Fungi Anhang 2
Vergleich: Siehe: Group Analysis Evaluation
Comparison: of Agar. Bol-la. Bov. Sec. Ust. Psil. Monil. Stict.
in Anxiety + Confusion of mind + Delusions
Fungi: Anxiety/Confusion of mind/Delusions/burning/itching/restless/irritable/dull/paralysis/sexual
desire increased/convulsions
[Kristian Leisegang]
A group
analysis evaluation of the Kingdom Fungi of homoeopathic remedies in terms of
known material medica
Rationale
for the Group Analysis of Kingdom Fungi
a) Rajan Sankaran has developed a
methodology of group analysis based on the natural biological classification of
organisms. This methodology has been applied to a number of plant families with
apparent success (Sankaran, 2002).
b) Other methodologies of group
analysis have been proposed by various noted authors - such as Scholten (1993)
and Mangialavori (Hiwat et al., 1996) - as a means of extending the
understanding of remedy relationships (Wulfsohn, 2005).
c) The application of the
methodology, as proposed by Sankaran (2002), to the Kingdom Fungi is needed in
order to increase the homoeopathic understanding of the group as a whole and to
increase the utilization of the individual under-represented remedies belonging
to the Kingdom. Therefore this study aims to subject a poorly understood
biological kingdom with a view to extend the overall group understanding
as-well-as the individual remedies within the group.
d) The fungi currently have limited
use in homoeopathy, with only 3 individual remedies reasonably well understood.
Most remedies sourced from the fungi are relatively small and not well
documented. Fungi play a crucial role in the organised world,this should be
reflected in homoeopathic literature (Vermeulen, 2002: 23).
e) No other group analysis study of
the fungi as a kingdom has been undertaken according to the knowledge of the
author.
Recent
Advances in Homoeopathic Prescribing - Group Analysis
The group analysis approach to
homoeopathy is not new. Farrington used kingdom analysis in 1880 and Leeser
used periodic table information in 1935 (Winston, 2004: 36). However, it was
not until the 1990’s that the first modern application of group analysis began
to emerge. Group analysis is an attempt to identify a mechanism for
understanding groups of related remedies according to natural classification of
the various sources used in homoeopathic practice. Until recently the most
important method of studying homeopathic remedies has been to look at each
remedy separately and not in the context of a particular group to which it
belongs.
The prime movers of group analysis
of the modern era are Scholten and Sankaran (Wulfsohn, 2005). Scholten (1993:
23) has defined group analysis as the process of looking at a group of remedies
and extracting what is common from that group. Therefore, by extracting the
common theme‟s within a particular group of remedies, the understanding
of both particular remedy groups as a whole as-well-as the individual remedies
belonging to each particular group is enhanced, which has subsequently added
another invaluable tool for accurate remedy selection available to the
homoeopathic practitioner. Scholten (1993: 23) realized that homoeopathic
practitioners have generally used symptoms as the only, or almost only, guide
to the remedy, without really considering the source of
the drug. It is, however, becoming
very clear that the symptomatology of any drug is intimately related to the
source it is drawn from, and that each drug has in it the essence of its
source.
However, this knowledge has not been
actively or systematically used in differentiating remedies by studying their
origin.
If properly understood, this study
could enable us to think directly of the kind of remedy needed for the patient,
a sort of direct application of the law of simillars.
Kingdom
Analysis in Homoeopathy
Sankaran (1994:313) classified
patients in terms of kingdoms by identifying the main differentiating features
of each kingdom (plant, animal and mineral kingdom). This makes it possible to
determine which kingdom the practitioner is to choose his remedy from. The
classification of each kingdom included the nature of the complaint, the nature
of the individual (disposition), pace and causation factors of complaints,
fears, dreams and interests, cravings/aversions and even handwriting and words
used by a particular patient.
Minerals: „structure‟ and
„organization‟, and the problems of mineral remedies/personalities arise
from a break in this structure and organization, breaking in relationships or
failure in performance. Are very systematic and tend to be highly organized
(Sankaran, 1997: 229). Sankaran continues to classify mineral remedies into
metals, cations, anions, salts and acids.
Plants: „sensitive‟ nature.
They are affected by changes in the external environment and are capable of
adapting to these changes. They are disorganized when compared to a mineral
type personality, and are sensitive, soft and emotional beings. Complaints
usually present with rapid onset and are changeable with many modalities. They
are easily affected emotionally and have abrupt mood changes (Sankaran, 1997:
233).
Animals: „conflict‟ which has
at its basis a „split‟ in the self - the animal side and the human side.
The animal side is concerned with competition and a need to attract attention and
these personalities are therefore attractive
in their behaviour and appearance.
They can also be deceitful, malicious and aggressive (Sankaran, 1997:
233).
Fungi:
classified into their own biological Kingdom, and have not been investigated as
such via a group analysis methodology.
Scholten’s
Periodic Table
Scholten (1993) turned his attention
to the mineral kingdom and noticed trends within the periodic table of the
elements. First he created groups of the major elements used in homoeopathy,
such as the Carbonicums and the Muriaticums, including their respective salts
(e.q. Calc./Nat-m.). By extracting what is common from each group, Scholten
defined common themes that can be applied to the group as a whole.
For example, the Carbonicum group
has issues around the idea of self worth, needing to find meaning and values
within themselves. They too are found to be rather shy and timid, and also hard
and consistent workers.
Theme found in all Carbonicum
remedies, such as Calc. Mag-c. Nat-c. etc. Each individual
element (calcarea, magnesia and natrum in the above example) that forms part of
the remedy has its own themes that combine to produce the remedy picture.
Scholten (1996) later used the
periodic table of elements to classify and group mineral remedies. He proposed
that each row („series‟) corresponds to a general theme, and that each
column („group‟) showed the development of the general theme of each
series. This allowed the practitioner to pin-point a remedy required from the
mineral kingdom to a high degree of accuracy by using a systematic approach
defined in “Homoeopathy and the Elements”
(1996).
Miasmatic
Theory
The term „miasm.‟ comes from the Greek, meaning “pollution or taint”, and was
used in relation to various unknown causes of illness from the time of
Hippocrates, through the Middle Ages, and into the 18th century.
Hahnemann eventually used the term
in his great theory of the origins of chronic disease (de Schepper, 2001: 355).
While pondering for years on the reason why some patients would improve with
the help of a homoeopathic remedy only to return later with a recurrence of
their former disease state that responded less effectively to repetitions of
the same remedy, Hahnemann realized that diseases which were not acute
infections had to be of a chronic, deep-seated nature (Sankaran, 2000, 449).
Through tireless work studying these patients‟ cases, he found patterns
of diseases in the patients and their family histories which he felt explained
the true basis of chronic disease. He called these patterns „miasms‟ (de
Scheeper, 2001: 355) and classified diseases as venereal (sycosis and syphilis)
and non-venereal (psora or scabies), and proposed that all disease states had
their origin in these „miasms‟ (Sankaran, 2000: 449). Hahnemann therefore
proposed that underlying the symptoms of all diseases is an all pervasive miasm
or tendency to react in an identifiable set of ways (Hahnemann 1996: 190).
As mentioned earlier, this also began
the tendency to systematize the prescription of homoeopathic remedies.
Sankaran’s
Concept of ‘Vital Sensation’/has outlined 6 basic levels that should be traced
during a homoeopathic case taking (Sankaran, 2005: 250):
Level 1:
Pathological (The main complaint or diagnosis)
Level 2:
Symptomatic (Description of actual symptoms, such as local
symptoms, modalities and location)
Level 3:
Emotional (What does it feel like? What is the emotional state
of the patient whilst experiencing the symptoms?)
Level 4:
Delusion (What does the patient feel like? Symptoms of the
neuro-endocine-immune axis)
Level 5:
Sensation (The sensation felt in the body when exploring the
symptoms)
Level 6:
Energy (Background pattern, movements and patterns observed or evoked by the
interview experience)
Sankaran (2005: 290) describes
sensation as „discernment or consciousness of any experience‟ where the
experience itself and the nature of the experience qualify the sensation.
Energy patterns received by nerves experienced as sensation. Sankaran continues to describe
the vital sensation as „the general sensation which is common to the
mind and body‟.
The sensation level provides a
deeper understanding of the patient as a whole, a culmination of the previous
four levels that is more reliable due to the multiple sources of evidence
rather than relying on physical symptoms or mental/emotional symptoms on their
own (Wulfsohn, 2005). According to this view, pathology is a manifestation of
the vital sensation - the local sensation and symptoms are expressions of the
vital sensation (Sankaran, 2005: 312). The vital sensation is specific, and the
most accurate, in terms of kingdom analysis and source identification
(Sankaran, 2004b: 5). Sankaran (2005: 293) suggests that all remedy states and
disease states are essentially
vital sensations, therefore kingdom
classification is essentially a classification of vital sensations (where
structure relates to the mineral kingdom, sensitivity relates to the plant
kingdom and survival relates to the animal kingdom). This suggestion highlights
the importance of the current growing trend in homoeopathic philosophy that
leans towards the group analysis method, and underlines the need for more
research into this realm of practice in order to add to the modern literature.
Wulfsohn (2005) suggested that all rubrics that describe a felt „sensation‟
in the body need to be analyzed for being as possibilities for the central
sensation of the particular group.
Examples of sensations include words
such as, „burning‟, „tight‟ or „tingling‟ sensations. Mental
aspects of vital sensations are important too, such as „trapped‟ or „rage‟.
Fungi
Taxonomy
Man has classified the diversity of
living things in a variety of ways based on their more striking features and
metabolic criteria. The most fundamental distinction has traditionally been
between animals (motile and food-ingesting) and plants (static and apparently
drawing their nutrients from the soil or in some instances from other plants).
The fundamental features of green
plants are that they are phototrophs (= utilizing energy from light) and autotrophs (= synthesizing their organic
components from atmospheric carbon dioxide).
Animals on the other hand are chemotrophs (= obtaining energy from organic
materials) and heterotrophs (=
utilizing the same materials as the source of carbon for the synthesis of their
own organic components) (Carlile et al., 2001: 3).
Fungi resemble plants, but lack
chloroplasts and do not photosynthesize (Mader, 1998: 539), therefore they are
unable to synthesis their energy requirements from sunlight as plants do. No
direct evolutionary connection with plants (Vermeulen, 2002: 22). On the
fundamental metabolic criteria it is clear that fungi resemble animals rather
than plants (Carlile et al., 2001: 4). Yet, fungi clearly aren’t animals, nor
do they resemble bacteria or protozoa. Based on their multicellular nature and mode
of nutrition, Whittaker placed fungi in their own kingdom (Mader, 1998:
539).
Kingdom Fungi contains the fungi,
which are mostly multicellular eukaryotes of varied structure that share a
common mode of nutrition (Mader, 1998: 540). Fungi either live as parasites on
other living plants or animals, or they live in decaying matter. In either way
they derive their energy by breaking up highly complex substances (when these
are broken down in another living organism, the organism suffers) (Vermeulen,
2002: 23).
Therefore, like animals, fungi are heterotrophic
and consume performed organic matter. Fungi, however, are heterotrophic by
absorption; animals are heterotrophic by digestion (Mader, 1998: 540). Most
fungi act as Saprotrophic (=
decomposers that aid the recycling of chemicals in ecosystems).
They, along with bacteria, enrich the immediate environs with inorganic
nutrients and thereby keep chemicals cycling in the ecosystem.
Some fungi are parasitic,
especially on plants, and others are symbiotic with plant roots and
algae (Mader, 1998: 540). Fungi are characterized by non-motile bodies (thalli)
constructed of apically elongating walled filaments (hyphae), a life cycle with
sexual and asexual reproduction, haploid thalli resulting from zygotic meiosis,
and heterotrophic nutrition. The characteristic cell wall components are chitin
and glucans (Griffin, 1994).
Exceptions to this characterization
are well known (Alexopoulos et al., 1996: 868). The organisms of the fungi
lineage include mushrooms, rusts, smuts, puffballs, truffles, morels, molds and
yeasts,
as well as many less well-known
organisims (Alexopoulos et al., 1996: 868). About 70.000 species of fungi have
been described (Hawksworth, 1991); however, some estimates of total numbers
suggest that 1.5 million species may exist (Hawksworth et al., 1995: 616).
Their office in the organized world is to check exuberance of growth, to
facilitate decomposition, to regulate the balance of the component elements of
the atmosphere, to promote fertility and to nourish myriads of the smaller
numbers of the animal kingdom4. It is clear they play a vital role in the cycle
of life.
Fungi in
Homoeopathy
The biological kingdom of fungi has
a relatively limited use in homoeopathy, especially when considering the wide
variety and ecological importance of the kingdom (Mader, 1998: 540).
Agaricus muscarius (Fly
agaric), Bovista lycoperdon (Puff ball) and Secale cornutum (Ergot)
are the 3 well represented remedies in the materia medica derived from this
kingdom. The other remedies represented in the materia medica and repertories
are all considered small remedies and currently have limited use in
homoeopathic practice. The author believes that a group analysis of the kingdom
will shed more light on the use of fungi remedies in homoeopathy and allow the
relatively small remedies derived from this kingdom to play a more significant
role in homoeopathic practice.
Kingdom
Fungi
The first step was to accurately
define the fungi group of remedies used in homoeopathic prescribing, i.e.
species (remedies) belonging to the kingdom that have been subjected to a
proving and can be found in homoeopathic literature. This step also defined the
homoeopathic significance of each individual remedy in terms of number of
rubrics (increased number of rubrics corresponds to an increase in
significance).
The list of fungi remedies used in
homoeopathic literature was obtained via Radar 9.0 computer software (Archibel,
2003), and was tabulated using the following headings: scientific name (species
or remedy name); class subdivision; common name; homoeopathic significance
according to rubric representation in the repertory according to Radar 9.0
(Archibel, 2003).
Sample
Selection
The sample selection was chosen
based on the homoeopathic significance of each remedy. The group of 32 was
narrowed down by the researcher to just 8 of the more significant fungi
remedies. This was done because the group analysis method is particularly
focused on characteristic, well-defined features which are poorly represented
in the so-called „smaller‟ remedies (Sankaran, 2002: 25). The selected
sample group is listed below, in order of most significant to the least
significant:
Agaricus
muscarius (Fly agaric)
Bovista
lycoperdon (Warted puff ball)
Secale cornutum
(Ergot)
Ustilago
maydis (Corn smut)
Psilocybe
caerulescens (Landslide mushroom)
Monilia
albicans (Candida)
Sticta
pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Boletus
laricis (White agaric mushroom; Larch agaric), which has 172 rubrics
in Radar 9.0, was made the end point for remedies in which to include in the
extraction.
Thus remedies with less that 172
rubrics where excluded from the comparative extraction process.
Data
Analysis
Determination
of Common Sensations, Reactions and Compensations
The extracted data was analysed in
order to propose common sensations of the Kingdom Fungi. The data was scanned
for commonalities in sensation (including mental symptoms, general symptoms and
symptoms particular to various parts of the body), which were then highlighted
by the researcher. The accuracy of the common sensations was cross-checked via
a search of the homoeopathic literature. This test was done by using keyword searches
of Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 2004), restricting the set of remedies
to the fungi group only.
An analysis of the confirmed common
sensations was undertaken in an attempt to find common links between them, and
to identify possible reactions (active and passive) or compensations to the
various extracted sensations.
Each sensation was subjected to a
full definition via a dictionary, and then a thesaurus was consulted in order
to identify various synonyms relating to the sensation. Each common synonym
identified was then subjected to a literature search via Encyclopedia
Homoeopathica in order to test is validity. This was done using a keyword
search of a particular sensation or common synonym, and limiting the results to
the fungi remedies. If the sensation or common synonym was supported by the
literature, the researcher submitted it as a sensation, reaction (active or
passive) to a sensation, or as compensation. Detailed analysis of the common
sensations has been tabulated in Appendix C. The reactions selected by the
researcher and confirmed by the literature were divided into 3 different
classifications: active reactions, passive reactions and compensatory reactions
(Sanakaran, 2002).
Reactions to a particular sensation
may include actual actions, a desire to act and or the avoidance or lack of
action (Wulfsohn, 2005).
Miasmatic
Classification
The different fungi remedies were
then individually studied and classified in terms of their miasmatic
tendencies, based on Sankaran‟s extended miasmatic model (Sankaran, 2002:
53). Miasmatic keyword searches, limited to the fungi group, were done in
Encyclopedia Homoeopathica. This gave the researcher an indication of the
possible miasm of each remedy. This classification also involved an analysis of
individual characteristics within each remedy, focusing on the particular
expression of each in order to differentiate them within the group.
The final selection is listed below, in order of significance:
Agaricus muscarius (Agar.)
Bovista lycoperdon (Bov.)
Secale cornutum (Sec.)
Ustilago maydis (Ust.)
Psilocybe caerulescens (Psil.)
Monilia albicans (Moni.)
Sticta pulmonaria (Stict.)
Boletus laricis (Bol-la.)
Extraction of Rubrics
The sample selection was subjected to the computer repertory extraction
process, using Radar 9.0 (Archibel, 2003) computer software package. Parameters
were set to exclude rubrics that contain more than 25 remedies (i.e. sensations
that are more characteristic in nature), and all rubrics were extracted where
there were at least 2 of the above remedies (sample selection) represented. The
results of the extraction process have been included in Appendix A. The
researcher then scanned the extracted rubrics (Appendix A), selecting those
that contain words representing sensation. This list, included as Appendix B,
was ranked from smallest (least amount of remedies) to largest.
Analysis of Extracted Sensations
The most common sensations identified via the computer extraction
process were burning, itching and stitching. Other common sensations extracted were numbness, heaviness, stupefying/stunning,
spasms, rheumatic, tearing,
formication, dragging/bearing down sensation, dryness and cramps/labour like pain. The following methodology was used by the
researcher in order to identify relationships between the extracted sensations:
each sensation
was subjected to a full definition via a dictionary, and then a
thesaurus was consulted in order to identify various synonyms relating to the
sensation. Each synonym was then subjected to a literature search via
Encyclopedia Homoeopathica in order to test is validity. This was done using a
keyword search of a particular sensation or synonym, and limiting the results
to the fungi kingdom. If the sensation or synonym is supported by the
literature,
the researcher then submitted the word as a sensation, reaction (active
or passive) to a sensation, or as compensation. Detailed analysis of this
process has been tabulated in Appendix C.
First Order Analysis
The sensations of „burning‟ and „itching‟ were found by the
researcher to share various common synonyms, namely irritation, tingling and
restlessness.
These words were found to apply to the fungi group via the literature
search. Below is listed a selection of examples from the literature, in order
to illustrate the above ideas:
Agaricus muscarius
MIND - IRRITABILITY
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper limbs
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper arm
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Fingers
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Leg
CHEST - TINGLING
EAR - TINGLING
COUGH - TINGLING in Larynx
COUGH - IRRITATION; from - Air passages; in
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - excessive
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - sexual excesses
Agaricus phalloides
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
Agaricus stercorarius
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
Boletus laricis
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
MIND - IRRITABILITY
Boletus satanas
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
MIND - IRRITABILITY
Bovista lycoperdon
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Lower limbs - perspiration; during
GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
GENERALS - TINGLING
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - TINGLING, voluptuous
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - excessive MIND - IRRITABILITY LARYNX
AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Larynx
Monilia albicans
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
SLEEP - RESTLESS
CHEST - TINGLING - swallowing amel. EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Fingers
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Foot
MIND - IRRITABILITY
COUGH - IRRITABLE
Mucor mucedo
CHEST - PALPITATION of heart - irritable heart
Polyporus pinicola
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
Psilocybe caerulescens
SLEEP - RESTLESS
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Larynx - talking
Secale cornutum
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Fingers
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Lower limbs - evening
GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS MIND - RESTLESSNESS - anxious
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - excessive
MIND - IRRITABILITY
THROAT - IRRITATION
STOMACH - IRRITATION
Solanum tuberosum aegrotans
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
MIND - IRRITABILITY - expression, from unintelligible
Sticta pulmonaria
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper limbs
GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS MIND - RESTLESSNESS
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING
NOSE - TINGLING - Inside
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Trachea
SLEEP - SLEEPLESSNESS - irritability, from
Torula cerevisiae
MIND - IRRITABILITY
Ustilago maydis
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Leg
MIND - RESTLESSNESS
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Upper limbs
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Hand
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Trachea
SLEEP - SLEEPLESS from irritability, from Dryness, numbness, heaviness
and dragging sensation was found by the researcher to all correspond to an idea
of dullness or dull.
Paralysis was also identified via numbness. Both dullness and paralysis where
confirmed via a literature search as being relevant to the fungi group.
Examples from the literature are listed below:
Agaricus muscarius
MIND - DULLNESS
MIND - SENSES - dull
BACK - PARALYSIS - sensation of - Lumbar region
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS RECTUM - PARALYSIS
MOUTH - PARALYSIS - Tongue GENERALS - PARALYSIS
Boletus luridus
MIND - DULLNESS
Bovista lycoperdon
EYE - DULLNESS
GENERALS - PAIN - dull
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS
GENERALS - PARALYSIS - Organs, of
Ergotinum
CHEST - PARALYSIS - Heart
Monilia albicans
MIND - DULLNESS - thinking - long; unable to think
MIND - EXCITEMENT - alternating with - dullness
Psilocybe caerulescens
HEAD - PAIN - dull pain - Forehead
MIND - DULLNESS GENERALS - PARALYSIS AGITANS
Secale cornutum
GENERALS - PAIN - dull
ABDOMEN - PARALYSIS of intestines
EYE - PARALYSIS - Optic nerve
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS - spastic
Ustilago maydis
MIND - DULLNESS
HEAD - PAIN - dull pain
Second Order Analysis
Passion emerged from the sensations of „burning‟ and „itching‟,
but did not have a good number of matches via the literature search. The
researcher found that various synonyms corresponding to passion
reflected a theme of increased sexual desire, lust and erotic fancies.
The literature was searched again using keywords relating to the sexual sphere,
such as sexual desire and masturbation, and also organic
pathology relating to the reproductive system, and a large number of
matches were indeed found to relate to the fungi group. A few examples are
listed below:
Agaricus muscarius
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - sexual excesses
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES after ailments
GENERALS - < SEXUAL EXCITEMENT
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses MALE GENITALIA/SEX -
MASTURBATION; disposition to
Bovista lycoperdon
GENERALS - MASTURBATION; ailments from
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
Psilocybe caerulescens
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
Secale cornutum
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses
Sticta pulmonaria
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
Ustilago maydis
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to
GENERALS - WEAKNESS - sexual - excesses, after
MIND - THOUGHTS - sexual
MIND - THOUGHTS - sexual - masturbation, with
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
The sensation of stitching was found to be defined in relation to sewing
fabric - “making a stitch” (Oxford, 1998: 220). The author thus turned to a
medical dictionary, finding a more suitable alternative definition:
“A sharp localized pain, commonly in the abdomen, associated with
strenuous physical activity, especially shortly after eating - it is a form of
a cramp” (Oxford, 1996: 627).
As no useful synonyms to stitching was found in the thesaurus, the
researcher instead used „cramp‟ as a substitute, based on the word
forming part of the definition of stitching and the fact that cramp was
identified as a sensation via the extraction process. Synonyms relating to
cramp that proved to belong to the fungi group were spasm and stitch (further
confirming the link), and from spasm, the researcher isolated and confirmed convulsions and twitches. Below the researcher has
included literature evidence supporting these ideas:
Agaricus muscarius
ABDOMEN - PAIN - cramping
EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Leg
GENERALS - PAIN - cramping - Muscles
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping - Muscles
FACE - CONVULSIONS, spasms
RESPIRATION - ASTHMATIC - spasmodic
MOUTH - SPEECH - difficult - spasms; from - tongue, from
EXTREMITIES - CONVULSION
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - coition - after
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS
ABDOMEN - TWITCHING and jerking
EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING - electric shocks, as from
EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING - Muscles
Agaricinum
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - epileptic
Agaricus pantherinus
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS
Agaricus phalloides
EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Calf
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - tetanic rigidity
Agaricus stercorarius
MIND - EXCITEMENT - convulsions - after
Boletus luridus
GENERALS - TWITCHING - subsultus tendinum
Bovista lycoperdon
GENERALS - PAIN - cramping - Muscles
ABDOMEN - PAIN - cramping
FACE - CONVULSIONS, spasms
MIND - WEEPING - spasmodic GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - clonic
FACE - TWITCHING - asthma - before
GENERALS - TWITCHING - subsultus tendinum
Monilia albicans
ABDOMEN - PAIN - cramping - night
ABDOMEN - INFLAMMATION - Colon - spasmodic
Mucor mucedo
NOSE - CORYZA - spasmodic
Russula foetens
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - clonic
Secale cornutum
EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS
GENERALS - PAIN - cramping - Muscles
BLADDER - SPASM - urination - after
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS - spastic
MIND - LAUGHING - spasmodically
MIND - FOOLISH behavior - spasms, during
ABDOMEN - COMPLAINTS of abdomen - accompanied by - convulsions
EXTREMITIES - CONVULSION - alternately extended and flexed
ABDOMEN - TWITCHING and jerking
EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING - paralyzed parts
Sticta pulmonaria
COUGH - WHOOPING - convulsions; with
FACE - TWITCHING - Jaws - Lower - Along
Ustilago maydis
EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Leg - Calf
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping - Uterus
EYE - TWITCHING
Summary of Data Analysis
|
After extensive analysis of the data obtained via the extraction
process, various words have been identified to represent the fungi remedies
as a collective group. Table 2 below is a summery of these themes listed next
to the source sensation from which they were isolated: Burning |
Passion (Sex); Irritation;
Restlessness |
|
Itching |
Passion (Sex); Irritation; Restlessness; Burning |
|
Stitching |
Cramp; Spasm; Convulsions;
Twitch |
|
Numbness |
Dullness; Paralysis |
|
Dryness |
Dullness |
|
Heaviness |
Dullness; Numbness |
|
Dragging |
Dullness |
|
SENSATION |
ACTIVE REACTION |
PASSIVE REACTION |
COMPENSATION |
|
Burning Itching Stitching Cramp Spasm Dryness Heaviness
Formication |
Irritation Convulsions
Twitches |
Numbness Paralysis Dullness
|
Sexual Desire Masturbation
Restlessness |
Agaricus muscarius
The keyword literature search indicated multi-miasmatic tendencies of Agaricus
muscarius, as is often found with archetype remedies. The major indications
were the ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer miasms.
Research focused on the disease central to each miasm, and found that Agaricus
muscarius has a large tendency towards tuberculsosis, and cited the
following examples: Incipient phthisis related to the tubercular
diathesis, anaemia, chorea, twitching ceases during sleep (Boericke,
1927). An addition has been made of Th. Rückert's essay, comparing the symptoms
of this remedy [Agar.] with the symptoms of incipient tuberculosis;
they are marked (Hering, 1879). Respiration - Short breath in walking,
has to stand still to get breath. Incipient tuberculosis (Hering, 1879). Agaricus will cure the most
inveterate chronic catarrhs with dryness and crusts,
in tubercular constitutions,
so deep-seated is it (Kent, 1904). I let it alone and watched and waited
patiently and the symptoms of Agaricus came up and established the relationship
between these two remedies, and
confirmed Hering's observation of the relationship of Agaricus to the tubercular diathesis (Kent, 1904).
Constitutions - TUBERCULOSIN
(Murphy, 1993). Diseases - TUBERCULOSIS,
lungs (Murphy, 1993).
GENERALS - FAMILY HISTORY of - tuberculosis
(Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - HISTORY; personal - tuberculosis;
of (Schroyens, 2001).
Generals - TUBERCULAR miasm:
wide variety of symptoms (Vermeulen, 2002).
This indicates that Agaricus muscarius falls within the
tubercular miasm. The oppression and suffocation sensations, intenseness of
symptoms and active nature of the tuberculinic miasm well documented.
Calm, composed, sociable, active,
and glad of having done his duty (healthful reaction of the organism) (Allen,
1898).
Mental: Intense theorizing,
clairvoyant and with love of drums or dancing (Morrison, 1997).
Stomach - After a meal, oppression
at the stomach and choking at the oesophagus (Allen, 1898).
Stomach - Oppressive weight
in the stomach (Allen, 1898).
Intense thirst for cold water, dry skin
(Boericke, 1927).
Sexual organs - Intense exhaustion
after coition (Boger, 1938).
Sexually easily excitable, intense
and overactive. The desire is excessive in the morning (Master, Undated
- A).
Respiratory organs - Labored, oppressed
breathing (Boericke, 1927).
Respiratory apparatus - Anxiety; attacks of suffocation (Allen, 1898).
Voice and larynx - Oppression and
constriction of larynx; he fears suffocation
(Hering, 1879).
Coughing - SUFFOCATIVE,
cough (Murphy, 1993).
Chest - Burning inside the chest, and a kind of oppression (Allen, 1898).
Chest - Heart - Cardiac region oppressed,
as if thorax were narrowed (Boericke, 1927).
Chest - Suffocation; a
feeling of tightness; chest feels too narrow (Vithoulkas, 1992)
On the skin we find many miliary eruptions, the parts looking red and
swollen with intense burning as
in frost-bite (Choudhuri, 1986).
Sleep and dreams - At night, fear of suffocation; sensation as if the nose were entirely stopped
(Allen, 1898).
GENERALS - PAIN - oppressive (Schroyens,
2001).
Child: It is useful in children whose development is arrested, and who
refuse to study. They are unable to concentrate while learning, and have an
aversion to mental work. The internal restlessness gives them the title of
being 'hyper-active'. As
a teenager an Agaricus has bold plans. He tends to reach his father's bar at an
early age and develops a craving for alcohol later. The red letter symptom to
describe Agaricus is 'Internal Restlessness' (Homoeopathic Links, 1998a).
It renders some remarkably active,
and proves highly stimulant to muscular exertion; by too large a dose, violent
spasmodic effects are produced (Hughes, et al. 1891).
MIND - ACTIVITY - desires
activity (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - MEMORY - active (Schroyens,
2001).
SLEEPLESSNESS - thoughts - activity
of thoughts; from (Schroyens, 2001).
Bovista lycoperdon
According to the quantitative keyword literature search, affinity for
the malarial, ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer miasms. Much larger
affinity towards the malarial and tubercular miasms.
The researcher found that there was a wide variation of keywords that
relate to the tubercular miasm, such as oppression and suffocation sensations,
intensiveness and changeability, as-well-as a family history of Tb. itself:
An intense remedy both
mentally and emotionally……overflowing anxiety + restlessness and excitement put
the patient into such a state that you feel as though she were talking over
your
head (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Mind - MOODS, general - changeable,
variable (Murphy, 1993).
Bovista patients are very emotional. Their emotions are strong and changeable, despair # hope, or anger
with exhilaration. Life to them seems charming at certain times and they love
it, whereas at other times it seems
difficult and they hate it (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Mind - MEMORY, general, active (Murphy,
1993).
Mind - MEMORY, general, active -
weakness, of (Murphy, 1993).
These are spontaneous, lively, quick acting, active people (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Face - Great changes of
color in the face, which is at one time red, at another pale (Allen, 1898).
STOMACH - OPPRESSION -
Epigastrium (Schroyens, 2001).
Sexual organs -Intensified sexual
desire (Boger, 1938).
Increased sexual desire with frequent pollutions; aggravation from
excess of sexual activity (Vithoulkas,
1992).
Respiratory organs - Great scraping in the larynx as if sore, ext.
chest, with much tough mucus in the chest, which threatens to suffocate her; this mucus is raised
with difficulty and tastes salty
(Allen, 1928).
Suffocation from carbon vapors (Hering, 1879).
Respiratory organs - Oppressed breathing
(Allen, 1898).
Another type of reaction preceding menses is a constant inclination to
yawn, followed by stitching in throat and a sensation as if the tongue were cut
through with a knife, accompanied by painful tensions in the mouth and
convulsions of all the facial muscles. This is followed by spasmodic laughter
with suffocation, constriction
or distention of the throat and lastly by spasms of chest and a dark red face
(Vithoulkas, 1992).
Frequent heat and oppression of
the chest, with thirst, anxiety, restlessness; relieved by uncovering (Allen,
1879).
Coughing - HECTIC, cough
(Murphy, 1993).
CHEST - OPPRESSION (Schroyens,
2001).
Chest - Oppression in the
middle of the chest, with fine stitches, on breathing (Allen, 1898).
Chest - Constrictive oppression of
the chest; everything seems to be too tight (Clark, 1904).
Oppression of the chest (Clark, 1904).
Phthisis pulmonum - Incessant cough about 5 h., from tickling and
rawness in larynx; anxious respiration, > in fresh air, < moving arms;
sensation of intense burning in
middle of chest, stitches
in chest; abundant expectoration of tough bronchial mucus; chill with
burning heat in face; chill mornings, heat afternoon (Lilienthal, 1879).
There is one particular locality, a special cite in Bovista where we
find intense itching and that
part is the tip of the coccygeus (Choudhuri, 1986).
EXTREMITIES - PAIN - Joints - tubercular
family history (Schroyens, 2001).
Upper limbs - Tremor of the hands, with palpitation of the heart and oppressive anxiety (Clark, 1904).
Fever - oppression of
chest (Hering, 1879).
Skin: Pustules, changing to
obstinate crusts, under the nose, with swelling of the upper tip (Buck, 1987).
GENERALS - PAIN - oppressive (Schroyens,
2001).
GENERALS - HISTORY; personal - tuberculosis;
of (Schroyens, 2001). The researcher also cited examples relating to the
keywords hectic and activity:
Secale cornatum
This remedy featured under almost every miasm (except acute) when
subjected to the quantitative keyword search via the literature. However,
Sankaran states that Secale cornatum is a „keynote or signature‟
remedy under
the leprosy miasm (Sankaran, 2002: 55). The researcher was not able to
find any major evidence in the literature to counter this statement, as themes
of the leprosy miasm are prominent throughout the remedy picture.
Firstly, Secale cornatum is indicated in treatment for leprosy: Leprosy - principal remedy
(Guanavante, Undated)
Mind - Loathing of life, despair
(Allen, 1910).
Mind - Despair (Guanavante,
Undated) Tuczek relates a long series of cases in which ergotism was attended
by various symptoms pointing to affections of the nervous centres, such as
epileptic fits, mania, ataxia,
stupor, dementia, extreme anxietas, vertigo, religious despair, great lethargy, impossibility
to remain standing with eyes shut, loss of power of coherent speech, feeling of
being surrounded by a tight girdle, occipital headache, analgesia, Romberg's
symptoms, and in every case loss of knee-jerk (Hughes, et al. 1891).
Moods of joy, despair,
emptiness; and various violent and demented behaviour (Vermeulen, 2002).
Mind - Paralytic mental diseases; treats his relations contemptuously and sarcastically;
wandering talk and hallucinations; apathy and complete disappearance of the
senses (Hering, 1879).
MIND - CONTEMPTUOUS (Schroyens,
2001).
MIND - CONTEMPTUOUS -
relations, for (Schroyens, 2001).
Mental - Sarcasm and contempt (Vermeulen,
2002).
Contemptuous nature and hopeless.
Diseases - LEPROSY, skin
(Murphy, 1993).
Diseases - LEPROSY, skin
- spots, on - face (Murphy, 1993).
The face looks like dried beef, wrinkled, shrivelled, scrawny, as if it
had not been washed, as if grey dirt had
dried on the skin (extremities), a dirty,
grey appearance (Kent, 1904).
Face - DISCOLORATION, face - dirty,
looking (Murphy, 1993).
Face - ERUPTIONS, facial - leprous,
spots (Murphy, 1993).
FACE - ERUPTIONS - leprous spots
(Schroyens, 2001). The leprosy miasmatic themes of oppression, dirtiness, despair and
disgust are prominent in Secale cornatum:
Head: Inner head - Feels oppressed;
stupid, heavy; aches every night; would waken me at night; ameliorated by
eating breakfast and exercise (Allen, 1910).
Disgust for food, meat and fats (Allen,
1879).
Pregnancy, parturition - Lochia : dark, very offensive; scanty or
profuse; painless or + prolonged bearing-down pain; suppressed, followed by
metritis; suddenly change character and become of a dirty brown or
chocolate color, with fetid odor, grows sad and melancholy and fears
death; of too long duration (Hughes, et al. 1891).
Female - DISCHARGE, vagina, - dirty
(Murphy, 1993).
Pregnancy - LOCHIA, discharge - fetid - character, suddenly changes,
becomes dirty brown or chocolate
colored (Murphy, 1993).
Female sexual organ - Menstrual blood; thin and black, lumpy or brown
fluid and of disgusting smell
(Allen, 1910).
Scrobiculum and stomach - Great distress and oppression of stomach (Allen, 1910).
Chest - Dyspnoea and oppression,
with cramp in diaphragm (Boericke, 1927). It is following by exhaustion,
debility, oppression,
heart-burn, and a ravenous appetite, which it is dangerous to gratify (Durham,
1879).
Constant retching and oppression
(Durham, 1879).
Chest - OPPRESSION (Murphy,
1993).
Skin - DISCOLORATION, skin - dirty
(Murphy, 1993). Female genitalia/sex - LEUKORRHEA - dirty (Schroyens, 2001).
Dry, cool and shrunken skin and aggravation from heat or warm
applications (Pierce, Undated)
GENERALS - PAIN - oppressive (Schroyens,
2001).
The patient generally has a dirty
appearance with brown or brownish-white spots all over her face and body
(Choudhuri, 1986).
She snaps greedily at everything, is very thirsty, is dirty, stools diarrheic, temperature
normal, tongue moist (Hughes, et al. 1891).
In afternoon became limp and ill, the transpiration had a disgusting odour, he felt out of sorts
(Hughes, et al. 1891).
Clinical - Dysentery, particularly valuable in the collapsed stage,
stools involuntary, grumous; with these conditions it has saved many apparently
hopeless cases (Allen, 1910). He
passed one stool quite involuntarily in my presence, which was very offensive.
The thermometer indicated 102° F. The eyelids were stiff and did not at all
respond to the touch of my finger. The tongue was dry and stiff like a piece of
wood. The lower jaw having dropped, the boy lay with his mouth half open. The
eyes were half closed. The part of the conjunctiva which could be seen appeared
to be covered with a thin, hazy, layer. The pulse at the wrist was full but
soft. The case appeared to be all but hopeless.
But we homoeopaths are not quite at sea, as the men of other schools are, when
the brain is gravely involved. I prescribed Phos. ac. Again, but in the third
decimal potency, to be exhibited every hour (Homoeopathic Recorder, The, 1910).
In carbuncles with gangrenous degeneration (82), in senile gangrene (82)
and in leprosy.
Ustilago maydis
Evidence extracted via they keyword search indicated that Ustilago
maydis covers the malerial, ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer
remedies fairly equally.
The researcher searched the literature for all fungi remedies useful in
the treatment of ringworm (tinea), finding that Ustilago maydis produced
a large number of matches, along with Tinea unknown species, which, according
to Sankaran, is the nosode of the ringworm miasm.
Mind - great irritability,
mental weakness and depression (Allen, 1910).
Mind - IRRITABILITY - emission;
after (Schroyens, 2001).
Mind - Very depressed. Weeps frequently. Irritable at climaxis/ after emission; when questioned; when
spoken to; Aversion to company; desires solitude to practise masturbation. (Vermeulen,
2000).
Head - TINEA, favosa
(Murphy, 1993). The researcher thus places this remedy in the ringworm miasm,
citing further evidence from the literature:
Throat - IRRITATION (Schroyens, 2001).
Male
sexual organs - Irritable weakness
and relaxation of the male sexual organs, with erotic fancies and seminal
emissions (Allen, 1910).
Sexual
organs, Male - Sexual dreams, followed the next day with great physical
prostration; pain in the lumbar region; great despondency and irritability (Burt, 1883).
Male -
Dull pain in lumbar region, with great despondency and mental irritability (Boericke, 1927).
Sexual
organs, Female - Scanty menstruation, from ovarian irritation (Burt, 1883).
Female
genitalia/sex - IRRITATION -
Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).
SKIN - The scalp became one filthy mass of inflammation, two thirds of
the hair came out, the rest matted together, with oozing of watery semen from
scalp, eruption like rubeola on neck and chest, gradually ext. to feet,
thickest on chest and joints, itching aggravated night, rubbing any part
brought out the eruption, on face and neck it was in patches like ringworm (Herpes circinatus), but not vesicular (Allen, 1910).
Skin
- TINEA, general - tinea,
capitis, favosa (Murphy, 1993).
Generalities
- Adapted to thin, scrawny, feeble, Adapted to weak, relaxed, atonic cachectic
women; irritable, nervous,
patients; irritable, despondent,
weak pale sunken countenance. (Allen, 1910).
Examples
from case material reflecting the essence of the miasm (try): I wasn't a great
student. I don't think I tried very
hard. Boys were always more important than school work (International
Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
But I
would like to try to get
pregnant. He (gynecologist) says that it's not very likely (International
Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
He has taken the keys to my car and has threatened to take the credit
cards. I try not to react, but I
feel so helpless and small (International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
I don't know why I want to get pregnant. I think maybe I am trying somehow to connect us again
(International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
My whole belly feels like it is heavy, like a big lead weight is in
there trying to dissolve, but
never does. In the last six months my belly is bigger. I am always touching it
and feeling for this big thing in there that never seems to leave me
(International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
That is what the dreams are about, wanting and trying to say goodbye and just not being able to let go (weeping).
Letting my mother go would seem like freedom, but I hold on to something - her?
I don't know. But I can't go on
like this; I will weep myself to death and still not have let go. Maybe
it isn't her I can't let go of; maybe it's the anger and the guilt that I
swallowed and pushed down inside all those years (weeping) (International
Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).
Psilocybe caerulescens
A tremendous amount of weakness running through the remedy picture of Psilocybe
caerulescens, indicating the sycotic miasm:
Failed 5x an examination, from mental weakness (in a prover who never had failed an examination before)
(Vermeulen, Undated).
All persons taking the LM6 experienced an extreme weakness and tiredness (Vermeulen,
Undated).
Mind - MEMORY, general, active - weakness,
of (Murphy, 1993).
EXTERNAL THROAT - WARTS (Schroyens,
2001).
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - VOICE - weak
- talking - after (Schroyens, 2001).
BACK - WEAKNESS -
Cervical region (Schroyens, 2001).
SLEEP - FALLING ASLEEP - weakness, from (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - WEAKNESS (Schroyens,
2001).
Another key feature of the sycotic miasm is warts, with the researcher
finding only a single reference:
The researcher feels that there is enough evidence to support the idea
that Psilocybe caerulescens belongs to the sycotic remedy, especially as
there are so few rubrics supporting any other miasm.
Monilia albicans
This remedy was very difficult to classify, as very few clues where
obtained via the keyword literature search. The researcher believes that Monilia
albicans belongs to the sycotic miasm, based on the source material and original
provings. The remedy is sourced via a fungus that is naturally found in the
human organism (Archibel, 2004), but if there is over-growth of the organism
for various reasons, symptoms manifest, known medically as Candida or thrush.
This is more common in females, usually affecting the genitor-urinary system
(Robbins. et al. 2003: 684). Indicates the sycotic miasm, it has an affinity
for the genitor-urinary system (de Schepper, 2001: 383). A major factor for the
over-growth of the fungus is due to the over use of anti-biotics in the human
organism (Robbins. et al. 2003: 684). This results in a suppression of the
immune system, allowing the fungus to freely proliferate. Suppression plays a
major role in the sycotic miasm. Any form of suppression, such as vaccinations,
overuse of antibiotics or cortisone and even the use of oral contraceptive
pills (suppressing the cycle of the female hormonal system) can “fuel the fire”
of the sycotic miasm (de Schepper, 2001: 382).
Below the researcher has cited evidence of suppression in Monilia
albicans. Thoughtless
use of antibiotics (as well as
cytostatic and immune-suppressing drugs) damages the intestinal flora and
promotes, amongst other things,
the
expansion of fungi (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).
The
phenomenon of suppression is
very evident in Candida albicans, first of all in the form of suppressed anger
(Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).
Suppression (anger) describes the central characteristic of
the remedy, the more so as the parasitic growth, e.g. of Candida albicans in
the bowels, is suppressive as well (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).
These
people have been inhibited, often hindered and suppressed in expressing their free will and this suppression has become the central
theme of their lives (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).
The
resulting (suppressive) effects are enormous and far reaching: It has caused a
shifting of existing diseases and a manifestation of new diseases (Homoeopathic
Links. 1998b).
Some
evidence of suppression as an aetiology:
Weakness is prominent in Monilia albicans, further evidence
suggesting the sycotic miasm:
MIND -
AILMENTS FROM - anger - suppressed (Schroyens,
2001).
MIND -
DESTRUCTIVENESS - emotions; destructiveness from suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - MEMORY - weakness of
memory (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - MEMORY - weakness of
memory - do; for what was about to (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - MEMORY - weakness of
memory - proper names (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - WILL - weakness of
(Schroyens, 2001).
Skin -
URTICARIA, hives - antibiotics, after (Murphy,
1993).
GENERALS - WEAKNESS (Schroyens,
2001).
GENERALS - WEAKNESS -
nervous (Schroyens, 2001).
Sticta pulmonaria
Sticta pulmonaria belongs to the tubercular miasm, with very little
evidence supporting any other miasm. Firstly, this remedy is indicated for
tuberculosis as a disease, strongly indicating the tuberculinic miasm:
Lungwort has been suggested in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and other chronic
bronchial conditions… (British Homoeopathic Journal, 1912).
Diseases - TUBERCULOSIS,
lungs (Murphy, 1993).
CHEST - OPPRESSION (Schroyens,
2001).
CHEST - OPPRESSION -
Heart (Schroyens, 2001).
Lungs - TUBERCULOSIS,
infection (Murphy, 1993).
BACK - TUBERCULOSIS -
Vertebrae; of (Schroyens, 2001).
Finally, there is an intense and hectic nature documented in the
literature:
Mind - Inability to concentrate the mind upon any one subject; a general
confusion of ideas, increasing in intensity
all day (after one hour, third day) (Allen, 1910).
Eye - Burning in the eyelids, with soreness of the ball, on closing the
lids or turning the eye, increasing in intensity
during the entire day (after one hour, third day) (Allen, 1910).
It was found to cause severe coryza, with violent sneezing, intense headache, and conjunctivitis
(Clark, 1904).
Case IV. Mr. F., aged 50 years, came to me, saying he had rheumatism all
over him……the pain in the neck and head were intense......I gave Sticta Ist, five drops to a tumbler of water,
table-spoonful to be taken every hour. Aug. 23. Mr. F. reports himself greatly
improved; pains not so severe (Hale, 1886).
There too is much suffocation and oppression running through the remedy picture:
Mrs. P. thirty-six years of age in robust health, took cold and from it
a catarrh……She cannot lie down because she has a sensation of suffocation as soon as she is in a
recumbent position; unsuccessful desire to sneeze from a titillation in the upper
nares; if she falls into a dose while sitting up at night, she awakes with a
sensation of suffocation (Hahnemannian
Monthly, 1865 - 1866).
Dull oppressive pain in
cardiac region (Allen, 1910).
Oppression of lungs (Allen, 1910). Respiratory
organs - Whooping cough in early stages. Croupy coughs, during catarrh or
influenza. Bronchial catarrh with oppression
of the chest; hard racking coughs excited by inspiration (British
Homoeopathic Journal, 1912). Cough - After taking a severe cold, hard, racking
cough, agg at every inspiration; considerable oppression of chest (Hering, 1879). Inner chest and lungs - Oppression of chest and feeling of a
hard mass there; hard, racking cough, excited by inspiration (Hering, 1879).
Clarke writes that Price noticed "one symptom so frequently present
in the cases he cured with Sticta that he began to regard it as a
characteristic although it was not in the provings: A spot of inflammation and
redness on the affected joint like the hectic
flush on the cheeks in phthisis." Commenting on the connection
between tuberculosis and rheumatism, Clarke says: "Phthisis and rheumatism
not infrequently occur in different members of a phthisical family; and
rheumatism [as the word implies] is related to catarrh. Sticta meets all these
conditions; and it has, like Bacillinum, 'a deep-in headache" (Vermeulen,
2002).
Boletus laricis
Boletus laricis belongs to the tubercular miasm.
Night sweats in Tuberculosis (Master,
Undated - B).
Tubercular and other enervating night-sweats
1-4 to 1-2 grains doses, also in chorea in dilatation of heart with pulmonary
emphysema, fatty degeneration, profuse perspiration and erythema (Murphy,
Undated).
Forehead - Continuous oppressive
headache in forehead and temples, all day (sixth day) (Allen, 1898).
Upper face - Weak and languid; poor appetite; every day for the last
week, at 12 h. burning pain in upper teeth, l. and in l. temple; pain intense, lasts until midnight, when it
gradually passes off; feels it slightly through forenoon. Chest - Sharp darting
pains in the left lung, with slight suffocating
feeling, causing me to rise up in bed, lasting four hours (fourth day)
(Allen, 1983).
Nausea and vomiting - Nausea and slight vomiting of a sour watery fluid,
intensely bitter (after four
hours, fourth day) (Allen, 1898).
Perspiration - Sweat is light and without relief. Night-sweat in tuberculosis (Murphy, Undated).
Fever - Hectic chills and
fever in phthisis, with copious night sweats (Burt, 1883).
FEVER - HECTIC fever
(Schroyens, 2001).
Sweat - Profuse, at night, & hectic
chills and fever (Vermeulen, Undated).
Intermittent neuralgia (Hering, 1879).
CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS OF FUNGI REMEDIES
Common sensations have been extracted and analysed by the researcher as
an attempt to further understand the Kingdom Fungi in terms of known
symptomatology.
In this chapter, the researcher aims to discuss broader concepts and
themes that may be synonymous with the group as a whole and to propose more
specific pathological tendencies produced by fungi remedies
Sphere of Action
It is noted that certain remedies have an affinity towards specific
physiological systems, and the following sphere of action was noted in the case
of the Kingdom Fungi:
a) Central Nervous System
b) Peripheral Nervous System
c) Circulation - haemorrhage tendencies
d) Female Sexual Organs - especially uterine and menstrual complaints
e) Male Sexual Organs - sexual desire and masturbation
Pathological Tendencies Relating to Kingdom Fungi
As a direct result of the proposed sensations that represent the fungi
group of remedies, certain pathological tendencies have been found by the
researcher. Please note that the evidence produced below is sourced from “Concordant
Materia Medica” as compiled by Frans Vermeulen (2000), unless stated otherwise.
a) Involuntary movements (twitching and
jerking)
There is a clear indication that the fungi remedies produce involuntary
movements of the organism, such as twitching and jerking, spasms, and
convulsions. Jerking and twitching can be described as a sudden contraction of
a muscle in response to a nerve impulse (Oxford, 1998: 349), or a sustained
involuntary muscular contraction which may be part of a generalized disorder or
a local response to an unrelated condition (Oxford, 1998: 611).
These motions can also be defined as chorea, defined as jerky,
involuntary movements (Oxford, 1998: 124).
Agaricus muscarius:
Jerking, twitching, trembling and itching are strong indications.
Chorea and twitching ceases during sleep.
IRREGULAR, UNCERTAIN and EXAGGERATED MOTIONS.
Nervousness and restlessness.
TWITCHING, JERKING, TREMBLING; here and there.
Involuntary movements while awake; cease during sleep: chorea, from
simple motions and jerks of single muscles to dancing of whole body; trembling
of whole body.
It is esp. useful in muscular twitching of a choreic nature and chorea
has not fully developed.
Bovista lycoperdon:
Spasms before menses or after strong emotions (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Twitching in both external ears (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Restlessness.
Hiccough [spasm of the diaphragm] before and after dinner.
Secale cornutum:
Twitching; spasms.
Chorea; expression of face varied every moment from a constant play of
the muscles.
Cramps in calves and spasmodic twitching of limbs.
Convulsive jerks and shocks in paralyzed limbs. Spasmodic jerks of hand
Tetanic spasms & full consciousness.
Formication, pain and spasmodic movements [Limbs].
Ustilago maydis:
Twitching of eyes, they seem to revolve in circles and dart from object
to object.
Clonic and tetanic movements [Limbs].
Restless [sleep]; tossing about.
Nerves - CONVULSIONS, general (Murphy, 1993).
Sticta pulmonaria:
Chorea; after loss of blood.
Restless hands and feet.
Chorea-like spasms [Lower limbs].
GENERALS - CHOREA (Schroyens, 2001).
b) Paraesthesia and Neuralgia
Paraesthesiae, defined as “spontaneously occurring abnormal tingling
sensations”, is also referred to as “pins and needles”. It is usually due to
partial damage to peripheral nerves, such as external pressure, and may be due
to damage of sensory fibers in the spinal cord (Oxford, 1998: 484). Neuralgia
is usually described as a burning or stabbing [shooting] pain that follows the
course of a nerve (Oxford 1998: 442). A form of peripheral neuropathy, a
syndrome of sensory loss [numbness], atrophy and vasomotor symptoms (Berkow, R.
et al. 1999: 1491). These conditions reflect the affinity of the fungi remedies
too the peripheral nervous system.
Agaricus muscarius:
“As if pierced by needles of ice”; 2 or hot needles.
Various forms of neuralgia and spasmodic affections, and neurotic skin
troubles are pictured in the symptomatology of this remedy.
Pains + sensation of cold, numbness and tingling.
Neuralgia + icy cold head.
Neuralgia, “As if cold needles ran through nerves or sharp ice touched
them”.
Neuralgia in locomotor ataxia.
GENERALS - PAIN - neuralgic (Schroyens, 2001).
Trigeminal neuralgia of the right side of the face where the pain feels
like cold needles piercing the nerves (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Bovista lycoperdon:
Stage of numbness and tingling in multiple neuritis.
Numbness and tingling in multiple neuritis (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Shooting pains between scapulae, along borders, has to "straighten up"
to be relieved.
Lower limbs - Numbness and tingling in the legs with inability to stand
upright, especially in the afternoon (Vithoulkas, 1992).
GENERALS - TINGLING (Schroyens, 2001).
Secale cornutum
Chronic, sharp, stinging neuralgic pains, which burn like fire.
Neuralgia caused by pressure on nerves by a distended vein.
Insufferable tingling, crawling.
Numbness.
Paralysis… tingling, numbness and prickling. Restlessness.
Numbness of fingertips.
Ustilago maydis
Severe neuralgic, in one or both testicles.
Arms - TINGLING, prickling, asleep feeling (Murphy, 1993).
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Upper limbs (Schroyens, 2001).
Intermittent, numb tingling sensation in right arm and hand every day.
(Clarke, 1904).
Psilocybe caerulescens
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Upper limbs (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Lower limbs (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - PARALYSIS AGITANS (Schroyens, 2001).
Monilia albicans
CHEST - TINGLING - swallowing amel. (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Fingers (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Foot (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Hand (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Fingers - extending to - upwards (Schroyens,
2001).
Sticta pulmonaria
HEAD - NUMBNESS; sensation of (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Foot - Heel (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - PAIN - neuralgic (Schroyens, 2001).
Increased sexual desire and masturbation
A strong influence of the fungi remedies on the sexual desires was found
of both male and female, often leading to sexual pathology, nymphomania and an
uncontrollable desire to masturbate. This was found to
even result in the desire to watch pornographic material and to be alone
to practice masturbation. However, no evidence of violence was found by the
researcher to relate to this desire.
Agaricus muscarius
Great sexual desire (Vermeulen, 2002).
Increased sexual desire in morning [Male].
Sexual excitement; Desire for coition [Female].
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to - itching, from -
Clitoris (Schroyens, 2001).
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
Quite a lot of masturbation, with a heavy reliance on pornographic
magazines or films to stimulate sexual excitement, may be seen in both sexes.
This desire is very strong in Agaricus and is in keeping with the
general character of the remedy -- the search for easy pleasure without
much responsibility. These patients, despite the fact that they may feel rotten
after coition on a physical or mental level, are not much bothered
by masturbation. The women are many times driven to masturbation by a
voluptuous itching of the clitoris (Vithoulkas, 1992)
Bovista lycoperdon
Excessive sexual desire [Male].
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - excessive (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased (Schroyens, 2001).
Secale cornutum
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - NYMPHOMANIA (Schroyens, 2001).
Ustilago maydis
Desires solitude to practise masturbation.
Uncontrollable masturbation; says he can't break off habit, has no
control of himself when passion is aroused [Male].
Spermatorrhoea, & erotic fancies and amorous dreams.Emissions, &
irresistible tendency to masturbation [Male].
Talking about women causes an emission [Male].
Psilocybe caerulescens
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased (Schroyens, 2001).
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased (Schroyens, 2001).
Mind - SEXUAL, behavior, - nymphomania, women (Murphy, 1993).
Sticta pulmonaria
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased (Schroyens, 2001).
Mind drawn to sexual subjects (Clarke, 1904).
Female sexual organs
Pathology relating to the female sexual organs is very marked in the fungi
remedies, particularly focusing on the uterus and menstrual cycle. There is
much haemorrhage and leucorrhoea. The established sensations of itching
and burning are apparent here too, especially on the external female
sexual organs.
Agaricus muscarius
Severe bearing-down [pain], almost intolerable, esp. after menopause;
post-climacteric prolapsus.
Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
Menses increased, earlier.
Nipples burn, itch; look red; during pregnancy.
Complaints following parturition and coition.
Leucorrhoea, & much itching.
Leucorrhoea, dark, bloody, excoriating, patient is unable to walk.
Itching, & sexual desire.
Menses & titillation in genital organs.
Female - BLEEDING, uterus, metrorrhagia (Murphy, 1993).
Bovista lycoperdon
Before, during and after menses: pain as if bruised and weary in loins.
Painful urging toward genitals (before menses) & weight in lumbar
region. Burning in genitals.
Menses too early and profuse.
Leucorrhoea acrid, thick, tough, greenish (leaving green spots on
linen), follows menses.
Traces of menses between periods.
Menses every two weeks, much dark and clotted blood.
Diarrhoea agg. before and during menses.
Disordered menstruation. Metrorrhagia. Affections of the ovaries
(Vithoulkas, 1992).
Female - SEXUAL, behavior - voluptuous sensation, tingling, coitus-like
(Murphy, 1993
Secale cornutum
Nymphomania during menses; during metrorrhagia.
Brownish, offensive leucorrhoea.
Menses irregular, copious, dark; continuous oozing of watery blood until
next period.
During labour no expulsive action, though everything is relaxed.
Afterpains; too long and too painful.
Dark, offensive lochia.
Gangrene of female organs.
Menstrual blood of disgusting smell. Uterine haemorrhage.
Uterine haemorrhage & tingling or formication all over body.
Uterine ulcer, feels as if burnt, discharges putrid, bloody fluid.
Labour ceases and twitchings or convulsions begin.
Ulcers on external genitals, discoloured and rapidly spreading.
Puerperal mania; exposes body, tears at genitals, inserts her finger
into vagina and scratches until it bleeds.
Ustilago maydis
Affects the female sexual organs.
Flabby condition of uterus.
Congestion to various parts, esp. at climaxis.
Irritability at climaxis.
[Vertigo] at climaxis, and profuse menses.
Nervous [head pain], from menstrual irregularities.
Congestive dysmenorrhoea & severe pain in ovaries, uterus and back;
scanty, pale flow with false membranes; & thickly coated tongue and poor
appetite.
Cervix (cervix spongy) bleeds easily. [Uterus] Oozing of dark blood,
clotted, forming long black strings.
Foul, yellow or brown leucorrhoea.
Agalactia; chronic inflammation and induration of mammae.
[Generally] worse: Climaxis.
Monilia albicans
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CANCER of - Uterus - precancerous stage
(Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION - Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - ITCHING - leukorrhea; from (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping - Uterus - menses - during (Schroyens,
2001).
Sticta pulmonaria
Scanty flow of milk; absence of milk after delivery.
Haemorrhagic tendencies
The action of fungi remedies on the circulatory system manifests in both
haemorrhagic diathesis and congestive symptoms. Complications of circulatory
disturbances are also noted by the researcher, such as gangrenous conditions.
Agaricus muscarius
Epistaxis when blowing nose, early in morning; followed by violent
bleeding.
Swelling and bleeding gums, & pain.
RECTUM - HEMORRHAGE from anus (Schroyens, 2001).
Itching eruption of easily bleeding whitish nodules.
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE - blood - dark (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE - blood - thick (Schroyens, 2001).
Blood - BLEEDING, general (Murphy, 1993)
Bovista lycoperdon
Has a marked effect …circulation, predisposing to haemorrhages (due to
relaxation of capillary system).
Oozing haemorrhages, agg[revated at] night.
Bleeding of nose (early in morning, during sleep; vertigo) and gums.
Haemorrhage; after extraction of teeth.
[Consider] in cases where the circulation is influenced, with relaxation
of the capillary system, thereby producing a hemorrhagic diathesis (Vithoulkas,
1992).
Secale cornutum
Haemorrhages; continued oozing; thin, fetid, watery black blood.
Passive haemorrhages in feeble, cachectic women.
Threadlike pulse in haemorrhages.
Purpura haemorrhagica.
Small wounds bleed much. Slight wounds continue to bleed.
Bleeding from gums. Bleeding from bowels.
Olive-green, thin, putrid, bloody stool.
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
Ustilago maydis
Haemorrhage.
Congestive, passive or slow bleeding or clots; blood dark, but watery.
Haematemesis of a passive nature, profuse, blood venous, & nausea,
which amel. after haemorrhage.
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
Psilocybe caerulescens
MOUTH - APHTHAE - bleeding - easily (Schroyens, 2001).
MOUTH - BLEEDING - Gums (Schroyens, 2001).
Monilia albicans
MOUTH - BLEEDING - Gums (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION - Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION - Uterus (Schroyens, 2001).
SKIN - ITCHING - bleeding - scratching; after (Schroyens, 2001).
SKIN - ITCHING - bleeding - scratching; after (Schroyens, 2001).
Sticta pulmonaria
Haemorrhages [Causation].
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
Hysterical chorea coming on after profuse haemorrhage has been cured by
Stic[ta pulmonaria]. (Clarke, 1904).
Chilly sensations and reaction to cold
Although no evidence of an aggravation due to cold was uncovered by the
researcher via the proposed methodology, it was noted that evidence relating to
this tendency was found throughout the literature of the fungi
remedies. There is a general aversion to cold, and tendency to become
cold easily and an aggravation of symptoms by cold. This includes cold air,
weather, food or drink, and even sensations of coldness in various parts.
The researcher has found this to be an integral manifestation of the
fungi remedies.
Agaricus muscarius
Pains + sensation of cold, numbness and tingling.
Sensation of a cold drop or cold weight on parts.
Painful twitching, then parts become stiff and cold.
Burning, itching and redness of various parts, as if frostbitten (nose,
ears, fingers and toes).
Icy coldness, like icy needles, or splinters.
Patients are exceedingly sensitive to cold air and damp.
<: COLD AIR; FREEZING AIR; OPEN AIR.
Many symptoms appear when walking in the open air; this is a very
general and characteristic aggravation.
Great chilliness in open air, strikes through whole body.
The feeling that the painful part is affected by frost; the pain felt is
similar to that of frostbite: this is actually a more general characteristic of
Agaricus (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Bovista lycoperdon
Very sensitive to [cold] drafts.
[Chill] during pain. [Chill] After going to bed at night. [Chill]
Predominating; becomes chilly even with the pains.
Shivering in evening, spreading from back; and drawing pain in bowels.
[Worse] Cold food.
Chilliness predominates with sensitivity to drafts (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Secale cornutum
Coldness, but doesn't want to be covered up.
Coldness and intolerance of heat.
Sensation of coldness in stomach.
Cold feeling in abdomen and back.
[Abdomen] Coldness and cramps. Coldness and intolerance of being covered
& great exhaustion.
Fingertips sensitive to cold.
Coldness; cold, dry skin; cold, clammy sweat.
ICY COLD EXTERNALLY, YET BURNING HOT INTERNALLY.
Psilocybe caerulescens
HEAD - PAIN - cold - becoming; from (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - BATHING - cold bathing - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - COLD - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - cold drink, cold water - agg. (Schroyens,
2001).
Monilia albicans
GENERALS - COLD - becoming cold - after, agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - COLD - take cold; tendency to (Schroyens, 2001).
HEAD - COLD - air - sensitive to (Schroyens, 2001).
Boletus laricis
Yawns and stretches when chilly.
Severe aching in shoulders and joints and lumbar region [when chilly].
Profuse [sweat], at night, & hectic chills and fever.
Ailments from suppression
Aetiology shared by fungi remedies for various symptom manifestations
was observed by the researcher to relate to suppression of other sensation or
symptoms, as-well-as from sexual excesses or abuse (see below). The causation
of various conditions is an important aspect of homoeopathic case taking and prescribing,
resulting in the researcher to search for common aetiologies shared by this
group.
Agaricus muscarius
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anger - suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
CHEST - MILK - suppressed - metastasis from suppressed milk (Schroyens,
2001).
Convulsions … from suppressed eruptions, and from suppressed milk in
nursing women (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Convulsions from suppressed milk.
Epilepsy from suppressed eruptions.
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - suppressions, from (Schroyens, 2001).
Secale cornutum
indicated in suppressions.
Lachrymation suppressed. Urine suppressed.
Suppression of milk; breasts don't fill properly.
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MENSES - suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - SUPPRESSED COMPLAINTS; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001
Ustilago maydis
CHEST - HEMORRHAGE of lungs - menses - suppression of; after (Schroyens,
2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MENSES - suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - SUPPRESSED COMPLAINTS; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001).
Monilia albicans
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anger - suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - DESTRUCTIVENESS - emotions; destructiveness from suppressed
(Schroyens, 2001).
Sticta pulmonaria
CHEST - MILK - suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
Ailments from excessive coitus/sexual abuse
The researcher found that consequences of sexual excess and/or sexual
abuse to be an important aetiology for various seemingly unrelated conditions
manifesting in fungi pathology. This was not a surprise as this project has
already established the increased sex drive of the fungi remedies leading to
excessive coitus or masturbation. Generally, the overuse or abuse of any vice
leads to symptoms manifesting to various degrees.
Agaricus muscarius
Convulsions after coition.
Young nervous hysterical married women who faint after coition.
Hysteria, after sexual excesses.
After coition, great debility, profuse sweat, burning and itching of
skin; tension and pressure under ribs. [Male]
Coition, subjective symptoms arising after.
[Causation] Sexual excesses.
GENERALS - CHOREA - masturbation, from (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - MASTURBATION; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001).
General < from coition.
Depletion of energy as a consequence of sexual excessess, masturbation,
coitus, etc. (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Convulsions after coition and excitement (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Bovista lycoperdon
Mental symptoms from sexual excesses. Complaints from sexual excess.
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses (Schroyens, 2001).
Confusion and numbness in head, after coition, & staggering.
Vertigo and confusion of head after coition.
Numbness in the head after coition (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Secale cornutum
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - FORGETFUL - sexual excesses, after (Schroyens, 2001).
MALE AND FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - COITION - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after (Schroyens, 2001).
Ustilago maydis
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - abused; after being - sexually (Schroyens, 2001).
Prostration from sexual abuse.
Irritability; after emission.
Great weakness of sexual system
GENERALS - WEAKNESS - sexual - excesses, after (Schroyens, 2001).
5.3) Mental/Emotional Manifestations of Fungi Remedies
The researcher has so-far discussed sensations and pathological
conditions of the fungi remedies that pertain mostly to the physical plane of
manifestation, with very few references to the deeper mental and emotional
states of the kingdom as a whole. The researcher has just touched on these
themes as they are outside the aims of the study as defined in Chapter 3, but
they do however colour the picture of the proposed sensations of the fungi
group. Below in an outline of common manifestations of mental symptoms found in
the fungi remedies:
a) Anxiety
Confusion of mind
Delusions
There is a sense of anxiety that is common to the fungi group. The
anxiety is usually manifested as a mental symptom, but is also felt as a deeper
physical sensation that is felt in various parts of the body, but which stems
from a more deep-seated anxious mentality. The following remedies are listed
under the rubric „MIND - ANXIETY‟: Agaricus muscarius; Agaricus emeticus;
Agaricus phalloides; Bovista lycoperdon; Ergotinum; Monilia albicans; Psilocybe
caerulescens; Secale cornutum; Solanum tuberosum aegrotans.
b) Confusion of mind
There is much confusion in the mentality of the fungi remedies. The
confusion is especially apparent around their own identity, The following
remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND - CONFUSION of mind‟: Agaricus
muscarius; Agaricus phalloides; Bovista lycoperdon; Monilia albicans; Psilocybe
caerulescens; Secale cornutum; Sticta pulmonaria; Ustilago maydis
c) Delusions
This is an area of great affinity for the fungi remedies. Delusions seem
to be such a large manifestation in fungi remedies that it almost seems as if a
remedy from this kingdom should not be considered without some sense
of delusions within the symptom picture presented by the patient.
The following fungi remedies listed under the rubric „MIND - DELUSIONS‟:
Agar. Bov. Monil. Psil. Russula foetens; Sec. Sol-t-ae. Stict. Ust. The scope
of delusions as presented in various fungi remedies is far-reaching.
Some of the more common delusions include the following:
enlarged (distances; body; body parts)
intoxicated
poisoned
under superhuman control
low weight/incorporeal
visions (fantastic; beautiful; on closing eyes)
d) Irritability
This runs through the whole range of a fungi remedy, as it was part of
the sensation extraction section of this study. It is an example of how a theme
can run through the organism from a physical level to the sensation level.
The following remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND - IRRITABILITY‟:
Agar. Bol-la.
Bol-sa. Bov.Monil. Se4c.Sol-t.ae. Tor. Ust.
5.4) Fungi as a Kingdom
The fungi have been recently classed biologically as a kingdom in their
own right, separating them from both the plant and animal groups. They are
essentially placed between the plant and animal kingdoms, sharing
commonalities with both (Mader, 1998:539). Taking this into
consideration, the researcher expected to identify homoeopathic characteristics
of both the plant and animal kingdoms within the group symptomatology of the
fungi remedies. Evidence of an „animal nature‟ is reflected in the strong
sexual desire of the fungi remedies, leading to sexual excesses or even
masturbation. However, there is little evidence of the fungi sharing the more
central
animal characteristics of „competition‟ and a „need to attract
attention‟, making them „attractive in their behaviour and appearance‟
(Sankaran, 1997: 233). The researcher believes that, generally, the
characteristics of the
fungi remedies suggest that the fungi manifests homoeopathically closer
to the plant kingdom than the animal kingdom. They seem to be more
„disorganised‟, manifesting in mental confusion and various delusions,
and have
a more „sensitive‟, „emotional‟ personalities (Sankaran,
1997: 233). However, the themes of „confusion to identity‟ are very
curious indeed, as that is how the fungi are viewed biologically. With the
scientific problem of classifying the fungi into a an appropriate group,
biologists have created a sense of „confusion‟ about the definition of a
fungi and which organisms can be placed within that definition, as they are not an animal and not a
plant.
6.2) Limitations of the Methodology
Smaller, less adequately proved and homoeopathically less well defined
remedies generally provide few, relatively unconnected physical symptoms. There
is often a lack of detailed mental and emotional symptoms, making it difficult
to outline and understand a central theme/essence of the substance.
The fungi remedies are a relatively small group in terms of rubric
representation. They too have a very limited use in homoeopathic prescribing,
especially outside the 3 archetype fungi remedies, namely Agaricus muscarius,
Bovista lycoperdon and Secale cornutum. Of the 32 fungi remedies
used in homoeopathy, 22 have less than 72 rubrics, 9 remedies represented by
less than 10 rubrics (Archibel, 2003). Although the sample selection used for
the purposes of this study revealed enough data for an accurate extraction of
common sensation, the researcher was unable to confirm some ideas proposed in
this study by applying them to the lesser known remedies. There too is a lack
of in-depth, ‘cured’ cases of the lesser known fungi remedies. Case studies
provide detailed insight into the essence of a remedy, allowing a deeper
understanding of the symptomatology as manifested by the substance, and also confirming
and expanding on symptoms produced through provings. Again, this creates a
problem as the themes proposed in this study can’t be fully tested and
confirmed in the smaller fungi remedies. Both these problems have a solution in
the form of supergroups. A supergroup is essentially a larger group consisting
of multiple related families that are individually too small to expose to the
sensation extraction process. By joining these ‘small’ groups together, larger,
well known remedies become part of the extraction process, allowing common
sensations to be extracted and confirmed with greater accuracy. For the
purposes of this study, the researcher basically formed a supergroup by using
fungi remedies from multiple sub-divisions, namely Ascomycota, Lichen
and Basidiomycota. However, the main reasoning for this was so that
an understanding of the entire kingdom may be obtained, and not the individual
sub-
|
Burning |
Itching |
Stitching |
Spasm |
Numbness |
Heaviness |
Dryness |
Dragging |
APPENDIX C |
|
Definition (Oxford, 1998) |
“On fire, very hot; intense; hotly discussed” |
“tickling sensation in skin, causing a desire to scratch” |
“a sharp localized pain…it is a form of a cramp” |
“strong involuntary contraction of muscle” |
“deprived of the power to feel” |
“having a great weight; a great amount of force; full of sadness or
worry” |
“without water or moister; thirsty; boring or dull” |
“to pull something heavy along; continue slowly and dully” |
|
Synonyms (Collins, 2005) |
Intense All-consuming Eagar Frantic Frenzied Impassioned Passionate Zealous Crucial Acute Critical Essential Important Significant Vital Blazing Fiery Flaming Glowing Hot Illuminated Stinging Biting Caustic Irritating Painful Tingling |
Irritation Tingling Desire Craving Hankering Hunger Longing Lust Passion Restlessness Longing Burning Curiosity Impatient Inquisitive |
Cramp Spasm Ache Contraction Crick Pain Pang Stiffness Stitch Twinge Spasm Ache Contraction Stiffness Stitch Twinge |
Convulsion Contraction Paroxysm Twitch Burst Access Eruption Fit Frenzy Outburst Seizure |
Deadness Dullness Insensibility Insensitivity Paralysis Stupefaction Torpor Unfeelingness |
Weight Gravity Heftiness Ponderousness Onerousness Arduousness Burdensomeness Grievousness Oppressiveness Severity Weightiness Sluggishness Deadness Dullness Languor Lassitude Numbness Torpor Sadness Dejection Depression Despondency Gloom Melancholy |
Aridity Aridness Dehydration Drought Thirst Thirstiness Dull Boring Dreary Monotonous Plain Tedious Tiresome Uninteresting Sarcastic Cutting Droll Keen Quietly Humorous Sharp Sly |
Tedious Boring Dull Going slowly Humdrum Monotonous Tiresome Wearisome |