Report on the status of research on homœopathy with recommendations for future research

A pilot statistical study with homoeopathic potencies of arsenicum album in wheat germination as a simple model

A blind, randomized laboratory trial to study homoeopathic potencies of Arsenicum album on wheat germination is proposed as a simple model which allows a rigorous statistical analysis. The parametric tests show that the differences between the treatment groups cannot be explained as a mere effect of intrinsic seed variability.

Critical evaluation of papers reviewing controlled clinical trials in homoeopathy

An analysis was made of papers reviewing controlled clinical trials designed to assess efficacy of homoeopathic treatment strategies, the aim being to demonstrate selective and critical assessment of such papers. The papers were systematically collected and evaluated for content and quality using predefined criteria, finally comparing the results. 9 of 41 papers considered in detail after screening the literature met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Each considered between 22 and 107 trials. 7 papers met 2 or less of the predefined quality criteria, one met 6 and one 8 criteria. Only 1 of the papers allowed full representation and reproducible evaluation of treatment strategies for the controlled clinical studies considered in that paper. The analysis has shown that review papers must clearly specify issues, objectives, methods of literature screening and quality assessment.

Effects of homeopathic arsenic on tobacco plant resistance to tobacco mosaic virus. Theoretical suggestions about system variability, based on a large experimental data set

CONTEXT

This research aimed at verifying the efficacy of homeopathic treatments by plant-based bioassays, which may be suitable for basic research, because they lack placebo effects and provide large datasets for statistical analyses.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of homeopathic treatments of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on tobacco plants subjected to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) inoculation as biotic stress.

DESIGN

Blind, randomized experiment using tobacco leaf disks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L. cultivar Samsun) carrying the TMV resistance gene N. TMV inoculated leaf disks were floated for 3 days in the following: Distilled water (control). H2O 5 and 45 decimal and centesimal potencies. As2O3 5 and 45 decimal and centesimal potencies. The main outcome measures is the number of hypersensitive lesions observed in a leaf disk.

RESULTS

Homeopathic treatments of arsenic induce two effects on the plant: (i) increased resistance to TMV; (ii) decrease variability between experiments (system variability).

CONCLUSIONS

In this experimental model two actions of homeopathic treatment were detected: decrease in system variability and enhancement of the natural tendency of the system towards an 'equilibrium point'.

Alternative and complementary medicine for asthma

Images