Effects of potentised substances on growth rate of the water plant Lemna gibba L
Claudia Scherr, Meinhard Simon, Jörg Spranger, Stephan Baumgartner
Summary
Objectives: This study investigated, whether the growth rate of Lemna gibba L. (duckweed)
can be influenced by the application of homeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid, kinetin,
argentum nitricum, and lemna minor.
Methods: Duckweed was grown in either potencies (14x—30x, decimal steps) or water controls
(unsuccussed and succussed) over seven days. Frond (leaf-like structure) growth was measured
using a non-destructive image analysis system. Growth rates were calculated for three
time intervals (0—7, 0—3, 3—7 days). Five to six independent, randomized and blinded experiments
were analysed for each of the four tested substances. Water control experiments were
performed repeatedly to test the reliability of the experimental set-up (systematic negative
controls).
Results: The systematic negative control experiments did not yield any significant effects.
Hence, false positive results could be excluded. The test system had a low coefficient of variation
(1.5%). Out of the four tested substances gibberellic acid had the most pronounced effect
(p = 0.0002, F-test) on the main outcome parameter frond growth rate (r(area) day 0—7). Potency
levels 15x, 17x, 18x, 23x and 24x reduced growth rate of Lemna gibba (p < 0.05 against the
pooled water control, LSD test).
Conclusions: Lemna gibba may be considered as a suitable test organism for further studies on
the efficacy of homeopathic potencies. Evidence accumulates, that adjacent potency levels may
strongly differ in their biological activity. Potential consequences for therapeutical application
might be worth investigating.