies, including underground ones, are contaminated; and the people who depend on agricultural products get all this exposure to poison, triggering a series of health problems.
With the exception of the pesticide and chemical fertilizer industries, who else benefits from the practice of these conventional treatments?
If Hippocrates could reassess his principle of opposites, represented by allopathy, in view of its later consequences on living beings and the environment, he would remove it from his considerations. Today, homeopathy as a sustainable technique, economically viable, and ecologically correct, has become indispensable to the equilibrium of the planet and to the health of all beings that live in it.
Author: Nina Ximenes, a biologist and postgraduate environmental education student.
Source : Brazilian Edition of Scientific American April 2012
Via Science Based Medicine
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