Homeopathic drug discovery: theory update and methodological aspect

Abstract

Background: Homeopathy treats patient on the basis of totality of symptoms and is based on the principle of ‘like cures like’. It uses ultra-low doses of highly diluted natural substances as remedies that originate from plants, minerals or animals. Objective: The objectives of this review are to discuss concepts, controversies and research related to understanding homeopathy in the light of modern science. Methods: Attempts have been made to focus on current views of homeopathy and to delineate its most plausible mechanism(s) of action. Results: Although some areas of concern remain, research carried out so far both in vitro and in vivo validates the effects of highly diluted homeopathic medicines in a wide variety of organisms. Conclusion: The precise mechanism(s) and pathway(s) of action of highly diluted homeopathic drugs are still unknown.

Keywords::

• Avogadro's limit
• discovery
• homeopathy
• physical concept
• potentization
• similia principle
• ultra-high dilution
• water structure

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Boiron Lab, Lyon, France, for granting a project to work on homeopathy and personally to Dr Philippe Belon and Dr Naoual Boujedaini for kind encouragements.