Within a prospective group study of five practicing otorhinolaryngologists, conventional
therapy of acute
otitis media in children was compared with homeopathic treatments. Group
A (103 children) was primarily treated with homeopathic single remedies (Aconitum napellus, Apis mellifica, Belladonna, Capsicum, Chamomilla, Kalium bichromicum, Lachesis, Lycopodium,
Mercurius solubilis, Okoubaka, Pulsatilla, Silicea). Group B (28 children) was treated by
decongestant nose-drops,
antibiotics, secretolytics and/or
antipyretics. Comparisons were done by symptoms, physical findings,
duration of therapy and number of relapses. The children of the study were between 1 and 11 years of age. The difference in numbers was explained by the children with
otitis media being primarily treated by pediatricians using conventional methods. The median duration of
pain in group A was 2 days and in group
B 3 days. Median
therapy in group A lasted 4 days and in group B 10 days.
Antibiotics were given over a period of 8-10 days, while homeopathic treatments were stopped after healing. In group A 70.7% of the patients were free of relapses within 1 years and 29.3% had a maximum of three relapses. Group B had 56.5% without relapses and 43.5% a maximum of six relapses. Five children in group A were given
antibiotics and 98 responded solely to homeopathic treatments. No side effects of treatment were found in either group.