Homeopathy in Rheumatoid Arthritis – an evaluation by double-blind clinical trial

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 0.8% of the population globally despite the application of various hazardous allopathic drugs such as steroids and immunosuppressants. While reviewing homeopathic literature, out of many, two research studies of Gibson et al. (Br. Jr. Pharm.1979, BHJ 1980) are interesting.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of homeopathic medicines alone (group A) on RA whose effects were compared with homeopathic medicine administered along with methotoxin (group B), where allopathic medicines could not be stopped because of pain on withdrawal.

Methods: Patients in group A were divided into two sub-groups: patients with peculiar as well as mental symptoms (good prescribing symptoms, GP) were prescribed constitutional medicines and patients with few symptoms (poor prescribing symptoms, PP) were prescribed location-specific drugs. The progress of the patients was evaluated by patients' self-assessment and other parameters like duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, digital joint circumference, demonstration of subcutaneous nodules, RF test, ESR & radiographic findings. The parameters were measured at the first consultation and at the end of a 6-month period and were statistically analysed.

Results: Constitutional medicine, location-specific remedies & mixed treatment showed 64%, 30%, 16% improvement respectively. Constitutional medicines showing marked improvement are Med., Syph., Phos., Rhod., Bry., Kali-i., Caust., Morg-gart., Morg-pure., Syc-co., Bac.7, Bac.10. Medicines found to be effective for PP, i.e. location-specific were found to be interesting, e.g. Knee, right: Jacaranda, Physo, -left: Arge.mexi, Helianth., – Scapula right: Chen-anthel., Jug-c., -left: Chen-glauc., Onos., – Shoulder right: Icth., -left: Aspar., – Elbow: Ol-j., – Finger: Pip-m., Manc., – Hip: Tongo, – Ankle: Euony., Wrist: Propyl., – Heel: Arist., – Toe: Daphne.

Conclusion: There was significant improvement in subjective pain, articular index, stiffness & grip strength in those patients receiving constitutional homeopathic remedies and Organopathic remedies compared to those who were administered homeopathic medicines along with allopathic medicines. Patients who received constitutional medicines proved to do better than patients who took Organopathic medicines.

Keywords:

Constitutional medicine, location-specific remedies.

Schlüsselwörter:

Konstitutionsmittel, lokalspezifische Mittel.

Korrespondierender Autor: Prof. L. K. Nanda, Incharge O.P.D. for Arthritis, Dr. A.C. Govt Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Bhubaneswar - 751001 India

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