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Arsenicum album (Arsen. alb.) is a frequently-used homeopathic substance derived from the metallic element arsenic. The arsenic oxide in a homeopathic preparation is highly diluted, and so is considered generally safe, although rare reports of arsenic poisoning from poorly-prepared homeopathic treatments have been reported. When properly prepared, however, the extreme dilutions, typically to at least 1 in 10, or 12C in homeopathic notation, mean that it is extremely statistically unlikely that any pill contains even a molecule of the original arsenic used. Scientific studies say that any perceived medicinal effects are almost surely due to the placebo effect.

Preparations

When used in homeopathy, Arsenicum Album is prepared by separating arsenic from iron (as in arsenopyrite), cobalt, and/or nickel by baking at high temperatures. The powder is then ground and diluted with milk sugar (lactose). In the final dilution, there are normally no active molecules left (with potencies of over 12C) so there is little health risk.

This diluted arsenicum album is available at health food and drug stores in various potencies, in the form of tinctures (liquid), tablets, pellets, or as a powder.

Use in Homeopathy

According to Locke and Geddes, Arsen. alb. is one of the fifteen most important remedies in homeopathy, and is indicated for treating a particular "constitutional type", named after the remedy itself. In classical homeopathy, Arsen. alb. types are "tense, restless ambitious individuals" with a tendency toward hypochondriasis, pessimism and a meticulous attention to neatness and detail.

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Claims of efficacy

A study on mice poisoned with arsenic then given arsenicum album was widely reported in 2003. According to the study, the mice poisoned with arsenic then given homeopathic doses of arsenicum album showed lower levels of molecules indicating liver damage. However, Andreas Gescher, a biochemical toxicologist interviewed by New Scientist, said "This kind of study uses a dilution so high there is hardly anything there... Is it really possible?" and went on to say that he was "extremely skeptical".

A study published in 2005 by Khuda-Buksh et. al. in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine is summarized as follows: Groundwater arsenic has affected millions of people globally. In parts of West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh alone, over 100 million people are at risk, but supply of arsenic-free water is grossly inadequate. In a pilot trial, a potentized dose of a homeopathic Arsenicum album 30C was administered to a group of groundwater arsenic affected people. Part of this study was double-blind and placebo-controlled, and Arsenic contents in their urine and blood were periodically evaluated, as were various toxicity marker enzymes and compounds in the blood, namely aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione. The results are highly encouraging and suggest that the drug can alleviate arsenic poisoning in humans.

According to a influential study by John Ioannidis, single studies cannot be used to prove any medical claim. He writes that:

A research finding is less likely to be true when the studies conducted in a field are smaller; when effect sizes are smaller; when there is a greater number and lesser preselection of tested relationships; where there is greater flexibility in designs, definitions, outcomes, and analytical modes; when there is greater financial and other interest and prejudice; and when more teams are involved in a scientific field in chase of statistical significance. Simulations show that for most study designs and settings, it is more likely for a research claim to be false than true.

He then goes on to explain that meta-analyses are necessary to get to the heart of the matter. A recent meta-analysis published in the Lancet compared homeopathic trials to those of conventional medicine and concluded that the results of homeopathy were unlikely to be more than placebo effects; another, from the International Journal of Epidemiology, said that trials of homeopathy showed signs of major weakness in methodology and reporting, and were generally were less randomized and reported less on dropouts than other types of trials.

References

1. ^ Lockie, Andrew and Geddes, Nicola. Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment. DK Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0-7894-0148-7
2. Chakraborti, D; Mukherjee, SC; Saha, KC; Chowdhury, UK; et al. (2003). "Arsenic Toxicity from Homeopathic Treatment". Clinical Toxicology. 47 (1): 963–967. doi:10.1081/CLT-120026518. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
3. Ernst E (2005). "Is homeopathy a clinically valuable approach?". Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 26 (11): 547–8. PMID 16165225.
4. Johnson T, Boon H (2007). "Where does homeopathy fit in pharmacy practice?". American journal of pharmaceutical education. 71 (1): 7. PMID 17429507.
5. ^ Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L; et al. (2005). "Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy". Lancet. 366 (9487): 726–732. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67177-2. PMID 36 16125589 36. {{cite journal}}: Check |pmid= value (help); Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "shang" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
6. Mallick, P, Chakrabarti (Mallick), J, Bibhas, G, Khuda-Bukhsh, AR. Ameliorating Effect of Microdoses of a Potentized Homeopathic Durg, Arsencium Album, on Arsenic-Induced Toxicity in Mice. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2003,3:7.
7. ^ Bhattacharya, Shaoni (22 October 2003). "Homeopathy reduces arsenic poisoning in mice". New Scientist News Service. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
8. "Remedy 'cures arsenic poisoning'". BBC news service. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
9. Khuda-Bukhsh, AR, Pathak, S, Guha, B. Can Homeopathic Arsenic Remedy Combat Arsenic Poisoning in Humans Exposed to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination?: A Preliminary Report on First Human Trial, eCAM, doi:10.1093/ecam/neh124 –
10. Ioannidis, John P. A. (2005). "Why Most Published Research Findings Are False". PLoS Med. 2 (8). doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
11. Linde K, Jonas WB, Melchart D, Willich S (2001). "The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials of homeopathy, herbal medicines and acupuncture". International journal of epidemiology. 30 (3): 526–531. PMID 11416076.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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