St Mary's University · Pilot Study

Could homeopathy help long COVID recovery?

Be part of research exploring this question by joining our research POD.

Register your interest Learn more

No travel required · Consultations online · Homeopathic remedies sent by post

About the study

The Long COVID POD

Long COVID — symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks after COVID-19 — continues to affect many people in the UK, with limited cost-effective treatment options available. Our research team is conducting a pilot study researching the effectiveness of homeopathic treatments for long COVID.

POD stands for Patient's Own Data. By joining, you help us understand more about your experience of long COVID and how you manage it, through regular short questionnaires.

This is a randomised controlled trial, which means some participants will be offered a homeopathic treatment to try alongside their usual care — and some will continue with usual care only, so we can compare results. Not everyone who joins will be offered a treatment, but all participants contribute valuable data.

The study has received ethical approval from the IERG (Institute for Ethical Research Governance) and from St Mary's University.

Led by Dr Philippa Fibert

Researcher at St Mary's University, with experience in homeopathic treatment evaluations for long COVID.

Continue with your usual care

No need to change what you are already doing. This study takes place alongside your existing care and treatments.

Entirely remote

No travel required. Questionnaires are completed online, consultations take place via Zoom, and homeopathic remedies are posted directly to you.

No cost to you

All homeopathic remedies and consultations provided in this study are free of charge.

Who can take part

Am I eligible?

Please check the criteria below before registering. If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

You can take part if you…

  • Are an adult who had acute COVID-19 at least 12 weeks ago
  • Have a formal medical diagnosis of long COVID — from a GP, an NHS long COVID clinic, or equivalent healthcare professional
  • Are currently experiencing at least one recognised long COVID symptom
  • Are able to complete online questionnaires and join Zoom calls
  • Are willing to be contacted again by the research team

You cannot take part if you…

  • Have not had a formal medical diagnosis of long COVID
  • Are not currently experiencing any long COVID symptoms
  • Are currently receiving homeopathic treatment
  • Have started a new medication or treatment for long COVID within the past month
  • Are unable to give informed consent
  • Have a life-threatening condition (please contact us if unsure)
Please note: A formal medical diagnosis of long COVID is required to take part. This includes a diagnosis by a healthcare professional, documentation from an NHS long COVID clinic, or equivalent formal medical verification. We will ask you to confirm this when you register.

What happens

What's involved?

Participation is spread over approximately six months and happens entirely online. Here's what to expect at each stage.

1

Join the POD

Register your interest and complete the first online questionnaire. This takes around 10 minutes and asks about your symptoms and wellbeing.

Month 1–2
2

Monthly questionnaires

All participants complete monthly online questionnaires (around 10 minutes each) for six months. These track your symptoms and quality of life.

Ongoing
A

Treatment A (some participants)

Some participants are randomly selected and offered treatment by a homeopath, who prescribes you a specific homeopathic COVID remedy, sent by post, and keeps in touch in case you have any questions.

Random selection
B

Treatment B (some participants)

After one month, some Treatment A participants are offered an add-on course of homeopathic treatment consisting of four consultations via Zoom, one month apart — and individually tailored homeopathic remedies.

Random selection
Your usual carePlease continue seeing your GP and other healthcare providers throughout the study. This research is alongside, never instead of, your usual care.
Your right to withdrawYou can withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without giving a reason.
Your privacyYour information will be kept securely in line with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, stored on password-protected St Mary's University servers. Research reports will not identify you.

Get involved

Register your interest

You can join the study directly by completing our online questionnaire, or get in touch with any questions.

Complete the questionnaire ↗ Email us with your questions
QR code to join the study

Scan to open the questionnaire

Why this study matters

Some early research has explored homeopathy and long COVID, but the evidence is limited and mixed. This study is designed to collect more information and help decide next research steps.

References

  1. Fibert, P., Majumdar, A., & Pinkus, T. (2024). A service evaluation of homeopathic treatment for those with long-COVID: The Long-COVID POD (Patient's Own Data) Project. Homeopathy, 113(01): A1–A26. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1779793
  2. Rana, A., et al. (2025). Individualized homeopathic medicinal products in the treatment of post-COVID-19 conditions: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, feasibility trial. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 31(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2024.0102
  3. Rice, E., Jacobs, J., Krommidas, E., & Bell, I. (2025). Homeopathic treatment of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome — a pilot randomized controlled trial. International Journal of High Dilution Research, 25(cf), 243–266. https://doi.org/10.51910/ijhdr.v25icf.1532
  4. Saha, S., Singh, R., Mani, I., Chakraborty, K., Sarkar, P., Saha, S., … & Chattopadhyay, R. (2024). Individualized homeopathic medicines in the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue in adults: Single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Complementary Medicine Research, 31(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000535279
  5. Takacs, M., Frass, M., Pohl-Schickinger, A., Fibert, P., Lechleitner, P., Oberbaum, M., Leisser, I., Panhofer, P., Chandak, K., & Weiermayer, P. (2024). Use of homeopathy in patients suffering from long COVID-19 (LONGCOVIHOM): A case series. OBM Integrative Medicine, obm-icm-2943. https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2403045

Get in touch

Contact us

Questions about the study? We'd love to hear from you.

Dr Philippa Fibert

Study Lead · St Mary's University

✉
philippa.fibert@stmarys.ac.uk
📱
07543 345046 (text preferred)
🎓
St Mary's University, Twickenham

About the research team

This study is led by Dr Philippa Fibert. The study team includes Tony Pinkus, Carol Boyce, Galen Ives, and Vinita Pandey.

The study has ethical approval from St Mary's University (ID: SAHPS_PB_2022-032) and from the Institute for Ethical Research Governance (reference Fibert P 01).

This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07694232). Results will be published openly for the public good.

Study Funding

Crowd-funded by HINT (Homeopathy International)

We are still accepting donations to support this research. Every contribution helps support research into whether this treatment warrants further study.

Support the study ↗