Systematic pH measurements in homeopathic production lines and their controls.

Background and Objectives Over the past decade, research using various methods has claimed the material nature of high homeopathic potencies. The current study aims to verify these findings using pH measurements. Methods Six independent serial dilutions of commonly used homeopathic medicines, either soluble (Arnica, Belladona, Gelsemium, Pyrogenium, Pyrogenium crudum, Kalium muriaticum) or insoluble (Cuprum, Argentum, Silicea), and prepared according to European Pharmacopoeia standards were pooled and used for pH measurement. We compared the homeopathic dynamisations (DYNs) in pure water with their potentized controls and with simple dilutions (DILs) up to 30cH/10−60. We also tested the influence of the container (Glass or Polyethylene terephthalate ‘PET’) on the solvent controls. Results The different manufacturing processes of the stocks (trituration required or not) influence the pH results. Stock heating process changes the pH of the entire production line. pH measurements can distinguish a dynamised production line from its dynamised solvent but not always from their simple dilution. The presence of a stock at the beginning of a homeopathic manufacturing process modifies the electrical behaviour of the solvent during all successive dilutions, even at the highest dilutions/dynamisations. The container has a significant effect on the electric field indicating the involvement of the atmosphere and leaching processes. Conclusion In homeopathic potentisations of all stocks, an electric field can be measured with specific intensities, even when diluted beyond Avogadro’s number. Homeopathic potentisation is not a simple solvent dilution. The starting material, the solvent used, the type of container and the manufacturing method influence the characteristics of these electric fields. The process of heating the stock should be avoided. The reasons for the presence of these pH values and their stability are not known, but they are most likely related to the presence of nanometric superstructures in these preparations. The role of pH in the manufacturing process and in the effects of homeopathic medicines should be further investigated.