Methodological Standards and Problems in Preclinical Homoeopathic Potency Research.

Summary If clinical evidence for the effectiveness and specifity of homoeopathic potencies further accumulates, preclinical research into the nature of homoeopathic dilutions will develop into an important research area of pharmacology. General methodological standards for preclinical investigations of homoeopathic potencies are discussed in order to improve the quality of future research. Beside the classical standards of the experimental sciences, special attention has to be given to the preparation of homoeopathic potencies and corresponding controls. A combined use of i) agitated but not diluted solvent and ii) untreated solvent is proposed as the most appropriate control within an investigation into possible effects of homoeopathic potencies.