ARTICLE
Adding to Homeopathic research
Robert Medhurst | BNat ND DHom
The body of good quality research that validates the practice of homeopathy is constantly growing . As a means of keeping you informed of the latest developments in this area , following are summaries of homeopathic research from around the globe .
Human Research
1 . Mehra P . Usefulness of Homoeopathy in Essential Hypertension : An Exploratory Interventional Trial . Homeopathy , 2014 , 103 , 1 , 88 . This work from New Delhi , which was an observational study done as part of a post-graduate thesis , examined the usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in the management of essential hypertension ( EH ). The study was conducted at the Dharam Kiran Govt . Homoeopathic Hospital , Hyderabad from 2004-06 . Thirty people diagnosed with EH were enrolled from the outpatients department of the hospital . Individualised homeopathic medicines were prescribed and modifiable risk factors such as obesity , excess salt intake , alcohol consumption etc . were recorded at baseline . The cases with Stage II hypertension as per the Joint National Committee on Prevention ,
Detection , Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure VII Report ( JNC VII ) were followed up every 15 days and cases with stage I hypertension were followed every one month for one year . Status was assessed considering changes in staging according to the JNC VII and general health . The main outcome measure was the change in blood pressure in Stage I and II hypertension . Data were analysed by using statistical software SPSS version 16 and Wilcoxon ’ s signed rank test . Sixteen ( 53.33 %) cases showed marked improvement , eight ( 26.67 %) cases improved moderately , 3 ( 10 %) showed no improvement and 3 ( 10 %) cases dropped out . Arsenicum album , Natrum muraticum , Nux vomica , Causticum and Lycopodium were found useful in the management of essential hypertension . The difference in values for both systolic and diastolic blood pressures before and after treatment were found to be statistically significant ( p < 0.001 ).
2 . Van Wassenhoven M . Clinical Verification in Homeopathy and Allergic Conditions . Homeopathy , 2013 , 102 , 54-58 . In this report , Michel Van Wassenhoven described the clinically verified prescribing symptoms of homeopathic medicines used in his clinic in the treatment of people presenting with atopic disorders . For preventive treatments in hay fever patients , Arsenicum album was the most effective homeopathic medicine followed by Nux vomica , Pulsatilla pratensis , Gelsemium , Sarsaparilla , Silicea and Natrum muriaticum . For asthma patients , Arsenicum iodatum appeared most effective , followed by Lachesis , Calcarea arsenicosa , Carbo vegetabilis and Silicea . For eczema and urticaria , Mezereum was most effective , followed by Lycopodium , Sepia , Arsenicum iodatum , Calcarea carbonica and Psorinum .
3 . Nayak C , et al . A Prospective Multi-centric Open Clinical Trial of Homeopathy in Diabetic Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy . Homeopathy , 2013 , 102 , 130-138 . A prospective multi-centric clinical observational study was carried out to evaluate homeopathic treatment in the management of diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy . It was conducted from October 2005 to September 2009 by the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy ( CCRH ) ( India ) at its five Institutes / Units .
144 | vol27 | no3 | JATMS