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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Homeopathy
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1787782
Original Research Article

Characterisation of Aqueous Ultra-high Homeopathic Potencies: Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis

Michel Van Wassenhoven 
1   Coordinator of DynHom Research Project, Chastre, Belgium
,
Martine Goyens
2   Pharmaceutical Association for Homeopathy, Wépion, Belgium
,
Pierre Dorfman
3   M.R.C. Endowment Fund, Private Academy of Science™, Meyzieu, France
,
Philippe Devos
4   Unio Homoeopathica Belgica, Evergem, Belgium
,
Jean-Louis Demangeat
5   Nuclear Medicine Department, General Hospital, Haguenau, France
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded entirely by private donations.
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Abstract

Background and Objectives Over the past decade, research using various methods has claimed the material nature, including nanoparticles (NPs), of high homeopathic potencies. The current study aims to verify these findings using NP tracking analysis (NTA).

Methods Six independent serial dilutions of commonly used homeopathic medicines—either soluble (Gelsemium, Pyrogenium, Kalium mur) or insoluble (Cuprum, Argentum, Silicea)—were prepared according to European Pharmacopoeia standards. We compared the homeopathic dynamisations (DYNs) in pure water with their potentised controls and with simple dilutions (DIL) up to 30cH/10−60. We also tested the influence of the container (glass or PET) on the solvent controls.

Results We observed the presence of particles from 20 to 300–400 nm in all DYNs, DILs and controls, except in pure unstirred water. The sizes and size distributions of NPs in high homeopathic potencies were smaller than those in controls for soluble sources and larger for insoluble sources, even above 11cH. The opposite behaviour was observed in the number of NPs. When comparing DYN and DIL, the number, size, presence of aggregates or chains and brightness of NPs increased with DYNs, which was also observed above 11cH. Many NPs scattered light of low intensity, indicating the presence of material particles. The container had a significant effect on the number and size of NPs, indicating the involvement of the atmosphere and leaching processes.

Conclusion Homeopathic medicines contain NPs with specific properties, even when diluted beyond Avogadro's number. Homeopathic potentisation is not a simple dilution. The starting material, the solvent used, the type of container and the manufacturing method influence the characteristics of these NPs. The nature of these NPs is not known, but most likely they are a mixture of nanobubbles and elements from the atmosphere and container, including insoluble ones.

Keywords

nanoparticles - nanobubbles - homeopathic medicines - ultra-high dilutions - potentisation - dynamisation - nanoparticle tracking analysis

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 21 January 2024

Accepted: 02 May 2024

Article published online:
21 August 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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