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Homoeopathic materia medica & pharmacodynamics
Dr. Raviraj P. Pore.,
M.D. (Hom)
As many of us believe, that after an application of
appropriate homoeopathic remedy, some bio-chemical
changes takes place or there is removal of stasis in
nutritional gradients which is responsible for the
process of cure. Then the questions arises “do
homoeopathic medicines induce
functional/nutritional/bio-chemical changes?” Another
question is do all medicines induce
functional/nutritional/bio-chemical changes or it
depends upon the particular medicine or its source?”
Though
some of the materia medicas discuss this topic but still
it is not discussed or thought by the seriousness
according to its importance in our syllabus. I also
noticed this lacuna when I read Farmington’s lesser
writings where he had been discussed it to some extent.
But this book is also not very popular. He writes organs
are made of tissues, tissues of molecules, & herein are
consummated the complex vital phenomenon which make up
life.
As Dr.
Hahnemann said, we cannot determine the internal
changes, but their effects, which appear normally in
conscious sensation & motion, and abnormal symptoms are
determinable. Whether these symptoms are subjective or
objective, they express a change in function or
nutrition & bespeak the tissue or tissues involved”.
We
usually see in homoeopathic practice that after
prescribing Calc. phos or Symphytum for non uniting
fracture, fractures heal soon. Similarly, many homeopath
give Ferrum for anaemia which helps to increase
hemoglobin – will this be denied that a change in
nutrition has taken place? What changes are made in
nutrition by iodine? It is improper assimilation of
food. And what is the indicative symptomatology:-
emaciation with good appetite, eat freely but loses
weight all the time.
What
changes are made in nutrition by Ferrum? These are:
mal-assimilation, wasting due to haemorrhages, anaemia,
chlorosis etc. and what is the indicative symptomatology
- extreme paleness of the face, lips, tongue & mucous
membrane of the mouth, weakly person with fiery red
face. Least exertions & emotion causes flushing of the
face.
What
changes are made in nutrition by Nat-mur? These are -
Mal nutrition, emaciation. And what is the indicative
symptomatology – emaciation even living well, weakness,
relaxation of all bodily& physical powers from least
exertion.
Now
let us see what changes are made in nutrition by calc.?
These are apparent change in calcium & general mineral
metabolism. And what is the indicative symptomatology-
bone-swelling, softening & curvature, caries, stinging
pains etc.
As
stated in the starting of this topic drug-proving &
clinical finding both helps us to know more about this.
While drug-proving, when a particular medicinal
substance administered to a healthy prover, he produced
some functional as well as pathological symptoms & then
it is capable to cure the same. E.g. – Lachesis can
produce haemorrhages means in a healthy human being it
is capable to alter the coagulation mechanism. Nat-m or
Iodum causes emaciation through blocking absorption
while eating well & so on.
Like
wise we see in clinics how Arnica, Calendula, etc can
promote healing of wounds, either external or internal
more finely than antibiotics/ local ointments. Many
surgeons use them as these medicines promote healthy
cell divisions & obstruct the toxicity of the wound.
From these examples we can see homoeopathic medicines
corrects the imbalanced demand & supply ratio.
Another good example seen clinically is that Magnesium
remedies & Sepia were mostly prescribed as a
constitutional remedy in ovarian diseases e.g. PCOD -
study reveals that the Magnesium is important for the
complex enzymatic process to maintain the cilliary
system in the fallopian tubes. After Magnesium or Sepia
it corrects this complex process of synthesis to promote
healthy reproductive system. Why sepia? Because mag is
an ingredient of sepia along with calc, sulph & melanin.
Another most important thing is that – after
prescription of a homoeopathic remedy {mostly in acute
cases} if there is rise in temperature then it is a good
sign & expect for good prognosis of the case. But the
common scene is when fever rises, the patient thinks
that it is going worse. At this juncture most of the
homoeopaths get confused and unnecessarily give another
remedy, or the patient himself goes for allopathic
medicines.
Many
of us are unknown about the actual phenomenon. Many
experiments show that the main motive of fever or
inflammation is to maintain demand & supply as
per need – to fulfill the extra need the system {i.e.
Circulatory system – which is a main transport of our
body} has to do more & fast work, and all this happens
by the order of CNS and protoplasm {it acts on plants
too, which have no nerves} which get stimulated by the
correct homoeopathic remedy.
This
knowledge makes us more confident in practice. It is
given by Dr. Richard Hughes in his “manual of
pharmacodynamics” as – “ inflammation & fever belongs to
as the agent of nutrition” & all this is more easily
explained by Dr. Praful vijaykar in his “Theory of
Acutes”.
Thus,
we have a firm scientific base & these things are well
explained by many pioneers in their respective
literature then why all this is neglected specially for
students. I think our materia medica should be taught by
fulfilling these lacunas.
References
& Suggested further reading:-
1)
Farrington’s
Lesser Writings;
2)
A manual of
Pharmacodynamics by Richard Hughes
3)
Theory of Acutes by Dr. Prafull Vijaykar.
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