Some Remarks Concerning Homeopathic Provings

Summary

There is extensive discussion concerning the proper method of conducting homeopathic drug trials. The authors have been conducting provings for the last three years. Experience has revealed some aspects that have been previously omitted or that need further adjustment, such as the notion of healthy volunteer, double-blind vs. multiphase studies, the notion of placebo, etc. The authors believe that it's essential for researchers to publish even partial results of well conducted trials, in order to contribute to the improvement of the proving protocol.

Key words

Homeopathic provings - Methodology - Clinical trials - Protocols

References

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• 2 Fisher P. Communication at VIII Simpósio Nacional VIII Encontro Internacional de Pesquisas Institucionais em Homeopatia. May 20 - 22 2004, UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil. 
• 3 Walach H. Provings: the method and its future. London: BrHJ 83 (July 1994). 129-131
• 4 Wieland F. Good homeopathic provings. London: BrHJ 86 (October 1997). 229-234
• 5 Marim M. (org.) Brosimum gaudichaudii: experimentação pura. São Paulo; Organon 1998
• 6 Haehl R. Samuel Hahnemann: His Life & Work. New Delhi: B. Jain; B. Jain 1993 2: 99-104
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• 8 Rosenbaum P, Priven S. et al .Lapis lazuli: a proving. Cultura Homeopática. São Paulo 2003, special number. 
• 9 Rosenbaum P, Priven S. et al .Proving of Pyrite. São Paulo: Cultura Homeopática Out-Dez, p. 81 - 109. No 5 v.2, 2003. 
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• 12 Hahnemann C FS. Organon da Arte de Curar. 6th ed. Ribeirão Preto, Museu de Homeopatia Abrahão Brickmann, 1995, #142. 
• 13 Melmon K L, Gilman A E, Meyer S E. Princípios de terapêutica. In Gilman AG, Goodman LS, Gilman A. As bases farmacológicas da terapêutica. 6th ed. São Paulo; Artes Médicas 1982: 58-59 Our Negrito
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• 17 Dantas F. op. cit. 
• 18 Wieland F. Good homeopathic provings. London: BrHJ 86 (October 1997). 229-234
• 19 Personal communication from Prof. Dr. Amarilys de Toledo César. 

1 Notwithstanding the establishment of organisations such as the Drug Provings Group of the European Committee for Homeopathy and Research Committee of AMHB, which merely suggest guidelines, without any enforcing powers. Despite this, many provings are still conducted by individuals or teams not affiliated with any homeopathic scientific institution.

2 Lapis Lazuli (2002); Pyrite (2003).