An evaluation of Hahnemannian quinquagenimillesimal potencies using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to analyse and compare the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of samples of quinquagenimillesimal (LM) potencies of homoeopathic Sulphur and a lactose-based control produced according to Hahnemann, in order to evaluate homoeopathic medicines thus prepared. It was hypothesised that differences existed in the spectra of respective Sulphur samples, control samples, and between parallel samples of Sulphur and control. It was further hypothesised that these differences correlated proportionately with the degree of potency of samples. The design of the investigation was that of a scientific experiment. Potencies of Sulphur and a lactose-based control were prepared (according to the directions of Hahnemann*) to the LM10 level. LM2, LM6 and LM10 liquid potencies (95% ethanol) of each group were then prepared in =20.8160 ml volumes and despatched for sampling and measurement. NMR spectroscopy was conducted on fifteen (15) samples of each potency. These were prepared in coaxial sample tubes using deuterium oxide (020) as an extemal lock and dioxane as a reference. Samples were drawn and measured in overlapping sequence by the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town. The spectrometer em. ployed was a. Varian VXR200 operating at a frequency of 200.057 MHz. Acquisition time for each sample was 3.727 seconds, using a pulse width of 6\xB0. Measurement of each sample was repeated eight times, at a constant temperature of 298.1 K (250. OC)