Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with abiotically stressed plants

Tim Jäger; Claudia Scherr; Devika Shah; Vera Majewsky; Lucietta Betti; Grazia Trebbi; Leoni Bonamin; Ana Paula Simões-Wüst; Ursula Wolf; Meinhard Simon; Peter Heusser; Stephan Baumgartner

doi:10.1016/j.homp.2011.05.008

Homeopathy, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Homeopathy 2011; 100(04): 275-287
DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2011.05.008

Research Review

Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with abiotically stressed plants

Tim Jäger

¹Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Switzerland

²Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Frick, Switzerland

,

Claudia Scherr

³Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland

,

Devika Shah

³Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland

,

Vera Majewsky

¹Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Switzerland

⁴Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany

,

Lucietta Betti

⁵Department of Agro-Environmental Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Italy

,

Grazia Trebbi

⁵Department of Agro-Environmental Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Italy

,

Leoni Bonamin

⁶Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, University Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil

,

Ana Paula Simões-Wüst

⁷Paracelsus Hospital Richterswil, Switzerland

,

Ursula Wolf

¹Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Switzerland

,

Meinhard Simon

⁸Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment, University of Oldenburg, Germany

,

Peter Heusser

⁹Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany

,

Stephan Baumgartner

¹Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Switzerland

³Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland

⁹Center for Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany

› Institutsangaben
Verantwortlicher Herausgeber dieser Rubrik:

Abstract

Background: Experimental research on the effects of homeopathic treatments on impaired plants was last reviewed in 1990.

Objectives: To compile a systematic review of the existing literature on basic research in homeopathy with abiotically stressed plants using predefined criteria.

Methods: The literature search was carried out on publications that reported experiments on homeopathy using abiotically stressed whole plants, seeds, plant parts and cells from 1920 to 2010. Outcomes had to be measured by established procedures and statistically evaluated. Using of a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) we identified those publications that provided sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS ≥ 5). A further evaluation was based on the use of adequate controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations and on the use of systematic negative control experiments.

Results: A total of 34 publications with abiotically stressed plants was identified, published between 1965 and 2010. The 34 publications described a total of 37 experimental studies. Twenty-two studies included statistics, 13 had a MIS ≥ 5, 8 were identified with adequate controls and 4 with negative control experiments. Significant and reproducible effects with decimal and centesimal potencies were found, including dilution levels beyond Avogadro’s number. One experimental model was independently assessed by another research team and yielded inverted results compared to the original trial.

Conclusions: Abiotically stressed plant models seem to be a useful approach to investigate homeopathic basic research questions, but more experimentation and especially more independent replication trials are needed. Systematic negative control experiments should be implemented on a routine basis to exclude false-positive results.

Keywords

Review - Basic research - Homeopathy - Potentisation - Impaired plants - Noxa

Volltext

Referenzen

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