Science
Find out what the Science says about Homeopathy
Find out what the Science says about Homeopathy
Although there is some controversy around how homeopathy works, the science is clear that it has biological effects on all organisms.
It is difficult to study Homeopathy using the standard double-blind control experiments for the single reason that every person's case is unique and requires a unique remedy.
Science confirms that Homeopathy is effective in its healing properties.
HRI is a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting high quality research in homeopathy at an international level. The charity was founded by physicist, Dr Alexander Tournier, who previously worked as an independent researcher for Cancer Research UK, conducting interdisciplinary research at the boundaries between mathematics, physics and biology.
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The most robust data on efficacy of homeopathy comes from a 2014 meta-analysis of placebo-controlled double-blind randomised controlled trials which found that homeopathic medicines, when prescribed during individualised treatment, are 1.5- to 2.0-times more likely to have a beneficial effect than placebo. This study is one of the four most recent comprehensive systematic reviews conducted by Dr Robert Mathie within a ten-year programme of work.
A dynamic database was created containing 1,146 reliable pieces of evidence. It is being updated every three months and is available both for the whole homeopathic community and for the patients, Institutions, stakeholders, and skeptics.
An observational study at Bristol Homeopathic Hospital included over 6,500 consecutive patients with over 23,000 attendances in a six-year period; 70% of follow-up patients reported improved health, 50% major improvement. The largest improvements were reported in childhood eczema or asthma, and in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, menopausal problems and migraine.
This study which followed over 3500 adults and children receiving routine homeopathic care from GPs, found that “patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably”. At the start, 97% of participants were diagnosed with a chronic complaint, with 95% declaring prior conventional treatment for their condition. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001) between the start of the study, after 2 years and after 8 years of homeopathic treatment. Notably, after 8 years, figures were almost identical to 2-year follow-up, indicating steady long-term health benefits.
Witt, C. M., Lüdtke, R., Mengler, N. & Willich, S. N. How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of homeopathic treatment?–Results from a long term observational study. BMC Public Health, 2008; 8: 413The homeopathic preparations Alumina and Calcarea carbonica were used to treat lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa L.) and a study was undertaken to show how the seeds sprouted under conditions where they were exposed to aluminum. This study was conducted in Brazil in a joint study between three different universities: Federal Universities of Viçosa, Ouro Preton and Minas Gerais.
In Brazil, there is aluminum in the soil and aluminum poisoning is an important factor limiting the growth of plants in acidic soils. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the homeopathic preparations Alumina 6cH, Alumina 12cH, Calcarea carbonica 6cH and Calcarea carbonica 12cH on seedlings of lettuce seeds and plant growth when the seeds were exposed to toxic concentrations of aluminum.
There was a significant difference in germination rate and germ length between samples treated with homeopathic preparations and controls.
A controlled study investigating the effects of Carcinosinum 200c and Chelidonium 200c [both homeopathic remedies], fed separately and in combination, found “considerable ameliorative effects” in hepatocarcinoma induced by p-dimethylaminoazobenzene and phenobarbital. The ameliorative effects included reduction in tumor size and improvements in toxic biomarkers such as acid and alkaline phosphatases, glutamine oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and lipid peroxidation activity.
Biswas, Surjyo Jyoti, et al. “Efficacy of the Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Carcinosin 200, Fed Alone and in Combination with Another Drug, Chelidonium 200, in Amelioration of p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene–Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice.” Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 11.5 (2005): 839-854