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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 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 it is extremely statistically unlikely that any pill contains even a molecule of the original arsenic used. Some small, preliminary studies claim an effect for arsenicum album; however, these are not widely accepted within the scientific community, as there is no known mechanism by which such highly-diluted substances could work, and large scale scientific studies say that any perceived medicinal effects of homeopathy are almost certainly 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.

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". The same group of researchers followed it up with a 2005 pilot study 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".

A recent meta-analysis, which combines data from numerous studies, was published in the journal Lancet and compared homeopathic trials to those of conventional medicine. It 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. ^ 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 –
5. ^ 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.
6. Johnson T, Boon H (2007). "Where does homeopathy fit in pharmacy practice?". American journal of pharmaceutical education. 71 (1): 7. PMID 17429507.
7. ^ 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).
8. ^ Bhattacharya, Shaoni (22 October 2003). "Homeopathy reduces arsenic poisoning in mice". New Scientist News Service. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
9. "Remedy 'cures arsenic poisoning'". BBC news service. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
10. 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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