Gratitude is expressed to Dr. Marcus Zulian Teixeira of School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil for the following comprehensive evolutionary paragraph of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann’s work with homeopathic remedies in epidemic disease;1
During an epidemic of scarlet fever in 1799,2 Hahnemann employed for the first time ‘diluted and agitated doses’ in order to reduce the pathogenetic power of the medication avoiding occurrence of ‘aggravations’.3 In 1814, while treating typhus or hospital fever,4 Hahnemann outlined his method of potentization (serial dilutions with strong agitation) - the ‘theory of potentization’ in strict sense was formulated in 1827,5 when Hahnemann incorporated trituration and succussion in the ‘potentization process’ to develop and enhance the “dynamic medicinal powers of natural substances”. Interestingly, even after providing sound foundation to his ‘theory of potentization’, Hahnemann continued to prescribe homeopathic remedies in measurable doses for the treatment or prevention of diseases6 7 and in his homeopathic pathogenetic studies.
Homeopathy has been used in the great epidemics and pandemics from the 19th century to our present day.8 For example, reportedly thousands of cases of Influenza treated with homeopathy in the 1920s had significant reductions in mortality, with the homeopathic remedy Gelsemium most frequently referenced.9
Dr. Teixeira reminds us that individualized homeopathy can act in cases of acute diseases, including epidemics, stating, however, that specific homeopathic therapeutic methodology should not be disregarded and that indiscriminate distribution of mixtures of homeopathic and/or isopathic medicines to a collective group in a given epidemic, without any notion of efficacy or safety, represents a public health risk via the possibility of inducing a disregard of proven effective hygienic and prophylactic measures.10
Two large homeopathic /or homeoprophylaxis studies in dengue and leptospirosis epidemics, which contradict homeopathic therapeutic methodology by disregarding both homeopathic pathogenetic trial data and individualization, have been published and showed good results.
In Brazil, in 2007, the Secretary of Health of the county of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro carried out a Homeopathy Campaign against Dengue using a complex consisting of three homeopathic remedies. Incidence in the first three months of 2008 reportedly fell over 90% in comparison with the corresponding 2007 period whereas in the rest of the State of Rio de Janeiro there was a huge (+120%) increase in Dengue. While confounding factors were not controlled for these results suggest that homeopathy may be an effective adjunct in Dengue outbreak prevention11 demonstrating an easy implementation of homeopathy in the approach to epidemics, with low cost, wide population adherence, and good results in the control of dengue epidemics in the scope of public health.12
Data strongly suggests homeopathy was able to control a leptospirosis outbreak13 14 during peak incidence of the disease in Cuba15 an important, but isolated, study in light of systematic review which found inconclusive evidence for oral doxycycline in effectiveness of post-exposure leptospirosis prophylaxis but observed the direction of association supported a protective effect for morbidity and mortality.16 Dr. Teixeira comments that use of nosodes in epidemic diseases prevention (isoprophylaxis) selected upon etiological identity and fully neglectful of both homeopathic pathogenetic trial data and individualization is unsupported in the homeopathic epistemological model - and although many homeopathic practitioners incorporate isoprophylaxis, it is a practice condemned by homeopathic institutions worldwide.17
The set of frequent symptoms in a population affected by an epidemic is termed the Epidemic Genius, the drug which covers the entire symptomatology of the epidemic genius is the Medicine Genius.18
From a classical homeopathy perspective, the Medicine Genius for covid19-like symptoms - that is the remedy which has in its sphere of action most of the symptoms involved in the coronavirus pandemic - according to Brazilian researchers in 2021 was Cinchona officinalis (China officinalis).19 Repertorization of covid19-like symptoms was undertaken, allowing for the identification of some drugs as a Medicine Genius. These drugs were studied in materia medica books and other works recognized by Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency20 the resulting analysis indicating Cinchona officinalis (China officinalis) according to the human homeopathic pathogenetic trial data.21 The phytoconstituents of Cinchona officinalis are similar to those of hydroxychloroquine which significantly inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Analysis by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry has validated the in vitro antiviral potential of Cinchona officinalis 3c, 6c and 12c potencies.22
However, a retrospective observational study published (2023) by The International Academy of Classical Homeopathy found no single remedy (serviceable as prophylaxis and/or treatment) emerging as Medicine Genius in a database of actual COVID-19 cases reported by homeopathic physicians. The most commonly used remedy was Arsenicum album, followed by Bryonia, then Pulsatilla, 200C was the most commonly-used potency, and 271 (73.8%) of the reported cases improved under homeopathic treatment.23
While antiviral properties have been observed in the laboratory24 this is not in accordance with the general principles of homeopathy with its hypothesis that homeopathic medicines affect the host, by, for example, activating the immune system to prevent adhesion of bacteria, rather than by direct bactericidal or bacteriostatic (or antiviral) effects. No generalized homeopathic medicine by condition exists.25
Classical homeopathy outlines the process whereby a single homeopathic medicine is chosen based on the totality of signs and symptoms of an individual, that is concomitant conditions and psychological features and feelings etc., all inform the individualized prescription. For example., a published series of ten case studies demonstrated that classical homeopathy has the potential to help treat dengue infection, with evidence of laboratory reports, and without progression to a post dengue syndrome, or the need to resort to any other medical interventions.26
Teixeira MZ, 2014. Isoprophylaxis is neither homeoprophylaxis nor homeopathic immunization, but isopathic immunization unsupported by the homeopathic epistemological model: a response to Golden. Int J High Dilution Res. 13(46):54-82. Available from: http://highdilution.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/707
Hahnemann S. Cure and prevention of scarlet-fever. In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The lesser writings of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition].
Hahnemann S. On the power of small doses of medicine in general, and of Belladonna in particular. In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The lesser writings of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition].
Hahnemann S. Treatment of the typhus or hospital fever at present prevailing. In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition].
Hahnemann S. How can small doses of such very attenuated medicines as homoeopathy employs have any action on the sick? In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The lesser writings of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition].
Hahnemann S. Cause and prevention of the Asiatic cholera. In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The lesser writings of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition].
Hahnemann S. Appeal to thinking philanthropists respecting the mode of propagation of the Asiatic cholera. In: Dudgeon RE (ed). The lesser writings of Samuel Hahnemann. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers, 1995 [Reprint edition]
Gosik et al., 2021. Medicines for the new coronavirus in the view of Classical Systemic Homeopathy. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Nov;45:101482. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8433054/
Dewey, W. 1921. Homeopathy in Influenza - A Chorus of Fifty in Harmony, Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy. University of Michigan. Available from: https://www.ecampnd.com/homeopathy/A_Chorus_of_Fifty_in_Harmony.pdf
Teixeira MZ, 2020. Clinical research protocol to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of individualized homeopathic medicine in the treatment and prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). Apr;66(4):405-406. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342154334_Clinical_research_protocol_to_evaluate_the_effectiveness_and_safety_of_individualized_homeopathic_medicine_in_the_treatment_and_prevention_of_the_COVID-19_epidemic
Nunes, 2008. Contribution of homeopathy to the control of an outbreak of dengue in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro. Int J High Dilution Res. 7(25):186-192. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264857853_Contribution_of_homeopathy_to_the_control_of_an_outbreak_of_dengue_in_Macae_Rio_de_Janeiro
Gosik et al., 2021. Medicines for the new coronavirus in the view of Classical Systemic Homeopathy. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Nov;45:101482. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8433054/
Dossett & Yeh, 2018. Homeopathy Use in the United States and Implications for Public Health: A Review. Homeopathy. Feb;107(1):3-9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5989719/
Golden & Bracho, 2014. Reevaluation of the Effectiveness of Homoeoprophylaxis Against Leptospirosis in Cuba in 2007 and 2008. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. Jul;19(3):155-160. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24647096/
Ehelepola, Ariyaratne, & Dissanayake, 2021. The interrelationship between meteorological parameters and leptospirosis incidence in Hambantota district, Sri Lanka 2008-2017 and practical implications. PLoS One. Jan 22;16(1):e0245366. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7822256/
Schneider et al., 2017. The Use of Chemoprophylaxis after Floods to Reduce the Occurrence and Impact of Leptospirosis Outbreaks. Int J Environ Res Public Health. Jun 3;14(6):594. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5486280/
Teixeira MZ, 2014. Isoprophylaxis is neither homeoprophylaxis nor homeopathic immunization, but isopathic immunization unsupported by the homeopathic epistemological model: a response to Golden. Int J High Dilution Res. 13(46):54-82. Available from: http://highdilution.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/707
Esakandari et al., 2020. A comprehensive review of COVID-19 characteristics. Biol Proced Online. Aug 4;22:19. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402395/
Gosik et al., 2021. Medicines for the new coronavirus in the view of Classical Systemic Homeopathy. Complement Ther Clin Pract. Nov;45:101482. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8433054/
ANVISA, Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária Instrução Normativa - IN no 27, de 25 de julho de 2018. Available from: https://antigo.anvisa.gov.br/documents/10181/4696813/IN_27_2018_.pdf/09afe081-b7f5-496d-a8bb-ff8076940e00
Teixeira MZ, 2020. Clinical research protocol to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of individualized homeopathic medicine in the treatment and prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic. Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). Apr;66(4):405-406. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342154334_Clinical_research_protocol_to_evaluate_the_effectiveness_and_safety_of_individualized_homeopathic_medicine_in_the_treatment_and_prevention_of_the_COVID-19_epidemic
Arumugam et al., 2023. Antiviral Activity of Cinchona officinalis, a Homeopathic Medicine, against COVID-19. Homeopathy. Sep 6. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373718617_Antiviral_Activity_of_Cinchona_officinalis_a_Homeopathic_Medicine_against_COVID-19
Mahesh et al., 2023. COVID-19 cases treated with classical homeopathy: a retrospective analysis of International Academy of Classical Homeopathy database. Journal of Global Health Reports. Vol.,7:e2023027. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371454971_COVID-19_cases_treated_with_classical_homeopathy_a_retrospective_analysis_of_International_Academy_of_Classical_Homeopathy_database
Mahesh S, Mahesh M, Vithoulkas G, 2018. Could Homeopathy Become An Alternative Therapy In Dengue Fever? An example Of 10 Case Studies. J Med Life. Jan-Mar;11(1):75-82. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5909950/