Development of a Biocrystallisation Assay for Examining Effects of Homeopathic Preparations Using Cress Seedlings
S. Baumgartner, P. Doesburg, C. Scherr,J .-O. Andersen
A major challenge in basic research into homeopathic potentisation is to develop bioassays that yield consistent results. We
evaluated the potential of a seedling-biocrystallisation method. Cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.) germinated and grew for 4
days in vitro in Stannum metallicum 30x or water 30x in blinded and randomized assignment. 15 experiments were performed at
two laboratories. CuCl2-biocrystallisation of seedlings extracted in the homeopathic preparations was performed on circular glass
plates. Resulting biocrystallograms were analysed by computerized textural image analysis. All texture analysis variables analysed
yielded significant results for the homeopathic treatment; thus the texture of the biocrystallograms of homeopathically treated
cress exhibited specific characteristics. Two texture analysis variables yielded differences between the internal replicates, most
probably due to a processing order effect. There were only minor differences between the results of the two laboratories. The
biocrystallisation method seems to be a promising complementary outcome measure for plant bioassays investigating effects of
homeopathic preparations.