Scientific Evaluations of Homeopathic Remedies for Other Conditions

Asthma

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 people with asthma severe enough to require corticosteroid treatment, use of an injected homeopathic remedy consisting of Asclepias vincetoxicum and Sulphur significantly improved symptoms.1 See also the discussion of allergic asthma in the article on allergies.

Anxiety

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 44 people with generalized anxiety disorder, found that use of constitutional homeopathy did not significantly improve symptoms.2

Attention Deficit Disorder

In a double-blind study of 62 children with attention deficit disorder, use of constitutional homeopathic remedies proved more effective than placebo.5 However, a similar study of 43 children, again using constitutional remedies, failed to find statistically significant benefits.6

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A six-monthy double blind study failed to find constitutional homeopathy convincingly more effective than placebo for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.7 However, homeopathic consultation itself proved to have a dramatically beneficial effect, regardless of whether participants were subsequently given placebo or the actual prescribed homeopathic treatment.

Dandruff

In a small double-blind, placebo-controlled study, oral use of a low dilution homeopathic remedy containing potassium bromide, sodium bromide, nickel sulfate, and sodium chloride significantly improved symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis (including dandruff).3

Weight Loss

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the potential benefits of homeopathic thyroid hormone (30c) in weight loss.4 A total of 208 people were enrolled in the study. All study participants were undergoing a fast, and had reached a plateau where they were no longer rapidly losing weight. Use of homeopathic thyroid significantly enhanced the rate of weight loss.

Dengue Fever

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Honduras failed to find a combination homeopathic remedy more effective than placebo for treatment of dengue fever.8

 

References

1. Matusiewicz R The homoeopathic treatment of corticosteroid-dependen asthma. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Biomedical Therapy. 1997;15:117 122.

2. Bonne O, Shemer Y, Gorali Y, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of classical homeopathy in generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64:282 287.

3. Smith SA et al. Effective treatment of seborrheic dermatitis using a low dose, oral homeopathic medication consisting of potassium bromide, sodium bromide, nickel sulfate, and sodium chloride in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Alternative Medicine Review. 2002;7:59 67.

4. Schmidt JM, Ostermayr B. Does a homeopathic ultramolecular dilution of Thyroidinum 30cH affect the rate of body weight reduction in fasting patients? A randomised placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. Homeopathy. 2002;91:197 206.

5. Frei H, Everts R, von Ammon K et al. Homeopathic treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled crossover trial. Eur J Pediatr. 2005 Jul 27 [Epub ahead of print].

6. Jacobs J, Williams AL, Girard C et al. Homeopathy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot randomized-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11:799-806.

7. Weatherley-Jones E, Nicholl JP, Thomas KJ et al. A randomised, controlled, triple-blind trial of the efficacy of homeopathic treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 2004;56:189-197.

8. Jacobs J, Fernandez E, Merizalde B, et al. The use of homeopathic combination remedy for dengue fever symptoms: a pilot RCT in Honduras. Homeopathy. 2007;96:22-6.

Last reviewed July 2012 by EBSCO CAM Review Board