Hasil untuk "Homeopathy"

Rishima Borah, Anwesha Dhal Samanta, Khujith Rajueni et al.

BackgroundIn the past, clinical trials run in India have been the subject of criticism. Among other steps to improve the trial ecosystem, for some time the government limited the number of trials that a Principal Investigator (PI) could run to three at a time. We were interested to know how many trials PIs in India tend to run at a time.MethodsWe accessed the 52,149 trial records hosted by the Clinical Trials Registry—India in April 2023. Of these, we shortlisted trials that had run in India, were interventional, and involved certain interventions such as drug, biological etc. We used multiple parameters, such as email ID, phone number etc. to determine whether one name always represented the same PI and whether two names corresponded to the same PI. We then determined how many trials each PI had run.ResultsWe found that 3,916 unique PI names were associated with 6,665 trials. Of these, 2,963 (75.7%) PIs had run a single study. Only 251 (6.4%) had run more than three trials. A mere 14 PIs had run 20 or more trials. The 14 PIs were affiliated with local pharma companies (6), local or global contract research organizations (4), multinational pharma companies (3) and the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (1). The maximum number of trials run by a single PI was 108. Of these, the largest number run in a single year, 2022, was 53.ConclusionEach PI name needs to be connected to a unique ID that does not change with time, so that it is easier to track the number of trials that a given PI has run. The number of studies run by a given PI at a given time must not be excessive and needs to be monitored more actively. The government needs to consider whether a cap on the number of trials that a PI runs at a time is required and what infrastructure needs to be in place to facilitate higher numbers of trials. Trial registry records need to be updated more regularly. Other countries may wish to do likewise.

Panaparambil Azis Suhana, Lata Kusum, Jain Vij Shruti et al.

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a recent major public health concern caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with approximately 44.6 million COVID-19–positive cases and 530,000 deaths in India (as of February 1, 2023). The COVID-19 vaccination drive in India was initiated in January 2021; however, an effective preventive strategy with high efficacy and immunological safety remains elusive. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess the immunogenic responses of Arsenicum album 30CH (AA30CH) as COVID-19 prophylaxis, including assessment of immunological markers, innate and acquired immune responses, COVID-19 symptoms, and its associated antibody responses. MethodsThis randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) will include two parallel comparator groups of AA30CH and placebo with an allocation ratio of 1:1 conducted in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The placebo or AA30CH will be administered in three intervention schedules and blood samples will be collected before and after each of the intervention schedules. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 112 participants per arm (with an expected dropout of 20%) will be screened. Immunogenic responses will be evaluated by determining the antigen density and modulation in immunological markers and lymphocyte subsets CD3, CD4, CD8, CD24, CD27, CD38, CD4 interferon-γ, CD4 CD17, CD4 CD25 (activated T lymphocytes), T cells, B cells, dendritic cells (mature and immature), and natural killer cells on days 1, 5, 23,27, 45, 49, and 66. The innate and acquired immune responses will also be evaluated by a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) array profiler (84-gene set) before and after the study interventions. The toxicity status of AA30CH in study participants will be evaluated through hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters and peripheral smears on days 1, 5, 23, 27, 45, 49, and 66. The number of participants developing COVID-19–like symptoms per National Centre for Disease Control guidelines and the number of participants testing positive for COVID-19 in RT-PCR during follow-ups in any of the three intervention schedules will be identified. Moreover, a subgroup analysis will be used to assess the COVID-19 antibody responses between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. ResultsThis RCT protocol has been approved by various committees and funded by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. The project has been implemented in collaboration with the Department of Homoeopathy, Government of Kerala. The RCT was rolled out on January 25, 2023, and enrollment was completed April 3, 2023. The immunological assays will be conducted at the Department of Biotechnology-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, India. ConclusionsThis study will represent the first evaluation of the immunological efficacy and safety of AA30CH in an RCT, which may significantly impact the use of homeopathy as an evidence-based medicine approach. Trial RegistrationClinical Trials Registry-India CTRI/2022/08/045089; https://tinyurl.com/mryrpkvk International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/48479

Pradnya Deolekar, Kavitha Dongerkery, Pramila Yadav et al.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been practised in India since many years. People unsatisfied with conventional medicine often turn to unconventional alternatives. Aim is to appraise the extent of use of CAM amongst doctors and to examine their perception, attitude and practice towards CAM. Methods: This study was conducted among 105 doctors. A predesigned validated, questionnaire was used to evaluate the attitude and practice. Of 150 physicians who were given questionnaire to participate in the survey, 105 (70%) responded. Results: 22 (20.95%) were specialists and 83 (79.04%) General physicians. 79 (75.23%) Physician’s considered that CAM has a beneficial role and 69 (65.71%) advised use of CAM in patients but only 25.71% would refer patients to CAM practitioners for treatment of an ailment. Of the total 105 physicians 31.42%. General practitioners suggested Ayurveda therapy as compared to 10.47% specialists. 36% of the patients preferred Ayurveda as opined by the physician. Homeopathy was recommended by 35% followed by herbal medicine 32% and 30% naturopathy. However, physicians’ responses on most of the CAM therapies i.e. Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, herbal medicine etc. was found to be statistically not significant. Conclusions: In the future, physicians can more readily used CAM. Because evidence for the effectiveness of CAM remains sparse, more research is needed for the prudent use of CAM. An education and training system for potential CAM providers remains to be developed.

J. Bagot, I. Theunissen, A. Serral

In France, homeopathy is the most frequently used complementary therapy in supportive care in oncology (SCO); its use is steadily increasing. However, data is limited about the perception and relevance of homeopathy by oncologists and general practitioners (GPs) both with and without homeopathic training (HGPs and NHGPs, respectively). Our aim was to evaluate French physicians’ perceptions of homeopathy to clarify its place in SCO through two original observation survey-based studies. Two cross-sectional surveys of French physicians were conducted involving (1) 150 specialist oncologists; (2) 97 HGPs and 100 NHGPs. Questions evaluated physician attitudes to homeopathy and patterns of use of homeopathic therapies in patients requiring SCO. Survey responses were described and analyzed on the basis of physician status. Ten percent of oncologists stated they prescribe homeopathy; 36% recommend it; 54% think that homeopathy is potentially helpful in SCO. Two-thirds of the NHGPs sometimes prescribe homeopathy in the context of SCO and 58% regularly refer their patients to homeopathic doctors. HGPs have a positive perception of homeopathy in SCO. Homeopathy is viewed favorably as an integrated SCO therapy by the majority of French physicians involved with cancer patients—oncologists and GPs. Symptoms of particular relevance include fatigue, anxiety, peripheral neuropathy, sleep disturbance, and hot flashes. In such clinical situations, response to conventional therapies may be suboptimal and homeopathy is considered a reliable therapeutic option. These two studies highlight the fact that homeopathy has gained legitimacy as the first complementary therapy in SCO in France.

Thomas Ostermann, A-La Park, Sabine De Jaegere et al.

Abstract Purpose Antibiotics are one possible treatment for patients with recurrent acute throat infections (ATI), but effectiveness can be modest. In view of worries over antibiotic resistance, treatment pathways that reduce recurrence of ATI are essential from a public health perspective. Integrative treatment strategies can be an option but there is still a high demand to provide evidence of their cost effectiveness. Methods We constructed a 4-state Markov model to compare the cost-effectiveness of SilAtro-5-90 as adjuvant homeopathic therapy to care as usual with care as usual alone in reducing the recurrence of ATI for children and adults with suspected moderate recurrent tonsillitis. The analysis was performed from a societal perspective in Germany over a 2-year period. Results are reported separately for children < 12 and for individuals aged 12 and over. The model draws on evidence from a multi-centre randomised clinical trial that found this strategy effective in reducing recurrence of ATI. Costs in 2019 € and outcomes after 1 year are discounted at a rate of 3% per annum. Results For adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over, incremental cost per ATI averted in the adjuvant therapy group was €156.64. If individuals enter the model on average with a history of 3.33 previous ATIs, adjuvant therapy has both lower costs and better outcomes than care as usual. For children (< 12 years) adjuvant therapy had both lower costs and ATI than care as usual. The economic case is stronger if adjuvant treatment reduces surgical referral. At a hypothetical cost per ATI averted threshold of €1000 probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggests Silatro-5-90 has a 65% (adults) and 71% (children) chance of being cost-effective. Conclusion Our results indicate the importance of considering homeopathy as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of ATIs in individuals with recurrent tonsillitis from a socio-economic perspective. Further evaluation should assess how differences in uptake and sustained use of homeopathic adjuvant therapy, as well as changing patterns of antibiotic prescribing, impact on cost effectiveness.

P. Weiermayer, M. Frass, T. Peinbauer et al.

INTRODUCTION The basic principles of homeopathy, and its legal and scientific foundations, are discussed in an overview to address the positions of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the commission of the European Union (EU) on complementary medicine. According to the WHO, the antimicrobial resistance problem poses a global threat. The EU Commission's current One Health Action Plan requests research in complementary medicine, the WHO urges member states to include complementary medicine in their national health policies. Regarding external evidence on the general use of human and veterinary homeopathy, evidence level 1a studies are reviewed. Focusing on the external evidence on the use of homeopathy in infections, some evidence level 1a, 1b, 2c studies, and a case report, are described in more detail. In conclusion, evidence for the effectiveness of human and veterinary homeopathy in general, and in particular, of homeopathic treatment for infections, is available. Especially, individualized homeopathy demonstrates effects at all quality levels according to Cochrane criteria, even in the methodologically high-quality studies. As in most areas of veterinary medicine and medicine, further good/excellent studies are necessary. In compliance with the principles of homeopathy, further methodologically high-quality trials focusing on the homeopathic treatment of infections are the next logical step. The selection of the simile (individually fitting homeopathic medicinal product) by appropriately trained homeopathic doctors/veterinarians is essential for the effectiveness of homeopathy. Implementation of studies at university facilities is a prerequisite for quality assurance. Consequently, further integration of homeopathy at universities is a necessary requirement for the patients' best interests.

Alexandra Ciocănel, C. Rughiniș, Michael G. Flaherty

In Romania, as elsewhere, there is persistent controversy surrounding homeopathy wherein various parties try to draw the boundaries of legitimate medical practice. The literature on complementary and alternative medicine features little discussion on the temporal dimensions of controversies surrounding these therapies, focusing mainly on the temporalities of the lived experience of treatment. Yet time is a powerful resource for challenging and gaining legitimacy. In order to capture the use of time as a resource for legitimating or contesting homeopathy, we advance the theory of time work by examining the rhetorical role of different temporalities in this dispute. We find that proponents and users of homeopathy appeal to temporal properties of treatment, such as the longer duration of consultation, and of healing, namely, a specific sequence of symptoms and reactions, stories of failed biomedical treatments followed by successful homeopathic interventions, and stories of durable efficacy. Critics invoke the temporal properties of science, especially a cumulative record of failed attempts to prove homeopathic efficacy beyond placebo, or to causally account for its putative effects. Argumentative time work also involves manipulation of temporal modalities, in which homeopathy is legitimized both through continuity with the past and through breaking away from the past, with an eye to a promised future. At the same time, critics of homeopathy invoke temporal modalities to cast homeopathy as a relic of an unscientific past. This research illustrates the value of "argumentative time work" as a conceptual tool in examining public controversies.

A. Dei

Abstract The contentious debate between homeopathy and orthodox medicine has been due to the fact that homeopathy is founded on a heuristic philosophy that is not justified by contemporary scientific evidence. In this context, however, two pillars of the method, that is, serial dilution and succussion, are poorly understood in orthodox pharmacology. The experimental data collected in the last 10 years, by means of electronic microscopy, electron diffraction and DNA arrays investigations, are consistent with the presence of nanoparticles (nanoassociates) in homeopathic medicines and seem to provide a coherent view of the essence of the homeopathy discipline, superseding all previous speculative interpretations. An acceptance of this new evidence is here suggested to remove, in principle, the barrier that separates the conventional and homeopathic therapeutic methods, and to offer new and important perspectives on future health care.

A. D. Dos Santos, T. N. Cardoso, Silvia Waisse et al.

Abstract Background Complementary and alternative medicine, including homeopathy, is widely used to improve well-being among cancer patients and reduce adverse effects of conventional treatment. In contrast, there are few studies on the use of homeopathic medicines to treat the disease itself. Yet, evidence of possible effectiveness of homeopathic high dilutions in experimental cancer models has been published during the past 20 years. Aim The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review of fundamental research studies on homeopathic high dilutions in cancer. Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline, we conducted a literature search in the database PubMed for original publications, from 2000 to 2018 and in English, on in vitro and in vivo experimental cancer models testing homeopathic high dilutions. Results Twenty-three articles met the inclusion criteria—14 in vitro, eight in vivo, and one in vitro plus in vivo experimental models. Most studies were from India. Research prominently focused on cytotoxic effects involving apoptotic mechanisms. Intrinsic aspects of homeopathy should be considered in experimental designs to emphasize the specificity of such effects. Conclusion Fundamental research of homeopathy in cancer is still at an early stage and has mainly been performed by a few groups of investigators. The results point to an interference of well-selected homeopathic medicines with cell cycle and apoptotic mechanisms in cancer cells. However, these findings still need independent reproduction.

D. Nayak, Vishal Chadha, Shruti Jain et al.

Abstract Background Dengue is an emerging threat to public health. At present, no clear modalities are available for the prevention and management of thrombocytopenia due to dengue. This article reports the clinical outcomes of integrative homeopathic care in a hospital setting during a severe outbreak of dengue in New Delhi, India, during the period September to December 2015. Methods Based on preference, 138 patients received a homeopathic medicine along with usual care (H+UC), and 145 patients received usual care (UC) alone. Assessment of thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/mm3) was the main outcome measure. Kaplan–Meier analysis enabled comparison of the time taken to reach a platelet count of 100,000/mm3. Results There was a statistically significantly greater rise in platelet count on day 1 of follow-up in the H+UC group compared with UC alone (mean difference = 12,337; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5,421 to 19,252; p = 0.001). This trend persisted until day 5 (mean difference = 14,809; 95% CI, 1,615 to 28,004; p = 0.02). The time taken to reach a platelet count of 100,000/mm3 was nearly 2 days earlier in the H+UC group compared with UC alone (H+UC: 3.44 days ± standard error of the mean [SEM] 0.18; 95% CI, 3.08 to 3.80; UC: 5.28 days ± SEM 0.29; 95% CI, 4.71 to 5.86; p < 0.001). Conclusion These results suggest a positive role of adjuvant homeopathy in thrombocytopenia due to dengue. Randomized controlled trials may be conducted to obtain more insight into the comparative effectiveness of this integrative approach.

Sheikh Faruque Elahee, Huijuan Mao, Fatema Zohra et al.

Conventional homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are two popular alternative systems of medicine, which are practiced also in many countries outsidethe countries of origin. Homeopathy originated in Germany in the 19th century and spread throughout the world in spite of antagonism by theorthodox practitioners. It is a holistic medicine based on the principles of treatment where the remedy and the disease have similar symptoms,applies a single potentized medicine at a time, in minimum dose. TCM, also a holistic medicine originating in ancient China about 3000 years ago, has been developed and practiced through centuries till today as one of the most popular alternative medicines in the world. Both the systems ofmedicine have many differences in theories, principles and practices, but they have some important aspects in common. Both are holistic in approach,treating the whole patient, not the affected organs only; focusing on stimulating the intrinsic life principle to bring order, and on homeostasis and balance in the organism. In therapeutics, they may advantageously be applied as adjuvant to each other, producing synergistic effects.

Fizza Saher, Jabbar Ahmed Qureshi, Zohaib Jawed Abubakr et al.

ABSTRACT Background: The prevalent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) requires health professionals including doctors and dentists having the essential knowledge to have better recommend their patients. This has lead to an increased need for integration of CAM teaching at the undergraduate level. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess the perspective of complementary and alternative medicine among Pakistani medical and dental undergraduates. Methods: A questionnaire based cross sectional survey was conducted among first to fifth year undergraduate medical and dental students at Sindh Medical College and Ziauddin University in Karachi, during April until May 2019, using a structured 13-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated for baseline characteristics. Frequency and proportions were calculated for categorical variables using SPSS version 20. Results: The response rate was 100% (40.7% for males and 59.3% for females). The mean age of medical and dental students was 20.5±1.39 years. Almost three-fourth of students (75.1%) had the knowledgeof CAM. The most experienced CAM modality amongst all was Yoga (23.4%) and Homeopathy (20%). Nearly 69.4 % of students believed that CAM is beneficial for medical and dental healthcare and 44.1% students will recommend CAM to their patients in future. Almost 39% of students think that CAM should be included into undergraduate medical and dental curriculum. Conclusion: This study showed an encouraging interpretation of both medical and dental students regarding CAM knowledge and benefits. Majority of the students have optimistic attitude towards CAM practice in future and for the integration of CAM studies at undergraduate level.

J. Pannek, S. Pannek-Rademacher, M. Jus et al.

C. Relton, K. Cooper, P. Viksveen et al.

Aim: To systematically review surveys of 12-month prevalence of homeopathy use by the general population worldwide. Methods: Studies were identified via database searches to October 2015. Study quality was assessed using a six-item tool. All estimates were in the context of a survey which also reported prevalence of any complementary and alternative medicine use. Results: A total of 36 surveys were included. Of these, 67% met four of six quality criteria. Twelve-month prevalence of treatment by a homeopath was reported in 24 surveys of adults (median 1.5%, range 0.2–8.2%). Estimates for children were similar to those for adults. Rates in the USA, UK, Australia and Canada all ranged from 0.2% to 2.9% and remained stable over the years surveyed (1986–2012). Twelve-month prevalence of all use of homeopathy (purchase of over-the-counter homeopathic medicines and treatment by a homeopath) was reported in 10 surveys of adults (median 3.9%, range 0.7–9.8%) while a further 11 surveys which did not define the type of homeopathy use reported similar data. Rates in the USA and Australia ranged from 1.7% to 4.4% and remained stable over the years surveyed. The highest use was reported by a survey in Switzerland where homeopathy is covered by mandatory health insurance. Conclusions: This review summarises 12-month prevalence of homeopathy use from surveys conducted in eleven countries (USA, UK, Australia, Israel, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Singapore). Each year a small but significant percentage of these general populations use homeopathy. This includes visits to homeopaths as well as purchase of over-the-counter homeopathic medicines.

Natalie Grams

Despite overwhelming evidence that it is neither effective nor rational, homeopathy still persists. We need a broad debate to discuss its damaging effects on public health and science itself.

A. Manzalini, B. Galeazzi

Abstract Background Every living organism is an open system operating far from thermodynamic equilibrium and exchanging energy, matter and information with an external environment. These exchanges are performed through non-linear interactions of billions of different biological components, at different levels, from the quantum to the macro-dimensional. The concept of quantum coherence is an inherent property of living cells, used for long-range interactions such as synchronization of cell division processes. There is support from recent advances in quantum biology, which demonstrate that coherence, as a state of order of matter coupled with electromagnetic (EM) fields, is one of the key quantum phenomena supporting life dynamics. Coherent phenomena are well explained by quantum field theory (QFT), a well-established theoretical framework in quantum physics. Water is essential for life, being the medium used by living organisms to carry out various biochemical reactions and playing a fundamental role in coherent phenomena. Methods Quantum electrodynamics (QED), which is the relativistic QFT of electrodynamics, deals with the interactions between EM fields and matter. QED provides theoretical models and experimental frameworks for the emergence and dynamics of coherent structures, even in living organisms. This article provides a model of multi-level coherence for living organisms in which fractal phase oscillations of water are able to link and regulate a biochemical reaction. A mathematical approach, based on the eigenfunctions of Laplace operator in hyper-structures, is explored as a valuable framework to simulate and explain the oneness dynamics of multi-level coherence in life. The preparation process of a homeopathic medicine is analyzed according to QED principles, thus providing a scientific explanation for the theoretical model of “information transfer” from the substance to the water solution. A subsequent step explores the action of a homeopathic medicine in a living organism according to QED principles and the phase-space attractor's dynamics. Results According to the developed model, all levels of a living organism—organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, whole organism—are characterized by their own specific wave functions, whose phases are perfectly orchestrated in a multi-level coherence oneness. When this multi-level coherence is broken, a disease emerges. An example shows how a homeopathic medicine can bring back a patient from a disease state to a healthy one. In particular, by adopting QED, it is argued that in the preparation of homeopathic medicines, the progressive dilution/succussion processes create the conditions for the emergence of coherence domains (CDs) in the aqueous solution. Those domains code the original substance information (in terms of phase oscillations) and therefore they can transfer said information (by phase resonance) to the multi-level coherent structures of the living organism. Conclusions We encourage that QED principles and explanations become embodied in the fundamental teachings of the homeopathic method, thus providing the homeopath with a firm grounding in the practice of rational medicine. Systematic efforts in this direction should include multiple disciplines, such as quantum physics, quantum biology, conventional and homeopathic medicine and psychology.

E. Şenel

OBJECTIVE Scientometrics is the evaluation of scientific literature in a certain field. Although popularity and use of homeopathy have increased in the recent years, scientific literature lacks a bibliometric or scientometric evaluation of homeopathy literature. METHODS We collected all data of this study from four databases provided by Web of Science. All documents published between 1975 and 2017 were included. The keywords we searched for in detail were "homeopathy", "homeopathic", "homoeopathy" and "homoeopathic". We used Spearman's correlation test to investigate a possible correlation between publication numbers or the productivity and features of the countries. We created infographics and infomaps by using GunnMap and VOSviewer sources. Gross domestic product (GDP) ranking data of countries was procured from The World Data Bank. RESULTS Our search retrieved a total of 4183 articles. The great majority of documents were original articles (n = 3043, 72.75%). The UK dominated homeopathy literature with 950 articles followed by the USA, Germany, India and Brazil (n = 636, 590, 277 and 246 items, respectively). Switzerland was found to be most productive country (20.41) followed by the UK, Norway and Israel (14.35, 11.31 and 8.41, respectively). University of Exeter (UK) was the leading institutions with 204 items (4.88%). Most productive journal was Homeopathy dominating and covering 24% of all literature. We detected very high correlation between publication number and citation number by year (r = 0.95, p < 0.001). A high correlation was measured between gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and productivity of the countries. A moderate correlation was measured between GDP and publication number of the countries (r = 0.66 and p < 0.001). In scientometric network analysis, the USA, the UK and Germany were noted to be three major association centers. CONCLUSIONS We detected that developed countries dominated homeopathy literature and we suggest that physicians from least-developed and developing countries should be funded and encouraged to carry out homeopathy studies.

Johanna Zeise, J. Fritz

Abstract Bovine mastitis is an important disease in dairy farming. As alternative therapy to antibiotics, whose use is seen as increasingly critical, farmer try to treat mastitis with homeopathy, for example. The present study examined i) whether homeopathic treatments for bovine mastitis can have positive treatment outcomes, ii) which treatments have been successful and under which conditions, iii) indications for future studies and applications for homeopathy to treat mastitis. 32 studies published to date have been evaluated. Assessment criteria and a rating score of 0 to 5 points were fixed for the appraisal. Healing and prophylaxis of mastitis were the primary focus to highlight the medication success and its framework for suitable mastitis therapy. The top eight studies of this quality ranking were subjected to differentiated evaluation. The selected studies showed a positive treatment outcome of homeopathy. Due to the homeopathic effect and the most used remedies in the selected studies, the medication should be chosen according to the homeopathic drug picture. With homeopathic drugs it was possible to reduce the antibiotic use by up to 75%. Some studies indicated that homeopathy might have a positive long-term effect. Furthermore, the results suggested a high self-healing ability in bovine mastitis.

D. Nelson, Jaclyn M. Perchaluk, A. Logan et al.

North American naturopathic medicine is a distinct form of practice that is woven into the larger fabric of integrative medicine; in a number of US states and Canadian provinces, naturopathic doctors enjoy a wide scope of practice, including the ability to make diagnoses, order tests, use medical technology, write prescription drugs, and perform minor surgeries. However, the basic premise of naturopathic medicine and its guiding principles—considering the whole person and supporting healthy lifestyle behaviors—is the unifying approach in clinical practice. In the 1970s, homeopathy—considered in many circles to be a hypothesis-driven, fringe form of alternative medicine—became embedded into the training and practice of North American naturopathic doctors. Since the earliest days of its theory (circa 1800), homeopathy has escaped, and continues to escape, biological plausibility; however, the persistence of this modality (and the insistence by both its consumers and practitioners that it provides benefit) speaks to the role of expectations, beliefs, values, agency, context effects, and the placebo-at-large. It is our contention that the progression of professional naturopathic medicine in the 21st century requires a major transition in how it approaches the subject of homeopathy. We propose that students should be encouraged to critically analyze the tenets of homeopathy, its lesser known history, and the idea of homeopathy as a biomedicine that simply awaits untold chemicophysical mechanisms. Furthermore, the modality of homeopathy should be incorporated into the larger context of placebo studies, narrative medicine, ethics, and psychotherapeutic techniques.

Prasanta Purohit, Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Jogeswar Panigrahi et al.

We present here a 22-year-old male with hemoglobin E (HbE) infected with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The patient had acute renal failure with moderate anemia and thrombocytopenia. The patient was discharged on the 6th day of hospital admission after clinical recovery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case with homozygous HbE and P. falciparum malaria in the state of Odisha, India.