Bridging Conventional Medicine and Homeopathy in Challenging Diseases and Viral Epidemics: A Brief Review of the Supporting Literature

Homeopathy is a relatively safe and gentle form of treatment, founded in the 18th century by the German physician Dr. Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843), based on the principle of similia similibus curentur (“like cures like”). Depending on the patient’s pathophysiological status, age, and presenting symptoms, homeopathic prescriptions may involve crude extracts of medicinal plants or low dilutions or potencies. In more complex or critical conditions, however, physicians often employ ultra-high dilutions that go beyond Avogadro’s limit-an aspect that sometimes raises scepticism for its reliability. Nevertheless, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests that such microdoses can exert remarkable biological and therapeutic effects, underscoring the potential of homeopathy as a complementary approach in challenging diseases. But despite severe criticism, homeopathy has endured for hundreds of years and remains popular in many countries, though witnessing ups and downs. Homeopathy, particularly in its ultra-high dilutions beyond Avogadro’s limit, was once dismissed because such remedies were believed to contain no trace of the original substance. However, extensive and rigorous research, including studies employing modern tools and techniques in advanced laboratories worldwide (see Bibliography), has demonstrated that these preparations can still produce measurable effects-clinical, biological, ultrastructural, and even at DNA and molecular levels-in both animal and plant systems. The mystery of “how” has been partly addressed by recent discoveries: nanoparticles of the original substance have been detected in ultra-diluted remedies using high-powered electron microscopy. Moreover, molecular mechanisms involving signalling activation/ inactivation and epigenetic modifications have been proposed to validate the ability of ultra-high dilutions to trigger appropriate responses in living systems.

As scientific knowledge advances, homeopathy is being increasingly recognized as a system that can complement rather than compete with modern medicine. Its remedies, noted for their minimal adverse effects, show particular promise in supporting patients with difficult-to-treat conditions such as cancer, thalassemia, hemophilia, and chronic arsenic poisoning [1-15].

Therefore, this article aims to highlight the possibilities of integrating certain homeopathic remedies with conventional treatments. Too often, patients with chronic or life-threatening diseases are left with therapies that provide only temporary relief, come with severe side effects, and impose heavy financial burdens. Evidence suggests that carefully chosen homeopathic medicines could offer supportive benefits, yet they remain underutilized. We argue that it is time to explore this integration more seriously-not as a replacement for modern medicine, but as a compassionate, affordable, and practical way to enhance patient care. Despite persistent criticism, homeopathy has endured for centuries and continues to be widely practiced in many countries. In recent years, discovery of nanoparticles in these remedies using high-resolution electron microscopy has provided a plausible explanation for their activity, helping to bridge the gap between long-standing scepticism and emerging scientific validation. As understanding grows, homeopathy is being reconsidered not as an alternative, but as a complementary approach to modern medicine. Its remediesremarkably free from harmful side effects-may hold particular value in the supportive management of difficult-to-cure conditions such as cancer, thalassemia, hemophilia, and arsenic poisoning from contaminated groundwater. The present article discusses the scope for integrating selected homeopathic remedies with conventional treatments, particularly in situations where current therapies are largely palliative, costly, and often accompanied by significant side effects. We argue that such integration deserves serious exploration as a practical and humane strategy to enhance patient care. In the following section, we highlight some specific areas where homeopathy can be safely applied as an adjunct to conventional treatments, offering additional benefits. One such area is cancer therapy, particularly in combination with chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin and related drugs. and well selected homeopathic medicines may help alleviate some of the harmful side effects of these toxic agents, which often cause severe hepatotoxicity and can limit their clinical use. In our experimental study, administration of a very small dose of the homeopathic mother tincture of Boldo significantly reduced toxicity biomarkers, including acid and alkaline phosphatases, in mice used as a mammalian in vivo cancer model. According to a 2022 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 20 million people are affected by cancer worldwide, and nearly half of them die each year, despite the majority undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy as part of conventional treatment. However, only a small proportion of patients turn to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and an even smaller fraction rely exclusively on homeopathic remedies. The available literature indicates that homeopathic medicines may exert some palliative effects, but they are generally not sufficient as stand-alone treatments, mainly because of lack of an efficient critical care system. In cancer management, mother tinctures or lower dilutions are more commonly employed. Several groups, including ours, have investigated the efficacy of selected homeopathic drugs against cancer under controlled conditions in laboratory mammalian models. The results indicated that these agents exhibited measurable anticancer or ameliorative effects. Notably, when conventional chemotherapy with cisplatin and farnesol was administered to carcinogen-induced cancer mice in combination with a low dose of the homeopathic drug Boldo, reported to have therapeutic effects in liver disorders, the hepatotoxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic agents was significantly attenuated-more so when PLGA-nano-encapsulated Boldo was used. Given the pronounced toxicity associated with cisplatin, farnesol, and certain other drug combinations, discontinuation of therapy is often necessitated by severe adverse side effects. Similarly, other homeopathic drugs such as Arnica montana and Viscum album (commonly known as mistletoe) can be of considerable help in palliating cancer and, in particular, in alleviating the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby providing patients with a longer and better quality of life. In one of our studies, we clearly demonstrated that when certain homeopathic medicines were administered alongside hydroxyurea in thalassemia patients, there was a marked improvement in their blood parameters, spleen size, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Moreover, the interval between blood transfusions increased significantly in the hydroxyurea plus homeopathy treated group. Another group of homeopathic physicians, led by Dr. Tapas Kundu, has successfully managed hundreds of hemophilic patients, some of them solely with homeopathic treatment, thereby making a strong case for the use of homeopathic medicines in delivering effective healthcare to underprivileged populations [16-30].

Millions of people in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, are affected by arsenicosis, a condition resulting from long-term consumption of arsenic-contaminated water and vegetables grown in polluted soils. Arsenicosis manifests primarily as gastrointestinal disorders, hepatic dysfunction, dermatological lesions, and generalized weakness. As no specific conventional therapy is currently available, the disease continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. In a clinical trial involving more than 150 volunteers from arsenic-contaminated regions of North 24-Parganas and Nadia, we demonstrated that ultra-high dilutions of Arsenicum Album 30C and Arsenicum Album 200C promoted urinary elimination of arsenic and significantly ameliorated clinical symptoms, thereby improving overall health status. Similarly, in a devastating epidemic like COVID19, in its first attack mercilessly killed millions of affected people although in many advanced countries having modern perfect healthcare system in place could not save most of them. Despite receiving the modern medicine and utilization of modern tools and lifesaving devices. People did not dare even to undergo any form of treatments offered by other alternative and complimentary medicine. But when people subsequently affected in country like India where homeopathy is officially recognized as an acceptable system of medicine and many people were provided with preventive medicine like Arsenicum album 30C in general relatively much less people were not only infected but also relatively much less percentage of mortality was noted as compared to the countries where affected people were only treated with modern medicines. We advocate that in all such viral epidemics there is much scope for integration of homeopathy along with modern medicines. X-ray imaging remains one of the most frequently employed diagnostic tools in modern medicine. It is often indispensable for the detection of internal injuries, bone fractures, pulmonary congestion, and urinary calculi, and is routinely complemented by more advanced modalities such as Ultrasonography (USG). In sports such as football, cricket, hockey, and rugby, where traumatic injuries are common, X-ray examinations are almost invariably required for accurate assessment. Nevertheless, ionizing radiation is associated with cumulative adverse biological effects. Evidence from our laboratory indicates that certain homeopathic preparations traditionally used in the management of trauma and shock as for example, Arnica montana, Hypericum perforatum, and Ruta graveolens exert measurable protective effects against X-ray–induced genetic and DNA damage. Moreover, it has been reported that administration of Arnica montana 30C, both prior to and following X-ray exposure, can significantly mitigate radiation-induced cellular injury and DNA damage. For those, who are interested in further reading, a brief bibliography containing some supporting literature has been appended hereunder [31-39].

1. Banerjee A, Chakrabarty SB, Karmakar SR, Chakrabarty A, Biswas SJ, et al. (2010) Can homeopathy bring additional benefits to thalassemic patients on hydroxyurea therapy? encouraging results of a preliminary study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 7(1): 129-136.
2. Bell IR, Sarter B, Koithan M, Banerji P, Banerji P, et al. (2014) Integrative nanomedicine: Treating cancer with nanoscale natural products. Glob Adv Health Med 3(1): 36-53.
3. Bellavite P, Marzotto M, Olioso D, Moratti E, Conforti A (2014) High-dilution effects revisited. 1. physicochemical aspects. Homeopathy 103(1): 4-21.
4. Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, Scherr C, Shah-Rossi D, et al. (2009) Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: A critical review. Homeopathy 98(4): 244-266.
5. Bhattacharjee N, Pathak S, Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2009) Amelioration of carcinogen-induced toxicity in mice by administration of a potentized homeopathic drug, natrum sulphuricum 200. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 6(1): 65-75.
6. Bhattacharjee N, Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2012) Two homeopathic remedies used intermittently provide additional protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by carcinogens in mice. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 5(4): 166-175.
7. Biswas SJ, Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2002) Effect of a homeopathic drug, Chelidonium, in amelioration of p-DAB induced hepatocarcinogenesis in mice. BMC Complement Altern Med 2: 4.
8. Bishayee K, Mondal J, Sikdar S, Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2015) Condurango (Gonolobus condurango) extract activates fas receptor and depolarizes mitochondrial membrane potential to induce ROS-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro: CE-treatment on hela: A ROS-dependent mechanism. J Pharmacopuncture 18(3): 32-41.
9. Bonamin LV, Conforti A, Ortolani R, Vismara L (2001) Experimental studies on the anti-inflammatory activity of a homeopathic preparation. British Homoeopathic Journal 90(1): 27-30.
10. Chaudhary A, Nayak D, Pandey S, Resmy R, Khurana A (2022) Homoeopathic medicine Arsenicum album 30 C for covid-19 in 2020: A retrospective analysis from mass-level data. Altern Ther Health Med 28(7): 72-79.
11. Frass M, Friehs H, Thallinger C, Muchitsch I, Leitgeb C, et al. (2001) Influence of adjunctive classical homeopathy on global health status and subjective wellbeing in cancer patients-a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer 9(4): 355-363.
12. Frass M, Lechleitner P, Gründling C, Pirker C, Grasmuk-Siegl E, et al. (2020) Homeopathic treatment as an add-on therapy may improve quality of life and prolong survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter study. Oncologist 25(12): e1930-e1955.
13. Hiral B, Tapas K, Afroz S, Omkar K (2021) Homoeopathic management of severe haemophilia in pediatric age group: Twin case study. J Altern Complement Integr Med 7: 214.
14. Holandino C, Oliveira CC, de Oliveira SM, Abud APR, Ypma EF, et al. (2016) Mechanism of action of high dilutions: Life at the boundary between physics and biology. Homeopathy 105(2): 180-185.
15. Kay P, Khuda-Bukhsh A (2016) The contribution of homeogenomic and homeogenetic studies in the support of the practice of homoeopathy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 10(2): 101-107.
16. Khuda-Bukhsh AR (1986) Some homeopathic drugs as radio-protective agents in X-irradiated mice. In: Manna GK, Sinha U, (eds,). Persp In Cytol Genet 5: 407-412.
17. Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2017) An overview of research at university of kalyani in exploring some basic issues of homoeopathy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 11(3): 147-157.
18. Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2014) Current trends in ultra-high dilution research with particular reference to gene regulatory hypothesis: Review article. Nucleus 57(1): 3-17.
19. Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2003) Towards understanding molecular mechanisms of action of homeopathic drugs: An overview. Mol Cell Biochem 253(1-2): 339-345.
20. Khuda-Bukhsh AR (2018) Ultra-highly diluted homeopathic remedies have demonstrable anti-viral effects: A commentary on our published findings related to experimental phage infectivity in bacteria. Biomed J of Sci and Technical Res 8(5).
21. Khuda-Bukhsh AR, Pathak S, Guha B, Karmakar SR, Das JK, et al. (2005) Can homeopathic arsenic remedy combat arsenic poisoning in humans exposed to groundwater arsenic contamination?: A preliminary report on first human trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2(4): 537-48.