Homeopathy for Hypertension: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of the Current Evidence

Background: Hypertension is a growing health concern linked to sedentary lifestyle choices and behaviors. Homeopathy is one of the most frequently used complementary medicine for hypertension, but the state of evidence is not well characterized. This scoping review aims to map the current state of evidence and explore the range of prescription methods used in homeopathy for this condition. Methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Cam-Quest, Core-Hom) were systematically searched for published studies evaluating the effects of homeopathic medicines on hypertension. Only clinical trials published in English that assessed the impact of homeopathy on hypertension were included. Data were extracted and organized in a spreadsheet, capturing study population characteristics, prescription methods, outcomes, and specific homeopathic medicines used. Results: A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome assessed in most studies was blood pressure, including systolic and diastolic measurements. Eleven studies reported a statistically significant reduction in blood pressure with homeopathic treatment. Both individualized homeopathy (n=11) and prescription based on specific remedies or complex homeopathy (n=7) demonstrated improvements in hypertension. Lifestyle modifications were consistently incorporated into the management plans in all the studies. However, most of the included studies had short treatment durations. The review provides a list of potentially helpful homeopathic medicines for future research. Conclusion: This scoping review reveals a limited number of studies that have examined the effect of homeopathic medicines in managing hypertension. In addition, determining the optimal prescription method for homeopathy in hypertension management remains challenging. Further research, including well-designed randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up, is warranted to strengthen the evidence base.