Chronic Sinusitis ~ a Clinical Study

Homeopathic treatment of patients with chronic sinusitis:
A prospective observational study with 8 years follow-up!

Background:
An evaluation of Homeopathic treatment and the outcomes in patients suffering from sinusitis for ≥12 weeks in a usual care situation.

Results:
The study included 134 adults (mean age 39.8 ± 10.4 years, 76.1% women), treated by 62 physicians. Patients had suffered from chronic sinusitis for 10.7 ± 9.8 years. Almost all patients (97.0%) had previously been treated with conventional medicine. For sinusitis, effect size (effect divided by standard deviation at baseline) of complaint severity was 1.58 (95% CI 1.77; 1.40), 2.15 (2.38; 1.92), and 2.43 (2.68; 2.18) at 3, 12, and 24 months respectively. QoL improved accordingly, with SF-36 changes in physical component score 0.27 (0.15; 0.39), 0.35 (0.19; 0.52), 0.44 (0.23; 0.65) and mental component score 0.66 (0.49; 0.84), 0.71 (0.50; 0.92), 0.65 (0.39; 0.92), 0.74 (0.49; 1.00) at these points. The effects were still present after 8 years with SF-36 physical component score 0.38 (0.10; 0.65) and mental component score 0.74 (0.49; 1.00).

Conclusion:
This observational study showed relevant improvements that persisted for 8 years in patients seeking Homeopathic treatment because of sinusitis.

Source: Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Centre, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. Karl and Veronica Carstens-Foundation, Am Deimelsberg 36, D-45276 Essen, Germany.
Published by: BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders 2009, 9:7doi:10.1186/1472-6815-9-7

How would you estimate your sensitivity to homeopathic remedies in general?

Protocol for a phase 1 Homeopathic drug proving trial

By: Michael Teut, Ute Hirschberg, Rainer Luedtke, Cristoph Schnegg, Joern Dahler1, Henning Albrecht,C laudia M Witt. (Teut et al. Trials 2010).

Source: Teut et al. Protocol for a phase 1 homeopathic drug
proving trial. Trials 2010 11:80.


Abstract

Background: This study protocol adapts the traditional homeopathic drug proving methodology to a modern clinical trial design.

Discussion: Homeopathic drug proving trials using the terminology of clinical trials according GCP and fulfilling current requirements for research under the current drug regulations is feasible. However, within the current regulations, homeopathic drug proving trials are classified as phase 1 trials, although their aim is not to explore the safety and pharmacological dynamics of the drug, but rather to find clinical indications according to the theory of homeopathy. To avoid bias, it is necessary that neither the subjects nor the investigators know the identity of the drug. This requires a modification to the informed consent process and blinded study materials. Because it is impossible to distinguish between adverse events and proving symptoms, both must be documented together.

Methods

Study design: The homeopathic drug proving trial is to be conducted as a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled phase 1 trial. Subjects and investigators are not only blinded to the group allocation process but also to the identity of the drug.

Subjects: Volunteer medical students or medical doctors are invited to take part in the trial by their investigators via
email or phone. Subjects can be included if they fulfil the following
criteria: Medical doctors or medical students, over 18 years of age, who are not being treated for any acute or chronic diseases on the day of inclusion, plus written
informed consent.

Investigators: The investigators are homeopathic medical doctors with knowledge of HDP and who have at least three years practical experience in homeopathic therapy.

Questions to subject:
A) "How would you estimate your sensitivity to homeopathic remedies in general?" - possible answers: strong reaction/reaction/slight reaction/no reaction;
B) "How do you expect to react to the homeopathic drug?" - answers: a very high number of symptoms/many symptoms/low number of symptoms/no symptoms.

Questions to investigators:
A) “How would you estimate your subject’s sensitivity to homeopathic remedies in general?”
B) “What is your expectation about your subjects reaction to the homeopathic drug?”

After starting the trial, subjects are required to document daily any new or uncommon symptoms in a semistructured trial diary accessed through a secure internet connection. It will provide a head-to-feet structure to be filled in with free text. Every third day each subject will be contacted by phone by his or her investigator. This optimizes the homeopathic quality of documentation,which is considered crucial.

Qualitative analysis: In the homeopathic community there is no consensus to date on how to qualitatively analyse the trial data which consists of large bodies of text. Criteria defining proving symptoms exist, but it is unclear how to analyse them and how reliable these criteria are.
In this paper we suggest the use of content analysis, according to Mayring, to analyse the texts, because it fulfils five basic criteria:
1. the opportunity to categorise, 2. a combination of fixed and open categorisation, 3. the applicability to the homeopathic terminology, 4. the possibility to use software and 5. the possibility to reproduce the analysis.
However, this method is used for homeopathic purposes and it is unclear whether the chosen methodology will be fully suitable.
Indeed, this is a very crucial point: The qualitative analysis is necessary following any quantitative analysis. If it fails, all statistical results (including p-values), are potentially biased.
Therefore, we will test for reliability of the coding of the primary outcome parameter characteristic proving symptoms, which will be performed independently by two experienced homeopaths. Therefore the results are also dependent on the experience of the coding raters.

To optimally fulfil homeopathic criteria according to Hahnemanns Organon (§143), we will use characteristic proving symptoms as the primary outcome parameter.
We feel that this aligns with the homeopathic philosophy of emphasizing the superior role of individualistic and peculiar symptoms.

Source: Teut et al. Protocol for a phase 1 homeopathic drug
proving trial. Trials 2010 11:80.

Image by: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

Another Inspiring Homeopathy Project

The vision of Ghana Homeopathy Project
Source: www.ghanahomeopathy.org

"Our vision is the establishment of homeopathy as a recognised part of the health care system in Africa and Ghana in particular. Our charity's main objective is the relief and prevention of disease working closely with local community developments and initiatives. Further, we support the development of homeopathic education and vocational training facilities together with local partners, in conjunction with established health workers and local practices. Our vision extends to make homeopathy available to deprived communities as a valid and affordable form of treatment and to initiate health education."

"At the clinic we work as a team of three including Christopher and Gideon. We take cases and reptertoirize together and then move to the Materia Medica to make sure the remedy selection is good for the patient. We keep the clinic open twenty four hours without any break and sometimes work at midnight during emergencies." - Emperor

All the best to Ghana Homeopathy Project!

Nobel Prize winner reports...

Source: www.homeopathyeurope.org

Nobel Prize winner reports effects of homeopathic dilutions.

In a recent study Professor Luc Montagnier, a French virologist who co-discovered HIV and who won the Nobel Prize in 2008, and his team report the results of a series of rigorous experiments investigating the electromagnetic properties of highly-diluted biological samples.

The study demonstrates that some bacterial DNA sequences are able to induce electromagnetic waves at high aqueous dilutions.

To read this NEWS, log on to:
http://www.homeopathyeurope.org/nobel-prize-winner-reports-effects-of-homeopathic-dilutions

All the best,
Iman

University College London Hospitals: Homeopathy - Women's Clinic

Report from the clinic:

Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital Women’s Clinic, staffed exclusively by women doctors, was started by Dr Tessa Katz and Dr Ros McGregor in June 1993. It began in response to a need for a womancentred space for dealing with gynaecological and related disorders.


The Women’s Clinic aims to provide an empathetic space for women to discuss an integrated approach to treatment of gynaecological and related disorders and to treat these problems effectively and safely with homeopathic remedies.


The clinic has dealt successfully with a wide range of problems including:
* Cystitis
* Endometriosis
* Fibroids/ovarian cysts
* Infertility
* Menopausal symptoms
* Menstrual problems
* Pregnancy-related symptoms
* Pre-menstrual symptoms
* Thrush
* Psycho sexual problems including sexual abuse Treatment

Homeopathic remedies are used within the clinics and patients may also be referred for other services within the hospital such as dietary advice and autogenic training (a form of stress management therapy).

Success rate:

This varies with the disorders treated, but approximately 70% of our patients feel a definite improvement, 25% have some improvement of their symptoms and only 5% do not seem to respond to homeopathic treatment.
Usually a response is noticeable after the first or second consultation. When it is advisable to remain on conventional treatment, homeopathic remedies can be used alongside other forms of treatment.

Amazing!

College of Homeopaths of Ontario

Homeopathic Medical Association of Canada is pleased to announce that the "Government of Ontario, Ministry of Health and Long Term care" has announced the appointment of the Transitional Council of the College of Homeopaths of Ontario. Members have been appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

The newly appointed Council will have three years to complete its work. The role of the Council is to develop standards, entry to practice requirements etc. for continuing competence among members.

A total number of 16 public and professional members ( i.e. 7 public members and 9 professional members) to the Transitional Council. The Homeopathic Medical Association of Canada and HMECC Inc. are proud to announce that two of these professional members are Founder/life members of our proud organizations.

Homeopathic Medical Association of Canada and HMECC Inc. has been actively involved in advocating for the regulation of Homeopathy by conducting Student's educational programs, International Homeopathic Conferences and various public awareness and Professional Seminars for professionals as well as the public. We would continue to work with the Transitional Council to ensure that the highest standards of education and practice are established for our profession.

We feel the pleasure to congratulate all the newly appointed members of Transitional Council of College of Homeopaths of Ontario.

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Announcement

Dear Colleagues,

I, Iman Pour Navab, would like to inform you that I have been voted as Secretary of the Homeopathic Medical Association of Canada (H.M.A.C.) on July 26 of 2009. I wish to thank all professional members and the board of directors who appointed me for this position. I will do my best to serve the members.

NEWS - Transitional Council of College of Homeopathic

Government of Ontario have today made announcement of appointment of Registrar of the Transitional Council of College of Homeopathic. Basil Ziv who has been appointed as new Registrar is best known as a homeopathic practitioner and educator. The Registrar is the chief administrative officer of the College. During the transitional period, the Registrar will support the transitional Council in all its work, including developing and implementing policies, by-laws and regulations that will govern the practice of the health profession. The Registrar is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the College and has statutory duties under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. We may therefore now get ready as the Regulatory procedure is going to be initated soon by the Government of Ontario.

Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara

At the age of 97 years and 4 months, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world's longest-serving physicians and educators. Hinohara's magic touch is legendary: Since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke's College of Nursing. After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation's top medical facility and nursing school. Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations. Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one "Living Long, Living Good" that has sold more than 1.2 million copies. As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

Here are few highlights of what Dr. Hinohara says:

* Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

* Always plan ahead. My schedule book is already full until 2014, with lectures and my usual hospital work. In 2016 I'll have some fun, though: I plan to attend the Tokyo Olympics!

* When a doctor recommends you take a test or have some surgery, ask whether the doctor would suggest that his or her spouse or children go through such a procedure. Contrary to popular belief, doctors can't cure everyone. So why cause unnecessary pain with surgery I think music and animal therapy can help more than most doctors imagine.

Amazing Human Ovulation!

Gynecologist Dr Jacques Donnez spotted a human egg emerging from the ovary a 45-year-old Belgian woman and filmed the whole process. It is the first time a human ovulation has been recorded in detail and Dr Jacques Donnez saw it in progress during a routine hysterectomy operation.

Human eggs are produced by follicles, fluid-filled sacs on the side of the ovary, which, around the time of ovulation, produce a reddish protrusion.

The egg comes from the end of this, surrounded by a jelly-like substance containing cells.

The egg itself is only the size of a full-stop, and the whole ovary, which contains many immature eggs, just a couple of inches long.

Great great great grandson of Dr. Hahnemann

Reported by: Trevor Cook

It is with great sadness we report that Mr. William Tankard-Hahnemann passed away peacefully at his home in Crowborough, East Sussex on 12th January 2009, his 87th birthday. (1922-2009)

As a young boy, Mr. Hahnemann remembered his mother telling him of her visits to 'Uncle Leo' at Ventnor, Isle of Wight. He later knew that he was Dr. Leopold SussHahnernann, Dr Samuel Hahnemann's grandson, the only son of his favourite daughter, Amelie (1789-1881). Dr. Suss-Hahnemann was the only member of the Hahnemann family to be present at Samuel Hahnemann's funeral, apart from Hahnemann's second wife Melanie, in Paris in 1843 and at his subsequent re-burial in the Peré Lachaise Cemetry in east Paris. Subsequently Leopold emigrated to England, when he practised homeopathy in London. He retired to the Isle of Wight and died there at the outbreak of World War I in 1914.

Dr Leopold Suss-Hahnemann's youngest daughter, Amalia had two children, Winifred (born in 1898) and Herbert. William Herbert Tankard-Hahnemann was Winifred's son.
In October 2008, William Tankard-Hahnemann stood down as patron owing to ill health. He was succeeded by his son, Charles Tankard- Hahnemann. Charles visited Singapore, accompanied by his wife Bron, last October to present British Institute certificates and prizes at an Award Ceremony organised by the Singapore Faculty of Homeopathy, and opened three free homeopathic clinics on Temple sites.

The condolences of the entire homeopathic community go to William's wife, Beth (sadly it would have been their 60th wedding anniversary next month), and the Hahnemann family. We offer our respect and gratitude for his incalculable contribution to the progress of Samuel Hahnemann's Healing Art over the past 22 years.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia !!!

By: Brian Kirschner

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia will celebrate the 188th anniversary of its founding on Feb. 19, 2009, with a number of events, including an honorary degree to be bestowed upon John A. (Jack) Borneman, III, P’52, RPh, alumnus, and chairman, founder and past president of the Homœopathic Pharmacopœia Convention of the United States. Founders' Day recalls the University's establishment on Feb. 23, 1821, by 68 prominent Philadelphia apothecaries.

At 2 p.m., a full processional in the AstraZeneca Auditorium of the McNeil Science and Technology Center will mark the start of an official ceremony that will award Borneman with an honorary doctorate of science degree for his “entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in the homeopathic medicine industry and continued dedication to innovation and excellence.” To further mark the occasion, University President Dr. Philip P. Gerbino will announce two awards recognizing a current student and faculty member who represent the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the University’s founders, and who have engaged in research or some form of scholarly pursuit that results in new developments or discoveries.

“Founder’s Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate our legacy and the growth of University of the Sciences. The University has a rich and long-standing tradition of producing leaders who have shaped new dimensions of professionalism, pharmacy, and healthcare,” said Dr. Gerbino. “Jack Borneman is among those leaders. Jack has been at the forefront of standards and change for homeopathy, creating a foundation from which future generations of homeopaths can continue to build upon.”

Borneman has spent his lifetime committed to the development and regulation of homeopathic medicine within the United States. He is the third of four generations of “John Bornemans” to attend the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Upon graduation, Borneman joined the firm of John A. Borneman and Sons, Homœopathic Pharmacists, begun by his grandfather in 1907. In 1980, Borneman was a founding director of the newly incorporated Homœeopathic Pharmacopœia Convention of the United States (HPCUS), and in 1983, he was elected the second president of the organization. In the course of his 25 years as president, his leadership evolved HPCUS into a respected international body of scientists and experts consulted by governments world-wide as the leader in homeopathic regulation. His work has led to the wide availability of standardized, high-quality medications to the general public. In Aug. 2008, Borneman assumed the role of HPCUS chairman of the board, where he continues to be a gentle guiding force in a rapidly growing industry. He continues to lecture on homeopathy to both pharmacy and physician assistant students at University of the Sciences, and maintains a practice in community pharmacy and patient care at Treatment Options Pharmacy in King of Prussia, Pa.

When the University was founded in the 19th century, the practice of pharmacy still relied heavily on centuries-old folk wisdom passed down from apothecary to apothecary. In 1821, 68 prominent Philadelphia apothecaries met in Carpenter's Hall to establish the basis for the improved scientific standards we enjoy today and to train more competent apprentices and students. They pledged “to invite a spirit of pharmaceutical investigation" and to guard the public from "the introduction of spurious, adulterated, deteriorated, or otherwise mischievous articles." A year later, they organized and incorporated the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy (PCP)—the first college of pharmacy in North America—now a part of University of the Sciences. The group ushered in a new era of the practice of pharmacy—the identification, selection, compounding, and analysis of drugs­—and laid the foundation for a legacy of future advances and discoveries.

AIDS and Homeopathy Project - NEWS!

by Robin Logan:

Amid controversy, well known British Homeopath, Jeremy Sherr, complete with wife and children, has recently left the Malvern Hills in the West of England, for Moshi in Tanzania, to, in his words, "get out there and cure as many people as possible". Sherr, with colleagues in several countries, spent 10 years attempting to raise funds for a Homeopathy and AIDS research project. While there is a lot of funding available for AIDS research, they found that the moment Homeopathy was mentioned, doors were slammed shut.

After much frustration with bureaucracy and hard work only to be followed by disappointments, Sherr decided to head off to Africa and start treating AIDS sufferers in the hope of collecting enough evidence to convince the skeptics and raise the profile of Homeopathy as a viable and affordable treatment for AIDS. He is under no illusions as to the enormity of that task however, and recent responses from Homeopathy's detractors are not for the feint hearted.

Over the last year skeptics in the medical and scientific establishment have become increasing vociferous. Homeopathy was once considered innocuous by most non-believers and Homeopaths on the whole were left alone. Now, what Sherr calls "The Pharmaceutical Inquisition" has been growing in intensity, and Sherr's 'journalfromafrica' blog has not escaped attention. Severe criticisms of his attitude to anti-retroviral drugs, his approach to clinical trials and even his suggestion that Homeopathy can be of any use at all, have resulted in him removing several entries from the blog, including those describing the aims of, and background to, the project and descriptions of some of the first AIDS cases treated.

Royal London Homeopathic Hospital

HRH Princess Alexandra, Patron of the Blackie Foundation Trust, a charity which funds research into homeopathy, paid an informal visit to the Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital in November where she met patients and staff and viewed the newly established Library and Information Service (CAMLIS).
Dr Margery Blackie was a consultant at the hospital for many years and her portrait looks down on the library. A special exhibition of Dr Blackie’s personal memorabilia was on view for the Princess which includes copies of Dr Blackie's best selling book The Patient, not the Cure translated into many languages.