title: Can homeopaths detect homeopathic medicines by dowsing? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: Dowsing is a method of problem-solving that uses a motor automatism, amplified through a pendulum or similar device. In a homeopathic context, it is used as an aid to prescribing and as a tool to identify miasm or toxin load. A randomized double-blind trial was conducted to determine whether six dowsing homeopaths were able to distinguish between Bryonia in a 12c potency and placebo by use of dowsing alone. The homeopathic medicine Bryonia was correctly identified in 48.1% of bottle pairs (n=156; 95% confidence interval 40.2%, 56.0%; P=0.689). These results, wholly negative, add to doubts whether dowsing in this context can yield objective information.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit, Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, London WC1N 3HR, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McCarney
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spink
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flint
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Haselen
mesh_terms: D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica; D011361:Professional Competence
chemical_list: D008419:Materia Medica