Low Potency Homeopathic Remedies and Allopathic Herbal Medicines: Is There an Overlap?

Abstract

Classical homeopathy is based on the therapeutic application of highly diluted homeopathic stocks. The indications of such medicines are determined by proving, i.e. by applying the remedies in healthy subjects. However, there are several complex homeopathic medicinal products on the market with approved therapeutic indications. The efficacy of these medicines has been assessed in clinical trials on patients. There is no upper limit of dosing for such homeopathic remedies, and these products often contain undiluted mother tincture. The aim of our study was to compare an allopathic herbal medicine and a homeopathic product containing undiluted mother tincture based on the same plant. Two products (an allopathic herbal medicine and a homeopathic product) containing Vitex agnus-castus extract were analyzed by HPLC-DAD for their agnuside and casticin contents. The agnuside content of the allopathic product was approximately four times higher, while the amount of casticin was in the same order of magnitude. Our experiments revealed the presence of active ingredients in allopathic quantity in a homeopathic preparation, highlighting the controversy between the principles of classical and practice of contemporary homeopathy. According to the principles of classical homeopathy these remedies cannot be considered as homeopathic remedies but rather as (allopathic) herbal ones. This phenomenon necessitates a case-by-case approach towards the possible adverse effects and drug interactions of homeopathics in the daily medical practice. Homeopathic products containing active agents in allopathic doses should be treated the same way as allopathic medicines from the point of view of quality assurance and pharmacovigilance.

Bias in Homeopathy: Technical Note

“…This circumstance may change dramatically the exact concentration of a defined molecule in a centesimal high dilution, where a 30cH may be really a 17cH or a 9cH, depending on the type of dilution made (Chatterje, 2015). Therefore, some homeopathic remedies may work because of an incorrect evaluation of their concentration, generating concern about their possible adverse effects (Csupor et al, 2013;Chirumbolo, 2013;Chirumbolo, 2014). Therefore, when evaluating the amount of molecules entering a defined dilution, the operators should take into account: a) the amount in the bulk liquid; b) the amount in equilibrium from walls to the bulk liquid; c) the amount in equilibrium between solutes and nanoclusters or nanoaggregates (nanocolloids) in a nanostructured water; d) the amount at the interface liquid/gas; e) the amount in equilibrium between different solvents and their different molar masses during dilution; f) the carryover effect of withdrawing tips.…”

Chemometrics meets homeopathy—an exploratory analysis of infrared spectra of homeopathic granules

“…In most cases, when dilution exceeds Avogadro number, the remains of the remedy (mother tincture) is not able to detect, so no method can be presented. The analysis can be performed only in the cases of very low dilutions, when many authors believe also in typical medicinal ligand-receptor action [13]. Regardless of the API determination, homeopathic remedies are subject of counterfeiting, for example there are a methods for detection of banned preservatives [14] or real antianalgesics as "fake" homeopathic remedies [15].…”

“…Although the shape of estimator is noisy and the number of components(13) is rather large, the predictive ability is significant and acceptable (Q 2 = 0.572).…”

Antioxidant value and element content in some tinctures used in medication

“…Homeopathy also applies alcohol as a solvent for making mother tinctures to further dilution [5]. Tincture is the oldest medicine form nevertheless pharmaceutical science makes aqueous-alcoholic solutions with different alcohol content for the preferable gaining of bioactive agents.…”