Double-blind trial comparing the effectiveness of the homeopathic preparation Galphimia potentiation D6, Galphimia dilution 10(-6) and placebo on pollinosis.
The preparation of homeopathic drugs is based on potentiation. In this potentiation the primary substance is specially mixed with a carrier (typically 90% ethanol) in the ratio 1:10. Usually this potentiation is done repeatedly and the final drug is labeled, e.g., "D6" which means a 6 times decimal potentiation. In a controlled randomized strictly double-blind trial with 164 patients the effectiveness of homeopathically prepared Galphimia D6, a conventional Galphimia dilution 10(-6) and a placebo was investigated for the therapy of pollinosis. The average duration of treatment was about 5 weeks. Although no statistical significance was achieved, it is remarkable that there was a clear trend for the superiority of Galphimia D6 while the Galphimia dilution 10(-6) was about equally effective compared with placebo. The study itself demonstrates that it is possible to do strictly controlled trials for homeopathic drugs and with medical practitioners.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D031582:Galphimia; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011897:Random Allocation; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012996:Solutions
C036872:Galphimia glauca extract; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions