Investigation of molecular footprints in ultra-high diluted homoeopathic solutions of Arnica montana and Rhus toxicodendron through combined infrared and impedance spectroscopy

Authors

Sharbadeb Kundu, Dr Bholanath Chakraborty Memorial Fundamental Research Laboratory of Homoeopathy (under CCRH, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India), West Bengal, India; Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal, India AND Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy-Dr Anjali Chatterji Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Kolkata, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Usha Rani Dash, Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Chirasree RoyChaudhuri, Department of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Aindrila Roy, Department of Electronic Science, University of Calcutta, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Sanatan Chattopadhyay, Department of Electronic Science, University of Calcutta, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Rathin Chakravarty, Molecular Homeopathy Research Unit (Dr. Bholanath Chakravarty Memorial Trust), Kolkata, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Debadatta Nayak, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, IndiaFollow
Subhash Kaushik, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, New Delhi, IndiaFollow
Amit Roy Chowdhury, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Engineering Science & Technology, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Ananya Barui, Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, West Bengal, IndiaFollow
Subhadip Chakraborty, Centre for Healthcare Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, West Bengal, IndiaFollow

Author ORCID Identifier(s)

Sharbadeb Kundu: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5875-6690

Usha Rani Dash: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8924-5636

Chirasree RoyChaudhuri: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-4150

Aindrila Roy: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3313-2376

Sanatan Chattopadhyay: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9038-5332

Debadatta Nayak: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4772-8333

Subhash Kaushik: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2851-1377

Ananya Barui: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9710-9448

Subhadip Chakraborty: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2223-7095

Corresponding Author

Subhadip Chakraborty

Keywords

H-O-H bending, Impedance spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, O-H stretching, Ultra-high diluted solutions

Article Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background: The study of ultra-high diluted (UHD) solutions is a compelling and controversial domain in modern science. Despite numerous investigations and hypotheses, there is a lack of rigorous, reproducible empirical evidence supporting the existence of molecular footprints beyond the Avogadro's limit. Objective: This study conducted a detailed investigation of the molecular and electrical properties, focusing on hydrogen bonding and impedance to understand the fundamental nature of UHD solutions. Materials and methods: Combined impedance and infrared spectroscopic investigations were performed to probe the structural behaviour of relevant water networks at the molecular level of UHD alcoholic extract of Arnica montana (AM) and Rhus toxicodendron (RT). Results: At higher potencies (200C and 1M) of both AM and RT, an interesting correlation was observed between impedance and spectral characteristics. An increase in impedance was observed with potencies for both AM (93.9%) and RT (49%), which was attributed to changes in the hydrogen bonding network and molecular reorganisation during potentisation. This correlates with the Mid-IR spectra, showing increased hydrogen bond length and potential weakening of inter-molecular hydrogen bonds with increasing potency. Also, Far-IR spectra indicate a contrast in the system's enthalpic gain with increased potencies for both AM (29.8%) and RT (65.2%). Conclusion: Distinct variations in spectral and electrical parameters have been observed for AM and RT due to potentisation, suggesting that these solutions retain structural and molecular traits despite extreme dilutions. This notion may revisit traditional homoeopathic treatment approaches by addressing conflicting paradigms regarding the presence of molecular footprints in UHD solutions.

Digital Object Identifier

10.53945/2320-7094.2354

Publisher

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

How to cite this article

Kundu S, Dash UR, RoyChaudhuri C, et al. Investigation of molecular footprints in ultra-high diluted homoeopathic solutions of Arnica montana and Rhus toxicodendron through combined infrared and impedance spectroscopy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy. 2026;20(1):17–29.