Book Review of Synoptic Memorizer of Materia Medica – Revised & Enlarged Edition with Comparative Materia Medica by Dr Arunima Musthyala

BOOK REVIEW OF: Synoptic Memorizer of Materia Medica – Revised & Enlarged Edition with Comparative Materia Medica

Saptarshi Banerjea is a renowned figure in the world of homeopathy, serving as a physician, mentor, and teacher. He is part of the fifth generation of the Banerjea family, which is possibly the longest-serving homeopathic family in the world.

Banerjea’s family heritage is Classical and Practical Homoeopathy with incorporation of Miasm in every chronic case. This methodology is based on M-TEK: (Miasm (50% emphasis) + [Totality, Essence+ Keynotes] (50% emphasis). This is the classical and practical prescribing approach in this drug dependent world. Synoptic memorizer is one of the incredible work by subrata banerjea and saptarshi banerjea, first edition of this book by subrata, was published in 1980 with 50 drugs, his legacy of work continued by saptarshi with 127 drugs in this second edition published in 2024.

Each drug in this book was presented in such a manner that it justifies the title of the work, as described below

Synoptic-Author has adopted varied views and styles of presentation of drug-pictures as referred by our Master Hahnemann, Kent, Herring, Tyler, Dunham, Clarke, Nash, Allen-to highlight the practical implementation of materia medica in everyday practice.

Memorizer-Every drug in this book is comprehended, so that the person reading the drug can memorize them effortlessly. Saptarshi has assimilated all the remedies in the BHMS curriculum in this book.

The remedy description in this book is done under different sections like History of the remedy with its doctrine of signature, common name, family and prover. Drug totality (mnemonics which helps to recollect the remedy).

Example

A = Acute lancinating pain in cancer of mammae.

S = Sycotic diathesis.

T = Twitching: four-five days before the attack of epilepsy.

E = easily excited by any emotion: irritable.

R = Removes the disposition to pimples at adolescence.

I = Ineffectual desire for stool: constipation.

A = Apoplexy with red face and full frequent pulse.

S = Sexual desire increased in women.

Aetiology.Constitution (Physical make-up, Temperament, Diathesis, Thermal Reaction and Miasmatics). Mental Symptoms. Characteristic Symptoms. Theme and Essence-Emotional & Physical. Particular Symptoms. Modalities-General and Particular. Relationship of Remedies. Oral Questionnaire.

Apart from above described points few other features like, most characteristic symptoms of a drug according to different authors are mentioned.

Example-Anasarca, restlessness, severe prostration, excessive thirst, ulceration, corrosive.., according to Nash, N.M. Choudhuri, Hahnemann under arsenicum album drug. 

Another feature is author have augmented the Materia Medica through Reportorial references, thus reader will note the style viz. Acon.1 which explicit that Aconite covers that symptom in first grade, here Acon.1 means first or highest grade, which will leave away the possibilities of any mis-conception for the beginners.

By now it’s clear that by thorough concept extraction, relationship mapping, synoptic diagram creation, spaced repetition, visual learning enhancement author has written this book.

Excluding its advantages, there are few backdrops like most important drugs like aconite, nat.mur,thuja, baryta.carb….,and many more. In an attempt to help to remember points, author tried to associate each letter of remedy into its symptoms which can be confusing at times.

CONCLUSION

Subrata Banerjee’s Synoptic Memorizer presents a well-structured and thoughtfully designed learning system, its potential to enhance understanding and improve long-term retention makes it a valuable addition to the learner’s toolkit. The goal of this edition is to bridge the gap between theoretical Materia Medica and practical homeopathic prescribing, allowing practitioners to quickly recall keynotes and apply them effectively in case-taking. This method is a strong contender for those who wish to move beyond simple memorization, and towards true understanding of the material they are studying.