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{{short description|Homeopathic preparation based on arsenic}}
'''Arsenicum album''' (''Arsen. alb.'') is a frequently-used ] substance derived from the metallic element ].<ref name=Lockie>Lockie, Andrew and Geddes, Nicola. ''Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment''. DK Publishing, 1995. ISBN 0-7894-0148-7</ref> 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 sold in India have been reported.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Chakraborti, D; Mukherjee, SC; Saha, KC; Chowdhury, UK, ''et al'' |title= Arsenic Toxicity from Homeopathic Treatment|journal=Clinical Toxicology |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=963-967 |year=2003 |doi=10.1081/CLT-120026518}}</ref> When properly prepared, however, the extreme dilutions, typically to at least 1 in 10<sup>24</sup>, or 12C in homeopathic notation, mean that it is extremely statistically unlikely that any pill contains even a molecule of the original arsenic used. Several animal studies and one human trial have found a biological effect and a positive clinical result from homeopathic doses of arsenicum album;<ref name=Khuda-Buksh2005> 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 – </ref><ref name=Mallick2003>Mallick, P, Chakrabarti (Mallick), J, Bibhas, G, Khuda-Bukhsh, AR. Ameliorating Effect of Microdoses of a Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Arsencium Album, on Arsenic-Induced Toxicity in Mice. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2003,3:7.</ref> <ref>J.C. Cazin et al.. "A Study of the Effect of Decimal and Centesimal Dilution of Arsenic on Retention and Mobilization of Arsenic in the Rat," Human Toxicology, July 1987</ref>.
In ], '''arsenicum album''' ('''Arsenic. alb.''') is a solution prepared by diluting aqueous ] generally until there is little amounts of Arsenic remaining in individual doses. It is used by homeopaths to treat a range of symptoms that include digestive disorders and, as an application of the ], has been suggested by homeopathy as a treatment for ].<ref name="lockie_52_53">{{cite book | author1 = Lockie, Andrew | author2 = Geddes, Nicola | name-list-style = amp | title = Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment | pages = | publisher = Dorling Kindersley Publishing | year = 1995 | isbn = 978-0-7894-0148-9 | url = https://archive.org/details/completeguidetoh00lock/page/52 }}</ref> Since the arsenic oxide in a homeopathic preparation is normally non-existent, it is considered generally safe, although cases of arsenic poisoning from poorly prepared homeopathic treatments sold in India have been reported.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Chakraborti, D |author2=Mukherjee, SC |author3=Saha, KC |author4=Chowdhury, UK |title= Arsenic Toxicity from Homeopathic Treatment|journal=Clinical Toxicology |volume=41 |issue=7 |pages=963–967 |year=2003 |doi=10.1081/CLT-120026518 |pmid=14705842|s2cid=25453468 |display-authors=etal}}</ref> When properly prepared, however, the extreme dilutions, typically to at least 1 in 10<sup>24</sup>, or 12C in homeopathic notation, mean that a pill would not contain even a molecule of the original arsenic used.<ref name="Ernst2005">{{cite journal|author=Ernst E|year=2005|title=Is homeopathy a clinically valuable approach?|journal=Trends Pharmacol. Sci.|volume=26|issue=11|pages=547–8|citeseerx=10.1.1.385.5505|doi=10.1016/j.tips.2005.09.003|pmid=16165225}}</ref> While ]'s unblinded studies have claimed an effect on reducing ], they do not recommend its large-scale use,<ref name=Khuda-Buksh2005>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1093/ecam/neh124 | title = Can Homeopathic Arsenic Remedy Combat Arsenic Poisoning in Humans Exposed to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination?: A Preliminary Report on First Human Trial | year = 2005 | last1 = Khuda-Bukhsh | first1 = Anisur Rahman | last2 = Pathak | first2 = Surajit | last3 = Guha | first3 = Bibhas | last4 = Karmakar | first4 = Susanta Roy | last5 = Das | first5 = Jayanta Kumar | last6 = Banerjee | first6 = Pathikrit | last7 = Biswas | first7 = Surjyo Jyoti | last8 = Mukherjee | first8 = Partha | last9 = Bhattacharjee | first9 = Nandini | last10 = Choudhury | first10 = Sandipan Chaki | last11 = Banerjee | first11 = Antara | last12 = Bhadra | first12 = Suman | last13 = Mallick | first13 = Palash | last14 = Chakrabarti | first14 = Jayati | last15 = Mandal | first15 = Biswapati | journal = Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine | volume = 2 | issue = 4 | pages = 537–48 | pmid = 16322812 | pmc = 1297497 | display-authors = 8 }}</ref><ref name=Mallick2003>{{cite journal | doi=10.1186/1472-6882-3-7 | year=2003 | last1=Mallick | first1=P | last2=Chakrabarti Mallick | first2=J | last3=Guha | first3=B | last4=Khuda-Bukhsh | first4=AR | journal=BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine | volume=3 | page=7 | pmid=14570596 | title=Ameliorating effect of microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, on arsenic-induced toxicity in mice | pmc=521186 | doi-access=free }}</ref> and studies of homeopathic remedies have been shown to generally have problems that prevent them from being considered unambiguous evidence.<ref name="Linde pp. 631">"The evidence of bias weakens the findings of our original meta-analysis. Since we completed our literature search in 1995, a considerable number of new homeopathy trials have been published. The fact that a number of the new high-quality trials (e.g. ) have negative results, and a recent update of our review for the most “original” subtype of homeopathy (classical or individualized homeopathy), seem to confirm the finding that more rigorous trials have less-promising results. It seems, therefore, likely that our meta-analysis at least overestimated the effects of homeopathic treatments." {{cite journal | doi = 10.1016/S0895-4356(99)00048-7 | volume=52 | title=Impact of Study Quality on Outcome in Placebo-Controlled Trials of Homeopathy | year=1999 | journal=Journal of Clinical Epidemiology | pages=631–636 | author=Linde Klaus | issue=7 | pmid=10391656}}.</ref><ref name="pmid12492603">{{cite journal |author=Ernst E |title=A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy |journal=Br J Clin Pharmacol |volume=54 |issue=6 |pages=577–82 |year=2002 |pmid=12492603 |doi= 10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.01699.x|pmc=1874503}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/13638.shtml |title=Report 12 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (A–97) |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=] |archive-date=2009-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614085504/http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/13638.shtml |url-status=dead }}<br/>{{cite journal |vauthors=Linde K, Jonas WB, Melchart D, Willich S |title=The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials of homeopathy, herbal medicines and acupuncture |journal=International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=526–531 |year=2001 |pmid=11416076 |doi=10.1093/ije/30.3.526 |doi-access=free }}<br/>{{cite journal |title=Homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments: systematic review of randomized clinical trials |vauthors=Altunç U, Pittler MH, Ernst E |journal=Mayo Clin. Proc. |year=2007 |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=69–75 |pmid= 17285788 |doi=10.4065/82.1.69|citeseerx=10.1.1.456.5352 }}</ref> There is no known mechanism for how arsenicum album could remove arsenic from a body, and there is insufficient evidence for it to be considered effective medicine (for any condition) by the scientific community.
==Preparations==
⚫ When used in homeopathy, Arsenicum Album is prepared by separating arsenic from ] (as in ]), ], and/or ] by baking at high temperatures. The powder is then ground and diluted with milk sugar (]). In the final dilution, there are normally no active molecules left (with ] of over 12C) so there is little health risk.


⚫ ==Use in homeopathy==
This diluted arsenicum album is available at health food and drug stores in various potencies, in the form of ]s (liquid), tablets, pellets, or as a powder.
Arsenicum album is one of the fifteen most important recommendations in homeopathy. In classical homeopathy, people are sometimes assigned a constitutional type, named after the homeopathic remedy applied, partly on the idea that people with similar physical or mental characteristics who suffer from similar symptoms can be treated effectively with their constitutional remedy.<ref name="lockie_17">{{cite book | author1 = Lockie, Andrew | author2 = Geddes, Nicola | name-list-style = amp | title = Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment | page = | chapter = The development of Homeopathy, The influence of Hering and Kent | publisher = Dorling Kindersley Publishing | year = 1995 | isbn = 978-0-7894-0148-9 | chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/completeguidetoh00lock/page/17 }}</ref> "''Arsen. alb.''" types are "tense, restless ambitious individuals" with a tendency toward ], pessimism, need for reassurance, and a meticulous attention to neatness and detail.<ref name="lockie_52_53" />


⚫ For homeopathic use, arsenicum album is prepared by separating arsenic from ] (as in ]), ], or ] by baking at high temperatures. The powder is then ground and diluted with ]. In the final dilution, statistically most pills will contain zero molecules of the original arsenic used; some might contain a single molecule. The final product is sold as ]s (liquid), tablets, pellets, or 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 ], pessimism and a meticulous attention to neatness and detail. <ref name=Lockie/>


Key homeopathic uses include attempting to treat anxiety and "fear caused by insecurity", digestive disorders and mucosal inflammation, and ailments characterized symptomatically by burning pain. It was also used once for treatment of ].<ref name="lockie_52_53" /> Without treatment, syphilis can severely damage its patient's heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening. Syphilis can also be passed from mothers to unborn children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Syphilis - Symptoms and causes|url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/syphilis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351756|access-date=2021-09-22|website=Mayo Clinic|language=en|archive-date=2008-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309161454/http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/syphilis/DS00374/DSECTION=6|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Claims of efficacy==
<!-- Does "It was also used once" refer to "one period of time" or to "one instance of treatment"? I am adding this article to my watchlist. User:Wavelength -->

==Research studies==
{{see also|Evidence-based medicine|Homeopathy#Medical and scientific analysis}} {{see also|Evidence-based medicine|Homeopathy#Medical and scientific analysis}}
Several studies have been done into Arsenicum album. <ref name="Linde pp. 631" /><ref name="pmid12492603" /><ref>{{citation |url=http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13638.html |title=Report 12 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (A–97) |accessdate=2007-07-25 |publisher=] |archive-date=2004-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041211090446/http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/13638.html |url-status=live }}<br/>{{cite journal |vauthors=Linde K, Jonas WB, Melchart D, Willich S |title=The methodological quality of randomized controlled trials of homeopathy, herbal medicines and acupuncture |journal=International Journal of Epidemiology |volume=30 |issue=3 |pages=526–531 |year=2001 |pmid=11416076 |doi=10.1093/ije/30.3.526 |doi-access=free }}<br/>{{cite journal |title=Homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments: systematic review of randomized clinical trials |vauthors=Altunç U, Pittler MH, Ernst E |journal=Mayo Clin. Proc. |year=2007 |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=69–75 |pmid= 17285788 |doi=10.4065/82.1.69|citeseerx=10.1.1.456.5352 }}</ref> In addition, the ideas behind homeopathy are scientifically different to principles of modern medicine.<ref name="Ernst2005" /><ref name="JohnsonandBoon">{{cite journal|author=Johnson T, Boon H|last2=Boon|first2=Heather|date=1 January 2007|title=Where Does Homeopathy Fit in Pharmacy Practice?|journal=American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education|volume=71|issue=1|page=7|doi=10.5688/aj710107|pmc=1847554|pmid=17429507}}</ref><ref name="shang">{{cite journal|display-authors=etal|vauthors=Shang A, Huwiler-Müntener K, Nartey L|year=2005|title=Are the clinical effects of homoeopathy placebo effects? Comparative study of placebo-controlled trials of homoeopathy and allopathy|journal=Lancet|volume=366|issue=9487|pages=726–732|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67177-2|pmid=16125589|s2cid=17939264}}</ref>


⚫ ==References==
A study on mice poisoned with arsenic then given arsenicum album was widely reported in 2003.<ref name=Mallick2003 /><ref name=NewScientist>{{cite web|work=New Scientist News Service||author= Bhattacharya, Shaoni|title=Homeopathy reduces arsenic poisoning in mice|date=22 October 2003|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4305-homeopathy-reduces-arsenic-poisoning-in-mice.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3208528.stm |title=Remedy 'cures arsenic poisoning' |accessdate=2008-01-28 |format= |work=BBC news service }}</ref> 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 '']'', 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".<ref name=NewScientist /> The same group of researchers followed it up with a 2005 ] in Indian villagers affected by arsenic-contaminated groundwater. The authors described the results as "highly encouraging", but concluded that "More experiments... essential before recommending large-scale use".<ref name=Khuda-Buksh2005 />
{{Reflist|2}}


⚫ {{Homoeopathy}}
Besides the above arsenic trials, there is a body of animal research using homeopathic doses of various toxic substances to reduce the effects of crude, toxic doses of that specific substance. A meta-analysis of 105 trials was published in ''Human and Experimental Toxicology''. Although most of these studies were not high quality research, the studies that tended to show the most significant effects from homeopathic doses were the high quality studies. The researchers found that there were 40 high quality studies, of which 27 (67.5%) showed positive results from homeopathic doses. Of special interest were nine studies on mice which tested homeopathic doses beyond 15C that demonstrated a 40% decrease in mortality compared to mice in the control group.<ref> Linde, K., Jonas, W.B., Melchart, D., et al. (1994) "Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Serial Agitated Dilutions in Experimental Toxicology," Human and Experimental Toxicology, 13:481-92.</ref>

⚫ ==References==
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Arsenicum Album}}
] ]

⚫ {{Homoeopathy}}

Latest revision as of 13:23, 22 October 2024

Homeopathic preparation based on arsenic

In homeopathy, arsenicum album (Arsenic. alb.) is a solution prepared by diluting aqueous arsenic trioxide generally until there is little amounts of Arsenic remaining in individual doses. It is used by homeopaths to treat a range of symptoms that include digestive disorders and, as an application of the Law of Similars, has been suggested by homeopathy as a treatment for arsenic poisoning. Since the arsenic oxide in a homeopathic preparation is normally non-existent, it is considered generally safe, although cases of arsenic poisoning from poorly prepared homeopathic treatments sold in India have been reported. When properly prepared, however, the extreme dilutions, typically to at least 1 in 10, or 12C in homeopathic notation, mean that a pill would not contain even a molecule of the original arsenic used. While Anisur Khuda-Bukhsh's unblinded studies have claimed an effect on reducing arsenic toxicity, they do not recommend its large-scale use, and studies of homeopathic remedies have been shown to generally have problems that prevent them from being considered unambiguous evidence. There is no known mechanism for how arsenicum album could remove arsenic from a body, and there is insufficient evidence for it to be considered effective medicine (for any condition) by the scientific community.

Use in homeopathy

Arsenicum album is one of the fifteen most important recommendations in homeopathy. In classical homeopathy, people are sometimes assigned a constitutional type, named after the homeopathic remedy applied, partly on the idea that people with similar physical or mental characteristics who suffer from similar symptoms can be treated effectively with their constitutional remedy. "Arsen. alb." types are "tense, restless ambitious individuals" with a tendency toward hypochondriasis, pessimism, need for reassurance, and a meticulous attention to neatness and detail.

For homeopathic use, arsenicum album is prepared by separating arsenic from iron (as in arsenopyrite), cobalt, or nickel by baking at high temperatures. The powder is then ground and diluted with lactose. In the final dilution, statistically most pills will contain zero molecules of the original arsenic used; some might contain a single molecule. The final product is sold as tinctures (liquid), tablets, pellets, or powder.

Key homeopathic uses include attempting to treat anxiety and "fear caused by insecurity", digestive disorders and mucosal inflammation, and ailments characterized symptomatically by burning pain. It was also used once for treatment of syphilis. Without treatment, syphilis can severely damage its patient's heart, brain or other organs, and can be life-threatening. Syphilis can also be passed from mothers to unborn children.

Research studies

See also: Evidence-based medicine and Homeopathy § Medical and scientific analysis

Several studies have been done into Arsenicum album. In addition, the ideas behind homeopathy are scientifically different to principles of modern medicine.

References

  1. ^ Lockie, Andrew & Geddes, Nicola (1995). Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment. Dorling Kindersley Publishing. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-0-7894-0148-9.
  2. Chakraborti, D; Mukherjee, SC; Saha, KC; Chowdhury, UK; et al. (2003). "Arsenic Toxicity from Homeopathic Treatment". Clinical Toxicology. 41 (7): 963–967. doi:10.1081/CLT-120026518. PMID 14705842. S2CID 25453468.
  3. ^ Ernst E (2005). "Is homeopathy a clinically valuable approach?". Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 26 (11): 547–8. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.385.5505. doi:10.1016/j.tips.2005.09.003. PMID 16165225.
  4. Khuda-Bukhsh, Anisur Rahman; Pathak, Surajit; Guha, Bibhas; Karmakar, Susanta Roy; Das, Jayanta Kumar; Banerjee, Pathikrit; Biswas, Surjyo Jyoti; Mukherjee, Partha; et al. (2005). "Can Homeopathic Arsenic Remedy Combat Arsenic Poisoning in Humans Exposed to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination?: A Preliminary Report on First Human Trial". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2 (4): 537–48. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh124. PMC 1297497. PMID 16322812.
  5. Mallick, P; Chakrabarti Mallick, J; Guha, B; Khuda-Bukhsh, AR (2003). "Ameliorating effect of microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album, on arsenic-induced toxicity in mice". BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 3: 7. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-3-7. PMC 521186. PMID 14570596.
  6. ^ "The evidence of bias weakens the findings of our original meta-analysis. Since we completed our literature search in 1995, a considerable number of new homeopathy trials have been published. The fact that a number of the new high-quality trials (e.g. ) have negative results, and a recent update of our review for the most “original” subtype of homeopathy (classical or individualized homeopathy), seem to confirm the finding that more rigorous trials have less-promising results. It seems, therefore, likely that our meta-analysis at least overestimated the effects of homeopathic treatments." Linde Klaus (1999). "Impact of Study Quality on Outcome in Placebo-Controlled Trials of Homeopathy". Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 52 (7): 631–636. doi:10.1016/S0895-4356(99)00048-7. PMID 10391656..
  7. ^ Ernst E (2002). "A systematic review of systematic reviews of homeopathy". Br J Clin Pharmacol. 54 (6): 577–82. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.01699.x. PMC 1874503. PMID 12492603.
  8. Report 12 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (A–97), American Medical Association, archived from the original on 2009-06-14, retrieved 2007-07-25
    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. doi:10.1093/ije/30.3.526. PMID 11416076.
    Altunç U, Pittler MH, Ernst E (2007). "Homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments: systematic review of randomized clinical trials". Mayo Clin. Proc. 82 (1): 69–75. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.456.5352. doi:10.4065/82.1.69. PMID 17285788.
  9. Lockie, Andrew & Geddes, Nicola (1995). "The development of Homeopathy, The influence of Hering and Kent". Homeopathy: The Principles and Practice of Treatment. Dorling Kindersley Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7894-0148-9.
  10. "Syphilis - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
  11. Report 12 of the Council on Scientific Affairs (A–97), American Medical Association, archived from the original on 2004-12-11, retrieved 2007-07-25
    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. doi:10.1093/ije/30.3.526. PMID 11416076.
    Altunç U, Pittler MH, Ernst E (2007). "Homeopathy for childhood and adolescence ailments: systematic review of randomized clinical trials". Mayo Clin. Proc. 82 (1): 69–75. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.456.5352. doi:10.4065/82.1.69. PMID 17285788.
  12. Johnson T, Boon H; Boon, Heather (1 January 2007). "Where Does Homeopathy Fit in Pharmacy Practice?". American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education. 71 (1): 7. doi:10.5688/aj710107. PMC 1847554. PMID 17429507.
  13. 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 16125589. S2CID 17939264.
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