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Abstract
It has recently been shown that homeopathic potencies vary from each other with respect to the quantity of free water molecules and hydrogen bond strength. Do the potencies retain their characteristic physical entities even after dilution with water? This article addresses this question. Methods: Three diluted (4%, 25%, 50%, 75%) potencies 6, 30 and 200cH of each of three drugs Cantharis, Nux vomica and Lycopodium were used and FTIR spectra of all the samples and reference were recorded in the wave number region of 4000 - 2800 cm-1. The ratio of absorbance intensities at 3340 and 3360 cm-1 (R) of all the spectra were taken and difference spectra for each potency or control was obtained. Results: The graph obtained is unique for a potency and differs from that of the ethanol control. Each difference spectrum has a dip at 3600 cm-1. In control the depth in the dip is minimum at 4% and maximum at 90% ethanol. In case of potencies the minimum depth varies from each other and also from the control, but maximum occurs at 90% ethanol as in the control. Conclusions: Higher is the R value; stronger is the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. In control lower concentrations have stronger H-bonding. The lesser is the depth in dip, more abundant is free water molecules. The lower concentrations of ethanol have greater amount of free water molecules but this does not hold true for potencies. So, potencies maintain their uniqueness even when diluted with water.
Keywords: FTIR, H-bond, free water molecules, dilution
Introduction
Original drug molecules cease to exist in homeopathic potencies 12cH and above which cross the Avogadro number. This article indicates that the physical basis of homeopathic potencies consists of free water molecules and strength of hydrogen bonding. These entities vary from one potentized drug to another and also from the drug to its diluent medium aqueous ethanol (1, 2). Usually potentized drugs are diluted with water and then given to patients through the oral route. As there is no hard and fast rule regarding the degree of dilution, physicians or their patients prepare the dilution according to their convenience. However, if the symptoms agree a medicine would work irrespective of its dilution. Researchers also prepare different dilutions of...