Homeopathic Dermatological Research
Homeopathic medicine is a form of natural healing which supports the body's own innate healing mechanisms. The idea that homeopathic medicine treats the whole person makes common sense. But, the medical world revolves around scientific research. Is there any scientific evidence supporting the treatment of skin diseases with homeopathic medicine?
Yes! There has actually been a number of good clinical dermatological research studies published in the recent medical literature which support the successful treatment or prevention of diseases with skin manifestations with classical homeopathic medicine:
In a randomized, single-blind, placebo controlled trial, Mousavi, et al studied 100 patients with minor aphthous ulcers (canker sores). They were treated with either individualized homeopathic medicines or placebo. Patients received 2 doses 12 hours apart and were followed for up to 6 days. Pain intensity and ulcer size were recorded at the start, on day 4, and on day 6. Pain intensity and ulcer size was significantly improved in the homeopathically treated patients as compared to patients who received placebo (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were reported. The researchers concluded that homeopathic medicine is a safe and effective treatment for minor aphthous ulcers (canker sores). (Homeopathy. 2009:98;137-141.) Note: This is an important study, because no consistently effective conventional therapy is available for canker sores, which are frequently painful and troublesome.
In the study of eczema (dermatitis), there have been 6 clinical studies published. Rossi and colleagues studied 40 children with atopic dermatitis as part of an observational longitudinal study with a follow-up period of 8 years. The Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Score was used to evaluated the results that were classified on the basis of a Likert scale. The patients had begun homeopathic treatment of atopic dermatitis before the age of 5. 28 of the 40 patients (70%) had complete disappearance of atopic dermatitis. 12 of 40 (30%) were still affected by atopic dermatitis. The researchers suggested a positive therapeutic effect of homeopathic medicine in atopic children. Furthermore, the patients treated in this study with homeopathy seemed to show a reduced tendency to maintain atopic dermatitis and a reduced tendency to develop asthma and allergic rhinitis in adult age. (Rossi E, et al. Homeopathy. 2012: volume 101, pages 13-20.)
Eizayaga and Eizayaga evaluated 26 atopic dermatitis patients in a prospective observational study. They evaluated severity of eczema by Rajka and Langeland's score and a set of 4 Visual Analogue Scales evaluating eczema severity, itch, general and psychological well-being and quality of sleep. They found that the patients eczema showed significant improvement, both clinically and statistically. The researchers concluded that homeopathic medicine could be regarded as an effective choice for patients with atopic dermatitis. (Eizayaga JE, Eizayaga JI. Homeopathy. 2012: volume 101, pages 21-27.
Keil and colleagues from the Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics in Berlin, Germany studied 118 children suffering from atopic eczema. 54 children were treated with homeopathic medicine and 64 children were treated with conventional dermatology drugs. Both groups were followed for a period of 12 months. Children in both groups had their eczema symptoms improve. Disease-related quality of life improved equally in both groups. However, improvement of eczema as observed by physicians was significantly greater in the homeopathic group (Complement Ther Med. 2008: Feb; 16(1): 15-21.)
In Japan, Itamura and Hosoya studied 17 patients with intractable atopic dermatitis. These patients had previously failed conventional dermatological drug therapy. They were then treated with individualized homeopathic medical therapy, in addition to conventional dermatology therapy. The study's follow-up period was 6 to 31 months. The efficacy of homeopathic medicine was measured by objective assessments of the skin condition and the patients' own assessments, using a 9 point scale. 1 patient cleared completely, 7 patients partially cleared (=80% better), and 9 patients partially cleared (=50% better). Importantly, 5 of 17 patients (29%) were able to stop the use of topical steroid ointments. (Itamura R, Hosoya R. Homeopathy. 2003: 92; 108-114.)
In an observational study, Witt and colleagues studied 225 children with atopic eczema. The children were treated with homeopathic medicine and were allowed to also use conventional dermatology drugs. They were followed for 24 months. The severity of eczema in these patients improved and the changes in severity assessment were of large effect size. Reductions in the use of conventional dermatology drugs were observed. (Witt CM, et.al. Acta Dermato Venereol. 2009: 89(2); 182-183.)
In 2011, Dr. Signore's office published a case series of 6 patients with atopic eczema and irritant contact eczema in the journal Cosmetic Dermatology (September, 2011: Volume 24, Number 9, pages 420-425. Available at: www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/files/Signore.pdf). We found that homeopathic remedies were helpful in the treatment of eczema. We also found that irritant contact eczema responds more quickly to homeopathic remedies than atopic eczema. Two of the six patients also experienced improvement in other seemingly unrelated medical conditions, such as constipation, asthma, joint pain, and emotional issues including anxiety and guilt. Finally, homeopathic treatment of eczema was helpful in reducing the use of topical steroids.
In 2007, Bracho and colleagues performed what probably represents the largest study of homeopathic prevention of an epidemic in modern medical history. They intervened in a dangerous Leptospirosis epidemic in Cuba. (Leptospirosis is an serious infectious disease caused by bacteria. It begins with a sudden onset fever and flu-like symptoms. Patients may get a maculopapular rash, hives, and hemorrhagic skin lesions, as well as conjunctivitis and jaundice. Leptospirosis patients can die from kidney failure, meningitis, and liver involvement.)
Bracho and colleagues gave preventative oral homeopathic medicine to over 2 million Cuban citizens (2,112,257 individuals) at high risk in a Leptospirosis epidemic in 2007. They found that there was a significant decrease in the incidence of Leptospirosis in the group which received preventative homeopathic medicine. In fact, the incidence of Leptospirosis actually fell below the historical average in the homeopathically treated group. No such decrease was seen in the untreated group. However, one criticism of this study is that there was no control group in the intervention cohort. Cases of Leptospirosis were confirmed by serum antibody detection at Cuba's National Surveillance Program for zoonotic diseases of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba.
The researchers concluded that administration of homeopathic Leptospirosis prophylaxis was associated with a large reduction in the disease incidence and resulted in control of the Leptospirosis epidemic. If the results of this large study can be replicated by other researchers, then this would suggest that homeopathic medicine could be a feasible tool for control of epidemics, especially in developing countries which cannot manufacture enough preventative vaccines. Advantages would include low cost and quick manufacture time. (Bracho G, et al. Homeopathy: 2010; 99, 156-166.)
In a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial, Cavalcanti and colleagues studied the effect of homeopathic treatment on itching of hemodialysis patients. Kidney failure patients undergoing dialysis treatment often have severe itching, which is difficult to control. The researchers assessed the role of individualized homeopathic treatment in this situation. Itching was evaluated using a previously published scale. Patients were classified as responders if they had greater than 50% reduction of itching. 20 patients were analyzed. Reduction of itching was statistically significant at every point of observatiion (Homeopathy. 2003: 92, 177-181.)
Witt and colleagues published a prospective multicenter observational study of 82 psoriasis patients with 2 year follow-up. Patients were treated with homeopathic medicine and also allowed to use conventional drugs. The researchers found that the severity of psoriasis improved. Patients were able to reduce the amounts of conventional drugs used. The severity of co-morbid diseases improved and the quality of life also improved. The utilization of health services decreased markedly. (Witt CM, et.al. JEADV. 2009: 23; 538-543.)
Mousavi and colleagues studied the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedy, Ignatia 30C in the treatment of oral lichen planus, a painful inflammatory dermatological disease. In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 30 consecutive patients with oral lichen planus were randomized into two groups: one group received homeopathic Ignatia and the other group received placebo. The patients were treated for 4 months. The results showed that the size of the oral sores decreased significantly in favor of the homeopathic Ignatia treated patients. Also, the average pain was significantly lower in the homeopathic Ignatia group. The researchers concluded homeopathic Ignatia has a beneficial effect in the treatment of oral lichen planus in selected patients. (Mousavi F, et.al. Homeopathy. 2009: 98, 40-44.)
Pommier, et.al. published a phase III single-blind randomized comparison trial of homeopathic calendula ointment versus trolamine ointment in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in women undergoing post-operative radiation treatment for breast cancer. The researchers studied 254 patients. They found that the occurrence of acute radiation dermatitis (grade 2 or higher) was significantly lower. (J Clin Oncol. 2004: 1447-1453.)
In an animal model study, de Paula Coelho and colleagues evaluated the homeopathic remedy Dolichos pruriens in the treatment of heat-induced itching in laboratory rats. The researchers found that in this blinded study, homeopathic Dolichos pruriens significantly demonstrated therapeutic effects in the inhibition of itching. The homeopathic remedy had no adverse effects. It is possible that the homeopathic remedy Dolichos pruriens could potentially be useful in humans with generalized itching without an eruption (e.g. "itching of unknown origin"). (de Paula Coelho C, et.al. Homeopathy. 2006: 95(3); 136-143.)