Homeopathy in the treatment of tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN) – An Indian experience

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) has been known since antiquity. In spite of effective antibiotic treatment, it is still a major worldwide public health problem. Endogenous factors are important in the development of active disease. Homeopathic medicines have the potential for immune-modulation and hence to influence endogenous factors in disease. In India, patients with tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN) often consult homeopaths but such cases are seldom documented. The objective of the present study is to document such experience. A retrospective exploratory study of 25 positively diagnosed cases of TBLN has lead to the development of a homeopathic regime consisting of a patient specific constitutional medicine, one disease specific biotherapy (Tuberculinum) and Silicea 6x as supportive medicine. Homeopathy can be used as a complement to conventional anti tubercular treatment (ATT) with beneficial results. Further validation in controlled trials with immunological markers is required.

Homeopathic treatment in addition to standard care in multi drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial

“…No clear prescribing pattern emerged, although Sulph was the most commonly prescribed medicine in homeopathy and Ars in the placebo group. In a separate retrospective analysis of 25 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN), a regimen has been now evolved for the effective management of TBLN where constitutional (patient specific), nosode (disease specific) and non-specific supportive medicines were given at regular intervals 21 . There is a possibility of enhancing the effect of homeopathic intervention with this regimen.…”

Case reports on integrated management of tubercular disease

“…The homeopathic treatment has been broadly according to regime, 6 treating disease with multiple medicines, targeting immune system at different levels simultaneously, yet each medicine has been individualized according to patient and stage of disease. The outcome has been consistent, rapid and sustained improvement in both subjective and objective parameters.…”

“…The intervention has been integrated with homeopathy regime developed earlier of using a patient specific, disease specific and supportive medicine simultaneously, all individualized for the patient and the disease. 6 Informed consent from each patient/relative has been taken.…”

“…On 06/11/14, Homeopathic treatment was added to antibiotics according to regime. 6 Figure 1 MRI reports of case 1. 07/09/2014 MRI dorsal spine A e features suggestive of Tubercular spine with destructive pathology involving D8 to L1 vertebral bodies; B e pre/paravertebral and left sided paraspinal muscular collection of fluid; 13/06/2015 C e partial resolution of the pathology with healing at D8 to L1 vetebral bodies and persisting infective lesion at D10, D11, D12 level; D e minimal pre-vertebral collection of fluid; 07/11/2015 E e near complete resolution of the pathology with healing at D8 to D11 vertebral bodies with persisting diskitis of D12eL1 level; F e no evidence of collection of fluid seen.…”

“…5 Another clinical study on 25 patients of tubercular lymphadenitis indicated a homeopathy regimen for the treatment of TB. 6…”