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You are here: Home / Archives for Homeopathy

Homeopathy: A Little Poison is Good for You?

April 12, 2014 by Werner Absenger

little-poision-good-for-you

Homeopathy: Is a little poison really good for you?

How does Dr. Steven’s “The Healing Paradox” fit in the realm of cancer patients and oncology?

Before delving into the book review, I want to reiterate that patients with cancer are increasingly opting to be treated with CAM therapeutic regimens. Cancer patients’ use of “…herbs, minerals, vitamins, homeopathic remedies and other complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is on the rise worldwide (Frenkel et al., 2009, p. 395). Patients with cancer need to be careful, because the safety and effectiveness of many CAM approaches have not been established in cancer care and cancer survivorship.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Book Reviews, Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: Homeopaths, Homeopathy

Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh. (2012). Two Homeopathic Remedies Provide Protective Effects Against Hepatotoxicity Induced by Carcinogens…

June 21, 2012 by Werner Absenger

Monnier_H_Alternative Medicine BlogThis team of researchers looked at the effects of potentized cholesterinum used with another homeopathic remedy, Natrum Sulphuricum on carcinogen-induced hepatotoxicity. In other words, the researchers wanted to see if these two homeopathic remedies could reduce damage of cancer causing agents fed to mice.

The Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether potentized cholesterinum (Chol) intermittently used with another homeopathic remedy, Natrum Sulphuricum (Nat Sulph) can provide additional benefits in combating hepatotoxicity generated by chronic feeding of carcinogens, p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB), and phenobarbital (PB).

Mice were categorized into subgroups: normal untreated (Gr-1); normal + alcohol “vehicle” (Alc) (Gr-2), 0.06% p-DAB + 0.05% PB (Gr-3), p-DAB + PB + Alc (Gr-4), p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-30 (Gr-5), p-DAB + PB + Chol-200 (Gr-6), p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-30 + Chol-200 (Gr-7), p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-200 (Gr-8), and DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-200 + Chol-200 (Gr-9).

Hepatotoxicity was assessed through biomarkers like aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST and ALT), acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP and AlkP), reduced glutathione content (GSH), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and analysis of lipid peroxidation (LPO) at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days and antioxidant biomarkers like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) were assayed.

Electron microscopic studies (scanning and transmission) and gelatin zymography for matrix metalloproteinases were conducted in liver. The feeding of the homeopathic drugs showed intervention in regard to the increased activities of AST, ALT, AcP, AlkP, GGT, LDH, and LPO and decreased activities of G6PD, SOD, CAT, GR, and GSH noted in the intoxicated mice, more appreciable in Groups 7 and 9. Thus, combined therapy provided additional antihepatotoxic and anticancer effects (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 1).

The Bottom Line:

If you are unfamiliar with homeopathy, here is a little more information to become familiarized with the principles of homeopathy. The Western medical tradition generally frowns up homeopathy. That is because remedies are usually diluted to the point at which one could say that too few molecules remain of the original substance in the heavily diluted remedy. In other words, the remedy has been subjected to trituration, dynamization and succession, sometimes beyond Avogadro’s limit (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012), thus causing great controversy among scientist.

The authors of this paper talk about Natrum Sulphuricum (Nat Sulph) -30 and 200 and cholesterinum (Chol) -200.

To put this in perspective here is a paragraph from Creighton University School of Medicine:

“Supposing 40g of calcium (one mole) were diluted by homeopathic principles starting from 100% pure substance.  Avogadro’s number tells us that we have 6.02×1023 molecules per mole.  By 7C the remedy would be expected to contain about 6 billion calcium molecules, and by about 11C, it would be expected to have only about 60 ((1/100)11 x 6.02×1023 = 60.2).  At the 12C (or 24X) dilution, there is a 50/50 chance of one molecule being present.  The dilution at which one would expect to have only one molecule does depend upon the starting number of molecules, but assuming that we started with all the atoms estimated to be in the universe, about 6×1079 then we end up with a 50% chance to have one molecule left at 40C (or 80X), still far more concentrated than the 200C dilutions that are commonly dispensed (Creighton University School of Medicine, n.d.).

Scientific Investigation Homeopathic PrinciplesTo add to the dilemma of understanding and providing evidence for homeopathic remedies is the clinical trials are plagued with problems. Pitari (2007) points out that, amongst others, homeopathic research requires more rigorous trials and more specific trail methodology. The author presents and illustration in her paper on how to more effectively design research in homeopathic medicine in order to provide credible evidence either for or against efficacy.

Having show that homeopathy is not without controversy, lets look at the results from Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh (2012). Because this research was performed on mice, it was possible to tightly control the experiment’s condition.

Observers were blinded as to whether the samples came from the homeopathic remedy groups or placebo treated group and mice were randomized into 9 groups (24 animals in each group), each group receiving a different diet consisting of (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 2):

  • Group 1- Diet 1: Normal
  • Group 2 – Diet 2: Normal + Alc
  • Group 3 – Diet 3: p-DAB+PB
  • Group 4 – Diet 4: p-DAB + PB + Alc
  • Group 5 – Diet 5: p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-30
  • Group 6 – Diet 6: p-DAB + PB + Chol-200
  • Group 7 – Diet 7: p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-30 + Chol-200
  • Group 8 – Diet 8: p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-200
  • Group 9- Diet 9: p-DAB + PB + Nat Sulph-200 + Chol-200

In the result section Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh (2012) report that on autopsy groups 1 and 2 showed healthy liver, while all the other animals showed tumor growth who received the carcinogens for 60 days or more.

Interestingly enough though the authors report that

As compared to all carcinogen fed mice showing distinct sign of tumor formation in the form of pale reddish multiple nodules, the incidence and intensity of tumor was found to be greater in the carcinogen fed mice (more pronounced in the p-DAB+PB and p-DAB+PB+Alc fed series) at 60, 90, and 120 days, the incidence and growth of tumors found in the drug fed series was less, both numerically and qualitatively. Further, in the conjoint drug fed series, the number of tumors was also lesser than in the single drug fed series (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p.5).

Differences were statistically significant and Nat Sulph-30 plus Chol-200 fed mice positive activities were most pronounced at the 90 day and the 120 intervals, with Nat Sulph-200 alone showing considerable ameliorative effect, while a combination of Nat Sulph-200 and Chol-200 showed the greatest effects (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 5).

Here is table 1 from their paper:

Number of mice with tumor incidence homeopathic principles the alternative medicine blogIn their conclusion the authors reiterate that we don’t know the mechanism of action involved for homeopathic remedies, but proposed a hypothesis that

…Potentized homeopathic drugs might have the ability to act as a ‘molecular trigger’ for switching ‘on and ‘off’ certain relevant gene action/interaction, a series of biochemical changes could follow, that in turn could bring about the alteration observed in the parameters of the present study (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 9).

Furthermore the authors point towards nanoparticle research that demonstrated alteration of the “…physico-chemical property of the drug and its biological action during the process of homeopathic dynamization” (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 9).

Based on this research one could speculate that both homeopathic remedies could be used to treat human liver disorders associated with cancerous lesions (Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh, 2012, p. 9).

But there is one caveat of course, more studies should be performed by other researchers to either confirm or refute these most peculiar findings.

Why peculiar? Remember, based on the tenets of classical physics, chemistry and other know facts about the universe these results should have NOT manifested in the first place.

References: 

Bhattacharjee, N., & Khuda-Bukhsh, A. R. (2012). Two homeopathic remedies used intermittently provide additional protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogens in mice. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, In Press. doi:10.1016/j.jams.2012.05.004

Creighton University School of Medicine. (n.d.). Dynamization. Retrieved June 21, 2012, from http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/philosophy/dilution.htm

Pitari, G. (2007). Scientific Research in Homeopathic Medicine: Validation, Methodology and Perspectives. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 4(2), 271–273. doi:10.1093/ecam/nel085

Image Credit:

Monnier, H. (n.d.). L’Homéopate et l’alléopate, en présence chez Mr. Jobard, se traient de polissons, se prennent à la gorge et le malade meurt faute de Secours. Retrieved from the Images of History of Medicine website http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/ihm/

Writing an essay, paper, or report? Cite this story:

APA: W Absenger. (2012.06.21). Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh. (2012). Two homeopathic remedies provide protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogens [Web log post]. Retrieved from The Alternative Medicine Blog at http://amacf.org/2012/06/bhattacharjee-khuda-bukhsh-2012-two-homeopathic-remedies-provide-protective-effects-against-hepatoto.html

MLA: Absenger, Werner. “Bhattacharjee & Khuda-Bukhsh. (2012). Two homeopathic remedies provide protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogens ” The Alternative Medicine Blog. The Alternative Medicine Blog. 21 June. 2012. Web. Insert your date of access here.

 

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: Alkaline phosphatase, Alternative, Alternative medicine, Avogadro, Avogadro constant, Blog, Cancer, Glutathione, Health, Homeopathy, medicinal systems, mind-body medicine, Nat Sulph, Natrum Sulphuricum, Quality of life, The Alternative Medicine Blog, Werner Absenger

Homeopathic Principles of Acute Prescribing II

August 23, 2006 by Werner Absenger

Homeopathic Principles of Acute Prescribing II

Dosage and potency in homeopathic acute prescribing are matched to the individual person, just as the remedy itself is. Generally, home prescribers use potencies of 30C or lower. In homeopathic acute prescribing, several doses may be needed to begin the recovery process. It is safe to repeat a remedy in an acute situation, but as soon as improvement begins, the remedy should be discontinued until there is a relapse or slowing of improvement. If a remedy has been repeated four times with no sign of a change, it is probably not the correct remedy; it is time to go back to the drawing board and find a different remedy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: homeopath, homeopathic, Homeopathy, prescribing, remedies

Homeopathic Principles of Acute Prescribing I

August 22, 2006 by Werner Absenger

Homeopathic Principles of Acute Prescribing I

In acute prescribing, the goal is to move the person safely through the acute illness and return them to the state of health they had before this acute began.

The scope of the homeopathic symptom picture that is considered in acute prescribing is limited to the acute illness itself: what might have caused it, and its specific individualizing symptoms. The homeopathic symptom picture consists of everything that is different about the person now, compared to their usual state of health.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: homeopath, homeopathic, Homeopathy

Homeopathic Acute Prescribing

August 16, 2006 by Werner Absenger

Homeopathic Acute Prescribing I

Flu as an Example

Homeopathic acute prescribing is appropriate for short-term, self-limiting illnesses. The classic acute illnesses are contagious ones such as childhood diseases, colds, and flu. In deciding wether or not to acutely prescribe, it is important to distinguish between acute and chronic: if an “acute” is recurrent (such as ear infections, migraines, upper respiratory infections, etc), then it is actually a chronic ailment and needs to be treated professionally.

The goal of homeopathic acute prescribing is to move the person back to the same state of health in which they were living before they contracted this acute. The scope of the homeopathic symptom picture that is considered in choosing the remedy is limited to the time of the acute.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: acute illnesses, acute prescribing, adolf and maria absenger cancer foundation, AMACF, Homeopathy

CAM News, Vol. I, Issue 8

August 16, 2006 by Werner Absenger

CAM News, Vol. I, Issue 8

Dear Friends,

it has been extremely busy in my neck of the woods. I just came back from our final meeting before our “Is this The Future of Food?” seminar. Once again Fatou, Vancey, Cynthia, and I are mobilizing to educate people about Genetically Engineered Foods a.k.a. GE or GMO’s. If you are in the Spring Lake, Michigan on Saturday July 29th, please don’t miss this important seminar about our food supply and the big gamble large corporations are playing with our health and future of food. Definitely a “Don’t Want to Miss Event.” Best of all: It’s FREE!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Newsletter Archives Tagged With: adolf and maria absenger cancer foundation, alternative medicine blog, AMACF, Homeopathy

My Pilgrimage (of sorts)

August 13, 2006 by Werner Absenger

du Pere-Lachaise

I am back. For those of you who wondered, I was on vacation for the last couple of weeks visiting the motherland. And of course my relatives who still live there. Our trip took us to 5 countries in 12 days. Sounds a lot, is not quite that difficult to do in Europe. Everything is smaller there. Even the countries. On our last leg of the trip we visited Paris. We came to Paris early Thursday afternoon, and to much of the dismay of K., my significant other, the first thing, literally, before getting out of the car anywhere else in the city of romance, I make her go visit a cemetery to chase a dead guy. (In an existentialist, twisted sort of way, very romantic. Maybe not?) His name Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General CAM/MBM News & Research Tagged With: adolf and maria absenger cancer foundation, alternative medicine blog, AMACF, Homeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann

History of Homeopathy XIII

July 25, 2006 by Werner Absenger

The Present Status of Homeopathy II

The History of Homeopathy entails the widespread use of it in Europe. Homeopathy is however more so popular in Asia, extraordinarily so in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In India homeopathy is so popular because of the fact that Mahatma Gandhi was a loyal supporter and it is very effective in treating the diseases and ailments occurring on the subcontinent. As noted in an article of World Health Forum:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: Acupuncture, alternative medicine blog, AMACF, homeopathic medicines, Homeopathy, Hypnosis, pharmacies, pharmacy, Werner Absenger

History of Homeopathy XII

July 24, 2006 by Werner Absenger

The Present Status of Homeopathy I

The History of Homeopathy is about to be rewritten. Homeopaths in different countries have experienced different levels of opposition from orthodox doctors, but it should come as no surprise that homeopaths in the United States suffered the most from the methodical and fierce attacks by American doctors. When homeopaths were allowed a free environment to go through their paces, homeopathy as a whole was able to grow and flourish.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: Acupuncture, alternative medicine blog, AMACF, homeopathic medicines, Homeopathy, Hypnosis, pharmacies, pharmacy, Werner Absenger

History of Homeopathy XI

July 22, 2006 by Werner Absenger

The Fall of Homeopathy III

The History of Homeopathy also involved a certain amount of disagreement between homeopaths themselves. Most of the dominant homeopaths in America were Hahnemannians. The majority of the homeopaths however did not stick to the strict Hahnemannian principles. They did not prescribe their medicines according to the totality of the symptoms, but rather based on the chief complaint.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Homeopathy & Cancer Tagged With: AMA, hahnemann, high potency, Homeopathy, potency

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