The Aurum Project

Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials conducted by the Aurum Project

Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trial (HPT)

The HPT is also known as a proving. The function of the HPT is to create information as one of the sources for Materia Medica. The validity and reliability of the information gathered from HPT’s are therefore fundamental for the success of homeopathic practice and clinical research. HPT’s are unique to homeopathy. Their purpose is to test a substance, at a non-toxic level, on healthy volunteers. This is done to determine the symptoms it provokes and the type of person who may be sensitive to it and which, according to the Similarity Principle, it may be used to treat.

HPT’s have certain things in similar to Phase 1 trials for new pharmaceutical products: they are conducted on healthy volunteers but also there are important differences. The homeopathic doses used are small, therefore serious adverse effects do not occur and, the data collected is mostly qualitative. Phase 1 trials intend, predominantly, to gather pharmacological data.

The HPT is not designed to ‘prove’ that homeopathy works; but more to identify the effects of substances. They need to be replicated and then submitted to the rigorous process of systematic clinical verification, as suggested by Herring more than 100 years ago.

The remedies which are the subject of the HPT’s have historically been taken on a voluntary basis by the participants. This is crucial for Homeopathy, as it ensures unprejudiced results. However, the management and supervision of the HPT can often take a great deal of time and can be a tremendous amount of work with many associated costs. Therefore, it is important that the HPT is supported by companies with an interest in sustainable, non-toxic medicine.

Summary of HPT methodology

The methodology of Hanemann’s provings is followed by the Aurum Project, as outlined by the contemporary homeopaths Paul Herscu, Bernd Schuster but mainly the work of Jeremy Sherr.

Development of Materia Medica

The Homeopathic Materia Medica lists the therapeutic indications of the tested homeopathic medicine resulting from the HPT. The proving research results in a list to be entered as indications for the homeopathic medicine.

The HPT Report

In the report, the symptoms are recorded in the language of the participant (prover) from their proving diary. The symptoms are organised in the traditional homeopathic format and are selected to be included following the criteria below:

• modalities, meaning something which makes a symptom better or worse

• concomitants, meaning something occurring in conjunction with a symptom

• timing of the symptom, meaning the periodicity or specifics about the time of the symptom

• localization, meaning for example: which side of the body

• unique descriptions about the symptom in the participants own words and adjectives

• intensity of the symptom

• any symptoms which are new or not present in the last 12 months

• any symptom which started after commencing the HPT

• any symptom which started after commencing the HPT and then disappeared

• any symptom which is significantly ameliorated after the HPT and is classified as a cured symptom

• a symptom which is experienced by more than one prover

HPT Protocol

HPT Director – Alastair Gray

HPT Co-ordinator – Sunny Goddard

HPT Supervisors – the supervisors vary each time

HPT medicine

The proving medicine substance is unknown to the prover and unknown to the supervisor. The company who is the sponsor of the HPT supplies the proving medicine.

Inclusion criteria

To be included in the HPT the participants (provers) must:

1. be in a general state of good health for that person, according to the HPT Director, supervisor and participant

2. agree in advance to comply with the requirements of diary keeping

3. not require any medical treatments such as surgery or dental work for the duration of HPT

4. must continue their usual habits and patterns of daily life

5. must not be undergoing any major life changes: moving house, divorce, pregnancy

6. must be over 18 years of age, be of sound state of mind

7. must sign the consent form

8. must attend the training session conducted by the HPT Director

9. must have a routine medical evaluation in the month prior to commencing the HPT.

Exclusion criteria

To be excluded from the HPT the potential participant would:

1. be taking prescription medication or require ongoing medical treatment

2. have had surgery within the last 6 weeks

3. be pregnant or breastfeeding

4. not fulfill the requirements of diary writing

5. not attend the training session

6. not have a routine medical evaluation in the month prior to commencing the HPT

Symptom Collection

Participants note symptoms in their diary in handwriting without the benefit of spellcheck etc so that all mistakes and crossing out are recorded as is. The supervisor types up the symptoms after the HPT period is finished. The participant is in regular contact with their supervisor. The symptoms experienced after the administration of the HPT medicine are compared with the baseline pre-HPT observations and are evaluated according to recognized criteria. All participants complete an exit interview where each symptom is clarified.

Proving Time Line