Advances in homeopathy and immunology: a review of clinical research

Abstract

The present paper reviews the clinical research carried out over the past three decades to evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathy for the treatment of respiratory allergies, common upper respiratory tract infections, otorhinolaryngologic complaints, and rheumatic diseases. We include in the analysis both randomised and non-randomised trials, assigning them different weightings in the final balance of evidence, on the basis of semi-quantitative criteria. Overall, the literature concerning a total of 83 original studies suggests that homeopathy may have significant effects in some conditions, e.g. Galphimia glauca (low homeopathic dilutions/dynamizations) in allergic oculorhinitis, Anas barbariae (high homeopathic dilution/dynamization) in influenza-like syndromes, classical individualised homeopathy in otitis, in allergic complaints and in fibromyalgia, and a few low-potency homeopathic complexes in sinusitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, arthritis. The evidence for individualised homeopathic therapy in the field of upper respiratory tract infections and for homeopathic immunotherapy in respiratory allergies is more conflicting. Pragmatic equivalence trials suggest that, in primary care, homeopathic treatment is not inferior to conventional treatment. A larger number of observational studies and of clinical trials -- conducted in a methodologically correct manner without altering the treatment setting-- are needed before sure conclusions concerning the application of homeopathy for specific diseases can be drawn.

Nonlinear Response Amplification Mechanisms for Low Doses of Natural Product Nanomedicines: Dynamical Interactions with the Recipient Complex Adaptive System

“…During over more than two centuries of real-world use, millions of people in many different countries have reported excellent safety, tolerability, and clinical benefits from these natural product-based nanomedicines [58,154]. Pulsed low doses can minimize risks from in vivo accumulation of NPs.…”

“…Homeopathic medicines have enjoyed widespread use in treatment of acute and chronic conditions, including infections [15,64,154] and cancers [20,109,172]. During over more than two centuries of real-world use, millions of people in many different countries have reported excellent safety, tolerability, and clinical benefits from these natural product-based nanomedicines [58,154].…”

“…In this scenario, repeated doses might lead to time-dependent sensitization. Acute illnesses can respond well to very low potencies of homeopathically-prepared medicines [154]. In homeopathy, "low potencies" translate into minimally diluted and succussed (agitated) medicines, probably containing both bulk and nanoforms of source material.…”

Homeopathy for allergic rhinitis: protocol for a systematic review

“…Bellavite et al . [13] conducted a descriptive review of clinical research on advances in homeopathy and immunology which included AR. No meta-analysis was performed in this review.…”

A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Feasibility Study Evaluating Individualized Homeopathy in Managing Pain of Knee Osteoarthritis

“…6 Reviews have remained contradictory in conclusions. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Few low-potency homeopathic complexes in the randomized controlled trials seemed to have significant effects in osteoarthritis, 14,15 but the potential of individualized homeopathy remained untested so far. Hence, based on small to moderate effect sizes for the wide range of symptomatic treatments, conventional medicine in a personalized approach remains the mainstay of treatment.…”