Philips Cyriac Abby, Theruvath Arif Hussain, Ravindran Resmi, Jose Shinsmon, Philips Mathew
Clinical and Translational Hepatology, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India.
Department of Clinical Research, Division of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Liver, The Liver Institute, Center for Excellence in Gastrointestinal Sciences, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, Kerala, India.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jul 25;104(30):e42560. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000042560.
Homeopathy is a popular alternative medical practice globally. However, homeopathic formulations can cause allergies, anaphylaxis, fatal cardiovascular events, kidney injury, liver failure, and death due to their direct and indirect toxicities. This study examined commonly prescribed homeopathic formulations from 3 categories: classical dilutions, mother tinctures, and proprietary products. This cross-sectional study assessed the quality and safety of popular over-the-counter homeopathic formulations. Each remedy underwent complete organic and inorganic content profiling, including heavy metal detection, alcohol quantification, and steroid detection. We analyzed 134 homeopathic remedies and found high alcohol levels, insect and animal parts, carnivorous plants in alcohol, and toxic heavy metals. Classical dilutions had the highest alcohol content (median: 91.02% v/v). Highly diluted formulations of arsenic and mercury had detectable lead levels. Proprietary medicines also showed various potentially toxic bioactive plant compounds, heavy metal contaminants, industrial-grade solvents, and pharmaceutical intermediates, raising concerns about organ toxicity. Homeopathic formulations revealed high ethanol levels and toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium. Tinctures and proprietary formulations contained multiple potentially toxic chemicals. Stricter regulatory oversight is needed, and consumers should be aware that the testimonials and anecdotal claims of homeopathic benefits lack scientific validation and can mask potentially harmful effects.
顺势疗法在全球是一种流行的替代医学疗法。然而，顺势疗法制剂因其直接和间接毒性可导致过敏、过敏反应、致命心血管事件、肾损伤、肝衰竭及死亡。本研究检查了3类常用的顺势疗法制剂：经典稀释剂、母酊剂和专利产品。这项横断面研究评估了非处方顺势疗法制剂的质量和安全性。每种药物都进行了完整的有机和无机成分分析，包括重金属检测、酒精定量和类固醇检测。我们分析了134种顺势疗法药物，发现酒精含量高、含有昆虫和动物成分、酒精中的食肉植物以及有毒重金属。经典稀释剂的酒精含量最高（中位数：91.02%体积/体积）。砷和汞的高度稀释制剂中可检测到铅含量。专利药物还显示出各种潜在有毒的生物活性植物化合物、重金属污染物、工业级溶剂和药物中间体，引发了对器官毒性的担忧。顺势疗法制剂显示出高乙醇含量以及砷、铅、汞和镉等有毒重金属。酊剂和专利制剂含有多种潜在有毒化学物质。需要更严格的监管，消费者应该意识到顺势疗法益处的推荐和轶事性说法缺乏科学验证，可能掩盖潜在的有害影响。
