Homeopathy is gaining worldwide momentum due to rigorous scientific research in human, animal and plant models.1 In plants, homeopathy optimizes growth and development2 with scientifically proven crop results validating its ability to produce extra abundant growth, foliage, and flowers, resulting in increased crop yields.3
A new emerging discipline called systemic agro-homeopathy is in development.
Systemic agro-homeopathy considers plants and their interactions with the environment as a unified agroecosystem, called the holon - according to the four principles of organic agriculture, health, ecology, care, and fairness, the substances used to care for and nourish the plants and protect them from pests must be safe for people, animals, and the environment.4
Systemic agro-homeopathy is being implemented worldwide to mitigate negative effects caused by indiscriminate use of chemical products, and is said to be a viable alternative to improve organic agriculture. Homoeopathic medicines are innocuous substances with a capability to induce measurable response mechanisms when used in plants, animals and humans. Researchers have concluded agricultural homoeopathy is able to stimulate favourable biological and even genetic responses in basil, beans, cucumber, and tomato.5
Studies evaluating the effect of homeopathic treatments on plants (with controls) demonstrate significant, and undeniable effects.6 Experimental research on healthy and stressed plants has shown the potential of homeopathy to influence plants by:7891011
• enhancing growth parameters
• increasing germination rate and defensive substances
• strengthening plants against pathogens and pests
High level of salinity is a global problem without effective mitigation, which deteriorates seed germination, growth and yield of crops in cultivated lands. A 2016 study investigated whether homeopathy could mitigate salt stress in germinating cowpea seeds, and found significantly increased chlorophyll, protein and sugar in the leaves concluding homeopathy promoted growth and yield in rice varieties tested under natural field conditions.12
The homoeopathic medicines Sulphur, Silica and Nux vomica have been assessed on different commercial plants,13 while use of homeopathic medicines Calcarea carbonica, Carbo vegetabilis and Magnesia carbonica is recommended because their active ingredients can provoke favourable responses.14
"There is sufficient scientific evidence that homoeopathy strengthens the energy and vitality of plants even under conditions of abiotic stress and promotes a dynamic balance of the plant with soil, water and the environment. Homoeopathic dilutions from different origins can be applied by soaking seeds and spraying leaves or directly to the soil or substrate. As any living organism, plants have a genetic memory, which is continuously enriched. The response of plants treated with homoeopathy is natural, lasting and without the negative side effects that some agrochemicals have, which can even accumulate in their tissues and affect the safety of the harvested product, which makes it unfit for human consumption. Undoubtedly, homoeopathy has great potential, not only in human public health and aquaculture and veterinary production but also in organic, ecological and sustainable agriculture, which will be essential for the future development of humanity.’’15
Arnica – injury & damage caused by pruning, repotting, transplanting, & hail.
Aconite – sudden wilt during very hot or very cold dry winds.
Calcarea carb – stunted growth & weakness. Calcium deficiency & shock.
Carbo vegetabilis – decay and fungal infections esp. post pruning.
Magnesia carb – failing to thrive in mg deficient soils. Temperature shock.
Nux vomica – stress post spray drift.
Silica – stunted growth, chlorosis, esp. in sandy soils.
Sulphur – thirsty plants, stress post spray drift, heavy metals contamination.
Bell & Schwartz, 2015. Enhancement of adaptive biological effects by nanotechnology preparation methods in homeopathic medicines. Homeopathy. Apr;104(2):123-38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25869977/
Meneses, 2017. Agrohomeopatia como alternativa a los agroquimicos. Rebista Medica de Homeopatia. 2017;10(1):9-13.
Manuel et al., 2019. Agricultural Homoeopathy: A New Insight into Organics. J. Moudrý et al. (eds.), Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic and Conventional Agriculture, IntechOpen, London. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65759
Di Lorenzo et al., 2021. Systemic Agro-Homeopathy: A New Approach to Agriculture. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine. 6(3): 020; https://www.lidsen.com/journals/icm/icm-06-03-020
Manuel et al., 2019. Agricultural Homoeopathy: A New Insight into Organics. J. Moudrý et al. (eds.), Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic and Conventional Agriculture, IntechOpen, London. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65759
Teixeira & Carneiro, 2017. Effects of homeopathic high dilutions on plants: literature review (Special Dossier: "Scientific Evidence for Homeopathy" Revista de Homeopatia, São Paulo Homeopathic Medical Association, APH. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320267648_Effects_of_homeopathic_high_dilutions_on_plants_literature_review_Special_Dossier_Scientific_Evidence_for_Homeopathy_Revista_de_Homeopatia_Sao_Paulo_Homeopathic_Medical_Association_APH_-_Online_Edit
Betti et al., 2009. Cavolfiore (Brassica oleracea L.) coltivato in regime biologico: Valutazione fitopatologia e nutraceutica. Proceedings of the XXXVIII National Congress of Italian Society for Agronomy; 2009 September 21-23; Firenze, Italy.
Pulido et al., 2014. Preparados homeopáticos en el crecimiento y en la producción de repollo cultivado en sistema orgánico. Hortic Bras. 2014; 32: 267-272. https://www.scielo.br/j/hb/a/Dj5SwQKMBHm9vDkCCvWH3Nr/?lang=es
Toledo et al., 2015. Controle da pinta preta e efeito sobre variáveis de crescimento em tomateiro por preparados homeopáticos. Summa Phytopathol. 41: 126-132. https://www.scielo.br/j/sp/a/5B85LkVrKpxKQKWNb67dcrm/?lang=pt
Trebbi et al., 2016. Ultra high diluted arsenic reduces spore germination of Alternaria brassicicola and dark leaf spot in cauliflower. Horticul Bras. 34: 318-325. https://www.scielo.br/j/hb/a/mxnFtgJ585m7YvF3KS48YNP/?lang=en
Pulido et al., 2017. High dilution preparations for organic production system of broccoli. Agron Colomb. 35: 53-58. http://mr.crossref.org/iPage?doi=10.15446%2Fagron.colomb.v35n1.58586
Mondal, 2016. Agrohomeopathy: New practice in agriculture from seed germination to field trial. 5th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture. June 27 -29, Cape Town, South Africa. https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/proceedings/agrohomeopathy-new-practice-in-agriculture-from-seed-germination-to-field-trial-17308.html
Modolon et al., 2016. Efeito de dinamizações seqüenciais do preparado homeopático Nux vomica no desenvolvimento inicial de plantas de milho submetido ao percevejo barriga-verde Dichelops melacanthus Dallas (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Cadernos de Agrocologia. 10(3):2236-7934. https://revistas.aba-agroecologia.org.br/index.php/cad/article/view/16997
Meneses, 2017. Agrohomeopatia como alternativa a los agroquimicos. Rebista Medica de Homeopatia. 2017;10(1):9-13.
Manuel et al., 2019. Agricultural Homoeopathy: A New Insight into Organics. J. Moudrý et al. (eds.), Multifunctionality and Impacts of Organic and Conventional Agriculture, IntechOpen, London. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/65759
Maute, 2011. Homeopathy for Plants. A practical guide for indoor, balcony and garden plants. Narayana Publishers, Kandern.
Kaviraj, 2011. Homeopathy for farm and garden, the homeopathic treatment of plants. Second revised ed. Narayana Publishers, Kandern.
Fascinating topic, thxs