Homeopathic Treatment of Vitiligo: A Report of Fourteen Cases

Therapeutic effects of turmeric topical cream in vitiligo: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an autoimmune and acquired disease characterized by the destruction of epidermal melanocytes leading to depigmentation of the skin. Although vitiligo is a common disease, there is not a definite cure and conventional therapies can lead to serious adverse effects. Turmeric has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cell proliferation while it is a cost-benefit and available treatment for a variety of diseases.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical turmeric cream on vitiligo's lesions appearance including size and repigmentation.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Following the screening, 30 patients were enrolled according to inclusion criteria. The patients received training to apply turmeric and placebo cream at the specified side of their body twice a day for 4 months. Patients were evaluated at the baseline and at monthly intervals to access possible side effects. Lesion size, vitiligo area scoring index (VASI), vitiligo noticeability scale (VNS) and physician global assessment (PGA) were evaluated at the baseline and after four months to compare the changes induced by turmeric and placebo cream.

RESULTS

24 patients completed the trial. Applying turmeric cream reduced the size of lesions and improved lesion's appearance significantly compared to the placebo group (p-value < 0.001) and also patient's satisfaction score was higher following applying turmeric cream compared to placebo (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Turmeric cream can be used as an alternative remedy or adjuvant therapy in mild to moderate vitiligo lesions and in those who cannot tolerate the adverse effects of conventional therapies.

Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Treatment of Vitiligo: Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial

Objective: The feasibility of a definitive trial was tested to evaluate individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs) for the treatment of vitiligo. Design: This was a double-blind randomized (1:1) placebo-controlled pilot trial conducted at the National Institute Homeopathy, India. Sixty patients with vitiligo were included in the study. Interventions: IHMs and identical-looking placebos at 50-millesimal (LM) potencies. Outcome measures: Feasibility issues and scores from the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI), Vitiligo-specific Quality-of-life instrument (VitiQoL), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Results: The recruitment and retention rates were satisfactory. Mean reductions in the outcome measures were higher in the IHM group than placebo. Conclusions: Definitive efficacy trials are warranted. Clinical Trials Registry-India: CTRI/2018/10/016160; secondary identifier UTN: U1111-1221-7704.

A Co-morbid Condition of Warts and Vitiligo Treated with Individualized Homeopathy: An Evidence-Based Case Report

BACKGROUND

 Whilst warts and vitiligo are both common skin diseases, their co-morbidity is rare. Here we present a clinical case of warts with vitiligo to illustrate the utility of individualized homeopathic treatment.

METHOD

 The homeopathic medicine Sepia officinalis was prescribed, based on individualization. During follow-up, changes were documented by photographs. The non-invasive methods ORIDL (Outcome Related to Impact on Daily Living), VASI (Vitiligo Area and Scoring Index), and VETF (Vitiligo European Task Force) were used to assess treatment progress. Possible causal attribution of outcome with treatment was evaluated using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH).

RESULT

 There was a marked improvement of vitiligo, along with the disappearance of warts, as evidenced photographically. VASI and VETF scores were significantly reduced. Main complaints, as well as overall well-being, improved on the ORIDL scale (+3). The MONARCH score (+9) suggested that the clinical improvement was attributable to the homeopathic intervention.

CONCLUSION

 The study suggests a significant role for individualized homeopathic treatment in the co-morbidity of warts and vitiligo.

An integrated perspective on transmutation of acute inflammation into chronic and the role of the microbiome

The Continuum theory and the Levels of Health theory were separately proposed to explain the myriad responses to treatment and understand the process of health and disease in an individual. In light of accumulating evidence on the intricate relationship between the human immune system and microbiome, an attempt is made in this article to connect these two theories to explain the transmutation of the efficiently responding immune system (through the acute inflammatory response and high fever) to one involved in a low-grade chronic inflammatory process (resulting in chronic disease). There is already enough evidence to demonstrate the role of the microbiome in all chronic inflammatory diseases. In this article, we discuss the mechanism by which subjecting a healthy person to continuous drug treatment for acute inflammatory conditions (at a certain time) leads to transmutation to chronic disease. Although this hypothesis requires further experimental evidence, it calls for a reconsideration of the manner in which we treat acute infectious diseases in the population.

Appearance of Acute Inflammatory State Indicates Improvement in Atopic Dermatitis Cases Under Classical Homeopathic Treatment: A Case Series

The Continuum theory and the Levels of Health theory propound the idea that return of efficient acute inflammation (high fever) heralds true improvement in chronic inflammatory states. We present 6 cases of atopic dermatitis (AD), which had stability in their improvement for 1 year or more, under classical homeopathy. The cases were retrospectively assessed with selected based on the Hanifin Rajka atopic dermatitis diagnostic criteria and the follow ups evaluated according to changes on SCORing Atopic Dermatitis scale (SCORAD) scale. The pictures are presented as evidence. Modified Naranjo Criteria for assessing causal attribution of clinical outcome to homeopathic intervention was used to assess the effect of homeopathy in these cases. All the cases improved and stabilised with complete skin clearance (those that relapsed within 1 year were not included). These patients had not suffered high fevers/acute inflammatory diseases since onset/aggravation of AD. Five of the 6 cases developed acute inflammatory diseases as the chronic condition improved. The last case showed return of an old, lesser pathology. The control cases – which were selected for non-improvement under classical homeopathy also showed remarkable skin clearance when there was appearance of acute inflammatory states. In this study, there is a mutually exclusive relationship between efficient acute inflammation and chronic inflammation, which is in accordance with the 2 theories considered here. Further scientific studies are necessary to establish the phenomenon at tissue level.

Antimonium crudum in pediatric skin conditions: A classical homeopathic case series

Homeopathic Antimonium crudum may be useful in many pediatric skin conditions if prescribed on symptom similarity. It may especially be helpful in reducing the use of antibiotics and steroids in this age-group if proven to be effective through larger scientific studies.

The Spin of Electrons and the Proof for the Action of Homeopathic Remedies

In the last 200 years, the action of the highly diluted homeopathic remedies has been proved by their curative effect on the human organism. In this work, a hypothesis concerning the mystifying question about this action is proposed. The hypothesis suggests that any pathology, either functional or structural, can be detected in the change of the overall energy of the human body. Such energy is constituted by fields of force according to quantum physics. More precisely, every disturbance of the human organism affects the spin on electrons of different elements within the human body, and their reset could take place with an agent similar to the electromagnetic force that created the problem. This statement has been proved by the correct homeopathic treatments, as it can be seen in many published cases. The hypothesis is based on two approaches, the idea of the spin of electrons and the vital force, and their scientific relevance.

Heterotopic ossification in a 7-year-old female patient treated with individualized homeopathy: A case report

Classical homeopathy can be included among the treatment options for congenital heterotopic ossification.

Psoriasis cases of same diagnosis but different phenotypes-Management through individualized homeopathic therapy

This case series demonstrates that classical homeopathy may have a solution to psoriasis and its complications which goes beyond skin clearance and achieves general well-being. The variety in clinical phenotypes and their response to treatment may be explained on the basis of the theory of "Levels of Health."

Individualised Homeopathic Therapy in ANCA Negative Rapidly Progressive Necrotising Crescentic Glomerulonephritis with Severe Renal Insufficiency - A Case Report

Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-negative Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a severe form of autoimmune renal injury with a bleak prognosis.

A 60-year-old Indian woman was treated with classical homeopathy for ANCA-negative RPGN, and after one year of treatment, serum creatinine and other parameters indicating renal injury dropped steadily despite the withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs; renal dialysis, which was conducted twice a week initially, was made rarer and stopped after one year.

Classical homeopathy may be considered a potential therapeutic modality in severe pathologies. Controlled studies are required to establish further the extent to which classical homeopathy may relieve patients from procedures such as dialysis that cause considerable physical and economic discomfort.

Individualized Homeopathic Therapy in a Case of Obesity, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding, and Autonomic Dystonia

Patient: Female, 39

Final Diagnosis: Vegetovascular dystonia • dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Symptoms: Bleeding per vaginum • loss of consciousness • weakness

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Oral medication

Specialty: General and Internal Medicine