Heavy metals in Homoeopathy: an unexplored doctrine of signature

Dr Deepthi B S

ABSTRACT
Heavy metals belong to the group of transition elements of the 4th period. Some of the heavy metals are present in the body as essential nutrients and others are relatively harmless. It also helps in the stimulation of many enzymes and regulates the immune system.

KEYWORDS:  Doctrine of signature, heavy metals, mind symptoms, atomic number, sources of materia medica.

INTRODUCTION:
Heavy metals are called so because of their large atomic number, hence large atomic mass. The heaviest metal in the periodic table is Uranium bearing the atomic number 92. With that being said all metals with large atomic number cannot be considered under heavy metals, any metal to be listed under the term heavy metals should have high density and toxicity at low concentration, there are around 35 metals of which 7 of them will be discussed.

Doctrine of signature was known to the ancients, it was then used to treat various maladies, it is the relation between the external physical characters of the drug substance and the signs and symptoms of the medicine produced during pathogenetic trial on healthy human beings. It is one of the sources of our material medica. Here the physical and chemical properties of the these metals will be compared with the mind symptoms produced by the potentised heavy metals.

HISTORY:
Most of the heavy metals have been discovered by the ancient scientists. It has crossed many civilizations, and was used to its fullest by the Romans ,Egyptians and Greeks. 

The term doctrine of signature is not very new to the people, it was used by many herbalists in the ancient times, they developed a concept of plant ‘signature’, which was first recognised by Chinese who classified and correlated plant features to human body for example, black and salty relates to lungs, lower half of the body were treated with below ground parts of the plants. Even few vegetables resemble the parts of the body like- sliced carrot resembles the eyes so it is good for eye sight, similarly walnut for brain, avocado for uterus etc.

But in the present generation it is considered as pseudo science because there were many illnesses and deaths due to the toxic effect of the plants, and they are described as mnemonics of value only in creating a system for remembering actions attributed to medical herbs, while lacking adequate scientific knowledge.

In homoeopathy there are few doctrine of signature like Gelsemium sempervirens made from yellow jasmine is said to act on jaundice, Tarentula hispanica prepared from Spanish spider , it is sensitive to drum beats similarly the patient is over-sensitive to music, the tincture Hamammelis drug is dark red in color hence it is useful for haemorrhages.

HEAVY METALS AND HOMOEOPATHY:

SL NO. HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDY DOCTINE OF SIGNTURE MIND SYMPTOMS
1. Ferrum metallicum (Fe) -Iron is strong, stable, solid, doesn’t bend / break1.

But gradually rusts.

-Stubborn, wants things his way1 if not gets angry, irritated and then mental apathy.
2. Cuprum metallicum (Cu) -Highly resistant to corrosion1, over a time period becomes old and rusted2. -these patients try a lot1 to keep up their social prestige, because of this over trying they eventually get fatigued and become restless, fearful.
3. Zincum metallicum (Zn) Zinc in crude form helps in immunity1 fighting many diseases i.e., it acts like a shield Similarly inspite of many difficulties they try to hold on1 and does not give up easily.
4. Gallium metallicum (Ga) – in liquid state it sticks to the glass1 and difficult to separate. In solid state they melt easily2 -They stick to their own old routine1, but when new generation takes over they give up easily2 and think they are inefficient.
5. Platinum metallium (Pl) -It is highly expensive1 metal because it is a rare metal and is highly resistant to corrosion than gold and silver. -Platina person usually thinks high of themselves1 and is very haughty1 and thinks everyone as inferior to them.
6. Cadmium metallicum (Ca) -It is a soft, malleable and easy to cut with a knife1. It is a strong metal, highly resistant to corrosion2. -they are very successful people2, they expect too much of themselves and overdo things and don’t have anything to give anymore this is when they feel powerless1, defenseless.
7. Palladium metallicum (Pd) -falls under platinum group of metals.

-it is highly expensive, rare but can be easily worked1 / seperated.

-they have pride similar to patina but unlike the latter these people need attention, performance comes naturally to them1 but if they are not appreciated then their pride is hurt and they feel humiliated, irritated and fear.

ABBREVIATIONS: Iron- Fe, copper-Cu, zinc-Zn, gallium-Ga, platinum-Pl, cadmium-Ca, palladium-Pd.

REFERENCES:

  • Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory: Comprising of the Characteristic and Guiding Symptoms of All Remedies (clinical and Pahtogenetic [sic]) Including Indian Drugs. B. Jain publishers; 2002.
  • Phatak SR. Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines. B. Jain Publishers; 2002.
  • Allen HC. Keynotes and Characterstics with Comparisons of Some of the Leading Remedies of The Materia Medica with Bowel Nosodes. Reprint ed. New Delhi; B.
  • Clarke JH. A dictionary of practical materia medica. InA dictionary of practical materia medica 1982. Health Science Press.
  • Nash EB. Regional leaders. B. Jain Publishers; 2003.
  • Kent JT. Lectures on homoeopathic materia medica. Jain Publishing Company; 1980.
  • Choudhuri NM. A study on materia medica. B. Jain Publishers; 1990.

INTERNET REFERENCES:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metals
  • https://www.similima.com/?s=doctrine+of+signature
  • https://www.homeobook.com/doctrine-of-signature-a-source-of-homoeopathic-materia-medica/
  • https://www.google.com/search?ei=TtTfXZ7RMabE4-EPy66dgAg&q=cadmium+metal+popeties
  • https://qjure.com/?s=cadmium&asl_active=1&p_asid=1&p_asl_data=cXRyYW5zbGF0ZV9sYW5nPTAmc2V0X2ludGl0bGU9Tm9uZSZzZXRfaW5jb250ZW50PU5vbmUmc2V0X2luZXhjZXJwdD1Ob25lJnNldF9pbnBvc3RzPU5vbmUmc2V0X2lucGFnZXM9Tm9uZQ==
  • https://www.britannica.com/science/palladium-chemical-element
  • https://qjure.com/remedy/palladium-3/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_signatures

Dr Deepthi B S
PG Scholar, Father Muller Homoeopathic medical college, Mangaluru, Karnataka.  

3 Comments

  1. practical homeopaths say need is if disease has entered brain by faulty treatment or disease created by your nervous system.any eruption coming on skin is internal doctor treatment strategy shift disease if cannot fight to some unimportant part to save functions of brain and vital organs.dermatitis allopaths treat in their own way fine if treated totally but if pushed inside superficial outer signs only treated,this toxins ZINC MET type poor vital force will affect brain make legs shake even in sleep or burning spine crawling ant sensation underneath skin,homeopathy potency will cure dermatitis as well as flush out toxins via acting as tonic for kidney.skin diseases chronic only metals can cure and Grace Stevens is authority.

  2. Zincum Met,vital force weak to expel suppressed toxic discharges like menses and this produce muscular rigidity with trembling limbs burning pain along spine does not dare drink wine as brain already toxic.Lippe said cause of disease is not important when compared with symptoms,shaky limbs after going wet in rain others tried by rhus tox etc failed Lippe cured as symptoms matched with Zincum.Platina sexual passion makes one sing to himself in bath room.hardened enlarged indurated tissues homeopaths cure by aurum met in 3x potency melts the tissue natural heater but mind suicidal negative thinking life useless after failures in life esp when a king becomes beggar as in sudden loss stock market high potency aurum works.homeopathy needs tutoring of selfless experienced teachers.

  3. FJ Bennett in article print healthyself jun 1935 states,a bitish colonel who has been through indian mutiny turned to homeopathy and a royal lady was getting treatment from him,to neutralise heavy whisky drink used nux vomica 1x and for depressed nervous system ZINC Met 3x 4 hourly plus avena sativa q 10 gtt twice a day for ten days.an old era homeopath says nux 30 will remove addiction to whisky.Zinc met in potency activates nervous system to enable vital force expel toxins of suppressed morbidity is like clean blocked sewage pipes,Kent clarified clean blood and bile is good health.old era homeopaths wisely said drain out morbid toxins by low potency and if later mind symptoms appear clear by high potency,thumb rule low potency favours flow out of secretions high potency dries up,Zinc case as vital force is very depressed repeated excitation by low potency is recharging the nerves like a battery is charged on normal current.to prevent chorea type shaky legs high potency may be required.

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