Do you know what a homeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT) is?

Maybe its traditional name of ‘a proving’ is more familiar. A HPT is a trial in which remedies are given to healthy volunteers until they experience symptoms; homeopaths then know the remedy will treat people unwell with similar symptoms, and they prescribe it accordingly.

In 2009, researchers wanted to know if two homeopathic remedies given to volunteers would produce symptoms consistent with their earlier HPTs (conducted more than 100 years ago), and if the symptoms would be different to those given the placebo.

The volunteers in the trial consisted of 25 medical doctors. The results? Those taking the homeopathic remedies produced symptoms consistent with the earlier HPTs; those taking the placebo experienced non-specific symptoms. The researchers concluded that homeopathic remedies did have specific effects beyond placebo.

More Information: Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo