Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Homotoxicology—a review of randomised clinical trials

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

Homotoxicology is a form of therapy that uses homoeopathically diluted remedies with a view of eliminating toxins from the body. It is not a therapeutic method based on accepted scientific principles or biological plausibility. Yet numerous clinical studies have claimed efficacy. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise and critically evaluate the evidence from rigorous clinical trials of this form of therapy.

Methods

Seven electronic databases were searched for all studies of homotoxicological medicines for any human condition. To be included, trials had to be randomised and placebo-controlled. Data from such studies were validated and extracted according to pre-defined criteria. Their methodological quality was formally assessed using the Jadad score. Key data of all included trials were tabulated and summarised in narrative form.

Results

Seven trials met our inclusion criteria. Their Jadad scores indicated mostly a high methodological standard. The trials tested the efficacy of seven different medicines for seven different indications. The results were positive in all but one study. Important flaws were found in all trials. These render the results of the primary studies less reliable than their high Jadad scores might suggest.

Conclusion

Despite mostly positive findings and high ratings on the Jadad score, the placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trials of homotoxicology fail to demonstrate the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  1. Reckeweg HH (1986) Homotoxikologie, Ganzschau einer Synthese der Medizin, 6th edn. Aurelia Verlag, Stuttgart

  2. Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G et al (1997) Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 350:834–843

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ernst E (2002) A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 54:577–582

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mathie RT (2003) The research evidence base for homeopathy: a fresh assessment of the literature. Homeopathy 92:84–91

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jadad AR, Moore RA, Carrol D et al (1996) Assessing the quality of reports of randomized clinical trials—is blinding necessary? Control Clin Trials 17:1–12

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Zell VJ, Connert W-D, Mau J, Feuerstake G (1988) Behandlung von akuten Sprunggelenksdistorsionen. Fortschr Med Suppl 5:62–70

    Google Scholar 

  7. Maiwald L, Weinfurtner T, Mau J, Connert WD (1988) Therapie des grippalen Infekts mit einem homöopathischen Kombinationspräparat im Vergleich zu Acetylsalicylsäure. Arzneimittelforschung 38:578–582

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Thiel W, Borho B (1991) Die Therapie von frischen, traumatischen Blutergüssen der Kniegelenke (Hämarthros) mit Traumeel N Injektionslösung. Biol Med 2:506–515

    Google Scholar 

  9. Zenner S, Metelmann H (1991) Die Behandlung der vegetativen Dystonie mit Ypsiloheel. Ärztezeitschrift Naturheilverfahren 8:646–652

    Google Scholar 

  10. Zenner BS, Metelmann H (1991) Schwindel und seine Beeinflußbarkeit durch ein homöopathisches Kombinationspräparat. Erfahrungsheilk 6:422–429

    Google Scholar 

  11. Heilmann A (1992) Ein injizierbares Kombinationspräparat (Engystol N) als Prophylaktikum des grippalen Infekts. Biol Med 3:225–229

    Google Scholar 

  12. Böhmer D, Ambrus P (1992) Behandlung von Sportverletzungen mit Traumeel-Salbe. Kontrollierte Doppelblindstudie. Biol Med 21:260–268

    Google Scholar 

  13. Weiser M, Clasen BP (1994) Randomisierte plazebokontrollierte Doppelblindstudie zur Untersuchung der klinischen Wirksamkeit der homopathischen Euphorbium compositum-Nasen-Tropfen S bei chronischer Sinusitis. Forsch Komplementarmed 1:251–259

    Google Scholar 

  14. Weiser M, Gegenheimer LH, Klein P (1996) A randomized equivalence trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Luffa comp.-heel nasal spray with Cromolyn sodium spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Forsch Komplementarmed 6:142–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Weiser M, Strosser W, Klein P (1998) Homeopathic vs conventional treatment of vertigo—a randomised double-blind controlled clinical study. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 124:879–885

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Nahler G, Metelmann H, Sperber H (1998) Treating osteoarthritis of the knee with a homeopathic preparation. Results of a randomized, controlled, clinical trial in comparison to hyalauric acid. Biomed Ther 16:186–191

    Google Scholar 

  17. Matusiewicz R, Wasniewski J, Sterna-Bazanska A, Hülsberg M (1999) Behandlung des chronischen Asthma bronchiale mit einem homöopathischen Komplexmittel. Erfahrungsheilk 6:367–374

    Google Scholar 

  18. Reus V, Weiser M (1999) Homeopathic therapy of gynaecological disorders. Biol Med 28:233–236

    Google Scholar 

  19. Maronna U, Weiser M, Klein P (2000) Orale Behandlung der Gonarthrose mit Zeel comp. Ortopädische Praxis 36:285–291

    Google Scholar 

  20. Dietz A-R (2000) Möglichkeiten einer Lymphtherapie bei diabetischer Polyneuropathie. Biol Med 29:4–9

    Google Scholar 

  21. Weiser M, Strösser W (2000) Behandlung des Schwindels. Vergleichsstudie Homöopathikum vs. Betahistin. Allgemeinarzt 13:962–964

    Google Scholar 

  22. Oberbaum M, Yaniv I, Ben-Gal Y et al (2001) A randomized, controlled clinical trial of the homeopathic medication Traumeel S in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced stomatitis in children undergoing stem cell transplantation. Cancer 92:684–690

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Glatthaar-Saalmüller B, Fallier-Becker P (2001) Antiviral action of Euphorbium compositum and its components. Forsch Komplementarmed 8:207–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Hülsberg M (2001) Wirksamkeit einses homöopathischen Komplexmittels im Rahmen einer Amalgam-Eliminierungstherapie in der zahnärztlichen Praxis. Erfahrungsheilk 1:32–39

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wolschner U, Strösser W, Weiser M, Klein P (2001) Behandlung des Schwindels mit einem modernen Homöopathikum. Biol Med 30:184–190

    Google Scholar 

  26. Heine H, Andrä F (2002) Zum antiinflammatorischen Wirkmechanismus eines Antihomotoxikum compositum. Ärztezeitschrift Naturheilverfahren 43:96–104

    Google Scholar 

  27. Müller-Krampe B, Gottwald R, Weiser M (2002) Symptomatische Behandlung von akuten fieberhaften Infekten mit einem modernen Homöopathikum. Biol Med 31:79–85

    Google Scholar 

  28. Zell J, Connert WD, Mau J, Feuerstake G (1989) Treatment of acute sprains of the ankle: a controlled double-blind trial to test the effectiveness of a homeopathic ointment. Biol Ther 7:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  29. Betz W (2002) The memory of water revisited. Sci Rev Altern Med 6:68–72

    Google Scholar 

  30. Weiser M. E-mail to Professor Edzard Ernst, dated 27th Feb 2003

Download references

Acknowledgements

Conflict of interest: we asked one manufacturer for funding but were not successful. Support: E.E.’s work was financed from his unit’s core funding. K.S. was supported by the ‘Pilkington Family Trusts’.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Ernst.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ernst, E., Schmidt, K. Homotoxicology—a review of randomised clinical trials. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 60, 299–306 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-004-0776-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-004-0776-6

Keywords

Navigation