Homoeopathy linked to severe liver injury, says study in Kerala

Homoeopathic remedies are widely criticised for allegedly lacking scientific proof and curing patients via the placebo effect. Now, a new study has found that the remedies used in homoeopathy increase the risk of severe liver injury.

A study by doctors and researchers at the Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva, Kerala reviewed the records of 456 patients who were under treatment for liver diseases between January 2019 and February 2022. Nine of them had a liver injury which could be solely attributed to homoeopathic formulations.

The study found that all patients developed jaundice and the most common reason for them to rely on homoeopathic remedies was Covid-19 prevention. Six patients had liver necrosis (death of the tissues). In those who have underlying liver disease, these remedies can result in severe injury and death. It can also lead to acute hepatitis and acute chronic liver failure, reported The News Minute.

The research also linked the toxicity to mother tinctures (the main substance), insufficient dilution, poor manufacturing practices, adulteration, contamination, and the presence of direct hepatotoxic herbals and alcohol. The team also identified 156 unique compounds after analysing 15 homoeopathic remedies. They had heavy metals, industrial solvents, alcohols, steroids, sedatives, and antibiotics.

Hepatologist Dr Abby Philips who is known for research related to alternative medicine and debunking claims was part of the team.

Speaking to The News Minute, immunology scientist Dr Libin Abraham said the fundamental principles of Homoeopathy are flawed and called it a "pseudoscience". He pointed out that homoeopathy started in Germany and the government of that country has removed it from public health insurance considering it a waste of taxpayers' money. Manu other western nations like Australia and Canada have also done the same.

He explained that homoeopathy is basically energy medicine that works with the idea that there is a vital force in the body and diseases are caused by the de-arrangement of the force. Ailments are traced back to the de-arrangement of this vital force and not a virus or bacteria. The heavily concentrated mother substance (mother tincture) is diluted with sugar pills via vigorous shaking. These medicines are said to have "medicinal energy" that will interact with the body and put the vital force back in order to cure the person.

The use of alcohol has been heavily criticised too because of the high dosage. "The vehicle that carries homoeopathic medicines is 90% alcohol. It is basically microdosing alcohol," said Dr Libin. He also pointed out that the main issue is that improper manufacturing and adulteration add layers of complications.

The team has called for better regulation, research, and documentation in the system. "The government should ensure that products that reach consumers are actually safe."

There have been numerous studies criticising the placebo effect of homoeopathy and slamming its lack of evidence of actually curing a disease.

NHMRC, Australia’s apex body supporting health and medical research, in 2015 said that homoeopathy should not be used to treat chronic or serious ailments. Another study in the UK found that some side effects like acute pancreatitis, severe allergy, neurocognitive disorders, sudden heart attack, coma, kidney injury, and thallium poisoning can be fatal.