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(In order of their presentations at Groundbreaking Science: Homeopathy and the Future of Global Health)
President, Faculty of Homeopathy
Dr Gary Smyth qualified as a Medical Doctor at the University of Dundee in Scotland, UK and is a member of both the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal Society of Medicine. He has had a long interest in Homeopathy and after enrolling on the Faculty of Homeopathy’s post-graduate training course at the former Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital and Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, he gained the MFHom qualification in 2013. Since then, he has been closely associated with many of the activities of the Faculty of Homeopathy, serving on the Faculty’s Members Committee, Academic Board and Faculty Council, in the roles of Treasurer and then Vice President. He worked closely with the late Dr Peter Fisher and became Acting President following his untimely death in August 2018. In October 2018, Dr Smyth was awarded a Fellowship of the Faculty in recognition of his contribution to Homeopathy, and in March 2019, he was elected as 81st President of the Faculty of Homeopathy.
Since then, he has been passionate about promoting and supporting the highest standards of practice, education, and research in Homeopathy. He advocates an integrative approach to medicine, with Homeopathy at the centre of his practice, whilst ensuring that patients can avail of the best of a range of treatment options.
Dr Smyth is involved in the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and is an Academic Tutor at Queen’s University, Belfast. In addition, he has an interest in the licensing and regulation of Homeopathic medicines and has worked with the UK medicines regulator for the past 13 years. He also has an interest in research, acting as a peer reviewer for the international research journal, “Homeopathy” and is presently engaged in a research project to measure the attitudes of medical students to Homeopathy and CAM. He is also involved with the work of the European Committee for Homeopathy (ECH) and is part of the ECH Politics Sub-Committee.
Abstract:
Homeopathy and Global Health
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6350-1861
This is an introductory, high-level overview of the scope and role of Homeopathy within the context of Global Health. Used by an estimated 600 million people across 80 countries, the Homeopathic approach transcends national and international boundaries and is one of the most popular systems of medicine in the world. Healthcare systems globally are facing many similar challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, polypharmacy, polymorbidity, aging populations and rising healthcare costs. Findings from a range of key studies will be briefly highlighted, showing the benefits of integrating Homeopathy within healthcare.
In addition, Homeopathy has a role to play across different species, whether humans, animals, or plants, and various studies will be briefly highlighted as examples. Furthermore, at the level of planetary health, Homeopathy represents one of the most sustainable, environmentally friendly, and low carbon approaches to healthcare.
The scientific evidence base for Homeopathy is growing and cannot be ignored, whether in terms of laboratory, pre-clinical or clinical research. Such is the weight of evidence, a leading Swedish researcher has remarked: ‘To conclude that Homeopathy lacks clinical effect, more than 90% of the available clinical trials had to be disregarded. Alternatively, flawed statistical methods had to be applied.’1
Homeopathy has a key role to play in the future of global health and this session will set the scene for the further development and discussion of this subject in subsequent sessions.
[1] Hahn RG. Homeopathy: meta-analyses of pooled clinical data. Forsch Komplement Med 2013;20:376–381.
Keywords: Homeopathy; global health; integrative medicine; research.
Flávio Dantas, MD, M.A (Business) and PhD (Medicine) is a retired Full Professor of homeopathy at the Medical School of the Federal University of Uberlândia (Brazil). He was Dean of the Medical School, Chair of the Clinical Medicine Department and Director of post-graduate studies at the Federal University of Uberlândia. For two years, Prof Dantas was a visiting research fellow at the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital (working with the late Dr Peter Fisher) and Visiting Professor at the Medical School of the Federal University of São Paulo. In his academic career, Prof. Dantas has taught subjects such as Homeopathy, critical appraisal of the medical literature, Medical Law and Ethics, and Bioethics. Prof. Dantas was a member of advisory committees to implement homeopathy and acupuncture in the Brazilian Unified Health System.
Prof Dantas is the author of the book “What is Homeopathy” (1984) and was the organizer and author of five chapters – as Chair of the Technical Committee of Homeopathy of the São Paulo Medical Council – of the recently launched e-book Ethics in Homeopathy (2023). In 1990 he wrote a Privat-Docent thesis at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro titled “Homeopathic Clinical Logic”, proposing a new field to critically appraise homeopathic knowledge. He conducted research works in biological and clinical research in homeopathy. Prof. Dantas is the main author of two pioneer systematic reviews on homeopathy (safety and homeopathic pathogenetic trials) and co-author of three systematic reviews on model validity and efficacy of homeopathy. He has published numerous papers in peer-reviewed educational and medical journals as well as several book chapters on homeopathy, doctor-patient relationship, medical responsibility, ethics, and clinical reasoning.
Abstract:
The art and the science of research in homeopathy: a critical and historical perspective.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2756-2412
Homeopathy, like any other medical system, could be considered a science of uncertainty and an art of probability, following the concise definition of medicine by Prof. William Osler (1849-1919). The careful observation of individual patients’ reactions after medical interventions is the cornerstone of medical research for restoring health and preventing diseases. Every Human Being is, at the same time, similar to others, although distinct from all others. In this central assertion rests the need to consider, in medical research, both the individual and the collective aspects of data acquisition and interpretation.
Since 1990 a new discipline called Homeopathic Clinical Logic critically addresses the questions related to the diagnosis, prognosis, epidemiology, prevention and treatment in homeopathy. Since medical knowledge uncertainty can not be eradicated, its reduction is possible by using adequate techniques and experimental methods to get valid and reliable knowledge. Issues such as the validity of the findings in homeopathic pathogenetic trials or the effectiveness, efficacy and safety of homeopathic treatment have been explored in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, besides the advances in scientific methods.
Research in homeopathy is in permanent evolution, from Hahnemann to present day, guided by ethical standards. Medical research without personalized care is unethical. Homeopathic researchers must soon face several challenges – considering the lessons learned in the past – to understand how homeopathic medicines can cause changes in living organisms and then prove their therapeutic efficacy. There is an urgent need to go beyond the requirements of large sample sizes to clinically prove the restorative power of homeopathy. Homeopathic clinical logic and evidence-based medicine should direct their efforts in investigating precise and relevant clinical outcomes in each patient after medical treatment – respecting his values, preferences and unique health situation – using the recommended therapy under controlled conditions to prove its efficacy and safety.
Keywords: Homeopathy. Biomedical research. Therapeutic human experimentation. Ethics, research
Dr Tournier studied Physics at Imperial College, and Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University, before writing his PhD on the Biophysics of water at the interface with biological molecules at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Dr Tournier worked for 10 years at Cancer Research UK as a researcher working on problems at the interface between biology, physics and mathematics. Dr Alexander Tournier is a founding director of the Homeopathy Research Institute. He recently headed the Water Research Lab in Germany, which was dedicated to fundamental research into homeopathy. He is currently a research associate at the Institute for research into complementary medicines (IKIM) at Bern university, where is pursues basic and fundamental research into homeopathy.
Abstract:
Fundamental Research in Homeopathy: Considerations and Recommendations
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1938-1352
Potentized pharmaceutical preparations are medical products regulated under international medical Pharmacopeias. However, no guidelines for basic research in this area currently exist. We collected considerations and recommendations from experts in the field following a DELPHI process and compiled these into research guidelines. These basic research guidelines, the first of their kind in the field, establish some useful common ground, promoting constructive discussions regarding basic research methodologies, and promoting rigorous research protocols.
Keywords: Research guidelines, Fundamental research, Basic research, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Potentization, Potentized preparations
Current Positions: Secretary for Information & Communication, Liga Medicorum Homoeopathica Internationalis, Germany; Chairman, A subcommittee on Homoeopathy, at Bureau of Indian Standards, Government Of India; Chief Medical Officer in Senior Administrative Grade at Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi, India
Distinguished experience of more than 40 years, as a clinician, researcher, teacher, and health administration. Worked in various positions within the Government sector, most important are Director General, at Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India (2012 to 2019) and Director, Directorate of Ayush, Government of Delhi (2019-2023)
Provided supportive supervision as Principal Investigator/Co-PI to more than 30 clinical, 22 fundamental, 40 verification, 20 drug proving studies, and 3 public health programs. Spearheaded several initiatives in providing care to COVID-19 patients using AYUSH systems besides undertaking 5 large-scale clinical research data collection projects.
10 MoUs with different organizations in USA, UK, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Germany, and Israel and 30 MoUs with homoeopathic medical colleges within India were signed to create a network for National & International multicentric studies. Short-Term Studentship in Homoeopathy (STSH) program and MD scholarship program were instituted for imparting research aptitude among students.
As Chairman of the sub-committee of the Drug Technical Advisory Board, of the Government of India, I brought amendments to the rules of The Drug and Cosmetic Act for popularizing and ensuring wide availability of homoeopathic drugs.
205 peer reviewed publications as per the Google Scholar Citation report [CITATION 1414. H-index 20, i10-index 39] https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZIoW_60AAAAJ&hl=en ).
Abstract:
Strategies for Homeopathic Research: Significance of Basic Research experiments
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5589-9170
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was a great scholar, linguist, acclaimed chemical scientist, and a reputed German Physician. He was dissatisfied by the medical practices of the 18th century including the usage of crude dosage of toxic substances without human experimentation. He discovered homeopathy after heroic experimentation on himself, friends, and family members and laid the foundation of safe and rational medicine. In the 21st century, while homoeopathy is practiced in about 100 countries, is criticized for not pursuing current scientific knowledge of natural sciences.
There is a perceptible gap between the published studies showing little to no efficacy and experiences of substantial clinical benefits from patients and practitioners using Homoeopathy. This is primarily due to blindly following the research strategies used in biomedical sciences such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and basic experimental designs in undertaking research in Homoeopathy. There is a need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of biomedical research strategies and their applicability to Homeopathic research.
A five-phase strategic research framework based on relevant research questions has been proposed. These are a) What is going on in clinical practice? b) Is the method and products are safe? c) What is the effectiveness of the current system? d) What is the efficacy of each product or strategy? e) How can treatment outcomes be explained biologically? The last point is often ignored and is difficult to explain, especially while dealing with high potencies. This is one of the main reasons for frequent criticism of homeopathy.
We have conducted and published several research studies on basic sciences showing biological effects and plausible pathways of homeopathy. This paper intends to present these initiatives with their outcomes. We need a different and more complex research strategy for Homeopathic research.
Keywords: Basic research, Drug standardization, Nano domain, safety profile, Research strategies, Homeopathic medicines.
Full Professor in Universidade Paulista – UNIP. Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (1987) and Ph.D. (1995) in Experimental and Comparative Pathology – USP with co-participation of “École Nationale Vétérinaire de Lyon” – ENVL – France (CAPES sandwich program) (1992-1993). Pos-doc in Environmental Pathology – UNIP (2014-2015). President (2002-2008) and Vice-President (2008-2014) of the GIRI – “Groupe International de Recherche sur l´infinitésimal.” Member of the Homeopathy Committee in CABSIN – “Consórcio Acadêmico Brasileiro de Saúde Integrativa” (2020-2023). Deputy Editor of “Homeopathy – The Journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy”, London – Thieme Publishers since 2015. Member of the editorial board of the “International Journal of High Dilution Research” (IJHDR) since 2019. Member of the World Water Lab (WWL) and the International Panel on Water Structure (IPWS) – CIRAT since 2020.
Abstract:
Homeopathy and environment.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4716-8690
Environmental issues and the needs for mitigating anthropic actions are urgent. In homeopathy, isotherapeutics is a common practice in treating intoxications to minimize symptoms and facilitate the clearance of the toxic substance from the body. It is known that Artemia spp. is an aquatic experimental model for eco-toxicological trials; their embryo skills to enter diapause when in a harmful environment is a promising model for understanding bio-resilience processes. Thus, our group organized a series of experimental studies using Artemia spp. to evaluate the plausibility of using isotherapeutic products to mitigate the biological impact of toxic agents in water. Glyphosate, mercury chloride, and saxitoxin from cyanobacteria were the studied intoxicants. The results point toward a facilitation effect of isotherapics and other homeopathic preparations in inducing diapause, delaying hatching, and expressing HSPs (heat shock proteins) genes. Moreover, solvatochromic dyes can be used as probes to track homeopathic signals in water, laboratory, or field conditions. The potential usefulness of these preparations in reducing the environmental impact in states of water contamination is discussed.
Keywords: Environmental homeopathy, Artemia spp, isotherapeutics, bio-resilience, solvatochromic dyes.
Ronald D. Whitmont, MD, is a former president of the American Institute of Homeopathy- America’s oldest extant national medical organization (founded 1844) and the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York (founded 1862); He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at New York Medical College (NYMC- formerly known as the New York Homeopathic Medical College), and was board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). He is a founding diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM), serves as medical advisor to Americans for Homeopathy Choice (AFHC), and is President of the National Homeopathic Product Certification Board.
He is a second-generation classical homeopathic physician based in Rhinebeck, New York. He has lectured and published extensively on various topics, including homeopathy and the human microbiome.
Abstract:
The Human Microbiome and Homeopathy
The Human Microbiome is one of the most recent and important discoveries in the field of medicine. The microbiome links animal and environmental health since it permeates every tissue and organ in the body. The microbiome is intimately connected with all aspects of human health and directly influences such diverse events as evolution, conception, development, immunity, and the tendency to develop chronic inflammatory, allergic, and autoimmune diseases, as well as the propensity to heal from them. In short, the microbiome mirrors Samuel Hahnemann’s precise conception and description of an intelligent “vital force” capable of governing and animating the human body, mind, and sensorium. The Human Microbiome is reviewed and discussed in relation to its makeup, distribution, and diversity. The impact of conventional medications on the human microbiome and the development of chronic illness are reviewed. References and citations are provided linking the microbiome to environmental damage, the reckless overuse of modern allopathic medicines, and the emerging epidemic of chronic inflammatory disease.
Keywords: Homeopathy, microbiome, chronic inflammatory disease
Dr. López Carvallo is currently working within the Aquaculture-Homeopathy group, under the academic direction of Dr. Mazón Suástegui at Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico. He is also a member of the National Research System of México and the Baja California Sur State System of Researchers.
Dr. López received Master’s and Doctor of Science degrees from the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, Mexico under the supervision of Dr. Mazón-Suástegui and Dr. Arcos-Ortega. He has experience evaluating aquatic organism’s physiology related to reproduction, energetic metabolism and immune response using functional genomics.
The most recent research of Dr. López includes the evaluation of high-diluted bioactive compounds (homeopathy) to strengthen the immune response of Catarina scallop (Argopecten ventricosus) juveniles. This research included de novo transcriptome profile analysis using RNA-Seq technology, the validation of biomarkers at molecular level using real time qPCR, and received honorific mention in the X Ibero-American Forum on Marine Resources and Aquaculture. Dr. López is Co-inventor of two patents related to homeopathic treatments and has served as a reviewer in multiple JCR-indexed journals. The main interest of Dr. López is to understand the interaction between high-diluted bioactive compounds (homeopathy) and biological systems in aquatic organisms.
Abstract:
Understanding the interaction between high-diluted bioactive compounds and aquatic organisms through functional genomics.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7405-8665
The potential use of high-diluted bioactive compounds (HDBC) to enhance sustainable aquaculture practices has gained attention in recent years. These compounds, derived from diverse natural origins, possess distinctive properties that positively influence the growth, survival, health, and overall performance of cultured marine organisms. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of their mode of action remains elusive. Gene expression analysis serves as a powerful tool to unravel how bioactive compounds and medicines interact with biological systems at the molecular level. Consequently, recent investigations have focused on the impact of HDBC on gene expression in marine organisms. To decipher the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed effects of HDBC treatments on aquaculture species, a comparative transcriptomic analysis using RNAseq technology was performed with Argopecten ventricosus juveniles prophylactically treated by HDBC. Results suggest that HDBC – particularly those formulated from Vibrio lysates, and silica/phosphoric acid – have the capability to stimulate non-self-recognition mechanisms, without activating the main effectors of the immune response, thereby allowing the organisms to remain alert to antigens, such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These findings imply that the activation of non-self-recognition mechanisms may be responsible for improving the immune response and, consequently, the survival of HDBC-treated organisms when challenged against a pathogen. Understanding how HDBC works will aid in making better decisions about their use. The application of HDBC holds great promise for the continued advancement of sustainable aquaculture practices, as these treatments do not promote pathogen resistance to the organisms. Their action is focused on modulating the host’s self-defense system, and they do not accumulate in the organism tissues or culture water due to their high dilution.
Paolo Bellavite is a medical doctor, specialized in Hematology. He holds an MPhil in Biotechnology and a Masters in Health Statistics and Clinical Epidemiology. He worked as a Professor of General Pathology in the School of Medicine, Verona University until June 2017. He then continued research work as a teaching Assistant and research supervisor until May 2021. He was recently engaged as Professor of Physiopathology by a post-doctoral Homeopathic Medical School based in Verona (I) and recognized by Regione Veneto. His areas of research focused on inflammation, leukocytes, and platelets. On several experimental models, in collaboration with others, Bellavite has investigated the action mechanisms of several drugs, including homeopathic and vegetable compounds. Recently, he investigated the early home therapy for COVID-19 and vaccinology issues. He has published over 250 scientific papers, 162 of which are in PubMed, and several books.
Abstract:
Homeogenomics: Homeopathy and Gene Expression: Experiences with Gelsemium, Arnica and Drosera
Homeopathic medicine aims to regulate the “vital force”. Many interpretations of this fundamental concept have been given, which have evolved together with homeopathy, in its various branches. In modern terms, the vital force is better defined as homeodynamics, of which illness is a quantitative (defect or excess) or a qualitative (dis-order) deviation. Modern scientific medicine starts from the knowledge of biological information and sees the disease as a genetic or epi-genetic alteration of DNA. However, even if the DNA is genetically normal, any disease, endogenous or exogenous, has effects in the modifications of gene expression, i.e. can be detected at the level of the transcriptome. These are such subtle changes that they even appear as a consequence of physiological alterations of homeodynamics. For this reason, it is entirely plausible that homeopathic medicines, by regulating the vital force, can cause changes in gene expression. The rapid development of new high-throughput technology platforms provides a methodological basis for deep understanding the action mechanisms and targets of homeopathic remedies. The first pioneering studies date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, and then developed steadily in the last two decades. This report will review the evidence of this phenomenon, obtained above all with experiments of highly diluted drugs on in vitro cells, and will critically evaluate its possible consequences in homeopathic medicine.
Keywords: Homeopathic drugs, High dilutions, Life force, Gene expression, Similia principle, Homeogenomics
Lecturer, Institute of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Senior Researcher, Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
Prof Stephan Baumgartner holds a Masters in Experimental Physics (University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland). Research Fellow at the Dept. for Mathematics and Astronomy (Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland). PhD in Environmental Sciences (Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland). Post-Doc in the Dept. for Environmental Physics (EAWAG Aquatic Research, Dübendorf, Switzerland). Since 1996 Senior Research Scientist in the Dept. for Basic Research (50% at the Hiscia Research Institute of the Society for Cancer Research, Arlesheim, Switzerland, as well as 50% at the Institute of Complementary Medicine IKOM, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland). Lecturer at the University of Bern since 2009.
Abstract** (see combined abstract following Sydney Everhart bio)
An agronomist who graduated in 2013 from the University of Santa Catarina State (UDESC), Agro-veterinary Sciences Center, Brazil. Specialist (M.Ba) in Agro-business management at Federal University of Paraná, Brazil, 2015.
Ph.D. (2013) in a co-tutelar program from UDESC, Brazil, in partnership with Coventry University, UK. Assistant researcher at the Agroecology, Water, and Resilience Center (CAWR) at Coventry University, UK. Member of the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (UNDP) and the International Research Group on Biodynamic Agriculture (IBDRP).
Abstract** (see combined abstract following Sydney Everhart bio)
Dr. Fateme Mirzajani is an Assistant Professor of phytochemistry and nanotechnology at Shahid Beheshti University. Department of Nanobiotechnology, Protein Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C. Evin, Tehran, Iran.
Educational Background: Post Doc Position (2012-2013): Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran/Nano Initiative Center. Sabbatical (2011-2012): Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Gieβen, Germany. Subject: Mass Spectrometry of Proteins and MALDI Imaging mass Spectrometry of Plant Tissues. PhD. Phytochemistry (2008-2012): Medicinal Plant and Drug Research Institute (MPDRI) Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Subject: Phytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles, structural changes and proteomics of (Oryza sativa L.), and its rhizosphere microorganisms, First Iranian PhD in Phytochemistry.
MSc. Phytochemistry (2005-2007): Medicinal Plant and Drug Research Institute (MPDRI) Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Subject: Optimization of Microwave Assisted Extraction Process and Analyze Withanolides from Withania somnifera Dunal. And Formulating a Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Model Drug.
Abstract** (see combined abstract following Sydney Everhart bio)
Sydney Everhart is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Connecticut. She is considered a national leader in the application of molecular tools for elucidating the biology and epidemiology of fungal plant pathogens that cause disease within cultivated crops, especially as it relates to the emergence of fungicide resistance and spread of important fungal plant pathogens within production systems. In the last five years, she has co-authored more than 20 papers in high-impact journals within the field of plant pathology and, over her career, has been PI or co-PI on grants totaling more than $6M. The long-term goal of her research is to develop a better understanding of the biology of fungal plant pathogens, how that relates to disease management, and the emergence of phenotypic traits, such as fungicide resistance. Current research in the Everhart lab includes studies on important fungal plant pathogens, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani, and Alternaria brassicicola, which affect several economically important crops in the United States.
Abstract** (see combined abstract below)
** Agro-homeopathy – Round Table
Bonamin, LV. University Paulista. Professor. Graduate Program in Environmental and Experimental Pathology.
Everhart, S. University of Connecticut. Associate Professor and Head in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture.
Faedo, L. Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR), Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.
Mirzajani, F. Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran, Iran. Iran.
This round table aimed to discuss how agro-homeopathy could help mitigate food production and sustainability troubles. The themes were organized in three parts: 1) the trouble of antimicrobial resistance in plants and the need for new technologies. This point will be presented by Dr. Sydnay Everhart (USA); 2) improvement of organic crops using homeopathy and how it can open workers’ consciousness about sustainable production. Dr. Leonardo Faedo will show this theme (Brazil/UK); 3) The potential of homeopathy on plant bioresilience face to climate change. Dr. Fateme Mirzajani (Iran) will discuss this part. The rationale followed the evolution from the problem exposition to good experiences and worldwide possibilities to solve contemporary environmental troubles.
Professor Sydney Everhart: Fungicide resistance is an economically important phenotype that, when present in pathogen populations, can be an underlying driver of disease outbreaks when fungicides applied are no longer effective. There are already 203 species of fungal plant pathogens reported to have fungicide resistance, which is an increasing concern. Nationally, fungicides account for a 50% yield increase for 22 major crops in the U.S., which accounts for 97 billion pounds of food and fiber, valued at $12.8B [1]. Among the 45 active ingredients on the market, there exist only 10 modes of action [1, 2], which is the fundamental unit to which resistance develops. New modes of action are sought and rarely discovered, so relying on this option to replace modes of action that are no longer effective is not realistic. Moreover, developing a new product is estimated to take about 10 years and cost $200M. Fungicide resistance is costly for manufacturers, growers, and the environment; nevertheless, mechanisms driving the emergence of resistance remain unknown. Interestingly, antibiotic-mediated stress has been shown to increase mutation rates in bacteria, leading to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Although this is a recognized risk for fungicides, far less is known about fungal evolution in the context of fungicide-induced stress, and while studies on fungicide-induced mutagenesis in the scientific literature, the results remain complex and continue to fuel the dose-rate debate.
[1] Gianessi, L.P. & N. Reigner. 2005. The value of fungicides in U.S. Crop Production. Crop Protection Research Institute, CropLife Foundation, Washington D.C. pp. 243.
[2] FRAC. 2018. FRAC Code List 2018: Fungicides sorted by mode of action (including FRAC Code numbering). Fungicide Resistance Action Committee, CropLife Foundation, Washington D.C. pp. 14.
Dr. Leonardo Faedo: Agriculture needs sustainable farming methods. In particular, the strawberry crop (Fragaria x ananassa), one of the world’s most important berries, has faced serious problems related to the application of high volumes of pesticides, compromising food and environmental security. The use of dynamized high dilutions (DHD) has been showing promising results in agricultural research, particularly regarding its bio-stimulation effect on cropping systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the bio-stimulation effect of DHDs in strawberry cropping systems. The experiment was carried out at the University of Santa Catarina State (UDESC) in Lages – Brazil, in 2019 and 2021, in a controlled environment using a randomized block design (RBD) and following a double-blind treatment application. The experiment tested mineral-based DHDs: Sulphur 12CH, Phosphorus12CH, Kali 12CH, Calcarea 12CH, Silicea 12CH, Natrum 12CH, Mercurius 12CH, having deionized water 12CH and deionized water as controls. The treatments were applied fortnightly. The agronomical attributes assessing plant vitality considered crop production, fruit quality, plant disease, plant growth and architecture, leaf chlorophyll content, and root system development. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and when significant (≤ 0.05) by Dunnett’s test. The results show that the DHDs of Calcarea and Sulphur increased root system development. Plants treated with DHDs of Sulphur and Silicea were less affected by Mycosphaerella. The DHDs of Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Kali increased plant growth and crop yield. The DHDs of Natrum and Mercurius were not effective as plant biostimulators in strawberry plants. The results of this study evidence the potential of dynamized high dilutions (DHDs) as plant biostimulators and their contribution for sustainable farming systems.
Professor Fateme Mirzajani: Healthy cultivation and production of agricultural products with the least amount of toxins and the highest possible efficiency is the demand of farmers and consumers. The agricultural products market is interested in protecting their health, the environment, plants, animals, and humans, and reducing prices. The most important challenge for farmers, researchers, and managers in the field of agriculture is to find a way to create the least amount of pollution and side effects, the ability to reduce, control, and treat problems and diseases of soil, water, and plants, and finally increase the quality, health, and cost of the products. Today, the use of Ultra High Diluted compounds (UHDs) to produce a product without the use of biocides has been developed along with maintaining the quality and health of the soil and the environment [1, 2]. Due to the personal interest and needs of the scientific and agricultural community and for research and practical investigation of ultra-diluted compounds, we have been investigating UHDs. Studies include three main parts:
In all cases, the results showed that the use of ultra-high diluted compounds compared to the negative control (placebo), positive control (toxins in cultivation cases), and control (no treatment) with healthier growth, proportional crop production, and less pollution, improved root quality and Soil is included.
_________________________________
[1] Nanoscience and Nanotechnology-2020. 10 (3), 316-329.
[2] International Journal of High Dilution Research- 2020 (2-3), 02-15.
[3] International Journal of High Dilution Research- 2021 (1-2), 39-55.
[4] International Journal of High Dilution Research-2023 (cf), 51-64.
Keywords: Fungicide resistance, Agroecology, High dilutions, Plant Vitality, Crop Development, Plant stress, Soil quality.
Iris Bell, MD PhD is a Board-certified psychiatrist and has been a leading researcher in complementary and alternative medicine for most of the past 30 years. Her current interests include chronic health problems related to inflammation — and how to use natural remedies and treatments to reverse them.
She graduated magna cum laude in biology from Harvard University and then received her PhD in Neuro- and Biobehavioral Sciences (studying diet and sleep) and MD from Stanford University. Her psychiatry internship and residency were at the University of California – San Francisco, and she is Board certified in Psychiatry with previous Added Qualification in Geriatric Psychiatry.
She is licensed to practice conventional medicine in Arizona and California. She has been also nationally certified in biofeedback, a fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and a licensed physician in homeopathy/integrative medicine in Arizona. She has served on the faculties at Harvard Medical School, University of California – San Francisco, and the University of Arizona.
Dr. Bell has published over 140 professional papers and a dozen book chapters on her clinical research in these areas, including on diet, nutrition, sleep, biofeedback, environmental medicine, and homeopathy. Her focus is finding information on new research findings and bringing them to people who need to know.
Her current research focuses on the relationship between complex systems and network science and theories of leading complementary and alternative medicine systems of care such as homeopathy. She was chosen as one of the Best Doctors in the Pacific region of the US in 1996 and in the US in 1998.
She has left clinical practice and is now a full-time researcher, educator, consultant, and writer. As a type 1 diabetic who has dealt with other chronic inflammatory conditions, she understands the everyday experience of people struggling with inflammatory health challenges as both a doctor and a patient.
Her other recent books include the self-help award-winning book, Getting Whole, Getting Well: Healing Holistically from Chronic Illness; the humorous/inspirational and award-winning books by her shy and anxious dog (helpful for shy and/or anxious people too!) Chew on Things – It Helps You Think: Words of Wisdom from a Worried Canine, and the Chew on Things Workbook for Fellow Worriers. She is also the author of Clinical Ecology: A New Medical Approach to Environmental Illness. She scans the medical research literature daily to bring you the latest insights into how alternative therapies and natural remedies could help you overcome your chronic health condition.
Abstract** (see combined abstract following Igor Jerman bio)
Jayesh Bellare is “Institute Chair Professor” of Chemical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and former Head of Biosciences and Bioengineering. He is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Science, India, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, and the Electron Microscopy Society of India, amongst others. He is an expert in: biomedical devices; nanomedicines (across all systems of medicine, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Allopathic); hollow fiber membranes, 3D printed resorbable scaffolds; cryo-electron microscopy; and implants for regenerative medicine. He has set up a cGMP facility at IITB that has received a trial manufacturing license from DCGI/CDSCO for a bone graft study that was successfully completed at AIIMS Delhi, and it is now the basis of a startup. His major awards include: the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Government of India Ministry of Ayush for his work in homeopathic nanomedicines; Lifetime Achievement Award of Cryo Electron Microscopy and 3D Image Processing Society of India; the Presidential Award of the Electron Microscopy Society of America; the H H Mathur award for Excellence in Research at IITB; and the NASI-Reliance Platinum Jubilee Award for application-oriented research. He has been on the research or governing councils of several leading institutions; on several Government panels; and has served on the board of directors or advisors of several companies, and as mentor with several deep-tech startups.
Abstract**(see combined abstract following Igor Jerman bio)
Steven Cartwright holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in molecular biology. After 10 years at the universities of California Santa Cruz and Oxford developing techniques in cryoenzymology, he went on to train in homeopathy. Dr Cartwright has been carrying out basic research in homeopathy using solvatochromic dyes since 2010. He runs the Cherwell Laboratory for Fundamental research in Homeopathy in Oxford dedicated to understanding the physico-chemical nature of homeopathic potencies and has published extensively on the subject.
Abstract**(see combined abstract following Igor Jerman bio)
Igor Jerman currently works as the scientific and managing leader of the BION Institute. Igor researches the electromagnetic nature of life in the biological field biofield; in the problems of measuring ultra-weak radiation from organisms; in dynamically ordered states of water (UHD research); and in Theoretical Biology. His current project is ‘Existence, nature, and significance of biological field (the biofield),’ ‘Study and theoretical as well as empirical research of the state of water exposed to hydrophilic surfaces,’ and ‘Common ground of non-chemical transmission and consumption of bio-effective molecular and field information.’
Abstract
**Nanoparticle/Nanostructure Roundtable Discussion:
The presence of persistent nanostructures in homeopathic preparations has been confirmed by dozens of laboratories from around the world. Also well-established is their potential role as active biochemical agents. The question remains: what role might these nanostructures play in the structuring of the final medicinal products, what role might they play in the mode of action of homeopathic medicines in biological systems, and if they play a role, in what fashion? This roundtable discussion will review the latest findings on nanostructures as a byproduct of the manufacturing process, changes in solvent structure during the manufacturing process, and the role nanostructures have been shown to play in complex biological systems.
Education: MD 1974 UCL / MD Homeopath 1981 SRBH. MD Homeopath
Scientific Experience: Co-author of COST B4 report of the EU. Surveys on homeopathic practice in Belgium and Europe. Expert in clinical verification of homeopathic symptoms. Initiator of the yearly updated LMHI booklet about “Scientific Framework of Homeopathy”. Coordinator of DYNHOM research project on the homeopathic medicine pharmacology. Member of GIRI. 2 years pharmacy thesis supervisor at Montpellier University.
Author of many publications, i.e., COST B4 report on Complementary Medicine in the EU (1999). Author (or co-author) of 36 publications see:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michel-Wassenhoven
He also published several books, including “First Line Medicine – Clinical Verification of Homeopathic Symptoms; Jain Publisher 2008 (ISBN 978-2-87491-003-6). Even if officially retired, he still practices medicine and homeopathy in Brussels. During the years, he built up a very large network of researchers, including many professors at universities, making possible access to the latest technologies.
Rachel Roberts has a first-class degree in Biological Sciences, specializing in Physiology from the University of Birmingham. She graduated from the College of Homeopathy, London in 1997 and was in private practice as a homeopath until 2012. Rachel has lectured in homeopathy and medical sciences at various colleges in the UK and overseas. She held the post of Research Consultant for the Society of Homeopaths from 2008-2012 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2013 to acknowledge her outstanding contribution to Homeopathy. Rachel joined the HRI part-time in 2010 and has worked for the Institute on a full-time basis since 2012. In 2018 Rachel was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Faculty of Homeopathy for her highly regarded work in the field of homeopathic research, and in 2021 she, and HRI, were jointly awarded the Dr Peter Fisher Memorial Award from the National Center for Homeopathy USA in acknowledgment of a substantial contribution to research.
Abstract:
Overview of Clinical Research in Homeopathy
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0293-5630
Individuals within the homeopathy sector frequently state that there is loads’ of evidence homeopathy works, whilst detractors say there is no evidence at all that homeopathy is anything more than a placebo effect. As is often the way, the reality is somewhere between these two extremes. Given the polarized opinions around the topic of homeopathy, it is important to take an objective look at the actual status of the clinical evidence base for homeopathy, including both the strengths and weaknesses of the existing data in this field.
Looking at the findings from a range of key studies, we can see how this topic has been investigated from different perspectives using a variety of study designs, from large-scale observational studies assessing homeopathic treatment in real-world settings to highly influential systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Through consideration of individual RCTs, we can also examine how clinical research in homeopathy has progressed over the years, enabling researchers to address the specific challenges faced when attempting to investigate a complex intervention such as individualized homeopathy: trial designs are now available which are sufficiently rigorous to be widely accepted by the scientific community, without compromising the quality of the homeopathic treatment delivered during the trial.
Through this overview of clinical research on homeopathy, the point will be clarified that there is robust clinical evidence demonstrating clinical benefits of homeopathic treatment, including placebo-controlled studies, but as with many other fields of scientific inquiry, more research is needed to fully explore the potential of homeopathy as part of an integrated approach to healthcare.
Keywords: Homeopathy; clinical research; trial design; methodology
Jennifer Jacobs is a family practice physician specializing in homeopathic medicine. She is also a clinical assistant professor in epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. She received her MD degree from Wayne State University and a Masters in Public Health at the University of Washington. She is a former President of the American Institute of Homeopathy, co-founded the special interest group of the American Public Health Association on Complementary and Alternative Health Practices, and served on the advisory board of the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine. She has published groundbreaking homeopathic research in peer-reviewed medical journals and is the co-author of Healing with Homeopathy, published by Warner Books in 1996. Now retired from medical practice, Dr. Jacobs’s book Do You Really Need That Pill? was published in 2018 by Skyhorse Publishing.
Abstract:
Homeopathy’s Role in Reducing Antibiotic Overuse
Overuse of antibiotics is a major public health problem that leads to antimicrobial resistance as well as to deleterious effects on the body’s microbiome. Homeopathy has been found to be an effective alternative to the use of antibiotics in many common human infections as well as in animal husbandry. Research on the use of homeopathy for childhood infections, such as otitis media and acute diarrhea will be presented. In one study, we found that using homeopathic ear drops in the early stages of an ear infection could lead to 400,000 fewer courses of antibiotics in the US each year. The potential of homeopathy to reduce antibiotic overuse in veterinary medicine and other fields such as agriculture will also be discussed.
Keywords: Homeopathy, antibiotic resistance, clinical research
Dr. Amerine is a Naturopathic Doctor with an expertise in homeopathy practicing in Lafayette, Colorado. After attaining her Naturopathic Doctorate degree from Sonoran University of Health Sciences. Dr. Amerine went on to become one of few doctors in the country who have achieved Diplomate status with the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (DHANP).
Dr. Amerine has been passionate about homeopathy since childhood and has dedicated her entire life to this medicine. She founded her practice, Pure Homeopathy in 2004, where she treats people of all ages and all ranges of disease with a goal of restoring a vibrant health. In addition to her busy practice, she currently sits on the board and is the past president of the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. Dr. Amerine also serves as an officer on the board of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the oldest medical organization in the United States. She represents the United States as the National Vice President for an international organization known as the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis. Dr. Amerine is part of a team of international experts to co-author the “Materia Medica Pura Project,” a several-thousand-hour project to advance homeopathy around the world. She has spoken nationally and internationally, sharing and teaching her passion for homeopathy. When she is not studying homeopathy, Dr. Amerine enjoys time with her family, husband, and two daughters.
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