Council For Research In Homoeopathy Research Articles

Curcuma longa - A multicentric clinical verification study

Curcuma longa is a lesser known drug in Homoeopathy. Council had conducted a thorough proving and subsequently a multi-centric clinical verification study was taken up to verify the pathogenesis of this drug. It is a medicine being widely used as an appetizer, carminative, stomachic, laxative, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and anti-pruritic. It is also used in several conditions like dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, constipation, strangury, cough, bronchitis, fever, giddiness, conjunctivitis, general debility and diabetes as reported in various literature. In our study most of these clinical conditions have been verified confirming its clinical utility for various illnesses. Besides these, it has also relieved anxiety, dementia, dysmenorrhoea, gingivitis, headache, impotency, lumbago, pharyngitis, toothache and vertigo, thus unfolding the vast area of its clinical application. A total of 129 cases (59 males and 79 females) have participated in this study at various Institutes /Units under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to clinically verify the symptoms of Curcuma longa, as mentioned in the homoeopathic proving of this drug carried out under the Council.

Tylophora indica- A multicentric clinical verification study

1 Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. New Delhi 2 Central Research Institute, Noida (U.P.) 3 Homoeopathic Drug Research Institute, Lucknow (U.P.) 4 Regional Research Institute, Gudivada 5 Regional Research Institute, Puri 6 Regional Research Institute, Shimla 7 Regional Research Institute, Imphal 8 Regional Research Institute, Kolkata 9 Clinical Research Unit, Portblair 10 Clinical Verification Unit, Ghaziabad (U.P.) 11 Clinical Verification Unit, Patna (Bihar) 12 Clinical Verification Unit, Vrindaban (U.P.)

Azadirachta indica- A multicentric double blind homoeopathic pathogenetic trial

Objective: To elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Azadirachta indica in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human volunteers. Methodology: Drug Azadirachta indica was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy through double-blind placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at 2 centers. The pathogenetic trial of the drug was carried out in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 27 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after conducting pre-trial medical examination by the medical specialists and routine laboratory investigations. All the drug samples were coded. In the first phase, volunteers were given 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of placebo. In the next three phases 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of the drug in each of the three potencies was given. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers, cross examined and elaborated by the Proving Masters. The data obtained from both the centers was compiled at provingcum-data processing cell at CCRH headquarters after de-coding. Observations: Symptoms more or less related to every part of the body appeared during the course of administration of the drug in each trial-potency.

Skookum chuck-A multicentric double blind Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial

Objective : To elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Skookum chuck in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human volunteers. Methodology: Drug Skookum chuck was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) through double-blind placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at 2 centers. The drug was proved in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 30 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after doing pre-trial medical examination by the specialists and routine laboratory investigations. The volunteers consumed 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of each potency in four phases (including 1 st placebo phase). The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers, cross examined and elaborated by the Proving Masters. The data obtained from both the centers was compiled at proving-cum-data processing cell at CCRH headquarters after de-coding. Observations: Out of the 20 provers who were on actual drug trial, 14 manifested symptoms. Drug was able to produce symptoms in each potency more or less related to every part of the body. Some of the symptoms mentioned in the literature after fragmentary proving have been reproved. Affinity of the drug for skin and mucous membranes has been confirmed.

Ephedra vulgaris - A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study conducted by CCRH

Ephedra vulgaris is a lesser known drug which has been used in Homoeopathy for clinical conditions like exophthalmos (Grave′s disease) and headache which was subjected to clinical verification during the study. Besides verification of its use in conditions like inflammation of thyroid gland, enlargement of thyroid gland, palpitation of heart, stiffness of neck, disturbed sleep and general weakness, other clinical conditions in which it has been found useful are conjunctivitis, coryza, anorexia and warts. A total of 1657 patients were studied in this multicentric clinical verification trial at various Institutes/Units under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to confirm the symptoms of Ephedra vulgaris, as mentioned in the homoeopathic materia medica.

A Case of Vitiligo Treated by Sulphur

Vitiligo, as a cosmetic problem, is a source of great embarrassment to dark skinned people. An attempt was made by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) to ascertain the role of homoeopathic therapy and to identify homoeopathic medicines useful in the management of Vitiligo. Here is a case from the ongoing clinical research study on vitiligo at Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy), Puri, treated by Sulphur. The case was followed up over a period of 2 years with marked improvement in white patches which is evident from the photographs.

Cuscuta reflexa: A Double Blind Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial

Objective: To elicit the pharmacodynamic response of the drug, Cuscuta reflexa (dodder) on healthy human volunteers, in non-toxic doses. Methodology: Drug Cuscuta reflexa was proved through a double-blind method. The homoeopathic preparation of the drug was proved in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 13 volunteers who were selected and declared apparently healthy during their pre-trial medical examination by specialists and through their routine pathological investigations. The volunteers consumed 56 doses (four doses per day for fourteen days) of each potency (6C, 30C and 200C) in three stages for a varying period. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers and elaborated and cross-examined by the Proving Master. The data obtained from the Drug Proving Center was compiled at drug proving-cum-data processing cell at Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) headquarters after de-coding the drug. Observation: Out of the 9 volunteers who were on actual drug trial, 8 manifested symptoms. The drug was able to produce symptoms in each potency. Only one symptom appeared in more than one prover. Conclusion: Pharmacodynamic responses elicited during the proving trial will add to the literature available on the drug and benefit the research scholars and clinicians. This also needs verification through clinical trials.

Saraca Indica: A Multicentric Double Blind Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial

Methodology: Drug Saraca indica was proved through a double-blind method. The study was conducted at 3 centers. The Homoeopathic prepration of the drug was proved in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 42 volunteers who were selected and declared apparently healthy during their pre-trial medical examination by the specialists and through their routine pathological investigation. The volunteers consumed 56 doses (four doses per day for fourteen days) of each potency (6C, 30C and 200C) in three stages for a varying period. 29 provers were on actual drug trial while 13 provers were kept on placebo. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers and elaborated and cross examined by the Proving Masters. The data obtained from all the centers was compiled at proving-cum-data processing cell at Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) headquarters after de--coding the drug. Observations: Out of the 29 provers, who were on actual drug trial, 08 manifested symptoms. Drug was able to produce symptoms in each potency. Only one symptom appeared in more than one prover. Some of the symptoms have been reproved which are mentioned in the fragmentary provings published in different literatures. Conclusion: Pharmacodynamic responses, elicited (new and reproved) during the proving trial will add to the literature available on the drug and benefit the research scholars and clinicians. This also needs verification through clinical trials.

An open clinical observational study on the usefulness of pre-defined homoeopathic medicines in the management of chronic sinusitis

Objective: To ascertain the usefulness of 17 pre-defined homoeopathic medicines in the management of chronic sinusitis. Methods: This is an interim analysis of the open clinical observational study conducted by the Regional Research Institute (Homoeopathy), at Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy from October 2005 to March 2009. Ninety seven patients suffering from chronic sinusitis were enrolled in the study; 51 patients completed the treatment and follow up period of 6 months and were assessed using chronic sinusitis symptom score (CSSS). Seventeen pre-defined medicines in centesimal scale of potencies (30C, 200C and 1M) were prescribed. Results: Outcome assessment of patients reflects 88 % improvement in varying degrees; marked improvement in 31(61%) patients, moderate in 10 (20%) patients and mild improvement in 4 (8%) patients. Silicea, Kali bichromicum and Calcarea carbonica were frequently indicated, were prescribed in 30C & 200C potencies and improved 34 (88.23%), 6 (100%) and 7 (86%) patients respectively. Conclusion: The data of this interim analysis of the study though shows positive effects of homoeopathic medicines in patients suffering from chronic sinusitis, the outcome of the final multicentre study on this disease will help in reaching at certain conclusion.

FAGOPYRUM ESCULENTUM – A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study conducted by CCRH

Fagopyrum esculentum has been used in Homoeopathy for many conditions like diarrhea, eczema, various eyes affections, headache, itching eruptions, pruritus pudenda, sore throat, tonsillitis, uvulitis, nausea, coryza and leucorrhoea. Most of these symptoms have been reconfirmed during the study and beside these styes, conjunctivitis, nasal obstruction, burning in rectum, pain in joints, boils and productive cough were also relieved by this medicine additionally while treating some other conditions and thus unfolding the hidden character of the medicine in various clinical conditions during the study. A total of 6675 patients participated in this multicentre study at various Units/Institutes under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to confirm the symptom of Fagopyrum esculentum, as mentioned in the homoeopathic Materia Medica.

Mentha piperita – A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study conducted by CCRH

Mentha piperita has been used in Homoeopathy for many conditions like dry and spasmodic cough, hoarseness of voice, husky voice, productive cough, tendency to catch cold, headache, painful throat, infantile colic, pruritus vulvae, pain in neck, pimples on face, herpetic eruptions, etc as found in the literature. Besides these, pharyngitis, vertigo, coryza, tracheitis, gastritis, constipation and Urticaria were also relieved by this medicine and thus unfolding the hidden character of the medicine in there clinical conditions during the study. A total of 6372 patients participated in this multicentric clinical verification study at various Units/Institutes under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to confirm the symptom of Mentha piperita, as mentioned in the homoeopathic Materia Medica.

Ferrum Picricum: A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study conducted by CCRHFNx01

Ferrum picricum is mentioned in the homoeopathic literature for diseases/complaints like anaemia, malaria fever, impaired hearing, vertigo, epistaxis, tinnitus, loss of voice, indigestion, headache, tired feeling, sexual excesses, loss of blood, constipation, prostate enlargement, warts and corns2. These indications needs clarification. An open multicentric clinical study at various Institutes / Units under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy was conducted to confirm the use of Ferrum picricum as mentioned in homoeopathic materia medica and to add to its drug picture. For this 3,465 patients were enrolled in the study. The study not only confirms the therapeutic use of the drug in headache, vertigo, epistaxis, tinnitus aurium, loss of voice, constipation, enlargement of prostate, cough, corns, warts and debility, as mentioned in the homoeopathic literature, but also delineates the characteristics which could help in differentiating Ferrum picricum from other similar remedies. Beside, a set of new symptoms also emerged as clinical symptoms increasing the scope of use of this medicine in clinical practice and suggest a comprehensive proving to get full picture of the drug.

Amoora rohituka: A multicentric clinical verification study conducted by CCRH

Amoora rohituka or Andersonia has been used by Indian physicians as a medicine for splenic disorders since longtime. In Ayurvedic literatures it has been mentioned as an alterative, astringent and a tonic for liver and spleen enlargement. In Homoeopathy, it has been used for conditions like constipation, prolonged fevers associated with enlargement of spleen and liver; headache and burning pain in eyes, face, hands, feet, stomach, nausea & vomiting etc. A total of 4706 patients participated in this multicenteric clinical study at various Units/Institutes under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy to confirm the uses of Amoora rohituka as mentioned in the homoeopathic materia medica and to evolve its clinical drug picture. This study not only confirms its therapeutic use in constipation , headache, fever, enlargement of liver and spleen and burning pain in different parts of the body etc. as noted in literature, but has also delineated the characteristics, which would help in differentiating Amoora rohituka from other similar remedies given in homoeopathic materia medica. Besides, a set of other symptoms were also relieved by the same drug, given for other purpose and emerged as clinical symptoms.