This document discusses research in homeopathy, including priority areas, objectives, types, and the current scenario. It emphasizes that research is needed to establish homeopathy's theoretical constructs scientifically and address doubts about its material existence, proof, recognition, and mode of action. Priority areas include basic research, drug safety and quality, human pathogenetic trials, clinical research, drug development and standardization. Research requires dedicated teams, funding, literature reviews, technical skills, publications, and an open approach. The document outlines India's homeopathic research infrastructure and funding.

1. Guided By : Prof. V. Guruprasad
HOD, Department of Repertory & Case Taking
GHMC, Bengaluru
Presented by : Dr Deepti Dewan
Post Graduate Trainee
Department of Repertory & Case Taking

3. The need of hour is research
oriented awareness

4. There is a researcher and scientist in
everyone of us.
We must be open minded and “active
contributor” to the development of
science.
We must use every possible resource to
explore new things and make
Homoeopathy an acceptable and
accessible science to all.

5. WHY THERE IS NEED
FOR RESEARCH IN
HOMOEOPATHY?

6. • Homœopathy as a science evolved from a foundation of
theoretical concepts.
• The scientists today have taken up the challenge to work upon
and establish these theoretical constructs on scientific lines.
• Safety and Efficacy studies are an important component of
research in Homœopathy.
• For the past 200 years and more our system comes under the
doubt regarding :
Material existence
Proof
Recognition
“Modus operandi” of Homoeopathy

7. • The main aim of research is to look into the
matter in a scientific and “rational” attitude
and the conclusions and benefits must be used
for the development of skills, clinical
practices, repositories and growth.
• We have been “in fashion” of research since
inception of Homoeopathy by Hahnemann
who himself “re-searched” into the history to
prove the theory he discovered.

8. OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH
 The purpose of research is to discover answers
through the application of scientific procedures.
 Until and unless we are not clear about our objectives
we cannot lead to a fruitful finding.

9. To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new
insights into it (Exploratory or Formulative Research).
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group (Descriptive Research), i.e.,
drug pictures, disease pictures, individualized case studies,
research regarding group studies.
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or
with which it is associated with something else (Diagnostic
Research), i.e. action of various remedies in specific conditions
and vice versa.
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables
(Hypothesis-Testing Research), i.e. clinical trials of (new or
old) drugs on conditions which were not appeared in drug
proving but were observed in therapeutics, for e.g. action of
certain remedies on cancer.

10. PRIORITY AREAS OF
RESEARCH IN
HOMOEOPATHY

11. A research question is generated out of choice, interest,
observation and uncertainty and there are many areas in
homeopathy where we should venture on a priority basis, in
order to attain quality documentation of reliable evidence.
Priority areas serve as a guide for researchers and funding
agencies.
The aim of prioritization is to promote innovative proposals to
stimulate increased quality, visibility or availability of research
at a national, regional or international level.
The “priority” depends upon many factors which may range
from available resources, the applicability of research, health
care needs, expertise, etc.

12. BASIC/FUNDAMENTAL
RESEARCH

13. • Homoeopathy has been able to spark few scientific minds to
explore the plausibility of action and nature of high dilutions
in vitro and in vivo experimentation using valid models.
• The mechanism of action of homoeopathy has been the
subject of basic research experiments carried out by
biologists, physicists, and chemists.
• The fundamental research currently is aimed at on effects of
homoeopathic preparations in bioassays as well as research
on physicochemical effects of the preparation process
(potentization).
• To improve our knowledge of Homoeopathy (the Similia
principle and specific preparation of remedies) and to
increase the understanding of the working mechanism of its
remedies, fundamental research is a prerequisite.
• HomBrex, comprehensive database of basic research in
Homoeopathy contains 2198 experiments published in 1645 original
articles.

14. SAFETY AND
QUALITY OF
MEDICINE

15. The efficacy and safety of homoeopathic drug largely depend
on their quality.
Failure to apply GMP may lead to major quality and safety
concerns such as misidentification, impurity of starting
material, cross-contamination, or incidental contamination.
To set gold standards to be followed in the preparation of
homoeopathic medicine and nosodes, homoeopathic medicines
may be subject to similar regulatory control applicable to
conventional pharmaceutical products, with some adaptations
to the particular requirements of homoeopathic medicines.
Researches have been done to standardize the method of
preparation of nosodes using modern technology and lay down
clear guidelines for the same.

16. HUMAN
PATHOGENETIC
TRIALS/DRUG
PROVING

17.  Drug proving techniques have been elaborated by Hahnemann
some 200 years ago and have been rectified and updated time to
time.
 In the recent times, the process and methodology of HPTs has
improved greatly. These are similar to phase I clinical research trials
in conventional medicine but with different and added objectives.
 Phase I trial is designed to reduce the risk of serious (drug) toxicity
and avoid confounding, pharmacologic and adverse effects;
whereas in Homoeopathy, in subphysiological/ultramolecular doses
of potentially toxic or pathogenic substances are commonly used on
healthy human beings to frame characteristic symptoms of drugs
for their clinical use in accordance with homoeopathic principles.
 Continuous research in testing new remedies and currently used
remedies must be done with uniform standard updated protocols.

18. Phases of Clinical Trial

19. CLINICAL
RESEARCH

20. • Clinical research is one of the growing activities in
Homoeopathy in the past few years.
• The concept of “Evidence based medicine” has evolved in
conjugation with clinical research.
• Collection of evidence and its analysis should follow a
carefully drawn protocol. Researcher must have an
adequate knowledge and skill to carry out an effective
research.
• These days, all clinical work being carried out in
Homeopathy is subject to evidence so that the outcome is
internationally accepted or published.
• To improve the standards of clinical trials in
Homoeopathy, it is necessary that research protocols with
well-defined rationale, robust research methodology
with a clear description of design, setting, participants,
outcomes, statistical analysis and ethical approvals are
published in the journal.

22. CLINICAL
VERIFICATION

23. To make clinical proving and research more
authentic and scientific, clinical verifications
are now carried at multicentric levels.
The symptoms are verified on the basis of
observations from the Drug proving, Clinical
proving & Prescribed symptoms.
This helps us to gain finer shades of remedies
in terms of ethnicities, climates, populations
etc.

24. Drug Validation

25. • Drug Validation studies in
Homoeopathy are symptom-specific.
• These studies need to be planned with
two key objectives: to validate the
effects of commonly used medicines in
specific disease conditions as well as
the reliability of prescribing symptoms
of identified medicines.

26. For example :
COUGH : Take all the common drugs prescribed for
the cough mainly polycrest remedies from the
Materia medica like Ars alb, Bryonia, Bell, Spongia,
Hep sulp etc.
Now, take the data of the patients from the clinics
who have given Bryonia for the cough. Further, note
down all the symptoms on the basis of which Bryonia
is prescribed and then match its symptomatology
with the symptoms given in the Materia medica
mainly from clinical Materia medica.

27. ECONOMIC
EVALUATION

28. Apart from safety, Homoeopathy has added the
advantage of cost-effectiveness for providing health
care at primary health-care level. Potential cost
savings are an important reason for individuals to opt
for Traditional and Complementary Medicine
Services.
Researchers should design an economic evaluation
study alongside an effectiveness study to assess the
potential to offer “value for money.” This will serve as
the strong basis for integration of Homoeopathy in
national healthcare.

29. DRUG DEVELOPMENT &
STANDARDIZATION

30. • The aim of drug standardization is to ensure quality, genuiness,
and authenticity of raw drugs and to evaluate the safety and
efficacy of drugs.
• Identification of shelf life of homeopathic medicines.
a. Shelf-life of mother tincture and mother solution in different
plastic containers vs glass containers.
b. Shelf life of Dilutions and medicated pills In different plastic
containers vs glass containers.
• Development of guidelines, checklists and implementation
strategies for standardization and quality assurance.
• To Identify the Efficacy of homeopathic medicines manufactured
using different potentisers.
• Identify the Efficacy of homeopathic medicines manufactured
using different techniques like Hahnemannian and Korsakovian
methods.

31. PHILOSOPHICAL
RESEARCH

32. • This is one of the areas of interest for historians and
many clinicians.
• These 200 years of evolution of Homoeopathy have
been in turmoil for such a vast concept. Evolution in
these years is really an area of interest for many.
• Hahnemannian writings, case studies, his mode of
living etc are now studied with in-depth scientific
attitude to extract finer information he applied.
• This will help us to present our concepts in more
audacious manner

33. AGRO-
HOMEOPATHY

34.  Studies related to enhancing plant growth and
productivity.
 Identification of indications & Treatment strategies
of medicines to be used in plant diseases.
 The inclusion of homeopathic preparations in
pharmacopoeia for their use in agricultural
industry.
 Development of plant models for basic research.
 Efficacy of judicious application of homeopathic
drugs in large scale forestry.

35. VETERINARY
HOMEOPATHY

36. • Disease related to decreased productivity in
animals.
• To enhance productivity and quality of life of farm
animals and fishes.
• Development of nosode(s) for prepreventing
infectious diseases.
• Homeopathy as a tool of animal welfare.
• Pain management in animals.
• Osteoarthritis and hip dysplacia management in
dogs.
• Urolith management in animals.

37. CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD RESEARCH

38. • A good research has some characteristics associated with it,
without these it is nothing but a bundle of papers on table.
• The purpose of the research should be clearly defined.
• The process which we are planning to adopt should be
detailed. To make the protocol scientific and unbiased high
ethical standards should be applied.
• If any limitations to the study are present they should be
clearly defined and accepted.
• Once data is collected its proper analysis should be done by
an expert, such as bio statistician. Logic is to be applied to
every possible test to validate the data collected and
conclusions reached.
• The outcomes of research should be presented with rationale
and truthfulness and once the analysis is properly done the
justified conclusions should be drawn from it and should be
published for other’s benefit

40. Classification of Types of
research in
Homoeopathy

41. Classification-1 Classification-2
 Evidence based
 Clinical verification and meta-analysis
 Fundamental research
 Drug based research
 Clinical trials
 Disease based research
 Historical, philosophical and literary
research
 Descriptive: as in description of drugs and
their Symptomatology
 Analytical: as in analysing already proved
drugs for new spheres of actions.
 Conceptual: as in making new treatment
concepts in different diseases.
 Empirical: research based on experience or
observations.
 Quantitative: as in drug standardization
 Qualitative: as in action of different potencies in
different conditions
 Applied: as in application of remedies in
specific conditions.
 Fundamental: as in clinical proving, clinical
verifications and collaborative research
 Diagnostic: as in action of various remedies in
specific conditions and vice versa.

42. WHAT ELSE IS
NEEDED TO MAKE
IT VITAL?

43. • Research simply aims to make complex things easier and certain pre
requisites ingredients are needed to carry out a good research activity.
• Some of them are:
• A dedicated team of members comprising of hierarchy of officials for
specified task, e.g. Principal investigator, Research officer, Assistant
Research officer, Consultants, Specialists, Research fellows, technical
assistant etc.
• Institutional or clinical support: A good place is where one inspires to
work and make others work too. This gives them the authenticity of work
and support too.
• Research funding and grants Money.
• Review of literature and scientific methods: This part must be repeated
before and after every research activity several times, as it gives us the
insight of what has been achieved or can be undertaken. Review must be
done by panel of experts in a proper manner. Team members should
analyse the reports, manuscripts, write ups and offer them to other
colleagues for judgemental and critical review. A manuscript thus
prepared will be free of bias.

44. • Scientific and technical awareness: This is one of the must for
all types of researches. In the era of technology and
communication we must be able to utilize the resources
available online and offline. We must be able to pen down the
vastness of research in simple and comprehensible manner.
• Publications: A good and published work is a dedication for
the upliftment of science. Words must be converted to
meaningful sentences to convey scientific work to masses.
• Reading habit: To keep oneself updated with the latest
research help us to gain new ideas, draw conclusions and
collect material for research articles. We should also nurture
habit of library reading and forming
• Electronic exposure: Now days everything is given online and
we must be efficient to search, utilize and contribute to
development of research

45. CURRENT SCENARIO
AND PRACTICES

46. There are some areas where we lack or being criticized and
dragged. Some of them may be:
• Avogadro’s theory and its relation to Homoeopathic
preparations
• Lack of “temper proof” scientific explanation of vital force or
dynamization theory • “Too much” philosophical explanation
of doctrines and principals of Homoeopathy (theoretical
research)
• Lack of large number of high quality clinical trials especially
double and triple blind RCTs.
• Reporting errors of studies done or being undertaken
• Lack of technical awareness and openness
• Publication bias

47. HOMOEOPATHIC
RESEARCH
SCENARIO IN INDIA

48. • Government of India constituted a Homœopathic
Research Committee in 1963, which identified ways
and means of proving homœopathic drugs as an
important research area
• The Central Council for Research in Homœopathy
(CCRH) is an apex organization under the Ministry
of AYUSH, Government of India for undertaking, co-
ordinating, developing, disseminating and
promoting research in Homœopathy on scientific
lines. It was established in 1978, with the following.

49. Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India gives fund
for the conduction of Research in field of AYUSH
under :
Central Sector Schemes : Extra – mural Research
Scheme, Promotion of International Co-operation in
AYUSH etc.
Central Sponsored Schemes : National AYUSH
Mission(NAM).

50.  Every well carried out, authentic research adds further validity and plausibility
to the system.
 To the new generation of homeopaths, it is important that research does not
remain an alien word with little understanding on the subject.
 It is important to know the meaning and purpose of scientific research to take
Homoeopathy to a coveted level in today’s science-oriented world.
 The current scientific advancement has made many studies possible.
 Research, however, is a complex area and requires interaction of knowledge of
Homœopathy, with an in-depth understanding of medicine, bio-technology,
physics, chemistry, nanotechnology and social sciences.
 However, it is important that we are aware of the research areas that need more
attention and the results of which would assure higher credibility for the
system in the field of medicine.
Take home message………..