Registered member Suse Moebius reports on the Homeopathy Research Institute’s (HRI) 5th international research conference held in London between 16-18th June.
“Homeopathic remedies are not placebo”: Prof Stefan Baumgartner’s summation of 25 years’ worth of painstaking experiments kickstarted the conference. Homeopaths know this – “doh!” – but we’re used to being dismissed by an increasingly scientistic establishment. Baumgartner is an experimental physicist, astronomer and environmental scientist who applied diligent rigour and found “solid, statistically empirical evidence” that it is safe to base further research on this working hypothesis.
It made for an inspiring start to a whistle stop tour around the world of homeopathy research, held in London on 16th-18th June: 35 scientists presented recent work. A tour de force: flawless hosting by HRI’s amazing team; each presenter condensing years of research into a succinct snapshot summary; the delegates absorbing this deluge of information in the shortest time. Four keynote speakers headlined the event, and the rapid-fire presentations were complemented by over 30 poster displays, many featuring innovative approaches to the elemental questions of homeopathy research.
Plus there still was a palpable post-Pandemic thrill of getting together in real life: HRI brought together around 250 scientists and homeopaths from all over the world , including large delegations from Hong Kong, Brazil and Europe. Breaks were buzzing with happy reunions and excitement, and the poster exhibition was enlivened by being set within a drinks reception. The social programme really helped with decompressing from the mental marathon of the presentations. And there was ample time to connect with colleagues old and new. Going to the amazing Saturday night gala dinner on a vintage Routemaster bus was a fun way of sharing the vibe of London with the many international delegates.
One key theme that is coming on in giant strides in the world of homeopathy research at the moment is plant-based research. Many members will have attended this year’s Society conference on homeopathy for gardeners*. If, like me, you were inspired by the possibilities presented, and are keen on deepened understanding, look out for the HRI’s synopsed conference videos, which will be released in due course.
‘Plant-based’ can mean ‘basic’ (= fundamental) research, like the stress experiments Professor Baumgartner has so often replicated on his “beloved duckweed”, or Paul Doesberg’s cress bioassays to test the question: does mobile phone/microwave radiation affect homeopathic potencies? (Answer: yes, it does, at least if exposed continuously for extended periods and in close proximity).
‘Plant-based’ can also mean commercial agro-homeopathy: Dr Faedo’s work on strawberries enthused many: the prospect of growers able to produce this important cash crop organically, without compromising yields, opens up the potential for less toxic large-scale farming, to protect both human health and the environment.
Different life form, different environment, similar problems: aquafarming conditions stress fish and other farmed marine life (shrimps, shellfish), leading to animal suffering – and financial losses due to disease. The work of Dr Lòpez-Carvallo (he presented wearing a shell-print shirt) shows how antibiotics and disinfectant use can be replaced by homeopathic remedies. Yes, you heard that right: adding homeopathic remedies to sea water! Here called “Highly Diluted Bioactive Compounds” (HDBC). Used prophylactically (e.g. applied to fish feed), homeopathic potencies can improve key aspects of health and overall survival, even in the sea!
Among many other presentations, quite a number of papers looked at approaches to Covid-19 and to oncology, and there were many different takes on basic research and novel research methodologies. This was an inspiring experience! Look out for a more detailed round-up of #HRILondon2023 in the New Homeopath’s winter edition.
Being at this conference was so inspiring: here in the UK, homeopathy currently has a hard time. But many of the presenters work in countries where homeopathy is part of normal healthcare. The known bias against non-Western science may be one issue holding back research like this in terms of international recognition. Hahnemann called homeopathy “an art and a science”. At this conference, the science part shone brightly. More please!
*Did you miss the Society’s conference? Curious about the approaches to treating plants? You can still buy access to the full recording. Inspiring, and with many practical pointers!
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