Evaluation of the Use of Homeopathic Medicines in the Rearing of Silkworms (Bombyx mori)

Abstract

Homeopathy, as a prophylactic and therapeutic science, shows high potential for use in sericulture, mainly due to the low cost of inputs and the absence of toxic residues for living organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of homeopathic medicines to improve zootechnical indicators in sericulture. The handling of the larvae followed the same recommendations and methods used in commercial farming operations. Medicines were chosen using the repertorization method, considering the biological characteristics of the insect and its rearing conditions. Each medicine constituted a treatment in the study, all of which were dynamized at a 30 CH potency. For the control, dynamized distilled water at the same potency (30 CH) was used. The treatment preparation involved diluting 30 drops of the homeopathic medicine in 400 mL of water; these treatments were sprayed on the larvae and on mulberry leaves consumed by the larvae at 12-hour intervals. The variables evaluated included: larval weight (g), cocoon height and width (cm), cocoon weight (g), silk shell weight (g), chrysalis weight (g), and raw silk content (%). A completely randomized design was used, with five replicates per treatment. Results were subjected to a normality test; however, no significant statistical difference was found among them. This work is considered exploratory, as studies on the use of homeopathic medicines in silkworm production are limited, highlighting the need for further research to confirm the effectiveness of the results.