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Background and Objectives Over the past decade, research using various methods has claimed the material nature, including nanoparticles (NPs), of high homeopathic potencies. The current study aims to verify these findings using NP tracking analysis (NTA).
Methods Six independent serial dilutions of commonly used homeopathic medicines—either soluble (Gelsemium, Pyrogenium, Kalium mur) or insoluble (Cuprum, Argentum, Silicea)—were prepared according to European Pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dynamisations (DYNs) in pure water with their potentised controls and with simple dilutions (DIL) up to 30cH/10−60. We also tested the influence of the container (glass or PET) on the solvent controls.
Results We observed the presence of particles from 20 to 300–400 nm in all DYNs, DILs and controls, except in pure unstirred water. The sizes and size distributions of NPs in high homeopathic potencies were smaller than those in controls for soluble sources and larger for insoluble sources, even above 11cH. The opposite behaviour was observed in the number of NPs. When comparing DYN and DIL, the number, size, presence of aggregates or chains and brightness of NPs increased with DYNs, which was also observed above 11cH. Many NPs scattered light of low intensity, indicating the presence of material particles. The container had a significant effect on the number and size of NPs, indicating the involvement of the atmosphere and leaching processes.
Conclusion Homeopathic medicines contain NPs with specific properties, even when diluted beyond Avogadro's number. Homeopathic potentisation is not a simple dilution. The starting material, the solvent used, the type of container and the manufacturing method influence the characteristics of these NPs. The nature of these NPs is not known, but most likely they are a mixture of nanobubbles and elements from the atmosphere and container, including insoluble ones.
Highlights
•Homeopathy is based on four heterodox and complementary scientific assumptions.
•Pseudoskeptics deny these assumptions and any scientific evidence that proves them.
•The e-book proves the scientific evidence for homeopathy.
•The e-book describes hundreds of experimental and clinical studies in homeopathy.
•The e-book demystifies the fallacy that “homeopathy is placebo effect”.
Background: Homoeopathic medicines have the potential in treatment of patients suffering from cancers, Diabetic Retinopathy, and hemorrhagic disorders wherein anti- angiogenesis plays a vital role. Homoeopathic medicines have been used to treat haemorrhagic disorders. For example, Hamamelis is used in haemorrhages, varicose veins and in venous congestion. Thalaspi bursa is used in flabby condition of uterus, haemorrhagic conditions of uterine fibroid. This been said, their mechanism of action remains unknown. Therefore, this study was intended to establish angiogenic/anti-angiogenic effect of the selected homoeopathic medicines employing chick embryo model. Objective: To study the anti-angiogenic properties of selected homoeopathic medicines employing YSM assay in the chick embryo model. To test the toxicity of selected homoeopathic medicines through Chick embryo model. Materials and Method: Yolk Sac Membrane is widely utilized as an in vivo system to study angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis. The images for all YSMs were captured and were analyzed for angiogenic/anti-angiogenic effect. Results: Significant anti-angiogenic effects were observed in 10% concentrations of Hamamelis200cH, Thalaspi bursa 200cH and Thalaspi bursa 1M. Reduction of vessel density and total vessel network length, total branching points, total nets and total segment symbolizes that these medicines have anti-angiogenic potential and so they help in treating menstrual disorders, which is followed with cramps and discharge of clots. Conclusion: The mechanism of action of selected homoeopathic medicines as anti- angiogenic agent is proved which can be used to combat various diseases like haemorrhages, varicose veins, in venous congestion and problems related to haemorrhagic disorders. This will further help to study the action of these Homoeopathic medicines as potential line of treatment in patients suffering from cancers, Diabetic Retinopathy, hemorrhagic disorders wherein anti- angiogenesis plays a vital role.
Background: Arsenicum album, Causticum, Nux vomica, Pulsatilla nigricans, Rhus toxicodendron and Sulphur are frequently prescribed homeopathic medicines; however, their symptoms, as mentioned in different homeopathic literature works, have rarely been investigated systematically. Likelihood ratio (LR), based on Bayesian statistics, may reflect a better estimation of the strengths of symptoms than the existing entries in the homeopathic literature.
Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, analytical patient outcome study was conducted in the outpatient departments of D. N. De Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, on 1,954 patients over 21 months. The outcomes were recorded at each follow-up using the Outcome Related to Impact on Daily Living (ORIDL) +4 to −4 scale. The average period of treatment for each participant was 3 months. The LRs of four symptoms for each of the six selected medicines were calculated.
Results: One hundred and two different remedies were prescribed. The prevalence, LR + , and LR − , with respective 95% confidence intervals, of different symptoms were reported. The study found that the following symptoms had particularly high LR+ scores: “intense sympathy for the suffering of others” (Causticum, LR+ = 12.0); “dyspepsia from business anxiety” (Nux vomica, LR+ = 27.4); “burning pain relieved by heat” (Arsenicum album, LR+ = 29.6); “envy” (Pulsatilla nigricans, LR+ = 13.2); “desire for milk” (Rhus toxicodendron, LR+ = 7.5); “very selfish, no regard for others” (Sulphur, LR+ = 20.6). The findings corroborated well with the presentation of the symptoms in different homeopathic materia medica and repertories. ORIDL scores of +2 or greater were identified most prominently for Pulsatilla nigricans (n = 138) and Sulphur (n = 119).
Conclusion: There was adequate evidence to attribute all the assessed symptoms to the medicines investigated. Further studies with a larger population are warranted to tackle the possible confirmation bias.
Introduction This study aimed at examining the feasibility issues of comparing individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) with identical-looking placebos for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods Forty eligible patients participated in this double-blind, randomized (1:1), placebo-controlled feasibility trial in the outpatient clinics of a homeopathic hospital in West Bengal, India. Either IHMs or identical-looking placebos were administered, along with mutually agreed-upon concomitant care guidelines. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was the primary outcome measure, and derived Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores from KOOS, EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were the secondary outcomes; all measured at baseline and after 2 months. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were estimated using an intention-to-treat approach. p-Values less than 0.05 (two-tailed) were considered statistically significant.
Results Enrolment/screening and trial retention rates were 43% and 85% respectively. Recruitment was difficult owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Group differences were statistically significant, favoring IHMs against placebos in all the KOOS sub-scales: symptoms (p < 0.001), pain (p = 0.002), activities of daily living (p < 0.001), sports or recreation (p = 0.016), and quality of life (p = 0.002). Derived WOMAC scores from KOOS favored IHMs against placebos: stiffness (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001). The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire score (p < 0.001) and EQ-5D-5L VAS scores (p < 0.001) also yielded significant results, favoring IHMs over placebos. All the effect sizes ranged from moderate to large. Sulphur was the most frequently prescribed homeopathic medication. Neither group reported any harm or serious adverse events.
Conclusion Although recruitment was sub-optimal due to prevailing COVID-19 conditions during the trial, the action of IHMs was found to be superior to that of placebos in the treatment of knee OA. Larger and more definitive studies, with independent replications, are required to substantiate the findings.
Trial registration: CTRI/2021/02/031453.
Background:
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are common and may lead to complications. Most children experience between three and six ARTIs each year. Although these infections are self limiting, the symptoms can be distressing. Many treatments are used to control symptoms and shorten the duration of illness. They often have minimal benefit and may lead to adverse effects. Oral homeopathic medicinal products could play a role in the treatment of ARTIs for children if evidence for effectiveness is established.
Objectives:
To assess the effectiveness and safety of oral homeopathic medicinal products compared with placebo or conventional therapy to prevent and treat acute respiratory tract infections in children.
Search methods:
We searched CENTRAL (2017, Issue 11), which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1946 to 27 November 2017), Embase (2010 to 27 November 2017), CINAHL (1981 to 27 November 2017), AMED (1985 to December 2014), CAMbase (searched 29 March 2018), British Homeopathic Library (searched 26 June 2013 - no longer operating). We also searched the WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registers (29 March 2018), checked references, and contacted study authors to identify additional studies.
Selection criteria:
Double-blind, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or double-blind cluster-RCTs comparing oral homeopathy medicinal products with identical placebo or self selected conventional treatments to prevent or treat ARTIs in children aged 0 to 16 years.
Data collection and analysis:
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.
Main results:
We included eight RCTs of 1562 children receiving oral homeopathic medicinal products or a control treatment (placebo or conventional treatment) for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Four treatment studies examined the effect on recovery from URTIs, and four studies investigated the effect on preventing URTIs after one to three months of treatment and followed up for the remainder of the year. Two treatment and two prevention studies involved homeopaths individualising treatment for children. The other studies used predetermined, non-individualised treatments. All studies involved highly diluted homeopathic medicinal products.We found several key limitations to the included studies, in particular methodological inconsistencies and high attrition rates, failure to conduct intention-to-treat analysis, selective reporting, and apparent protocol deviations. We assessed three studies as at high risk of bias in at least one domain, and many had additional domains with unclear risk of bias. Three studies received funding from homeopathy manufacturers; one reported support from a non-government organisation; two received government support; one was cosponsored by a university; and one did not report funding support.Methodological inconsistencies and significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity precluded robust quantitative meta-analysis. Only four outcomes were common to more than one study and could be combined for analysis. Odds ratios (OR) were generally small with wide confidence intervals (CI), and the contributing studies found conflicting effects, so there was little certainty that the efficacy of the intervention could be ascertained. All studies assessed as at low risk of bias showed no benefit from oral homeopathic medicinal products; trials at uncertain and high risk of bias reported beneficial effects.We found low-quality evidence that non-individualised homeopathic medicinal products confer little preventive effect on ARTIs (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.57). We found low-quality evidence from two individualised prevention studies that homeopathy has little impact on the need for antibiotic usage (N = 369) (OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.76). We also assessed adverse events, hospitalisation rates and length of stay, days off school (or work for parents), and quality of life, but were not able to pool data from any of these secondary outcomes.There is insufficient evidence from two pooled individualised treatment studies (N = 155) to determine the effect of homeopathy on short-term cure (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.09 to 19.54; very low-quality evidence) and long-term cure rates (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.10 to 9.96; very low-quality evidence). Adverse events were reported inconsistently; however, serious events were not reported. One study found an increase in the occurrence of non-severe adverse events in the treatment group.
Authors' conclusions:
Pooling of two prevention and two treatment studies did not show any benefit of homeopathic medicinal products compared to placebo on recurrence of ARTI or cure rates in children. We found no evidence to support the efficacy of homeopathic medicinal products for ARTIs in children. Adverse events were poorly reported, so conclusions about safety could not be drawn.
Treatment of menstrual irregularities with individualized homeopathic medicinal products in early reproductive females: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- U Nag
- R K Pal
- S Saha
- S K Alam
- T Parvin
- R Gole
Nag U, Pal RK, Saha S, Alam SK, Parvin T, Gole R, et al. Treatment
of menstrual irregularities with individualized homeopathic medicinal
products in early reproductive females: A double-blind, randomized,
placebo-controlled trial. J Integr Complement Med 2024. doi:10.1089/
jicm.2024.0050