Abstract

A REVIEW ON RESEARCH EVIDENCES IN HOMOEOPATHY FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Amulya Ratna Sahoo, Chaturbhuja Nayak, Akshaya Kumar Hati, Sasmita Rath,
Biswaranjan Paital*

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common morbiditiesencountered nowdays in clinical practice. The majority of UTIs arecaused by the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The objective of thisstudy was to review the existing research evidences in support of theeffectiveness of homoeopathy in urinary tract infections. Fourteenarticles related to the objective of the study were identified, out ofwhich 4 clinical studies on humans (2 case series, 2 case reports), 2 invitro studies and one animal experimentation; thus total 7 studies werefinally selected for assessment. Out of 12 chronic UTI cases in 4clinical studies, 9 were cured and 3 were improved with homoeopathicindividualized, constitutional medicines, whereas one lesser knownremedy was found effective only in an acute case. Staphysagria wasfound to be most frequently prescribed medicine. In in vitro studies,Merc. sol. 12 CH and homoeopathic preparation E. coli 6X were effective in inhibition ofgrowth of E. coli. In animal experimentation, the immunemodulatory effects of Cantharis 6CH were observed. Although positive effects of homoeopathic medicines on UTI cases or onE. coli, in in vitro or animal models were observed, yet the number and grade of evidences were poor, as no randomized control trial could be identified. Randomized control trials on homoeopathic treatment of UTI in humans, rigorous in vitro studies and animal experimentations are suggested to ascertain the effects of homoeopathic medicines on E. coli.

Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Homoeopathy, Evidence-based research, Clinical research on E. coli, In vitro studies, Animal experimentation.