Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction In South Africa homoeopathy is relatively unfamiliar, even though it has been in existence with formal qualification from 1989 at the Durban University of Technology, (formerly Durban Institute of Technology and Techikon Natal) as well as the University of Johannesburg formerly Wits Technikon). A large portion of the South African public is unclear with regards to homoeopathic understanding and homoeopathic medicine use. South African studies exploring the perception of homoeopathy have revealed that there is a degree of ignorance or misinterpretation of homeopathy. The objectives of this study were to expand the database of knowledge regarding the patients’ experiences of homoeopathy, by investigating their experiences of homoeopathic care rendered at a PHC facility in the eThekwini district, namely, the Redhill homoeopathic clinic. This study was guided by the following grand tour question: What are the experiences of patients of homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare clinic in the eThekwini District? Aim of the study The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare facility in the eThekwini district. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed. Qualitative research in this study was considered the most appropriate method to gain an in-depth understanding of the patients’ experiences of homoeopathic care. Convenience sampling was used to recruit a minimum of 10 potential research participants from patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Redhill homoeopathic clinic, but the sample size was only determined once data saturation was obtained. The study population were patients who were visiting the Redhill homoeopathic clinic for the second time or more and those who had utilized homoeopathic remedies. The data was collected and analysed using Tesch’s eight-step procedure. Results Results from this study showed that the study group had knowledge of homoeopathy and that there is growth in the knowledge of homoeopathy as compared to previous studies. The researcher observed that Indian participants had a better understanding of homoeopathy than African participants. Participants showed great confidence in homoeopathy and most of them revealed a high level of satisfaction with the homoeopathic treatment and were very happy with the service delivery. Results showed that there had been an improvement of the patients’ ailments since the commencement of homoeopathic treatment.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's degree in technology in Technology : Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction There is no proper definition of acute mechanical neck pain (AMNP) but it has been theorized that it has a sudden onset pain and lasts for a relatively short time. It occurs with or without injury and presents with pain in the shoulder and upper arm. Acute mechanical neck pain should not be accompanied by an inflammatory disease, neurological disease, fracture, dislocation, neoplasm or infection AIM The purpose of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of homoeopathic Simillimum against Traumeel® (a commercial homoeopathic complex) in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain using the neck disability scale, range of motion measurements and a subjective observation. METHODOLOGY This study was a double blind, quantitative, comparative; clinical trial that involved two treatment groups: Half the participants received the homoeopathic Simillimum and the other half received oral Traumeel® drops. Patients self-selected homoeopathic treatment. Patients were screened and only those who fit the inclusion criteria of suffering from AMNP of maximal two weeks duration, were English conversant and between the ages of 18 and 55 were included. Those suffering with AMNP were required to sign an informed consent form after the procedure was explained thoroughly. Each patient read through the procedure of the clinical trial and were informed that their participation was on a voluntary basis and they could withdraw at any time. Convenience sampling was utilised in which an independent person, using a simple sampling method, randomly allocated the patients into the respective groups. Of the 30 patients, 15 received Traumeel® and 15 received homoeopathic Simillimum. It was hypothesized that the homoeopathic Simillimum treatment would be more effective in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain than oral Traumeel®. The treatment protocol consisted of three homoeopathic consultations within a seven day period, with the consultations scheduled on days one, three and seven. Subjective and objective measurements were taken at each of the three consultations, Durban University of Technology Homoeopathic Day Clinic, Steve Biko Campus. A Simillimum treatment was prescribed for every patient based on full homoeopathic case history. This Simillimum was confirmed by the co-supervisor. Half of the patients were dispensed the Simillimum and the other half received Traumeel® according to the randomisation list. At the first follow up, on day three, the patients were reassessed according to their progress, perception and their range of motion, and the progress of the patient was analysed. In the last consultation on day seven, the progress of the patient was analysed using the perceptive questionnaire of the Neck Disability Index and the objective cervical range of motion. Full physical examinations were carried out during all three consultations. Upon collection of data, the statistical package SPSS 22.0 was used to record and analyse the data. Non parametric statistical tests were used as the data were non parametric - it does not follow any distribution, was ordinal (not relying on numbers but rather a ranking order of sorts). Inter-group comparisons were made using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS The effectiveness of Traumeel® and homoeopathic Simillimum was measured firstly, in terms of the patients’ perception of the responses to the treatment applying the Neck Disability Index and secondly the increase in degree of movement in the range of motion of the cervical region. When applying an ANOVA with repeated measures with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction, the mean scores between groups were statistically not significantly different (p = 0.112). CONCLUSION Both the Traumeel® and Simillimum treatments were effective in the treatment of acute mechanical neck pain, but there was no evidence that one treatment was more beneficial than the other. The p-values (sig.) reported were greater than 0.05, thus implying that there is no significant difference between the groups.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Aim The aim of this controlled, experimental study was to compare the biological activity of various homoeopathic potencies of gibberellic acid manufactured radionically (AMS transfer device) and conventionally (GHP) in terms of their respective influence on germination rate and seedling development of barley seeds; all the respective results being contrasted against those produced by the distilled water control. Methodology The research was completed by employing quantitative research techniques and followed true experimental design. Homoeopathically (Hahnemannian) prepared gibberellic acid followed the manufacturing guidelines of method 5a involving liquid preparations, as specified in the German Homoeopathic pharmacopoeia (GHP) (Benyunes 2005). A second radionic ‘equivalent’ version of each of the Hahnemannian potencies was manufactured using the ‘AMS wave transfer’ device. Four sources of data were collected namely, germination count and rate, seedling development (root length), seedling dry mass, and number of seeds with measurable roots. All the data was collected and documented on a data collection sheet using Microsoft Excel. All the data was statistically analysed and subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat Version 14 (VSN International, UK) at the 5% level of significance. The statistical data was used to produce a comparison between the different remedies and distilled water. Results All of the remedy treatment groups (Radionic 200c, Hahnemannian 200cH, Radionic 4c and Hahnemannian 4cH) displayed suppressive effects (to certain extents respectively ) on seed growth and development in comparison to the control group (distilled water). The control group displayed greater seedling development in comparison to all remedy treatment groups which was most evident in the average root lengths and high vigour seed lot root lengths having longer roots than all remedy treatment groups. The control group also displayed a higher number of seeds with measurable roots compared to all the remedy treatment groups in both total number of seeds and in the seeds accounted for in the high vigour lots. This suggests that all Homoeopathic remedies irrespective of potency or manufacture method (Radionic or Hahnemmanian) had similar suppressive effects on root growth and seedling development and this suppressive effect was in turn not evident in the control group. Conclusion The experiment results suggest that radionically manufactured homoeopathic remedies (AMS wave transfer device) have similar biological effects (suppressive effects) to the equivalent Hahnemannian manufactured homoeopathic remedies, although further research in this field is necessary to confirm these findings the results from this study are supportive of the use of radionically prepared remedies in homoeopathic practice. / M

Mini-dissertation was submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / It was reported by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas, in 2003, that a prevalence figure of 3.4% exists for the 24 million South Africans between the ages of 20 and 79, with an expected increase to 3.9% by 2025. Considering that patients with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputation and renal failure it is therefore not surprising that the costs associated with diabetes are estimated to increase worldwide. It is clear that according to the current trends in dietary and exercise practices, South Africa will be affected by the rise in obesity and subsequent diabetes mellitus. It is critical that a concerted effort involving all parties concerned be made to combat this rapidly increasing problem (Rheeder, 2006:20). AIM The purpose of this double-blind, randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture as compared to Momordica charantia 6CH, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients on Metformin. METHODOLOGY Thirty patients were recruited and were selected for the study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly and equally divided into two groups. Each participant attended a total of four consultations with the researcher, over a two month period, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At the commencement of the first consultation, each participant received the subject information letter (Appendix A) for perusal and the informed consent form (Appendix B) to sign. Following this, the researcher took a full, detailed iv case history (Appendix F) and performed a physical examination (Appendix G) of each patient. Participants were required to have a Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) test performed following the first and fourth consultations. Participants were also required to complete daily Log Sheets (comprising self administered fasting blood glucose readings using issued Bayer Ascensia Elite Glucometers) for the entire duration of the study (8 weeks). SPSS version 18 was used to analyse the data. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The time effect was assessed for intra-group comparison whereas the time x group treatment effect was assessed for inter-group comparison. Means were calculated for both fasting blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin for the two respective groups and tabulated in order to describe the data obtained (Descriptive statistics). RESULTS Both groups reflected a statistically non significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels with no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Group 1 (Momordica charantia homoeopathic mother tincture) reflected a non significant increase in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) levels while Group 2 (Momordica charantia 6CH) reflected a statistically significant increase over time in HbA1C levels. There were no significant differences between the two groups when comparing reduction in HbA1C levels. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / South Africa has a dual healthcare system which consists of the public and private healthcare sectors. The private healthcare sector is used by a small percentage of South Africans as its services are more expensive. It makes provision for both allopathic and Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners. In contrast, the public healthcare sector employs only allopathic practitioners. Due to its services being rendered free of charge or at very low cost, it caters for the majority of the population and as a result has become overburdened. South Africa’s healthcare system is undergoing major changes in order to ease the burden on the public sector. The integration of homoeopathy into this sector is a possible viable solution. In order to facilitate integration, homoeopathic practitioners should be in agreement with this radical change and suggest ways in which this paradigm shift can be initiated. Hence, the overall aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of homoeopathic practitioners on their role in the public healthcare system in South Africa. The paucity of research on the perceptions of homoeopathic doctors suggests that this is an unexplored topic. This study therefore employed a qualitative approach based on the grounded theory method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to determine homoeopathic practitioners’ perceptions of this phenomenon. Participants were selected using snowball sampling. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were also used to guide the selection of the research participants. The participants were interviewed individually using an interview guideline. Each interview was audio recorded and transcribed prior to data analysis. Once transcribed, the data was evaluated and analyzed manually. Four commons themes emerged from the data. The prevalence, frequency and variation (in the frequency) of each theme amongst the participants was established. Further analysis revealed links between all four themes. It was evident that knowledge/awareness of homoeopathy, the homoeopathic education system and the in-practice experiences of homoeopathic doctors all influence integration. These factors represented homoeopathic practitioners’ perceptions on such integration. The identification of the factors that influence integration is a clear indication that the homoeopathic practitioners who participated in this study are aware of their role in the public healthcare system and that the majority would welcome a shift from the private to the public healthcare sector. There is thus a need for further nationwide and more in-depth research on integration. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Introduction Homoeopathy is recognised as a well established form of alternative medicine in the private healthcare sector of South Africa (Caldis, McLeod, Smith, 2001). Whilst local research supports the viability of homoeopathy as a primary healthcare resource; patient perception and experience with the homoeopathic service remain largely unknown (Smillie, 2010). The study addresses shortfalls in existing literature on homoeopathy, providing a qualitative evaluation of the homoeopathic healthcare service in the context of public healthcare in South Africa. The task of the study was to develop substantive theory with the aim to better understand health behaviour of patient’s utilising homoeopathic and allopathic healthcare services. Methods The study employed a qualitative study design, and explored the perceptions and experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Kenneth Gardens Homoeopathy Clinic, within the context of primary healthcare services and public sector healthcare. Data was generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 participants. Data was systematically analysed using grounded theory methods to generate substantive theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Schreiber and Stern, 2001; Holloway and Wheeler, 2010). Results Data analysis revealed five main themes of influences affecting the utilisation of homoeopathic services at the Kenneth Gardens Clinic; these include context specific factors to healthcare utilisation, factors influencing healthcare utilisation, health beliefs and practices, health outcome factors and trust. The study results illustrate that participants trusted their homoeopathic provider and homoeopathic treatment outcomes; and subsequently demonstrate the direct positive influence which trust had on the utilisation of homoeopathic services in the study population. Discussion The discussion explores the significance of influences, barriers and discerning factors identified in the study on decision-making pathways in healthcare utilisation behaviour of homoeopathic and allopathic healthcare services. The significance of trust in healthcare utilisation behaviour is explored as the principle finding of the study. The study’s conceptual model is based on Anderson’s (2005) behavioural model of health service utilisation and has been adapted to demonstrate the relationship in health seeking behaviours between homoeopathic and allopathic care modalities. Recommendations The relationship between the variables illustrated in the study’s proposed adapted model need to be further tested using quantitative research methods. Trust in healthcare, and in particular with homoeopathy, is a subject which merits further exploration. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The first objective of this study was to determine the symptomatology that the plant remedy Peucedanum galbanum 30CH, produced in healthy individuals, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyse this symptomatology in relation to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesised that Peucedanum galbanum 30CH would produce symptomatology in healthy individuals which would correlate to the doctrine of signatures of the plant. / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / Introduction This dissertation entails a homoeopathic proving of ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) 30CH with a subsequent comparison to Lac Loxodonta africana. Objectives The primary objective of this proving was to determine the effects of homoeopathically prepared ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a 30CH dilution and was achieved by administering the remedy to a group of healthy individuals (provers) who will document all symptoms that arise as a result of taking the remedy. These symptoms will be used to identify the therapeutic indications of homoeopathic ivory. With these specific indications being documented the remedy can then be utilized in the sick individual, that present with similar symptoms, to induce a cure. A further objective of this proving is to report any variation that may exist in the comparison of two remedies, namely Lac Loxodonta africana (milk derived from the African elephant) and the remedy used in this proving, ivory from the male African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Methodology The substance was triturated up until the 3CH and subsequently converted into a liquid potency to be potentised up until the 30CH. Granules were then impregnated with the 30CH liquid potency. Ten impregnated granules were then placed in each individual ii lactose powder sachets. A total of six powders were dispensed to the proving participants. The proving was conducted as a double blind placebo controlled study with a total of twenty-six (26) provers that met the inclusion criteria (Appendix A). The group was made up of both homoeopathic students as well as the general public of varying ages, race and gender. The total group was randomly divided into two groups, twenty (20) of which received the homoeopathic remedy, the remainder (6) received placebo. A full case history of each prover was taken before commencing the proving as well as on completion of the study. Each individual prover kept a journal, starting a week before the proving, which was continued while taking the remedy and ceased when all symptoms had abated. Once all provers had completed the proving, the information received from the provers through the journals from both groups was collated, assessed and analyzed. A comparison was then made between this proving and Lac Loxodonta africana to assess whether any similarities or differences were evident. The comparison was made on symptom similarities and rubric analysis. Results The proving of ivory from the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) revealed a variety of symptoms. A total of 32 systems were affected in the twenty provers who received the remedy. 716 symptoms were recorded, 83 of which were new symptoms. The systems that were predominately affected were the mind, head and extremities. Many symptoms were confirmed to be similar to those identified in the proving of Lac Loxodonta africana, though differences were also acknowledged. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction In South Africa homoeopathy is relatively unfamiliar, even though it has been in existence with formal qualification from 1989 at the Durban University of Technology, (formerly Durban Institute of Technology and Techikon Natal) as well as the University of Johannesburg formerly Wits Technikon). A large portion of the South African public is unclear with regards to homoeopathic understanding and homoeopathic medicine use. South African studies exploring the perception of homoeopathy have revealed that there is a degree of ignorance or misinterpretation of homeopathy. The objectives of this study were to expand the database of knowledge regarding the patients’ experiences of homoeopathy, by investigating their experiences of homoeopathic care rendered at a PHC facility in the eThekwini district, namely, the Redhill homoeopathic clinic. This study was guided by the following grand tour question: What are the experiences of patients of homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare clinic in the eThekwini District? Aim of the study The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare facility in the eThekwini district. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed. Qualitative research in this study was considered the most appropriate method to gain an in-depth understanding of the patients’ experiences of homoeopathic care. Convenience sampling was used to recruit a minimum of 10 potential research participants from patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Redhill homoeopathic clinic, but the sample size was only determined once data saturation was obtained. The study population were patients who were visiting the Redhill homoeopathic clinic for the second time or more and those who had utilized homoeopathic remedies. The data was collected and analysed using Tesch’s eight-step procedure. Results Results from this study showed that the study group had knowledge of homoeopathy and that there is growth in the knowledge of homoeopathy as compared to previous studies. The researcher observed that Indian participants had a better understanding of homoeopathy than African participants. Participants showed great confidence in homoeopathy and most of them revealed a high level of satisfaction with the homoeopathic treatment and were very happy with the service delivery. Results showed that there had been an improvement of the patients’ ailments since the commencement of homoeopathic treatment. / M

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Introduction Homoeopathy is recognised as a well established form of alternative medicine in the private healthcare sector of South Africa (Caldis, McLeod, Smith, 2001). Whilst local research supports the viability of homoeopathy as a primary healthcare resource; patient perception and experience with the homoeopathic service remain largely unknown (Smillie, 2010). The study addresses shortfalls in existing literature on homoeopathy, providing a qualitative evaluation of the homoeopathic healthcare service in the context of public healthcare in South Africa. The task of the study was to develop substantive theory with the aim to better understand health behaviour of patient’s utilising homoeopathic and allopathic healthcare services. Methods The study employed a qualitative study design, and explored the perceptions and experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Kenneth Gardens Homoeopathy Clinic, within the context of primary healthcare services and public sector healthcare. Data was generated through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 participants. Data was systematically analysed using grounded theory methods to generate substantive theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Schreiber and Stern, 2001; Holloway and Wheeler, 2010). Results Data analysis revealed five main themes of influences affecting the utilisation of homoeopathic services at the Kenneth Gardens Clinic; these include context specific factors to healthcare utilisation, factors influencing healthcare utilisation, health beliefs and practices, health outcome factors and trust. The study results illustrate that participants trusted their homoeopathic provider and homoeopathic treatment outcomes; and subsequently demonstrate the direct positive influence which trust had on the utilisation of homoeopathic services in the study population. Discussion The discussion explores the significance of influences, barriers and discerning factors identified in the study on decision-making pathways in healthcare utilisation behaviour of homoeopathic and allopathic healthcare services. The significance of trust in healthcare utilisation behaviour is explored as the principle finding of the study. The study’s conceptual model is based on Anderson’s (2005) behavioural model of health service utilisation and has been adapted to demonstrate the relationship in health seeking behaviours between homoeopathic and allopathic care modalities. Recommendations The relationship between the variables illustrated in the study’s proposed adapted model need to be further tested using quantitative research methods. Trust in healthcare, and in particular with homoeopathy, is a subject which merits further exploration. / M