High homeopathic potencies are different from potentized solvent when investigated with the REDEM technology.
OBJECTIVE
To determine in a series of randomized blinded experiments using the REDEM technology whether differences between high homeopathic potencies and similarly potentized solvent can be detected.


METHODS
A REDEM device was employed as a black box. Samples were measured in a capacitor that was connected to 60 individual oscillator circuits at frequencies between 250 and 930 KHz; their oscillation damping was recorded. In two experiments (3 and 4 replications) stable differences between a potentized 'mother tincture' and potentized solvent were assessed. Statistical analysis was done using ANCOVA.


RESULTS
Significant differences (p < 0.01) between remedy and control were found, mostly at the same oscillator frequencies. Those differences found for only one remedy always were at frequencies adjacent to frequencies with differences for other remedies. VISUAL ANALYSIS: Where output curves were not near 0, remedy values were higher than controls. Curves within a replication ran parallel, their distances varied. Between replications, curve shapes and remedy- control differences were similar, however, control curves varied in height. Control and remedy curves between experiments varied in shape. Effects increased with time and sample conductivity. Ethanol 43% as solvent eliminated the observed effects, use of polyethylene containers considerably attenuated them.


CONCLUSIONS
A probably physical difference was seen between potentized homeopathic remedies and potentized solvent. The differences are associated with sample age, solvent, and container material. The REDEM technology requires further investigation to determine the nature of the underlying mechanisms of the observed differences.
Witt
Claudia
C
Institut für Sozialmedizin, Epidemiologie und Gesundheitsökonomie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin. Claudia.witt@charite.de
Lüdtke
Rainer
R
Weisshuhn
Thorolf E R
TE
Willich
Stefan N
SN
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000032:analysis*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006705:Homeopathy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012997:Solvents / Q000032:analysis*
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D012997:Solvents