Do homeopathic medicines induce symptoms in apparently healthyvolunteers? The Brazilian contribution to the debate on homeopathicpathogenetic trials

ABSTRACT

Homeopathic pathogenetic trials (HPT) are designed to identify specific andcharacteristic symptoms in apparently health individuals exposed to homeopathicmedicines, so that the latter might be indicated following comparison to the patient’ssymptoms. The original methodological guidelines for HPTs were established byHahnemann, who advocated rigorous methods likely to lead to conclusions free fromany conjecture. With the advances in scientific methods, new guidelines wereformulated to improve the methodological quality of HPT. Relevant scientificcontributions were made by Brazilian researchers in this field, resulting in originalstudies or innovations in methods. The validity and reliability of the clinicalinformation acquired from HPT are fundamental for the success of homeopathicclinical practice. (AU)