Written by Renata Filiaci, MS Health and Wellness

Introduction

Homeopathy is a philosophy of thinking that the use of natural medicine made from plants, minerals, or animals, which are typically in the form of a sugar pellet, tablet, ointment, or gel, are to treat the disease rather than the symptom. Samuel Hahnemann was a German physician and chemist from the 1800s who discovered homeopathy.  He was very involved with his patient and emphasized the significance of good hygiene and diet. While trying to understand how to treat malaria, he tested the effects of Peruvian bark, which produced similar symptoms to those with malaria (Cummings & Ullman, 2004; Peterson, 2017). Due to his findings from testing Peruvian bark, he discovered The Law of Similars, which involved the idea that “like cures like.” He believed when you give a healthy person a substance and it caused certain symptoms, that same substance can heal a person suffering from similar symptoms (Cummings & Ullman, 2004).  This is a discovery that has been used throughout history and in healthcare. Three other laws were established: the single remedy, the minimum dose, and, Constantine Hering’s, direction of cure. Considering the Four Fundamental Laws of Homeopathy, it is essential to understand and gain accurate knowledge of your client before prescribing any treatments. Homeopaths will spend a couple hours talking to their client to record all symptoms, internally and externally, as well as lifestyle and behaviors they experience daily (Peterson, 2017; Bellavite, 2015).

Depression is a psychological mood disorder caused by environmental triggers which influences the onset of many symptoms, such as loss of interest in activities, sleep and appetite changes, fault and desperateness, exhaustion, agitation, insomnia, concentration problems, and suicidal thoughts. There are 17 depressive disorders all with different etiologies, symptom severity, and proposed treatment implications (Kanter, Busch, Weeks, & Landes, 2008). One treatment implication for depression is the conventional use of antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which are being prescribed at a higher rate than ever. Adverse effects have been associated with prescribed antidepressants, such as addiction, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, sleep disturbance, and withdrawal after long-term use (Ferguson, 2001; Read, Gee, Diggle, & Butler, 2019). There still remain faults in the treatment of depression with antidepressants, in terms of effectiveness, negative side effects, resistance to treatment, and delayed onset of their therapeutic response.

The researchers, Viksveen, Relton, and Nicholl (2017), designed a cohort multiple randomized controlled trial for analyzing the treatment of depressed patients with homeopathy. This study practiced a pragmatic trial using the “cohort multiple randomized controlled trial” design to test if homeopathy is effective treatment for patients with self-reported depression over a 12 month period. The final conclusion does state that there should be more research conducted before making a valid conclusion; however, homeopathy was an effective remedy as gathered by the authors promoting the purpose of this research proposal, which is to assess whether homeopathy is beneficial suggested treatment for people suffering from depression (Viksveen, Relton, & Nicholl, 2017).

Results

A pilot study data collection by authors, Mathie and Robinson (2006), discussed the efficacy and effectiveness of homeopathy as a form of treatment for individualized or non-individualized trials. The aims of this study were to collect data on homeopathic treatment used by homeopathy doctors and create a specifically designed spreadsheet to use in clinical situations for future consultations. The authors chose fourteen doctors with a total of 1561 individual patients and 1783 patient conditions. The most frequently used homeopathic remedies were Nat mur, Sulphur, Sepia, Pulsatilla, Phosphorus, Nat phos, Rhus tox, Arsen alb, Lycopodium, Staphysagria, Ignatia, and Bryonia. After a six month period, the most promising results and most successfully treated after the use of homeopathic remedies came from patients with depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome who were reassessed at follow-up. Although, there could be bias with this research study, overall, the doctors reported that homeopathy addressed the bigger picture and was a helpful experience to evaluate the person as a whole (Mathie & Robinson, 2006).

The authors, Adler, Paiva, Cesar, Adler, Molina, Padula, and Calil (2009), evaluated the effects of the use of individualized homeopathic Q-potency treatment versus the antidepressant, fluoxetine, as the control for patients with severe depression. This trial was double-blind, randomized non-inferiority with 55 subjects and their depression scores were measured with Montgomery & Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) after four and eight weeks for efficacy. Tolerability of medication was also assessed. The homeopathic remedies provided in the trial were Alumina, Anacardium orientale, Arsenicum album, Aurum foliatum, Baryta carbonica, Calcarea carbonica, Carbo animalis, Causticum, Graphites, Hepar sulphuris calcareum, Kali carbonicum, Lycopodium clavatum, Natrum carbonicum, Natrum muriaticum, Mezereum, Phosphorus, Sepia succus, Silicea terra, Sulphur and Zincum; these were determined and administered due to the characteristics of symptoms, such as external physical, psychological, and behavioral. The limitation to this study involved the patients being randomly selected for the double-blind trial; this doesn’t give the option to understand if an individualized remedy will work. However, both homeopathy and fluoxetine worked to lower the depression rating scale and homeopathy worked just as well as fluoxetine without adverse effects (Adler, Paiva, Cesar, Adler, Molina, Padula, & Calil, 2009).

Bagherian, Mojembari, and Hakami (2014) assessed the efficacy and effectiveness of homeopathic remedies used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression through random selection and classification. Thirty patients were sampled and randomly assigned to either the homeopathic group or the placebo group. In the homeopathic group, the patients were given a questionnaire which allocated the most appropriate single-dose remedy involving totality of symptoms. The thirty patients were given their treatment for sixteen weeks with a posttest follow-up to determine their rating. The average state of depression and anxiety of the homeopathic group was significantly lower than the average of the control group. The researchers also addressed the stability of homeopathic treatment through variance analysis with repeated measurement, which elucidated homeopathic remedies continue to work and relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety (Bagherian, Mojembari, & Hakami, 2014).

In a study performed by Grimaldi-Bensouda, Abenhaim, Massol, Guillemot, Avouac, Duru, Lert, Magnier, Rossignol, Rouillon, and Begaud (2016), the researchers considered general practitioners (GP) who prescribe psychotropic conventional medicine (GP-CM) compared with GP who prescribe mixed medicine (GP-Mx) or strictly homeopathic remedies (GP-Ho) for anxiety and depression disorders (ADD). There were 1562 eligible patients who agreed to participate for a twelve month period which were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire for symptom evaluation. Each patient who began the trial then repeated the questionnaire at one month, three months, and twelve months to determine if their HADS rating went down. After the twelve month period, symptom improvement was 1.7 times more likely in the GP-Ho group comparatively. The use of psychotropic drugs following the trial was significantly less in the GP-Ho and GP-Mx groups compared to the GP-Cm group (Grimaldi-Bensouda, Abenhaim, Massol, Guillemot, Avouac, Duru, Lert, Magnier, Rossignol, Rouillon, & Begaud, 2016).

Shukla (2013) examined individualized homeopathic remedies on different types of people with depression and how each recovered. The study took place in Sagar of Madhya Pradesh, India from May 2007 to January 2008 and Allahabad, U.P. India, since February 2008 to 2012. Patients, ranging from ages sixteen to sixty, were chosen based on their etiological, sociological, physical, and psychological characteristics of depression which were established through a questionnaire and case study approach; this approach provided incite on which individualized treatment would best fit the symptom profile. Many factors played into why each patient was depressed; the author found that the frequency of occurrence among females was much greater in comparison to males which was potentially due to the multiple roles that they have to fulfil in society as well as menstruation, unwanted pregnancies, postpartum, and peri- and postmenopause. After each patient was treated accordingly, they took a post-test questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. It was apparent that treatment was effective because of the significant improvement seen in post-test frequencies (Shukla, 2013).

Brulé, Sule, Landau-Halpern, Nastase, Jain, Vohra, and Boon (2014) calculated the effects of individualized homeopathic treatment for children and youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a predominant mental disorder among children worldwide. Symptoms that are typically present are inattention, impulsivity, and an inability to concentrate. However, high levels of major depressive disorder are found in children with ADHD, as well (Blackman, Ostrander, & Herman, 2005). Although, the participants could not have additional mental health disorders, the aim of this trial was to provide a reference for alternative therapy by establishing a symptom profile and the length of time required for improvement. There were 35 participants who were between the ages of six and sixteen, but only 80% completed ten consultations during a time period of 12.1 months. 63% of participants that completed the trial, after four and half visits with practitioners, saw significant improvement in overall wellbeing and symptom characteristics (Brulé, Sule, Landau-Halpern, Nastase, Jain, Vohra, & Boon, 2014).

Vacaras, Vithoulkas, Buzoianu, Marginean, Major, Vacaras, Nicoara, and Oberbaum (2016) evaluated and discussed the effects of using homeopathic treatment on a woman with postpartum depression. Other symptoms of postpartum depression include irregular sleeping and eating patterns, constant fatigue, social withdrawal, anxiety, and interference between maternal-infant interactions, which could adversely affect child development. Alternative forms of treatment are being recognized due to women being hesitant about taking antidepressants as well as a high percentage discontinuing use after a period of time. One case study presented a 25 year old woman on her fourteenth day postpartum that was experiencing psychopathological symptoms, such as psychomotor agitation, hallucinations, garrulity, and the behavioral disorders. She was given conventional medicine that consisted of haloperidol (10 mg/day), olanzapine (20 mg/day), and diazepam (30 mg/day) for eight days, which did not relieve her depression. Electroconvulsive therapy was suggested, but the family opted out and decided to take an alternative route. She was given the homeopathic remedy, Agnus castus 30C, twice a day; this remedy has been used previously for depression and suicidal thoughts. During her first two days of treatment administration, she slept and only waking to eat. On the third day of administration, her psychopathological and psychiatric symptoms disappeared. On the fifth day, she had begun to nurse her infant. Within three to four weeks, all symptoms had vanished and she ceased treatment. After nine months, she remains complaint free (Vacaras, Vithoulkas, Buzoianu, Marginean, Major, Vacaras, Nicoara, & Oberbaum, 2016).

The authors, Macías-Cortés, Llanes-González, Aguilar-Faisal, and Asbun-Bojalil (2015), examined the use of homeopathic treatment on peri- and postmenopausal women with moderate to severe depression. They researched the different effects of individualized homeopathic treatment compared with receiving placebo and fluoxetine and just placebo. Perimenopause is the interval before the onset of menopause, and, due to the inconsistency of hormones, symptoms can be described as depression, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. Post-menopause is determined as the period twelve months after menses cease. During the menopausal transition, women have a higher risk of developing severe depression. A randomized, double-dummy, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was used to assess the use of treatment on one hundred thirty-three women who met criteria. The women were randomly assigned to each group: homeopathic treatment C-potencies, fluoxetine and placebo treatment, or just placebo. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, which can result in many adverse effects. Both homeopathic treatment and fluoxetine provided similar results, but the administration of homeopathic treatment significantly improved the rate of depression recovery over the treatment course, as compared to placebo. Homeopathic treatment also improves menopausal symptoms (Macías-Cortés, Llanes-González, Aguilar-Faisal, & Asbun-Bojalil, 2015).

Discussion

The purpose of this research was to assess whether homeopathy is beneficial suggested treatment for people suffering from depression after evaluating the article written by Viksveen, Relton, and Nicholl (2017). After examining the provided studies, the evidence determined supports the notion that homeopathy is beneficial treatment for depression. Within each study, there was significant improvement seen in most, if not, all patients suffering from depression. Although it is apparent that homeopathy is effective, the limitations to this review involve lack of studies available, unwilling participants as well as participants dropping out midway. The outcomes recorded have already highlighted several named conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and IBS that may be especially promising for homeopathy research in the medical practice setting.

In a real world setting, it is therefore important that clinical outcomes of homeopathic practices are characterized by conducting suitable systematic observational studies. Case studies work to provide proper insight into which remedy should be used due to physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms as it showed to help patients significantly improve, when correctly administering the treatment. The plus side of homeopathic remedies is that it is effective in people of all ages as well as is safe and has no side effects. The present research exertion exemplifies that homeopathic remedies do not treat merely the external symptoms in a patient but restore the complete homeostasis of body and mind. As different people respond to the same illness in different ways, treatment for each person has to be individualized.

Both individualized homeopathic treatment and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, work similarly to reduce symptoms of depression; however, fluoxetine may present adverse effects. Homeopathic treatment provides no harmful side effects, which could lessen the use of prescription antidepressants and, potentially, insurance spent on maintaining the depression. Women, being more likely to suffer from depression, should receive homeopathic treatment as an available option could help reduce this psychological burden on women, especially women with depression as a symptoms of postpartum, unwanted pregnancies, menstruation, and peri- and postmenopause. Considering the positive effects homeopathy has on children with ADHD in a primary care setting, it could give insight into the option to use this specific treatment for other symptoms of ADHD like major depressive disorder.

Conclusions

The researchers, Viksveen, Relton, and Nicholl (2017), designed a cohort multiple randomized controlled trial for analyzing the treatment of depressed patients with homeopathy. Viksveen, Relton, and Nicholl gathered that homeopathy could be an effective remedy, which promoted the investigation of this research proposal. The research findings of this literature analysis support that homeopathy is a beneficial suggested treatment for people suffering from depression. However, limited research and few participants willing to contribute present a drawback to this study. Although, homeopathy is posed as effective in multiple studies when homeopathic principles are considered and individualized homeopathy is used. Also, with the symptom characterization apparent in the study performed by Bagherian, Mojembari, and Hakami (2014), it paints the picture that homeopathy significantly reduces depression and anxiety symptoms, which could pertain to helping with other disorders or psychological abnormalities where depression or anxiety is a potential symptom as well as be subsequent treatment for people with ADHD, Postpartum, and Peri- and Postmenopausal Women.

References

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