“LESSER KNOWN MEDICINES IN HOMOEOPATHY-A LITERARY REVIEW.” - homeopathy360

“LESSER KNOWN MEDICINES IN HOMOEOPATHY-A LITERARY REVIEW.”

Abstract: Lesser known medicines, in homoeopathy, are those which had a few symptoms recorded through drug proving. These medicines are proved to be specific remedy in specific disease condition. Many of our fraternity are not aware of these lesser known medicines due to lack in literature and less clinical use. In this literary review, some very rare homoeopathic medicines was enumerated with their symptomatology, so that some of them can be used in day to day practice to increase the literature of those medicines by conducting clinical researches at our Outdoor Patients Departments.
Introduction:
Homoeopathic Remedy:-Any drug may be considered to be a homoeopathic medicine if it is recorded in “homoeopathic proving” or has known physiological effectsas causing the symptom- syndromes which it is administered to cure, if it is used in a dose insufficient to cause active physiological effects. (Homoeopathic pharmacopoeia, U.S.A) (1)
Homoeopathic remedies work by the principles of harmonic resonance. The original name for homoeopathic remedies before Hahnemann’s time was sympathetic or sympathic medicines because of these resonance factors. Sympathy reflects the principle of likes cure likes. There is a sympathetic relationship between the action of the remedy on healthy person, the proving and the therapeutic action of disease.(2)Indicated medicine is called “remedy”.(3)
Polycrest Remedies:-This is the group of often used remedies they are the polycrests. “poly” means “many” and “crest” means “time.” The polycrests are the most often prescribed remedies for acute, chronic, emergency, fundamental, pathological and constitutional remedies.(2)
Lesser Known Remedies:-These remedies had few symptoms found through drug proving. These medicines had too few symptomatology, thus, can be very useful in treating one-sided diseases (diseases having too few symptoms).
Uses of lesser known medicines:

  • Useful in one-sided diseases.
  • Used as organ remedy.(2)
  • Used as pathological remedies.(2)
  • Used as rescue remedy.(2)
  • In palliative cases.

 
 
Some lesser known medicines with their common name and specific action are listed below:
 

  1. ANILINUM

(Coal Tar Product-Amidobenzene)
In old-school practice injections of aniline blue have been used with some success to destroy cancerous, growths, aniline having a marked affinity for cell nuclei.
There are vomiting, purging, bursting headache, epileptiform attacks. Cyanosis is very marked, swelling and irritation of the skin.(2)
Anaemia, balanitis.Tumors in the urinary passages.(4)

  1. ASTACUS FLUVIATILIS- CANCER ASTACUS.

(Crawfish, River crab)
The liver is markedly affected and a great characteristic is “nettle-rash with liver complaint.” Planets: Jupiter, Moon.
Worse from air. Worse from uncovering.(2)
Urticaria, crustalactea, with enlarged lymphatic gland.(4)
(Tuberculin from birds)
Acute broncho-pulmonary diseasesin children, influenzal bronchitis; loss of strength and appetite.(4)

  1. AGRAPHIS NUTANS.

(Bluebell)
Agraphisnutans has obstruction of the nostrils, especially from adenoids and throat deafness. Enlarged tonsils, adenoids, throat deafness. The action of it is felt towards the root of the nose. Catarrhal conditions, obstruction of nostrils.(2)
 
 
Intermittent fever, quartan type; pulsating headache, injected eyes and flushed face. Liver and spleen enlarged.(4)

  1. BOLETUS LARICIS-POLYPORUS OFFICINALE.

(White Agaric)
The gastro-enteric irritation common to the Fungi was very well marked. Motion will aggravate the headache. Disposition to yawn and stretch when chilly.Great restlessness after midnight.Faintness after stool. Aching distress in all joints.(2)
Quotidian intermittent fever with profuse sweat at night.(4)

  1. BOLETUS SATANUS.

Limbs cold, cold sweat over whole body.Faintness while vomiting.Dysentery, vomiting, great debility, cold limbs, spasm of limbs and face.Sudden sensation through all his limbs as if he would be attacked with a stroke. Violent and extremely painful cramps in the muscles of the limbs and face.(2)
Dysentery, vomiting, spasm of extremities and face.(4)

  1. EUGENIA JAMBOSA-JAMBOSA VULGARIS.

(Rose apple)
The most characteristic symptom of the proving is better after urination. Sudden great change in him after urination. Excitement soon changing to depression. Nausea, better from smoking.(2)
Comedones.Hot lachrymation. Nocturnal cramps in soles of feet. Skin cracks around the toes. Tineapedis.(4)

  1. GALEGA OFFICINALIS-GOAT’S RUE.

Dorretta gave Galega in liquid extract of the leaves, for a common form of backache, which he located in the kidneys, though it is unaccompanied by any sign of kidney disease.(2)
Anaemia and impaired nutrition. Increases quantity and quality of milk in nursing woman.(4)
 
(Bolus alba, China clay, Alumina silicate)
Constriction is a marked general symptom. Aching and burning in spine. Formication, numbness and pain in all limbs.Epilepticform convulsions.Coldness during pains. Venous distension.(2)
Chronic complaints of brain, spine and nerves.Constriction of orifices. Epileptic form convulsion.(4)
 

  1. KOUSSO-BRAYERA.

(HageniaAbyssinica)
Vermifuge-nausea, vomiting and vertigo.(4)
Miscarriage.(2)

  1. LAPSANA COMMUNIS.

It is a popular remedy for sore nipples, a decoction of it being used as a lotion for that purpose.(2)
Nipple wart: Useful in sore nipples and piles.(4)

  1. LIMULUS CYCLOPS-XIPHOSURA.

(Horse foot, King crab)(4)
Mental and physical exhaustion;drowsiness after sea bathing.(2)
Crural neuralgia. Itching spots and vesicles on the face and hands.(4)

  1. MICROMERIA DOUGLASII.

(Yerba Buena)
Used as a tea to cure colic and relief flatulence. Blood purifier and tonic.(4)

  1. MIMOSA HUMILIS.

Rheumatism, knee stiff, lancinating pains in back and limbs.(4) Smarting pain in legs with paralysis of knee. Stiffness of bends of knees.(2)

  1. MITCHELLA REPENS.

(Partridge Berry)
Irritation at neck of bladder with urging to urinate, (Eupat-pur., Apis) Engorged uterus, haemorrhage, bright with dysuria. Lassitude. All muscles feel sore. Whole digestive tract feels cold, transverse colon tender to pressure.(2)
Bladder symptoms accompany complaints, especially uterine congestion. Cystitis.Dysmenorrhea and uterine haemorrhage.(4)

  1. PECTEN JACOBAEUS.

Asthma preceded by coryza and burning in throat and chest. Attack ends with copious expectoration of tough, frothy mucus, worse at night.(2)
Humid asthma worse at night.Constriction of the chest especially right side.(4)
(Blast iron furnace cinder)
Anal itching, piles and constipation; housemaid’s knee; abdominal flatulent distension and lumbago.(4)
 

  1. SYMPHONICARPUS RACEMOSA.

(Snowberry)
Persistent vomiting of pregnancy, nausea during menstruation. Aversion to all food.(4)
 

  1. TAMUS COMMUNIS.

The fruits steeped in gin are a popular remedy for chilblains. The only use that Tamus has says of the root-plaster that it removes scars and deformities, softens harden tissues.(2)
Chilblains and freckles.(4)
 

  1. TONGO ODORATA-DIPTRIX ODORATA.

(Seeds of coumarouna-a tree in guiana)(4)
The symptoms are: worse by rest, when seated. Better by movement.pressure improves. Tongo is useful in whooping cough.Toothache.(2)
Useful in neuralgia, pertussis, Hip, pain. Migraine.(4)
 

  1. UPAS TIEUT.

(Upas tree, strychnostiente)(4)
Produces tonic spasms, tetanus and asphyxia.Paronychia. Drowsiness is a feature in Upas. “Every morning weakness of the eyes with lachrymation, the lids being so heavy that they close involuntarily as if from drowsiness.”Upasis chiefly a left-side remedy. There is pain in the left side of the throat as from a splinter on swallowing, pain in left sciatic nerve in left iliac fossa.(2)
 

  1. ZIZIA AUREA.

(Thaspiumaureum, Medow parsnip)(4)
Hysteria, epilepsy, chorea, hypochondriasis come within the sphere of this remedy.Chorea especially during sleep. Surface of body sensitive to touch.(2)
 
Conclusion:-Lesser known homoeopathic medicines mainly used in those conditions where the complete  totality of the patient is not available i.e. where there is ‘paucity of symptoms’. In cases where acute exacerbation of chronic disease occurs or when there is a need of palliation,these medicines are very effective. Clinical verification studies on lesser known medicines will help to increase the symptomatology of these rare medicines and also develop a firm belief on clinical effectiveness of the same in our fraternity.
 
References:-

  1. Mandal PP, Mandal B. A Textbook of Homoeopathic Pharmacy. Reprint 3rd Kolkata: New Central Book Agency (P) LTD.; 2015.
  2. Murphy R. Lotus MateriaMedica. 3rd ed. New Delhi: B.Jain Publishers (P) LTD.; 2014.
  3. Banerjee NK, Sinha N, Banerjee SK. A Treatise on Homoeopathic Pharmacy. Reprint ed. Bjain Publishers (P) LTD.; 2006.
  4. Boericke W. Boericke’s New Manual of Homoeopathic MateriaMedica with Repertory. 3rd revised & augmented ed.New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) LTD.; 2010.

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