Homoeopathy

Research implementation in Education and clinical practice Raj K Manchanda Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):1-3

Exploring the predictive value of specific symptom as prognostic factor: Assessment of group-confined likelihood ratio for symptom 'Headache' in 20 lesser-known drugs Jaya Gupta, Suhana P Azis, Lex Rutten, Raj K Manchanda, Abhishek Pramanik, Partha Sarathi Chakraborty, Pramodji Singh, JP Singh, Mahesh Sah, G R. C. Reddy, Manas Sarangi, Abhijit Chakma, Sunil Ramteke, PK Pradhan, P Devi, Ojit Singh, AR Sahoo, KK Avinash, Navin Kumar Singh, Siva Prasad Goli Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):4-11 Aim: 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'. These 20 medicines were ordered according to the prevalence of headache, and LR >1 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 >1, 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.

A survey regarding awareness and beliefs about Homoeopathy among general population during Magh Mela at Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India Manas Ranjan Sarangi, Abhishek Pramanik, Jaya Gupta, Ramesh Prasad, Pramodji Singh, Mahesh Shah, Alok Kumar Upadhyay, Saurabh Jain, Ambreesh Pandey, Arvind Kumar, Goutam Rakshit, Anil Khurana, Raj K Manchanda Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):12-21 Background 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.

Homoeopathic drug proving of Mangolia grandiflora: A randomised double blind placebo-controlled trial Goutam Rakshit, AK Vichitra, Rajpal Singh, Amulya Ratna Sahoo, Sujata Kumari Choudhury, Vinay Kumar Singh Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):22-36 Objective: This study was carried out to elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Magnolia grandiflora in homoeopathic potencies on apparently healthy human beings. Materials and Methods: Drug Magnolia grandiflora was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) through a double-blind placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at three centres. The drug was proved in two potencies (6C and 30C) on 48 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after conducting pre-trial medical examinations by the medical specialists and routine laboratory investigations. In the first phase, volunteers were given 56 doses (4 doses per day for 14 days) of placebo. In the next two phases, 56 doses (4 doses per day for 14 days) of each potency or placebo were consumed. Out of 48 provers, 32 were given the actual drug and 16 were given placebo. The symptoms generated during the trial period were noted by the volunteers and elaborated by the proving masters. The data obtained from all the three centres were compiled at the Proving-Cum-Data Processing Cell at CCRH headquarters after decoding. Results: Out of the 32 provers who were on the actual drug trial, 21 manifested symptoms. The drug was able to produce symptoms in each potency in most of the parts of the body. Conclusion: New and proved pathogenetic responses elicited during the proving trial expand the scope of use of the drug Magnolia grandiflora and will benefit the research scholars and clinicians. These symptoms will carry more value when verified clinically.

Evaluation of qualitative phytochemical analysis of water extract of Achyranthes aspera and Achyranthes aspera 30 Usha Kushwaha Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):37-40 Introduction: Plant sources are a valuable starting material for drug development. These plants are the potential therapeutic agents, which provide maximum benefits with minimum adverse effects. Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the qualitative phytochemical analysis of water extract of whole plant excluding root of Achyranthes aspera and 30 potency of the same drug. Methodology: The qualitative phytochemical analysis of water extract of whole plant excluding root of Achyranthes aspera and Achyranthes aspera 30 has been performed to confirm the presence of alkaloid, saponin, phenolic compound, carbohydrate and proteins. Physicochemical constants such as ash, extractive values and moisture content were also determined. Results: The physicochemical analysis showed that the parts of this plant contained total ash value of 9.59% in which the acid-insoluble ash is 2.27%. The extractive values percentage of water-soluble extract is 20.91%. The qualitative phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, saponins and phenolic compounds in water extract of Achyranthes aspera and Achyranthes aspera 30. The analysis also shows that various bioactive phytochemicals are retained with dilution while preparation of Homoeopathic medicines. Conclusion: Achyranthes aspera in homoeopathic potency 30 contains its bioactive phytochemicals even after being a high dilution (with alcohol) of the original plant.

Efficacy of predefined homoeopathic medicines in the treatment of warts: Study protocol of double blind randomised placebo controlled trial Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy  Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):41-47 Background and Objectives: The literature cites a large number of homoeopathic medicines for the treatment of warts. Studies on warts are based on experiences of individual practitioners and do not give specific factors, which are responsible for making a successful prescription for the treatment of warts. The present study was designed as a multicentric randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate response to homoeopathic treatment for the disappearance or resolution of warts and to validate the symptoms of the pre-identified 09 drugs (Antimonium crudum, Calcarea carbonicum, Causticum, Dulcamara, Natrum muriaticum, Nitric acidicum, Ruta graveolens, Sulphur and Thuja occidentalis) on clinical outcome in warts. Materials and Methods: The study would be conducted at eight centres of the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, where patients requiring any of the predefined medicines for warts would be randomised to Homoeopathy or placebo group using a computer-generated randomisation chart. The selected medicine would be prescribed first in 6C potency and dosage and subsequent potency as per the requirement of the case. Outcome is based on the percentage of warts completely disappeared assessed fortnightly for 6 months. Discussion: The study intends to combine randomised controlled trial with validation of symptoms of the pre-identified drugs in warts. The symptoms of verum group in each case successfully treated would be compared with that in the control group. The study would aid in assessing treatment efficacy and identifying the symptomatology on the basis of which successful prescriptions have been made.

Resolution of lacrimal gland tumour by Homoeopathic medicines - A case report Partha Pratim Pal Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):48-54 Lacrimal 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.

Role of homoeopathic medicine in the treatment of infantile haemangioma Md Ismail Shaikh Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):55-61 Infantile haemangioma is a benign vascular tumour of childhood, characterised by endothelial cell proliferation. It usually develops shortly after birth and grows most rapidly over the first 6 months. However, it may keep growing for up to 12–18 months. After that, it undergoes regression or involution, and 50% of all infantile haemangiomas have completed involution by the age of 5 years, 70% by the age of 7 years and 90% by the age of 9–12 years. However, in a small percentage of patients in whom haemangioma is not disappearing completely, residual fatty tissue or superficial skin telangiectasias remains. These patients may require drug therapy (propranolol/timolol/steroids/vincristine), surgery and/or laser therapy often during childhood involving certain risks or side effects. However, homoeopathic medicine can quickly, safely and effectively diminish proliferative growth and hasten resolution without any side effects. Two children with infantile haemangioma were treated with homoeopathic medicines, selected on the basis of their totality of symptoms and repertorisation. Each child was followed up every 2–4 weeks’ interval, and photographs were taken to assess/compare the vascularity, height (thickness), pliability and pigmentation according to the Vancouver Scar Scale chart. In the 1st case, the score reduced from 9 to 1 in about 10 months of follow-up and showed 88.8% improvement. In the 2nd case, the score reduced from 9 to 0 in about 10 months of follow-up and showed 100% improvement. These case reports show that early treatment of infantile haemangioma with Homoeopathy medicine can diminish proliferative growth and hasten resolution as early as possible without any side effects.

Research Highlights (January–March 2019) Meenakshi Bhatia Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):62-65

Dr Paras Nath Varma Daisy Katarmal Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy 2019 13(1):66-67 Dr. P. N. Varma, the ‘Grandmaster’ of Homoeopathy, left for his heavenly abode on 5th November 2018. The entire homoeopathic fraternity pays tributes to the legendary homeopath. Dr. P.N. Varma has made unique contributions to the homoeopathic manufacturing industry and scientific homoeopathy.