The potential of agro-homeopathy applied to medicinal plants: a review

Abstract

The homeopathic preparations can influence the growth, secondary metabolites production, essential oil yield and phytochemical profile when applied in the grown of medicinal plants. To compile this review articles from existing literature about basic research related to the use of homeopathic preparation on the cultivation of medicinal plants and its influence on the phytochemical profile, growth, yield and composition of essential oil were collected. The bibliographic research was carried out in scientific databases sites—Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed. Seventeen publications were found in which homeopathy was applied in the cultivation of medicinal plants. Its use changed the phytochemical profile, increased the essential oil yield, the production of secondary metabolites (coumarins, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids), the the nutrients absorption and the growth of the medicinal plant species were studied. This review shows that the application of homeopathic preparations in the cultivation of medicinal plants increases the production of secondary metabolites and essential oils that are important for human and animal health therapeutic treatments.The homeopathic preparation application is an alternative for the growth of medicinal plants with ecological balance, and without soil and water contamination. It is also affordable to farmers and researchers. However, further studies are required on its influence on the phytochemical profile of the cultivated medicinal species.