[Omeo33] Art 1018 - Compl Ther Med, 2009, 17 (2), 63-70

[Gino Santini]

Effects of potentised substances on growth rate of the water plant  
Lemna gibba L.
Claudia Scherr, Meinhard Simon, Jörg Spranger and Stephan Baumgartn

Objectives - This study investigated, whether the growth rate of Lemna  
gibba L. (duckweed) can be influenced by the application of  
homeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid, kinetin, argentum nitricum,  
and lemna minor.
Methods - Duckweed was grown in either potencies (14x–30x, decimal  
steps) or water controls (unsuccussed and succussed) over seven days.  
Frond (leaf-like structure) growth was measured using a non- 
destructive image analysis system. Growth rates were calculated for  
three time intervals (0–7, 0–3, 3–7 days). Five to six independent,  
randomized and blinded experiments were analysed for each of the four  
tested substances. Water control experiments were performed repeatedly  
to test the reliability of the experimental set-up (systematic  
negative controls).
Results - The systematic negative control experiments did not yield  
any significant effects. Hence, false positive results could be  
excluded. The test system had a low coefficient of variation (1.5%).  
Out of the four tested substances gibberellic acid had the most  
pronounced effect (p = 0.0002, F-test) on the main outcome parameter  
frond growth rate (r(area) day 0–7). Potency levels 15x, 17x, 18x, 23x  
and 24x reduced growth rate of Lemna gibba (p < 0.05 against the  
pooled water control, LSD test).
Conclusions - Lemna gibba may be considered as a suitable test  
organism for further studies on the efficacy of homeopathic potencies.  
Evidence accumulates, that adjacent potency levels may strongly differ  
in their biological activity. Potential consequences for therapeutical  
application might be worth investigating.

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