Hidden treasures in Boericke’s materia medica

Dr Krishnadas R¹

Abstract
Background – Rare remedies are added ammunitions in the armamentorium of a Homoeopath.  The reliability of its symptomatology is always under question. When these rare medicines come from authentic books like Boericke’s Materia Medica, the question is addressed to some extent.

Objective – This article is an attempt to highlight the lesser known medicines in Boericke’s Materia Medica

Materials & Method – The chapter – Essentials of Rare and Uncommon Remedies – in Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica and Repertory by William Boericke, reprint edition 1996 by B.Jain Publishers was carefully reviewed and the rare and uncommon remedies were listed out. The remedies which were later well represented in later editions under different sections were excluded. The remaining enlisted rare remedies were indexed in this article based on their sphere of action and clinical symptoms as described in the book.

Result: There are atleast five hundred and forty eight (548) rare and uncommon medicines in Boericke’s materia medica. They have a wide sphere of action from mind to different regions of the body and also seems indicated in many clinical conditions.

Conclusion: The use of rare remedies in practice may be very less compared to polychrests and other known remedies. But still, if the case demands and symptoms agree, they could be quite handy at times. The symptamatology of these rare remedies maybe given the same value and authenticity as other medicines given by Dr William Boericke. Also their hidden curative powers can be discovered by reproving trials. The availability of the these medicines in the market is a major hindrance to its use.

Keywords – Boericke materia medica; rare medicines; homoeopathic rare medicines;

SPHERE OF ACTION

MIND – angel, aur-m, bruc, boug-c, cent, calc-br cereus-s, dir-p, eucal, gaer, gent-c, hed, kali-fc, latr-h, laff-ac, lace, lob-syp, lon-p, mand, mir, pedi, past, sul-h, scop, stry-v, stry-n, xan-s, zinc-ars, zinc-pic, zinc-p, zea-i

HEAD INTERNAL – acon-c, angel,   arum-i, aur-ars, aur-br, boug-c, caes, calc-lac, derr-p, fag, ferr-pyr, form-a, geni, guan, hell-f, hydr-ac, hydro,ilex-p, iri-chl, iris-f, lapa, lob-syp, nat-nit, pimp, plat-mur, rhus-r, rumx-o, sal, stron-n, tel-a, vitx-t, zinc-p, zinc-s

HEAD EXTERNAL – calc-m, hell-f, jug-c

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

BRAIN – arist-s, calc-br, dir-p, ferr-pro, mir, merc-aur, stry-v, sen-j

MENINGES – bung-f, cup-cyn, lum, urot, zinc-cy.

NUCLEI, lenticular – mang-o.

NUCLEI – bulbar – mang-o.

SPINAL CORD – bung-f, bung-k, pect, plum-i, sen-j.

TRIGEMINAL NERVE – must-o

EYES

EYEBALLS– Atox, benz-d, card-b, chrom-s, crot-c, eph, eser, hed-h, hydro, merc-acet, musc, merc-nit, mir, plum-c, sang-t, spi-m, thy-g-e

CORNEA – aetho, merc-nit, zinc-s

CANTHI – succ-ac

OPTIC NERVE – atox

CONJUNCTIVA – merc-nit, mir, prot.

PUPIL – eser, mir, plum-c, spi-m

RETINA – benz-di

EYELIDS – Benz, calc-pic, cod, eser, hydro, nico, succ-ac, zinc-s

EAR

EAR – atrop, acon, arun-d, calc-pic, chin-sal, cit-dec, cul, eucal-r, hydr-ac, kino, lob-syp, mul-o, pyr-m, pilo-m, stron-n, sko-c, trad

AUDITORY CANAL – calc-pic, mul-o

EUSTACHIAN TUBE – Atrop, lob-syp

LABYRINTH – pyr-m

MIDDLE EAR – must-o, sko-c,

TYMPANUM – atrop

NOSE

NOSE – acon-l, ars-s-r, calc-caust, cean-try, ferr-acet, guan, hed-h, iri-chl, lob-syp, lob-e, lapa, merc-aur, marr, nep-c, ono-s, phel-p, rumx-o, succ-ac, tan-a

NOSE, ROOT OF – lob-syp

NASAL CAVITY – must-o.

NARES – iri-chl, lob-syp.

NARES – posterior nare – lob-syp

SEPTUM – kali-sil

ANTRUM – euphr –a.

FACE

FACE – acon-c, calc-caust, euon, ferr-mur, hoi, hydr-ac, lob-e, mang-o, must-o, nat-sf, rhus-d, rumx-a, sol-v, salu, sphi, trif-r, zinc-oxy, zinc-pic.

CHEEKS – ferr-mur

ETHMOID – nat-sf, salu,

MALAR BONE – calc-caust,

JAW – amphis, anac-occ, bapt-c, calc-caust, chrys-l, mag-a, ner-o, sphi

MASSETER – nico.

ZYGOMA – sphi

TEETH – calc-r, cheir, chrys-l, ferr-s, lith-chl, phos-hyd, trif-r, Zinc-br

LIPS – acon-c, mir, nat-nit, ox-acet, Scop.

GASTRO INTESTINAL TRACT

TONGUE – acon-c, aur-m, carbo, cit-ac, kali-tel leo, lob-p, mir, nect-a, pel-brhus-r, stan-i, vib-pr, zinc-s

MOUTH – bras-n, fag, geni, hydr-m, hoi, iris-t, lob-e, nat-cac, nat-tel, plum-l, rumx-a, scop, tan-a, trif-r, tril-e, zea-i

OESOPHAGUS – sin-a

STOMACH – agar-e, agari, agro, ascl-n, atrop, boug-c, cad-br, chim-m, cup-law, cyd-vul, cynan, dir-p, euon, euphr-c, euphr-hyp, ferr-s, fic-v, form-a, gent-q-f, geum, hydr-m , hydr-s, ing, iris-t, lev, mat, myr-c, nat-ch , orex-t, pancr, pep, peum-b, plum-a, prun-v, res, sed-t, stron-br, stry-e-f-c, stry-s, thy, xanth-a.

INTESTINES: caes, colch, colos, cheli, cot, eser-sal, hen, iris-t, jugl, kino, mang-s, nar-p, prun, vacc-m, xanth-a

EPIGASTRIUM: pamb, pep

OMENTUM – lob-e

PERITONEUM – atrop

APPENDIX – iris-t.

ILEO-CAECAL – iris-t

MESENTERIC – calc-hyp.

RECTUM AND ANUS – acon-l, aesc-g, cad-j, cup-o-n, fran-r, glach-h, hell-f, hello, hen, lap-c, mag-a, mac-p, muc-u, neg-a, prun-p, rub-v, sacc-l, sangs, sed-t, sax, slag, sq-c, slag-sil.

URINARY SYSTEM

KIDNEY – aral-h, canthr, ceref, calc-r, cic-ar, ele-g, ferr-mur, form-a, hyos-hy, ilex-p, ilex-v, jun-v, kali-cit, koch-l, men-v, ono-s, poly-p, par, past, pip, sant, xanth-arb.

URINARY BLADDER – alth, agari, areto-m, bruc, bold, chim-u, camp-ac, ceref, ele-g, fab, juni-v, lith-b, pop-t, sau, tere, urot, vesi, xan-s, xanth-ar

URETHRA – euphr-pil, geum, merc-acet, merc-prae, pip, sau, trad.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

MALE GENITALIA – ferr-mur, gual, hedy, iksh, manz, merc-aur, meth-s, pot-x, rhus-d, teuc-s, tri-t, vero, zinc-pic

PROSTATE – chrom-s, iksh, pop-t, polyc,sau, tri-f.

SCROTUM – teuc-s.

EPIDIDYMUS – guai, meth-s, teuc-s,

PENIS – hedy.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEMALE GENITALIA –anag, api,  arcto-m, arg-oxy, asar-c, ascl-n, asp, atrip, aur-m-k, calc-br, calc-s-st, cit-lim, dict, erod, fer-glau, ferr-s, ferr-mur, hed-h, hello, jun-v, kali-fc, leo, lac-v-f, lapa, mang-o, manz, pin-l, pis, pitui, psor, rhus-d, rosm, sangui, sed-t, vib-pr

UTERUS – asp, aur-m-k, antim-jod, alum-ac, cheli, calc-br, ferr-br, hello, lapa, nab, psor, pyr, sangui, sed-t, vib-pr.

OVARIES – aur-iod, atrop

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

RESIRATORY ORGANS – cat, cetr, euphr-hyp, ferr-acet, gad-m, lip-m, oen-b, pneumx, peum-b, phel-p, pulm-v, pect, ran-g, succ-ac, sul-h, tel-a, terp-h, tost-p

LUNGS –ars-stib, aman-p, antim-jod, calc-hyp, caff, emet, fic-v, gad-m, koch-l, lob-ca, nat-s-c, pneumx, peum-b, pulm-v, sangui, sol-ac, stan-i

LARYNX – Marr, crot-c, nico, nat-sel,

THROAT – aesc-g, alum-ac, amyg-a, arg-iod, atrop, cean-try, cephal, cit-lim, geni, gent-c, gual,  hoi, hydr-ac, hydr-m, ilex-p, lace, lac-v-f, lob-syp, merc-acet, nat-sel, nym-o, pect, phos-pc, phyt-b, plat-m, prun-p,  sin-a, stan-i, trif-r, zinc-c

PHARYNX – cean-try, hydr-ac, ilex-p

TRACHEA – stan-i.

FAUCES – lob-syp,

BRONCHUS – alth, cheli, marr, nico, oua, ri-c, succ-ac, stan-i, terp-h, tere

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

BONES – men-p, merc-aur, merc-phos, mang-o, mang-m, nat-sf, nat-sil, plat-m, salu, teuc-s.

SPINE, CERVICAL- chrom-s, form-a, hydr-ac, nat-ch, nico, pedi, pimp, rhus-r

SCAPULA – atrip.

SPINE, LUMBAR – cheno-v, conv-d-t, iri-chl, macro, ran-a.

SPINE, SACRAL – ozo

COCCYX – calc-pic, tetro.

ARMS – corn-f, mom, ran-f, zinc-s,

FINGERS – lob-e, plum-i, sol-t

HANDS – tel-a.

SMALL OF BACK – conv-d-t, lith-b, xanth-arb.

LEGS – mang-o, sol-t, ulm, zinc-s.

FOOT – chol-t, poly-s, pedi, ulm,

SOLES – anac-occ.

JOINTS – form-a, ferr-mur, lith-lac, mag-a, nat-sil, plum-l, ran-a, sal, thy-g-e, vitx-t.

SHOULDER – conv-d-t, lith-lac, sen-j.

ELBOW – right – ferr-mur.

ANKLE – geni, poly-s.

KNEE – bruc, geni, mim, lob-syp, slag.

HIP – sol-m

GLANDS

GLANDS – acon-l, aq-m, arg-iod, aur-m, cap-cor, chrys-l, glach-h, lev-w, nat-sil, poly-u, sil-mar, scir, sal-m, trif-r, teuc-s

PANCREAS – atrop, ins, pep

SALIVARY GLANDS – trif-r

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

HEART – aur-br, aur-iod, adon, atrip, acon-f , arg-cyn, agari, aman-p, caff, calc-hyp, cereus-s, cym, emet, eph, eser, jat-u, lace, nat-i, nat-nit, ner-o, peri-g, prun-v, pitui, pyr, quin, sido, spi-r-c, stry-ars, taur-s, trif-r, upas-a.

BLOOD – calc-lac, ferr-ars, ferr-mur, ferr-pro, gel, gal, kali-fc, lev, nat-cac, rub-t, stry-e-f-c, taur-s, zinc-ars.

BLOOD VESSELS –  argo, aur-iod, aur-ars, ergo, hydr-m, hydr-ac, ilex-p, kali-sal, nat-i, poly-u, plum-i, stron-j, stov

SKIN –  ars-s-r, aurant, aq-m, bix-o, bomb, calc-hyp, calc-pic, com-a, coll-m, corn-alt, elae, emet, eryth, form-a, ferr-ars, gaer, gun-p, hum-e, latr-k, lob-e, lev-w, mad-a, merc-prae, macrz-s, mir, merc-aur, merc-prae, ol-m, orm-ac, pip, prim-f, prot, pyra, rhus-d, rhus-v, sax, scolo, stry-ars, tam, tel-a, tox, vero, zea-i, zinc-mur, zinc-pic

CLINICAL RUBRICS

ACID SECRETION, STOMACH– increased –  atrop, ferr-s, orex-t, stron-br

 –  decreased –  atrop,

ACETONE, URINE IN – sod-bi

ANAEMIA – calc-lac, ferr-ars, ferr-mur, ferr-pro, gal, kali-hy, nat-cac, rub-t, taur-s, zinc-ars.

 – hypoglobular –  taur-s.

– pernicious –  ferr-ars, lev

ANGINA – arg-cyn, calc-hyp, lace, nat-i, nat-nit, sido, spi-r-c.

APOPLEXY – lith-br, mir, ran-g

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS – aur-iod, ergo, kali-sal, nat-i, plum-i, poly-a, stron-j

–  rapid –  argo, ergo.

ASTIGMATISM – eser.

ATAXIA – picr, trio, zinc-p.

 –  locomotor – alum-chl, chrom-s, pedi-c, phos-hyd, picr, plum-p, zinc-p.

APHTHOUS ULCER, MOUTH –  hydr-m

ALCOHOLISM – angel, stry-n,

ASTHMA – arg-cyn, ferr-acet, lip-m, oen-b, peum-b, phel-p, pulm-v, pect, succ-ac, tel-a, terp-h, tost-p.

ASTHMA, CARDIAC – euphr-pil

ATROPHY,OPTIC, beginning stages- atox.

AGUE-CAKE, SPLEEN –  poly-u,

– chronic – hell – f.

BASEDOW’S DISEASE – ferr-s

BOILS, auditory canal – calc-pic

BRONCHITIS – antim-jod, cetr, euphr-pil, kerm-m, peum-b,

 –  chronic – angel, bals-t, diph, eug-c, kali-hy, lip-m, marr, myr-c, nat-i, prun-v, tere.

 –  old people in – diph, sol-ac,

 –  children – sol-ac

 – post operative – ether.

BRIGHT’S DISEASE – ceref, kali-cit.

CANCER – antim-chl, chol, calc-ox, cit-ac, cit-lim, form-a, lob-e, nat-sf, nat-cac, ova-t, psor, rumx-a, salu, sed-r, sen-j, scir, tost-p.

CANCER, LIPS – ox-acet

CANCER – BREAST – form-a, scir.

CANCER, OMENTUM of – colloid – lob-e

CANCER , TONGUE –  aur-m, cit-ac, vib-pr

CANCER, STOMACH – form-a,

CHOREA – ferr-cy, sul-t, zinc-cyan, zinc-br, zinc-ars.

CYST, ovaries – aur-iod,

COLIC, renal – ilex-p, poly-p.

– nephritic – poly-s

CALCULI, RENAL – calc-r, cic-ar, ele-g, par, past, pip, poly-p, xanth-arb,

CALCULI, urinary bladder – ele-g, fab, xanth-arb.

CALCULI, BILIARY – bold, calcul, cic-ar, lith-b,

CIRRHOSIS – nas-a, nat-ch

COMA – apoplectic – mir.

CHOLERA – agar-p.

 –  infantum – gent-q-f.

 DYSENTERY – ango, bol-s, coto, emet, mons, leo, typ-l, vacc-m,

 –  amoebic –  emet,

DEAFNESS – cheir, chin-sal

DEPRESSION – dir-p, hed, lob-syp, zinc-ars

DEGENERATION–lenticular – mang-o

DIABETES – areto-m, cynan, ins, kali-acet, nat-ch, nat-l, pep.

DISPLACEMENTS, uterine – ferr-br, hello, vib-pr

ELEPHANTIASIS – ela.

ERUPTIVE fever, scarlatina, measles – hoi

EPITHELIOMA face- lob-e, rumx-a

ENCEPHALITIS – bung-f, lum.

  – polio – bung-f.

  – meningitis – cup-cyn, urot, zinc-cyan

EMPHYSEMA – myr-c,

EPILEPSY – aest-c, cet, ferr-cy, iris-fl, jun-v, lith-br, mand, oest-c, sol-c, salam.

EXOPHTHALMIC, eyes – chrom-s, eph, sang-t, thy-g-e.

FIBRILLATION, auricle – quin.

FIBROIDS –  aur-iod, chrom-s, calc-s-st, hydr-m

GANGRENE – argo, bras-n, ergo, poly-p, scolo, trac

GOUT – acon-f, colch, form-a, franx-e, ilex-v, kali-sil, nat-l, pep, pip, pyr, uric-a.

GOITER –  aq-m, chrom-s, thy-g-e,

 – exophthalmic –  thy-g-e,

GLUCOSE, URINE IN – amm-ac, ins, iod, phio, stry-ars.

HALLUCINATION – trio

HAY FEVER, allergy – anthox, guan, phel-p, succ-ac

HEMOPHILIA – calc-lac, nat-sil.

HEMORRHOIDS – aesc-g, fran-r, glach-h, lap-c, mac-p, neg-a, sax, slag, slag-sil.

HERNIA –  picr.

HODGKINS DISEASE – acon-l

HYDROCEPHALUS – hed-h, zinc-br

HYPERTROPHY, PROSTATE – chrom-s, iksh, pop-t, polyc,

HICCOUGH –  ol-suc, vib-pr

IMPOTENCE – pot-x,

INFLUENZA – ars-s-r, calc-caust

JAUNDICE – cic-ar, kali-pic, kali-p-n, nat-suc

LEPROSY – chaul, ela.

LEUCOCYTHAEMIA – kali-hy

LEUCORRHEA – ascl-n, dict, euphr-pil, ferr-br, kali-fc, lapa, lac-v-f, manz, nab, nym-o, ova-t, rumx-o, tost-p.

LOCKJAW – ner-o,

MANIA – hyos-hy, spig-m, sul-h, zea-i

MENIERES disease – chin-sal, pilo-m

MIGRAINE – aur-br, calc-l-p, lum.

MORVANS DISEASE- aur-m, plum-i

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS- aur-m, plum-i.

MUMPS, prophylactic – trif-r

NUTRITIONAL DISEASE –

  –  scurvy –  cit-ac, cit-lim, nas-a,  uri,

 –  pellagra –  ars-s-r, ele-g, pedi, plum-i.

OZEANA, nose – aur-i, hydr-m, merc-aur

PARALYSIS – iris-fl, plec, plum-i, stry-e-f-c,

 –  aged – stry-ars,

 – agitans –  aur-m, hyos-hy, mang-o, zinc-pic, zinc-cy.

 –  spastic – plec.

 – infantile –  chrom-s.

 –  motor – cyst.

PARALYSIS face – sol-v, zinc-pic

PEMPHIGUS – merc-prae,

POISONING, snake, of –  mic-g, plu-c.

PSORIASIS – ars-s-r, emet, ferr-ars, form-a, merc-aur, stry-ars, zea-i

POLYP, nasal – arum-m,

POTT’S DISEASE – vitr.

PNEUMONIA – antim-jod, pneumx

 –  lobar – emet, koch-l,

 –  resolution, delayed – antim-jod

PYELITIS – ferr-m, jun-v.

RESPIRATION, cheyne-stokes – taur-s

RIGG’S DISEASE –  calc-r.

SEDIMENTS, URINE IN –

 – bacteria – amm-f,

 – albumin – euon, ferr-ars,

 – crystals – bright – ferr-mur,

 – phosphate – amm-f, kali-hy.

SPLEEN ENLARGED – baja, ferr-ars, poly-u, taur-s, xanth-a

SOFTENING, brain – salam.

STRABISMUS – scor.

STRICTURE, URINARY – nas-a

STYE – calc-pic

SARCOMA – inoperable –  cup-s.

SCLERODERMA – ela.

TRACHOMA – jeq.

TYPHOID – epil, ill, vacc-m

TARSAL CYST – ferr-pyr.

TARTAR, accumulation, on teeth – calc-r

TINNITUS – chin-sal, cit-dec, hydr-ac, trio.

TREMOR, TONGUE – benz.

TUMOURS, brain – merc-aur

TUMOURS, rectum – sol-t-a

TUMOURS, BREAST – plum-i.

TUMOURS, uterus – psor.

TUBERCULOSIS – arsyn, myr-c, poly-a, sil-cy, teuc-s

–  advanced – stan-i,

–  larynx  –  nat-sel,

– mesenteric – calc-hyp

ULCER – chop, clem-v, gual, merc-prae, merc-acet, nym-o, ol-m, psor, ran-f, sangui, trych-g

ULCER, MOUTH –  plum-l,

URAEMIA – hyos-hy

VARICOSE – form-a, pyra,

VERTIGO – agar-e, agro, aman-p, geni, gent-c, hydr-ac, lat-h, nat-i, pyr-m, ran-g, trio, zinc-p.

• labyrinthine – pyr-m,

WARTS – ana-oc, ascl-v, calc-cal, fic-c.

WARTS, TONGUE –  aur-m

WARTS, genitals – aur-m

WHOOPING cough – flu, oen-b, oua, sol-c, terp-h.

WRY NECK – chrom-s.

WORMS –  cup-o-n, helmin, pell, scir

– lumbricoids – helmin

–  tapeworm –  asp-alh, cup-o-n, pell,

– trichinosis – cup-o-n

– oxyuria vermicularis – aq- calc

Dr Krishnadas R^1
1MD Part 1, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica
Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru – 560079

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF
Dr ASHOK KUMAR DANTKALE, BHMS, MD(Hom.)
Professor, Department of Homoeopathic Materia Medica,Govt. Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital Bengaluru – 79

Download full article