Phase Transition-Based Methods in Research on Homeopathy: A Review

Background: There are different types of phase transition-based methods (PTMs) applied in medicine. Two of them, the copper chloride crystallization and droplet evaporation method, find more and more often use also in homeopathic research. The results of the studies conducted until now indicate that PTMs seem to be highly interesting for the analysis of homeopathic treatment effects. Moreover, they are time-saving, economic, and flexible (e.g., PTMs may be used on different kinds of experimental models). Here we present a review of PTMs applied in homeopathy (part of the project ‘Systematic Review of Crystallization Processes Applied for Medical Purposes SyRCrysMed’).

Materials and Methods: Articles, book chapters, and other materials have been collected from scientific databases (using search terms “HOMEOPATHY” or “HIGH DILUTIONS” and “CRYSTALLIZATION” or “PHASE TRANSITION”), Internet, and libraries. The literature was divided into experimental studies and other literature. Experimental studies were summarized in accordance to following criteria: method/methodology/experimental model, homeopathic treatment, application. The publications regarding homeopathy were rated in accordance to predefined criteria concerning the REHBaR guidelines and crystallization methodology.

Results and Discussion: Fourteen publications (7 articles, 3 abstracts, 4 book chapters) and two other online materials have been collected describing initially six different PTMs applied in homeopathy. Twelve experimental studies met the quality expectations of the predefined criteria and were considered for the review. All considered studies were basic research studies and concerned four different PTMs, 18 remedies, and potencies ranging from 1×H to 200cH (with lactose, and/or potentized or unpotentized water as controls). It seems that the development of PTMs was not constant over time: collected publications can be divided into old and recent studies, with a gap from 1975 to 2009.

Conclusion: The results of this review point at a high potential of PTMs in homeopathic basic research.

Keywords: Crystallization, phase transition, homeopathy, patterns, review