An ontological analysis of the visual expression of water based homeopathic remedy, Natrum muriaticum, as droplet glass stain patterns

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The idea of the memory of water arose in the laboratory of immunologist, Jacques Benveniste in the late 1980s where his research into allergies took him deeper intotrying to find out how the smallest amount of a substance could affect an organism. He experimented with Homeopathy by using highly diluted antibodies in his basophil degranulation test. He observed that highly dilute biological agents were still able to trigger the relevant biological system. (Thomas, 2007) The memory of water is a controversial topic that requires more research to be properly understood and as such, it is the researcher’s aim to gain insight on the memory of water. METHODOLOGY: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that the preparation of a Homeopathic remedy (Natrum muriaticum) has on water, as its solvent, using the glass stain analysis as outlined by Kroplin (2001). The possible ability of water to hold and store the memory of its solute, sodium chloride, was investigated. The results would be added to the critical reflection on current literature available. In an experimental double blind study, Kroplin’s glass stain method was used to analyse the following:  The mother solution samples.  The 9CH potency samples (within Avogadro’s constant).  The 30CH potency samples (past Avogadro’s constant).  As well as the water sample used to make the remedy as the control. The above four samples were supplied from the following two manufacturers:  Durban University of Technology (DUT) manufactured by the researcher (appendix 2).  Samples manufactured by one commercial homeo-pharmaceutical company, ParcevalPharmaceuticals (appendix 3). This research aimed to investigate, using homeo-pharmaceutical principles (dilution and succussion), the structural influence of a solute on water after the solution is diluted beyond Avogadro’s constant. Repetition of the 5 experiment in week six aimed to investigate the validity of expiry time proposed by the homeopathicpharmacopoeia. RESULTS:  The stained picture patterns took on a consistent form of a starry night and the ‘stars’ seemed to increase in mass with potentisation suggesting that the homeopathic remedy manufacture process affects the outcome of the water’s form.  Overall consistency in picture patterns between both experimenters suggesting minimal observer effect.  The experiment was repeated to test expiry date and these pictures displayed degradation and thus seemed to offer validation towards homeopathic remedy expiration.  Although abstract qualitative results, a notable difference in water control and potentised water samples offer enough evidence for further investigations.