Considera

Solvatochromic dyes detect the presence of homeopathic potencies.

A systematic approach to the design of simple, chemical systems for investigating the nature of homeopathic medicines has led to the development of an experimental protocol in which solvatochromic dyes are used as molecular probes of serially diluted and agitated solutions. Electronic spectroscopy has been used to follow changes in the absorbance of this class of dyes across the visible spectrum in the presence of homeopathic potencies.

Evidence is presented using six different solvatochromic dyes in three different solvent systems. In all cases homeopathic potencies produce consistent and reproducible changes in the spectra of the dyes.

Results suggest that potencies influence the supramolecular chemistry of solvatochromic dyes, enhancing either dye aggregation or disaggregation, depending upon dye structure. Comparable dyes lacking the intramolecular charge transfer feature of solvatochromic dyes are unaffected by homeopathic potencies, suggesting potencies require the oscillating dipole of solvatochromic dyes for effective interaction.

The implications of the results presented, both for an eventual understanding of the nature of homeopathic medicines and their mode of action, together with future directions for research in this area, are discussed. Homeopathy (2016) 105, 55e65.

Keywords: Homeopathic potencies; Solvatochromism; Aggregachromism; Solvatochromic dyes; Intramolecular charge transfer; Supramolecular chemistry; Dye aggregation and disaggregation

Degree of response to homeopathic potencies correlates with dipole moment size in molecular detectors: Implications for understanding the fundamental nature of serially diluted and succussed solutions.

Background The use of solvatochromic dyes to investigate homeopathic potencies holds out the promise of understanding the nature of serially succussed and diluted solutions at a fundamental physicochemical level. Recent studies have shown that a range of different dyes interact with potencies and, moreover, the nature of the interaction is beginning to allow certain specific characteristics of potencies to be delineated.

Aims and Methods The study reported in this article takes previous investigations further and aims to understand more about the nature of the interaction between potencies and solvatochromic dyes. To this end, the UV-visible spectra of a wide range of potential detectors of potencies have been examined using methodologies previously described.
Results Results presented demonstrate that solvatochromic dyes are a sub-group of a larger class of compounds capable of demonstrating interactions with potencies. In particular, amino acids containing an aromatic bridge also show marked optical changes in the presence of potencies. Several specific features of molecular detectors can now be shown to be necessary for significant interactions with homeopathic potencies. These include systems with a large dipole moment, electron delocalisation, polarizability and molecular rigidity.

Conclusions Analysis of the optical changes occurring on interaction with potencies suggests that in all cases potencies increase the polarity of molecular detectors to a degree that correlates with the size of the compound’s permanent or ground dipole moment. These results can be explained by inferring that potencies themselves have polarity. Possible candidates for the identity of potencies, based on these and previously reported results, are discussed.

Immobilization of Solvatochromic Dyes on Transparent Cellulose Films: an Improved Method for the Study of Homeopathic Potencies

Background Highly diluted and succussed solutions (homeopathic potencies) have been shown to interact with a wide range of solvatochromic dyes based on changes in their UV-visible spectra. Studies so far have involved free dyes in solution, but there is a pressing need to find ways to investigate the potency–dye interaction using isolated dye molecules to ask more searching physico-chemical questions regarding the fundamental nature of potencies.

Aims and Methods The aims of the present study have been to look for ways to covalently immobilize solvatochromic dyes onto transparent cellulose films and hence be in a position to investigate dye–potency interactions without the complication of dye–dye interactions, including dye aggregation, which can occur with free dyes in solution.

Results To date, a total of nine different dyes have been immobilized on cellulose films using epoxide activation of hydroxyl groups on the cellulose surface. Using this method, studies have begun looking at the time course of potency action on one of these immobilized dyes, Brooker's merocyanine. Results show that the interaction of Arsenicum 10M with this dye consists of three phases—an initial growth phase, a sustained plateau of interaction, and a final decline phase lasting several days.

Conclusion A method has been developed that successfully immobilizes solvatochromic dyes onto transparent cellulose film. These films can then be used in a spectrophotometer to study at a much more detailed level how potencies interact with dyes compared with using free dyes in solution. Results indicate that the information gained in this way provides new insights regarding the fundamental nature of potencies. Specifically, studies using immobilized Brooker's merocyanine with Arsenicum 10M reveal that the lifetime of the potency is much longer than expected and that its action consists of three distinct phases, suggesting a resonant interaction with the dye. How resonant interaction might help to explain the clinical action of potencies is discussed.