21 Years Of Ultra-Dilution Homeopathic Research

‘Ultra High Dilution’ was a landmark in the evolution of research in homeopathy, representing the first multidisciplinary work to address the ‘how and why’ of the actions of ultra-high dilutions. For two decades, ‘Ultra High Dilution’ was widely quoted within the research community. In 2015, it was time to re-visit and review the 21 years of research activity since studies were collated for this publication. The original authors from 1994 [or, close laboratory colleagues] were asked to contribute papers covering their research efforts, experience and insights into ultra-high dilutions [UHDs] in the period from 1994, up to 2015. This article highlights key aspects of the reassessment conducted in 2015.

- Prof Peter-Christian Endler & Dr Corinne Kraus

CONTROVERSIAL BEGINNINGS

In 1988, a now infamous and persistently controversial paper was published in Nature that documented the biological effects of UHDs of histamine and antibody on basophils [a type of white blood cell involved in immunity] in an experiment known as the basophil degranulation test. This paper not only began a public scientific debate that remains unresolved today, but also raised a number of questions with great significance for homeopathy, such as: does the ‘memory of water’ phenomenon really exist? What is the mechanism of action of UHDs? Which experiments are reproducible between laboratories?

IMMUNOLOGICAL MODELS

In the 2015 retrospective collection, Bernard Poitevin and Leoni Bonamin & Paolo Bellavite reported separately on research developments aimed at answering some of the key questions arising from the controversial beginning of UHD research. Poitevin offered a commentary and overview of experimental research in the field of immuno-allergology, i.e., assessing the effects of UHD homeopathic remedies [e.g. Apis Mellifica, Rhus Toxicodendron and Silicea] on inflammatory, immune and allergic responses. For example, in replications of the basophil degranulation test carried out since the 1988 paper, 11/16 gave comparable ‘positive’ results; 3/16 produced zero effects [i.e., no difference between test and controls]; and 2/16 gave opposite, or new results. While the balance of evidence is clearly in favour of a real effect of UHDs on basophil degranulation, the need to fully elucidate the factors affecting different outcomes [e.g., sensitivity of the individual blood donor to the homeopathic remedies] remains.