Background In addition to common analytical methods that involve breaking down a sample and analyzing its individual components, there are analytical tools that utilize synthesis processes instead. These methods often involve techniques such as evaporation-induced crystallization or chromatography, resulting in a structure or pattern (pattern-forming methods, PFMs). Here, we present basic research studies on homeopathy conducted using PFMs, specifically the droplet evaporation method [1], copper-chloride biocrystallization [2], and ascending chromatography [3] with physical, plant, and in vitro human blood models, respectively.

Materials and Methods

1. Droplet Evaporation Method: Droplets of low potencies of Viscum album Quercus 3x, produced by different modalities (potentization by vortex or vertical succussions vs. undynamized control), were placed on microscope slides and allowed to dry under controlled conditions. The resulting patterns were photographed and analyzed using deep-learning-based algorithms.
2. Copper-Chloride Biocrystallization: Watery extracts were prepared from cress seedlings watered with different potencies. Copper chloride was added to these diluted extracts, and the solution was allowed to crystallize in a controlled environment. The patterns were analyzed for texture and fractal dimension.
3. Ascending Paper Chromatography: EDTA blood samples were treated in vitro with an individually prescribed potency, two preselected potencies, and a placebo. These samples were analyzed using ascending paper chromatography, with the treated blood as the stationary phase and the potency as the mobile phase. The forms and colors of the chromatograms were analyzed using ImageJ software.

Results Our research showed that:

1. The mixing modality significantly influenced the patterns. Strokes reduced the pattern complexity, while vortexing enhanced it compared to the control.
2. Treatments with different potencies influenced the cress seedlings, leading to significantly different crystallization patterns.
3. Homeopathic in vitro treatment applied to blood resulted in the formation of significantly different chromatograms.

Discussion and Conclusions Research on homeopathic preparations requires methods that are sensitive to the sample’s coherence rather than its composition. PFMs appear to address this need and should be studied further in different experimental settings.