The ion partition detected in homeopathically manufactured medicine cuprum metallicum and controls

Homeopathy is highly controversial. The main reason for this is its use of very highly dilute medicines (high homeopathic potencies, HHP), diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. Research using Nano Tracking Analysis has demonstrated the presence of particles in HHPs. This study aims to verify the results of a previous publication that identified the ionic composition of these particles in all dilutions. We used Scanning Electron Microscopy & Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to examine dilutions of a commonly used homeopathic medicine, an insoluble metal, Cuprum metallicum, for the presence of particles (NPs). The homeopathic medicines tested were specially prepared according to the European pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dilutions/dynamizations of copper with simple dilutions and dynamized lactose controls. We observed an ionic diversity common to all preparations including HHPs but also significant differences in the relative quantity of each ion between manufacturing lines of homeopathic copper and lactose controls. The probability that the observed differences could have occurred chance alone (especially above Avogadro limit) can be rejected at p < 0.001. The essential component of these homeopathic medicines is sodium hydrogen carbonate, modulated by some other elements and by its quantity, size and shape. Homeopathic medicines made of Cuprum metallicum do contain material with a specific ionic composition even in HHPs diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. This specificity can be attributed to the manufacturing process. This material demonstrates that the step-by-step process (dynamized or not) does not match the theoretical expectations of a dilution process. The starting material and dilution/dynamization method influences the nature of these NPs. Further measurements are needed on other raw materials using the same controls (solvent and simply diluted manufacturing lines) to support these findings. The role of sodium bicarbonate must be carefully studied in the future.

Particle characterisation of traditional homeopathically manufactured medicine cuprum metallicum and controls

Homeopathy is highly controversial. The main reason for this is its use of very highly dilute medicines (high homeopathic potencies, HHP), diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. Research using several different methods has demonstrated the presence of particles, including nanoparticles of source material, in HHPs. This study aims to verify the results of a previous publication that detected the presence of particles in all dilutions. We used the Nano Tracking Analyzer (NTA) to examine dilutions of a commonly used homeopathic medicine, an insoluble metal, Cuprum metallicum, for the presence of particles. The homeopathic medicines tested were specially prepared according to the European pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dilutions/dynamizations with simple dilutions and controls including a soluble medicine. We observed the presence of solid material in all preparations including HHPs (except for pure water). The measurements showed significant differences in particle sizes distribution between homeopathic manufacturing lines and controls. Homeopathic medicines do contain material with a specific size distribution even in HHPs diluted beyond the Avogadro/Loschmidt limit. This specificity can be attributed to the manufacturing and potentization process. This material demonstrates that the step-by-step process (dynamized or not) does not match the theoretical expectations in a dilution process. The starting material and dilution/dynamization method influences the nature and concentration of these NPs.

Survey COVID-19 first peak 2020: viewpoint of Belgian homeopathic medical doctors

This retrospective observational survey of the practice of Homeopathic Medical Doctors in Belgium including 313 patients presenting mild COVID-19 symptoms allows us to conclude that during such epidemic situation for which not any effective therapy exists and no vaccination is possible homeopathy should be considered. The efficiency score (healing of symptoms in less than 8 days) is relevant for 83,1% of these patients. 4 homeopathic medicines were prescribed to 66% of them. 1,3% needed hospitalization for some time. Not any loss of chance to cure occurred for these patients. Market data reveals that homeopathy has been largely used for prevention and healing during the early peak of COVID-19 in Belgium.

Clinical Verification of Homeopathy / Clinical Verification of Homeopathy

The world is changing! This is certainly true regarding the homeopathic practice and access to homeopathic medicine. Therefore our first priority at the ECH-LMHI [1] has been to produce a yearly report on the scientific framework of homeopathy. In the 2010 version a new chapter about epidemic diseases has been added including the Leptospirosis survey on the Cuban population. A second priority has been to review the definition of the homeopathic medicines respecting the new framework generated by the official registration procedure and the WHO report. We are working now on a documented (Materia Medica and provings) list of homeopathic remedies to facilitate the registration of our remedies. The new challenges are: first of all more good research proposals and as such more funding (possible through ISCHI + Blackie Foundation as examples) [2]; international acceptance of new guidelines for proving and clinical verification of homeopathic symptoms (Proposals are ready for discussion); total reconsideration of the homeopathic repertories including results of the clinical verification of the symptoms. The world is changing, we are part of the world and changes are needed also for homeopathy! [1] Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis (LMHI); 2010 [Access in 2010 Oct 21]. Available from http://liga.iwmh.net/index.php?menuid=1 [2] Clinical Verification of Homeopathy. International Scientific Committee on Homeopathic Investigations; 2010 [Acess is 2010 Oct 21]. Available from http://liga.iwmh.net/index.php?menuid=49&reporeid=198

Scientific framework of homeopathy: evidence-based homeopathy / Marco científico da homeopatia: homeopatia baseada em evidências

Paper aims at considering all important aspects of the scientific framework of homeopathic practice, looking at the levels of scientific evidence of each aspect in an objective way, through an extensive review of literature. Levels of evidence considered are: I) existence of meta-analyses and/or systematic positive reviews of literature; IIa) multiple positive randomized controlled trials (RCTs); IIb) some positive RCTs; IIIa) positive multiple cohorts studies; IIIb) positive studies with some cohorts; IV) opinion of experts (clinical and daily practice cases). Conclusions are clear: homeopathy must stay within the framework of medical practice, and it is even a necessity for public health.

O presente artigo aborda aspectos importantes do marco científico da prática homeopática, focando os níveis de evidência de cada um deles de maneira objetica, através de uma revisão extensa da literatura. Os níveis de evidência considerados são: I) existência de meta-análises e/ou revisões sistemáticas positivas da literatura; IIa) múltiplos estudos randomizados controlados (RCTs) positivos; IIb) alguns RCTs positivos; IIIa) estudos de coortes múltiplas positivos; IIIb) estudos com algumas coortes positivos; IV) opinião de expertos (casos clínicos da prática cotidiana). As conclusões são claras: a homeopatia deve permanecer dentro do marco da prática médica, sendo, inclusive, uma necessidade para a saúde pública.