Homeopathic Research Articles

Human Cystic Echinococcosis Treated with Individualised Homoeopathy—A Case Report

AbstractCystic echinococcosis is a chronic, complex and neglected disease caused by the larval form of cestode Echinococcus granulosus. The liver is the most frequently parasitised organ in humans. Percutaneous drainage, systemic chemotherapy and surgery are the therapies available for hydatid cyst treatment where the risks associated with invasive procedures may be particularly high. Therefore, homoeopathic individualised treatment can be a better approach to treating cases of hydatid cysts without any side effects and risks. In the presented case, the patient received homoeopathic medicine Magnesium muriaticum based on individualisation and Medorrhinum as an intercurrent medicine. The homoeopathic treatment resulted in an overall improvement in the health of the patient. Serial ultrasounds also showed a reduction in the cyst size. This case highlights the fact that homoeopathy can be a plausible alternative to conventional treatment like surgery in cases of hydatid cysts along with improvement in the quality of life of patients as represented by EQ-5D-5L. The Modified Naranjo Criteria explicitly depict the potential causal relationship between the treatment and observed changes.

Holistic Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: Integrating the Complete Repertory for Quality-of-life Enhancement

Acne vulgaris, a common dermatological condition, significantly impacts the quality of life, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This study investigates the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatments selected using the Complete Repertory in alleviating acne symptoms and enhancing patients' quality of life. Over a period of 4-6 months, 101 patients, aged 15 to 25, were treated using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) to evaluate progress. Significant improvements in both physical symptoms and psychological well-being were observed, suggesting that personalized homeopathic regimens could be a viable holistic approach (Schroyens, 2018).

A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa

ackground: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has a negative social and psychological impact on the lives of infertile couples. Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment option for female infertility; however, there is currently no research describing how homeopaths manage this condition in their practice.Aim: To determine homeopathic practitioners’ approaches to managing female infertility.Method: The electronic Delphi technique consisting of three rounds was used to establish consensus among homeopaths. Twelve registered homeopaths with a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience in managing female infertility participated, 11 of whom completed the study. In round one, participants elaborated on interventions found beneficial in clinical practice for female infertility. Responses were qualitatively analysed to create a structured list of items; participants rated their level of agreement with these items on a 5-point Likert scale in the second and third rounds. Consensus was determined for items that reached an agreement level of 75% or more.Results: Thirty-two statements achieved expert consensus, which were placed into the following categories: homeopathic treatment, dietary and lifestyle modifications, supplementation and referrals.Conclusion: The results of this study provide a baseline depicting the homeopathic approach to treating female infertility. Several research gaps have been identified and further studies are necessary to explore these interventions to improve future patient care.Contribution: This study highlights the various approaches used by homeopathic practitioners in the management of female infertility.

Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine Using Synthesis Repertory in Management of Adjustment disorder –A Case Report

Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine Using Synthesis Repertory in Management of Adjustment disorder –A Case Report

Management of Ovarian Cysts through Individualized Homoeopathic Medicine: A Case Series

AbstractOvarian cysts are common gynecological problems encountered by gynecologists in their day-to-day practice. They are benign growths arising from the ovary and occur in the reproductive age group. Conventional system of medicine usually opts for surgical procedures in such cases. Homoeopathic system of medicine is a specialized system that believes in individualization. This article reports five cases of suffering from ovarian cysts, who reported at Dr. D.P. Rastogi Central Research Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. All the five cases were treated successfully with individualized homoeopathic medicines. Each patient received individualized homoeopathic medicine selected on the basis of the totality of symptoms using synthesis repertory with the help of RADAR software. Pre and post treatment ultrasongraphy USG reports were kept as evidence. The assessment of causal attribution of homeopathic treatment effect was performed using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy (MONARCH). Marked improvement was observed in all five cases, with complete resolution of the cysts along with symptomatic relief, which was evident by USG reports. The MONARCH scores were +9/13, +7/13, +8/13, +9/13, and +7/13, which indicate a positive causal attribution of homeopathy in relieving the symptoms. This case series suggests a significant role of individualized homeopathic medicines in the resolution of ovarian cysts and associated symptoms. The results obtained from this case series are encouraging.

An Individualised Homoeopathic Approach to Chronic Atopic Dermatitis: A Case Report

AbstractAtopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting about one-fifth of all individuals during their lifetime. It has substantial impact on the quality of life of the affected individual. Not only patient is affected by the social stigma of a visible skin condition but also the characteristic itch-scratch cycle often leads to skin trauma and significant sleep disruption. Though there is multitude of treatment options in modern medicine, the recurrence, and adverse effects of medications cannot be ruled out. Therefore, an alternative approach is required. The case presented here reported with the complaint of severe generalised itching eruptions for the last 8 years with a history of atopy. After thorough evaluation from the clinical and homoeopathic standpoint, a single homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum iodatum was prescribed in different potencies at different timepoints as the symptomatology corresponds. Following the administration of individualised homoeopathic (IH) medicine, there was gradual improvement in the case with disappearance of skin lesions which was also evaluated through reduction in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis and Dermatology Life Quality Index scores. During the treatment, old symptoms also reappeared indicating improvement in accordance with Hering's law of cure and Kent's 11th observation. The modified Naranjo criteria score after the treatment course was 10 which exclusively shows positive causal attribution of the IH in this case.

Clinical Presentation And Etiology of Acute Hepatitis In Children: An Experience From A Tertiary Centre of Bangladesh

Background: The prevalence of Acute hepatitis is still high in developing countries even though the availability of vaccines, prophylactic measures and improved sanitation. Objective: To investigate clinical features, biochemical parameters and etiology of acute hepatitis among hospitalized children in a tertiary care center. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics Dhaka Medical College Hospital between June 2021 to July 2022.A total of 120 children aged bellow 15 years who presented with acute hepatitis were included in the study. Results: Most of the studied children were in 5-10 years age group 73(61%).Most of the children presented with jaundice 112 (93.3%), nausea & vomiting 105(87.5%),low grade fever 73(61%),upper abdominal pain 79(65.8%), pruritus 15(12.5%), melena 12(10%), pale stool 10(8.3%), anicteric 8(6.6%). On physical examination tender hepatomegaly was found 110(91.6%) cases, just palpable spleen 8(6.6%), hepatic encephalopathy 6(5%), ascites 4(3.3%) cases. Among the studied patients 102 (85%) were having herbal or homeopathic medicines at the time of admission. All of patients had increase serum bilirubin and ALT and most of them 79(65.8%) had ALT between 500-1500 IU/L.AST was also raised. Increase prothrombin time/INR 17(14.1%) and low serum albumin was seen in7 (5.8%) cases. Majority cases were HAV 81 (67.5%), followed by HEV 10 (8.3%), non A and non B 9(7.5%), HBsAg & anti-HBcIgM were found with positive 4 (3.3%) cases, HAV with HEV co-infection 3 (2.5%). Other than viral hepatitis Salmonella positive 5(4.1%), drug induced hepatitis due to anti-TB and valproic acid 3(2.5%) cases,3(2.5%) cases Wilson’s disease and 2(1.7%) following Wasp bite. Conclusions: The study found the common presenting features of acute hepatitis were jaundice, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, tender hepatomegaly and ascites. Acute hepatitis due to HAV was the commonest followed by HEV. Vaccination programme should be taken by government to control hepatitis A in children. J Dhaka Med Coll. 2023; 32(1) : 32-37

Systematic Review on Current Managements of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects people worldwide. It causes physical and emotional anguish, typically alongside psychiatric illnesses. When conventional methods of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) fail, patients may go to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for relief. The quality of the evidence is uneven, but complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) shows promise. A systematic review evaluates CAM efficacy, safety, and mechanisms for IBS treatment to identify gaps and guide future research. This systematic review evaluates and synthesises CAM’s efficacy and use in irritable bowel syndrome treatment. This systematic review (1998-2023) included 15 studies from diverse sources, utilizing keywords related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Qualitative data methods extracted insights into Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) interventions for IBS. The evaluation covered main findings, clinical features, outcomes, adverse effects, and follow-up periods. PRISMA-guided data extraction, including a flowchart, ensured a systematic approach. Inclusion criteria comprised various study types, while exclusion criteria targeted inconsistent data and low-quality studies. This study examines numerous controlled, randomised, and multicenter studies on IBS therapies, including Ayurvedic formulations, conventional nutrition, and CAM techniques. Participants, study locations, and interventions vary in the global study. Results from various studies on IBS therapeutic efficacy, risk factors, and patient preferences are shown. Studies on Ayurvedic, homoeopathic, and CAM treatments provide a complete overview of IBS care. The study found that Ayurvedic and CAM treatments for IBS are helpful, but mainstream medications are risky. To improve efficacy, tailored, culturally relevant programmes need research and standardisation.

Management of Chronic Rhinitis with Individualized Homoeopathic Medicines- A Case Report

Management of Chronic Rhinitis with Individualized Homoeopathic Medicines- A Case Report

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Treated with Homoeopathy: A Case Report

AbstractDe Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) is a painful inflammatory condition that mainly affects the thumb and the radial side of the wrist joint. Homeopathy is frequently used successfully in daily practice to treat such conditions. Therefore, there is a need for well-documented case reports that illustrate its usefulness. This case report describes the successful management of DQT with individualized homeopathic medicine. A 45-year-old male, employed as an auto driver, had been experiencing pain on the radial side of his right wrist joint for three years. Based on an individualized assessment, Mercurius solubilis was prescribed in increasing potencies (200, 1M). There was a significant improvement in the symptoms within four months of treatment. Pain and limitations in function were assessed using a Visual Analog Scale in each visit, and the patient's mental well-being was evaluated monthly using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. The response to homeopathic treatment was also assessed using the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy-causal attribution inventory, shedding further light on the role of individualized medicine in homeopathy. This case report suggests that a correctly chosen homeopathic medicine can be beneficial in the treatment of DQT in a relatively short period of time.

Homoeopathic Management of Chronic Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Males—Two Evidence-Based Case Reports

AbstractUrinary tract infections (UTI) are uncommon in men, with an incidence of 5 to 8 per 10,000 per year among those aged between 21 and 50 years, in contrast to women, where the incidence is 30 times higher. UTI in men can lead to severe and painful symptoms, often requiring surgical interventions. Considering the limitations and complications of conventional medical or surgical procedures, homeopathy may offer a viable solution for such conditions. Two cases of chronic UTIs in men are presented here, in which constitutional homeopathic medicines were prescribed with positive results. In the first case, the patient experienced frequent urination, urgency, straining before urination, and a drop-wise urine flow. A retrograde urethrogram X-ray diagnosed the condition as a stricture urethra. In the second case, the patient had been suffering from repeated UTIs with painful urination for two years and was diagnosed with cystitis and epididymo-orchitis. After detailed case assessments, both patients were prescribed constitutional homeopathic remedies. Sulphur was prescribed in the first case, and Arsenic in the second case, both in 50 millesimal potencies, providing relief within a short period. However, in both cases, Thuja was prescribed as complementary medicine, which cleared all UTI symptoms, leading to a negative urine culture result. Homeopathy proved effective in providing relief in two cases of chronic UTI. It's important to note that the conclusions drawn from these two cases may not be sufficient to reach a definitive conclusion. Therefore, clinical trials are suggested to establish the efficacy of constitutional medicine in the treatment of chronic UTIs in men.

Knowledge and Experiences of Diseases with Associated Factors among Agricultural Workers in Manikganj District

Background: Farmers are generally the people of poor segment of the society and agricultural workers are prone to develop different types of health problems. Objectives: The study was conducted with a view to finding out the pattern of health problems of the agricultural workers in a rural area of Manikganj district. Methodology: This was a descriptive type of cross-sectional study carried out in Koshunda village of Manikganj district during the period of November, 2021 to April, 2022 in the Department of Community Medicine, Monno Medical College, Manikganj. For finding out pattern of diseases, knowledge and practice of the study subjects were determined by using pretested questionnaire. Results: Among the 300 cases, majority (124, 41.33%) of the respondents belonged to the age group 36-50 years. Most of the respondents (239, 79.67%) were male, being literate (195, 65.00%) had monthly family income of 10,001 or more BDT (139, 46.33%). Regarding cultivators’ knowledge of health problems during cultivation, majority (230, 76.67%) expressed occurring cut injury, followed by 206(68.67%) temperature injury, 85(24.08%) insect bite and others. Responding to question regarding injuries caused by tools and machineries of or animals involved in cultivation, majority (134, 44.67%) told that they are injured by handtools, followed by 51(17.00%) due to cattle’s kick, 46(15.33%) due to tractors and other machineries, and otherswhereas, majority of them (199, 66.33%) also reported that the injuries occur in hands, followed by 192(64.00%) in legs and others. Diseases experienced by the respondents during agricultural works included temperature-related injury (165, 55.00%), cut injury (96, 32.00%), skin problems (34, 11.33%) and others. Regarding the knowledge of the respondents’ choice of physician, majority (125, 41.67%) preferred MBBS Doctors, followed by rural medical practitioners (121, 40.33%), homeopathic doctors (67, 22.33%) and others. Conclusion: Most of the farmers shared their knowledge of suffering from different types of diseases with choice of treatment by MBBS doctors. Journal of Monno Medical College December, 2023; 9 (2):73-77

7099 Severe Hypothyroidism from Potassium Iodide Supplements: A Case of Failure to Escape from Wolf- Chaikoff Effect

Abstract Disclosure: M.G. Hamilton: None. A. Kulkarni: None. P. Lekprasert: None. Introduction: The Wolf-Chaikoff effect (WCE) is a physiological response of the thyroid gland to supraphysiologic iodide levels. Failure to escape the WCE can lead to thyroid dysfunction, and we present such a case in a patient with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis taking high-dose potassium iodide (KI). Case Description: A 44-year-old female with hypothyroidism secondary to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis presented with 10-pound weight gain, extremity swelling, fatigue, and abnormal menstruation. She was prescribed Levothyroxine several years ago but stopped taking it shortly after as she felt no improvement. On physical exam, she was bradycardic with heart rate of 58 bpm. There is no goiter but dry skin and edematous lower extremities. Labs revealed TSH of 127 pg/mL (0.35-4.94), free T4 0.1ng/dL (0.8-1.8), TPO Ab 645 (<9) IU/mL in comparison to her labs 2 months ago of TSH 11 pg/mL and free T4 0.9 ng/dL. Suspicion for worsening hypothyroidism from Hashimoto’s was low given this dramatic change on labwork and clinically. On further questioning, she had been taking KI 130 mg/day (Iodine 100 mg, daily requirement 150 mcg/day) as advised by her homeopathic doctor. The supplements were stopped, and she was re-started on Levothyroxine. After 8 weeks, she reported improvement of symptoms and weight loss. TSH is normal at 3.54pg/ml and free T4 1.2 ng/dL. Discussion:The WCE serves as a protective mechanism to decrease thyroid hormone production in the setting of high iodide levels to prevent development of hyperthyroidism. WCE is explained by the formation of Iodopeptides inhibits thyroid peroxidase (TPO) mRNA and protein synthesis resulting in an inhibition of thyroglobulin iodination. WCE is temporary and expected to wane over a few days to weeks and is known as the Wolf-Chaikoff escape due to down regulation of the sodium iodine symporter (NIS) thereby decreasing the intrathyroidal inorganic iodine concentration and permitting normal TPO activity. Rarely, failure to escape WCE can lead to hypothyroidism due to continued suppression of thyroid hormone synthesis. Risk factors include underlying thyroid diseases i.e. Hashimoto’s or other causes of thyroiditis, use of Amiodarone, Lithium or Iodine-containing radiocontrast media and KI supplements. In our case, Hashimotos’ thyroiditis predisposed her to thyroid dysfunction and failure to escape from WCE after taking high-dose KI supplements causing severe hypothyroidism. Thus, this report highlights that in clinical practice, especially in patients with pre-existing thyroid dysfunction, a significant TSH increase, a high suspicion index is needed to investigate for other causes like concurrent use of iodine-containing food/drug leading to the failed escape from WCE apart from verifying compliance to thyroid replacement therapy. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Clinical outcomes in chronic conditions: An observational case series at a US complementary medicine student clinical facility employing the MYMOP outcome measure

Objective/purposeThis study reports on a case series of clients using individualized homeopathy on a wide variety of health complaints seen in cases from a supervised teaching clinical setting between 2017 and 2020 at the Academy of Homeopathy Education. This teaching clinic sees self-selecting clients of all ages, and cases were taken by faculty or advanced students and subsequently managed by advanced students under supervision. MethodsThe cohort study evaluated n = 85 cases using the patient-generated outcome measure, the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP). Average MYMOP values for initial and final consultations were analyzed for degree of change across the intervention period. Principle ResultsScores from initial consultation to last follow up showed a positive change in 80.23 % of cases. Clinically significant improvements were seen in all profile areas. The average profile score at last reported follow up of all cases showed a reduction in symptom severity of.56, and the greatest change between first and last average MYMOP scores showed a reduction of 1.2 after the homeopathic intervention. The greatest positive change was seen in Skin (1.88) followed by Respiratory (1.83) and Digestive-related (1.71) complaints. ConclusionsClinically significant improvement in physical and psychological health is found across a diverse population of people with a wide variety of long-term conditions. These results suggest that individualized homeopathic care in a teaching clinic setting proved to be valuable for complex chronic health problems, and that further similar, confirmatory research is warranted.

Investigation of the Physicochemical Behaviour of Homoeopathic Dilutions of Glycerol (Glycerinum) at the Temperatures (293.15 - 318.15) K: Volumetric, Acoustic and ViscometricStudy

The physicochemical studies of homoeopathic medicines provide better understanding regarding the presence and mechanism of their action in ultra-dilutions. The physicochemical behaviour of glycerol dilutions homoeopathic dilutions has been investigated from the measurements of densities, , ultrasonic speeds, u and viscosities,  of pure ethanol control (91% ethanol in water) and 33 dilutions of glycerol dilutions of potencies ranging from 1C to 200C at ambient temperatures and atmospheric pressure. From the experimental data, a number of physicochemical parameters, viz., the isentropic compressibilities, s , intermolecular free length, Lf , acoustic impedance, Z, relative association, RA, relaxation time, , ultrasonic absorption, /f 2 , pseudoGrüneisen parameter, , deviations in isentropic compressibility, s , deviations in intermolecular free length, Lf , deviations in acoustic impedance, Z, deviations in viscosity,  and deviations in pseudo-Grüneisen parameter, have been evaluated. These parameters showed diverse behaviour at certain potencies of these homoeopathic dilutions. The results have been qualitatively discussed in terms of prevailing interactions of these glycerol dilutions dilutions. The results indicated that that even in extreme dilutions (50C, 110C, 150C and 160C) the molecules of glycerol dilutions may be present in these homoeopathic formulations

Utility of individualised homoeopathic medicines in improving social interaction in childhood autism: A prospective, open-label, single arm study

Utility of individualised homoeopathic medicines in improving social interaction in childhood autism: A prospective, open-label, single arm study

Ichthyosis vulgaris successfully treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine Dulcamara 200C – An evidence-based case report

Ichthyosis vulgaris successfully treated with individualised homoeopathic medicine Dulcamara 200C – An evidence-based case report

A pragmatic, open-label study to evaluate the response of homoeopathic treatment in vitiligo

A pragmatic, open-label study to evaluate the response of homoeopathic treatment in vitiligo

Homoeopathic Management of Menopause: A Comprehensive Review

Background: Menopause signifies a crucial physiological shift in a woman's journey, denoting the halt of menstrual cycles caused by the gradual decline in ovarian activity. Conventional management options, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), are effective but not devoid of risks and limitations. In contrast, homeopathy offers a holistic approach to symptom management, aiming to address the underlying cause of menopausal disturbances. Aim and Objective: By critically analyzing clinical studies, randomized controlled trials, and observational research, this paper seeks to elucidate the role of homeopathy as an alternative and complementary therapy for menopause. The objective is to provide insights into the potential benefits of homeopathy and contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting its use in menopausal care. Methodology: A comprehensive search strategy was done to identify relevant literatures from databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. The selection of eligible studies was conducted according to predefined criteria for inclusion and exclusion. Results: Our findings resulted into nine studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and clinical trials. These studies collectively provided evidence of the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in managing various menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Conclusion: The reviewed literature suggests that homeopathy offers a promising avenue for managing menopausal symptoms, providing an alternative or complimentary approach to conventional therapies. Individualized treatment strategies tailored to each woman's unique symptomatology appear particularly beneficial. However, further clinical trials are needed to fully elucidate the efficacy and mechanisms of action of homeopathic interventions in menopausal care.

Clinical trial results: each patient's participation should count.

This editorial addresses concerns about published clinical trial results of a study on homeopathic treatment for non–small cell lung cancer.