z-logo
open-access-imgOpen Access
Investigating homeopathic preparations with light spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Ursula Wolf,
Sabine D. Klein,
Annegret Sandig,
Stephan Baumgartner
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of high dilution research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1982-6206
DOI - 10.51910/ijhdr.v11i40.584
Subject(s) - ultraviolet visible spectroscopy , potency , chemistry , serial dilution , spectroscopy , near infrared spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , chromatography , medicine , biology , in vitro , pathology , biochemistry , neuroscience , physics , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Background Several series of experiments from our research group have shown ultraviolet (UV) light transmission of homeopathic preparations to slightly but significantly differ from controls. We now investigated whether visible and near infrared spectroscopy were also useful for exploring properties of homeopathic preparations. Materials and methods Homeopathic preparations of copper sulfate (CuSO4), hypericum and sulfur (S8) were produced in 30 sequential steps of 1:100 dilutions (c-preparations). As controls, succussed potentization medium was used. Transmission of the samples from 190-1100nm was measured 4 times on 5 days with a double beam Shimadzu UV PC 1601 spectrophotometer. To correct for the daily variations of the spectrophotometer, transmission of the samples at each nm was divided by the average transmission of the controls. Median transmissions of the samples were calculated for the ranges of 190-340nm (near and middle UV), 340-640nm (visible light without red), and 640-1100nm (red and near infrared). Differences in the median transmission between potency levels from 6c to 30c were determined using Kruskal-Wallis and Jonckheere-Terpstra tests. Results Differences in transmissions of the various potency levels were more pronounced in the UV range than in the visible or red/near infrared range. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed significant differences for homeopathic preparations of CuSO4, hypericum and S8 in the UV range (p=0.032, 0.008, 0.009, respectively) and of S8 in the visible range (p=0.026). Jonckheere's test showed a tendency towards ascending medians with ascending potency levels for CuSO4 in the UV range (p=0.080). Significant trends were revealed for hypericum in the visible range (p=0.042, descending medians) and S8 in the UV range (p=0.015, ascending medians). Conclusion UV spectroscopy seemed to be more suitable for investigating homeopathic preparations than visible or near infrared spectroscopy, since differences in transmission were more pronounced in the UV range.

The content you want is available to Zendy users.

Already have an account? Click here to sign in.
Having issues? You can contact us here