Whispers From the Materia Medica: Rare Homoeopathic Treasures for Dermatological Woes

Dr Ishika Mani¹, Dr Soumyanath Mallik², Dr Navin Kumar Singh³

ABSTRACT–
Homoeopathy, the holistic system of medicine has immense scope in the management of various skin disorders including eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, urticaria and many other cases. It addresses various dermatological affections by focusing on the Individual’s Susceptibility and aiming to treat the underlying predisposition rather than merely suppressing symptoms. This article will enlighten a detailed picture of some rarely used homoeopathic medicines with their key symptoms that will help all readers and practitioners across the country to prescribe those remedies for various dermatological conditions in their day-to-day practice.

KEYWORDS Skin Disorders, Individualized Homeopathy, Rare remedies.

INTRODUCTION–
Skin is the largest organ of body. Besides being a primary barrier against pathogens, UV light, trauma, and environmental toxins, it also regulates body temperature through sweat production, enables sensation via nerve endings for touch, pressure, and pain, and synthesizes vitamin D for calcium absorption. Additional roles include immune surveillance, fluid balance, and hormone storage in deeper layers. Diseases related to skin disrupt these protective and regulatory functions, leading to increased infection risk, dehydration, or temperature dysregulation. It leads to not only the physical symptoms like rashes, itching, or white patches (as in vitiligo), but also causes some psychological effects such as stress exacerbation, social stigma or reduced quality of life. Severe cases, like lupus or skin cancers can even cause systemic inflammation or malignancy¹.

Skin and subcutaneous diseases (SSDs) have become a major public health concern, with 4.7 billion incident cases and 2.0 billion prevalent cases reported globally in 2021. The burden of these diseases includes 119,129 deaths and 41.9 million Disability Adjusted life years (DALYs). The incidence and prevalence of SSDs have increased by over 35% since 1990, with a notable rise among females and older adults².

Homoeopathy offers a holistic and individualized approach in skin diseases by addressing not only external symptoms but also underlying constitutional and miasmatic disturbances for sustainable healing. Homoeopathic Materia Medica has an extensive assemblage of symptomatology which have been compiled by studying thoroughly almost all the facets of natural resources.  Among them, some medicines are well known by drug proving, accidental proving, toxicological effect, clinical proving etc but still there are so many remedies whose detailed pathogenetic effects are not easily available. They are known as rare remedies.

INDICATIONS OF SOME RARE REMEDIES IN DERMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS–

Antipyrinum–

• This drug is derived from phenazon, a coal tar derivative. Antipyrine is one of the drugs that induce leucocytosis, similar to ergotin, salicylates and tuberculin. Acts especially on the vasomotor centers, this drug causes dilation of capillaries of skin and consequent appearance of circumscribed patches of hyperemia and swelling³.
• It has more effect on the skin causing scarlet fever and oedema⁴.
• Acute erythema multiforme.
• Face – oedema and puffiness. Red and swollen. Swelling of lips. Burning of mouth and gums. Ulceration and swelling of lips and tongue; vesicles and bullae. Small lump in cheek. Tongue swollen. Bloody saliva.
• Urticaria appearing and disappearing suddenly with internal coldness³.
• Rash, erythema or urticaria with troublesome itching; chiefly between fingers.
• Irregular rounded pimples lying close together, in some place’s confluent, forming patches, between which skin was normal, giving a marbled appearance, lasted five days, turned brownish and desquamated slightly.
• Eruption thickest on body and extremities, extensor more covered than flexor surfaces⁴.
• Itching and burning of vagina, intense pruritus. Dark blotches of skin of penis, sometimes with oedema.
• Erythema, eczema, pemphigus. Angioneurotic-oedema³.

Arundo mauritanica–

• It prepared from the root sprouts of Reed, an Italian grass^3,4.
• A remedy for catarrhal states. Hay-fever.
• Head- itching; falling of hair; roots of hair painful. Pustules.
• Hay-fever begins with burning and itching of palate and conjunctiva. Annoying itching in the nostrils and roof of the mouth.
• Coryza; loss of smell. Sneezing, itching of nostrils.
• Mouth- Burning and itching; bleeding gums. Ulcers and exfoliations in the commissures. Fissures in tongue.
• Eczema with itching and crawling, especially of chest and upper extremities³.
• Eczema behind ears⁴.
• Desire with vaginal pruritus.
• Longing for acids, red sediment in urine, copious and offensive sweat of feet³.

Berberis aquifolium–

• It belongs to the Mahonia group of the Barberry family, prepared from mountain grape^3,4.
• It affects the skin which becomes dry, rough, scaly, pimply. Eruptions on scalp extending to face and neck. It clears the complexion.
• Acne, psoriasis, dry eczema⁵.
• Glandular induration³.

Chrysarobinum

• Prepared from Goa Powder.
• Acts as a powerful irritant of the skin and used successfully in skin diseases especially in ringworm, psoriasis, herpes tonsurans acne rosacea. Vesicular or squamous lesions, associated with foul smelling discharge and crust formation, tending to become confluent and to give the appearance of a single crust covering the entire area. () Violent itching, thighs, legs and ears. Dry, scaly eruption, especially around eyes and ears, scabs with pus underneath.
• Ears -Eczema behind ears. Filthy, scabby condition with tendency to form thick crust. Whole ear and surrounding tissue appear to be one scab.
• Internally, third to sixth potency. Used externally; should be used with caution on account of its ability to produce inflammation³.

Fagopyrum esculentum–

• It is prepared from the tincture of the whole mature plant of Buckwheat^3,4.
• Its action on the skin, producing pruritus, is very marked.
• Visible pulsation of arteries. Fluent coryza. Offensive excretions.
• Itching erythema. Pruritus senilis. Post-nasal catarrh; dry crusts, granular appearance of posterior nares with itching.
• Inability to study or remember. Depressed and irritable.
• Skin – Itching; better by bathing in cold water; worse scratching, touch and retiring. Sore red blotches. Blind boils.
• Itching of knees and elbows and hairy portions. Itching of hands, deep in. Vesicular, pustular, phlegmonous dermatitis. Skin hot, swollen³.
• General and excessive itching, with or without eruption, most marked on pubes, pudenda, whiskers and hairy portion of the body generally; aggravation in afternoon, 5 to 7 pm⁴.
• Modalities – Better, cold water, coffee; worse, in afternoon; from sunlight, scratching³.
• Senile pruritus⁵.
• Worse- in afternoon; from sunlight; scratching. Better- cold water, coffee³.

Guarea–

• Prepared from tincture and trituration of bark of Ballwood.
• On the skin there were liver-spots, and an eruption with burning vesicles.
• Aromatic-smelling sweat. Sensation of constriction are common.
• Yellow spots on temples. Liver-spots on arms.
• Eruption behind ears. Herpes. Itching.
• Lupus of ochre-red colour⁴.
• Chemosis and pterygium have been cured with it³.

Hura brasiliensis–

• Prepared from tincture of milky juice of Assacu^3,4.
• Used in leprosy, when skin feels as if it were hide bound Tense vesicles; sensation of splinter under thumb-nails.
• Skin of forehead feels drawn tight. Stiff neck, pain in back.
• Throbbing in finger tips. Itching, pimples on all projecting portions of bone, malar bones, etc³.

Juglans regia –

• Prepared from Walnut.
• Skin eruptions are prominent.
• Comedones and acne of the face.
• Crusta lactea, with soreness around ears. Itching and eruption of small red pustules. Scalp red and itches violently at night.
• Chancre-like ulcer Axxilary gland suppurate³.
• Farrington says it is one of the best remedies in “tinea favosa, especially in the scalp behind the ear, itching is intense at night so that the patient has difficulty in sleeping.” Scabs appear on arms and axilla.
• Symptoms go from right axilla to left.
• Worse-by motion, speaking, laughing, after fat food⁴.

Pix liquida–

• • Tar and its constituents act on various mucous membranes³.
  • In old-school practice Tar is known as a “stimulant expectorant” in chronic bronchitis and phthisis, a stimulant to the skin in psoriasis and scaly eczema. Buckley (quoted by Allen) has recorded severe constitutional effects following the local application of preparations of tar in skin affections. Among these are: High fever; black vomit; black stools; dark-coloured urine; acute eczema; acne⁴.
  • It’s skin symptoms most important. Scaly eruptions. Much itching.
  • A great cough medicine. Bronchial irritation after influenza.
  • Pain at a spot about the third left costal cartilage when it joins the rib.
  • Skin cracked; itches intolerably; bleeds on scratching. Eruptions on back of hands³.
  • Acute eczema. Acne. Eruption esp. on back of hands, itching intolerably at night and bleeding when scratched, with sleeplessness. Violent itching. Desquamation³.

Scrophularia nodosa –

• • Prepared from Knotted figwart.
  • A powerful medicine whenever enlarged glands are present. Hodgkin’s disease.
  • A valuable skin remedy. Has a specific affinity for the breast; very useful in the dissipation of breast tumors. Eczema of the ear.
  • Pruritus vaginae. Lupoid ulceration. Scrofulous swellings. [] Painful haemorrhoids.
  • Tubercular testis. Epithelioma.
  • Nodosities in the breasts. Eczema behind ear. Crusta lactea.
  • Ears -Inflammation about auricle. Deep ulcerated auricle. Eczema around ear.
  • Skin -Prickling itching, worse back of hand.
  • Modalities -Worse lying on right side³.

Skookum chuck aqua–

• • Prepared from dried salt of medical lake near Spokane, wash^3,4.
  • Gentry introduced it to homoeopathy⁴.
  • Has strong affinity for skin and mucous membranes-An anti-psoric medicine.
  • Otitis media. Profuse, ichorous, cadaverously smelling discharge.
  • Catarrh. Urticaria. Skin affections. Eczema. Dry skin. Hay-fever.
  • Profuse coryza and constant sneezing³.

Viola tricolor –

The pansy was proved by Hahnemann and his provers. It had an ancient reputation in asthma and epilepsy, and especially in obstinate skin diseases. Teste quotes from old observers Starck, Hasse, Murray etc that the following can be cured by this medicine-

• Milk-crust in children at the breast or recently weaned.
• Milk-crust with violent cough and excessive oppression.
• Impetigo of hairy scalp and face in children and adult females.
• Favus and serpiginous crusts in children and adults, with swelling and induration of cervical glands.
• Large boils all over body in a scrofulous child.
• Pustules and ichorous exanthema of feet.
• Squamous spots on skin.
• Rheumatism and gout, articular rheumatism with itch-like eruption round the joints.
• Impetigenous exanthema on forehead.
• Ichorous ulcers with violent itching.
• Tinea capitis with frequent involuntary urination. Eczema with urinary disturbances; too copious urination or sudden arrest of secretion. Urine smelling like cat’s urine is a key-note⁴.
• The principal use of this remedy is for eczema in childhood and nocturnal emission accompanied by very vivid dreams³.
• Stinging-biting rash, dry scabs over the whole body; when they are scratched, they exude yellow water. Eruption over face, behind ears but except eye-lids with burning, itching aggravated in night.
• A thick, hard scab formed, cracked here and there, from which a tenacious yellow pus exuded, and hardened into a substance like guru⁴.
• Intolerable itching. Eruptions, particularly over face and head, with burning. Itching; worse at night.
• Thick scabs, with crack and exude a tenacious yellow pus. Eczema impetigonoides of the face. Sycosis. Worse winter, 11 am³.
• Nervous paroxysms after suppressed crusta lactea; eczema.
• Worse- Pressure on side opposite to painful side, winter, cold air⁵.

Xerophyllum–

• • Prepared from Tamalpais Lily or Basket Grass Flower.
  • Should prove curative in eczematous conditions, poison-oak, early typhoid states etc.
  • Face blotted in morning. Puffy under eyes. Inflammation resembling poison-oak.
  • Dermatitis especially around knees.
  • Skin rough and cracked; feels like leather. Erythema, with vesication and intense itching, stinging and burning. Blisters, little lumps.
  • Worse- application of cold water, in afternoon and evening; Better – application of hot water, in morning, moving affected part³.

Conclusion:
These rare remedies offer beneficial action in skin disorders when common medicines fail, providing precise symptom matching for stubborn cases like resistant psoriasis, ringworm, or herpes, often acting as irritants or deep-acting miasmatic correctors. Like Master C.F Samuel Hahnemann in Organon of Medicine (5th and 6th Edition) in Aphorism (§) 2 emphasized, “The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of health or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles”⁶ ,the value of these hidden gems lies in individualized application, enhancing cure rates in chronic dermatoses by addressing peculiar modalities and other striking symptoms.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  None declared.

REFERENCES-

1. Lopez-Ojeda W, Pandey A, Alhajj M, Oakley AM. Anatomy, skin (integument) [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 [updated 2022 Oct 17; Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441980/
2. Li D, Fan S, Zhao H, Song J, Li W, Xu X. Global, regional and national burden of skin and subcutaneous diseases: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Int Health. 2025 Jun 28: ihaf070. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaf070. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40580005.
3. Boericke’s. New manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica with repertory by Dr. William Boericke; third edition; published by B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.
4. Clarke JH. A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2013.
5. Phatak SR. Materia medica of homoeopathic medicines. 2nd ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 1977.
6. Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2002.

Authors

1. Ishika Mani; B.H.M.S (WBUHS); Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Materia Medica, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 265,266, A.P.C Road, Kolkata 700009. Email id: ishikamani14@gmail.com
2. Soumyanath Mallik; B.H.M.S (WBUHS);Post Graduate Trainee, Department of Paediatrics, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 265,266, A.P.C Road, Kolkata-700009. Ex-Internee, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Block-GE, Sector-III, Salt Lake, Kolkata-700106. Email ID: soumyanathmallik94@gmail.com  (CORRESPONDING AUTHOR)

3. Navin Kumar Singh; M.D (HOM) ; Reader, Department of Case Taking and Repertory, The Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, 265,266, A.P.C Road, Kolkata 700009. Email: navin11singh@gmail.com