Sources of the Homeopathic medicine

Homeopathic medicines are prepared from 6 different sources like:

1) Vegetable kingdom,
2) Animal kingdom,
3) Mineral kingdom,
4) Sarcodes,
5) Nosodes,
6) Imponderabilia.

1) Vegetable Sources of Homeopathic Drugs:-

It includes fungi, mushrooms, weeds, herbs, leaves, flowers, stems, barks, roots, seeds and whole plant also.
For the preparation of mother tinctures and mother powders different parts of plant is used for different medicines. For example, some medicines are prepared from the whole plant; some are prepared from roots, some from leaves, from flowers, etc.

1) From plants:-

a) Medicines prepared from whole plant:- acalypha indica, aconite nap, arnica Montana, atropha belladonna, chamomilla, chelidonium majus, drosera rotundifolia, dulcamara, euphratia off, hyoscyamus nigar, hypericum nigra, ledum pal, pulsatilla, tribulus, ruta graveolens, alfalfa, lobelia inflate, ocimum sanctum, etc.

b) Roots:- Artemisia vul, arum triphyllum, bryonia alba, calotropis gigantia, aralia, ipecacuanha, paeonia off, rauwolfia serpentine, senega, etc( only from the roots ). Aletris farinose, apocynum androsaemifolium, gentiana lutea, helonias dioica, leptendra viginica, sarsaparilla, etc (from roots and rhizomes). Tinospora cordifolia (from roots and stems).

c) Stem: - Rhus venenata, Sabina, saccharum offcinarum.

d) Modified stem (rhizomes) :- Caulophyllum, cimicifuga racemosa, dioscorea villosa, filix mas, gelsimium, helliborus niger, hydrastis, valeriana officinale, etc.

e) Bulb: - Allium cepa, allium sativum, colchicum autumnale, etc.

f) Woods: - Ostrya, virginica, quassia amara, santalum album, etc.

g) Bark: - Alstonia scholaris, azadirachta indica, chinchona officinalis, cundurango, jonosia ashoka, mezereum, rhamnus frangula, cinnamomum, prunus virginiana, baptisia tinctoria, berberis vulgaris, granatum, hamamelis virginica, gossypium herbaceum, etc.

h) Leaves: - Abroma augusta, abrotanum, cannabis indica, ceanothus americanus, coca, digitalis purpurea, kalmia latifolia, laurocerasus, oleander, rhus toxicodendron, tabacum, thuja occidentalis, etc.

i) Flowers: - Cina, calendula officinalis, eupatorium perfoliatum, grindelia robusta, absinthium, sambucus nigra, rhododendron, lupulus, cytisus scoparius, syringa vulgaris, crocus sativa, etc.

j) Spores: - Lycopodium clavatum.

k) Fruits: - Agnus cactus, crataegus oxy, viscum album (from berries).Aesculus hipp, aesculus glabra (from nuts). Terminalia chebula, apium graveolens, capsicum, carica papaya, colocynthis (from semimature fruits). Cubeba, sabal serrulata (from dry fruits). Ignatia amara (from beans).
l) Seeds: - Avena sativa, carduus marianus, chaulmoogra, cocculus indica, coffea, nux vomica, psoralia corylifolia, sabadilla, etc.

2) From Herbs: - Ledum palustre, verbrscum thapsus, etc.

3) From Weeds: - Fucus vesiculosus, etc.

4) From Fungi: - Agaricus muscarius, bovista etc.

5) From Algae: - Helminthochortos officinatrum.

6) From Juice: - Aloe socotrina (from leaves), anacardium orientale (from seeds), elaterium (sediment of), myristica sebifera (red, puncturing bark), opium, euphrobium (from latex resinous, dried), curare (from extracts), copaiva officinalis (gum resin), etc.

7) From Oils: - Croton tiglium (from seeds), oleum ricni (from seeds) etc. Oleum cajuputi, oil carophyllum (clove oil), oil cinnamonium, oil Eucalyptus, oil santali (from sandal wood) etc.


2) Animal Sources of Homeopathic Drugs: -

Drugs of Animal kingdom includes drugs which are derived from animals in general or their secretions or products; embracing the different kinds of worms, lice, insects, bittles, flies, crabs, toads, snakes.

(a) Whole animals: -

(i) Living – Medusa (Alive jelly fish), Pedeculus (Head-louse), Blatta americana (American cockroach), Blatta orientalis (Indian cockroach), Culex (Mosquito culex), Apis melifica (Honey Bee), Cimex (Bed-bug), Formica (Red ant), Vespa (Wasp), etc.

(ii) Spiders – Aranea avicularis, avicularia avicularia, aranea diadema, latrodectus hassati, lactrodectus kalipo, lactrodectus mactans, tarentula cubensis, tarantula hispana, theridion, scorpions,etc.

(iii) Snails – Helix pomatia, helix tosta, asterias rubens, etc.

(iv) Whole animals (dried) – Armadillo officinarum, cantharis (Spanish fly), Coccus cacti (class-insecta), lacerta (green lizard), etc.

(b) Different parts, secretion etc of animals: -

(1) Different parts – Spongia, corallium rubrum, badiaga (from skeletons); Calcarea calcinata, Ova tosta, Ova gallinae pellicula (from shells); Gadus lota (from back bone of a fish); Gadus morrhua (from cervical vertebra of a fish); Castor (from thumb nail of horse); Carbo animalis (from a thick piece of an ox-hide); Ingluvin (from gizzard of a fowl); Sepia (from inky juice of the cuttle fish), Fel tauri (from Ox gall bladder); Lecithin (from animal brain or egg-yolk).

(2) Secretions – Orchitinum (from testicular extracts of man); Ophorinum (from ovarian extract of cow); Hippomanes (from the amoniotic fluid taken from a just-born horse); Moschus (from dried secretions of the male musk deer); Oleum morrhuae (from cod liver oil).

(3) Milk and milk products – Colostrum (from first part of human milk); Lac caninum (from bitch milk); Lac defloratum (from skimmed cow-milk); Lac felinum (from the cat milk); Lac caccinum coagulatum (from the curd of cow-milk).

(4) Venoms of poisonous animals – Scorpions, apis virus, lattrodectus mactans, bufo vulgaris; ampnisboena vermicularis (venoms of lizard snake); Crotalus, Crotalus cascavella, bungarus krait, bungarus fascicatus, elaps corallinus, lachesis, vipera betus, vipera lachesis (from the venoms of poisonous snakes).


3) Mineral Sources of Homeopathic Drugs: -

(i) From Metals: - Alumina (Aluminium), Argentum nit (silver), Aurum met (gold), Cadmium (Cd), Cobaltum (Co), Cuprum met (copper), Ferrum met ( iron), iridium (Ir), Mercurius vivus (Hg), Palladium (Pd), Platinum (Pt), Plumbum met (lead), Stanum met (tin), Tellurium (semi-metal), Zincum met (zinc), Thallium (Th), Vanadium (Vd), etc.

(ii) From Non-metals: - Bromine (Br), Iodium (Iodine), Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), etc.

(iii) From inorganic acid: - Boric acid, bromic or hydrobromic acid, muriatic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, etc.

(iv) From Inorganic salts, compounds: - Baryta carb, baryta mur, calc phos, calc carb, Lithium carb, natrum sulph, kali phos, ammon mur, ammon carb, etc.

(v) From Minerals: - Anthracinum, Graphites, hecla lava, mica, silicea, etc.

(vi) From Organic acids: - Acetic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, carbolic acid, citric acid, formic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, etc.

(vii) From Mineral oils: - Kerosene, paraffin, petroleum, etc.

(viii) From Coal-tar distillation: - Napthalene.

(ix) From Dry distillation of wood: - Camphor, kreosote, etc.


4) Sarcodes: -

Sarcodes include products of animal glands and Endocrine glands as a whole and secretion there from. Sarcodes belongs to animal kingdom. Drugs are prepared from healthy Endocrine or ductless glands or normal secretions of living human organs and lower animals, the secretions are mostly hormones. Examples are: Adrenalinum(from healthy secretion produced by adrenal glands), cholesterinum, fel tauri, insulin (from pancreatic hormones), pancreatinum (from pancreas of beef), pepsinum (from the digestive enzyme pepsin,from the stomach of pig), pituitary(from the posterior portion of the pituitary gland of sheep), thyroidinum (from whole endocrine glands of sheep or calf), vulpis fel, orchitinum (testicular), oophorinum(from ovary of cow, sheep), etc.

5)Nosodes: -

The remedies which are prepared from disease producing agents (like bacteria or viruses) or diseased parts of human beings, lower animals or plants are called nosodes.

Dr Dewey defines nosodes as, “The morbid product of disease when employed as remedies”.

(i)From disease products of human beings: - Baccilinum (from tuberculous sputum), carcinosin (from cancerous tissues); medorrhinum (from gonorrheal virus), psorinum (from a product of psoric virus), syphilinum (from syphilitic germs), tuberculinum (from pus of tubercular abscess), variolinum (from small pox pustules), etc.
(ii)From disease products of other animals: - Ambra Grisea (morbid products of whale), anthracinum (from anthrax poison from spleen of affected sheep or cattle), aviare (tuberculin virus of chicken), hydrophobinum or lyssin (from the saliva of a rapid dog), mallandrinum (from grease in horse), etc.

(iii)From diseased plant products: - Secale cor (from a fungus growing upon the seed of the secale cerale and other grains), ustilago maydis (from a fungus, growing on the stem,, grain of Indian corn).

6)Imponderabilia: -

Medicines prepared from energy, available from natural and physical reactions are called imponderabilia. They are immaterial power or energy; they may be natural or artificial.

Hahnemann observes in his Organon, aphorisms 280, footnote that, “even imponderable agencies can produce most violent medicinal effects upon man”.

Examples are:

(1) From natural resources: - Luna (full moon), magnetis poli ambo (magnet), magnetis polus Australia (south-pole of magnet), magnetis polus Arcticus (north pole of a magnet), radium, sol (from sun rays).

(2) From artificial resources: - Magnetis artificialis; X-ray; electricitus.

Sta-a-a-a-a-a-ammering or Stuttering........

Stammering or stuttering is a disorder of speech fluency. A person who stutters often repeats speech sounds (k-k-k-kiran), syllables (ki-ki-ki-kiran), parts of words, whole words, phrases or stretches sounds. He may sometimes be unable to start a word or may produce no sound between words. The other symptoms which may be associated with stuttering are: blinking of eyes, tremor or muscle tension in the lips, jaw, tongue, face, or upper body. A person who shatters may be quite fluent while singing or conversing with a friend or spouse, but his stuttering may increase while speaking before a group, ordering a meal at a restaurant or speaking on the telephone or in some cases it occurs while talking to the strangers.

Causes of stuttering:-

The exact cause of stuttering is still unknown. Possible causes are genetic or hereditary (stuttering has been seen in families/twins) or neurogenic factors like signal problems between the brain and nerves. “Environmental factors like stress, peer pressure or even having a friend or relative who stutters can contribute to stuttering”. Contrary to popular perception, psychological problems such as lack of confidence usually result from stuttering and are not its cause
Developmental stuttering, which is normal non-fluency, can occur in children between the ages of two and five, when they are developing their speech and language skills. Most children, however, outgrow this phase as they expand their vocabulary and sharpen their communication skills. Less than one percent of children continue to stutter as adults. “Stuttering can sometimes appear in a school going child following the birth of a sibling, change of school or death of a parent/grand parent. In an adult it could be because of a neurological problem or traumatic experience”.


Dealing with a child who stutters:-

1). Avoid criticizing the Childs speech and punishing him for dysfluencies; Do not compel him/her to repeat stuttered words.
2).Resist encouraging the child to perform verbally for people.
3). Listen attentively to the child when he/she speaks. Do not interrupt, fill in words or complete the Childs sentences.
4). Speak slowly and in a relaxed manner. The Child will learn to do the same; do not give suggestions like slow down, relax, etc.


Diagnosis and treatment:-

Stuttering can be diagnosed and treated by speech evaluation in a child who continues to stutter beyond five years of age. Though speech therapy aims at improving fluency in communication, there is at present no cure for stuttering in allopathic system of medicine.

Homeopathic treatment:-

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in cases of stuttering. Some of the medicines are given below:

1).Strammonium:- It is the main medicine which is used in homeopathy for stammering. The symptoms are stammering with lack of fluency, patient has to exert himself a long time before he can speak a word, he has to make repeated effort to speak, and the patient is usually talkative, talks incoherently. The other symptoms which may be present are feeling of insecurity, restlessness, nervousness, fear of water, impaired memory, insensitive to pain, indifference, cannot bear to be alone, dread of darkness, water and solitude.

2).Belladonna:- It is used in stammering with difficult speech, with difficult speech, impaired thinking, confusion of mind, weakness of memory and perception; Always talk unintelligibly and wanders easily from one subject to another while talking. It is used in rapid and interrupted speech. The child looks dull, insecure, scared and anxious.

3).Mercurius:- Mercurius is a very important remedy for stammering due to loss of confidence and hesitation. Stammering occurs due to over-excitation and hurriedness. The patient wants to talk but he can’t able to talk and becomes easily embarrassed. The patient is very sensitive to contradiction and gets easily offended. Other symptoms are weakness of memory, loss of will power, slow to learn anything, confusion of mind, etc.

4). Causticum: - This medicine is commonly used for hoarseness of voice and in cases of paralysis of various parts including vocal chords. It is used in stammering due to over-excitement and nervousness.

5). Aconite: - It is used in stammering with sudden onset, arises from shock due to fright.

6). Thuja: - It is used for stammering in patients having lack of self-confidence, reserved nature with timidity, fear of appearing in public, unable to express his/her opinion in public.

7). other medicines are: Nux vom, Selenium, Kali phos, Calc phos, Calc carb, Arg nit, Baryta carb, etc.

Renal Stone……….

Formation of urinary stones at any level of the urinary tract is a common condition. It is estimated that approximately 2% of the population experiences renal stone disease at sometimes in their life with male female ratio of 2:1. The peak incident is observed in 2nd to 3rd decades of life. Kidney stones are characterized clinically by colicky pain (renal colic) as they pass down along the ureter and manifest by haematuria.

Types of urinary stones:-

There are 4 main types of urinary stones- Calcium containing, mixed (struvite), uric acid, and cystine stones and a small number of rare types.


1). Calcium stones- Calcium stones are the most common comprising about 75% of all urinary stones. They may be pure stones of calcium oxalate (50%) or calcium phosphate (5%) or mixture of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate (45%). In about 25% of patient with calcium stones, the cause is unknown as there is no abnormality in urinary excretion of calcium, uric acid, or oxalate and is referred to as idiopathic calcium stone disease. A number of predisposing factors contributing to formation of calcium stones are alkaline PH, decreased urinary volume, increased excretion of oxalate and uric acid etc. Calcium stones are usually small (less than a centimeter), ovoid, hard with granular rough surface. They are dark brown due to old blood pigment deposited in them as a result of repeated trauma caused to the urinary tract by these sharp edged stones.

2). Mixed (struvite) stones- About 15% of urinary calculi (stones) are made of magnesium-ammonium calcium phosphate, often called as struvite. That is why mixed stones are also called as “struvite stones” or triple phosphate stones. Struvite stones are formed as a result of infection of the urinary tract with urea-splitting organisms. These are therefore, also known as infection induced stones. Struvite stones are yellow white or grey. They tend to be soft and friable and irregular in shape. This type of stone often takes the shape of the pelvis for example `staghorn stone’.


3). Uric acid stones- Approximately 6% urinary calculi are made of uric acid. Uric acid calculi are made of uric acid. Uric acid calculi are radiolucent unlike radio opaque calcium stones. Factors contributing to their formation are acidic urinary PH (below 6) and low urinary volume. Uric acid stones are smoothing, yellowish-brown, hard and often multiple.


4). Cystine stones- Cystine stones comprise less than 2% of urinary calculi. The excessive excretion of crystine which is least soluble of the naturally occurring amino acids leads to the formation of crystals and eventually cystine calculi. Cystine stones are small, rounded, smooth and often multiple. They are yellowish and waxy.


5).Other calculi- Less than 2% of urinary calculi consist of other rare types such as xanthine stones. It occurs due to inherited abnormalities of amino acid metabolism.



Preventive measures:-


As it is said “Prevention is better than cure”. Here are some preventive measures by which you can avoid future stones. Prevention of renal stone depends on the type of stone and underlying urinary chemical risk factors. The patient should modify their lifestyles to discourage stone formation.

1). Drink plenty of water and take fibrous food, vegetables, whole grains and vegetable proteins.

2). Avoid sugar, alcohol, antacids, excessive proteins, dairy products (especially milk), salt, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and refined white flour products.

3). Avoid food containing oxalate such as spinach, rhubarb, beets, nuts, chocolate, black tea, wheat bran, strawberries and beans.

4). Take food which are rich in magnesium and low in calcium, such as bran, corn, soy, brown rice, banana, potato, barley, etc.

5). Decrease the animal protein in your diet and increase vegetarian proteins and high fibrous food.

Supplements:-

1). Magnesium citrate- Take 500 mg of Magnesium citrate daily. It helps to decrease the size of an existing stone and prevents further stone formation.

2). Vitamin B-6- 10 to 100 mg per day is sufficient for the metabolism of oxalic acid. A B-6 deficiency increases urinary oxalate, which may leads to kidney stones.

3). Folic acid- Folic acid in a dose of 5 mg per day helps to break down uric acid stones.

Homeopathic Treatment:-

In homeopathy there are medicines which not only help to remove the stone, but it also prevents the formation of future stones by improving body’s natural mechanism and biochemical dysfunction. With homeopathic treatment a stone gradually dissolves into sand particles and get eliminated from the urinary system. But before starting homeopathic treatment always remember that the size of the stone must be small enough to pass without surgical intervention. Even problems associated with renal stones like colic, hemorrhage and soreness of urinary tract can be easily relieved by homeopathy. And the added advantage is that homeopathic treatment also improves the general health and also prevents from the complications of surgery.

1). Berberis vulgaris- Berberis is used in left sided kidney stones and renal colic. Pain radiates from the left ureter to the left thighs. Bubbling sensation in the left kidney. Pains are burning in type and come suddenly which makes the patient restless. Other urinary symptoms which are present in the patient are burning in urethra with or without urination. Pain aggravates before and after urination and ameliorated while urination, nausea and vertigo with fainting feeling, severe backache mainly of left side. Sweat from least exertion. Colic is aggravated by sudden movements & jerks and better by warmth and after urination.

2). Cantharis- Indicated in scanty urination with burning micturition. Urine is pased in drops. This medicine is used to increase the volume of urine and to relieve the burning sensation in urethra.

3). Colocynth- This medicine is used for renal colic. Pain over the whole abdomen occurs while urinating. Pain is relieved by bending forward.

4). Ocimum canum- It is used in right sided renal colic. Pain started from right kidney radiating to the ureter and bladder. Patient becomes restless due to agonizing pain and even not feels comfortable in any position. Constant vomiting which is bitter in taste. Ureter becomes sore, reddish color urine. Urine smells like musk, oedema on the legs and feet.

5). Nux vom- Mostly used in right sided renal colic, but when indicated on the totality of the symptoms it is equally effective in left sided renal colic. Cramping renal pain extends to the thigh. There is an ineffectual urge for passing stool and for urination. Patient cannot tolerate tight clothing. Pains are too violent for him. Over sensitiveness to pain which makes him irritable.

6). Pareira brava- It is very useful medicine for renal stone. Left sided renal colic. Pain starts from left lumber spine, radiates to the left groin. Pain aggravates while urination. Lack of constant flow of urine, urine passes in drops, with sensation of fullness of bladder. Itching in urethra. Urine is bloody and smells like ammonia. Pain aggravates during early morning. Other symptoms are renal colic in gouty patients, in alcoholics, patients who had gonorrhoea, enlarged prostate, acute cystitis and urethritis.

7). Lycopodium- Lycopodium are suited to the patient having uric acid constitutions. This medicine is used for the treatment of renal stones and for renal colic. It is a right sided medicine. Pain started from right kidney, passes down the ureter to the bladder. Urination requires great straining. Urine passes in drops with violent pain during urination. Red sand like sediments in urine. Renal colic is relieved by taking something warm. Pain aggravates usually between 4 PM to 8 PM. Pain is ameliorated after urination.

8). Calc carb- It is mainly used to prevent future stones in persons having the tendency of recurring stones.

9). Other medicines which are used in kidney stones are- Arnica, lith carb, oxalic acid, coccus cacti, sarsaparilla, dioscorea, eryngium aquaticum, urtica urens, belladonna, arg nit, pennyroyal, etc.

Heart to Heart

Your heart is designed to last a life time, but you have to make healthy living a habit to keep it in good working condition. The manifestations of a heart disease appear in the middle age. However, the roots of coronary artery disease lie much earlier. Now people in their late 20’s or early 30’s are seen suffering from heart diseases.

Years ago, the textbook of pathology by William Boyd stated that “As is your waistline, so is your lifeline”. Obesity in the trunk region is responsible for a condition called metabolic syndrome X, which comprises of a bigger abdomen size, low HDL (good) cholesterol, high LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, high blood pressure and probably type 2 – diabetes. This condition is responsible for heart attacks and this is all because of all faulty eating habits (high fat, high simple carbohydrates and low fiber diets) and lack of exercise”.

Waist to hip ratio:- people who carry most of their below their waist are often referred to as “apples”. Those who carry most of their weight below their waist, around their hips and thighs, are known as “pears”. For two peoples with the same BMI, “apples” have a higher risk for health problems than “pears”.

The risk of heart diseases can be reduced and prevented by making life style changes:-

· If you smoke, quit – The incident of heart attack is less likely for non-smokers compared to smokers. According to WHO, individuals who quit smoking decrease their risk of CAD one year later by 50 %. If you have quit smoking, for 15 years, your risk of dying from CAD is almost as low as a life time non-smoker. Moreover, passive smoking harms your dearest and nearest.

· Shed weight – “We eat to live and not live to eat”. Being over weight or obese increases your risk factor for a variety of diseases, including heart diseases. Losing just 10 % of your total body weight can make a huge difference. “Aim for a body mass index less than 23”.

·
Eat healthy – Also focus on healthy eating by getting at least 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables, enough proteins, whole grains and water and limiting sweets, fats and salt. “Go natural should be the motto. Lay emphasis on foods as they exist in nature.

· Be physically active – It is important to get at least 30-40 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week. “It is not necessary to go to the gym or buy fancy equipments. A simple brisk walk for an hour a day can add a day to your life”. Walking is a great low-impact exercise for developing and maintaining cardio vascular fitness.

· Control your Cholesterol – Cholesterol consists of two numbers combined – LDL (bad or lousy) and HDL (good or healthy). Keep the LDL below 100, the HDL above 40 and triglycerides below 150 mg/dl. People who have a lower HDL and higher LDL are at an increased risk of heart disease. “It is important to start getting your Cholesterol tested after 20 years of age”.

· Lower your blood pressure – Hypertension, place you at grave risk for heart disease. It can be controlled through medication, if taken regularly, to minimize the deleterious effects of high blood pressure. Lowering your salt intake, losing weight and controlling stress will help prevent it. High blood pressure damages kidneys, the eyes, and arteries and also caries a risk of haemorrhage or stroke.

· Diabetes alert – Diabetes is a disorder of sugar metabolism causing high blood sugar due to insufficient or ineffective insulin. While the cells of the body are starved of energy, the excess in the blood damages various organs like heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of coronary artery disease. With regular exercise and healthy eating, it can be prevented or managed well.

· Go for a check up – “Each individual after the age of 45 years should think he is a potential candidate for a heart attack unless proved otherwise. Tests like carotid Doppler, upper and lower limb blood pressure ratio, stress test and lipid profile can predict heart disease”.

· Heart disease in the family? Take extra care – It is up to you to remain vigilant about controlling the other primary risk factors and assuring that a competent heart specialist properly monitors you for every signs of heart disease. Remember you can actually increase your life expectancy in spite of this inherited problem.

· Listen to your doctor – “. The only way to defeat these silent killers is to learn to control them and not under estimate thLarge number of patient with hypertension, diabetes, and high Cholesterol don’t take therapy”em”.

Testing time:-

A cardiac problem could be anything like a congenital heart defect, cardiomyopathy or a heart block. There are a large number of tests, which can be done to diagnose the condition. Some of the commonly done cardiac tests are;-

· ECG – ECG is usually the first cardiac test recommended when one is suspecting a heart problem. It measures the electrical activity of the heart. A change in the ECG pattern can be indicative of the presence of heart disease.

· STRESS TEST/ STRESS ECG – During a stress test, one is made to walk on a thread mill and the ECG and blood pressure is measured. The speed of the thread mill is gradually increased. A positive stress test is indicated by a change in the ECG and is suggestive of blocked arteries.

· ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY – This tests the pumping function of the heart and studies the motion of the heart valves, which control the flow of blood in and out of the heart. During the test, sound waves are bounced off the surface of the heart to produce a picture on the screen.

· THALLIUM STRESS TEST/ Nuclear Medicine stress test;- Here a dye is injected into the heart and pictures of the heart are taken, before and after the stress test. This test can detect areas of the heart muscles that have been damaged by a heart attack and areas that are not getting enough oxygen due to partial blockages of the coronary arteries.

· CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY – This is a gold standard of all the tests to detect heart disease. This test identifies the specific locations and severity of blockages or narrowing in the coronary arteries. It also evaluates the functioning of the left ventricles. This information is essential to determine if heart surgery is needed.
To perform the test a thin plastic tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery in the leg and is threaded up to the coronary arteries. Dye is injected into the coronary arteries while an X-ray machine shoots numerous pictures from various angles.


HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT;-

· Digitalis- It is indicated in sudden violent beating of heart with disturbed rhythm. Sensation as if heart would stop beating if the patient moves. Slightest motion increases the anxiety and palpitation. Pulse is irregular, intermitting at every 3rd, 5th or 7th beat. Slow strong pulse when rheumatism is threatening the heart. Body is cyanosed due to cardiac spells. Lips and face becomes pale. Sensation of faintness and weakness with blueness of fingers. It is also used in cardiac dropsy. Heart is dilated and hypertrophied. Cardiac failure following fevers. Also used in copious serous exudation or pericarditis.

· Gelsemium- It is indicated where patient fears that heart will cease to beat if he doesn’t move, so he thinks it is necessary to keep in motion. This sensation aggravates during the sleep from which the patient wakes up in distress. Pulse is very weak, soft, full and flowing. Pulse is slow when patient is at rest but becomes fast on motion. Irregular pulse and palpitation during fever. Weak and slow pulse in old age.

· Cactus Grandiflorus- pain in the region of heart, sensation of constriction of the heart, patient feels as if compressed or squeezed by an iron band, which prevents the normal movements. Oppression of chest as if from a great weight, difficulty in breathing prevents patient from lying down. The pain starting from the apex of heart shoots down along the left arm to the end of fingers. Palpitation of heart, irregularity of heart action, intermittent pulse, oedema – mainly of left hand, foot and legs, cyanosis, numbness of left arm.

· Kalmia- It is a remedy for cardiac enlargement after rheumatism with numbness of the left arm. The symptoms which indicates this medicine are intense pain from the chest to the scapula with anguish ness, dyspnoea, palpitation, pressure on heart, irregular pulse, pain on the left arm with too rapid pulsation.

· Convallaria- It is useful in valular diseases of the heart with dyspnoea. Oedema due to cardiac diseases, scanty urine and dropsy. The symptoms are feeble heart sound, pain in the region of heart, uneasiness, sensation as if the heart will stop beating when exercising, faintness, sick feeling. Twitching is the indicative symptom associated with cardiac problems. Dilatation of heart associated with emphysema. It is also used in cases of fatty hearts.

· Crataegus Oxy- It is useful when the heart action is feeble and irregular and when the pulse becomes small and intermittent; It is also used in sensation as if the heart would stop beating. It is also used in functional disturbances of heart, dilatation of the heart and also in fatty heart with palpitation and tachycardia. It is almost used in every kind of heart disease without any harm or it may be taken as a heart tonic to strengthen the heart if taken regularly by heart patients. It is useful especially where there is high diastolic and low systolic pressure. It is excellent in support of the failing myocardium.

· Other Medicines used in cardiac disorders are ;-
Aconite, Rhus tox, Arsenic alb, Lachesis, Apocyanum, Strophanthus, Spigelia, Cimicifuga, Bryonia, Veratrum viride, Collinsonia, Lillium tig, Lycopodium, Lycopus, Adonis vernalis, Iberis, Carboveg, Conium, Strychnia, etc.

How to medicate Globules

In large scale:

Take as much globules as can be put in a clean porcelain bowl, keeping upper one third or more of it vacant. In order to moisten the globules thoroughly, pour enough quantity of the requisite medicine so that every globules gets one minute to be soaked. To make the excess quantity of the medicine to be absorbed, the medicated globules are than put on a dry clean filter paper. On drying, the globules are kept into a phial duly marked with the name and potency of the medicine and are ready to use.

In small scale (in limited quantity):

Put some globules in a dry clean vial or phial filling its two third spaces. The requisite quantity of a liquid medicine is poured upon the globules to moisten them uniformly. The phial is then kept inverted upon the cork for at least an hour, preferably 6 hours. Next the excess medicine is drained out carefully by loosening the cork a little; with in a day or two the globules will be perfectly dry and became ready for use.

Hahnemann’s method of medication:

In chronic disease, vol-1, page 187 Hahnemann directs;” The globules are poured into a clean porcelain bowl rather deep than broad and enough of the required potency dropped upon them to moisten completely every globules, in the space of one minute. The contents of the bowl are than empties on a piece of clean, dry, filtering paper, so that any excess of liquid may be absorbed, and the globules are spread out so that they may soon dry. The dry globules are then poured into a vial duly marked with the name and potency and securely corked”.

Caution:

Do not medicate globules with the attenuations prepared with “dilute alcohol” because, such medicated globules or pillules may melt away by the water contained in the dilute alcohol used.

Homeopathy & MENOPAUSE...

Cessation of menstruation at the end of the reproductive life is termed as menopause. It occurs usually between the ages of 45 and 55. If it occurs before 40 it indicates some sort of dishormony. In other words we can say that the period when the ability to bear children and menstruation stops. This transition may not always be easy and may leads to many physical and emotional problems. It is a time when a women needs great understanding. With cessation of menstruation the breasts and sexual organs dimnishes in size and mentally Women becomes depressed with low self esteem.

During menopause womans ovaries stop producing oestrogen and progesterone. Other body parts, including the adrenal glands, liver, brain and fatty tissues continue producing oestrogen. The unpleasent symptoms that some women feels while going through menopause are due to the cessation of the ovarian function and drop in hormone levels, which causes an ovarian imbalance.

Symptoms which may develop during menopause are:

1. Hot flushes
2. Night sweats
3. Palpitations
4. Irregular periods
5. Anxiety
6. Headaches and migrains
7. Low libido
8. Vaginal dryness
9. Fatigue
10. Mood swings
11. Depression
12. Weak memory
13. Insomnia
14. Oedema.

Fortunately,many of these problems responds well to homeopathy. In fact a lot of the dreaded symptoms can be avoided by adopting simple life style changes such as diet, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, calcium intake and stress.

Exercise: Regular excercise can boost your mood and reduces depression as it raises your endorphin level. Excercise can also reduce hot flushes.When combined with a healthy diet, excercise enhance your metabolic rate and helps to maintain proper body weight. Other benifits of excercise are prevention of bone density, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and the relief from depression and insomnia. Aerobic exercise may actually boost oestrogen levels as suggested by some studies.

Have Sex: Regular sexual activities along with stress management can reduce your risk of developing vaginal dryness. Some women have decreased sexual desire because of changes in self perception and life style stress which can be treated.

Stop Smoking: Smoking can leads to early symptoms of menopause ( smokers go through menopause two to three years earlier when compaired to non smokers ).It also increases your risk of osteoporosis and also contributes to premature ageing.

Drink Water: You should drink a minimum of eight glasses of water a day. If you are experiencing hot flushes, avoid hot drinks, like tea and coffee, alcohol and spicy foods. Also keep your work place and home cool. Wear loose clothing. Avoid confined spaces and hot, humid weather if possible.

Homeopathic Remedies:

1. Headache and Vertigo- Belladonna, China, Cimicifuga, Nat mur, Gelsimium, Glonoine, Sanguinaria, Xanthoxyllim.

2. Flushes and Congestions- Aconite, Lachesis, Sanguinaria, Jaborandi, Sepia, Sulphur, Veratrum vir, Nat mur.

3. Increased perspiration- China, Graphites, Hepar sulph, Jaborandi, Acid sulph, Veratrum Alb, Calc carb.

4. Palpitation of heart- Aconite, Cactus, China, Cratagus, Kali carb, Lachesis, Ignatia, Nat mur.

5. Haemorrhages- China, Crocus sat, Hammemelis, Hydrastis, Ipecac, Lachesis, Plumbum, Sabina, Sanguinaria, Sepia, Trillium.

6. Disorders of the digestion- Anacardium, Arg nit, Carbo veg, Carduus mar, China, Cocculus, Graphites, Ignatia, Lycopodium, Nat phos, Nux vom, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Sulphur.

7. Nervous disorders and exhaustion- China, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Moschus, Valeriana, Helonias.

8. Itching around the genital organs- Ambra grisea, Caladium, Carbo veg, Collinsonia, Conium, Sulphur.

9. Leucorrhoea- Arsenic Alb, Baryta Carb, Sepia, Helonias, Alumina.

Terms related to Pharmacy

Pharmacy: It is the art and science of collecting, combining, preserving, preparing and standardising drugs and medicines derived from natural and synthetic sources.
The word `Pharmacy' also implies the place,where the medicines are made and distributed.

Homeopathic Pharmacy: It is an art and science of collecting, compounding, combining, preserving, preparing and standardising drugs and medicines from vegetables, minerals, animal kingdoms and certain physiological and morbid substances according to the homeopathic principle and also dispensing medicine according to the prescription of a physician.
Homeopathic pharmacy should be fully consistent with the holistic and individualist philosophy of homeopathy,based on the theory of dynamis.

Pharmacopoeia: It is a standard book containing a list of drugs and medicines, with information about the sources, habitats, descriptions, collections, and identification of the drugs; and also provides directions for their preparation.
It is officially published by `Authority' i.e, by the Government in charge of medical and family welfare department, any medical or pharmaceutical society, either constituted or authorised by the government and revised at times.
A pharmacopoeia published by such authority is termed as `Official'.

Pharmacology: It is the science that deals with different aspects of the drugs.

Pharmacokinetics: It is the role of a drug in the body or the way in which the body handles the drug preparation.

Pharmacodynamics: It is that part of the information about the interaction of the drug molecules and the body.

Pharmacognosy: It is the science of identification of drugs.

Pharmacal: Pertaining to or relating to the pharmacy or drugs.

Pharmaceutic: Pertaining to the knowledge or art of preparing medicines.

Pharmaceutical: A chemical used in medicine, pertaining to or engaged in pharmacy relating to the preparation, use, sale of drugs and medicines.

Pharmaceutics: The science or art of preparing medicines. That branch of medical science which relates to the use of medicinal drugs.

Pharmacist: A person skilled or engaged in pharmacy.

Pharmacochemist: A pharmaceutical chemist, a person who is well conversent with the organic and inorganic chemistry in relation to pharmacy.

Pharmacogenetics: The study of genetically determined variations in response to drugs in man or in laboratory organisms.

Pharmacography: A treatise on or description of drugs.

Pharmacologist: One who is conversant in the knowledge of drug, its sources, appearance, chemistry and action.

Pharmacomania: Abnormal tendency for taking drugs.

Pharmaconomy: The subjects dealing with the route of admistration of drugs and medicines. The usual routes are mouth, nose, eyes, ear, skin, intramuscular, intravenous, rectum, vagina, etc.

Pharmacopedics: The teaching of pharmacy and pharmacodynamics.

Pharmacophilia: Self drugging carried to the degree of insanity.

Pharmacophobia: Morbid dread of medicines.

Pharmacophore: The group of aroma in the molecules of a drug, which cause the therapeutic effect.

Pharmacopolist: A dealer in drugs.

Pharmacopraxy: It is an art or science by which crude drug substances are converted into real medicines.

Pharmacopsychosis: A mental disease due to alcohol, drugs or poisons; drug addiction.

Pharmacotheraphy: Treatment of disease with medicines.

Preservation of Homeopathic medicine

1. Potentised medicines after putting in well stoppered bottles,should be preserved in boxes or drawers.

2. For preserving potentised medicines coloured bottles should be avoided.

3. Medicines which may be affected by light or sunlight actinic glass bottles covered with a solution of asphaltum or black varnish should be used.

4. Medicine should be preserved in a dry cool place,protecting from too heat or cold.

5. Avoid every thing that in the least affect the purity of the potentised medicines,e.g dust,odours,smoke,dampness,strong light etc.

6. Name of the potentised medicines with the respective potency and the scale used should be distinctly marked both on the cork and on the containers label.

7. Bottles should not be filled entirely full, as the potentised medicines shall come in contact with the cork.

8. Potentised medicines should be preserved seperately from the crude drug substances and mother tinctures.

9. If the liquid or solid potentised medicines change their normal colour,they should be rejected immediately.

10. Prepation of camphor should always be kept separate,otherwise they may antidote almost all medicines of vegetable origin.

11. In the rooms where potentised or mother drug substances are to stored,no other odorous or non-odourous evaporating substances should be kept strictly.