Evidence from the use of a solvatochromic detection system indicates that water is an inert carrier of the homeopathic signal

Abstract

Using a high specification potentiser (Pinkus Potentiser) capable of consistently and reliably producing homeopathic potencies to rigorous standards, unsuccussed control water, Water 10M and Arsenicum 10M have been compared with respect to their effect on the solvatochromic dye phenol blue. Water 10M was found to have no statistically significant effect compared with unsuccussed water whilst Arsenicum 10M produced a statistically significant effect different from both unsuccussed water and Water 10M. The conclusion from this result is that bulk pure water does not potentise and is no different from unsuccussed water. This in turn indicates that what is potentised during cycles of dilution and succussion are the substances placed in water and not water itself, and that water is simply an inert carrier of the homeopathic signal. Evidence from the practice of homeopathy, in particular the storage and administering of homeopathic medicines, supports this conclusion.