Scientific basis of the homeopathic healing principle in modern pharmacology - Revista de Homeopatia - Online Edition

Teixeira MZ. Scientific basis of the homeopathic healing principle in modern pharmacology. Revista de Homeopatia (São Paulo. Online). 2017; 80 (3/4): 36-81.

Disponível em: http://revista.aph.org.br/index.php/aph/article/view/408 / Portal Regional da BVS

Abstract

Introduction: Homeopathy employs the so-called ‘principle of similars’ as therapeutic method, which consists in administering medicines that cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals to treat similar symptoms in sick individuals (similia similibus curantur)to arouse a secondary and healing reaction by the body against its own disorders. This secondary (vital, homeostatic or paradoxical) reaction of the body is based on the ‘rebound effect’ of modern drugs, a type of adverse event that occurs following discontinuation of several classes of drugs prescribed according to the ‘principle of contraries’ (contraria contrariis curantur). Aim: The present review sought to scientifically substantiate the homeopathic healing principle vis-à-vis experimental and clinical pharmacology through a systematic study of the rebound effect of modern drugs or paradoxical reaction of the body. Methods: Employing as reference the studies and revisions on the subject that we have published since 1998, we updated the data adding recent studies cited in database PubMed. Results: The rebound effect occurs after discontinuation of several classes of drugs with contrary action to the symptoms of diseases, exacerbating them to levels above the ones present before treatment. Regardless of disease, drug, dose and duration of treatment, the rebound phenomenon manifests in a small proportion of susceptible individuals. Following the homeopathic premises, modern drugs might also be used according to the principle of therapeutic similitude, thus employing the rebound effect (paradoxical reaction) in a curative manner. Conclusions: Evidenced in hundreds of studies that attest to the similarity of concepts and manifestations, the rebound effect of modern drugs scientifically substantiates the principle of homeopathic cure. Although the rebound phenomenon is an adverse event studied by modern pharmacology, it is not known by healthcare professionals, thus depriving doctors of knowledge indispensable for a safe management of drugs.