Plants as bioassays for remedies
Posted: 11 Nov 2014, 09:09
Use of plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research – a systematic review
Stephan Baumgartner, Lucietta Betti, Peter Heusser, Tim Jäger ,Claudia Scherr, Vera Majewsky, Ursula Wolf
ABSTRACT
Background: Experimental research on the effects of treatments with homeopathic preparations on plants
was systematically reviewed in three research areas (unstressed plants, abiotically stressed plants, and
phytopathological models) in 2009/2011.
Aims: The objective of this study was to compile a synthesis of these three recent systematic literature
reviews to obtain a general overview on the use of plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research.
Methods: Literature search was carried out on publications that reported experiments with homeopathic
preparations on whole plants, seeds, plant parts or cells from 1920 to 2010, in healthy, abiotically or biotically
stressed conditions. Outcomes had to be measured by established state-of-the-art procedures and statistically
evaluated. Using a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) those publications were identified that provided
sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS > 5). Further evaluation focused on the use of adequate
controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations and on the use of systematic negative
control experiments to ensure proper system performance.
Results: A total of 157 publications with plants were identified. The 157 publications described a total of 167
experimental studies. 84 studies included statistics and 48 had a MIS > 5 allowing proper interpretation. 29
studies were identified with adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations,
reporting significant effects of decimal and centesimal homeopathic potencies, including dilution levels beyond
Avogadro’s number. Studies that tested series of consecutive potency levels reported a non-linear and
discontinuous relation between effect and potency level. There were many individual studies with diverse
methods and very few replication trials. 10 studies reported use of systematic negative control experiments,
yielding evidence for the stability of the experimental set-up.
Stephan Baumgartner, Lucietta Betti, Peter Heusser, Tim Jäger ,Claudia Scherr, Vera Majewsky, Ursula Wolf
ABSTRACT
Background: Experimental research on the effects of treatments with homeopathic preparations on plants
was systematically reviewed in three research areas (unstressed plants, abiotically stressed plants, and
phytopathological models) in 2009/2011.
Aims: The objective of this study was to compile a synthesis of these three recent systematic literature
reviews to obtain a general overview on the use of plant bioassays in homeopathic basic research.
Methods: Literature search was carried out on publications that reported experiments with homeopathic
preparations on whole plants, seeds, plant parts or cells from 1920 to 2010, in healthy, abiotically or biotically
stressed conditions. Outcomes had to be measured by established state-of-the-art procedures and statistically
evaluated. Using a Manuscript Information Score (MIS) those publications were identified that provided
sufficient information for proper interpretation (MIS > 5). Further evaluation focused on the use of adequate
controls to investigate specific effects of homeopathic preparations and on the use of systematic negative
control experiments to ensure proper system performance.
Results: A total of 157 publications with plants were identified. The 157 publications described a total of 167
experimental studies. 84 studies included statistics and 48 had a MIS > 5 allowing proper interpretation. 29
studies were identified with adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations,
reporting significant effects of decimal and centesimal homeopathic potencies, including dilution levels beyond
Avogadro’s number. Studies that tested series of consecutive potency levels reported a non-linear and
discontinuous relation between effect and potency level. There were many individual studies with diverse
methods and very few replication trials. 10 studies reported use of systematic negative control experiments,
yielding evidence for the stability of the experimental set-up.