Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy
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Pelvic inflammatory disease treated with homoeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica: A case Report
Get PDFIntroduction: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a polymicrobial infection of the upper genital tract characterised clinically by triad of symptoms and signs: pelvic pain, cervical motion with adnexal tenderness and fever. Conventional treatment is with broad-spectrum antibiotics. The alternative medicine, especially Homoeopathy, is the second choice of therapy as per the WHO. Case reports of PID in the medical literature are scant. We aim to report a case treated with homoeopathic constitutional medicine in a woman suffering from PID. Case Summary: A 29-year-old female presented with the symptoms of white discharge per vagina, constant dull pain in the lower abdomen, low backache, fever and lassitude for 2 weeks. Clinical findings and ultrasound of the whole abdomen suggested PID. Individualised homoeopathic medicine Calcarea carbonica was prescribed in centesimal potency which showed a positive role in the treatment of PID. Causal attribution of changes in her condition to the homoeopathic treatment was depicted by modified Naranjo criteria. Future observational studies and randomised control trials are suggested to ascertain the efficacy of homoeopathy in the cases of PID
Homoeopathic nosodes, a neglected approach for epidemics: A critical review
Get PDFBackground: Nosodes are the homoeopathic medicines prepared from diseased products of biological origin. These are commonly used in clinical practice for the prophylaxis and treatment of ailments including infectious diseases. Objective: This review aims at the usage of nosodes for the management of epidemics. Methods: The homoeopathic research literature was searched to find examples of the use of nosodes in different ways and to evaluate their role and position in homoeopathic practice with special reference to epidemic diseases. Results: Research evidence for use of the nosodes as prophylactics and for the treatment of various infectious and non-infectious diseases is emerging. Nosodes such as Meningococcinum,nosoLEP and Malaria officinalis have been used successfully in controlling meningitis, leptospirosis and malaria, respectively. The use of nosodes as isopathy is somewhat acceptable in the mainstream medicine due to its similarity to vaccination. Although it is feasible to use nosodes in a short span of time and can be administered easily, the method of preparation and the safety issues are of much concern and therefore, should be used with utmost care. The safety issues outlined by the World Health Organization should be satisfied before their application in public health. Conclusion: The challenge for the future is to refine the method of preparation and to develop a harmonised way of preparing the nosodes, which is conducive to all the homoeopathic pharmacopoeias across the globe. Nosodes prepared as per the homoeopathic principles have potential to be used as prophylactics in epidemics, but only if there is sufficient experimental evidence of its effectiveness and safety
A review on the role of Homoeopathy in epidemics with some reflections on COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: While the world is grappling with the current pandemic of COVID-19, medical fraternity and policy makers are still trying to find ways to control its spread in the absence of any definite treatment protocol. The escalating medical costs of infrastructural requirements in health care as well as development of vaccine are but a few challenges being faced. Alternative approaches to handle the situation require to be explored. This article reviews the role homoeopathy has played in controlling epidemics afflicting the mankind in the past while summarizing the scope of this approach in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A literature search was conducted using various bibliographic databases like PubMed etc, google search engines to collect all relevant research and review articles, reports, archived texts, you tube recordings, webpages etc. in English language published uptil March 2020. Results: Scientific evidence in various epidemics clearly showcase that Homoeopathy can be used both therapeutically and /or as prophylactic with success using approaches like Genus epidemicus, nosodes etc. Its greatest successes have been recorded in the prevention & treatment of flu like illnesses. Conclusion: Homoeopathy has stood the test of time over centuries as a notable approach in controlling morbidity as well as mortality in epidemics. Administration of the homoeopathic “Genus epidemicus” as a prophylactic for general public or adjuvant homoeopathic treatment in symptomatic cases can be an inexpensive, safe and feasible approach to manage and alleviate the compounding fear and panic that COVID-19 is creating across the globe. National polices & strategies to tackle the pandemic need to be revisited
Chronic Cholelithiasis treated with Homoeopathic medicine in 50th millesimal potency: A case report
Get PDFIntroduction: Cholelithiasis or gallstone disease is a very common problem worldwide. The prevalence is more in females than males. Although cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis, it has its own limitations, risks and post-operative complications. Here, an alternative system of medicine, especially Homoeopathy, plays an important role in treating cholelithiasis. Case Summary: A 32-year-old female patient presented with the symptoms of dull pain in the right hypochondrium, sour eructations and regurgitation of food. The ultrasonography (USG) report confirmed the presence of multiple stones in the gallbladder of varying sizes, from 3 mm to 11 mm. Although she was advised for cholecystectomy, she was reluctant to undergo any surgery. Detailed case was taken, case was analysed, totality was formed, repertorization was done and Lycopodium was prescribed in fifty millesimal potency. Her symptoms were alleviated within a short span of time, and USG reports revealed that there were no stones after 3 months of treatment. Homoeopathic medicine Lycopodium, selected on the basis of totality of symptoms, was found effective in this case
Pharmacognostical studies of Smilax aspera Linn. – A herbal drug
Get PDFBackground: Smilax aspera L. (sarsaparilla or prickly ivy) is a perennial climber from the family Smilacaceae. Its root and rhizome are used as alterative, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic. Objective: To perform standardization of root and rhizome of S. aspera for authentication and identification of raw drug by pharmacognostical, physiochemical, powder and finish product evaluation. Materials and Methods: Air-dried rhizome and roots were boiled, sectioned and stained for macroscopical and microscopical analysis. For physicochemical studies, rhizome and roots were coarsely powdered and subjected for determination of extractive values, ash values, chemical constituents, weight per millilitre, alcohol content, total solids and loss on drying. Finished product analyses (chromatographic studies, sediments, pH and total solid) were also undertaken. Results: The root was longitudinally wrinkled, about 3 mm in diameter with numerous branching, rootless, tough and flexible. Cortex consisted of 18–20 rows of parenchymatous cells; xylem and phloem were arranged in a radiate manner. Rhizome was wrinkled, hard and brown externally and white or light-yellow internally. The outer cortex consisted of polygonal parenchymatous cells. The findings of physicochemical determination of raw drugs including maximum extractive values in alcohol were 5.67% w/w, 0.1% w/w foreign matter, 8.90% w/w moisture content, 10.60% w/w total ash, etc., and finished product parameter showed pH near to 7, total solid 1.07% w/v and 50% v/v alcohol content. Conclusion: The data represented in this article may be used as distinctive diagnostic characters for proper identification, authentication of raw drug to ensure purity, quality and efficacy of drug S. aspera
Effects of pre-defined Homoeopathic medicines to mitigate adverse dermatological effects of radiotherapy and vomiting of chemotherapy in breast carcinoma: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial in the context of usual care
Get PDFBackground: Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used in breast cancer, but they cause an array of adverse effects including dermatological changes and vomiting. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine whether Usual Care (UC) plus pre-defined homoeopathic remedies can produce different effect beyond UC plus placebo in dermatological adverse effects of radiotherapy and vomiting of chemotherapy in breast carcinoma. Methods: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm trial, 88 females suffering from dermatological adverse effects due to radiotherapy (n = 41) or vomiting due to chemotherapy (n = 47) were randomised to receive either UC + Homoeopathy (verum; n = 44) or UC + Placebo (control; n = 44). The outcome measures were the number of responders showing any reduction of grades of Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria (ARMSC) of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) for vomiting, measured at baseline and after 7 and 14 days. Relative Risk (RR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) was assessed; Chi-square tests were run to report P values. Results: A protocol-compliant sample (n = 80; 8 dropped out, verum: 4, control: 4) was analysed. The number of responders as per the ARMSC score after 7 days (11/18 vs. 1/19, RR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.7–6.3, P = 0.001) and 14 days (16/18 vs. 1/19, RR = 9.4, 95% CI = 2.5–35.2, P \u3c 0.001) was statistically significant, favouring verum over control. Similar results were obtained according to the CTC scoring after 7 days (15/22 vs. 2/21, RR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.7–6.3, P \u3c 0.001) and 14 days (21/22 vs. 4/21, RR = 15.1, 95% CI = 2.2–102.4, P \u3c 0.001). Conclusion: Pre-identified homoeopathic medicines appeared superior to placebo, warranting further evaluation
Homoeopathic therapy in cervical spondylosis pain management: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Get PDFBackground: Homoeopathic medicines are known to be effective in alleviating pain and other troublesome symptoms of patients suffering from cervical spondylosis. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of predefined homoeopathic medicines in the pain management of cervical spondylosis using the Cervical Spondylosis Pain Management Scale (CSPMS). Methods: A prospective, double-blind randomised placebo-controlled multicentric clinical trial was conducted from April 2012 to May 2013. Results: Sixty-seven cases were enrolled in the Homoeopathy group and 69 in the placebo group. One hundred and thirty-four cases that completed the follow-ups were analysed. The improvement in pain was 56.18% in the Homoeopathy group and 46.45% in the placebo group, as per CSPMS. The mean improvement between the groups was not significant: 60.36% in the Homoeopathy group and 48.66% in the placebo group. The mean score of quality of life, assessed using the \u27Patient\u27s Global Impression of Change Scale,\u27 was 2.29 ± 1.90 quality of life in the Homoeopathy group and 2.93 ± 2.28 in the placebo group. There was 27.95% more improvement in the Homoeopathy group, as compared to the placebo group. Among the most used medicines were Rhus toxicodendron (n = 19) 28.8%, Calcarea carbonica (n = 7) 10.6%, Kalmia latifolia (n = 7) 10.6% and Paris quadrifolia (n = 8) 12.1%. Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines are effective in management of acute pain due to cervical spondylosis
Effects of individualised homoeopathic intervention in Stage I essential hypertension: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
Get PDFBackground: Hypertension (HTN) is a leading risk factor for death and disability and responsible for over 1.6 million deaths in India. Clinical case reports, observational studies and randomised controlled trials show the effects of homoeopathic medicine in HTN. Objectives: The results of this study will add to the evidence of effectiveness of individualised homoeopathic medicine in Stage I HTN. Methods: A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was undertaken from October 2013 to March 2018. The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) every month for 3 months. Of 2127 patients screened, 217 patients who fitted the inclusion criteria were randomised to receive either homoeopathic Q potencies (or LM potencies) plus lifestyle modification (LSM) =116 or placebo + LSM = 101. LSM included physical activity and diet as part of the treatment regimen. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results: Repeated-measure ANOVA between the groups showed statistically significant difference (Wilk lambda 0.85, F = 12.12, df = 213,P = 0.0001), in both SBP and DBP favouring Individualised Homoeopathy (IH) along with LSM. Post hoc independent t-test showed a significant mean reduction in SBP (mean difference 7.12 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.72–9.53,P = 0.0001) and DBP (mean difference 5.76 mm Hg, 95% CI: 4.18–7.23,P = 0.0001) favouring Homoeopathy plus LSM group. Sulphur (n = 24), Natrum muriaticum (n = 21), Lycopodium (n = 16), Nux vomica (n = 12) and Phosphorus (n = 10) were the most useful medicines. Conclusion: IH in LM potency along with LSM was found effective over placebo along with LSM in the patients suffering from Stage I HTN. Further trials in rigorous setting are warranted
Enabling use of Homoeopathy in India\u27s preparedness for pandemic/epidemic situation like COVID-19
Get PDFIndia reported its first positive case of COVID-19 on 30th January 2020. The alerts, the checks and the quarantines soon followed. As of 28th April 2020, India had crossed the 20,000 mark of positive cases and seen over 900 deaths. The nation is adapting and preparing fast for this rapidly spreading COVID outbreak, and new advisories superseding the previous ones as per the evolving needs are being issued by the concerned authorities on almost daily or weekly basis. The unprecedented spread of this pandemic was unforeseen, and therefore, many nations, including India, were caught off guard, and understandably so. The preparedness, policies for emergency measures in health delivery, and laws related to curfews and lockdowns had to be brought into action without much time for anticipatory planning. However, among all these arrangements, and preparedness of our nation toward the outbreak of COVID-19, the role of AYUSH has so far been minimal. The situation, however, is opening up, of late, with latest advisories and notifications roping in AYUSH professionals and students as COVID warriors for providing health support, as also for taking up evidence-based trials in selected COVID-positive cases, after due ethical and official approvals. The article reflects on why enabling the use of Homoeopathy in India\u27s preparedness for pandemic/epidemic situations like COVID-19 is important and how this can be achieved