WELCOME TO COVIDHOMEO - A DATABASE OF HOMEOPATHY FOR COVID-19!

Almost the whole world is suffering from pandemic known as COVID-19 by one or the other way, irrespective of economic, technologic, weapon, political advantages they have. Homeopathic remedies have been used as prophylactic to prevent the epidemic since centuries. This site gives information on homeopathy in respect to COVID-19.

Tracing the history it was Hahnemann who first applied the genus epidemicus in 1799 during a scarlet fever epidemic he treated in the German town Königslutter. It is an interesting story that how how Dr. Hahnemann had accidentally discovered the genus epidemicus. A few members of large family with scarlet fever approached Dr. Hahnemann for treatment. He noticed that a child already under the doses Belladonna for other problem did not develop symptoms of scarlet fever. That was the moment he discovered Belladonna as a prophylactic for the entire family which he administered to all of them. Hahnemann concluded that a remedy that rapidly cures at the onset of an illness would be the best preventative.

Homeopathy was successfully applied during the epidemic of Spanish flu in 1918-19, where around 20 million people died globally. Mortality rate in homeopathic treated population was 1-2%, whereas it was 30-60% in people treated by conventional physicians. Chikungunya, dengue fever, acute encephalitis/japanese encephalitis, cholera and dengue were also successfully managed with homeopathy.

Recenlty Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has published the recommendation of Expert Committee constituted by CCRH for the using of Arsenicum album 30CH as Genus epidemicus for prevention. Following that, many governments and autonomous bodies under different governments have used this as prophylactic. Apart from that, many other stalwarts have suggested possible role of other drugs in the current situation. A group of homeopaths from Italy have published an observational study of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. None of the patients was required hospitalization.

This site contains database on homeoeopathy in respect to COVID-19.

Determining the safety, effects, and efficacy of Novus-CV in homoeopathic dilution in humans for Covid-19 disease prevention

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Homoeopathic philosophy suggests nosodes can be used before, during, and after active cases for prevention and treatment. The human immunological response to severe acute respiratory syndrome Covid-19 disease expression can range from mild symptoms leading to resolution, to severe symptoms leading to complete system collapse, death, or prolonged post-disease conditions. The target of any disease prevention program starts with supporting immune system responses and reducing susceptibility. Homoeoprophylaxis (HP) with the Novus-CV nosode, aims to activate mild, disease specific, short-lived immune responses intended to facilitate the disease process and/or lessen the effects of, or susceptibility to, Covid-19 disease expression. The mild, shortlived immunological responses to the nosode are considered an important step in preventing disease. The collated nosode driven symptom presentation of new and/or resolved symptoms can serve as a reference guide to the homoeopathic indications for use of the nosode in active or unresolved cases.

Method

Registration started March 13, 2020, prior to the initial peak of cases in the United State. Registrants undertook a self-administered dosing schedule of Novus-CV in various potencies. To establish safety, effects and efficacy of Novus-CV registrants of all age groups, from pregnant women and children to the elderly, registered a completed initial health profile, a two-week follow-up and a three-month follow-up. 

i. Safety was determined by assessing the types, duration, and degree of responses noted from the respondent. Also, by resultant changes, if any, in chronic health conditions. 

ii. Effects were overseen by registrants’ personal HP Supervisors and self-reported in online follow-up forms, and through verbal confirmation. These effects were considered proving and clinically curative effects and were collated by location, sensation, modalities, and extensions as per homoeopathic Materia Medica criteria. 

iii. Efficacy was evaluated for all respondents and specifically in those with definite exposure to either previous disease expression or active cases. 

Results

A total of 1169 people of all age groups registered in the study. Of these 846 responded to follow-up. Peak dosing dates took place prior to the spring surge in cases. A total of 3181 administered doses were reported from 796 respondents during the two-week follow-up period. A total of 2741 symptoms and/or change in symptoms were reported in all organ systems. Of the 89 respondents with previous disease expression, of which 17 were unresolved, 16.5 recovered after nosode administration. Of the 62 respondents with active disease expression upon registration, there was a 96.77% resolution rate. Of the 135 with known exposure to individuals with previous or active disease, 56 developed short-lived mild proving symptoms of which 98.7% resolved by the end of the dosing period, none developed Covid-19-like disease. Of the total 434 three-month respondents zero developed Covid-19- like disease during the follow-up period indicating that the HP dosing was 100% effective in disease prevention. After dosing, 0.02% of individuals experienced aggravation of chronic conditions suggesting minimal long-term negative effects.   Not a single adverse event was reported. Sixty-eight of the 434 three-month follow-ups reported single or multiple PCR or antibody tests all had negative results. The catalogued Materia Medica demonstrated sustained evolution from active disease to resolution and fear and sickness to confidence and well-being through the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Regardless of age of participant or previous health condition, the Novus-CV nosode can be used before, during, or after demonstration of Covid-19 symptom expression, to prevent disease, mitigate active disease and resolve past disease. With no associated adverse events reported, these results suggest Novus-CV nosode offers the world a low-risk disease prevention method that is 100% effective in those with definite exposure that deserves consideration in public health programs. Covid-19-like disease’ is the term we are using for the compilation of symptoms registrants had or developed during the study period. As no comprehensive testing or official diagnosis process was undertaken, subjective reports of the registrants and respondents was used to evaluate if they had a symptom expression consistent with the CDC description of the disease. Adverse events as defined by the National Institute of Health guidelines for research on human subject is defined as a death, life-threatening adverse drug or device experience, inpatient hospitalisation or prolongation of existing hospitalisation, a persistent disability/incapacity, or a congenital anomaly/birth defect. Throughout the research the tenets of homoeopathy were verified. The symptoms produced and resolved after dosing corresponded with the active disease presentation and ranged from short-lived, mild fevers, cough, vomiting and diarrhea, and general malaise to feelings of well-being and increased vitality; activation of acute discharges and fevers brought forth wellbeing. This catalogued Materia Medica can be used as the indications for effective clinical prescribing; it also offers insight into the nature of susceptibility of Covid-19 as we evolve through this epidemic, the homoeopathic principles of like cures like and acute disease resolves chronic disease, and it supports the concept that the miasmatic root of disease may be accountable for contagion. Accordingly, with the positive health effects noted in those with active or unresolved disease, Novus-CV is effective to treat or as an adjunct to treatment in active and unresolved cases. 

Reference: Birch, K., et al. "Determining the safety, effects, and efficacy of Novus-CV in homoeopathic dilution in humans for Covid-19 disease prevention." The Australian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine 34.5 (2021): 1.

Full text link: http://3.144.248.189/files/similia-june-2021-article-kate-birch-et-al.pdf

Clinical Repurposing of Medicines is Intrinsic to Homeopathy: Research Initiatives on COVID-19 in India

 

Abstract

As at mid-October 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been continuing on the rise across the globe, including in India. Historically, homeopathy has been used in a number of epidemics/pandemics. The development of homeopathic medicines is approached uniquely through “drug provings” and clinical verification; these two intrinsic processes establish the background for the application of homeopathic medicines, regardless of nosological diagnosis. This article reflects research initiatives on COVID-19 in India and identifies studies listed in the Clinical Trial Registry–India database. We identified 29 studies being undertaken in different settings, including those in conventional medicine: 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 9 observational studies. Fifteen studies are aimed at prophylaxis and 14 are aimed at treatment. Amongst the treatment studies, 11 are focused on efficacy or comparative effectiveness. The findings might provide evidence for clinically repurposing some of homeopathy's medicines, an approach that is intrinsic to the therapy, enabling their use in COVID-19 as an adjuvant or stand-alone to help reduce costs and improve patient recovery.

Reference: Varanasi, Roja, Debadatta Nayak, and Anil Khurana. "Clinical repurposing of medicines is intrinsic to homeopathy: research initiatives on COVID-19 in India." Homeopathy 110.03 (2021): 198-205.

Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Feasibility Study, Evaluating the Efficacy of Homeopathic Medicines in the Prevention of COVID-19 in a Quarantined Population

 

Abstract

Introduction Exploring preventive therapeutic measures has been among the biggest challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We explored the feasibility and methods of recruitment, retention, and potential signal of efficacy, of selected homeopathic medicines as preventive measure for developing COVID-19 in a multi-group study.

Methods A six-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prophylaxis study was conducted in a COVID-19 exposed population in a quarantine facility in Mumbai, India. Each group received one of the following: Arsenicum album 30c, Bryonia alba 30c, a combination (Arsenicum album 30c, Bryonia alba 30c, Gelsemium sempervirens 30c, and Influenzinum 30c), coronavirus nosode CVN01 30c, Camphora 1M, or placebo. Six pills twice a day were administered for 3 days. The primary outcome measure used was testing recruitment and retention in this quarantined setting. Secondary outcomes were numbers testing positive for COVID-19 after developing symptoms of illness, number of subjects hospitalized, and days to recovery.

Results Good rates of recruitment and retention were achieved. Of 4,497 quarantined individuals, 2,343 sought enrollment, with 2,294 enrolled and 2,233 completing the trial (49.7% recruitment, 97.3% retention). Subjects who were randomized to either Bryonia alba or to the CVN01 nosode signaled (p <0.10) a lower incidence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and a shorter period of illness, with evidence of fewer hospitalizations, than those taking placebo. The three other groups did not show signals of efficacy.

Conclusion This pilot study supports the feasibility of a larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Bryonia alba 30c and CVN01 30c should both be explored in disease prevention or shortening the course of disease symptomatology in a COVID-19-exposed population.

Reference: Talele, Gitanjali, et al. "Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility study, evaluating the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in the prevention of COVID-19 in a quarantined population." Homeopathy 111.01 (2022): 049-056.

Preparation of Coronavirus nosodes sourced from a clinical sample of SARS-Cov-2 positive patient, inactivated strain, and spike glycoprotein

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Nosodes, the homeopathic preparations sourced from biological materials including clinical samples, cultures of organisms, and diseased tissues have been in use against the source-specific infections as well as other diseases. The nosodes have demonstrated some efficacy in managing epidemics, such as influenza, dengue, and leptospirosis. This article presents the need and process of development of nosodes from the SARS-CoV-2 to explore its prophylactic and therapeutic potentials against certain related viral diseases. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

A clinical sample of SARS-Cov-2 positive patient, based on the cycle threshold (CT) value of the qRT-PCR, heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2, and spike glycoprotein all were processed for making nosodes as per the method described in Homoeopathy Pharmacopoeia of India. Molecular tests, such as qRT- PCR and sterility tests were performed to establish the live organisms, RNA material, and the absence of contamination. 

RESULT 

Three variants of Coronavirus Nosode were developed using a clinical sample, heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2, and spike glycoprotein. In potencies 3c and above, no detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA material was found by PCR. The analytical results for nosodes were reported as compliant for sterility testing as per the IP. 

CONCLUSION 

Three variants of Coronavirus nosodes were prepared which need to be evaluated further through pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Reference: Mukherjee, Sandeepan, et al. "Preparation of Coronavirus nosodes sourced from a clinical sample of SARS-Cov-2 positive patient, inactivated strain, and spike glycoprotein: Coronavirus Nosode article." International Journal of High Dilution Research-ISSN 1982-6206 19.4 (2020): 02-09.

Full text pdf link:https://www.highdilution.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/1054/1061 

An open-label, exploratory documentation of proving-symptoms of CVN01 (Coronavirus nosode from the clinical sample) in healthy volunteers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials (Proving) are human studies to examine the pathogenetic effects of investigational drugs in high dilution on healthy volunteers. As a part of the new coronavirus nosode development process for prophylactic use, the phase 1 study was conducted. The documentation of proving symptoms for a fast-track nosode development for a pandemic condition was the objectives of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS An open-label trial to evaluate the safety and proving symptoms of Coronavirus nosode given orally to 10 volunteers (18-65 years age and of both the genders). Volunteers were administered 6 doses of nosode as 6 pills twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Pre and post examinations (physical), vital signs, and laboratory investigations, were done at day 0, 17, 34. Symptoms experienced by the volunteers were recorded. RESULTS Symptoms reported by volunteers were analyzed. The symptoms reported were mild to severe but reversible and matching with the symptoms produced by the viral infection. There were no serious/fatal adverse events during the study. The basic biochemistry and Liver Function tests were not affected by the Nosode. CONCLUSION New nosode developed during a pandemic condition produced certain symptoms in the homeopathic pathogenetic trial as a part of the Phase 1 study.

Reference: Shah, Rajesh, and Gitanjali Talele. "An open-label, exploratory documentation of proving-symptoms of CVN01 (Coronavirus nosode from the clinical sample) in healthy volunteers: Drug proving symptoms of Coronavirus nosode." International Journal of High Dilution Research-ISSN 1982-6206 20.2-3 (2021): 44-50. 

Source: https://www.highdilution.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/1073

Full text pdf: https://www.highdilution.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/1073/1079

Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research

Authors

Raj Kumar Manchanda 1, Anjali Miglani 1, Meeta Gupta 1, Baljeet Singh Meena 1, Vishal Chadha 1, Franco Joseph 1, Amrit Kalsi 1, Pramod Konthembath 1, Kavita Sharma 1, Kamsali Nadigadda Rama 1, Prabhjeet Kaur 1, Jithesh Thavarayil Kannoth 1, Cheshta Nagrath 1, Anju Jethani 1, Shajimol Nellikka Aniyeri 1, Anu Chawla 1, Malaya Kumar Ray 1, Manjula Ghuliani 1, Ram Kumar Kudiyarasu 1, Shruti Naskar 1, Sudha Bala 1, Brender Sharma 1

Affiliations

1Health and Family Welfare Department, Directorate of AYUSH, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, New Delhi, India.

Abstract

Background/objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease; its clinical profile and natural history are evolving. Each well-recorded case in homeopathic practice is important for deciding the future course of action. This study aims at identifying clinically useful homeopathic remedies and their prescribing symptoms using the prognostic factor research model.

Methods: This was an open-label, multi-centric, observational study performed from April 2020 to July 2020 at various public health care clinics. The data were collected prospectively from clinical practice at integrated COVID-19 care facilities in India. Good-quality cases were selected using a specific set of criteria. These cases were analyzed for elucidating prognostic factors by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) of each frequently occurring symptom. The symptoms with high LR values (>1) were considered as prescribing indications of the specific remedy.

Results: Out of 327 COVID-19 cases reported, 211 met the selection criteria for analysis. The most common complaints were fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, myalgia, fever, dry mouth and throat, increased thirst, headache, decreased appetite, anxiety, and altered taste. Twenty-seven remedies were prescribed and four of them-Arsenicum album, Bryonia alba, Gelsemium sempervirens, and Pulsatilla nigricans-were the most frequently used. A high LR was obtained for certain symptoms, which enabled differentiation between the remedies for a given patient.

Conclusion: Homeopathic medicines were associated with improvement in symptoms of COVID-19 cases. Characteristic symptoms of four frequently indicated remedies have been identified using prognostic factor research, findings that can contribute to accurate homeopathic prescribing during future controlled research in COVID-19.

Reference: Manchanda RK, Miglani A, Gupta M, Meena BS, Chadha V, Joseph F, Kalsi A, Konthembath P, Sharma K, Rama KN, Kaur P, Thavarayil Kannoth J, Nagrath C, Jethani A, Nellikka Aniyeri S, Chawla A, Ray MK, Ghuliani M, Kudiyarasu RK, Naskar S, Bala S, Sharma B. Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research. Homeopathy. 2021 Aug;110(3):160-167. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1725989. Epub 2021 Apr 30. PMID: 33930904.

PubMed link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33930904

Homeopathic Treatment for COVID-19-Related Symptoms: A Case Series

Kurd R(a), Freed Y(b), Jarjoui A(c), Izbicki G(c), Levin P(d), Helvitz Y(d), Sherr J(e), Oberbaum M(b)

Author affiliations

(a)Internal Medicine Division, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel 

(b)Center for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel 

(c)Pulmonary Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel 

(d)Intensive Care Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel 

(e)Dynamis, London, United Kingdom 

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is a novel infectious disease, which has quickly developed into a pandemic. The spectrum of COVID-19 symptoms is broad, ranging from a mild, self-limiting respiratory tract illness to severe progressive pneumonia, multi-organ failure and possible death. Despite much effort and multiple clinical trials, there are, to date, no specific therapeutic agents to treat or cure the coronavirus infection. Case Reports: The present paper presents 5 cases of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 infections, 2 of them hospitalized in the intensive care unit, who were successfully treated with homeopathy. Results: All 5 patients responded to homeopathic treatment in an unexpectedly short time span, improving both physically and mentally. Conclusion: The present case series emphasizes the rapidity of response among moderate to severely ill patients to homeopathic treatment, when conventional medical options have been unable to relieve or shorten the disease. The observations described should encourage use of homeopathy in treating patients with COVID-19 during the acute phase of the disease.

Reference: Kurd, Ramzi, et al. "Homeopathic Treatment for COVID-19-Related Symptoms: A Case Series." Complementary Medicine Research 29.1 (2022): 83-88.

Revised Guidelines for Homoeopathy Practitioners for Prophylaxis and Symptomatic Management of Home IsolatedCOVID-19 Patients

Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has published Revised Guidelines for Homoeopathy Practitioners for Prophylaxis and Symptomatic Management of Home IsolatedCOVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 | Homoeopaths can prescribe government-approved add-ons, mixtures to supplement conventional treatment, says Supreme Court

 COVID-19 | Homoeopaths can prescribe government-approved add-ons, mixtures to supplement conventional treatment, says Supreme Court

They cannot advertise any cures to the virus, the Bench says and endorses a March 6 advisory of the Ministry of AYUSH.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday clarified that homoeopaths could prescribe government-approved add-ons and mixtures to supplement conventional treatment for COVID-19, but could not advertise any cures to the virus.

A Bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan, in a judgment, in fact, endorsed a March 6 advisory of the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) that homoeopaths could not prescribe medicines for COVID-19 treatment but could provide prophylactic interventions for improving the immunity of the patients.

The Supreme Court had said it would clear the air on the role of homoeopathy in the fight against the pandemic. The verdict came on a plea challenging the Kerala High Court order of August 21, which had said that AYUSH medical practitioners could prescribe government-approved mixtures and tablets only as immunity booster.

The Centre had told the top court that medicines which were permitted to be prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH to COVID-19 patients as an add-on treatment was allowed.

The government affidavit in court had said “the prescription of the medication prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH to COVID-19 positive patients as an add-on treatment is permitted, and therefore, any contention to the contrary stating that homoeopathic medical practitioner cannot prescribe any treatment to COVID-19 positive patients, even as an add-on to conventional treatment is liable to be rejected”.

The Ministry said in its affidavit that, “It is stated that the only embargo is that the said medicines should not be administered or advertised as a cure but should be administered as preventive measure/immunity booster or as an add-on to the conventional treatment”.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-homoeopaths-can-prescribe-government-approved-add-ons-mixtures-to-supplement-conventional-treatment-says-supreme-court/article33334618.ece

Homeopathic drug given to half of Gujarat population since March

 

PTI | Aug 23, 2020, 03.39 PM IST

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat health department has said it distributed homeopathic drug Arsenicum Album-30 to more than half of the state's population as prophylaxis since March after the outbreak of Covid-19.

In its presentation made before the World Health Organisation on August 20 on Gujarat's Covid-19 prevention strategy, the health department said it distributed Arsenicum Album-30 to 3.48 crore people, which is more than half of the state's population of 6.6 crore.

There is no scientific evidence that the drug works against Covid-19, a fact stressed not only by medical scientists but by some homeopathic practitioners themselves.

The state government also claimed that 99.6 per cent of people who availed AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) remedies as prophylaxis during their quarantine period tested negative for coronavirus.

In its presentation, which was shared with the media, the health department said "AYUSH interventions have proven to be immunity boosters, and the AYUSH treatment protocol was developed and a research carried out for assessing efficacy of treatment."

"As many as 33,268 people benefited from AYUSH medicines in the quarantine period, half of whom availed homoeopathic medicines," it said.

The state government claimed that 99.69 per cent of people who availed AYUSH remedies as prophylaxis during their quarantine period tested negative for coronavirus.

However, a clinical trial related to the prophylaxis nature of Arsenicum Album-30 for coronavirus in the state has not yet yielded any conclusive result, an official said.

Gujarat Principal Secretary, Health, Jayanti Ravi on Sunday said the government has some reason to believe about theefficacy of Arsenicum Album-30 medicine, as out of thousands of quarantined people who were given the dosage of Arsenicum Album-30, "99.69 per cent eventually tested negative for coronavirus".

"Even 0.3 per cent who tested positive had only mild symptoms. We have prima facie reason to believe in some effectiveness of Arsenicum Album-30 against coronavirus. But to actually establish this, we need more rigorous analysis," Ravi said.

The government has so far distributed 3.48 crore dosages of Arsenicum Album-30 starting March, including repeat dosages as the medicine remains effective for 1.5 to two months, she said.

As per Bhavna Patel, director of state AYUSH department, the result of a clinical trial on Aresnicum Album-30 going on at a private clinic in Bhavnagar as prophylaxishas not yet shown any clear result.

Patel said the homeopathic medicine has been distributed since March on the recommendation of an expert committee, including homeopathic doctors, and a repeat order has also been given by the state health department for people who used it over a month ago.

"The AYUSH department used its channel of 272 dispensaries, and roped in officials of the local administration like TDOs (taluka development officers) and talatis (local revenue officers) to distribute the medicine. Health camps were organised with the help of NGOs to distribute this," Patel said.

"Arsenicum Album-30 boosts immunity, but our research is not yet complete on this. We have given approval for its private clinical trial as prophylaxisin Bhavnagar, but the result is not clear because it is not complete," she said.

Ahmedabad-based homeopathic doctor and member of national executive committee of the Homeopathic Medical Association of India, Shivang Swaminarayan, said the AYUSH Ministry recommended the use of the medicine as an immunity booster after finding that it benefited people.

However, it is better to consult qualified homeopathic doctors before taking the medicine, he said.

"It is always better to consult a qualified homeopathic doctor. Immunity is not everything in any disease. One should also look at one's general health, age, profession, how much risk he/she is exposed to...this is after all a medicine, and how to take it, and when and in how much dose, one needs to know this from qualified government or private doctors," he said.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/homeopathic-drug-given-to-half-of-gujarat-population-since-march/articleshowprint/77702926.cms

COVID Centre started at Lord Mahavira Homeo College, Ludhiana by Ludhiana IMA

 

Specialist doctors, medical officers, nurses, ward boys, technicians, sweepers and other staff have been hired to ensure the centre’s smooth functioning, with all expenses paid by IMA Ludhiana

Doctors of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Ludhiana have set up a Covid care centre at the Lord Mahavira Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital on Hambran Road here.

While inaugurating the centre on Sunday, Punjab cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu thanked IMA Ludhiana and the Lord Mahavira Hospital management for assisting the district administration at “this hour of need”.

Ashu, who was also accompanied by deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma and others, said he was talking to private hospitals to take over government hospitals to provide quality healthcare facilities to local residents.

Even though a number of people from other districts were coming for treatment to Ludhiana, Ashu assured the locals that there was no shortage of beds in the city and urged them to visit the nearest hospital if they suspected they had contracted Covid-19.

Dr Sunil Katyal, president, IMA Ludhiana, informed that to start with the Covid centre would have 25 beds, which would be upgraded to 50 beds later.

Specialist doctors, medical officers, nurses, ward boys, technicians, sweepers and other staff had been hired to ensure its smooth functioning, with all expenses paid by IMA Ludhiana. The entire hospital would be sanitised daily and Covid samples would also be taken here, Katyal added.

Speaking on the occasion, DC  Sharma said that people from all sections of the society should contribute to help others during the pandemic, He also urged other social organisations to come forward and set up such centres and assured all possible help from the district administration to do so.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/ima-ludhiana-docs-start-covid-hospital-at-lord-mahavira-homeo-college/story-Oh2a50sv6q3qTtD5aD3K8M.html

Homeo doctor from Mahabubabad hits the road in fight against Covid

 

With the covid-19 crisis pandemic showing no signs of abating, this homeopathy doctor, in the course of his mission, has been reaching out to the masses, educating and trying to make them immune to coronavirus

Yellandu (Kothagudem): He is a man on a mission, having travelled 4,400 kms covering 17 districts of Telangana State in 84 days, distributed homeopathic medicine to 86,000 people so far, and continues with the same zeal he had on April 22 when he set out from home in Mahabubabad.

With the covid-19 crisis pandemic showing no signs of abating, this homeopathy doctor, in the course of his mission, has been reaching out to the masses, educating and trying to make them immune to coronavirus.

Meet Dr. Parikipandla Ashok, who has been touring towns and villages in the State, unmindful of the fact that he was passing through Covid-19 hotspots, administering ‘Arsenicum Album 30,’ an immunity boosting homeopathic medicine to fight the virus. He is also the state president of Homeopathic Medical Association.

Dr Ashok has also been distributing pamphlets creating awareness on precautionary measures to keep oneself safe from the virus. He launched his mission, ‘Praja Chaitanya Yatra,’ on April 22 and has visited 114 mandals in 17 districts across the State riding his motorbike, taking a break after each district visit.

Speaking to Telangana Today at Yellandu in the district, Dr. Ashok said Bhadradri Kothagudem was the 17th district he visited as part of his yatra to distribute the homeo medicines to locals. He said he got nearly 50,000 pamphlets printed with covid-19 safety measures.

‘Covid-19 crisis has affected everyone, and as a doctor, I just wanted to do my part to fight this crisis and took up the yatra’, he said, adding: ‘After covering erstwhile Khammam district, I am planning to tour Siddipet. It is my wish to cover 5,000 kms and distribute Arsenicum Album 30 to one lakh people,” he said, adding that he has spent around Rs one lakh on his mission so far.

With the help of elected members in places where he goes, Dr Ashok has also been organising meetings to educate the public on the measures to be taken to protect themselves from the pandemic. Such meetings have been held in 1,320 places so far.

Arsenicum Album 30 is the best bet

Explaining the efficacy of Arsenicum Album 30, Dr. Ashok says the medicine does not guarantee that a person will not get infected with the virus. But it certainly assists an individual fight the virus and in fast recovery.

“I am a living example of homeo medicine’s efficacy. I take one dose of the medicine once in 15 days and I got tested six times and every time I was tested negative, despite the fact that I have been visiting the places where covid-19 cases are rampant,” he noted.

In Gujarat, Arsenicum Album 30 was given to a group of 3,000 persons on an experimental basis and it was found to have strengthened their immune system. Then the State government started distributing the homeo medicine to the public. Maharashtra government is also doing the same, he said.

The Union AYUSH Department has also prescribed the medicine, Dr. Ashok said, adding he had written letters to Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and Health Minister Eatala Rajender urging them to officially distribute Arsenicum Album 30 to the public.

“Just waiting for the vaccine to be released is not going to do any good. We need to have a holistic approach to address the coronavirus crisis. Ayurveda, yoga, healthy food habits have to be promoted to fight the virus” he added.

Source: https://telanganatoday.com/homeo-doctor-from-mahabubabad-hits-the-road-in-fight-against-covid

Mini Homeopathic Repertory for COVID-19

 

Collecting clinical experience of homeopathic support in COVID-19

Eleventh issue

LMHI newsletter                                                                                                                 

10  June 2020

 

Testing the mini-repertory app

In the previous newsletter (tenth issue) we presented a new mini-repertory for COVID-19 like illness, regarding the three most prescribed homeopathic medicines: Arsenicum album (ars), Bryonia (bry) and Gelsemium (gels). The repertorisation algorithm was based on Bayes’ theorem and likelihood ratio (LR). The advantage of LR (= (prevalence in medicine population) / (prevalence in remainder of the population) is that it discriminates between medicines better than in our well-known repertories. Some of the symptoms with their LRs are shown in Table 1.

The app supporting the repertorisation for symptoms in the mini-repertory is available at the website address https://hpra.co.uk/.

Table 1: occurrence of four symptoms in the research population of 161 patients and in populations responding well to Arsenicum album (ars), Bryonia (bry) and Gelsemium (gels), with the corresponding LRs.

Symptoms	Count	ars	LRars	bry	LRbry	gels	LRgels
n=	161	21		45		25
fatigue	87	11	0.96	20	0.77	20	1.62
dry cough	73	8	0.82	26	1.43	10	0.86
dyspnea	51	5	0.72	18	1.41	4	0.46
headache	48	6	0.95	17	1.41	9	1.26

 

An example demonstrates the difference which LR makes: the symptom ‘fatigue’ was present in 87 out of all 161 cases, and in 11 out of 21 ars cases, in 20 out of 45 bry cases and in 20 out of 25 gels cases. In the existing repertory this would have resulted in bold entries for all three medicines under the rubric ‘Fatigue in COVID-19’. In the Bayesian repertory we see LR= 1.62 for gels and LR=0.77 for bry. This can be understood as a slight confirmation for gels if the symptom is present and a slight contra-indication for bry. Such differences can be demonstrated only by noting the same symptom in a considerable number of cases who responded well to the same medicine.

The homeopathic principle that one symptom, or a diagnosis, is insufficient to choose a homeopathic medicine accurately is even more relevant for common symptoms. Using the existing repertory, the combination of the symptoms ‘fatigue’ and ‘headache’ would not give us any indication of the appropriate medicine. Only after finding a keynote symptom for gels, like ‘Chill running up and down the back’, we would say: “Yes, headache and fatigue confirm gels”. To be able to demonstrate that the combination of fatigue and headache indicates, say, gels more than ars, we would start by asking for symptoms that confirm gels, like ‘chill running up and down the back’, or we might observe that the patient can hardly keep his eyes open.

The Bayesian repertory enables better use of common – and therefore relatively unimportant – symptoms. LR shows small but clinically relevant differences between medicines which have the same typology in the standard repertory, and a combination of such common symptoms can result in larger differences between medicines. To give an example: the combination of ‘fatigue’ plus ‘headache’ results in a combined LR= 1.62 x 1.26 = 2.04 for gels and LR= 0.96 x 0.95 = 0.91 for ars. The combined LR for gels now becomes more than twice as large for gels than for ars.

With this procedure we can take a combination of formerly quite useless symptoms and turn this into a meaningful indication for specific medicines. This is especially useful if the patient has no symptoms that clearly indicate a specific medicine. The downside of LR, however, is that we have to make the necessary calculations. This is easily performed in a computerised repertory, but where this is not available we can use the app mentioned above.

The app contains the 20 most frequently occurring symptoms from a collection of 161 COVID-19 cases. It calculates combined LRs for specific medicines from a selection of these symptoms. Currently, the app can differentiate between only three medicines: ars, bry and gels. Other medicines and other symptoms can be added when enough cases have been gathered. One symptom we would like to add is ‘loss of taste and/or smell’, because this is a typical COVID-19 symptom, but the data we have so far do not yet show a clear difference between medicines.

Testing the app with real cases

Recently, a collection of case studies involving COVID-19 was published with 18 cases; these responded well to ars (one case), bry (four cases), gels (12 cases) and Eupatorium perfoliatum (eup-p) (one case).[1] The cases were presented with clear descriptions of background, symptomatology and outcome. This, as well as the fact that all cases except one responded to the medicines present in the app, offered an opportunity to test the app with the symptoms seen in these cases.

The advantage of frequently occurring symptoms is that many patients have such symptoms. The disadvantage is that precisely this fact also causes the medicines to be less well differentiated. The clinical database we have so far contains 87 patients with ‘fatigue’ spread over the 36 medicines prescribed in 161 cases. The symptom ‘fatigue, cannot keep his eye open’, however, occurs in only 4 cases, all of which are gels.

For a first screening, e.g. with a standard questionnaire, the symptom ‘fatigue’ would be more useful than ‘fatigue, cannot keep his eyes open’ because the first occurs 22 times more frequently than the latter. On the other hand, a first screening is useful only if it indicates specific medicines that can be explored further.

However, it is vital that the first screening does not lead us in the wrong direction. To check this we need confirmed cases with an adequate number of common symptoms, combined with more specific symptoms that give a clear picture of the effective medicine. The common symptoms available in the app can be entered into this, and the output of the app should not contradict the recommendation that results from a full analysis of the case.

The question was: does the use of only the most frequently occurring symptoms in an initial screening give results that are consistent with the outcome of the standard homeopathic method using all available symptoms, general and particular?

How it works can be shown by case HK1.1. The observed symptoms were:

1.       Slow onset and progression of symptoms.

2.       Feeling irritable from the cough; does not want to talk to anyone. Prefers to be alone.

3.       Obvious increase in thirst with desire to drink warm water in large quantity.

4.       Generally ameliorated after perspiration.

5.       Mainly dry cough, with very occasional greenish sputum.

6.       Extremely bad pulsating temple headache and middle chest pain aggravated from coughing.

7.       Cough aggravated by talking and lying down, and after waking up in the morning.

8.       Cough associated with tickling feeling in the throat, ameliorated by warm drinks.

Out of these 5 symptoms could be found in the app:

1.       Thirst

2.       Dry cough

3.       Headache

4.       Chest pain < cough

5.       Cough < talking

The outcome of the app was “Strong indication for Bryonia” and this was indeed the medicine that was prescribed. An experienced homeopathic practitioner will recognise the medicine at first sight because of symptoms like ‘irritable from cough’, ‘aversion to company’, ‘thirst for large quantities’ and ‘headache from cough’, which are not in the app. However, with the combination of symptoms ‘thirst’, ‘dry cough’ and ‘headache’ the app would already have returned a “Moderate indication for Bryonia”. This results from the following LRs for bry: LR=3.31 for thirst; LR=1.43 for dry cough and LR=1.41 for headache. The combined LR for these three symptoms is 3.31 x 1.43 x 1.41 = 6.67, high enough for a ‘moderate indication’. ‘Chest pain < cough’ adds LR=3.61 and ‘Cough < talking’ LR=1.47, rendering a combined LR=35.4, representing a strong indication.

The outcome of all cases is shown in Table 2. If the combined LR of the selected symptoms was between 3 and 6, the indication was ‘slight’; if the combined LR was between 6 and 10, the indication was ‘moderate’ and if combined LR>10, the indication was ‘strong’.

Table 2: advice e of the app after entering the symptoms available in 18 cases. The ‘Nr case symptoms’ is the number of symptoms described for each case. ‘Nr app symptoms’ is the number of these symptoms available in the app. ‘App advised medicine’ represents the advice of the app with intensity.

Case	prescribed medicine	Nr case symptoms	Nr app symptoms	App advised medicine
HK1.1	bry	8	5	bry (strong)
HK2.1	bry	12	5	bry (slight)
HK3.1	bry	18	6	bry (strong)
HK3.2	gels	14	5	gels (strong), bry (slight)
HK3.3	gels	11	4	gels (moderate)
HK3.4	gels	12	3	gels (strong)
HK3.5	gels	12	6	gels (strong), bry (slight)
HK4.1	gels	5	4	gels (strong)
HK4.2	gels	5	4	gels (slight), bry (slight)
HK4.3	ars	5	4	ars (slight), gels (slight)
HK4.4	gels	5	4	gels (moderate)
HK4.5	gels	7	4	gels (strong)
HK5.1	gels	8	4	gels (strong)
HK5.2	bry	9	6	bry (moderate), gels (moderate)
HK5.3	gels	6	3	bry (slight)
HK5.4	gels	6	3	bry (slight)
HK5.5	eup-p	4	4	bry (slight), gels (slight)
HK6.1	bry	21	10	bry (strong)

 

Discussion

This set of cases contained only one case (HK5.5) that could not be handled by the app, because it contained no data for that particular medicine (eup-p). In this case, the app gave only slight indications, but did not contradict the choice based on a full homeopathic evaluation by offering a moderate or strong indication for one of its own medicines.

In the remaining 17 cases, for 11 (65%) the recommendation of the app was entirely consistent with the full homeopathic evaluation, giving a moderate or strong indication for the prescribed medicine. In one case (HK5.2), a second medicine came up to the same degree; in this case, a specific symptom, ‘coldness up and down the back’ (not available in the app), clarified the choice of gels. In three cases (HK2.1, HK4.2, HK4.3) the recommendation was consistent but with only a slight indication; it did not, though, contradict the definitive choice. In these cases, the full evaluation clarified the choice because specific symptoms indicated the correct medicine. In two cases (HK5.3, HK5.4), the recommendation of the app slightly contraindicated the correct choice which was made on the basis of specific symptoms, such as ‘Heaviness of the eyelids’, which clearly indicated the relevant medicine.

Our results confirm that the app can be useful where there are no specific symptoms and that the most frequently occurring symptoms can give useful indications for medicine selection in COVID-19 cases. The app can be used as an addition to a full homeopathic consultation and evaluation of symptoms.

There is another potential application for this app. Suppose you encounter a new outbreak of COVID-19 disease and the number of cases is more than you can handle. In this case, an inexperienced practitioner (or homeopathic student) could carry out the first screening with the app and an experienced practitioner could do any necessary additional homeopathic consultation. This would save a lot of time.

As we collect more cases, the app can be extended with more medicines and more symptoms. It will also be possible to fine-tune the output of the app by changing cut-off values for specific recommendations.

How to improve the app further?

We hope that our newsletters will encourage you to use the app to see what value it has. Naturally, you will want to see more medicines in the app, but this can only be achieved with your help, with your cases.

Remember that we are not trying to prove anything with this research, we want to improve our practice! In any case you submit, you should be satisfied that one specific homeopathic medicine was responsible for the improvement. Try to explain why this was the case.

We summarise below the minimum data necessary for this project. We already had:

-          Severity of COVID-19 illness:  Mild – Moderate – Severe – critical

-          Is COVID-19 confirmed?

-          Medicine, with date of first intake

-          Number of hours until onset of improvement and/or until absence of fever after the start of the medicine

-          If possible at least 3-5 symptoms that were characteristic for the case

-          Pneumonia on X-ray or CAT

 

Also check:

-          Onset of complaints: how many hours/days between first symptoms and the moment the disease aggravated

-          Fatigue/prostration/exhaustion; where is the weakness located

-          Fear/anxiety

-          Restlessness

-          Fever, chill, or chill alternating with fever

-          Thirst

-          Pain; where

-          Cough dry or moist

-          Dyspnea

-          Throat pain

-          Loss of taste and/or smell

-         diarrhoea

 

The LMHI COVID-19 case collection team:
Lex Rutten, Bernardo Merizalde, Robbert van Haselen, Raj Kumar Manchanda, Ashley Ross, Gustavo Cataldi, Altunay Agaoglu, Tiziana di Giampietro, Lefteris Tapakis, Theodore Lilas, Peter Gold, Frederik Schroyens, José Eizayaga

References

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[1] To, Ka Lun Aaron; Fok YYY. Homeopathic Clinical Features of 18 Patients in COVID-19 Outbreaks in Hong Kong. Homeopathy. 2020;109.

Source: https://www.lmhi.org/Documents/News/Collecting%20clinical%20case%20newsletter%20nr_11.docx

To access the mini-repertorisation app: https://hpra.co.uk/