The Science of Homeopathy
The skeptics and mainstream media would like you to believe that there is nothing scientific about homeopathy. This is, however, far from the truth. While it is true that researchers are still searching for a definitive explanation on how the potentized (diluted and succussed) homeopathic remedies works, the science behind homeopathy as a system of medicine is sound.
To start, let us ask – what is the definition of science? https://www.thefreedictionary.com/science
1.a. The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena: new advances in science and technology.
b. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena: the science of astronomy.
2. A systematic method or body of knowledge in a given area: the science of marketing.
3. Archaic Knowledge, especially that gained through experience.
Definition 1a describes, in basic terms, the scientific method:
1. Ask a question about something observed
2. Do some research
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Test with experimentation
5. Record and analyze observations or results
6. Draw a conclusion
https://elementalscience.com/blogs/news/simple-explanation-of-the-scientific-method
If we look at the history of homeopathy and its discovery https://www.boiron.ca/en/brief-history-of-homeopathy/ , we can see that:
i. There was an observation of the action of Peruvian Bark in relation to the treatment of Malaria
ii. The hypothesis that its action was due to its bitterness was questioned
iii. The symptoms produced by Malaria and Peruvian Bark were researched and found to be similar
iv. A hypothesis was made that the action of Peruvian Bark in cases of Malaria were due to the similarity of the symptoms produced
v. Hahnemann experimented on himself by taking doses of Peruvian Bark and,
vi. Observed and recorded the results/symptoms produced in himself
vii. Concluded that “Like cures Like” – one of the basic tenets of the philosophy of homeopathy
Even today, each remedy goes through a process of testing on healthy individuals to determine what symptoms the remedy can produce, and therefore indicate its healing capacity in a sick individual. This testing process is called a proving, which can also be called a Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trial.
Homeopathic remedies are prepared in a unique way; this process of preparing a homeopathic remedy is called ‘potentization’. This process involves a serial dilution and succession (hard shaking) of the substance being prepared. https://www.helios.co.uk/en/remedies/remedy-preparation
It is NOT, as the skeptics would have you believe, equivalent to "a pinch of salt in both the North and South Atlantic Oceans”. - Wikipedia
Scientists, and the homeopathic community around the world, are currently working on finding the answer to the question of how homeopathic remedies work. Some studies have found the presence of nanoparticles in homeopathic remedies, other research is being done in the area of water memory, and still other research is being done in the study of quantum effects. https://www.hri-research.org/
A recent study published in 2024 shows the presence of nanoparticles in the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum Album 30C and its effect on the immune system. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-51319-w?fbclid=IwAR0jFPkZ7ETOd3Zx-8vL6dqMXViR-Z9u-vA-EKWd3Mmo2i8cencTcwoB1-o
There are many things that we take for granted that scientists have not yet explained, and some might surprise you:
· How gravity works
· The placebo effect
· Why cats purr
· Why we yawn, among other things…
· https://interestingengineering.com/science/simplest-things-scientists-cant-explain
This type of homeopathy research, called Fundamental Research, is still relatively new and time will tell what over 200 million users of homeopathy already know – that it works…