REsearch and studies
CONVINCING STUDIES VALIDATING HOMEOPATHY
Reprinted courtesy Karen Wehrstein from her website: http://extraordinarymedicine.org/
There have been hundreds of research studies on homeopathy with positive results. Rather than make you slog through a list of them, we’ll show you the ten most amazing and convincing. (And it was a tough choice… ADHD and eczema were a close 11th and 12th.) If you hear someone say there is no scientific evidence for homeopathy, please share with them this jaw-dropping collection.
NEW: Swiss government study validates homeopathy. See #1 below.
But first:
The late eminent materials scientist, Dr. Rustum Roy, makes hash of the “only water” argument.
1. Swiss government finds out homeopathy provides more bang for your euro (or buck)
Studer HP, Busato A., Speicherschwendi, University of Bern, Switzerland. Comparison of swiss basic health insurance costs of complementary and conventional medicine. Forsch Komplementmed. 2011;18(6):315-20. Epub 2011 Nov 25. In this government-requisitioned report, complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) is shown to be just as effective as conventional medicine (COM), with patients reporting better patient-physician relationships and fewer side effects with CAM. But one modality stands out:
“Statistical procedures show similar total practice costs for CAM and COM, with the exception of homeopathy with 15.4% lower costs than COM” (emphasis added). Western governments struggling with spiraling health-care costs, take note…!
2. Why Cubans no longer have to worry about leptospirosis
Bracho, Gustavo et al. Large-scale application of highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control. Homeopathy, 2010; 99: 156-166. Full paper, not just abstract.
This was the largest-scale ever homeopathic study, involving 2.3 million patients in parts of Cuba, who were given two doses of a homeopathic remedy as a preventative to the hurricane-triggered disease. The infection rate for leptospirosis dropped to near zero, for a cost that was a small fraction of what they had been paying for vaccination. Cuba now uses the homeopathic protocol with its entire population (Bracho, Gustavo, personal communication).
Currently, they’re working on another study on upper respiratory infections, with nine million (9,000,000) people. Stay tuned.
3. The meta-meta: looking at all the studies
A meta-analysis is a study of studies, a totaling of results reached in a group of them. The Faculty of Homeopathy did a meta-meta-analysis, and found: “Four of five major comprehensive reviews of RCTs in homeopathy have reached broadly positive conclusions. Based on a smaller selection of trials, a fifth review came to a negative conclusion about homeopathy.”
The four:
Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, ter Riet G. Clinical trials of homeopathy. Br Med J 1991; 302: 316–23.
Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, et al. Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997; 350: 834–43.
Linde K, Scholz M, Ramirez G, et al. Impact of study quality on outcome in placebo controlled trials of homeopathy. J Clin Epidemiol 1999; 52: 631–6.
Cucherat M, Haugh MC, Gooch M, Boissel JP. Evidence of clinical efficacy of homeopathy – A meta-analysis of clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000; 56: 27–33.
4. Could homeopathy save your life? Yes.
Frass et al. Adjunctive homeopathic treatment in patients with severe sepsis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in an intensive care unit. Homeopathy (2005) 94, 75–80. With 67 patients, after 180 days, 75.8% of the homeopathic patients were still alive, vs. 50% of the placebo patients.
Um… Professor Frass? Never do this again. Give the homeopathic to ALL OF THEM.
5. Placebo effect, when it’s little kids with diarrhea? And placebo-controlled?
Jacobs, J. et al. Homeopathy for childhood diarrhea: combined results and metaanalysis from three randomized, controlled clinical trials Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 2003;22:229–34. A meta-analysis of three studies showing homeopathy dropped the duration of the disease by a quarter. Authors recommend using it along with oral rehydration. When, as they say, “acute diarrhea is a leading cause of death in children in the developing world, with more than 3 million deaths per year worldwide,” what excuse is there for not using it?
6. Staggering implications for breast cancer patients
Frenkel, M. et al. Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells International Journal of Oncology 2010 Feb;36(2):395-403. Conclusion: Four homeopathic remedies caused death of breast cancer cell lines in the laboratory, similar to the effect of chemotherapy, but without affecting normal cells. Authors suggest more research. We suggest lots more research.
7. Homeopathy makes colds go away faster, especially in kids
Homeopathic and conventional treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints: A comparative study on outcome in the primary care setting BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2007, 7:7.
This comparative cohort study, involving more than 1,500 patients in primary care practices of at least 6 different European countries, concludes that homeopathic treatment for acute respiratory and ear complaints was not inferior to conventional treatment.already knew this.
8. Fibromyalgia patients take note
Bell I.R. et al, Improved clinical status in fibromyalgia patients treated with individualized homeopathic remedies versus placebo. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004 May;43(5):577-82. “Participants on active treatment showed significantly greater improvements in tender point count and tender point pain, quality of life, global health and a trend toward less depression compared with those on placebo.”
9. Who says homeopathy doesn’t belong in hospitals?
Frass et al., Influence of Potassium Dichromate on Tracheal Secretions in Critically Ill Patients CHEST March 2005 vol. 127 no. 3 936-941. You’re breathing on your own now. They want to pull the breathing tube out, but it’s stuck due to stringy stuff in your trachea. This study shows that they’ll be able to do it faster if they give you some Kali bichromicum 30C, which, again, homeopaths already knew. Several other hospitals, by the way, are currently working on replicating this study.
10. Homeopathy works in the long term, too.
Two years…
Witt, CM, Ludtke R, Baur R et al. Homeopathic medical practice: long-term results of a cohort study with 3981 patients. BMC Public Health 2005, 5:115 Conclusion: Quality of life and disease severity showed significant improvement after two years, based on both patient and physician assessment. Conditions treated were allergic rhinitis in men, headache in women, and atopic dermatitis in children.
Six years…
Thompson, E.A. et al, Homeopathic treatment for chronic disease: a 6-year, university-hospital outpatient observational study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2005 Oct;11(5):793-8.
This six-year study of 6,544 patients treated homeopathically showed that 70% of patients reported improved health. 50% had major improvement in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal problems and migraines. Children had improvements in eczema and asthma.
Eight years…
Witt, CM et al, How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment? – Results from a long term observational study BMC Public Health, 2008 Dec 17;8:413. 3,709 patients. “Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably.”
Oh, and… the WORST.
Remember we said four out of five meta-analyses showed positive results for homeopathy? This is the fifth: Shang, A. et al, Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy Lancet 2005; 366: 726–32
The authors took 110 placebo-controlled studies of homeopathy, and concluded that homeopathy has no more effect than placebo, based on eight of them. But they did not—and will not—reveal which eight, making a mockery of the research principles of transparency and reproducibility. That and other flaws made this “research” an utter failure. But it was widely publicized in the media—causing bitter consequences for homeopaths and their patients, especially in the UK.
See lots more homeopathy-related research at:
http://www.giriweb.com/
http://www.homeopathy-ecch.org/
http://www.homeopathyeurope.org/
http://www.cam-quest.org/en/
http://www.feg.unesp.br/~ojs/index.php/ijhdr/index
http://www.homeopathic.org/
http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/
http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed : search “homeopathy”
http://www.audesapere.in/
Thank you to the National Center for Homeopathy and David Brule for writing help on this page.
IN VITRO STUDIES IN HOMEOPATHY
In vitro Evidence of Homeopathy
August 18, 2012
Upto the end of the year 2010, there have been 30 in-vitro studies published in 20 medical journals in evidence of homeopathy. These 30 in-vitro studies are part of the total 298 studies in evidence of homeopathy till 2010.
In vitro studies are those that are conducted on components (instead of whole) isolated from a living organism such as organs, cells, components of cells such as ribosomes or mitochondria, extracts of cells such as reticulocyte or cell molecules such as acids or proteins. Vitro means glass. The invitro studies are conducted in test tubes and culture dish.
Upto the end of the year 2010, there have been 30 in-vitro studies published in 20 medical journals in evidence of homeopathy. These 30 in-vitro studies are part of the total 298 studies in evidence of homeopathy till 2010.
1. 20 journals comprise of 15 integrative, 1 homeopathy and 4 CAM journals.
2. All journals beyond the year 1893 are peer-reviewed.
3. URL Links to all 30 studies (Journal-wise) including 22 FULL-TEXT PDF papers are available as a compendium on this webpage as well as read at or downloaded from Google Drive
Exclusion Criterion (Which studies are not included?)
1. Studies on Plants and Animals
2. Statistically non-significant studies
3. non-peer reviewed studies from year 1893 onwards
4. studies published in non-journal paper
5. studies in which combination of homeopathic medicine with any other medicine is prescribed
6. studies in which medicine is perceived to be homeopathic but is not such as radionically prepared or different potencies of same medicine mixed together.
The compendium is prepared by mining 14 online databases: PubMed Central (National Library of medicine, USA), MedWorm, British library Direct (type homeopathy in the search box), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (type homeopathy in the search box), Scirus, Google Scholar, HomBRex, The Allied and Complementary Medicine Database,Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial, Excerpta Medica Database Embase,Science Citation Index,Lilacs , CAM QUEST and Clinical Outcome Research in Homeopathy
INTEGRATIVE JOURNALS
1. Nonlinear Biomedical Physics
Influence of diluted mediators on fungal laccase activity (2009) FULL TEXT // bi-phase action, in vitro & in vivo
2. International Journal of Oncology
Ruta 6 induces cell deaths in brain cancer cells: A novel treatment for human brain cancer (2003) FULL TEXT // in vitro, and in vivo, n=15
Cytotoxic effects of ultra-diluted remedies on breast cancer cells (2010) FULL TEXT // Carcinosin 30c, Phytolacca Decandra 200c, Conium 3c and Thuja 30c for breast cancer
3. Experimental Biology and Medicine
Anti-cancer activity of Gelsimium 2-4c (2008) FULL TEXT
4. Innovation et technologie en biologie et médecine (French) (meaning) Innovation and Technology in Biology and Medicine
Effect of Apis mellifica on the in vitro human basophil degranulation (1986) // incubation of basophils with high dilutions of Apis mellifica inhibits allergen-induced basophil degranulation
5. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
In vitro immunological degranulation of human basophils is modulated by Lung histamine 5c,15c,18c and Apis mellifica 9c,10c (1988) FULL TEXT //blind experiment
6. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
Gripp-Heel (Aconitum 4X, Bryonia 3X, Eupatorium 2X, Lachesis 11X, Phosphorous 4X) for respiratory viral infections (2007) FULL TEXT
7 Ultrastructural Pathology (Informa)
http://www.canovadobrasil.com.br/uploads/study/Publicado%20n%C2%B0%2011%20-%20Pretorius-1269524789.pdf (2008) FULL TEXT // combination remedy
8. Genetics and Molecular Research
http://www.canovadobrasil.com.br/uploads/study/Publicado%20n%C2%B0%202%20-%20Rommel-1269523794.pdf FULL TEXT (2003) // combination remedy
9. Clinical and Developmental Immunology (Taylor and Francis)
Traummel S activates immunocytes (2004) FULL TEXT // combination remedy
10. Arzneimittel-Forschung
Antioxidative, antiproliferative and biochemical effects of Hepeel (Carduus marianus, Cinchona, Lycopodium, Nux moschata, Colocynthis D6, Veratrum album D6, Chelidonium, Phosphorus D6) in HepG2 cells (2003) // combination remedy
Homeopathic medicines in 1X to 30X potencies enhanced the phagocytic activity of granulocytes (1986) // in vitro & in vivo
11. Journal of Crystal Growth
Berberis vulgaris Q. Dioscorea Q. and Calcarea carb 200 for dissolution of gallbladder stone (2005)
12. Inflammation Research
Zeel comp. N (Arnica montana, Sanguinaria canadensis and Rhus toxicodendron) inhibits the production of Leukotriene B4; Solanum dulcamara Q inhibits the production of Prostaglandin E2 (2004) FULL TEXT // anti-inflammatory, single as well as combination remedy
13. Integrative Cancer Therapies
Effect of Sabal serrulata on prostate cancer growth (2006) FULL TEXT
14. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology
Hepeel prevented cadmium chloride-induced cell death in liver cells (2009) // FULL TEXT China Q and Nux moschata Q protected against loss of glutathione and lipid peroxidation. Carduus marianus Q demonstrated anti-apoptotic effects, single & in combination
15. Histology and Histopathology
Scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structure of platelets of HIV patients treated with Canova (2009) // combination remedy
HOMEOPATHY JOURNALS
1. Homeopathy
Histamine 3-20x inhibits basophil activation (2003)
http://www.canovadobrasil.com.br/uploads/study/Publicado%20n%C2%B0%2013%20-%20Rommel%20II-1269524988.pdf FULL TEXT (2009), combination remedy
Canovas as Immunomodulator (2009) FULL TEXT // review article
2. British Homoeopathic Journal
Belladonna, Hepar sulphur, Pyrogenium, Silicea and Staphylococcin in Mother Tincture modifies the white blood cell movement (1982) FULL TEXT
Managanum phosphoricum 6x, Acidum malicum 4x and Acidum fumaricum 4x regulate the oxidative metabolism and adhesion function of human neutrophils (1993) FULL TEXT
CAM JOURNALS
1. Complementary Therapies in Medicine
The in vitro evidence for an effect of high homeopathic potencies—A systematic review (2007) FULL TEXT // 73% of 67 in-vitro experiments published in 75 publications showed specific effects with high dilutions including 68% of high quality experiments
Potentized homeopathic drugs act through regulation of gene expression (1997) FULL TEXT // in vitro, homeopathic substances have the capacity to interact with the genetic blueprint and deliver their benefits by increasing the expression of genes that synthesise health promoting proteins i.e. homeopathic medicines activate genes.
2. Forschende Komplementärmedizin (German) meaning Research in Complimentary Medicine
Histamine 11c,12c inhibits basophil activation (2003)
3. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Immune-modulatory effects of Phase 6 and Flu Terminator (2007) // elicts human immune response. Phase 6 and flu terminator are complex remedies
Cadmium 15c-20c exhibit a biologic effect on cell cultures of normal primary lymphocytes (2006) FULL TEXT
4. Forschende Komplementärmedizin und Klassische Naturheilkunde (German ) meaning Research in Complementary and Classical Natural Medicine
Euphorbium, Pulsitilla & Luffa for viral infection of respiratory tract, Influenza A virus & rhino virus (2001) FULLTEXT // Euphorbium Compositum compared to anti-viral drugs such as acyclovir, rabavirin and amatadine
Studies Beyond the year 2010
1. Homeopathy
Mercurius solubilis: actions on macrophages (2011)
NANOPARTICLES BEYOND AVOGADRO’S NUMBER
As a therapeutic tool high dilutions (HDs) are always at the center of controversies due to
problems to validate them as a function of Avogadro’s number. Nevertheless, homeopathy is practiced
around the world as a complementary and alternative medicine. The present study sought to evaluate
HDs of homeopathic drug Ferrum metallicum (Ferr) 6, 30, 200, 1M, 10Mc and 50Mc, all of which except
for 6c surpass Avogadro’s number. Using HRTEM and EDS it was conclusively shown that:
1) all the investigated HDs of Ferr contained plenty of nanoparticles (NPs);
2) the size of NPs were within the quantum dots (QD) size range, except for 50Mc, in which larger particles were found (12.61nm);
3) NPs contained iron in various weight percentages;
4) the weight percentage of iron was highest in HDs 10Mc and 50Mc.
For more high dilution studies and their effects on humans animals and plants see at this website
