Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy
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Protocol for efficacy of individualised homoeopathic medicine in cases of wrist ganglion: A prospective, parallel arm, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Get PDFBackground and Objectives: Wrist ganglia are benign soft-tissue tumours of controversial pathogenesis. Most of them are asymptomatic besides swelling but may be associated with pain, interference with activities and an increase in size. Non-surgical management options are not much effective, and surgical excision may invite complications as well as longer recovery period. Homoeopathic treatment remains a very effective measure, but the documentation of it is not adequate. This protocol is designed to evaluate the effect of individualised homoeopathic medicines in cases of wrist ganglion. Materials and Methods: The study will be a prospective, parallel arm, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants (n = 154) will be allocated to individualised homoeopathic medicine group or placebo group by block randomisation. Enrolment will be done for 6 months, and every enrolled participant will be followed up for 8 months. Primary outcome measure will be changes in ganglion size at 8th month. Secondary outcome measures will be changes in pain visual analog scale score and patient-rated wrist evaluation score at every month till 8th month. Discussion: The study may help in generating evidences which may be helpful to validate the effectiveness of individualised homoeopathic medicine in the wrist ganglion
Preparation and standardisation of Plasmodium falciparum nosode
Get PDFBackground: Malaria officinalis, a Homoeopathic preparation used against malaria, was prepared from decomposed vegetable matter from a marshy area by G. W. Bowen in 1862. No scientific published material is available on the source of any malaria-related nosode. There is a need to develop the new nosode using the organisms. The author has developed the nosode from Plasmodium falciparum parasites, and the detailed method of preparation is described in this manuscript. Objective: Preparation and standardisation of Homoeopathic nosode prepared from P. falciparum parasites, which could be explored for further research and therapeutic efficacy. Materials and Methods: The most widely cultivated strain of malaria parasite P. falciparum was collected from Indian Institute of Technology-B (Mumbai). This parasite was triturated with nine parts of Saccharum lactis powder to achieve 1X potency. One part of 1X potency and nine parts of Saccharum lactis powder were taken to make subsequent 2X potency. Likewise, potencies till 6X were prepared by trituration method, prescribed in Homoeopathy pharmacopeia of India (HPI). Results: Nosode from P. falciparum strain was prepared by trituration method as prescribed in HPI and standardised for future research and clinical exploration. Conclusion: The nosode sourced from P. falciparum parasites will be one such addition, which will call for further exploration for its effect against malaria (and other diseases) as a prophylactic and therapeutic measure
A survey regarding awareness and beliefs about Homoeopathy among general population during Magh Mela at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Get PDFBackground and Objective: Homoeopathy is one of the various alternative systems of medicine prevalent in India. A survey was conducted during the month of January–February 2017 in a congregation at Sangam, Allahabad, to know about the awareness of general population about Homoeopathy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on patients and people visiting the health check-up camp and exhibition stall set-up during Magh Mela at Sangam, Allahabad. A self-administered questionnaire was used during the survey, devised by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. Results: Of 1144 total respondents, 68.1% had knowledge about Homoeopathy. About 46.6% of respondents believed that it has no side effects and 15.1% believed that it is cost-effective. The diseases for which most of the participants have taken homoeopathic treatment were fever, common cold, constipation and diarrhoea. Conclusion: General population has knowledge about Homoeopathy, but various misconceptions are also prevalent. Awareness campaigns are needed to make people more aware about Homoeopathy and its effectiveness in various disorders
Exploring the predictive value of specific symptom as prognostic factor: Assessment of group-confined likelihood ratio for symptom ‘Headache’ in 20 lesser-known drugs
Get PDFAim: Assessment of group-confined likelihood ratio (GCLR) for the symptom ‘Headache’ from among 20 lesser-known remedies clinically verified by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy during the period 2012–2018. Materials and Methods: Analysis of data of the clinical verification study, which was a multicentric, open-label, observational clinical study conducted at 13 study sites of the council. The 50 medicines that completed the drug proving programme of the council were clinically verified in ascending potencies of 6C, 30C and 200C. Of these, 20 lesser-known medicines allowed analysis of the prevalence and LR of the symptom ‘Headache\u27. These 20 medicines were ordered according to the prevalence of headache, and LR \u3e1 gave an indication what medicines were more related to headache than others. Results: The symptom ‘Headache’ was recorded in a part of the population: 4582 patients where 20 lesser-known medicines were prescribed. Of these medicines, 8 have a GCLR \u3e1, indicating that the symptom headache could indicate these medicines out of the assessed group of 20. Only 5 had statistically significant confidence interval: Allium sativum, Formicum acidum, Gymnema sylvestre, Avena sativa and Persea americana. Among these, two medicines, Allium sativum and Formicum acidum, have significantly higher GCLR. Conclusion: Of 20 lesser-known homeopathic medicines, two could be considered for the further evaluation of the relationship with headache. These findings should be confirmed in properly organised prognostic factor research in a larger population, not restricted to specific medicines, that enables proper comparison
Resolution of lacrimal gland tumour by Homoeopathic medicines - A case report
Get PDFLacrimal glands are exclusive structures possessing both epithelial and lymphoid tissue and may produce a variable range of pathologies such as neoplastic, infective, infiltrative, inflammatory and structural. Treatment is either anti-inflammatory in the form of corticosteroids, radiotherapy or complete excision in the field of modern medicine. A female patient named IB, aged 35 years, came with bilateral firm swelling of the lacrimal gland. She started treatment under modern medicine doctors; however, when she was advised for biopsy, for histopathological examination, she preferred to go for Homoeopathy. The swelling was developing gradually for 2 months – painless, no fluctuation, no fixity to skin and underlying structures. After thorough case-taking followed by repertorisation, Calcarea carbonica 1M, two doses were prescribed. The patient reported after 2 months with zero Outcome in Relation to Impact on Daily Living instrument score. Further modification was done in repertorisation, and now Silicea 1M, two doses was prescribed. Treatment continued for 4 more months and no new medicine or further repetition was required. Documentation was done in the form of photographs of the patient from the same angle under similar light exposure in every follow-up
Lycopodium clavatum for the management of urolithiasis: A randomised double blind placebo controlled trial
Get PDFBackground: Urolithiasis is the most common disease of urinary tract found worldwide. There are several approaches for the treatment of urolithiasis that include the use of various synthetic and natural drugs and/or surgery in the conventional system of medicine. Objective: This study was taken up to evaluate the efficacy of Lycopodium clavatum in the management of urolithiasis. Materials and Methods: A multicentric, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients having symptomatology like Lycopodium clavatum were enrolled after screening and repertorisation as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. During acute renal colic, despite group allocation, the patients were either prescribed the indicated homoeopathic medicines or conventional medicine. The analysis was carried out with an intention-to-treat approach, and missing values were handled using Last Observation Carry Forward method. Results: There was no statistical significance between the groups (P = 0.31) in reference to the number of cases in which stones expelled during the trial. The mean size of single stone expelled was 9.4 ± 4.9 and 13.9 ± 2.2 in Verum and Placebo groups, respectively (P= 0.12). There was also no significant difference in the mean size of mean size of multiple stones; in Verum group (10.1 ± 5.3) and Placebo group (16.1 ± 9.1) (P = 0.11). For assessment of pain and dysuria, Visual Analogue Scale was used, and a statistically significant difference was found between the groups (P = 0.039) for pain, and positive trend for Homoeopathy was noted for dysuria. A verified symptom syndrome of Lycopodium clavatum has been observed. Conclusion: Future studies with pragmatic study design and individualistic Homoeopathy can be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of treatment in urolithiasis
Pharmacognostic and physicochemical study of Urtica urens L.: A drug used in Homoeopathy
Get PDFBackground: Urtica urens L. (Family Urticaceae), known as annual nettle, dwarf nettle, small nettle, dog nettle or burning nettle, is used in the treatment of arthritis, uric acid diseases, benign prostatic hyperplasia and burn. In Homoeopathy, the whole plant is used for the treatment of gout, uric acid diathesis, joint pain, lithiasis, urticaria and agalactia and burns. Objective: The objectives of the present study were to investigate morpho-anatomical, powder and physicochemical standards of the whole plant of Urtica urens for authentication and identification of raw drug. Materials and Methods: The current study includes macroscopical and microscopical study of root, stem, leaf and powder and physicochemical studies of whole plant powder and mother tincture of Urtica urens. Results: The taproot is rounded, thick and brown; leaves are long petiolate, elliptic to broadly ovate; stem 0.5–1 cm thick, rounded and branched. Qualitative and quantitative microscopic studies showed the distinguishing characters of root stem and leaf. In physicochemical studies of the drug, extractive values in alcohol and water were ≤7.52 and ≤13.88% w/w, respectively; loss on drying, total, acid insoluble and water-soluble ash were found to be ≤11.75, ≤24.55, ≤3.59 and ≤6.89% w/w, respectively. In mother tincture, weight per millilitre, alcohol content, total solids, pH and λmax were found to be ≥0.97 g, 47% v/v–52% v/v, ≤1.88% w/v, 7.93 and 266, 279 nm, respectively. Conclusion: The data presented in this communication may be used as diagnostic characters for identification and authentication of raw drug so as to ensure purity, quality and efficacy of homoeopathic drug Urtica urens
Antimicrobial activity of different homoeopathic drugs and their potencies against \u27Aspergillus niger\u27 In vitro
Get PDFBackground: Homoeopathic remedies are widely used all over the world for different disease conditions. Approximately 70% are derived from the plant; however, their preclinical evaluation is still a major concern. Objective: This study was undertaken with an aim to explore the antimicrobial effect of different homoeopathic drugs and its potencies against the Aspergillus niger. Materials and Methods: Fifteen homoeopathic mother tinctures (Θ) and their potencies (3x, 6x, 12x) were tested for their biological activity against the human pathogenic fungi A. niger using disc diffusion method according to clinical and laboratory standard (CLSIM44-A) with slight modifications. The diameter of zone of inhibition was measured and compared with vehicle control (Alcohol 90%). The experiment was performed twice to check the reproducibility. Results: The marked antifungal activity was observed with Θ of Zingiber officinale; the growth of A. niger was inhibited and showed maximum zone of inhibition up to 15.4 ± 2.88 mm followed by Holarrhena antidysenterica (13.2 ± 1.09) and Terminalia chebula (10.6 ± 1.14). Different potencies (3x, 6x and 12x) were also exhibited significant zone of inhibition, especially Allium cepa 6x (10.4 ± 0.89), Caesalpinia bonducella 6x and 12x (12.8 ± 0.54 and 10.4 ± 1.14, respectively), Eucalyptus globulus 12x (11.3 ± 1.94), Ruta graveolens 12x (15.0 ± 2.23), Thuja occidentalis 6x (10.8 ± 0.83), and Zingiber officinale 3x and 6x (13.0 ± 2.73 and 11.4 ± 2.30, respectively) as compared to control. Conclusion: The findings of study concluded that Θ and potencies can effectively inhibit the growth of A. niger in vitro. This study paves the way for development of homoeopathic antifungal treatments. However, further investigations are required to get more information about the mechanistic approach, their mode of action and in vivo evaluation