Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Arsenic content of homeopathic medicines

Journal Article · · J. Toxicol., Clin. Toxicol.; (United States)

In order to test the widely held assumption that homeopathic medicines contain negligible quantities of their major ingredients, six such medicines labeled in Latin as containing arsenic were purchased over the counter and by mail order and their arsenic contents measured. Values determined were similar to those expected from label information in only two of six and were markedly at variance in the remaining four. Arsenic was present in notable quantities in two preparations. Most sales personnel interviewed could not identify arsenic as being an ingredient in these preparations and were therefore incapable of warning the general public of possible dangers from ingestion. No such warnings appeared on the labels.

Research Organization:
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
OSTI ID:
7080009
Journal Information:
J. Toxicol., Clin. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol., Clin. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 5; ISSN JTCTD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Bioaccessibility and excretion of arsenic in Niu Huang Jie Du Pian pills
Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology · OSTI ID:21077768

Arsenic ingestion and internal cancers: a review
Journal Article · Sat Feb 29 23:00:00 EST 1992 · American Journal of Epidemiology; (United States) · OSTI ID:5375158

Arsenic exposures in Mississippi: A review of cases
Journal Article · Sun Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Southern Medical Journal; (USA) · OSTI ID:5680766