Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume 3 (2006), Issue 3, Pages 293-301
doi:10.1093/ecam/nel045
Lecture Series

Immunology and Homeopathy. 4. Clinical Studies—Part 1

Paolo Bellavite,1 Riccardo Ortolani,2 Francesco Pontarollo,1 Valeria Piasere,1 Giovanni Benato,2 and Anita Conforti3

1Department of Scienze Morfologico-Biomediche, University of Verona, Piazza L.A. Scuro, 37134 Verona, Italy
2Association for Integrative Medicine ‘Giovanni Scolaro’, University of Verona, Piazza L.A. Scuro, 37134 Verona, Italy
3Department of Medicina e Sanità Pubblica, University of Verona, Piazza L.A. Scuro, 37134 Verona, Italy

Received 6 March 2006; Accepted 9 June 2006

Copyright © 2006 Paolo Bellavite et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The evidence-based research of the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in common immunologic disorders is reviewed. In part 1, we introduce methodological issues of clinical research in homeopathy, and criteria utilized to evaluate the literature. Then 24 studies (12 randomized and 12 non-randomized) on common upper respiratory tract infections and otorhinolaryngologic complaints are described. In part 2, the focus will be on allergic diseases and the effectiveness of homeopathy will be globally evaluated and discussed using the criteria of evidence-based medicine.