Materia Medica notes for competitive exams in Homeopathy

Dr Arun Prasad K P  MD(Hom)
Department of Materia Medica,Govt. Homeopathic Medical College. Calicut
Email : appoo@sancharnet.in 

The Indians….
Indian Nettle – Acalypha indica Indian Hemp – Apocynum (American Indian)
Indian Hemp – Cannabis indica
Indian Cockroach – Blatta Indian Cockle – Cocculus indicus Indian Tobacco – Lobelia inflata Indian Pennywort – Hydrocotyle
Indian Turnipt – Arum triph
Indian corn – Stigmata maydis

Indian / Indigenous drugs (Common name & Clinical use)
Abroma augusta – Olat Kambal – Diabetes, Bryonia symptoms
Achyranthes aspera – apamarga – Boils with burning
Aegle Marmelos – Koovalam / Bael fruit – Diarrhoea / dysentery
Aegle folia – Bael leaves – Diabetes, Dropsy with constipation, < 4-8P M, flatulence, unsatisfactory stools (symptoms of Lyco & Nux-v)
Andrographis paniculata – Kalmegh – Liver disorders, infantile jaundice
Azadirachta indica – Neem – Fever
Atista indica – Ash-sheora – Amoebic dysentery, Worms, pains of Ca throat & Ca buccal cavity
Blumea odorata – Kuksima – Haemorrhages
Boerrhavia diffusa – Punarnaba – Htn, heart disease, Dropsy, ascites etc
Brahmi – Bacopa Monneiri
Caesalpania Bonducella – Nata – Chronic fevers, Malaria
Calotropis Gigantea – Madar bark (veg mercury) – Leprosy – ulcers, gangrenous ulcers, elephantiasis, syphilis
Carica papaya – conjunctivitis, jaundice
Cassia sophera – asthma, unable to lie down, with pain joints
Cephalandra indica – Telakucha – Diabetes
Coleus aromaticus – Patharkuchi – Retention/ suppressed urine
Cynadon dactylon – Durba – Haemorrhages , Diarrhoea (symptoms of Nux vom, Aloe, Podo), Hungry during diarrhoea
Terminalia arjuna – Arjuna – Heart diseases, Htn, Angina pectoris
Jonosia asoka – Asoka tree (Saraca indica)– Dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, metrorrhagia
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis – Night jasmine – Fever, like Eupetorium perf
Ocimum sanctum – Krishna Tulasi –
Embelia ribes – Biranga – Worms
Ficus religiosa – Arayal/ Ashwattha – Haemorrhages
Gentiana chiratha – Chiratha – Dyspepsia
Gymnema sylvestre – Merasingi – Diabetes,burning sensations
Kurchi – Holerrhena Antidysenterica, Wrightia Antidysenterica – Dysentry
Hygrophilia sphinosa – Kule khara – Fever with urticaria, skin <warm, >cold

Remedy known as …….
Homoeopathic catheter – Sabal (Boericke)
Often replaces the use of the catheter – Thlaspi (Boericke)
Sometimes makes the use of the catheter unnecessary – Solidago (Boericke)
Vegetable trocar – Apoc
Homoeopathic trocar – Ars (ML Tyler)
Homoeopathic antiseptic – Calend (Clarke)
Homoeopathic dynamic antiseptic – Pyrog
Liquid knife – Kali-i (George Royal)
Often does away with the use of the knife – Myristica (Boericke)
Homoeopathic Lancet – Hep (George Royal)
Therapeutic lancet – Acon
“Corrector of blood dyscrasia” – Echinacea (Boericke)
Human barometer – Phos (Boger) Merc (Phatak)
Human Thermometer – Merc (Boericke)
Digitalis of lungs – Aspidosperma (quebracho)
Digitalis of kidneys – Solidago
The weather cock among remedies – Puls
Aconite of chronic diseases – Alum (Con – Clarke / Teste)
Chamomilla of chronic diseases – Gratiola – Teste / Hering
Nux-v symptoms in female – Gratiola
Carbo veg of the surgeon – Stront-c (Kent)
Vegetable Sulphur – Lyc
Vegetable Pyrogen – Malaria Officinalis
Vegetable Calomel – Leptandra
Veg Mercury – Phyt (Kent), Podo (Hughes)
“Friend of the occulist” – Calc (Kent)

Trio’s
Trio of climacteric remedies – Lach-Sep-Sulph
Trio of pleurisy – Acon-Bry-Sulph (Nash)
Trio of offensiveness – Merc-Kreos-Bapt (Nash)
Trio of Weakness – Ars- Mur-ac-Carb-v (Nash)
Trio of Spasmodic cough – Dros-Ip-Cupr (Nash)
Trio of Ptosis – Sep-Caust-Gels (Nash)
Trio for condylomata – Thuj-Staph-Nit-ac(Nash)
Three remedies for the treatment of chronic rheumatism and paralysis – Caust, Rhus-t, Sulph (Nash)

Clinical Observations / Quotes
Kent
Chilly in chronic, hot in acute – Sil
Hot in Chronic, Chilly in acute – Puls
Thirtlesss in chronic – Camph, Ars
A General broad antidote – Sulph (Universal antidote – Camph)
Cross betwen Bry and Rhus-t in pleurisy – Senega
Similar to Ars and Bry in gastric irritability – Cadm-s
Very irritable, quarrels with his bread and butter – Kali-c
Sine qua non of Sulph – Emptiness 11 AM, burning soles, Heat top of head
In valvular diseases of young people, always prescribe this drug unless guided away by some specific symptom – Naja
If a child has asthma, give – Nat-s
The escape of gas when urinating is found only under – Sars
In malaria after bad remedy selection the case becomes confused – Sep
Rectal complaints with haste of Sulph, Flatulence of Oleander and Aloe, and difficult to pass soft stool of Chin, Nux mox and Alum – Psor

 Hahnemann
Acts most beneficially when patient suffers from chronic loose stool or diarrhea – Phos
It is much more difficult to estimate the action of opium than of almost any other drug
The action of this substance is very puzzling and difficult to determine – Camph (because its primary action, more frequently than with any other remedy, alternates and becomes intermixed with the vital reactions of the organism)
“The intermittent fever that Pulsatilla is able to excite has thirst only during heat (not during chill), seldom after the heat or before the chill. When there is only a sensation of heat, without externally perceptible heat, the thirst is wanting.”

Nash
There are no two remedies that are oftener indicated after each other, and work as well when so indicated, than these two – Caust & Sulph
Nearest specific in cholera morbus – Ant-t

Hering
All our progress as a school depends on the right view of the symptoms obtained with proving of – Camph & Op

From “Keynotes”
Frequently though of as an epidemic remedy in children when adults require other drugs – Cina
Rarely advisable to begin treatment of a chronic disease unless clearly indicated – Lyc
One of the best remedies to begin the treatment of a chronic disease – Puls

Clarke
Bry is a gourmand, Nux an epicure

Lippe
Acts best in goitre when given after full moon or when the moon is waning – Iod
Menorrhagia, has not been well since her last miscarriage. “A single dose at new moon.” – Sulphur

Tyler ML
Can break down resistance to tubercle and should therefore be capable of raising it – Dros

Swan
Almost a specific for gall-stone colic; relieves the distress at once – Cholesterinum

Burnett
Has more power over uterine tumors than any other remedy – Aur mur natronatum

A selection from Boericke…..
• Hot days and cold nights towards the close of summer are especially favorable to the action of – Dulc
• Often indicated in the transition season when the air is cold, but the sun is still powerful enough to heat the blood – Coloc
• Complaints due to cold food or drink when the body is heated, and in affections due to cold wind. – Bellis per

• No thirst, anxiety or fear – Bell
• Mentally, an april day – Puls
• Mentally, the emotional element is uppermost, and co-ordination of function is interfered with – Ign
• Want of grit, moral or physical – Sil
• Depression and insomnia of chronic Nicotinism – Plantago
• Child wants to be nursed in the arms, will not be laid down. – Benz-ac

Rapid change of symptoms – pains change in regard to place and character – thirst alternates with thirstlessness, hunger, and loss of appetite, etc. – Berb
An absence of pain, where it could be expected, is noticeable – Ant-c
As a remedy for many kinds of pain, especially colic, and in severe, painful affections of abdominal and pelvic viscera; it ranks with the polychrests of the Materia Medica – Diosc
Pains of various kinds, with chilliness and sensitiveness to cold air – Mez
There is a general lack of animal heat, and yet heat of bed is intolerable. – Led
One is too cold when uncovered and too hot when covered; relieved by artificial heat – Corallium
Patient is weak, emaciated, cold and chilly, but worse from being overheated; sensitive generally – Calc-sil
A deep-acting anti-psoric remedy, with marked action in glandular affections, herpetic eruptions, chronic swellings, when patient is extremely sensitive to cold – Cistus can
Great disposition to take cold, especially in damp weather – Calend
Sweating patient pulling blanket around him. – Hep
Weakness from mere speaking or walking though looking strong – Ferr

•  Patients who eat a great deal more, especially meat, than they drink – All-s
• Emaciation, a gradual drying up, desire for fresh air, dyspnoea, sensation of expansion and left-sided pains are characteristic – Arg-m
• A very general condition corresponding to this drug is dryness of mucous membranes and skin, and tendency to paretic muscular states – Alum
• Strong tendency to paralysis, anaesthesia, localized numbness and coldness are shown – Plat
• Has very marked black discharges. Cold things disagree – Elaps
• Burning, rawness, and soreness are characteristic. – Caust
• Increased olfactory sensibility / Very marked acuteness of smell is a strong guiding symptom – Carb-ac
• Said to be of special value when given before operations, for rectal diseases – Collinsonia
• Used after operations, the tendency to adhesions is reduced – Calc-f
• Often prevents miscarriage – Viburnum
• Taken for several weeks, drop doses, will often break up the sick headache habit. – Chion
• Specific action in panaritium. – Myristica
• Has a marked deterrent influence on the formation of polypi – Formica rufa
• Best tonic for debility after exhausting diseases – Avena sat
• Said to retard old age – Thiosinaminum
• Gives quiet and ease to the last moments of life when given in high potency – Ars
• It is the remedy for pain of death; soothes the last struggles – Tarentula cubensis

• Maintains the system under the stress of malignancy regardless of location – Ars
• In Cancer, as an intercurrent remedy – Calend
• Cancer before ulceration, when pain is the principal symptom – Hydr
• Last stages of Cancer, to ease the pain – Echinacea
• After removal of cancer when in the healing process skin is drawn tight over the wound – Kali-p
• Efficacious in clearing the remnants of cancerous deposits – Maland
• Allays the pain in gastralgia accompanying cancer of stomach. – Cund
• Carcinoma ventriculi; persistent vomiting – Cadm-s

• Sudden stopping of catarrh of respiratory tract followed by diarrhoea – Sanguinaria
• The profuse, watery, acrid coryza that the drug produces serves as a sure guiding symptom, especially when associated with pain in frontal sinus – Kali-i
• A remedy of first importance in chronic nasal catarrh with atrophy; large, offensive crusts and clinkers. – Teucrium
• Has marked effects on the throat, and has proven an excellent remedy in pharyngitis, especially the follicular form – Wyethia
• Will raise the opsonic index against the diploccus pneumonia, 70 to 109 per cent – Verat vir
• Most closely allied to the manifestations of tuberculosis – Ars-i
• Tea-taster’s cough due to inhaling the fungus – Kali-i
• Most homoeopathic drug for angina pectoris with coronoritis and high tension – Tab

• The principal uses of this remedy are for eczema in childhood and nocturnal emission accompanied by very vivid dreams – Viola tricolor
• A remedy for agalactia and lithiasis. – Urtica
• Frigidity of females – Damiana
• Yellow, creamy coating at the back of the roof of mouth and tongue. – Nat-p
• Languor, relaxation of muscles, nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia are the general indications that point to the use of this remedy, in asthma and gastric affections. – Lob
• Chronic rheumatism connected with heart lesions and asthenopia offer a field for this remedy – Lith
• Its greatest indication is in failure of compensation and especially when auricular fibrillation has set in – Dig

Caution / Warnings
Apis – Lower potency repetition in pregnancy (Farrington)
Kali-c – too high in old gout, bright’s disease, advanced phthisis (Kent)
Merc – too often in psoric cases (Kent)
Ars – in dysentery (Kent)
Sulph – Phthisis and structural diseases (Kent)
Phos – Beware in impotency or very weak constitutions (Kent)
Caution in Tub – When skin and intestines do not work properly (Boericke)
Caution in Tub for children and seniles – Should not be given without most careful cardiac examination (Boericke)
Cannot often be repeated in chronic cases without an intercurrent called for by the symptoms – Nat-m
Should never be given during fever paroxysm – Nat-m
Do not give when there is fever or constipation – Santonine
Should not be given in lying-in period except in high potencies (Hering) – Iod
Should never be given in syphilis – Ferr
Never use potash salts when there is fever (TF Allen)

Relationship of Remedies
Relationship of remedies with similar action but dissimilar in origin are called – Concordant (Farrington)
Relationship of remedies with similar action, similar origin – Family relationship
Relationship where when one group of symptoms are removed by a remedy symptoms of it’s related remedy appear – Cognate (eg- Sulph-Calc-Lyc, Caust-Coloc etc)
Remedies which have the same form / appearance but different in origin are called – Isomorphic (Bism – Ant-c, Phos, Ars – Clarke)

Remedies in series
Sulph – Calc – Lyc (Wright)
Sulph – Sars – Sep (Wright)
Ign – Nat-m – Sep (Wright)
Puls – Sil – Fl-ac (Wright)
Ars – Thuj – Tarent (Wright)
All-c – Phos – Sulph (Wright)
Merc – Hep – Sil (Kent)
Sulph – Ars – Sulph (Kent)
Arn – Rhus-t – Calc (Kent)
Puls – Sil – Kali-s (Kent)

 Veg / Chemical Analogues
Cupr veg analogue – Ip
Cham chemical analogue – Mag-p
Dulc chemical analogue – Kali-s
Ferr veg analog – Chin
Merc veg analog – Mez
Phos veg analog – All-c
Plat veg analog – Valer
Plb veg analog – Podo
Kali-i veg analog – Phyt

After Arn in injury when pricking and soreness of periosteum remains – Symph
In scrofulosis when the best selected remedy fails to relieve – Ther
Thuj complementary – Med, Sabin, Sil ( Nat-s, Ars – Boericke)
Chronic of Ars in Asthma – Thuj (Kent)
Trill-p complementary in haemorrhagic affections – Calc-p
Tub complementary – Psor, Sulph (Calc, Chin, Bry – Boericke
After Rhus-t in rheumatism – Tub (Kent)
When Psor, Sulph or the best-selected remedy fails – Tub
After Tub fails – Syph (Boericke)
Remedy when vaccinosis blocks action of Tub – Thuj (Boericke)
Follows Psor as a constitutional remedy for Hay fever, Asthma – Tub
Coloc complementary in dysentery – Merc
Con is followed well by this remedy in tumor of mammae – Psor
Psor followed by this remedy in mammary cancer – Sulph
This remedy precedes and follows Calc well in Calc subjects who have scanty menses – Con (Clarke)
Croc followed by – Nux, Puls, Sulph
Dros complementary – Nux-v
Dros followed by – Calc, Puls and Sulph
Dulc complementary – Bar-c
Dulc incompatible – Bell, Lach, Acet-ac
Bell incompatible – Acet-ac (Boericke)
Borax incompatible – Acet-ac
Eup-per followed by – Nat-m and Sep
Ferr complementary – Alum, Chin (Ham – Boericke)
Ham complementary in hemorrhage – Ferr
Chin complementary – Ferr, (Calc-p – Boericke)
Chin incompatible after – Dig, Sel
Fl-ac complementary – Coca, Sil
Fl-ac is followed by this remedy in diabetes – Ph-ac
Fl-ac is followed by this remedy in hip disease – Kali-c
Fl-ac is followed by this remedy in goitre – Spong

Cor-r complementary – Sulph (Boericke)
Graph complementary – Caust, Hep, Lyc (Ars, Tub, Arg-n (stomach) – Boericke)
Graph followed by – Sulph in skin, Sep in leucorrhoea, Calc in obesity in young females
Hep is followed by – Iod
Remedy follows bell in deafness after apoplexy – Hyos
Hyos follows this remedy in lasciviousness – Phos
Ign incompatible – Coff, Nux-v, Tab
Iod complementary – Lyc, (Badiaga – Boericke
Iod followed by this remedy in croup – Kali-bi
Ip complementary – Cupr (Arn – Boericke)
Cupr complementary – Calc (Boericke)
Ip is followed by this remedy in influenza – Ars
Kali-bi follows this remedy in dysentery when the scrapings have been removed – Canth or Carb-ac
Kali-bi followed by this remedy in skin and catarrhal conditions – Ant-t
Kali-br is followed by this remedy in Acne – Eug-j
Kali-c follows well after these remedies in loose rattling cough – Kali-s, Phos, Stann
Kali-c follows well after this remedy in stomach and bladder troubles – Nux-v
Nit-ac most effective after – Kali-c
Will bring on the menses when Nat-m fails to bring on the menses though apparently well indicated- Kali-c
Carb-an complementary – Calc-p
Ruta complementary – Calc-p (Boericke)
Bac complementary – Calc-p, Kali-c (Boericke)

Caul incompatible – Coff (Boericke)
Caust complementary – Carb-v, Petros, (Sulph – Nash “Leaders”)
Cham complementary – Bell, Mag-c (Boericke)
Chronic of Cham (Guernsey) – Sanic (Clarke)
Rheum complementary – Mag-c
Kalmia complementary – Benz-ac (Boericke)
Chel complementary – Lyc, Bry (Boericke)
These remedies will be needed to complete the cure by Chel – Ars, Lyc, Sulph
Dros is followed by this remedy in pertussis – Cina
When Cina seem indicated in worm affections but fails – Santonine
Remedy cures dropsy after Apis and Apoc fail – Colch
Remedy to complete the curative work of Lach – Crot-c (Boericke)
Lach complementary – Hep, Lyc, Nit-ac (Salamand – Boericke)
Lach inimical – Acet-ac, Carb-ac, Amm-c, Sep
Like Nux-v in drunkenness in corpulent people with light hair, blue /grey eyes, florid complexion – Lob
Lyc complementary – Iod (Chel, Graph, Lach – Boericke)
Should not be used immediately before Lyc – Sulph (Kent)
Lyc acts with special benefit after – Calc & Sulph (Boericke)
Merc complementary – Bad (Boericke)
Follows well after Sep in bearing down – Nat-c
Nat-s complementary – Ars, Thuj (Boericke)
Kreos complementary in malignant diseases – Ars, Phos, Sulph (Boericke)
Kreos inimical – Carb-v (Boericke)
This remedy follows after Nit-ac has failed in enuresis – Benz-ac
When Rhus-t seems indicated but fails to relieve in chronic urticaria – Bov
Carb-v complementary – Kali-c, Dros (Boericke)
Brom follows this remedy in hard goiter – Iod
Brom follows in croup – Iod, Phos, Hep, Spong (especially in relapses after Iod)
When Bry fails – Upas (Boericke)
Bufo complementary in epilepsy – Salamand (Clarke)

Calad complementary – Nit-ac (Clarke)
Nux-v complementary – Sulph, Sep (Boericke)
Zinc inimical – Nux-v, Cham
Calc complementary – Bell, Cupr, (Rhus-t, Lyc, Sil – (Boericke)
Calc is followed by this remedy in nasal catarrh – Kali-bi
Calc inimical – before Nit-ac & Sulph, before Bar-c in scrofulous affections, (Bry – Boericke)
Calc-p complementary – Ruta (Hep – Boericke)
Caps is followed by this remedy in intermittent fever – Cina
Nit-ac complementary – Ars, Calad, Lac-c, Sep (Boericke)
Nit-ac inimical – Lach
Nit ac follows well after – Kali-c
Petr complementary – Sep (Boericke)
Ph-ac follows – Chin, Nux-v
Ph-ac followed by Chin
Phos follows well after – Calc, Chin
Phos complementary – Ars, All-c, Lyc, Sil (Boericke)
Phos followed well by – Tub (Boericke)
Phyt inimical – Merc (Boericke)
Plat complementary – Pall (Clarke)
Follows Calc & Sulph in liver affections – Podo
Follows Lac-ac in vomiting of pregnancy – Psor
Follows Arn in traumatic affections of ovary – Psor
Puls complementary – Lyc, Sil, Sulph-ac (Coff, Cham, Nux-v – Boericke)(Arg-n, Stann – Clarke)
When Puls fails – Arg-n (Clarke)
Pyrog complementary – Bry (Boericke)
Radium followed well by – Rhus-t (Boericke)
Ran-b inimical – Sulph, Staph
Rhus-t complementary – Bry, Calc-f, Phyt (Boericke)
Amm-c inimical – Lach
Anac follows and is followed well by – Plat
Anac follows well after – Lyc & Puls
Followed by Euphorb in terrible pains of cancer – Anthrac

Ant-c complementary – Squill, Sulph (Boericke)
Ant-t followed by this remedy in cough in children – Hep
Apis disagrees before and after – Rhus-t in eruptive diseases – (Clarke)
Apis chronic if lymphatics are involved – Bar-c (Boericke)
Apoc is followed by this remedy in dropsy – Acet-ac
Remedy after Apis, Apoc and Dig has failed in dropsy – Blatt-o
Dig is followed by this remedy in dropsy – Squill
After Psor to eradicate the constitutional tendency for quincy – Bar-c
Bar-c is frequently useful before or after – Psor, Sulph, Tub
Bar-c complementary – Dulc, Sil, Psor (Boericke)
Cognate of Bar-c in tonsillitis – Alumn (Kent)
Calend complementary – Hep (Boericke)
Camph complementary – Canth (Boericke)
Sabad complementary – Sep (Boericke)
Sabad follows – Bry & Ran-b in pleurisy
Sabin complementary – Thuj
Sabin followed by – Sulph (Kent)
Remedy follows Op in bad effects of fright – Samb
Remedy after bell fails in scarlatina – Sang
Sang complementary – Ant-t (Boericke)

Sars complementary – Merc, Sep
Sel inimical – Chin (Boericke)
Sep complementary – Nat-m, Phos (Boericke) (Nat-c & other Natrums, Sulph – Clarke )
Sep followed by – Nit-ac (Clarke)
Remedy beneficial after Sep – Guaj (Boericke)
Sep should never be alternated with – Puls
Arg-m follows well after – Alum
Arg-n followed by this remedy in flatulent dyspepsia – Lyc
Ars complementary – All-s, Carb-v, Phos, Pyrog (Rhus-t, Carb-v, Phos, Rhus-t, Sec – Boericke)
Ars-i complementary – Phos (Clarke)
Arum-t incompatible – Calad (Clarke)
This remedy follows Caust & Hep in morning hoarseness and deafness – Arum-t
Aster incompatible – Nux-v, Coff (Boericke)
Aur follows and is followed well by – Syph
Bac is the chronic equivalent of – Psor (Boericke)
Remedy when Ars has been improperly given / repeated often in typhoid cases – Bapt
These remedies may be needed to complete the favorable action of Bapt – Bry & Ars (Boericke)
Sil complementary – Thuj, Sanic, Puls, Fl-ac
Remedy to be interposed If improvement ceases with Sil – Sulph
Chronic of Arn (Teste) – Spig (Clarke)
Spong follows well in croup – Acon, Hep

Squill follows in water logged cases – Dig (Boericke)
Stann follows well – Caust
Staph complementary – Caust, Coloc
Staph inimical – Ran-b
Sulph complementary – Aloe, Psor, Acon, Pyrarara
Sulph chronic of – Aloe, Nux-v, Puls (Clarke)
Follows Led in echymoses – Sulph-ac
After Acon & Bry in pleurisy when a pressing sensation remains – Abrot
Acet-ac incompatible – Dulc
After Coll has improved / Nux & Sulph have improved piles- Aesc
Remedy has cured umbilical hernia with obstinate constipation after Nux-v failed – Cocc
Remedy after Coloc and Nux-v fail in colic – Coll
Aeth complementary – Calc
Follows Tub in consumption – Agar (Kent)
All-c incompatible – All-s
Ambr followed by – Mosch
Ign followed well by – Zinc (Farrington)
Sep follows Nux well, but quarrels with – Bry (Kent)
Rumex followed by – Calc (Kent)

Bowel Nosodes – keywords & relationship
Morgan pure(congestion) – Sulph
Morgan gaertner – Lyco
Proteus(CNS symptoms) – Nat-m
Mutable (alternation of symptoms) – Puls
Bacillus 7 (Mental & Physical fatigue)- Iodum / Kali-c
Gaertner (Malnutrition) – Phos / Sil
Dysentry co (Nervous tension/Anticipation) – Ars alb
Sycotic co (Irritability of mucosa / synovium) – Thuja
Faecalis – Sepia

 Differential modalities
Chilly Patient
Coryza > open air – Nux-v, Cycl
Head > cold – Phos, Ars, Lac-d, Bar-c, Cycl
Dyspnoea >cold – Am-c
Cough > open air – Mag-p
Hot Patient
Headache > warm room – Sulph
Cough < cold air – All-c

 Differential affinities (side)
Left sided, sciatica right side – Lach, Lac-c
Right sided, sciatica left side – Caust,. Rhus-t

 Occupational diseases etc…….
 Lead poisoning – Alum, Alumn, Caust, Op, Petr, Plat
Arsenic poisoning – China, Ferr, Ip, Merc, Hep++
Mercury poisoning – Aur, Hep, Kali-I, Phyt, Nit-ac
Iron abuse of – Puls, Sulph, Zinc
Copper fumes < – Ip, Camph, Merc, Nux-v, Puls
Silicosis / Stone cutter’s – Sil, Calc, Lyc, Puls,
Housemaid’s knee – Kali-I, Sticta, Slag
Writer’s cramp – Mag-p, Stann, Zinc, Brachyglottis repens, Cyclamen, Gels, Pic-ac
Complaints from sedentary work – Nux-v, Acon, Con, Sep, Anac
Working under gaslight – Glon, Nat-c
It is a princely remedy for old laborers, especially gardeners – Bellis per

Definition
Materia medica = Medical material in latin
Homoeopathic materia medica = A record of the pathogenetic effects of medicines(Hughes), derived primarily from proving the drug on healthy human beings, supplemented by noting effects of its overdosing and toxicity, and clinical symptoms during its application on the sick.
Nature of Materia Medica – Aph 143-144
True Materia medica defined in aphorism – 143
Pure Materia Medica (free from speculation) in aphorism – 144

 Drug Proving
Drug proving in aphorism – 105-144
Human experiments before Hahnemann – mentioned by Albrecht Von Haller
Experimented by Stork (1750-60) / Alexander (1768)
Dose in proving aph 128- 4-6 small globules of 30th on empty stomach daily, for several days, till alteration of health is conspicuous
Observations on sick can be included – aph 142
Hyganthropharmacology – Human provings (James Stephenson)

Sources
Sources of remedies – Animal / Plant/ Mineral / Nosode / Sarcode / Imponderablia
Sources of symptoms – Proving, Toxicology / overdosing, Animal experimentation, Observation on sick & clinical experience

Source books
Fragmenta de viribus medicamentorum positivus sive in sano corpore humano observatis ( Latin) = Fragments on the Positive Powers of Drugs, – that is to say, their effects observed in the healthy body
Dose – “one pretty strong dose”
Published 1805, 27 drugs (22 MMP + 2 CD carried forward)

Reine arzneimittellehre (German) = Materia Medica Pura (Latin), 6 volumes
1st ed. 6 vols – 1811–1821(11/16/17/18/19/21)
2nd ed. 6 vols – 1822-27 (22/24/25/25/26/27)
3rd ed. 2 Vols – 1830, 33
Present ed. 2 Vols (Translation 1880) – 3rd ed. of Vol 1 & 2, and 2nd ed. of Vol 3 – 6
Translated by RE Dudgeon Annotation by R Hughes
Total no. of drugs – 67 (22 Fragmenta + 45 new) (1st ed. = 65 (Hep omitted by Hughes, says 61 + magnets), Vol 1 = 12 drugs, 2nd ed. = 1st + Ambr, CA, CV in Vol 6, 3rd ed. – Caust shifted)
Fellow provers – 37
Hahnemann’s symptom – No name or sign attached
Doubtful symptoms in brackets
Clinical symptom – “curative action” (Hughes – “Principles”)
Mental symptoms from Langhammer suspect
Symptoms from Provings by Hahnemann / Fellow provers, poisoning / overdosing (citation from authors), observations on the sick
Dose – Tincture / Ist trituration to 30th in III ed.

Die Chronischen Krankheiten (German) = Chronic Diseases
First ed. Vol I – III 1828, Vol IV 1830 Second ed. Vol I – V 1835-39
Translation (1896)- Prof Louis H Tafel Annotation – Dr. R Hughes Editor – Pemberton Dudley
No of drugs = 47 (2 Fragmenta + 17 MMP + 28 new, 30 not in MMP) (1st ed. = 17 new + 5 MMP) (2nd ed. = 11 new + 2 Fragmenta + 12 MMP + 22 1st ed.)
Fellow provers = 1st ed., nil 2nd ed. 26 (New except Whale)
Symptoms from sources of MMP, proving (Fellow provers), other published provings (Hartlaub & trinks, Stapf, Professor Joerg), Observations on sick (Hahnemann – Fresh sensation + aggravations)
Nenning’s symptoms – Nenning was an austrian surgeon, contributed to Hartlaub & Trinks MM, only initials of his name was given in proving. Hahnemann questioned, Hering clarified later as trustworthy.
Dose (Hahnemann’s) – 1st ed. -” violent effects ” of the attenuations from the second to the twelfth, experienced by the sufferers from chronic disease 2nd ed. – 6th to 30th

The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica – TF Allen
Vol 10 + 2 (index = “Symptom register”) Year – 1874
Total – 1039 drugs
Symptoms from – Same as CD / MMP + few clinical symptoms – designated by a small cipher “°”
Ordinary type / Italics (repeatedly observed) / Star with italics / Star with bold face (Repeatedly verified) / Toxicology “t”
Symptoms are referenced to source and circumstances of symptoms, hence can be traced
Other books by TF Allen – Hand book of Materia Medica and Homoeopathic Therapeutics, A Primer of Materia Medica

 The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica – C Hering
Vol 10 year 1879 – 1891 Hering died after completing part of Vol III
Total No. of drugs – 410 Each described under 48 sub sections
5 grades – occasionally confirmed (ı), Frequently confirmed (ıı), Verified by cures (ıı), Repeatedly verified (ıı) and approved characteristic (☞)
Other notations – f (Pathological / physiological condition), Three vertical dots (Observations from old /new school), π (observed only on sick, while under medicinal action) and “t” (toxicological)
Other books by Hering – Condensed Materia Medica, Homoeopathic Domestic Physician

Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesy – R Hughes & JP Dake
Vols – 4 Year – 1886 – 1891
Proving Symptoms not in schema, but narrative, in order of occurrence (“Materia medica starts with vertigo and ends with confusion” – Hughes)
Animal experiments & poisonings included
Discards provings less than two people, observations in sick and potencies above 12th unless corroborated by lower potencies

 Other sources
Special Symptomatology of the New Remedies – Hale EM
Dictionary of Homoeopathic Materia Medica of 131 New Homoeotherapeutics – OA Julian

Other Materia Medicae
Key Notes
Keynotes and Characteristics with Comparisons – Allen HC
Keynotes of The Materia Medica – Guernsey H. N
Keynotes of The Homoeopathic Materia Medica – A Von Lippe
Keynotes And Red Line Symptoms of The Materia Medica – A Von Lippe
A Synoptic key of the Materia Medica – Boger CM

 Comparative Materia Medica
Comparative Materia Medica – RH Gross
Comparative Materia Medica – EA Farrington
The Study Of Remedies By Comparison – HA Roberts

Clinical Materia Medica
Clinical Materia Medica – Farrington E. A.
Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica – Boericke W
A Manual of Materia Medica Therapeutics and Pharmacology – Blackwood AL
Physiological Materia Medica – WH Burt
Text Book of Materia Medica with Therapeutics – Cowperthwaite
Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines – Phatak

 Descriptive Materia Medica
Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica – Kent JT
Homoeopathic Drug Pictures – ML Tyler
A study on Materia Medica – NM Choudhuri
A dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (3 vols) – JH clarke year – 1900 (other – The Prescriber, Clinical Repertory)
A Manual of Homoeopathic Therapeutics – EA Neatby & TG Stonham
Lectures on Materia Medica – Dunham C
Plain Talks on Materia Medica with Comparisons – WI Pierce

Minerals
Text book of Homoeoapthic Materia Medica – Otto Leeser

Nosodes
The Materia Medica of Some Important Nosodes – Allen HC
Materia Medica of Nosodes – OA Julian

Indian
Drugs of Hindusthan – Ghosh

Other
New old and forgotten Remedies – Anschultz EP
Special Symptomatology of the New Remedies – Hale EM
Special Therapeutics of the new remedies – Hale EM
Systematic Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Remedies – KN Mathur
Homoeopathic Materia Medica of Graphic drug pictures and Clinical Comments – Pulford
Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica – Dewey W. A
The carcinosin Drug Picture – Foubister D. M.
“Homoeopathic milk for allopathic babies” – A Manual of Pharmacodynamics – R Hughes

Provers / Authorities
Hahnemann
Total Provings published by Hahnemann – as per Hughes 66 (MMP) + 30 (CD) + 3 (Fragmenta unpublished) = 99
Actual – 67 (MMP) + 30 (CD) + 3 (Fragmenta) = 100

Acon, Alum, Am-c, Arg-m, Arn, Ars, Aur, Bar-c, Bell, Bism, Borx, Bry, Calc, Camph, Cann-s, Canth, Caps, Carb-v, Carb-ac, Caust, Cham, Chel, Cic, Cina, Chin, Clem, Cocc, Coff, Coloc, Con, Cupr, Cycl, Dig, Dros, Dulc, Eup-per, Euph, Ferr, Graph, Hell, Hep, Hyos, Ign, Iod, Ip, Kali-c, Led, Lyc, Mag-c, Mag-m, Meny, Mag-p, Merc, Mosch, Mur-ac, Nat-c, Nat-m, Nit-ac, Nux-v, Op, Petr, Ph-ac, Phos, Puls, Rheum, Rhus-t, Ruta, Sabad, Samb, Sars, Sep, Sil, Spig, Spong, Stann, Staph, Stram, Sulph, Thuj, Valer, Verat

Hering
All-c, Brom, Calc-ar, Calc-p, Calc-s, Crot-h, Fl-ac, Glon, Ham, Hyper, Kalmia, Lach, Lith-c, Lyss, Meph, Psor, Sel, Ther

Stapf
Anac, Agar, Ant-t, Colch, Croc, Mez, Plat, Sabin, Teucr

Burt
Caul, Coll, Dios, Erig, Ust, Verat-v

Swan
Lac-c, Lac-d, Med, Syph, Variolinum, Vaccininum

Hale EM
Gels, Hydr, Phyt

Nenning
Aeth, Am-m, Mill

Petroz
Actea-sp, Murex, Aster

Burnett
Bacill, Bellis-p, Urtica, Cundurango

HC Allen
Kali-p, Sec, Viburnum

TF Allen
Amyl-nit, Pic-ac

Drysdale – Kali-bi, Pyrog Nunez – Tarent Russel & Stokes – Naja
Rubini – Cactus Caspari – Ant-c Farrington – Nat-p Clotar Muller – Coca Dr. Ray (Calcutta) – Blatta-o Clarke – Rad-br DM Foubister – Carc
Mure – Elaps cor, Bufo

 First proving of nosode – Psor by Hahnemann (Clarke)

Sources of some remedies
Nosodes
Pyrog – lean beef in water in the sun for 2-3 weeks (Sepsin – Anschultz specific from Proteus v.culture)
Septicaeminum – contents of a septic abscess
Malaria officinalis – vegetable matter from a marsh decomposed in glass jars
Tub (Swan) – sputum of a tubercular patient
Bac (Burnett) – trituration of a portion of tuberculous lung, including cavity / tubercles
Tub bov – from tubercular gland of cattle (Kent)
Tub avis / aviare – chicken tuberculosis
Bacillinum testinum – Testicular tuberculoses
Tub koch / koch’s lymph – extract of Tub culture (Wheeler) growing in beef jelly
Tub marmoreck – from serum of animals / horses injected (vaccinated) with tuberculin
Vaccin atténué bilié (BCG) – From a stock of Myobacterium Tuberculosis of the bovine variety (Julian)
Vaccinnum – the lymph from cow pox
Hippozaenum – from microorganism of glanders (cattarhal) or farcy (skin), a zoonotic disease of horses
Melitagrinum – lymph and blood of Eczema capitis
Nectrianinum – cancer of trees, by fungi nectria ditssima
Epihysterinum – from haemorrhage from a patient with fibroid uterus , with possible malignant cells
Sec – a black horn like spur, the diseased grains of rye (Secale cereale), caused by fungus Claviceps purpurea
Oscillococcinum – A proprietary preparation owned by french pharmacy Boiron, the remedy name is Anas Barbariae Hepatis et Cordis Extractum – Extract of heart and liver of wild duck
Parotidinum – Mumps nosode
Morbilinum – Measles nosode
Pestinum – Plague nosode

Fungus
Agar, Bovista, Psilocybe Caerulescens
Secale – The black, horn-like spur into which the grains of Rye (Secale cereale) are changed by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
Ustilago – A fungus growing on Indian corn
Lichenes (a symbiosis of an algae and fungus) – Stict, Cetraria islandica, Usnea barbata
Solanum tuberosun aegrotans – Peronospora infestans infection of potato

 Sarcode
Oophorinum – Ovarian extract of sheep / cow
Orchitinum – Testicular extract
Pulmo vulpes – Fox lung
Hippomanes – a meconium deposit out of the amniotic fluid of the mare or the cow.
Adrenaline – extract of adrenal gland
Thyroidinum – Thyroid gland of sheep /ox / calf
Cholesterinum – Epithelial lining of gall bladder & larger ducts
Pituitaria glandula – Posterior pituitary
Pancreatinum – Pancreas extract of ox or sheep

 Minerals
Caust – Distilling a mixture of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) and Potassium Bisulphate
Merc sol – Dimercuros ammonium nitrate – by precipitating mercury from its solution in nitric acid using caustic ammonia.
Merc cor – Mercuric chloride, HgCl2
Merc dulcis – Mercurous chloride, HgCl
Cinnabaris – Mercuric sulphide
Mercurius iodatus flavus – Mercurous iodide, HgI
Mercurius iodatus rubber – Mercuric iodide, HgI2
Alumen – Potassic aluminic sulphate
Ant-t – antimony-potassium tartrate
Borax – Sodium biborate
Hep – Impure Sulphide of Calcium – prepared by burning in a crucible the white interior of oyster shells with pure flowers of sulphur
Mineral spring – Gettysberg water, Sanic, Carlsbad, Skookum chuck, Weisbaden
Aqua marina – sea water
Lapis albus – A species of mineral stone (silico-flouride of calcium) found in meneral spring of gastein, Germany
Hecla lava – The fine ash deposited at a distance by eruption of Mount Hecla, Iceland

Carbons
Kreosote – Destructive distillation of beechwood
Pix liquida – dry distillation of coniferae
Icthyol – distillation of bituminous deposits with fossil fish inclusions
Eupion – wood tar
Aniline & Antipyrine – coal tar products
Anthracokali – Anthracite coal dissolved in boiling caustic potash
Fuligo ligni – soot

Animal
Corallium rubrum – skeleton of the red coral, Gorgonia nobilis
Carb-an – charred ox hide
Fel tauri – Ox gall
Gaddus morrhua – First cervical vertebra of the cod
Oleum animale – distillate of stag horn
Oleum jecoris aselli – Cod liver oil
Castoreum – secretion in preputial sacs of beaver
Moschus – secretion in preputial sacs of musk deer
Cervus campesteris – hide of brazilian deer
Castor equi – rudimentary thumb nail of horse
Sanguisuga / Hirudo Medicinalis – Leech
Helix Tosta – Snail
Astacus fluviatilis – Craw fish or River crab
Medusae – Jelly fish
Ovi gallinae pellicula – Membrane inside shell of hen’s egg
Ova tosta – Toasted egg shells
Calc calcinata – Calcined oyster shell
Conchiolinum – Mother of pearl
Mephitis – The liquid obtained from the anal glands of the skunk or pole cat
Scorpio europaeus – Scorpion
Bufo – Solution in rectified spirit of the poison expressed from the cutaneous glands of toad
Amphisbaena vermicularis – The jaw including poison sac of a snake like lizard
Heloderma – Venom of Gila Monster
Serum anguillae – Eel serum

Milks prepared from…
Cat – Lac felinum
Cow – Lac vaccinum (Skimmed – Lac vaccinum defloratum Curd – Lac Vaccinum coagulatum Cream – Lactis vaccini floc)
Human – Lac humanum / Lac maternum
Goat – Lac caprinum

Insects
Formica rufa (crushed live ants), Vespa crabro (common wasp), Blatta-o (Indian cockroach), Coccinella septempunctata (Lady bug), Culex musca (culex mosquito), Aphis chenopodii glauci (The plant lice from Chenopodium glaucum), Coccus cacti (insect infesting cactus plant), Cimex lectularius (Bed bug), Doryphora decemlineata (Colorado Potato-bug), Pulex irritans (common flea), Pecten jacobaeus (scallop)

Snake Venoms
Lachesis (Bushmaster / surukuku), Crotalus horridus (North American rattle snake), Crotalus cascavella (Brazilian rattle snake), Elaps cor (Coral snake), Cenchris contortrix /Agkistrodon contortrix. (Copper head snake), Bothrops lanceolatus (Yellow viper, Fer-de-lance), Bungarus fasciatus (Banded krait), Vipera (common / German viper), Naja (Cobra)

Spider
Tarentula Hispanica (Spanish spider / Lycosa tarentula), Tarentula cubensis (Cuban tarentula), Therideon (Orange spider), Mygale (Black cuban spider), Aranea diadema (The papal-cross Spider), Latrodectus mactans (Black widow spider), Tela aranearum (cob web)

 Imponderablia
Magnetis polus australis (south pole), Magnetis polus arcticus (north pole), Magnetis poli umbo (whole magnet), X-ray, Luna (moonlight), Sol (sunlight), Electricitas (Electricity)

Alkaloids & Active Principles
Agar – Muscarine
Apoc active principle – Cymarin
Cimicifuga – Macrotin
Conium – Coniinum
Physostigma active principle – Eserine
Syzigium active principle – Enlexing
Ipecac – Emetin
Secale – Ergotine
Opium – Morphine, Codeine
Yohimbinum – A crystalline alkaloid obtained from the bark of the Yohimbeha, or Yumbehoa tree, of the Cameroons

Remedy Types
Polychrest (definition in MMP Nux-v & Puls) – Remedies whose majority of symptoms correspond in similarity to the symptoms of the commonest and frequent of human diseases
Clinical Remedy
Remedies having only a partial or incomplete proving but whose efficiency has been demonstrated at the bedside eg. Tissue remedies, Granatum for dizziness
Breech presentation in homoeopathy (Hering) – A remedy used clinically before a proving is made eg. Kali-m (Nash), Ferr-p (Farrington)
Organ Remedies – Remedies with an elective affinity for certain organs or parts (Burnett). Said to be specific for diseases of those organs.
Spleen – Ceanothus
Heart – Cactus
Liver – Cardus mar, Chelone
Uterus – Fraxinus, Sep, Thlaspi

Elective affinity
The specific localization or seat of drug action, by which a drug chooses certain cells, tissues or organs to manifest its action

Chief action / Elective affinity of Remedies
• Has a pronounced action on the inferior maxillary branch of the fifth pair of the cranial nerves; on the ear; and respiratory tract and bladder – Verb (Boericke)
• The chief action is centered on the articulations and their component elements, bones, cartilages, and ligaments – Arg-m (Boericke)
• Special affinity where bones form sutures or symphyses – Calc-p
• Bones, especially femur – Stront
• Periostium and cartilages – Ruta
• Marked action upon the jaws. – Hekla lava
• Cellular tissues – Apis
• Fibrous tissues – Rhus-t
• Serous membranes (also white fibrous tissue) – Bry
• Chief action on fibrous tissue, and is especially adapted to the arthritic diathesis, rheumatism, and tonsillitis – Guajacum
• Its chief action is centered in the vegetative sphere, impaired nutrition being the keynote of its action, the glands, skin, and bones, being instrumental in the changes wrought – Calc (Boericke)
• The chief action is on the ramifications of the pneumogastric nerve, producing spasmodic irritation in chest and stomach. – Ip (Boericke)
• Affects especially the mucous outlets of the body where skin and mucous membrane join; mouth, nose, rectum, anus, urethra, vagina (Mur. ac.)
• Mouth and anus are chiefly affected – Muriatic acid
• This acid has an elective affinity for the blood – Muriatic acid (Boericke)
• Has a selective affinity for bleeding mucous surfaces – Terebinthina
• Affection of the antrum of Highmore – Mag-c (Boericke)
• Tumor in antrum of Highmore – Hecla
• Duodenum, Rectum, liver – Podo
• Membrano prostatic portion of urethra – Sabal
• Lower part of spinal chord – Ginseng
• Portal system – Sep
• Has a specific action on the ear – Viola odorata
• Special affinity for eyes – Carbn-s, Naphthalinum
• Eye, heart and nervous system – Spig
• Chief action is centered upon the nervous system and respiratory organs – Stann
• Its specific action is on the nervous system and mucous membranes – Xanthoxylum
• Affinity for naso-pharynx – Cistus can
• Specific affinity for the breast; very useful in the dissipation of breast tumors – Scrophularia n
• Skin – Sulph
• Has strong affinity for skin and mucous membranes – An anti-psoric medicine – Skookum chuck
• Skin of face and external genitalia – Crot-t
• Elective action on the kidneys – Eel serum
• Has special action on kidneys and induces haematuria. – Vipera
• Has specific action upon the kidneys, enabling them to eliminate and relieve the distress upon the heart – Spartium scoparium
• Affinity for the pancreas – Atropin
• The main action is stimulation of the sympathetic endings, notably the splanchnic area, causing constriction of the peripheral arterioles, with resulting rise in blood pressure – Adrenalin
• Its chief action is centered in the vegetative sphere, impaired nutrition being the keynote of its action, the glands, skin, and bones, being instrumental in the changes wrought – Calc

Remedy constitutions (Boericke)
Carbo-Nitrogenoid -Lyc, Sulph, Rhus-t, Urtica, Merc
Oxygenoid – Acon, Chin, Ars, Graph, Petr, Ferr-p
Hydrogenoid – Calc, Sil, Nat-s, Aranea, Apis, Puls, Thuj, Nit-ac

Common Names (other than from “Key notes”)
Abies-c – Hemlock spruce
Abies-n – Black spruce
Absinth – Common worm wood
Actea-sp – Baneberry
Adonis – Pheasant’s eye
Art-v – Mug wort
Asaf – Gum of the stinkasand
Aven-sat – Common oat
Bellis-p – Daisy
Clematis – Virgin’s Bower
Convallaria – Lily of the Valley
Crataegus – Hawthorn berries
Echinacea – Purple cone-flower
Erigeron – Flea Bean
Grindelia – Rosinwood
Mancinella – Hippomane
Mercurialis Perennis – Dog’s Mercury
Ornithogalum – Star of Bethlehem
Piper Methysticum – Kava Kava
Raphanus – Black garden Radish
Sabal ser – Saw palmetto
senega – Snake wort
Squilla – Sea onion
Thiosinaminum – Rhodallin
Scirrhinum – Carcinominum
Teucrium – Cat thyme
Alumen – Potash alum
Eup-per – Thoroughwort
Mez – Spurge Olive
Nat-s – Glauber’s salt
Ox-ac – Sorrel acid
Pyrog – Artificial Sepsin
Ratanhia – Krameria Triandra, Mapato
Ruta – Bitterwort
Sabadilla – Asagraea Officinalis, Veratrum Officinalis
Sars – Smilax
Stillingia silvatica – Queen’s Root
Symphytum – Knitbone, Boneset
Oleum Petrae – Petroleum
Puls – Anemone pratensis
Syph – Leusinum, Leuticum
Med – Glinicum
Abrotanum – Artemisia abrotanum
Cina – Artemisia maritima
Kurchi – Holerrhena Antidysenterica./ Wrightia tinctoria
Pertussin – Coquelchin
Calc-s – Plaster of Paris
Calcarea renalis – Lapis renalis
Ova tosta – Calc Ovorum
Fel tauri – Bilis bovina
Sarracenia purpurea – Pitcher-plant
Pothos – Ictodes foetidus

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