Traumeel is a compound that is utilized by a wide variety of healthcare practitioners to treat inflammatory states. It is utilized extensively in Germany for multiple inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this document is to review and critique publications written about Traumeel and Traumeel S, a proprietary formulation. Furthermore, this review will determine if the literature supports substituting Traumeel for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids or if adding Traumeel to NSAID and corticosteroid treatment protocols benefits patients with inflammation. Long-term use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids causes significant pathology leaving many patients without an effective treatment to manage their inflammatory condition. Traumeel does not have the severe side effect profile of NSAIDs and corticosteroids. There are important implications of the studies included in this review. The literature supports Traumeel as an effective alternative to NSAIDS and corticosteroids in preventing stomatitis for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Traumeel also provides pain-free outcomes following musculoskeletal and tissue injuries.
Jin, J. (2015) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. JAMA, 314, 1084. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.9936
Medzhitov, R. (2008) Origin and Physiological Roles of Inflammation. Nature, 454, 428-435. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07201
Kumar, V. and Abbas K, F.N. (2005) Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. Elsevier Saunders, Amsterdam.
Schneider, C. (2011) Traumeel—An Emerging Option to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in the Management of Acute Musculoskeletal Injuries. International Journal of General Medicine, 4, 225-234. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S16709
Gonzalez de Vega, C., et al. (2013) Traumeel vs. Diclofenac for Reducing Pain and Improving Ankle Mobility after Acute Ankle Sprain: A Multicentre, Randomised, Blinded, Controlled and Non-Inferiority Trial. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 67, 979-989. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.12219
Pilat, C., et al. (2015) Exploring Effects of a Natural Combination Medicine on Exercise-Induced Inflammatory Immune Response: A Double-Blind RCT. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25, 534-542. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12265
Oberbaum, M., et al. (2001) A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial of the Homeopathic Medication TRAUMEEL S in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Stomatitis in Children Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation. Cancer, 92, 684-690. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(20010801)92:3 3.0.CO;2-#
Rubenstein, E.B., et al. (2004) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer Therapy-Induced Oral and Gastrointestinal Mucositis. Cancer, 100, 2026-2046. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.20163
Buchman, A.L. (2001) Side Effects of Corticosteroid Therapy. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 33, 289-294. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-200110000-00006
Fisher, D.A. (1995) Adverse Effects of Topical Corticosteroid Use. Western Journal of Medicine, 162, 123-126.
Laine, L. (2003) Gastrointestinal Effects of NSAIDs and Coxibs. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 25, 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-3924(02)00629-2
Vanden Bossche, L. and Vanderstraeten, G. (2015) A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Protocol to Assess Traumeel Injection vs Dexamethasone Injection in Rotator Cuff Syndrome: The TRAumeel in ROtator Cuff Syndrome (TRARO) Study Protocol. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 16, 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-015-0471-z
Brazier, J.E., Dixon, S. and Ratcliffe, J. (2009) The Role of Patient Preferences in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: A Conflict of Values? PharmacoEconomics, 27, 705-712. https://doi.org/10.2165/11314840-000000000-00000
Amoozegar, F. and Pringsheim, T. (2009) Rizatriptan for the Acute Treatment of Migraine: Consistency, Preference, Satisfaction, and Quality of Life. Patient Prefer Adherence, 3, 251-258.
Ratcliffe, J., Chancellor, J., et al. (2004) Patients’ Preferences for Characteristics Associated with Treatments for Osteoarthritis. Rheumatology, 43, 337-345. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keh038
McCaffrey, A.M., Pugh, G.F. and O’Connor, B.B. (2007) Understanding Patient Preference for Integrative Medical Care: Results from Patient Focus Groups. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22, 1500-1505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0302-5
Zenner, S.M. (1992) Application Possibilities of Traumeel S Injection Solution. Biological Therapy. Biological Therapy, X, No. 4.
Birnesser, H., et al. (2004) The Homeopathic Preparation Traumeel® S Compared with NSAIDS for Symptomatic Treatment of Epicondylitis. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research, 8, 119.
Sencer, S.F., Oberbaum, M., et al. (2012) Traumeel S in Preventing and Treating Mucositis in Young Patients Undergoing SCT: A Report of the Children’s Oncology Group. Bone Marrow Transplantation, 47, 1409-1414. https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2012.30
Lussignoli, S., Conforti, A., et al. (1999) Effect of Traumeel S®, a Homeopathic Formulation, on Blood-Induced Inflammation in Rats. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 7, 225-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0965-2299(99)80006-5
Conforti, A., Benani, S., Metelmann, H., Chirumbolo, S., Lussignoli, S. and BclLalirc, P. (1997) Experimental Studies of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Homeopathic Preparation. Biological Therapy, 15, 28-31.
Heine, H. and Schmolz, M. (1998) Induction of the Immunological Bystander Reaction by Plant Extracts. Biomedical Therapy, XVI, 224-226.
Heine, H. and Andră, F. (2002) The Antiinflammatory Action Mechanism of an Antihomotoxic Composite Remedy. Ärztezeitschrift für Naturheilverfahren, 43, 96-104.
Li, Q. and Verma, I.M. (2002) NF-κB Regulation in the Immune System. Nature Reviews Immunology, 2, 725-734. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri910
Bohmer, D. and Ambrus, P. (1992) Treatment of Sports Injuries with Traumeel Ointment. Biological Therapy, 10, 290.
Schneider, C., Klein, P., et al. (2005) A Homeopathic Ointment Preparation Compared with 1% Diclofenac Gel for Acute Symptomatic Treatment of Tendinopathy. Explore, 1, 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2005.08.010
Thiel, W. (1994) The Treatment of Recent Traumatic Blood Effusions of the Knee, Joint. Biological Therapy, XII, 242-248.
Porozov, S., Oberbaum, M., et al. (2004) Inhibition of IL-1β and TNF-α Secretion from Resting and Activated Human Immunocytes by the Homeopathic Medication Traumeel® S. Clinical and Developmental Immunology, 11, 143-149. https://doi.org/10.1080/10446670410001722203
Schneider, C., van Haselend, R., et al. (2008) The Role of a Homoeopathic Preparation Compared with Conventional Therapy in the Treatment of Injuries: An Observational Cohort Study. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 16, 22-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2007.04.004
Singer, S.R., Amit-Kohn, M., et al. (2010) Traumeel S® for Pain Relief Following Hallux Valgus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BMC Clinical Pharmacology, 10, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6904-10-9
Žilinskas, J., Žekonis, J., et al. (2011) Total Antioxidant Capacity of Venous Blood, Blood Plasma, and Serum of Patients with Periodontitis, and the Effect of Traumeel S on These Characteristics. Medicina (Kaunas), 47, 193-199.
Zenner, S.M. (1994) Therapy Experience with Homeopathic Ointment: Results of Drug Surveillance Conducted on 3422 Patients. Biological Therapy, XII, 204-211.