Homeopathy 2018; 107(03): 181-188
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649521
Review Article
The Faculty of Homeopathy

Phase-Transition-Induced Pattern Formation Applied to Basic Research on Homeopathy: A Systematic Review

Maria Olga Kokornaczyk
1   Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland
2   International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects (GIRI), Dornach, Switzerland
,
Claudia Scherr
1   Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland
,
Natalia Borisovna Bodrova
2   International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects (GIRI), Dornach, Switzerland
,
Stephan Baumgartner
1   Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Arlesheim, Switzerland
2   International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects (GIRI), Dornach, Switzerland
3   Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Funding The study was funded by institutional sources only.
Further Information

Publication History

22 January 2018

26 March 2018

Publication Date:
16 May 2018 (online)

Abstract

Background Methods based on phase-transition-induced pattern formation (PTPF) are increasingly used in medical research. Frequent application fields are medical diagnosis and basic research in homeopathy. Here, we present a systematic review of experimental studies concerning PTPF-based methods applied to homeopathy research. We also aimed at categorizing the PTPF methods included in this review.

Materials and Methods Experimental studies were collected from scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Russian eLibrary) and from experts in the research field in question, following the PRISMA guidelines. The studies were rated according to pre-defined scientific criteria.

Results The review included 15 experimental studies. We identified seven different PTPF methods applied in 12 experimental models. Among these methods, phase-transition was triggered through evaporation, freezing, or solution, and in most cases led to the formation of crystals. First experimental studies concerning the application of PTPF methods in homeopathic research were performed in the first half of the 20th century; however, they were not continued in the following years. Only in the last decade, different research groups re-launched the idea, introducing new experimental approaches and computerized pattern evaluation techniques. The here-identified PTPF methods are for the first time proposed to be classified as one group of methods based on the same basic physical phenomenon.

Conclusions Although the number of experimental studies in the area is still rather limited, the long tradition in the application of PTPF methods and the dynamics of the present developments point out the high potential of these methods and indicate that they might meet the demand for scientific methods to study potentized preparations.

Highlights

• Pattern formation induced by phase-transition is a self-organization process yielding a fascinating variety of forms.


• Research successfully applied pattern forming processes to identify specific effects of potentized preparations.


• In this review, we identified several different pattern-forming methods applied in 12 models.


• Pattern formation was induced by evaporation, freezing, or solution.


• Recent developments point at a high scientific potential of this synthetic approach.


 
  • References

  • 1 Kokornaczyk MO, Dinelli G, Marotti I, Benedettelli S, Nani D, Betti L. Self-organized crystallization patterns from evaporating droplets of common wheat grain leakages as a potential tool for quality analysis. Sci World J 2011; 11: 1712-1725
  • 2 Kokornaczyk MO, Dinelli G, Betti L. Approximate bilateral symmetry in evaporation-induced polycrystalline structures from droplets of wheat grain leakages and fluctuating asymmetry as quality indicator. Naturwissenschaften 2013; 100: 111-115
  • 3 Huber M, Andersen J, Kahl J. , et al. Standardization and validation of the visual evaluation of biocrystallisations. Biol Agric Hortic 2010; 27: 25-40
  • 4 Pfeiffer E. Sensitive Crystallization Processes: A Demonstration of Formative Forces in the Blood. 1st ed. Milton Keynes, UK: Anthroposophic Press; 1975
  • 5 Baumgartner S, Doesburg P, Scherr C, Andersen JO. Development of a biocrystallisation assay for examining effects of homeopathic preparations using cress seedlings. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 2012: 125945
  • 6 Kokornaczyk MO, Trebbi G, Dinelli G. , et al. Droplet evaporation method as a new potential approach for highlighting the effectiveness of ultra high dilutions. Complement Ther Med 2014; 22: 333-340
  • 7 Kokornaczyk MO, Baumgartner S, Betti L. Preliminary study on force-like effects between As45x, water, and wheat seeds performed by means of the droplet evaporation method. Int J of High Dilution Res 2015; 14: 17-19
  • 8 Kokornaczyk MO, Baumgartner S, Betti L. Polycrystalline structures formed in evaporating droplets as a parameter to test the action of Zincum metallicum 30c in a wheat seed model. Homeopathy 2016; 105: 173-179
  • 9 Betti L, Trebbi G, Kokornaczyk MO. , et al. Number of succussion strokes affects effectiveness of ultra-high-diluted arsenic on in vitro wheat germination and polycrystalline structures obtained by droplet evaporation method. Homeopathy 2017; 106: 47-54
  • 10 Chen R, Zhang L, Zang D, Shen W. Blood drop patterns: formation and applications. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2016; 231: 1-14
  • 11 Silva LR, Gouveia AF, de Fátima CJ. , et al. Tear ferning test in horses and its correlation with ocular surface evaluation. Vet Ophthalmol 2016; 19: 117-123
  • 12 Luño V, Gil L, Jerez RA, Malo C, Galé I, de Blas I. Crystallisation pattern of vestibular mucus and its relation to vestibular electrical resistance in cycling sow. Vet Rec 2012; 171: 298
  • 13 Busscher N, Kahl J, Ploeger A. From needles to pattern in food quality determination. J Sci Food Agric 2014; 94: 2578-2581
  • 14 Selawry A. Nachweis von Goldpotenz-Wirkungen im Kristallisationstest. Acta Homeopathica 1970; 14: 200-215
  • 15 Selawry A. Nachweis von Metall-Potenz Wirkungen auf keimende Samen. Samenkeimung und Metallpotenzen im Kristallisationstest. 1st ed. Darmstadt, Germany: Forschungsring für biologisch-dynamische Wirtschaftsweise; 1975
  • 16 Selawry A. Nachweis von Silber- und Blei-Potenz-Wirkungen im Kristallisationstest. Zschr Klass Homoeop 1968; 12: 134-139
  • 17 Pfeiffer E. Kristalle: Berichte aus den Arbeiten des Naturwissenschaftlichen Forschungs-Laboratoriums am Goetheanum. 1st ed. Switzerland: 1930
  • 18 Kokornaczyk MO, Baumgartner S. Review of crystallization processes applied for diagnosis and homeopathic research. Int J High Dilution Res 2016; 15: 30-31
  • 19 Majewsky V, Arlt S, Shah D. , et al. Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with healthy plants. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 228-243
  • 20 Jäger T, Scherr C, Shah D. , et al. Use of homeopathic preparations in experimental studies with abiotically stressed plants. Homeopathy 2011; 100: 275-287
  • 21 Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V. , et al. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 244-266
  • 22 Elia V, Ausanio G, Gentile F, Germano R, Napoli E, Niccoli M. Experimental evidence of stable water nanostructures in extremely dilute solutions, at standard pressure and temperature. Homeopathy 2014; 103: 44-50
  • 23 Ganesan T, Ravi D, Vasavan J, Khurana A, Nayak D, Periandavan K. Homoeopathic preparation of Berberis vulgaris as an inhibitor of Calcium oxalate crystallization: an in vitro evidence. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2015; 9: 152-157
  • 24 Yi-Chu H, Yong-Shang L, Po-Yuan C. A study of water crystal growing based on dilution and succussion theory of homeopathy. Appl Mech Mater 2014; 607: 61-64
  • 25 Lo SY. Anomalous state of ice. Mod Phys Lett B 1996; 10: 909-919
  • 26 Lo SY, Geng X, Gann D. Evidence for the existence of stable-water-clusters at room temperature and normal pressure. Phys Lett A 2009; 373: 3872-3876
  • 27 Lopes R, Betrouni N. Fractal and multifractal analysis: a review. Med Image Anal 2009; 13: 634-649
  • 28 Bernardi R, Cakici R, Elliott D. , et al. Automatic description generation from images: a survey of models, datasets, and evaluation measures. J Artif Intell Res 2016; 55: 409-442