Immunology and Homeopathy. 1. Historical Background

Abstract

Homeopathy was born as an experimental discipline, as can be seen from the enormous amount of homeopathic data collected over more than two centuries. However, the medical tradition of homeopathy has been separated from that of conventional science for a long time. Conventional scientific wisdom dictates that homeopathy should have no effect above placebo but experiments on ultra-high dilutions of solutes together with some clinical data suggest the intriguing possibility that it might do in some circumstances. Today, an osmotic process between disciplines, previously seen as in conflict, is facilitated because over the last few decades homeopathy has initiated the methods of current medical science and a substantial number of experimental studies—at molecular, cellular and clinical levels—are available. One area of dialogue and of common progress is that of inflammation and immunity, probably because these are closely related to the traditional ‘vital force’ of the body's self-healing power. In a series of papers we review the historical origins of homeopathy, the laboratory and animal models related to the field of immunopharmacology, the clinical evidence in favor and against the use of homeopathy in the inflammatory diseases and the hypotheses regarding its action mechanism(s). Finally, we will enlighten the specific characteristics of the homeopathic approach, which places great emphasis on identifying a cure for the whole organism.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Treating Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

“…The main principle underlying homeopathy is that of similia similibus curentur (''like is cured by like''), which holds that a disease can be cured by a dilute version of a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people [53]. Homeopathic remedies are diluted many times until they contain little or none of the supposedly curative substance.…”

The Spatial Homeostasis Hypothesis

“…In some cases, this may be accompanied by pathological conditions expressed as intoxication symptoms, as if it were not "high dilutions" of the original substance administered to the organism, but toxic doses [33]. We consider this paradoxical phenomenon a uniquely simple model of pathology, providing the opportunity to get closer towards understanding basic principles underlying the functioning of biological systems.…”

Organ-preserving treatment of an epididymal abscess in a patient with spinal cord injury

“…In brief, this term comprises that a single remedy was selected based on the totality of signs and symptoms of the individual patient. 5 Thus, Hamamelis virginiana cannot be regarded as a general remedy for epididymal abscess formation, but the particular symptoms of the individual patients have to be taken into consideration.…”