Scientific Research

More News on Homeopathic Research – Part 40

Homeopath and author Robert Medhurst presents part 40 in his
Important series on research in homeopathy.

Homeopathy has been used successfully for well in excess of two centuries. It’s survived for this long because it works- we know this from personal experience and observation. But, because the means by which it works has yet to be fully described, and what it does is seemingly at odds with the currently understood principles of physics and chemistry, it’s useful to conduct scientific research to objectively validate its effects. What follows are summaries from recent investigations from the scientific journals that assist in this validation.

Human Trials

  1. Gupta G, et al. Evidence Based Clinical Study to Assess the Usefulness of Homoeopathic Medicines in Patients of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2010, 4, 4, 49-56. Indian researchers from the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy and the Homoeopathic Research Foundation, Lucknow, collaborated in this observational study which looked at the effects of predetermined homeopathic medicines for the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH). 43 men previously diagnosed with BPH took part in the study. Individualised homeopathic medicines were prescribed and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), ultrasonography, uroflowmetry and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) were assessed before and after homoeopathic treatment. After comparing pre and post treatment results, the difference in mean values of IPSS, prostate weight, PSA and average flow rates were found to be statistically significant. Maximum flow rate and Post Void Residual Urine (PVRU) were improved but statistically not significant. Lycopodium (n=15), Pulsatilla (n=11), Sulphur (n=8) and Calcarea carb. (n=3) were found to be most useful among 10 medicines prescribed. Overall, 93.0% of patients improved clinically with an evidence of positive changes in diagnostic parameters.
  1. Patel M, et al. An Approach to Acute Diarrhoeal Disorders Through Sector and Constitutional Homoeopathic Treatment in Tribal Children Attending Balwadi. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2010, 4, 4, 36-46. This Indian study was undertaken to verify the efficacy of acute homeopathic treatment in the management of diarrhoea and exploring the role of individualised homeopathic medicine in preventing its recurrence. 300 children were selected from 10 Anganwadi (Balwadi day care centre) from the tribal population having a known high prevalence of diarrhoea. A randomised case control, single, blinded method was used to prove the efficacy of the treatment. For this purpose, the sample was divided into three groups: acute remedy group, acute remedy followed by constitutionally prescribed homeopathy, and a placebo group as a control. Basic hygienic measures were explained to the parents and they were followed up regularly. The results of the study showed that, compared the controls, the acute homeopathic medicines had a definite role in altering the course of acute diarrhoea and when the acute medicine was followed up by the constitutional medicine it had a significant impact in bringing down the frequency, shortening the duration, and decreasing the intensity of further episodes of diarrhoea. This strategy also showed a definite positive response in the general well being of the child in terms of weight gain and general activity.
  1. Muraleedharan KC, et al. Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Medicines in HIV patients – A Clinical Trial. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2010, 4, 4, 29-35. This Indian study was an open-label observational prospective multi-centre design of 18 months duration. Subjects were selected from a group of people with confirmed HIV infection, who reported for homoeopathic treatment at the Outpatient Department of the Regional Research Institute of Homoeopathy, Mumbai and the Clinical Research Unit of Homoeopathy at Chennai. The study used individualised homoeopathic medicines selected through repertorisation. The aim of study was to observe the changes in CD4 and viral load volumes after the use of individualised homoeopathic medicines. 72 patients, who completed the follow up period were assessed. An analysis of the results found that there was significant change in viral load volume as compared to the baseline data (95% CI, 0.16, 1.24, p=0.012), but no significant changes was observed in CD4 cells (95% CI, -9.31, 57.84, p=0.154). Body Mass Index (BMI) (95%,-1.12,-.57, p<0.001) showed significant improvement. After the homoeopathic intervention, WHO-QOL (Quality of Life) parameters showed statistically significant changes at p<0.05 in physical health, psychological and environmental domains but in social domain no significant change was noted.
  1. Gupta N, et al. Homoeopathic Medicinal Treatment of Autism. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2010, 4, 4, 19-28. An Indian research team set out to investigate the effects of individualised homeopathic treatment in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). 25 children who had been diagnosed with ASD were enrolled in the study. They received individualised homoeopathic treatment and their progress was followed for 18 months. Significant positive & curative response with homoeopathic medicines in subjects with ASD was found, suggesting that homoeopathic medicines can provide relief from abnormal behavioural problems in children presenting with ASD.
  1. Siddiqui VA, et al. To Explore the Utility of Homoeopathic Medicine Lycopodium Clavatum in Urinary Calculi. lndian Journal of Research on Homoeopathy, 2010, 4, 3, 34-38. Workers from India’s Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy conducted a multicentric, observational study on urolithiasis from 2005·2010. 90 men diagnosed with urolithiasis were enrolled in the study. The baseline symptoms score of urolithiasis was assessed before and after the treatment by using paired ‘t’ test in SPSS (Verbascum16). A non parametric test of ‘Wilcoxon rank sum was used to analyse the changes in urinary symptoms before and after the treatment. Forty one (45.6%) patients showed marked improvement , 6 (6.7%) patients showed moderate improvement , 31 (34.4%) patients showed mild improvement, in 11(12.2%} patients there was no significant improvement and 1{1 .1%) patient did not improve. Results of this study showed the utility of Lycopodium clavatum in the dissolution of urinary calculi.
  1. Nayak C, et al. A Prospective Multicentric Observational Study to Evolve the Usefulness of the Predefined Homoeopathic Medicines in the Management of Acute Diarrheal Disease in Children. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2009, 3, 3, 21-28. This Indian report records the details of an observational study on acute diarrhoeal diseases in children that was undertaken with 14 predefined trial homoeopathic medicines to arrive at a group of medicines that may be useful for the treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea. To do this, a prospective, multi-centre observational study was conducted by the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy at its various Institutes and Units throughout India during Oct. 2005 to Sept. 2008. 327 children aged 6 months to 12 years were enrolled and the medicines were selected on the principles of homeopathy. Diarrhoea index scores were assessed before and after treatment using SPSS (ver. 16). The results showed that the diarrhoea index score either deteriorated or remained unchanged from the baseline score in 1.8% of the children treated, and improvement was seen in the remainder. The most commonly prescribed of the 14 homeopathic medicines used were Podophyllum peltatum (n=158), Chamomilla (n=49), Aethusa cynapium (n=25), Mercurius solubilis (n=23), Calcarea carbonica (n=21), Sulphur (n=18), and Phosphorus (n=17).
  1. Grover A, Bhushan B, Goel R. Double Blind Placebo Controlled Trial of Homoeopathic Medicines in the Management of Withdrawal Symptoms in Opium Addicts and its Alkaloid Derivatives-Dependents. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2009, 3, 1, 41-44. This research, performed at the Navjyoti Drug Demand Reduction Training Institute in New Delhi, sought to ascertain the efficacy of 6 predefined homoeopathic medicines versus placebo in the management of the withdrawal symptoms in opium addicts & its alkaloid derivatives dependents. A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study design was used. 169 people addicted primarily to opium, its alkaloid derivatives, either natural or synthetic (Morphine, Codeine, Heroin, Pethidine and other narcotics) were enrolled for the study which ran from September 2002 to August 2005. Only male patients within 15 – 50 yrs of age attending the training institute were included in the study. Assessment of progress made in each individual symptom was recorded for both the groups. The clinical progress of each subject was recorded from the 3rd day onward after starting the treatment. An analysis of the results showed a statistically significant superiority of the homeopathIc treatment over placebo. The most commonly used medicines were Arsenicum, Nux vomica, Rhus tox and Pulsatilla.
  1. Ramteke SS, et al. An Open Clinical Observational Study on the Usefulness of Pre-defined Homoeopathic Medicines in the Management of Chronic Sinusitis. Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy, 2009, 3, 1, 34-40. Indian researchers looked at the potential of 17 pre-defined homoeopathic medicines for the management of chronic sinusitis. An open clinical observational study was conducted at the Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy), at Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) under the control of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy from October 2005 to March 2009. 51 people diagnosed with chronic sinusitis were treated with 17 predetermined homeopathic medicines in 30C, 200C or 1M potencies, were followed up for 6 months and were assessed using a chronic sinusitis symptom score (CSSS). Outcome assessments showed 88% improvement in varying degrees; marked improvement in 31(61%) patients, moderate improvement in 10 (20%) patients and mild improvement in 4 (8%) patients. Silicea, Kali bichromicum and Calcarea carbonica were the most commonly prescribed medicines.

Animal Research

  1. Guedes JPR, et al. Ultra High Dilution of Triiodothyronine Modifies Cellular Apoptosis in Rana Catesbeiana Tadpole Tail In Vitro. Homeopathy, 2011, 100, 220-227. Triiodothyronine, otherwise known as T3, has a well-defined role as a metabolic stimulant. This randomised and blinded Brazilian research was designed to investigate the effects of a 10C homeopathic potency of T3 on the action of material doses of T3, on the growth of tadpole tails in comparison to both positive (material doses of T3) and negative (unsuccussed diluent) controls. Specifically, the researchers wanted to find out if the 10C homeopathic potency blocked the action of T3 in regard to apoptosis of the tadpole tails; a measure of the maturation of tadpoles into frogs. The results displayed a statistically significant reduction in the action of T3 as a result of the influence of the homeopathically potentised T3.
  1. Ferraz FN, et al. Different Forms of Administration of Biotherapy 7dH in Mice Experimentally Infected With Trypanosoma Cruzi Produce Different Effects. Homeopathy, 2011, 100, 237-243. Brazilian researchers set out to determine the outcome of using 7dH (7X) homeopathic potencies of T. cruzi on mice infected with the same species of parasite. The parasite itself is associated with Chagas disease in humans. Mice were assigned to receive the homeopathic medicine at various times before developing the infection (5, 7, 20 or 30 days), water as a negative control or benznidazole as a positive control, before developing the infection. On analysis of the results it was found that, when compared to the controls, pretreatment with the homeopathic medicine at days 7 and 30 before the development of the infection had a statistically significant effect.

About the author

Robert Medhurst

Robert Medhurst BNat DHom DBM DRM DNutr is an Australian Naturopath & Homeopath with 40 years of clinical experience. He has written many articles and lectured on homeopathy throughout Australia and the U.S. Robert previously set up and operated 5 natural therapies practices in Sydney and Adelaide and was involved in teaching and medical research. He was formerly the Expert Advisor on Homeopathy to the Federal Government of Australia, Dept. of Health & Ageing. He specialises in homeopathy and is the author of The Business of Healing, the definitive guide for clinical practice establishment and management, as well as The Concordant Clinical Homeopathic Repertory. For more information see adelaidehillsnaturopath.com.au.

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