Homeopathically prepared gibberellic acid and barley seed germination

Abstract

The potentisation process by which homeopathic preparations are produced raises the concern that these medicines have placebo effects only, since they theoretically no longer contain active molecules of the diluted substance. Plant models offer a method of examining the efficacy of homeopathically prepared solutions. This study examined the effects of homeopathically prepared gibberellic acid (HGA 3) on the germination performance of barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) seeds. The effect of HGA 3 (4–200 cH) on seed germination rate and seedling development was compared to that of the most commonly used form of gibberellic acid (GA 3), 0.5 g l −1, and control (distilled water). The extent and type of response was dependent on the vigour level of the seedlot. Treating seeds from three vigour groups in HGA 3 consistently resulted in larger seedlings. High-vigour seeds treated with HGA 3 4, 30 and 200 cH germinated faster, and roots of medium-vigour seedlots treated in HGA 3 15 cH were longer. Biphasic effects of HGA 3 were also demonstrated. As a plant model, germinating barley seeds successfully demonstrated the ability of HGA 3 to produce a biological response.