Abstract
M.Tech. (Homeopathy)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth rate of germinating Zea mays seeds
treated with homeopathically prepared Argentum nitricum in the potencies 3CH. 6CH and 9CH. The purpose was to prove that homeopathy does not work according to the "placebo effect" as suggested by some researchers. This was done by showing that homeopathic remedies have therapeutic effects on living plant matter, thereby giving credibility to homeopathy as a science. Another aspect of the study was to determine whether there is specificity in relation to selected remedy and dose. Six hundred Zea mays seeds were selected and planted in germination paper rolls. In each of the three test groups as well as the control group, there were ISO seeds each. The control group was treated with distilled water only, while the test groups were treated with varied potencies ofArgentum nitricum, which were prepared indistilled water. The germination rolls were incubated at 2SoC for a total of J3S hours. After 39 hours the germinating seeds were replanted onto fresh germination rolls. The process was repeated after a further 48 hours and thus at 87 hours the first measurement was taken and recorded. The final measurement was taken and recorded at J3S hours. Measurements comprised of the lengths of the mesocoleoptile and coleoptile ofthe Zea mays shoots. At 87 hours there was no significant difference between any of the groups. At J3S hours there were significant differences between the Argentum nitrlcum 3eH and the control, Argentum nitricum 3CH and Argentum nitricum 6CH, Argentum nitricum 3CH and Argentum nitricum 9CH. This study therefore showed that homeopathic Argentum nitricum had significant influence on the growth of germinating Zea mays seeds. The theory that homeopathy is merely due to "placebo effect" was disproved, and it was shown that there is definitely specificity with respect to homeopathic potencies.