Objective: To investigate trace elements in liquid homeopathic
preparations and the influence of container material,
storage duration, and potentisation. Materials and
Methods: Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy
(ICP-MS), we investigated (a) aqua bidestillata
(ABD) stored for 12 h in either brown glass or high density
polyethylene (HDPE) bottles; (b) ABD stored for 2 h in
HDPE, the same additionally filled in brown glass bottle,
and ABD potentised in brown glass up to C30; (c) - at 3
different sample ages and with statistical analysis - ABD
C30 (brown glass), AgNO3 C30 (brown glass), and controls
(unsuccussed, brown glass and HDPE). Results:
Contamination of the initial ABD increased and element
concentrations changed far more when stored in brown
glass bottles than in HDPE. Effects were strongest during
initial storage time and during the first potentisation step
from mother tincture to C1; subsequent potentising steps
produced no relevant changes. Potencies of AgNO3 and
potencies of water contained similar contamination. Conclusions:
Potentising accelerates material exchange between
container and solvent, mostly during succussion.
Research on potentised preparations should use potentised
controls with equal preparation and storage time. If
physical and biological effects of potencies exist, contaminants
might be one factor for their generation.