A review of machines and devices to potentize homeopathic medicines

Vortex-like vs. turbulent mixing of a Viscum album preparation affects crystalline structures formed in dried droplets

Various types of motion introduced into a solution can affect, among other factors, the alignment and positioning of molecules, the agglomeration of large molecules, oxidation processes, and the production of microparticles and microbubbles. We employed turbulent mixing vs. laminar flow induced by a vortex vs. diffusion-based mixing during the production of Viscum album Quercus L. 10-3 following the guidelines for manufacturing homeopathic preparations. The differently mixed preparation variants were analyzed using the droplet evaporation method. The crystalline structures formed in dried droplets were photographed and analyzed using computer-supported image analysis and deep learning. Computer-supported evaluation and deep learning revealed that the patterns of the variant succussed under turbulence are characterized by lower complexity, whereas those obtained from the vortex-mixed variant are characterized by greater complexity compared to the diffusion-based mixed control variant. The droplet evaporation method could provide a relatively inexpensive means of testing the effects of liquid flow and serve as an alternative to currently used methods.

Working with patients' treatment expectations - what we can learn from homeopathy

The usual homeopathic remedy, "globules," does not contain any pharmacologically active ingredient. However, many patients and practitioners report beneficial effects of homeopathic treatment on various health outcomes. Experimental and clinical research of the last two decades analyzing the underlying mechanisms of the placebo effect could explain this phenomenon, with patients' treatment expectations as the predominant mechanism. Treatment expectations can be optimized through various factors, such as prior information, communication, and treatment context. This narrative review analyses how homeopathy successfully utilizes these factors. Subsequently, it is discussed what evidence-based medicine could learn from homeopathic practice to optimize treatment expectations (e.g., using an empathic, patient-centered communication style, deliberately selecting objects in practice rooms, or using clear treatment rituals and salient contextual stimuli) and thereby treatment effectiveness. Homeopathic remedy does not work beyond the placebo effect but is recommended or prescribed as an active treatment by those who believe in it. Thus, practitioners need to understand the manner in which homeopathy (as an example of inert treatment) works and are advised to reintegrate its underlying effective placebo mechanisms into evidence-based medicine. This promises to increase treatment efficacy, tolerability, satisfaction, and compliance with evidence-based treatments, and addresses the desires patients are trying to satisfy in homeopathy in an ethical, fully informed way that is grounded in evidence-based medicine.