Homoeopathic remedies in dermatology: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Homoeopathic therapies are routinely used for the management of skin diseases. However, there is a lack of evidence-based data on their effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To assess the evidence for the efficacy of homoeopathic treatments in dermatology. METHODS: We designed a systematic review of the controlled clinical trials (January 1962-April 2011) investigating homoeopathic therapies for the treatment of cutaneous diseases. We collected data from MEDLINE, PubMed, Current Contents, HomInform (Glasgow), reference lists, specialist textbooks and contacts with homoeopathic manufacturers. There was no restriction on language. Subsets were defined according to treated skin disease/condition. For each subset, two reviewers extracted data for information on study quality, type of remedy, population and outcomes. RESULTS: After an extensive search, we isolated a very limited number of trials investigating homoeopathic treatments for cutaneous diseases. Overall, of the 12 trials with interpretable results, nine trials indicated no positive effects of homoeopathy. The three trials showing a positive effect were of low methodological quality. CONCLUSIONS: Reviewed trials of homoeopathic treatments for cutaneous diseases were highly variable in methods and quality. We did not find sufficient evidence from these studies that homoeopathy is clearly efficacious for any single dermatological condition.

The effect of Neuragen PN on neuropathic pain: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the naturally derived topical oil, "Neuragen PN" for the treatment of neuropathic pain. METHODS: Sixty participants with plantar cutaneous (foot sole) pain due to all cause peripheral neuropathy were recruited from the community. Each subject was randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments (Neuragen PN or placebo) per week in a crossover design. The primary outcome measure was acute spontaneous pain level as reported on a visual analog scale. RESULTS: There was an overall pain reduction for both treatments from pre to post application. As compared to the placebo, Neuragen PN led to significantly (p < .05) greater pain reduction. Fifty six of sixty subjects (93.3%) receiving Neuragen PN reported pain reduction within 30 minutes. This reduction within 30 minutes occurred in only twenty one of sixty (35.0%) subjects receiving the placebo. In a break out analysis of the diabetic only subgroup, 94% of subjects in the Neuragen PN group achieved pain reduction within 30 minutes vs 11.0% of the placebo group. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized, placebo controlled, clinical trial with crossover design revealed that the naturally derived oil, Neuragen PN, provided significant relief from neuropathic pain in an all cause neuropathy group. Participants with diabetes within this group experienced similar pain relief. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registered: ISRCTN13226601.

Medicinal plants with traditional use: Ethnobotany in the Indian subcontinent.

Traditional medicine uses cultural knowledge and practices to promote health maintenance as well as diagnose and treat disease. In developing countries, the majority of people rely on traditional medicines; however, many of these practices have not been rigorously and systematically studied or reported. We review the current understanding and research behind traditional therapies prevalent in the Indian subcontinent, including mind-body and energy-based healing, botanical medicine, and herbal remedies. Topics covered include Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, homeopathy, and medicinal plants such as neem, guggul, tulsi, amla, and turmeric.

Plant-based ointments versus usual care in the management of chronic skin diseases: a comparative analysis on outcome and safety.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome and safety of plant-based ointments versus usual care in the management of chronic skin diseases. METHODS: Prospective mono-centric comparative analysis. Patients were recruited at an outpatient dermatology clinic and treated with plant-based ointments or care as usual. Main outcome criterion was the response rate, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing 'complete recovery' or 'major improvement' at 6, 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcome criteria were quality of life (SF-12 and EQ-5D), patient satisfaction and safety of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 112 patients with chronic skin diseases were evaluated of which 44 were treated with plant-based ointments (PO) and 68 received usual care (UC). The majority of patients suffered from psoriasis (PO: 50%; UC: 56%) or eczema (PO: 41%; UC: 32%) and were treated with homoeopathic topical ointments containing mahonia or cardiospermum or usual care creams containing calcipotriene and corticosteroids. The only significant difference in baseline status between the two groups was in disease severity score (PO: 1.8±0.7 versus UC: 2.4±0.8, p=0.0004). After two years, the main outcome of responders to treatment was 52.3% (95%-CI: 36.1-64.9) in the ointment and 41.2% (95%-CI: 20.4-42.2) in the UC group. Change in SF-12 (2 years compared to baseline), adjusted for baseline disease severity, was not significantly different between both groups; PO: 5.4 (95%-CI: 3.4-7.3) versus UC: 3.2 (95%-CI: 1.5-4.9). The adjusted EQ-5D was found to be significantly different between the two groups after two years, in favour of the ointment group; PO: 0.113 (95%-CI: 0.052-0.174) and UC: -0.008 (95%-CI: -0.055-0.038). Other secondary outcome parameters such as patient satisfaction and number of adverse drug reactions were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of this study suggests at least therapeutic equivalence between plant-based ointments and usual care management of chronic skin diseases. As this non-randomised study was open to selection and other bias, further rigorous studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these topical products.

Mesotherapy.

Mesotherapy is a technique which involves microinjections of conventional homeopathic medication and/ or vitamins into the mesoderm or middle layer of the skin to promote healing or corrective treatment to a specific area of the body. It is a debatable addition in the therapeutic armamentarium in the management of skin rejuvenation. However, dermatologists have to use this cautiously and judiciously as at present there is a lot of controversy regarding its efficacy and safety despite the fact that mesotherapy is gaining popularity in the West.

Snake remedies and eosinophilic granuloma complex in cats.

Eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) is a syndrome occurring in cats, characterized by lesions affecting the skin and the oral cavity. Conventional treatment is mainly symptomatic and may have undesirable side effects. This paper summarizes homeopathic treatment with snake remedies of cats suffering from EGC. Snake remedies were chosen by individual repertorizations and administered in different dilutions. Reactions were mostly quick, leading to significant improvements, including complete recoveries.

The brown spider Loxosceles laeta: source of the remedy Tarentula cubensis?

The homeopathic remedy Tarentula cubensis (Cuban tarantula), used in homeopathy to treat abscesses with burning pains, gangrene, septicaemia, toxaemia, has been grouped by homeopathic authorities with either the mygalomorph or wolf spiders. The original specimen used for preparation of the mother tincture was decomposed, leaving the spider's exact identity in doubt. Investigation of the toxicological and clinical literature, compared with homeopathic materia medica, reveals the brown spider, Loxosceles laeta, indigenous to South America but present also in Mid- and North America, as a more likely source. Venoms of spiders of the genus Loxosceles cause severe necrotic arachnidism, as well as, in some cases, a life-threatening systemic reaction marked by renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopeania, coma and convulsions.