Marzotto et al. showed that homeopathic preparations of Arnica montana L. acted directly on gene expression of Tamm-Horsfall protein-1 (THP-1) monocyte/macrophage cell lines activated with phorbol12-myristate13-acetate and interleukin-4 (IL-4). A. montana homeopathic dilutions are used in complementary and alternative medicine to treat inflammation disorders and post-traumatic events as well as...

Homeopathic medicine is an alternative medical system was first practiced in Germany more than 200 years ago. Developed by its founder Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathic treatment is based on two principles. The first specifies that “like cures like”a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people. The second principle, commonly referred to the “law of minim...

Sir, Homeopathy is practised in many regions of the world (1), especially in high-income countries where it ranks the most popular among traditional, complementary, or alternative medicines (1–3). One out of 5 children in a German homeopathic physicians' practice suffered from atopic eczema (AE) (4). Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled studies including only diagnoses other than AE have shown i...

BACKGROUND Two main pathways exist for the development of knowledge in clinical homeopathy. These comprise clinical trials conducted primarily by university-based researchers and cases reports and homeopathic "provings" compiled by engaged homeopathic practitioners. In this paper the relative merits of these methods are examined and a middle way proposed. This consists of the "Formal Case Study...

BACKGROUND A method for assessing the model validity of randomised controlled trials of homeopathy is needed. To date, only conventional standards for assessing intrinsic bias (internal validity) of trials have been invoked, with little recognition of the special characteristics of homeopathy. We aimed to identify relevant judgmental domains to use in assessing the model validity of homeopathic...

The use of homeopathic remedies for the treatment of mastitis is described. The basic principles of homeopathy are discussed, including the simillimum, the minimum dose, the single remedy, the whole person, the vital force, susceptibility, and constitutional treatment. Homeopathic research trials and papers are examined and discussed. The author explains how homeopathy can be incorporated into ...

After Christians, Muslims represent the largest religious grouping in the UK. According to census statistics, there are approximately 1.6 million Muslims in the UK, approximately 54% of who were born outside of the UK. There has been emerging interest in the use of traditional healers by South Asians in the UK. Early studies by Aslam3 and Healey & Aslam4 focused upon health seeking behaviour am...

BACKGROUND This study protocol adapts the traditional homeopathic drug proving methodology to a modern clinical trial design. METHOD Multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial with 30 healthy volunteers. The study consists of a seven day run-in period, a five day intervention period and a 16 day post-intervention observation period. Subjects, investigators and th...