Abstract
Background Patterns in dried droplets have previously facilitated the characterization of homeopathic
preparations of different substances at low potency levels. The objective of the present
study was to examine combinations of plant extracts and salts in 2x and 3x potency
(nominal dilution of 10−2 and 10−3 ) and to determine which influence the plant and salt components have on the patterns
of these mixtures.
Methods We used the droplet evaporation method (DEM) to test seven plant extracts, five salt
solutions and their 1:1 combinations, either in 2x or 3x potency levels. Drops of
each sample were evaporated and the resulting patterns were photographed with a dark-field
microscope at 25-fold and 100-fold magnification. The images were analyzed mainly
visually for their characteristics; a supporting quantitative analysis was performed
by means of the computer program ImageJ for several textural features.
Results Patterns of 2x potencies showed more and richer structures than those of 3x potencies.
At both tested potency levels, patterns of plant–salt potency combinations exhibited
structures that were different from those of single potencies.
Conclusion Combining homeopathic potencies led to the emergence of novel patterns differing
from those formed by the single components. There were noticeable differences in the
extent to which specific salts appeared to retain their characteristic patterns in
relation to the plant potency with which they were combined. This pilot study has
identified promising potential for the further investigation of homeopathic preparations
in low dilution ranges by means of DEM, with the aim to understand better the diverse
pattern-forming processes that take place in combined compared with single potency
droplets. Such endeavor would help to address the current lack of fundamental research
on potency combinations.
Keywords droplet evaporation method - pattern formation - combination remedies - basic research
- low dilution range
