Doctrine of Signature: when integrated completes the understanding of therapeutic agent - homeopathy360

Doctrine of Signature: when integrated completes the understanding of therapeutic agent

Abstract
Doctrine of signature is a visual clue provided by God or just a superstition. It has been a debatable topic. Apart from the doctrine of signature, the natural behaviour, toxicological action and physiological action of the substance is also a part of the study to understand the hidden utility of the substance as a therapeutic agent. This article attempts to explore an integrated approach for the complete understanding of the therapeutic agent.
 
Abbreviations:
G.I tract- Gastro Intestinal Tract,
Na- Sodium,
Cl- Chloride,
NaCl- Sodium Chloride,
SOA- Sphere of Action
 
Introduction
The Doctrine of signature, ‘signs of nature’, for long has been considered as visual clue provided by God to the hidden utility of the therapeutic substance. There is no scientific evidence that the shape and colour of plants help to discover its therapeutic utility. Thus, instead of considering only the doctrine of signature, the natural behaviour, physiological action and therapeutic action, gives a better understanding of the therapeutic agent. The final court to ascertain their medicinal powers are to observe those changes of health medicine is capable of producing in the healthy organism.
 
Integrated approach for complete understanding
To have a complete understanding of the therapeutic agent, an example from plant animal and the mineral kingdom is taken; its natural behaviour, physiological action and toxicological action are interpreted and co-related with the evidence available in source books
 
The following table represents remedies from plant, animal and mineral kingdom; in their natural behaviour, physiological action and toxicological action.
 
Tarantula hispanica

Sr. no Data
(biology- natural behaviour, physiology- physiological action, poisoning- toxicological action)
Interpretation derived from the data Evidence: Source- Book
(symptoms- from Materia Medica, Hering’s guiding symptom, Allen’s encyclopedia, Prisma)
A Natural Behaviour
1 Spider has 8 legs and is in constant motion,
Rhythmic
Patients are always restless- rhythmic The restlessness of hands and legs;
2 Coloration Fascination for bright colour Colours dark desire for
3
 
Strategy for survival –trick and trap Patients are cunning and deceptive in their behaviour
Sensitive to being trapped
Cunning
Deceitful
4 Sense organ sharp Patients hypersensitive – (pain/noise/ touch/ light /vibration) Hypersensitive
5 Web sticky, others do not come near/ touch Sensitive to interaction
<touch
Loneliness
Sensitive to touch
6 Fear of being preyed Fear- danger, fear- death Fear dark
B Toxicology
1 Local irritation-inflammation
Skin, G.I Tract
Pain, violent-stinging
Inflammation
Pain: violent-stinging
Irritation
Redness
Burning
Swelling
Pain-stinging type
Pain intense
2 Stimulant action
Mind and Nervous system-  melancholia, delirium, involuntary movements, hysteria, chorea, convulsion, hyperesthesia, Sexual desire++
 
Excitability- Mind and Nerves
 
Depression
 
Depression
Hysteria
Delirium
Twitching- chorea
Convulsion
Hyperesthesia
Sexual desire ++
3 Paralytic action Paresis, Paralysis Paretic condition, paralysis
4 Constriction
Circular, cardiac muscle fibre
Angina pectoris Heart region: pain, constriction, breathlessness
5 Necrosis Septic condition Evidence are directly available in source book
6 Destruction-Degeneration
Blood, Bone
 
Haemorrhage
Caries
Evidence is directly available in source book

 
Natrium muriaticum

Sr. no Data Interpretation Evidence : Source- Book
A Natural Behaviour
1 Na belongs to group IA and Cl (Halogen group).
Na has only one electron in the outermost shell, hence to complete the octate state it has to give away the electron or share 7 electrons, which it does with Cl to form a NaCl bond.
Na+ Cl [affinity towards Cl]
Independent and dependable.
Attachment-Relationship
Specific towards a person
Fear of being alone
 
One- to – one attachment
 
Company desire for, alone agg
B Physiological
1 Maintains Osmotic pressure, volume and composition of extracellular fluid compartments
Electrolyte  and fluid balance
Sphere of action (SOA)- intracellular and extracellular fluid, blood
 
Dryness of mucous membrane
 
2 Neuromuscular conductivity (SOA)Nerves
3 Cardiac rhythmicity and peripheral resistance of blood vessels (SOA)
Heart  & circulation
Palpitation, with faintness
4 Muscle relaxation and contraction (SOA) Muscles Contraction of muscles
C Toxicology
1 Electrolyte imbalance
(irritability, increased thirst)
Irritability
 
Irritability
Thirst increased
2 Depression of sensorium
(confusion, coma)
Confusion
Coma
Confusion
Comatose
3 Paralytic action
(muscle spasticity , focal deficits)
Paralysis : muscle, tissue, organ Paretic condition
Paralysis
4 Laboured respiration Breathlessness Difficult respiration

 
Zincum metallicum

Sr. no Data Interpretation Evidence : Source- Book
A Physiological action
1 CNS and Mind Excitement
 
Hypersensitive – nervous system
2 Skin
Helps in protein synthesis and metabolism
Hair growth and wound healing Effectual in securing rapid healing
3 Blood
Increases oxygen affinity of haemoglobin
Impaired-
Anemia
Impaired-
Anemia
4 Eye :Uveal tract Deficiency- (keratitis) Deficiency-Inflammation
5 Ossification Impaired – growth retardation, osteoporosis Joint pain
6 Reproductive system
Development of secondary sexual character
Deficiency-
Inhibits sexual maturation
Sexual neurasthenia
B Toxicology
1 Stimulant action
CNS and Mind
Excitability and Irritability Irritability, convulsion
2 Paralytic action Paresis, paralysis Paralysis , muscular incordination, imbalance
3 GIT
Irritation, Inflammation, ulceration
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, gastric ulcer Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain

 
Pulsatilla partensis

Sr. no Data Interpretation Evidence : Source- Book
A Natural Behaviour
1 Grows in dessert, needs less water Dryness of mouth and thirst less Dryness of mouth
thirst less
2 Flowers are drooping downwards Shyness Timid
3 Flowers are always in a group Company desires Company desire for
4 Flowers are delicate so they change direction with a draft of wind Sensitive
Changeability
Impressionable
Mood changeable
5 The stem of the flower is delicate and covered with hair like structure
to protect it from wind in chilly phase
Sensitive to a draft of air
Needs covering in open air
< draft of air
Desire open air, covers in open air
B Toxicology
1 Local irritation
Skin, GI tract
Nausea, vomiting diarrhoea Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea
2 Hypotension
Coma
Faintness attack
Coma
Faintness
Comatose
3 Female genitor-urinary tract
Induces abortion, uterine contraction
Abortion
Dysmenorrhoea, Metrorrhagia
Abortion tendency to
Contraction hourglass

 
The doctrine of signature, natural behaviour, physiological action toxicological action and observation those changes of health the therapeutic agent is capable of producing in the healthy organism gives a complete understanding of the therapeutic agent. Thus, instead of evaluating their role separately and debating about it, an integrated approach must be used.
 
Conclusion
Studying each entity separately and debating about its usefulness might not help us in understanding the complete picture.
Thus, an integrated approach- doctrine of signature, natural behaviour, physiological action, toxicological action and drug proving together gives a complete understanding of the therapeutic agent.
 
 
Bibliography

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  9. T. F. Allen.The encyclopaedia of pure material medica. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd. Pg No. 612, 791, 696, 845.
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