Solanaceae Anhang 2

Vergleich: Siehe: Group Analysis Evaluation

Zusammenfassung:

Until recently, various attempts have been made to simplify the prescription process in homoeopathic prescribing. The doctrine of signatures, miasmatic theory, the homoeopathic repertory and more recently, kingdom analysis by authors such as Sankaran (1994) and Scholten (1993) are some of the attempts that have been made to understand the materia medica. With the materia medica constantly expanding and considering that plants make up a significant percentage of the materia medica (Kayne, 2006), it is evident that new systems of homoeopathic prescribing are continually needed to help practitioners both study the remedies and prescribe more accurately.

Aim The Solanaceae plant family are an important and well utilised plant family in homoeopathy (Vermeulen, 2004). Considering this, it was felt that a study investigating the relationship of the natural history of the family to its general and mental symptoms be conducted in order to apply a previously unexplored research paradigm in order to create a greater understanding of Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy.

The study conducted was a non empirical correlation study of the Solanaceae plant family’s natural history and general and mental symptoms manifested in Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy. The aims of the study were to establish if commonalties existed between general and mental symptoms of individual remedies belonging the Solanaceae family and their natural histories, as well as to establish if collective commonalities and correlations existed between the general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the Solanaceae family as a whole. Methodology The homoeopathic remedies obtained from the Solanaceae family of plants for the study were analysed in terms of rubric representation (size) using homoeopathic software packages, Radar 10.4 (Archibel, 2009b) and Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 2009a) a sample selection was chosen. This selection was analysed in terms of general and mental rubrics. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to establish commonalities in keyword concepts between the respective natural histories of the studied family and their respective general and mental symptoms. Keywords obtained from data tables which included criteria such as habitat and distribution, plant description, active principles (primary alkaloids), uses, physiological action if ingested, historical significance, mythology and toxicology were subjected to thesaurus consultation and tabulated in an attempt to identify synonyms relating to the general and mental symptoms of individual remedies of the sample group in the study.

This facilitated in the grouping of similar themes. Once commonalities pertaining to each individual species and remedy was further tabulated and discussed in terms of keywords relating to their natural histories, a collective analysis of common correlations between the plant family as a whole was performed.

Results Common themes related to general and mental symptoms and to the natural histories of species in the study included “aggression” found in Atropa belladonna, “depression” found in Solanum dulcamara, “anxiety” found in Datura stramonium, “confusion” found in Hyoscyamos niger, “burns” found in Capsicum annuum, “ convulsions” found in Nicotiana tabacum, “ hallucinations” found in Mandragora officinarum and “delirium” found in Solanum nigrum. Common themes relating to general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the Solanaceae plant family as a whole included convulsions, hallucinations, confusion and anxiety. These themes were further compared to themes exhibited in Solanaceae studies conducted by Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2002).

[Bryan Henry Long]

https://ir.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/664

A study of the relationship between the natural history of the Solanaceae species and the general and mental symptomatology of the Solanaceae remedies used in homoeopathy. Homoeopathy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology.

ABSTRACT

Until recently, various attempts have been made to simplify the prescription process in homoeopathic prescribing. The doctrine of signatures, miasmatic

theory, the homoeopathic repertory and more recently, kingdom analysis by authors such as Sankaran (1994) and Scholten (1993) are some of the attempts

that have been made to understand the materia medica. With the materia medica constantly expanding and considering that plants make up a significant

percentage of the materia medica(Kayne, 2006), it is evident that new systems of homoeopathic prescribing are continually needed to help practitioners both

study the remedies and prescribe more accurately.

Aim

The Solanaceae plant family are an important and well utilised plant family in homoeopathy(Vermeulen, 2004). Considering this, it was felt that a study

investigating the relationship of the natural history of the family to its general and mental symptoms be conducted in order to apply a previously unexplored

research paradigm in order to create a greater understanding of Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy. The study conducted was a non empirical

correlation study of the Solanaceae plant family‟s natural history and general and mental symptoms manifested in Solanaceae remedies used in homoeopathy.

The aims of the study were to establish if commonalties existed between general and mental symptoms of individual remedies belonging to the Solanaceae

Family and their natural histories, as well as to establish if collective commonalities and correlations existed between the general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the Solanaceae

family as a whole.

Methodology

The homoeopathic remedies obtained from the Solanaceae family of plants for the study were analysed in terms of rubric representation (size) using

homoeopathic software packages, Radar 10.4 (Archibel, 2009b) and Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 2009a) a sample selection was chosen.

This selection was analysed in terms of general and mental rubrics. Qualitative thematic analysis was used to establish commonalities in keyword concepts

between the respective natural histories of the studied family and their respective general and mental symptoms. Keywords obtained from data tables which

included criteria such as habitat and distribution, plant description, active principles (primary alkaloids), uses, physiological action if ingested, historical

significance, mythology and toxicology were subjected to thesaurus consultation and tabulated in an attempt to identify synonyms relating to the general and

mental symptoms of individual remedies of the sample group in the study. This facilitated in the grouping of similar themes. Once commonalities pertaining to each individual species and remedy

was further tabulated and discussed in terms of keywords relating to their natural histories, a collective analysis of common correlations between the plant family as a whole was performed.

Results

Common themes related to general and mental symptoms and to the natural histories of species in the study included

“aggression” found in Atropa belladonna (= Bell.),

“depression” found in Solanum dulcamara (= Dulc.),

“anxiety” found in Datura stramonium (= Stram.),

“confusion” found in Hyoscyamos niger (= Hyos.),

“burns” found in Capsicum annuum (= Caps.),

“convulsions” found in Nicotiana tabacum (Tab.),

“hallucinations” found in Mandragora officinarum (= Mand.)

“delirium” found in Solanum nigrum (Sol-n.)

Common themes relating to general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the Solanaceae plant family as a whole included convulsions, hallucinations, confusion and anxiety. These themes

were further compared to themes exhibited in Solanaceae studies conducted by Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2002).

Conclusion

The results of the study were found to support the aims of the study as outlined in the study, and the researcher believes that the outcome accurately reflects the relationship of general and mental symptoms to the natural history of Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy.

Faced with the enormous amount of homoeopathic remedies comprising the homoeopathic materia medica, practitioners have identified the need to simplify

the process of remedy selection in order to facilitate the prescription process in homoeopathic practice.

The use of the doctrine of signatures, miasmatic theory and the repertory are some of the useful attempts to assist the process of remedy selection for the individual patient (Gaier, 1991).

More recent advancements in the remedy selection process, such as the group analysis method of remedy selection proposed by authors such as Sankaran

(2002) and Scholten (1993), have been applied to the remedy selection process with obvious success.

Allied to these methods is the recent emergence of software based repertories and encyclopaedia which, together with computer based search engines, have made it possible to analyse collected observations of commonalties found in remedy groups (Wulfsohn, 2005).

Approximately 65% of all homoeopathic remedies are prepared from plant materials (Kayne, 2006: 83).

It is therefore inferred that the plant kingdom forms a major part of the homoeopathic material medica.

As a result, a need has arisen to systematise the process of remedy selection of remedies belonging to the plant kingdom.

Plant kingdom analyses, by authors such as Sankaran (2002), have contributed significantly to the study of the various botanical families of plants and have added to the homoeopathic understanding of this vast kingdom.

Nevertheless, in an attempt to classify our observation of plant families more accurately, new methodologies of systemisation to aid the homoeopathic

understanding of plant families are needed.

The Solanaceae plant family represented in homoeopathic literature is a relatively large group and of immense economic importance worldwide (Vermeulen, 2004). Considering this, it is surprising that

a deeper understanding as far as its general and mental symptomology and its natural history are concerned has not been carried out. The objective of this study is to apply a new methodology of remedy analysis in order to create a deeper understanding of Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy.

By applying this new methodology the study hopes to pave the way forward for similar studies into other families belonging to the plant kingdom utilised homoeopathically as remedies as well as enquiries into animal kingdom families.

The aim of the study:

a) To establish whether a relationship exists between the general and mental symptoms of remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family of plants and their respective natural histories.

b) To establish whether the natural history of the Solanaceae species utilised in homoeopathy can be related to general and mental symptomology represented in current materia medica and repertory.

It is hypothesised that :

a) Commonalities exist between the general and mental symptoms of individual remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family and their natural histories.

b) Collective commonalities and correlations exist between the general and mental symptoms of the Solanaceae family and its natural history as a whole.

Delimitations:

a) This study excluded any rubrics not found within the mentals and generals repertory chapters.

b) Only the rubrics represented in the Radar 10.4 (Archibel, 2009b) software package were included.

Assumptions:

a) Rubrics representing remedies in the study were generated through homoeopathic provings and validated.

As a result, the study hopes to illuminate the Solanaceae family in terms of known general and mental symptomology by proposing broader concepts and themes synonymous with the natural history of

the family, thus enabling an increased understanding of Solanaceae remedies utilised in homoeopathy.

Related literature:

Plants have long served as the major source of medicinal compounds. The earliest writings from ancient Babylonia, Egypt, China and India include references to healing herbs, indicating a prehistoric origin for the use of plants as medicines. The impact of plant-derived medicine on human history has been remarkable and serves as the foundations of future human medicine (Sumner, 2000).

The desire to summarise information for future generations and to present the writings of classical scholars to a wider audience was the major stimulus for writing about medicinal plants (Barnes, Gibbons, Heinrich and Williamson, 2006).

Early knowledge of plant medicines was no doubt extensive and formed part of an oral tradition passed from healer to healer through generations in prehistory.

The traditional knowledge of plant medicines was no doubt accurate and acquired through careful observation and experimentation (Sumner, 2000: 16). Many cultures have left records of the medicinal use of plants which reveals that humankind has turned to the natural world for medicine since prehistoric times.

In Africa, the prescribing of indigenous medicinal plant cures has been influenced by both the spiritual and physical worlds, gaining wisdom and insights from ancestral guides, which for decades dealt with their patients physiological and psychological woes (Dugmore and van Wyk, 2008).

Plants are listed in ancient texts for their utilisation as medicines.

No doubt, the medicinal use of herbs and plants began with trial and error, but some proved effective and were added to the medicine chest, where they have

stayed for millennia. Many modern medicines are based on these ancient folk remedies (Rooney, 2009: 110).

Pioneers in the study of plants, such as Paracelsus, Dioscorides and Socrates paved the way forward and contributed enormously to the understanding,

nomenclature, uses and medicinal understanding of plants (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).

Through this knowledge and observation the natural history of plants has emerged and includes the origin, history, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, mythology and use of plants (Sumner, 2000).

From the natural history of plants a relatively new discipline known as ethnobotany has arisen.

Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants and includes the uses, symbolism, ritualistic and other aspects of the practical everyday interrelationships of plants (Schultes/von Reis, 1997).

The Solanaceae plant family is of enormous economic importance and is a significantly important plant family utilised in homoeopathy (Vermeulen, 2004).

The plant family is of great value homoeopathically due to various species belonging to the group being utilised routinely in practice, for example Bell. used for fever.

Plants belonging to this family seem to share a great abundance of natural history and it is therefore felt appropriate that a relational study on the natural history of the family be done to explore the plant’s natural history in comparison to the various general and mental symptoms evident in the homoeopathic materia medica.

The doctrine of signatures is defined as a „morphological relationship between the drug substance and the organ or affinity in question‟ and was another endeavour to make sense of the large and constantly growing materia medica (Gaier, 1991).

The origin of the doctrine of signatures stems back to the medieval times when it was utilized to help in the recognition of medicinal plants. The Chinese were the first to conceive that the medicinal use of a plant could be detected through “signatures”, clues revealed by the plant shape, taste, texture, and colour. If a plant resembled a particular body part, such as the liver or heart, its physical form was regarded as a suggestion for its possible use (Sumner, 2000: 23). It was first utilised in western medicine by the Swiss physician, Paracelsus (1493 - 1541) (Norland, 2003: 3).

According to Wood (1997), the doctrine of signatures operates through at least two different subjective faculties, the intuition and the imagination.

An example of the intuitive approach to understanding a plant can be found in looking at Angelica archangelica;.

2.3

Homoeopathy was founded in the late 18^th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755 - 1843) (Lockie, 2000: 14). It is a system of medicine that uses naturally derived medicines to stimulate the body’s own healing system thereby treating the whole individual person independently from the disease.

The central principle to homoeopathic practice is known as the „law of similars‟ or “Similia similibis curentur” („let likes cure likes‟) (Lockie, 2000: 14).

In practice this means that a medicine taken by a healthy human in order to elicit symptoms is capable of curing any disease that displays similar effects (Sankaran, 1991: 1).

Medicines used in homoeopathy are derived from the animal, plant and mineral kingdoms, as well as disease products (nosodes), healthy tissues and secretions (sarcodes), synthetic and imponderable sources (Sankaran, 1991: 3).

Homoeopathy utilises the „vitalistic‟ energies of material substances to produce powerful medicines when „potentised‟ through a process of serial dilution and sucussion. Balance is restored and health ensues when the vital force is stimulated with a medicine that produces a similar but slightly stronger effect than the true disease (Lockie, 2000: 14).

2.3.1

Miasmatic theory

The systemisation process in homoeopathy is not a new concept. Hahnemann realised that in chronic diseases, the symptoms alone were not enough to lead to the remedy. He observed that in a certain number of his patients, whom he treated for acute conditions, returned with a new set of unconnected symptoms which he accredited to an underlying deep seated disease (Kayne, 2006: 153).

This phenomenon was called a „miasm” derived from the Greek word meaning “pollution, taint” (De Schepper, 2006: 355). This classification of remedies and the identification of specific anti-miasmatic remedies became the first classification system in homoeopathic practice. Hahnemann therefore divided disease into three main categories: those arising from suppressed scabies (psoric miasm), those arising from gonorrhoea infection (sycotic miasm) and those arising from syphilis infection (syphilitic miasm) (Sankaran, 1994: 19).

Hahnemann initially classified 84 remedies into these miasmatic groups (Gaier, 1991).

The theory of chronic diseases and their miasmatic classification caused much resistance amongst Hahnemann’s colleagues, but in due course was accepted.

It remained the source of controversy for a long time. After Hahnemann, Burnett later defined the tubercular miasm (a combination of the psoric and syphilitic miasms) followed by Foubister and Templeton who defined the cancer miasm (based on a combination of at least two, often three or even all four of all the other miasms) (De Schepper, 2006).

Sankaran (1997: 217) further contributed to miasmatic theory by focusing more deeply on responses and reactions evoked by specific groups of remedies.

He therefore broadened and added to the understanding of miasmatic theory by adding the so called “in-between miasms”. This was an endeavour to make the process of defining miasmatic activity in patients more accurate.

These new additions to miasmatic theory are named after the diseases they most closely represent in action and pace, and are known as the acute, typhoid, ringworm, malarial and leprous miasms.

These five miasms together with the cancer and tubercular miasms provided a new valuable map to study disease (Sankaran, 1994: 3).

This new approach to miasmatic theory by Sankaran has been termed the extended miasmatic model and is illustrated in figure 1 (Sankaran, 1997:218).

A diagrammatic representation of Sankaran’s extended miasmatic model (Sankaran, 2000: 450).

Tubercular --> Leprosy

(Change) (Isolation)

--> I

I I

Acute --> Typhoid --> Psora --> Ringworm --> Sycosis --> I

(Panic) (Critical) (Struggle) (Trying) (Fixidity) I I

I I I I I I I I I Cancer --> Syphilis

I I (Perfection) (Destruction)

I I

I I

I ---------------------à Malaria ß-------------------------------------- I

(Persecuted)

Although additions such as the extended miasmatic model explained above have contributed significantly to the understanding of miasms, there is still much debate amongst homoeopaths about whether miasms exist.

What is certain, however is that an understanding of the original three miasms proposed by Hahnemann lays the ground work for an understanding of additional miasms proposed by later homoeopaths (Norland, 2003: 21).

Controversy over the homoeopathic classification of disease still remains one of the greatest barriers limiting dialogue between orthodox and homoeopathic medicine today (Kayne, 2006: 153).

The homoeopathic repertory and homoeopathic software According to the Churchill Livingstone International Dictionary of Homeopathy (2000) the homoeopathic repertory is defined as a systemic cross reference of symptoms and disorders to the homoeopathic medicines in whose therapeutic repertoire (materia medica) they occur. The strength or degree of the association between the two is indicated

by the type in which the medicine name is printed, for example bold indicating a strong symptom and plain type a more common one (Swayne, 2000: 183). Since its inception in 1832, the homoeopathic repertory has been the most useful and longest serving method of systemisation (Gaier, HC, 1991).

Homoeopathic repertories have been a natural outgrowth of the materia medica and were developed to organise the vast amount of information from an enormous and ever growing materia medica.

Practitioners keep approximately 20 to 30 remedies in their memory and can often prescribe a polycrest (or a homoeopathic medicine of many uses) quickly using a simple drug picture. In order to seek

a match between patients symptoms and the corresponding drug picture it is often necessary to make use of a repertory.

In a repertory the remedies drug picture is classified with references to symptoms in contrast to a materia medica that lists symptoms by remedy in alphabetical order (Kayne, 2006: 192).

Hahnemann himself took some of the first steps in structuring his information into some kind of repertory by appending an alphabetical index to his Fragmenta of 1805, and undertaking two further compilations which were never published. It was however Hahnemann‟s immediate follower and colleague von Boenninghausen who can be credited with creating the first usable repertory in 1832 (Schroyens, 2004: 1). Boenninghausen’s first published repertory.

The systemic “Alphabetic Repertory Of Homoeopathic Medicine” Boenninghausen, consisted of two parts: anti-psoric and non anti-psoric remedies. It was later combined to form the “First Homoeopathic Repertory” and has become the model of our modern repertories, inspiring authors such as Jahr, Handbach, Lippe, Lee and Kent to produce various forms of repertories. These repertories include Boericke's repertory, Kent’s repertory and more recently the Synthesis or Repertorium Homoeopathicum Syntheticum, Schroyens (2004).

Synthesis 9.1 boasts the most complete and up to date information and includes contributions from both classic authors such as Allen, Boenninghausen, Hering and Kent, as well as modern authors such

as Morrison, Master and Tyler.

Many new and up to date provings have also been integrated therefore creating a tool whereby the homoeopath can define the information needed with confidence and accuracy (Schroyens 2004).

In an ever growing technological era, homoeopathic software packages have emerged allowing homoeopaths to search several repertories with one keystroke, therefore extending the scope for remedy selection and facilitating the remedy selection process (Kayne, 2006: 197).

Software packages such as Radar 10.4 and Encyclopaedia Homeopathica have enabled practitioners to arrive at a prescription with accuracy and comparatively extract symptoms of remedies efficiently

and effectively with rapidity and accuracy. Radar 10.4 enables the practitioner to find appropriate symptoms for each case via the world’s most popular repertories, and incorporates approaches to case analysis and remedy studies utilised by world renowned homoeopaths (Archibel, 2009b).

“Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica” is a homoeopathic materia medica package that contains thousands of pages of materia medica’s, homoeopathic journals and vast amount of homoeopathic literature. Literature ranges from classical authors such as Kent, Allen and Herring as well as the most recent works from authors such as Vitoulkas, Shore and Sankaran (Archibel, 2009a).

Through this technological advancement, both the student and practitioner can rapidly access a vast amount of homoeopathic literature available for more precise prescribing, studying and research purposes (Archibel, 2009a).

The Solanaceae are a large family of dicotyledonous plants commonly referred to as the nightshade or potato family. It contains about 94 genera and around 3000 species. Its distribution throughout the world is widespread with concentrations of genera in Central and S. America (Baily, 2006: 428).

Many members of the Solanaceae plant family such as Cestrum aurantiacum, Datura ferox, Datura stramonium, Nicandra physalodes, Nicotiana glauca, Solanum mauritianum and Solanum nigrum are classified as weeds worldwide due to their exotic origins, abundance and their adaptability to withstand unfavourable conditions, therefore invading a wide range of ecological environments (Bromilow, 2010). Not only is the family of significant importance as a foodstuff but it is an important source of medicines and narcotics (Vermeulen, 2004: 221).

The Solanaceae an interesting plant family to study in that some of them are very well known in traditional medicines, and also well known from a magical point of view as well as an anthrosofic view (Mangialavori, 2007: 3).

From a historical perspective the Solanaceae family is surrounded by myth, fear and awe. Well known species belonging to the family such as Atropa belladonna and Mandragora officinarum have been well documented throughout history.

Atropa belladonna plant well known to the Ancient Greeks for the drug (or potion) that the sorceress Circe administered to the sailors on Odysseus’ ship, which subsequently drove them mad and turned them into „swine‟. The Greeks also knew the plant was extremely poisonous and they therefore identified it with one of the three Fates. Clotho spins the thread of human life; Lachesis measures it off

and Atropa (the Inflexible) severs it. In medieval times it was widely used by witches in their pharmacopeia.

Atropa belladonna was preeminent as it was regarded as one of the devils favourite plants. It was believed that the devil sprinkled the plant with his own blood every night and regularly took cuttings for his malign purposes.

Witches and wizards were said to have recognized that the plant had found favour in the eyes of the devil, thus using it as a constituent in their flying ointments (Lee, 2007).

Mandragora officinarum well known to the ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs and Hebrews as having magical powers and being possessed by a satanic spirit.

According to the ancient “doctrine of signatures” the Mandrake root resembled the human body and was thus seen as a cure for a wide variety of ailments of the human body (Lee, 2006).

The Hebrews believed the plant aided procreation of the offspring. The Greeks also noted it for its narcotic power and its use as a love potion and fertility drug. The Romans utilised the plant for

medicinal and military purposes.

The Roman general Hannibal left several jars of wine fortified with mandrake on the battlefield for African rebels who became sleepy and therefore could be easily defeated (Lee, 2006).

Other well-known species belonging to the family such as Capsicum annuum, Datura stramonium, Hyoscyamos niger, Nicotiana Tabacum, Solanum dulcamara and Solanum nigrum have been well documented throughout history for their wide variety of utilization in folklore, medicine and magic.

Many of the plants belonging to the Solanaceae family are poisonous due to their alkaloids (atropine found in Atropa belladonna/nicotine found in Nicotiana tabacum). Others are important food plants such as Solanum tuberosum (= potatoe) and Lycopersicon esculentum (= tomatoe). Included in the family are the Solanum melongena (= aubergines) and various capsicums belonging to the family and

the genus Nicotiana which includes the important cash crop, tobacco (Baily, 2006: 429).

The fruit is usually a berry, though sometimes a capsule, as in Hyoscyamos niger and Datura stramonium (Baily, 2006: 428).

Typical to the family are its chemical composition of alkaloids (tropane, nicotine and steroidal type).

Tropane alkaloids particularly well known to occur in members of the Solanaceae family have been known for centuries as poisonous substances. The tropane hyoscyamine and atropine have an effect on the autonomic nervous system by increasing the heart rate, decreasing intestinal tone and peristalsis and decreasing secretions such as saliva, gastric secretions and secretions from the eye. Homoeopathic symptoms related to the effects of atropine are

CHEST - PALPITATION,

MOUTH - SALIVA scanty

EYE - Dry (Schroyens 2004)

Scopalamine in high quantities in species such as Datura stramonium, is another tropane alkaloid leading to raving manifestations of delirium and can be related to the homoeopathic symptom

MIND - Delirium (Schroyens 2004).

Nicotine a pyridine alkaloid derived from the amino acid lysine is absorbed through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and lungs. Nicotine acts on the central nervous system, smooth muscle of

the intestine and cardiovascular system through vasoconstriction thus increasing blood pressure (van Wyk, van Oudtshoorn and van Heerden, 2005: 22).

The homoeopathic symptom

GENERALS - HYPERTENSION relates to the effect of nicotine (Schroyens 2004).

The steroidal alkaloid solanine is present in very small quantities in members of the Solanaceae.

The symptoms of intoxication with solanine are irritation of the throat, headache, fatigue, diarrhoea, coma and convulsions (van Wyk et al., 2005: 22).

The following homoeopathic symptoms relate to the intoxication of solanine,

THROAT - IRRITATION,

HEAD - PAIN,

GENERALS - WEAKNESS,

RECTUM - DIARRHEA,

MIND - COMA and

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS (Schroyens 2004).

2.4.2)

Solanaceae studies in homoeopathy

In an endeavour to understand homoeopathic remedies derived from the plant kingdom more comprehensively, Sankaran (2002) studied plants according to the botanical family using his group analysis method. By extracting so - called “sensations”, Sankaran was able to link species belonging to the Solanaceae plant family via their common symptomology and in so doing was able to categorise them according to his extended miasmatic classification. Sankaran therefore convincingly demonstrated that the botanical classification of plants had relevance for homoeopaths (Schiller, 2005).

Vermeulen (2004) studied similars and parallels between substance and remedies. In studying, various remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family such as Atropa belladonna, Capsicum annuum,

Datura stramonium, Hyoscyamos niger, Mandragora officinarum and Solanum dulcamara, he highlighted notable parallels between the substance and the homoeopathic drug pictures as far as their taxonomical classification, habitat, chemical constituency, uses, toxicology, physiological action and mythology was concerned.

In his publication Solanaceae, Nightmare between Light and Dark Mangialavori (2007) also explored the parallels and characteristic features of a group of homoeopathic medicines with Atropa belladonna as its archetype. Not constrained by the botanical family, Mangialavori broadened the scope of Solanaceae remedies by comparing fundamental themes of medicines such as Lyssinum, Gallicum acidum and Tanacetum to those of Solanaceae remedies.

Furthermore themes and concepts of remedies belonging to the group: Atropa belladonna, Mandragora officinarum, Solanum nigrum, Datura stramonium, Hyoscyamos niger, Capsicum annuum, Solanum dulcamara and Nicotiana tabacum were highlighted. On examining the much smaller remedies of the group such as Lycopersicum esculentum and Solanum tuberosum he found that fundamental similarities in themes and concepts existed between the well-known and less well-known members of the group.

Therefore by scrupulous analysis of his cured cases, he compared and examined well-known remedies belonging to the Solanaceae plant family as well as the less represented remedies of the family.

Notable publications on individual remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family of plants have contributed significantly to the understanding of the plant family.

Herscu (1996) with Cycles and segments and his experience in treating children gave an extensive exposition of the remedy Datura stramonium.

By describing the stramonium cycle and various stages of the cycle, the symptomology pertaining to the remedy was noticeably revealed in his research. Pitt (2006) in his publication Tobacco, an exploration of its Nature. Through the Prism of homoeopathy explored the nature of the proving substance Nicotinia rustica. By exploring the history and use of tobacco, he amplified information brought up by the proving breathing new life into a somewhat expired traditional picture of the remedy.

It is obvious from current literature that many researchers have found commonalities between the Solanaceae remedies proven homoeopathically.

However, few have gone back to correlate the provings of the remedies to the plant family’s natural history. It is thus important to do so in order to establish if relationships exist between the plant family’s natural history and symptoms manifested by provings of remedies derived from the family, thus contributing to the systemisation process in homoeopathy and ultimately the utilization of remedies derived from the Solanaceae plant family.

The following chapter will explain the approach followed in attempting this comparison.

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

3.1)

Sample selection

In order to define the sample population, the first step taken was to define the Solanaceae family and search for its members. This list was then refined to only include those utilized homoeopathically. The homoeopathic list was obtained using the computer software programme Radar 10.4 (Archibel, 2009b) and included 35 remedies from the Solanaceae family of which are presented in table 1 in chapter 4.

This list of 35 remedies was further refined to only include well proven remedies and those clinically verified. On account of the methodology particularly focusing on remedies with well-defined symptoms, smaller remedies of the group, which have less homoeopathic significance in terms of rubric representation, were excluded.

Solanum nigrum, which has a total of 424 rubrics in Radar 10.4, the last included remedy for extraction purposes, as other remedies, with less rubric representation, were felt too insignificant in terms of rubric representation and to be of less botanical historical importance to include in the study. It was also felt by the researcher that remedies such as Mandragora officinarum and Solanum nigrum although relatively poorly represented in rubric representation be included in the study due to their rich botanical history. Remedies with less than 424 rubrics were thus excluded from the comparative extraction process.

3.2) Data Processing

A computer repertory extraction was performed for each remedy included in the study using Radar Synthesis 10.4.

Parameters were set to exclude rubrics other than general and mental symptoms as the study focused exclusively on these symptoms. In addition, literature from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 25 2009a) and various other reference sources were included to acquire in depth information on the natural history of species included in the study.

3.3)

Data analysis

Qualitative thematic analysis was used. This was performed by establishing commonalities in keyword concepts between the respective natural histories of the studied family and their respective general and mental symptoms. A data analysis table including components relating to each individual remedy was drawn up by the researcher in an attempt to standardise the data analysis process.

The criteria for comparison identified were habitat and distribution, plant description, active principles (primary alkaloids), uses, physiological action if ingested, historical significance, associated mythology and toxicology.

Keywords obtained via the study of the respective species natural history was subject to thesaurus consultation using the Oxford Paperback Thesaurus (2006) and tabulated in an attempt to identify synonyms relating to the general and mental symptoms of the individual remedies involved in the study. This facilitated the grouping of similar themes.

All commonalities pertaining to each individual species and remedy was further tabulated and discussed in terms of keywords pertaining to their natural histories and general and mental symptoms.

Once individual remedy analysis in terms of correlation was established on each individual species a collective analysis of common correlations between the plant family as a whole was performed.

3.4)

Conclusion

The methodology allowed reflection on the natural history of the individual members of the Solanaceae family as well as the general and mental symptoms of remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family of plants.

This reflection facilitated the comparison of the natural history of the Solanaceae species utilised in homoeopathy and the general and mental symtomology represented in current materia medica and repertory, with the aim to highlight commonalities.

The methodology strove to test a previously unexplored paradigm in an attempt to add to the systemisation process of remedy selection in homoeopathic practice

CHAPTER 4:

RESULTS

4.1 Solanaceae in Homoeopathy According to Radar 10.4 (Archibel, 2009b) the number of remedies in the material medica belonging to the Solanaceae plant family number 35 and are presented in table 3 below. The table also indicates the number of mental and general

rubrics as well as the total rubrics present in each of the remedies, indicating the relative homoeopathic relevance of each remedy in terms of rubric representation.

Solanaceae remedies used in homoeopathy and the relative homoeopathic significance in terms of number of total number of rubrics (Archibel, 2009b)

REMEDY COMMON NAME TOTAL RUBRICS

Atropa belladonna Deadly nightshade 11624

Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet 7127

Datura stramonium Jimson weed 4937

Hyoscyamos niger Black henbane 4820

Capsicum annuum Chilli pepper 3767

Nicotiana tabacum Tobacco 2360

Mandragora officinarum Mandrake 577

Solanum nigrum European black nightshade 424

Solanum lycopersicum Tomato 98

Duboisia myoporoids Corkwood 39

Fabiana imbricata Pichi 38

Solanum mammosum Apple of Sodom 31

Solanum tuberosum Potato 30

Datura arborea Tree stramonium 25

Datura metel Downy thorn apple 21

Duboisia hopwoodi Corkwood 8

Solanum arrebenta Arrebenta 18

Solanum vesicarium Winter cherry 15

Solanum carolinese Carolina horse nettle 13

Solanum oleraceum Black nightshade 13

Datura ferox Long spined thorn apple 10

Datura sanguine Angels trumpet 5

Solanum capense - 3

Solanum pseudocapsicum Jerusalem cherry 2

Solanum sodomoeum Sodoms apple 2

Solanum xanthocarpum Yellow berried nightshade 2

Withania somnifera Ashwaghanda 2

Capsicum frutescens African birds eye 1

Solanum erythracantum American black nightshade 1

Solanum melongena Aubergine 1

Solanum nodiflorum - 1

Solanum villosum Hairy Nightshade 1

Nicotiana rustica Tobacco 0

Solanum integrifolium Scarlet eggplant 1

Solanum malacoxylon South American egg plant 0

The sample selection was based on the homoeopathic significance of each remedy belonging to the Solanaceae family as well as the number of well-defined general and mental symptoms represented

by each remedy. Of the 35 Solanaceae remedies used in homoeopathy, the 8 remedies listed in table 4 have more significance in homoeopathic literature and therefore are well proven and clinically

well applied remedies.

The methodology used in the study also focused on remedies with well-defined and clinically well applied symptoms as well as remedies having significant literature pertaining to their relative natural histories.

The eight remedies listed in table 4 were felt to have met these criteria according to the researcher.

Table 4 indicating Solanaceae remedy sample group representation in terms of general and mental rubrics and total number of rubrics (Archibel, 2009b).

REMEDY GENERAL RUBRICS MENTAL RUBRICS TOTAL RUBRICS

Atropa belladonna 1375 1574 11624

Solanum dulcamara 692 755 7127

Datura stramonium 639 1481 4937

Hyoscyamos niger 640 1183 4820

Capsicum annuum 488 305 3767

Nicotiana tabacum 269 275 2360

Mandragora officinarum 90 41 577

Solanum nigrum 38 62 424

From the table above, it is evident that Atropa belladonna is the best represented remedy from the Solanaceae botanical family, followed by Solanum dulcamara, Datura stramonium and Hyoscyamos niger.

The highest utilised 29 remedies, however, in practice are Atropa belladonna and Datura stramonium (Mangialavori, 2007).

4.2) Data analysis tables

In order to standardize the collected data, data analysis tables were drawn up which included guidelines for the collation of the information on the natural history of the remedies studied.

The literature into the natural history of the Solanaceae family was conducted based on the guidelines of these tables and are presented in tables 5 and 6.

TABLE 5:

4.2) Data analysis tables

Species	Habitat + Distribution	Description	History	Mythology
Atropa belladonna = Bell.	Deciduous forests in Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean Region of North Africa: plants are widely cultivated (Wink and van Wyk, 2008). Along roadsides and abandoned places/ waste places, quarries and old ruins (Vermeulen, 2004)	A perennial herb with soft stems and bright green, simple leaves. The tubular flowers usually yellowish brown, followed by attractive, shiny, big black berries, each surrounded by a persistent calyx (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Used by ancient Mesopotamians treating illnesses thought to be caused by demons. Used to treat asthma, chronic coughing and spasms of the bladder. Historically important are the hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac properties of the plant (van Wyk and Wink, 2004).	Root of plant used in love magic and to bring good fortune in gaming and games of fortune. Used in Flying potions of witches. In Greek times added to wine for amnesiac rituals Berries prepared in wine to improve the aggression of warriors. Used by Romans to increase their ability to fight (Mangialavori, 2007). According to old legends plant believed to belong to devil that goes about trimming and tending it in his leisure and can only be diverted from it one night a year when he is preparing for the witches Sabbath. According to an old superstition it is said that the plant at certain times takes the form of an enchantress of great loveliness (Grieve, 1981).
Capsicum annuum = Caps.	Indigenous to Central and S. America, incl. Mexico and the Caribbean region (van Wyk and Wink, 2004) Cultivated in tropical countries up to an altitude of 200 meters (Vermeulen, 2004).	a nnual plant of up to ½ meter in height with dark green, stalked leaves, white flowers and oblong, green or red fruit (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Used by Mexican Indians and Szechwan Chinese in many of their meals. Used as a main ingredient of numerous spicy sauces (van Wyk 2005).	Ancient texts: a “wonder drug” suggesting that it is useful for virtually everything, from killing harmful bacteria in the body to preventing infections in sores,burns and injuries and releasing lock jaw (Vermeulen, 2004).
Datura stramonium = Stram.	Originally found in tropical N. America distributed worldwide (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	A robust annual up to 1½ meter in height, with large, unpleasantly scented leaves, large, white or purplish, tubular, erect flowers and typical thorny capsules that split open to release numerous small, kidney-shaped, black seeds (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Used by Aztecs and Indians as an intoxicant and hallucinogen. Plants or extracts were smoked, drunk or placed on the skin. It has been since the 16^th century used as an intoxicant in Europe. Extracts were also misused for murder (infanticide/suicide). The use for crime, seduction and as a narcotic drug has been documented (Wink and van Wyk, 2008). Given to men by prostitutes to mke them remain. (Vermeulen, 2004),	Datura narcosis believed by Luisena Indians to be used in puberty rites in order to become men. Also associated with death and the forces of darkness. Gypsies in 17th centaury used seeds in preparation of love potions (Vermeulen, 2004).
Hyoscyamos niger = Hyos.	Native to Europe, Western Asia and northern Africa. Found abundantly on rubbish heaps, in waste places and near old buildings (Vermeulen, 2004).	An annual or biennial herb up to 0,8 meters, with soft, hairy stems and soft, lobed and sparsely hairy leaves. The petals greyish yellow with dark purple veins. Characterised by a disgusting smell (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Leaves smoked to treat asthma. In ancient times to treat pain (toothache)/nervous disorders (mania and hysteria). In ancient Greece used as a poison and as a means to stimulate dementia. Dioscorides used it to induce sleep and allay pains. Extracts used in cases of epilepsy and convulsive diseases (Vermeulen, 2004).	In Greek myth, the dead were adorned with henbane when they wandered (Vermeulen, 2004).
Mandragora officinarum = Mand.	Native to the Mediterranean region eastwards to the Himalayas (Vermeulen, 2004).	A perennial with thick, tuberous roots of 0,6 meters long that are traditionally thought to resemble the human body with a rosette of dark green leaves. Greenish white flowers appear in spring, which turn into ball-shaped fruits of up to 40 mm in diameter. The fruits turn from green to yellow when they ripen (Vermeulen, 2004).	Historically used 1500 BC against worms. Dioscorides noted its use as a sleep inducing drug, as a narcotic for surgery, against eye disease and as an abortifacient. Widely known as an aphrodisiac in ancient Greece. The military strategist Maharbal (200 BC) left his enemy several Amphora’s of wine mixed with mandrake (Lee, 2006).	Used in magic and Superstitious practices. Used as symbol of fertility. Root of plant cut in shape of a doll had power to make its owner invisible. Plant believed to be most powerful of magical herbs. The owner of the plant believed to be invulnerable in battle (Vermeulen, 2004). During medieval times, extracts used by witches and sorcerers for hallucinogenic purposes (Vermeulen, 2004).
Nicotiana tabacum = Tab.	Central America and cultivated worldwide (Vermeulen, 2004).	Erect, leafy and single - stemmed annual herb with large, glandular leaves and pink tubular flowers (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Used by Indians who used it for smoking in pre Columbian times. Smoked worldwide. Previously used as An insecticide (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Part of curative rituals of all tribes of the north east Amazon. In its various forms used in the ordinary medical practice of some tribes. Modern timesally used as a recreational drug and decoction used as treatment for bruises and sprains (Vermeulen, 2004).
Solanum dulcemara = Dulc.	The main alkaloids are glycosides of Soladulcidine, Tomatidenol Or Solasodine (van Wyk and Wink, 2004).	Taken orally in supportive treatment of chronic eczema and pruritic skin conditions. Traditional uses incl. the treatment of catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, asthma and rheumatic conditions (van Wyk and Wink, 2004).	Known to produce antichollernergic effects and antiphlogistic effects. It is also an astringent; antibacterial and antifungal (van Wyk and Wink, 2004).	Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, in coordination, weakness depression, hallucinations, convulsions and possible death (Vermeulen, 2004).
Solanum niger = Sol-n.	Solanine and other steroidal alkaloids (van Wyk and Wink, 2004).	Used to treat digestive disorders, the treatment of asthma and to induce fevers. Leaves cooked as food and berries eaten in India (Edmunds and Chweya, 1997).	Narcotic and sedative. disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).	Vomiting, spasms, internal bleeding, salivation, trembling, restless, headache, delirium, fever and coma (Wink and van Wyk, 2008).

The data table above thus highlights certain characteristics pertaining to individual species of the Solanaceae sample group.

Characteristics such as the habitat and distribution of species range from deciduous forests in Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean (Bell.). In tropical countries in Mexico and South America (Caps.).

The description of species also varies somewhat and ranges from perennial herbs with soft stems and bright green leaves (Bell.).

Deciduous woody climbers (Dulc.).

The table also highlights the various histories of species.

The table highlights the historical use of the species by various historical groups such as the ancient Mesopotamians who used Bell. to treat various illnesses. The Aztecs used Stram. as an intoxicant and hallucinogen.

The mythology of species is also highlighted in the table.

Mythology ranging from the use of plants in magic to superstition is seen in species such as Atropa belladonna, Mandragora officinarum and Datura stramonium.

TABLE 6: DATA ANALYSIS TABLE

Species	Active principals Alkaloids	Uses	Physiological Actions	Toxicology
Bell.	Atropine Hyoscamine Nicotine Scopolamine (Vermeulen, 2004).	As a spasmolytic, mydriatic and to poison arrows.	Depressant and sedative effect. (Wink and van Wyck) 2008) Narcotic, Spasmolytic, hallucinogenic (Vermeulen, 2004)	Hallucinations Euphoria, confusion Imsomnia Mydriasis, red face and tachycardia dry mucosis (Wink and van Wyk, 2008) Analgesia, tachycardia and insomnia (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)
Caps.	Capsicin (van Wyk et al., 2005)	Used as a flavour enhancer and a catalyst to enhance the flavour of other herbs (van Wyk, 2005) Used for digestive troubles, relieving headache, expelling kidneysstones, to induce menses. (Vermeulen, 2004) Pain relief in rheuma, arthritis, neuralgia, itching, Lumbago and spasms of the upper body. Orally in colic, dyspepsia, flatulence. Gargle for laryngitis. (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)	Discomfort, pain, blisters Ulceration and necrosis when skin and mucous membrane exposed to high concentrations. Erythema and pain. (van Wyk et al., 2008) Increased perspiration, Lowers body temperature (Vermeulen, 2004)	High concentration causes very painful local reactions and severe irritation of skin and mucous membranes. Toxic doses cause hyperthermia an symptoms Similar to anaphylactic shock. Chronic overdosing leads to loss of appetite, chronic gastritis, liver and kidney damage (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)
Stram.	Atropine Hyoscamine Scopolamine (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Medicinally as an analgesic, as an ingredient of cough mixture and in cigarettes to treat asthma. (Vermeulen, 2004) (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Depressant, sedative effect, neurotoxin (Wink and van Wyk, 2008) Powerful hallucinations, anxiety, excitation, reddening of face, dry mouth, euphoria, mydriasis, confusion, insomnia, death, Respiratory arrest. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Senseless behaviour and Amnesia. (Vermeulen, 2004)
Hyos.	Atropine Hyoscamine Scopolamine (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Spasms of the gastrointestinal tract (Wink and van Wyk, 2004) Alkaloiden in ophthalmology and spasms of the gastrointestinal tract. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Para symphpatholyths and a spasmolytic and sedative effect on the central nervous system. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Hallucinations, euphoria, confusion, insomnia, tantrum, repiratory arrest and seizures. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)
Mand.	Atropine Hyoscamine Mandragorine Scopolamine (Vermeulen, 2004)	Intestinal worms Dioscorides: sleep inducing; narcotic for surgery/ Eye disease and an abortifiacient Greece: aphrodisiac (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Narcotic, analgesic, hypnotic, spasmodic, Aphrodisiac (Wink and van Wyk, 2004) Neuro poison, hallucinogen (Vermeulen, 2004)	Hallucinations, euphoria, insomnia, vertigo, trembling, difficulties speaking, excitation, nausea (Vermeulen, 2004) Vomiting, mydriasis and central paralysis (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)
Tab.	Nicotine, nor nicotine, anabasine, nycotyrine (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Smoking worldwide (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Nausea, weakness, headache, salivation, tremor, convulsions, cold perspiration, tachycardia, confusion, diarrhoea, difficult breathing and hypertension. Psychedelic feelings and excitation, burning in mouth and throat. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Anxiety, irritability, confusion, convulsions, halting speech, dizziness,drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, Tinnitus, couth and tremor, tachycardia and perspiration (Vermeulen, 2004)
Dulc.	Main alkaloids are glycosides of Soladulcidine, Tomatidenol, Solasodine (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)	Taken orally in supportive treatment of chronic eczema and pruritic skin conditions. Tradition: catarrh of upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, asthma and rheumatic conditions. (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)	Produces antichollergenic effects and antiphlogistic effects. It is astringhent; antibacterial, antifungal (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)	Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, in coordination, weakness depression, hallucinations, convulsions, death (Vermeulen, 2004)
Sol-n.	Solanine and other steroidal alkaloids (Wink and van Wyk, 2004)	Used to treat digestive disorders, asthma, induces fever. India: leaves and berries as food. (Edmunds and Chweya, 1997)	Narcotic and sedative disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract. (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)	Vomiting, spasms, internal bleeding, salivation, trembling, restless, headache, delirium, fever and coma (Wink and van Wyk, 2008)

As in table 5, the data table above highlights characteristics related to the natural history of species belonging to the sample group of Solanaceae remedies.

In this table, active principles such as the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found in Atropa belladonna, Datura stramonium, Hyoscyamos niger and Mandragora officinarum are highlighted.

Other Alkaloids such as Capsaicin found in Capsicum annuum and nicotine found in Nicotiana Tabacum also highlighted in the table.

The uses are also highlighted in this table and range from being used as a mydriatic as seen in Atropa belladonna being used as a narcotic and sedative in species such as Solanum nigrum. The physiological actions if ingested, as well as the toxicology associated with these species of plants have also been highlighted. The physiological actions and toxicology such as hallucinations, sedation and confusion as seen in Datura stramonium can be related back to the physiological and toxicological effects discussed regarding the primary alkaloids in Solanaceae plant species highlighted in chapter 2.

4.3) Analysis of keywords

The keywords selected from the data analysis from tables 5 and 6. were subject to thesaurus consultation using the Oxford Paperback Thesaurus (2006)

in order to identify synonyms that could facilitate relating general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the remedies in the study.

These are listed in table 7.

Following: Sample group remedies and keywords from data analysis tables as well as their relative synonyms.

REMEDY KEYWORDS SYNONYMS

Atropa belladonna Abandoned Deserted, forsaken, jilted, stranded, rejected, neglected.

Waste Rubbish, refuse, litter, debris, scrap

Spasms Contraction, convulsions, cramps, twitch, jerks, tics.

Poison Toxin, toxicant, venom.

Depressant Sedative, calmative, hypnotic.

Sedative Tranquilizing, calming, calmative, depressant.

Narcotic Soporific, opiate, pain killer, pain reliever.

Hallucinations Delusion, illusion, vision, chimera.

Demons Devil, fiend, evil, spirit, incubus.

Aphrodisiac Fondness, tenderness, warmth, attachment, desire.

Love Fondness, tenderness, warmth, attachment, desire.

Magic Sorcery, witchcraft, wizardry, occultism.

Fortune Luck, fate, destiny, serendipity.

Flying Airborne, in the air, in flight.

Witches Sorceress, enchantress, hex.

Aggression Hostility, belligerence, violence.

Fight Brawl, attack, struggle, grapple, wrestle, quarrel, argue.

Devil Satan, Lucifer.

Euphoria Elation, happiness, joy, delight, excitement, exhilaration.

Confusion Uncertainty, doubt, unsure.

Insomnia Sleeplessness, wakefulness, restlessness.

Dry Arid, parched, droughty, Scorched, dehydrated.

Red Redness

Tachycardia

Superstition Myth, belief, legend, fallacy, delusion, illusion.

Warriors Soldiers, combatant, fighter

Solanum dulcamara

Pruritic Itching

Catarrh -

Asthma -

Rheumatic -

Sleep Nap, doze

Narcotic Soporific, opiate, analgesic, anodyne, sedative.

Sweat Perspiration

Eruptions Rash, outbreak, inflammation

Cough Hack, hawk, bark

Tumours Growths, cancer, malignancy, lump.

Evil Wicked, bad, wrong, immoral, vicious, malicious, devilish

Dizziness Giddiness, shakiness, muzzy, wobbly, vertigo

Forgetting Absentminded, abstracted, amnesia.

Love Fondness, tenderness, warmth, affection, attachment.

Pain Suffering, agony, torture, torment, discomfort.

Vomiting Spewing, retching, heaving.

Weakness Feebleness, delicacy, sickness, debility, incapacity.

Depression Unhappiness, sadness, melancholy, misery, sorrow.

Hallucinations Delusions, illusions, visions, chimeras.

Death Demise, passing, loss of life.

Datura stramonium

Tropical Hot, sweltering, humid, sultry, oppressive, stifling.

Analgesic Painkilling, pain-relieving, anodyne, narcotic, palliative

Gypsy Wonderer, roamer.

Asthma -

Depressant Sedative, tranquilizer, calmative.

Sedative Tranquilizing, calming, calmative, depressant.

Intoxicated Drunk, inebriated, tipsy.

Hallucinations Delusions, illusions, visions, chimeras.

Smoked Puff on, smoulder,

Misused Abuse, squander, waste, embezzle.

Suicide Self-destruction, self-murder

Murder Killing, homicide, assassination, extermination.

Crime Offence, felony, misdemeanour, misdeed.

Seduction Alluring, tempting.

Narcotic Soporific, opiate, pain killer, pain reliever.

Anxious Worried, fearful, nervous, distressed.

Narcosis -

Death Demise, passing, loss of life.

Darkness Blackness, gloom, dimness.

Love Fondness, tenderness, warmth, affection, attachment

Excitation -

Reddening Turn red, blush, flush, burn.

Dry Arid, parched, droughty, scorched, dehydrated.

Euphoria Elation, happiness, joy, delight, excitement, exhilaration.

Confusion Uncertainty, doubt, unsure.

Insomnia Sleeplessness, wakefulness, restlessness.

Senseless Unconscious, stunned, insensible, comatose.

Amnesia Absentminded, forgetful, abstracted.

Hyoscyamos niger

Waste Unwanted, excess, scrap, useless.

Old Dilapidated, run down, decaying.

Dry Arid, parched, droughty, scorched, dehydrated.

Spasms Contraction, convulsion, cramp, twitch, jerk, tic, shiver.

Sedative Tranquilizing, calming, calmative, relaxing.

Smoked Puff on, smoulder,

Asthma -

Pain Suffering, agony, torture, torment, discomfort.

Mania Madness, derangement, dementia, lunacy, hysteria.

Hysteria Panic, frenzy, madness.

Poison Toxin, toxicant, venom.

Stimulate Encourage, prompt, motivate, trigger, activate.

Dementia Mental illness, madness, insanity, derangement, lunacy.

Sleep Nap, doze.

Epilepsy -

Convulsive Spasmodic, jerky, paroxysmal, violent, uncontrollable.

Euphoria Elation, happiness, joy, delight, excitement, exhilaration.

Confusion Uncertainty, doubt, unsure.

Insomnia Sleeplessness, wakefulness, restlessness.

Capsicum annuum

Tropical Hot, sweltering, humid, sultry, oppressive, stifling.

Enhance Increase, add, intensify, heighten, boost, raise, lift.

Pain Suffering, agony, torture, torment, discomfort.

Itching Irritation, tingling, pruritic.

Spasms Contraction, convulsion, twitch, jerk, tic, shiver, tremor.

Discomfort Pain, aches, soreness, tenderness, irritation.

Ulceration Sore, abscess, boil, carbuncle, blister.

Necrosis -

Spicy Peppery, hot, picante, strong, pungent.

Infection Disease, disorder, condition, affliction, illness, sickness.

Sores Inflammation, swelling, leasion.

Burns Be hot, be warm, be feverish, redden, go red, flush.

Injuries Wound, bruise, cut, gash, scratch, graze, abrasion.

Irritation Annoyance, impatience, crossness, displeasure.

Hyperthermia -

Appetite Hunger, ravenous.

Nicotiana tabacum

Smoking Smoke

Nausea Sickness, biliousness, queasiness,

Weakness Feebleness, delicacy, sickness, debility, incapacity.

Headache Pain in the head, sore head, migraine.

Salivation -

Tremor Trembling, shaking, shakiness, quivering, twitching.

Convulsions Fit, seizure, paroxysm, spasm, attack.

Tachycardia -

Confusion Uncertainty, doubt, unsure.

Psychedelic -

Excitation -

Burning Fiery, red

Vomiting Spewing, retching, heaving.

Seizures Convulsions, fits, spasm, paroxysm.

Recreational Pleasure, leisure, relaxation.

Bruises Contusions, marks, blemishes.

Anxiety Weary, concern, apprehension, uneasiness, unease.

Irritability Irascibility, touchiness, grumpiness, moodiness

Dizziness Giddiness, light-headedness, faintness.

Drowsiness Sleepiness, sluggish, tiredness.

Nausea Sickness, biliousness, queasiness.

Tremor Trembling, shaking, shakiness, tremble, twitching.

Perspiration Sweat, hydrosis.

Mandragora officinarum

Sleep Nap, doze.

Narcotic Soporific, opiate, analgesic, palliative.

Aphrodisiac -

Analgesic Painkilling, anodyne, narcotic, palliative.

Hypnotic Mesmerising, mesmeric, spellbinding, bewitching.

Spasmodic Intermittent, fitful, irregular, sporadic, erratic.

Hallucinations Delusions, illusions, visions, chimeras.

Magic Sorcery, witchcraft, wizardry, occultism.

Superstitious Credulous, naive, gullible.

Invisible Undetectable, inconspicuous, obscured, unnoticed.

Battle Brawl, attack, struggle, grapple, wrestle, quarrel, argue.

Witches Sorceress, enchantress, hex.

Euphoria Elation, happiness, joy, delight, excitement, exhilaration.

Confusion Uncertainty, doubt, unsure.

Insomnia Sleeplessness, wakefulness, restlessness.

Vertigo Dizziness, giddiness, light-headedness, loss of balance.

Trembling Shake, quiver, twitch.

Excitation -

Nausea Sickness, biliousness, queasiness.

Paralysis Immobility, powerlessness, incapacity, debilitation

Solanum nigrum

Tropical Hot, sweltering, humid, sultry.

Rubbish Waste, litter, debris, scrap, dross.

Asthma -

Fever High temperature, feverishness, pyrexia.

Bruised Contusion, mark, discolour, blemish.

Inflammation Swelling, puffiness, redness, soreness, infection.

Burns Is hot, is warm, is feverish, redden, go red, flush

Ulcers Sore, ulceration, abscess, boil, carbuncle, blister.

Sleep Nap, doze.

Vomiting Spewing, retch, heave.

Spasms Contraction, convulsion, cramp, twitch, jerk, tic, shiver.

Bleeding Haemorrhage

Salivation -

Trembling Shake, quiver, twitch.

Restlessness Unease, restiveness, nervousness, agitation, anxiety.

Headache Sore head, pain in the head, migraine.

Delirium Derangement, dementia, madness, insanity, hysteria.

Coma Unconsciousness

From this analysis, it is evident that most of these remedies these themes common to their natural history include anxiety, convulsions, delirium, delusions, excitement, restlessness and twitching.

4.4)

Extraction and analysis of rubrics

As explained in the previous chapter, a computer repertory search was carried out using Radar version 10.4 to list all the general and mental rubrics containing the selected eight remedies.

This formed the basis of the raw data that was utilised to carry out the investigation into the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms of the selected remedies.

4.5) Analysis of keywords, synonyms and related words from general and mental symptoms of the sample group of remedies. The next step in the analysis process pertains to the investigation of the mental and general rubrics of the homoeopathic remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family. Rubrics containing the various keywords and synonyms are listed in the tables below:

Atropa belladonna

Generals: Convulsions [r./afternoon/after midnight - 3 h./one sided (other side paralyzed)/+ scarlatina/+ complaints of teeth/# tonic cramps/apoplectic/begins in arm/ and congestion of brain/from bright light/changing character/in children (infants/newborns)/clonic (# tonic/during chill/during fever/during perspiration/< cold air/< becoming cold/and cold feet with hot head/during colic/and conscious/ not conscious/< during cough/after delivery/during dentition/< after drinking/after drugs/epileptic (complaints afterwards - nausea/vomiting)/epileptic - aura (auditory complaints/headache/”As if a mouse running”/visual complaints/in forearms/in limbs/from solar plexus/(heat) in stomach/in children/during epileptic convulsions - froth, foam from mouth/complaints during epileptic convulsions - “As if a mouse running up a limb”/pupils dilated/vertigo/bluish face/pale face/red face/spasm in larynx;

Convulsions - epileptic recent cases/status epilepticus/on slightest touch/epileptiform/with eruptions/< excitement/with falling down (r./l./backward/sideways)/

< fright/during heat/after haemorrhage/with hydrocephalus/with hydrophobia/hysterical/during labor/from light/< liquids/during measles/(< before/< after) menses/after mental exertion/during full moon/< motion/with opisthotonos/during pain/renewed convulsion at every attack of pain/with paralysis/during perspiration/< during pregnancy (= eclampsia)/as a prodrome (a symptom indicating a disease)/puerperal/from shining objects/with shrieking/deep sleep after convulsions/< during sleep/sleepless with or after/splinters/stretching out limbs during convulsions/sudden/with tetanic rigidity (+ opisthotonos = hyperextension and spasticity of head, neck and spine)/tetanic rigidity (from splinters/with trismus/from wounds in the soles, finger or palm)/tonic (during chill/during fever/during perspiration)/< touch/uremic/after vexation (= annoyance)/violent/on waking/at sight of water/from worms/internally/muscles striated]

“As if internal parts dry” (dryness of usually moist internal parts)

Haemorrhage of bright red blood

Jerking [“As in convulsions”/internally/of joints/of muscles < during sleep]

Mucous membranes - complaints of - discolored (bright) red/dry (during fever)/< Narcotics (ailments from)

Paralysis one sided - after convulsions/and convulsions in the unaffected side

Redness (in affected parts/of glands)

Twitching [during fever/< during menses/during perspiration/during sleep/< going to sleep/subsultus tendinum (= twitching of the tendons, especially noticeable at the wrist, occurring in low fevers)/on waking/of muscles (during chill/during fever/during perspiration]

>/< dry weather

< (cold) dry wind

Mind:

Affectionate

Coma [with convulsions/with delirium/with red face]

Confusion [morning (on rising/after rising)/evening/at night (on lying down)]> in open air/< beer/on attempting to concentrate the mind/”As if in a dream”/after drinking/after eating/during fever/during heat/”As after being intoxicated”/from motion/during perspiration/after rising/sitting/after smoking/from spirituous liquors/with vertigo/on waking/in a warm room/after convulsions/during convulsions

Delusions (= imaginations) - evening (on going to sleep)/at night/sees accidents/with activity;

Delusions - [animals (in bed/black/black on walls and furniture)/snakes (crimson serpent fastening on his neck/in and around her)/bats/bulls/butterflies/ cats/creeping (in shirt)/dogs (is a dog/growls and barks/swarm about)/wolves/dark colored/fierce with horns and bushy heads/horses/in the fire/frightful/persons are animals (rats, mice, insects etc.)/unclean]

Delusions - is about to be arrested/assembled things, swarms, crowds etc./is awakened (in fright or alarm)/things look beautiful/is bounced in bed up and down/is

falling /something under her bed were making a noise/bed is sinking/she is sinking through the bed/someone tries to take away the bedclothes/someone is under the bed (knocking)

Delusions - beetles, worms etc./seeing birds/sees black objects and people/is blind/body is cut through (in two)/body will putrefy/body will sink down between the thighs/body is spotted brown/is doing business (ordinary)/someone calls (on waking)/will be caught/during chill/visits a churchyard/cockroaches swarmed about/fishes/flies/the room/”As if conversing”/about criminals/sees cucumbers on the bed/sees dead persons (a tall yellow corpse is trying to share the bed with him and he is promptly ejected)/sees the devil (will be taken by the devil)/is about to die/time has come to die/divided in two parts (by cutting)/is drinking/is drunk/is eating/engaged in some (ordinary) occupation/enlarged (body)/faces (ugly/on closing eyes)/falling (deep/from a height)/fancy illusions (during heat/during sleep)/during fever/fiery/seeing (strange) figures/fire (on a distant home/in house)/

Floating (evening/in air/suspended in bed/swimming in bed/in a boat)/flying (“As if flying”/”As if must fly”)/

Delusions - foolish/surrounded by friends/after fright/”As if in a fright” (on waking)/of gallows with fear)/efforts in gathering objects from pictures and walls/sees giants/objects were glittering and too bright/is a great person/from and grief/with groans/ground coming up to meet him; ground/uses a stick for a gun/friend's head stick out of a bottle/head separated from body/shaking the head/head transparent and speckled brown/has two heads/illusions of hearing/gathering herbs/is away from home/images, phantoms (at night/black/on closing eyes (in bed/in the dark)/is counting money/after mortification/is being murdered/will be murdered/hearing noise/objects (colored, brilliantly/are persons/real/tries to seize objects/is an officer/vertigo were like the vibration of a pendulum/someone is behind -beside him/conversing with absent people/sees people on closing eyes/he is persecuted/pleasing delusions (morning/after sleep)/physician is a policeman/is poor/being possessed/was pursued (by enemies/by police/by soldiers)/religious/”As if riding an ox”/were being rocked/sees people passing in and out, who wanted to take her away; room were full of strange men/misrepresents his sensations/tries to shoot with a cane/being sick/of sight and hearing/on falling asleep/had not slept enough (in the morning)/seeing soldiers/specters, ghosts, spirits (on closing eyes/in fire)/had a stabbed person, who passed on the street/familiar things seem strange/strangers seem to be in the room (who snatch at her)/talking with dead people (with his sister/in a churchyard/talking to imaginary persons loudly and incoherently/talking with spirits/sees thieves/someone is pulling out his tongue/is transparent (head and nose)/of travelling/trees seem to be people in fantastic costume in the afternoon while riding/everything turned (in a circle)/large turtles in room/unpleasant (distinct from surrounding objects)/having vertigo/after vexation/violent/has visions (in daytime/beautiful/on closing the eyes/fantastic/wishes to hide/horrible (in the dark/from fright)/visions of monsters/vivid/hearing voices (of dead people/distant/of strangers)/horrible things on the walls/(being at) war/of washing/of wealth/is well/with whistling/is hard working/has her own little world/has a transparent nose;

Doubtful (of salvation)

(<) Excitement (during chill/> eating/during fever/during heat)/excitement - nervous (during chill/from dentition/during fever/during perspiration/on waking)

Exhilaration (in child)

Fear - of evil/of being poisoned

Restless [on waking/morning/noon/at night/with complaints of abdomen/anxious/driving out of bed/wants to go from one bed to another/in bed/tossing about in bed/busy/in child (roving = wandering)/during chill/at the sight of drink/drives from place to place/driving about/feverish (in scarlet fever)/during headache/during heat/during menses/must constantly move/from pain/during perspiration/during stool/with typhus fever]

Violent (rage leading to deeds of violence)

From the above table it is evident that Atropa belladonna exhibits general symptoms such as convulsions ranging from clonic to epileptiform, with much jerking, twitching and violence. The mental symptoms exhibited symptoms ranging from being affectionate, confusion of mind and delusions with seeing insects and wolves.

Mental symptoms such as fear, restlessness and violence also featured in the table.

Solanum dulcamara General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and subrubrics for the remedy

Generals:

Cancerous affections (ulcers of glands)

Catarrh - + measles/chronic of mucous membranes

Cough < during

Inflammation - externally/of glands/internally/of joints (arthritis deformans/subacute)/of mmMucous membranes/of sinuses = sinusitis (after chill/< cold, wet weather)

Pain [morning/aching/benumbing/biting pain/”As from a blow”/boring pain (outward)/burning, stinging/bursting pain/during chill/”As if forcefully compressed”/

Cramping/digging pain (= burrowing, rooting sensation)/drawing/dull/< during pain/gnawing/gouty (in joints)/neuralgic/”As if paralyzed”/pinching/pressing (inward/together/from within outward)/rheumatic (> motion/< cold, wet weather/in muscles)/sore (= bruised)/”As if squeezed”/stitching (outward)/tearing (downward/upward)/twisting/in waves/ext. outward/ext. upward/in bones (boring/burrowing/digging/stitching/tearing)/in external parts (“As if dislocated”)/externally (burning/constricting/cutting/gnawing/jerking/pinching/pressing/sore/stitching/tearing/ulcerative pain/in glands (burrowing/digging/drawing/tearing)/internal parts “As if dislocated)/internally (burning/constricting/cutting/gnawing/pinching/pressing/stitching/tearing)/in joints (cramping/”As if dislocated”/ gnawing/pressing/sore/stitching/tearing/sticking)/Muscles (cramping/drawing/during fever (tearing)/during perspiration (tearing)/stitching/cramping/jerking/sticking]

Tumors

Mind:

Absentminded (afternoon/evening/when conversing/dreamy (= daydreaming)/inadvertence/reading/stands in one place and never accomplishes what he undertakes/when at work)

Desires death

Delusions [morning (in bed)/on waking/at night/animals (creeping, in her)/falling through the bed/bed is sinking (through the bed)/beetles, worms etc./someone calls (on waking)/devil/is disabled/illusions of fancy/floating (in air/driving)/flying (“As if could fly”/”As if raised from the ground”/after fright/of hearing/images, phantoms/felt no interest in anything/parts of body seem too large/is misunderstood/thinks he hears music/has neglected his duty/hearing noise/someone is behind him/people are beside him/is about to be poisoned/is a prisoner/specters, ghosts, spirits (morning on waking/a specter continues to enlarge until it disappears)/thieves in house/everything seems unreal/has visions (at night/horrible)/with weeping/cannot accomplish her work/is doing something wrong]

Despair with thoughts of death

Forgetful (evening/during headache)

Restless (morning/on waking/at noon/afternoon/at night/anxious/in bed/tossing about in bed/busy/driving about/during headache/when idle/internal/must move constantly/sitting/before sleep/tremulous/on waking/in women/working)

Sadness (morning in bed/noon/afternoon/evening/at night/after bad news/with brooding/in children/> conversation/from disappointment/after exertion/after exhilaration/during headache/from pain/wet weather)

Stupefaction - during vertigo

Weeping after delusions

From the above it is evident that Solanum dulcamara exhibits general symptoms such as cancerous affections, inflammation and pain ranging from

aching to tearing pain. Mental symptoms exhibited in the table included absentmindedness and delusions ranging from seeing the devil to delusions with

weeping. Mental symptoms such as restlessness and sadness were also present

in table 9.

Datura stramonium: General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and subrubrics

Generals:

Haemorrhage - bright red blood

After intoxication

Mind:

Abusive (language) [causeless/child (with weeping)]

Affectionate

Ailments from disappointed love

Anxiety [at night/in children/after coffee/when in company/of conscience/from conversation/during (whooping) cough/from cough/in a crowd/in the dark/

during fever/about future/< motion/from noise (rushing of water)/during perspiration/riding (when driving himself)/about salvation/during sleep/when speaking/

during stool/in the presence of strangers/in tunnel (in a train)/on waking]

Desires death/presentiment of death/thoughts of death

Delusions (= imaginations) - with activity/being alone (is always alone/in a wilderness)/angels/animals (on the bed/black/on walls and furniture/coming out of corners/creeping/in her/devoured by/frightful/jumping out of the ground/persons are animals (rats, mice, insects)/starting up)/

assembled things, swarms, crowds etc/(wants to be) beautiful/bed is full of creases/bed drawn from under her/bed falling on her/”As if someone is in the bed” (with him)/”As if she did not touch the bed when lying”/beetles, worms/will be bitten/sees black objects and people/is blind/body is brittle/body is cut through (in two/is divided)/parts of body are absent/body was scattered about/state of his body is erroneous/bugs and cockroaches/are pursuing ordinary business/someone calls/imaginary appearance/people/cats/everything is changed/dancing in a churchyard/visiting a churchyard/cockroaches swarmed about the room/”As if conversing”/people coming out of corners/something coming out of the corner/creeping things/impression of danger/dark/is dead himself/dead persons/she is or wants to be delightful/(possessed of a/is a) devil/is about to die/has every disease/is distinguished/divided in two parts (cut in two parts)/being divine/dogs attack him (gnawing flesh and bones/biting his chest)/dogs barks at them to be understood/others are dogs/swarm about him/is doomed/being double/is drunk/is dying/is engaged in some (ordinary) occupation/(body/parts of body/is tall) enlarged/visions of an executioner/sees faces (elongated/ugly (= hideous)/falling - clings and asks to be held/falling (forward)/would fall from a stool/things will be falling/fancy illusions (during heat/during sleep)/fighting people/seeing figures (coming out of corners/strange)/fire (balls of fire were rolling over bedclothes/on a house/on a room/visions of fire)/fishes, flies, etc./flight from objects/floating (suspended in bed/swimming in bed)/is forsaken/sees fowls/never seen his friends after a walk with him/”As if in a fright”/in communication with God/is God, then he is the devil/is in his grave/is a great person/sees grimaces/grows larger and longer/hat is a pair of trousers which he tries to put on/disease will break out of head/illusions of hearing (in mania)/is not honest/horses (riding a horse)/house is full of people/house is surrounded/errors of personal identity/sees images, phantoms (black/in the dark/frightful/rising out of the earth/at his side)/inanimate objects are persons/is inconsolable/is under a powerful influence/is about to receive injury/is being injured/sees insects/jealousy (wife has concealed lovers behind stove)/nothing could give her any joy/he himself seems too large/parts of body seem too large/lascivious/legs are cut off/has three legs/is light [= low weight]/is light (= incorporeal)/has no limbs/limbs are separated/delusions with loquacity/limbs lying crosswise/is Virgin Mary/sees mice/is being murdered (roasted and eaten/will be murdered/struck friends who came to help him/thinks he hears music/is naked/is neglected (by her husband)/everything is new/about (bright) objects (flight away)/objects are persons/obscene/conversing with absent people/seeing people (number of strangers and tries to seize them)/is persecuted/pleasing delusions/has been poisoned/is poor/is not fitted for her position/is possessed/has power over all diseases/proud/is pure/was pursued (by enemies/by ghosts)/sees rabbits/rats/a train or car in his ear/religious/with screaming/cannot see/seeing herself/seeking something/extremities are separated from the body/feet are separated from the body/hand is separated from the body/being sick/is alive on one and buried on the other/has sinned (away his day of grace)/things appear small (and he is very large)/things grow smaller/snakes (in and around her)/specters, ghosts, spirits (on

closing eyes/seeing)/is spinning/poses as a statue to be admired/everything is strange (familiar things/objects)/friends appears as strangers/sees strangers/will be

suffocated/talking with dead people/talking with inanimate objects with names, but observes no one standing near him/talking with spirits/is tall/is touched/has

vertigo/violent/visions (in daytime/at night/during sleep/on closing the eyes/fantastic/horrible/beside him/in the dark/of monsters/restless/vivid/hearing voices (of

dead people/distant/walks/cannot walk/with weeping/is a wheelwright/with whistling/wife if faithless/being in wilderness]

Fear - of dark (in child)/of death (in abortion)

Forgetful (morning)

Love - sexual perversity

Restless [at night (with hiccough)/wants to go from one bed to another/tossing about in bed/child/feverish (scarlet fever)/during heat/internal/during menses/during metrorrhagia/during perspiration/with sleepiness/with typhus fever]

Suicidal disposition (during heat/intermittent fever/with a knife/with a razor/throwing himself from a height)

Unconsciousness (alcoholic/when alone/in apoplexy/during chill/”As in a dream”/with fixed eyes/during fever/incomplete/mental insensibility/during perspiration/during pregnancy/remains fixed in one spot (motionless like a statue)/semi-consciousness/with sexual excitement/sitting (upright)/starts up in a wild manner, but could not keep the eyes open/with twitching of limbs/during vertigo/after waking]

From the above table it is evident that Datura stramonium exhibits general symptoms such as haemorrhage and intoxication. Mental symptoms exhibited included anxiety and delusions ranging from being alone to being in the wilderness. Mental symptoms such as fear, forgetfulness, restlessness, suicidal

disposition and unconsciousness also featured in table 10

Hyoscyamos niger: General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and sub rubrics from the remedy

Generals:

Convulsions [at night/+ scarlatina/start in face/in children/in infants/during chill/clonic (during chill/during fever/during perspiration/+ coldness of body/(with/without) consciousness/ < during cough/in delirium tremens/in drunkards/after delivery/during delivery/during dentition/< after drinking/after drugs/after eating/epileptic (complaints after epileptic convulsions - paralysis/epileptic aura (auditory complaints/ravenous appetite/vertigo/visual complaints/ noises in ear/sparks before the eyes/in stomach/complaints during epileptic convulsions (enuresis/froth, foam from mouth/involuntary discharges/vertigo/eyes

Protruding/face bluish/face purple/grinding of teeth)/epileptic (from fright/hysterical/psychomotor seizures/violent)/epileptiform/after suppressed eruptions/

< excitement/with falling/from fear/< fright/from grief/during heat/with haemorrhage/hysterical (before menses)/during labor/< liquids/from disappointed love/

< before menses/< during (beginning of) menses/during metrorrhagia/with paralysis/< during pregnancy (= eclampsia)/puerperal (with haemorrhage)/(puerperal) with shrieking/with shrieking/deep sleep after convulsions/< during sleep/with sleeplessness/< after sleep/< during stool/tetanic rigidity/tonic (during fever/

< during urination/urination involuntary/after vertigo/during vomiting/from worms/internally/movements]

Restless [during chill/< during fever/during sleep]

Twitching [during chill/during convulsions/during fever/here and there/< during menses/during perspiration/< during sleep/subsultus tendinum/during typhoid fever/on waking/in muscles]

Mind:

Confusion of mind [morning/afternoon/in open air/during chill/after eating/during heat/”As if intoxicated”/mixes subjective and objective/during epilepsy

Delirium - restless

Delusions - is about to be poisoned/has been poisoned/being poisoned by medicine

Dementia [paretic]

Excitement [</at night/during menses/nervous]

Exhilaration [in children/fear of being poisoned/fear has been poisoned]

Gestures, makes - convulsive (during sleep)

Hysteria [with haemorrhage/with hypochondriasis]

Insanity (= madness) [# with physical symptoms/# stupor/busy/cheerful, gay/during chill/with convulsions/behaves like a crazy person/with dancing/in drunkards/

erotic (with jealousy)/foolish, ridiculous/with heat/immobile as a statue/insensibility in general/lamenting, moaning/lascivious/with laughing/loquacious/malicious (= malignant)/from masturbation/megalomania/melancholy/during menses/from mental exertion/with paralysis/in pregnancy/puerperal/quarrelsome/rage/religious/and restless/and sad/and sleepless/with increased strength/with stupidity/with suicidal disposition/with taciturnity/with wild talking/tapping about the room/with desire to travel/after varicose veins/violent/with wantonness/preparing for wedding]

Mania [# depression/# frenzy/demonic/from reverse of fortune/lascivious/puerperal/with rage/religious/sexual mania/with singing/after sunstroke/in typhus/after

Vexation/with deeds of violence]

Restless [morning/afternoon/at night/driving out of bed/wants to go from one bed to another/tossing about in bed/busy/in children/before convulsions/feverish (scarlet fever)/during menses/during metrorrhagia/must move constantly/during perspiration/with typhus fever]

Shrieking during sleep

< Sleeplessness

Talking in sleep (confess themselves aloud)

From the above it is evident that Hyoscyamos niger exhibits general symptoms such as convulsions ranging from colonic to tonic. General symptoms such as restlessness and twitching were also present. Mental symptoms such as confusion, dementia, exhilaration, hysteria, insanity, mania and restlessness also featured.

Capsicum annuum General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and sub rubrics from the remedy

Generals:

Abscesses [deep/yellow pus/of bones]

Burns

Convulsions [painless/tonic/internally]

Inflammation - Externally/of glands/internally/of joints - arthritis deformans/of mucous membranes

Injuries - dislocation (= luxation)

Itching - Internally

Necrosis of bone

Pain [biting pain/boring pain/burning (stinging)/bursting pain/”As if forcefully compressed”/< during cough (bursting pain/stitching pain)/

Digging pain (= burrowing, rooting sensation)/drawing pain (downward)/gouty (in joints)/in a line/neuralgic/”As if paralyzed”/”As if pierced”/pinching pain/pressing together (from within outward)/”As if raw”/sore (= bruised)/stinging/stitching (down-/inward/”As from (hot) needles”/tearing pain (downward/violent)/twisting pain/wandering pain/ext. downward/in affected parts/< during cough (pressing pain/stitching pain)/in bones (tearing pain)/

External parts “As if dislocated”/externally (burning/constricting/gnawing pain/jerking/pinching pain/pressing pain/sore/stitching pain/tearing pain/ulcerative

Pain/> warmth/> heat/burning.

Pain in glands (jerking/tearing pain)

Pain internally [burning/constricting/cutting pain/pinching pain/pressing pain/sore/stitching pain/tearing pain/ulcerative pain

Pain in joints (“As if dislocated”/drawing pain/”As if paralyzed”/stitching pain)

Pain in mucous membranes (burning)/in muscles (= myalgia) (aching/cramping/drawing pain/during fever/tearing pain)/during perspiration (tearing pain)/

pressing pain/stitching pain/tearing pain/sticking pain)/in various parts of body burning]

Sensitive to pain

Twitching (in glands)

Varicose veins - itching

Delirium [during chill/during fever]

Irritability [during chill/from trifles (though very funny)/> on waking]

From the table above it is evident that Capsicum annuum exhibits general symptoms such as abscesses, burns, convulsions and inflammation.

The general symptom pain ranged from biting pain to tearing pain. The general symptom twitching also featured in the table. Mental symptoms featured in table

12 included delirium and irritability.

Nicotiana tabacum General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and subrubrics from the remedy

Generals:

Convulsions [morning/# tonic cramps/clonic (# tonic)/epileptic/with paralysis/< during stool/tetanic rigidity]

Faintness - with cold perspiration/with vertigo

Trembling - externally (= whole body) (convulsive/< after eating/with nausea/nervous/< noise)

Twitching [at night]

Weakness [morning (after copious flow of ideas at night/on waking/forenoon/evening/at night/after convulsions/from diarrhea/excessive/from heat/during

Menopause/< during menses/< motion/nervous/paralytic - sliding down in bed from a half sitting position/< during stool/sudden/with vertigo/with vomiting/

On waking/in joints/muscular]

Mind:

Anxiety [afternoon (16 h)/evening/at night/in open air/when alone/causeless/in a crowd/with fear/about future/about health/in paroxysms/with cold perspiration/from pressure on chest/with shuddering/during stool/suddenly/from thinking about it/before travelling/while vomiting/on waking/< walking (in open air)/> weeping]

Confusion [after dinner/after eating/during heat/from motion/> vomiting]

Excitement

Irritability

Anxiety - (>) after eating/after dinner/during heat/(>/on) vomiting/on waking/from motion/< walking (in open air)/> weeping

Memory - loss of memory/weakness of memory (for expressing oneself/for orthography/after nausea/for proper names

Restless [in afternoon/at night/anxious (driving from place to place)/in bed (tossing about)/driving about/during headache/from noise]

Sadness - anxious

From the table above it is evident that Nicotiana tabacum exhibits general symptoms such as convulsions ranging from clonic to tetanic rigidity.

Other general symptoms evident included twitching, trembling and weakness.

Mental symptoms featured in table 13 included anxiety, confusion, excitement, irritability and restlessness.

Mandragora officinarum General and mental symptoms with corresponding rubrics and subrubrics from the remedy

Generals:

Analgesia

Delirium

Delusions [devil/possessed of a devil/being possessed]

Euphoria [# sadness]

Excitement

Restless (during weakness)

From the table above it is evident that Mandragora officinarum exhibited the general symptom analgesia. Mental symptoms featured included delirium, delusions, euphoria, excitement and restlessness.

Keywords and synonyms from general and mental rubrics and sub rubrics of remedies in the study

Atropa belladonna

Affectionate Coma Confusion Convulsions

Delusions Doubtful Dryness Evil

Excitement Exhilaration Jerking Narcotics

Poisoned Red Redness Restlessness

Sleeplessness Soldiers Twitching Violent

Solanum dulcamara

Absentminded Cancerous Catarrh Cough

Death Delusions Inflammation Pain

Restlessness Rheumatic Sadness Tumours

Vertigo

Datura stramonium

Abusive Affectionate Anxiety Dark

Death Delusions Forgetful Intoxication

Love Murdered Murdering Red

Restlessness Suicidal Unconsciousness

Hyoscyamos Niger

Confusion Convulsions Dementia Epilepsy

Excitement Exhilaration Hysteria Hysterical

Insanity Manic Poisoned Restlessness

Sleep Twitching

Capsicum annuum

Abscess Burning Burns Delirium

Inflammation Injuries Irritability Itching

Necrosis Pain Twitching Ulcerative

Nicotiana tabacum

Anxiety Anxiousness Confusion Convulsions

Excitement Irritability Perspiration Restlessness

Trembling Twitching Vertigo Weakness

Mandragora officinarum

Analgesia Delirium Delusions Euphoria

Excitement Restlessness

Solanum nigrum

Anxiety Coma Convulsions Delirium

Restlessness Twitching Unconsciousness

4.7)

Hypothesis 1: Commonalities exist between the general and mental symptoms of individual remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family and their natural histories. In an attempt to further investigate the relationships between the natural history of the Solanaceae sample group and the general and mental symptoms, the relative symptoms related to each keyword from the natural history of the sample group were carefully analysed and are explained and tabulated below:

4.7.1)

Atropa belladonna

In the remedy Atropa belladonna both general and mental symptoms were found to be of significant importance in relation to its natural history. The general symptoms found to be of significance to the natural history included the following symptoms in relation to their rubrics in general although most of their sub rubrics were unrelated to the keywords or synonyms relating to the natural history of Atropa belladonna.

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS

GENERALS - JERKING

GENERALS - NARCOTICS

GENERALS - TWITCHING

The following general symptoms listed below contained sub rubrics in their relation to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history of Atropa belladonna.

GENERALS - HAMORRAGE - blood bright red

GENERALS - MUCOUS MEMBRANES; complaints of - discoloration of red (bright)

GENERALS - PARALYSIS one sided after convulsions

GENERALS - PARALYSIS one sided and convulsions on the non affected side

Of more significance according to the researcher were general symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history. Symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history in their rubrics and sub-rubrics were thought to be of more significance to the researcher as they related more specifically to the symptom. The following general symptoms contained more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history of

Atropa belladonna.

GENERALS - complaints CONVULSIONS during epileptic convulsions - face red

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS < excitement

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS with or after sleeplessness

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - violent

GENERALS - JERKING “As in convulsions”

Mental symptoms found to be of significance in relation to Atropa belladonna included the following symptoms listed below. As in the general symptoms most of

the sub rubrics belonging to the symptoms were unrelated to keywords from the natural history of Atropa belladonna.

MIND - AFFECTIONATE

MIND - COMA

MIND - CONFUSION of mind

MIND - DELUSIONS

MIND - DOUBTFUL

MIND - EXITEMENT

MIND - EXHILARATION

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

MIND - VIOLENT

The following mental symptoms listed below contained sub rubrics in relation to their natural history.

MIND - DELIRIUM after convulsions

MIND - DELIRIUM during convulsions

MIND - FEAR of evil

MIND - FEAR of being poisoned

Mental symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym per symptom and of more significance according to the researcher included the following mental symptoms included the following:

MIND - COMA with convulsions

MIND - DELUSIONS (sees/taken by the) devil

MIND - DELUSIONS flying (“As if must fly”)

MIND - DELUSIONS seeing soldiers

MIND - DELUSIONS (seeing) spectres, ghosts, spirits (on closing eyes/in fire)

MIND - DELUSIONS talking with spirits

The correlation between the natural history of Atropa belladonna and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as illustrated in table 17.

Table 17: Keywords relating to the natural history of Atropa belladonna and keywords of general and mental rubrics of Atropa belladonna

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Devil Devil

Spasms Convulsions, jerking, twitching

Hallucinations Delusions

Aggression Violent

Euphoria Exhilaration

Confusion Confusion

Insomnia Sleeplessness

Red Redness

Warriors Soldiers

The results thus conclude that relationships between the natural history of Atropa belladonna and its general and mental symptoms do exist in terms of keywords and synonyms extracted from the natural history of the plant, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Atropa belladonna.

4.7.2

Solanum dulcamara

As in the remedy Atropa belladonna, Solanum dulcamara also exhibited significant relationships between its general and mental symptoms and its natural history. The general symptoms found to be of significance to the natural history included the following symptoms in relation to their rubrics in general although most of their subrubrics were unrelated to the keywords or synonyms from the natural history of Solanum dulcamara.

GENERALS - CANCEROUS

GENERALS - CATARRH

GENERALS - INFLAMMATION

GENERALS - PAIN

GENERALS - TUMOURS

General symptoms containing only sub rubrics related to the keywords and synonyms of the natural history of Solanum dulcamara

did not feature in the results of the study.

However general symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym and were of more significance to the researcher did feature and are listed below.

GENERALS - PAIN rheumatic (> motion)

GENERALS - PAIN rheumatic < cold wet weather

GENERALS - PAIN rheumatic in muscles

The following mental symptoms were found to be of significance to the natural history of Solanum dulcamara, although their related sub rubrics contained no

keywords or synonyms related to the natural history of Solanum dulcamara.

MIND - ABSENTMINDED

MIND - DEATH

MIND - DELUSIONS

MIND - FORGETFUL

MIND - PAIN

MIND - RESLESSNESS

MIND - SADNESS

The following symptoms contained keywords or synonyms related to the natural history of Solanum dulcamara in their sub rubrics and are as follows:

MIND - STUPERFICATION during vertigo

MIND - WEEPING after delusions

The correlation between the natural history of Solanum dulcamara and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as illustrated in table 18.

Table 18: Keywords relating to the natural history of Solanum dulcamara and keywords of rubrics of Solanum dulcamara

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS

KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Rheumatic Rheumatic

Tumors Tumors

Dizziness Vertigo

Forgetting Absentminded

Depression Sadness

Hallucinations Delusions

Symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym relating to the natural history of Solanum dulcamara were not found. The results however do indicate a

relationship of the natural history of Solanum dulcamara to its general and mental symptoms.

Thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Solanum dulcamara.

4.7.3

Datura stramonium

In this remedy only two general symptoms were found to be related to the natural history of Datura stramonium through keywords and synonyms relating to its natural history.

The two symptoms are listed below:

GENERALS - HAEMORRHAGE blood bright red

GENERALS - after INTOXICATION

Symptoms however were well represented in terms of their relationship between the remedies natural history. The following mental symptoms were found to

be of significance in the results of the study in relation the remedies natural history.

However most sub rubrics belonging to mental symptoms were unrelated to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history of Datura stramonium.

MIND - ABUSIVE

MIND - AFFECTIONATE

MIND - ANXIETY

MIND - DEATH

MIND - DELUSIONS

MIND - FORGETFUL

MIND - LOVE

MIND - PAIN

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

MIND - SUICIDAL disposition

MIND - UNCONCIOUSNESS

The symptom MIND - AILMENTS FROM disappointed love, was the only symptom that contained a keyword or synonym related to a sub rubric.

Symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym are listed below and are more significant in relation to the natural history of

Datura stramonium according to the researcher.

MIND - ANXIETY in the dark

MIND - DELUSIONS is being murdered (and roasted and eaten)

MIND - DELUSIONS is murdering; struck friends who came to help him

The correlation between the natural history of Datura stramonium and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as illustrated in table 19.

Table 19: Keywords relating to the natural history of Datura stramonium and keywords of rubrics of Datura stramonium

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Reddening Red

Intoxicant Intoxication

Hallucinations Delusions

Love Love

Suicide Suicidal

Murder Murdering

Anxious Anxiety

Death Death

Darkness Dark

Amnesia Forgetful

From the results it can therefore be seen that mental symptoms featured more predominantly in relation to the remedies natural history. As a result of this it can be

said that a relationship between the remedies mental symptoms was established between its natural history more than general symptoms pertaining to the remedy

Datura stramonium, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Datura stramonium.

4.7.4

Hyoscyamos niger

In the remedy Hyoscyamos niger both general and mental symptoms were found to be of significant importance in relation to its natural history. The general symptoms found to be of significance to the natural history included the following symptoms in relation to their rubrics in general.

Once again, as in other remedies in the study most of their sub rubrics were unrelated to the keywords or synonyms relating to the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger.

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS

GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS

GENERALS - TWITCHING

General symptoms containing only sub rubrics in relation to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger were not found

in the results.

The following symptoms contained more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history in their rubrics and sub rubrics and were thought to be of more

significance as they related more specifically to the symptom.

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS epileptic (after epileptic convulsions; complaints paralysis/aura - auditory complaints/aura - ravenous appetite/aura - vertigo/aura - visual complaints/aura - ear noises/sparks before the eyes/aura - in the stomach/complaints during epileptic convulsions - enuresis/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - froth, foam from mouth/complaints during epileptic convulsions - involuntary discharges - urination/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - vertigo/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - eyes protruding/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - face bluish/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - face purple/ complaints during epileptic convulsions - grinding of teeth/from fright/hysterical/psychomotor seizures/violent)

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS hysterical (before menses)

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - after deep sleep/< during sleep/with or after sleeplessness

GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS during sleep;

GENERALS - TWITCHING < during sleep

Mental symptoms found to be of significance in relation to Hyoscyamos niger included the following symptoms below. As in the general symptoms most of the sub rubrics belonging to the symptoms were unrelated to keywords from the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger.

MIND - CONFUSION of mind

MIND - DEMENTIA

MIND - EXITEMENT

MIND - EXHILARATION

MIND - HYSTERIA

MIND - INSANITY

MIND - MANIA

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

MIND - SLEEPLESSNESS

Mental symptoms containing sub rubrics in their relation to the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger in terms of keywords and synonyms are listed below:

MIND - DELIRIUM during epilepsy

MIND - DELIRIUM restless

MIND - DELUSIONS about to be poisoned

MIND - DELUSIONS has been poisoned

MIND - DELUSIONS poisoned by medicine

MIND - FEAR of being poisoned

MIND - FEAR has been poisoned

MIND - GESTURES, makes - convulsive (during sleep)

MIND - SHRIEKING during sleep

MIND - TALKING in sleep (confess themselves loudly)

Only one mental symptom of more significance according to the researcher and containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history of

Hyoscyamos niger was found in the results. The symptom MIND - INSANITY – convulsions contained two keywords in the symptom.

The correlation between the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as

Illustrated in table 20.

Table 20: Keywords relating to the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger and keywords of rubrics of Hyoscyamos niger

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Seizures, Spasms none

Mania

Poison

Dementia

Sleep

Epilepsy

Euphoria

Confusion

Convulsions

Manic

Poisoned

Dementia

Sleep

Epilepsy

Excitement

Confusion

From the symptoms discussed, it can be seen that mental symptoms were more relevant than general symptoms in relation to the natural history of

Hyoscyamos niger.

Due to this it can be said that only mental symptoms could be related to the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger as general symptoms were seen as less

significant according to the methodology used by the researcher in the study, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Hyoscyamos niger.

4.7.5

Capsicum annuum

The remedy Capsicum annuum exhibited both general and mental symptoms related to its natural history. General symptoms found to be of significance to its natural history are listed below although most of the sub rubrics were unrelated to keywords or synonyms relating to its natural history.

GENERALS - ABSCESSES

GENERALS - BURNS

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS

GENERALS - INFLAMMATION

GENERALS - INJURIES

GENERALS - ITCHING

GENERALS - NECROSIS

GENERALS - PAIN

GENERALS - TWITCHING

Only two general symptoms contained sub rubrics in their relation to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history of Capsicum annuum and are listed below:

GENERALS - SENSITIVENESS to pain

GENERALS - VARICOSE veins itching

General Symptoms of more significance according to the researcher were symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history in their rubrics and sub rubrics and feature below:

GENERALS - PAIN burning (stinging)

GENERALS - PAIN Externally - ulcerative pain

GENERALS - PAIN Internally - burning

GENERALS - PAIN Mucous membranes - burning

GENERALS - PAIN in various parts of body - burning

Mental symptoms found to be relating to the natural history of Capsicum annuum included the following symptoms below.

As in other remedies in the study sub rubrics belonging to the following symptoms were unrelated to keywords from the natural history of Capsicum annuum.

MIND - DELIRIUM

MIND - IRRITABILITY

The correlation between the natural history of Capsicum annuum and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can be summarised as illustrated in

table 21

Table 21: Keywords relating to the natural history of Capsicum annuum and keywords of rubrics of Capsicum annuum

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS

KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Discomfort

Ulceration

Burns

Injuries

Irritation

Pain

Ulcerative

Burns

Injuries

Irritability

No mental symptoms contained sub rubrics in relation to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history. Mental symptoms containing more than

one keyword or synonym from the natural history of Capsicum annuum were found.

From the general and mental symptoms related to the natural history of Capsicum annuum it is evident that general symptoms were more significant in terms of relation to the natural history of Capsicum annuum than the mental symptoms in the study, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Capsicum annuum

4.7.6

Nicotiana tabacum

In Nicotiana tabacum both general and mental symptoms were found to be of significant importance in relation to its natural history. General symptoms found to be of significance to its natural history included the following symptoms below. Most of the sub rubrics of these general symptoms were unrelated to the keywords or synonyms relating to the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum.

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS

GENERALS - TREMBLING

GENERALS - TWITCHING

GENERALS - WEAKNESS

The following general symptoms listed below contained sub rubrics in their relation to keywords and synonyms relating to the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum.

GENERALS - FAINTNESS with cold perspiration

GENERALS - FAINTNESS with vertigo

Of more significance according to the researcher were general symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history. Once again symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history in their rubrics and sub rubrics were thought to be of more significance as they related more specifically to the symptom. The following general symptoms contained more than one keyword or synonym from the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum.

GENERALS - TREMBLING externally - convulsive

GENERALS - WEAKNESS nervous

GENERALS - WEAKNESS with vertigo

Mental symptoms found to be of significance in relation to Nicotiana tabacum included the following symptoms listed below. As in general symptoms most of the sub rubrics belonging to the symptoms were unrelated to keywords from the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum.

MIND - ANXIETY

MIND - CONFUSION of mind

MIND - EXCITEMENT

MIND - IRRITABILITY

MIND - MEMORY

MIND - NAUSEA

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

The following mental symptoms listed below contained sub rubrics in relation to their natural history.

MIND - MEMORY - weakness of memory (for expressing oneself for orthography)

MIND - SADNESS anxious

Mental symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym per symptom and of more significance to the researcher included the following mental symptoms listed below:

MIND - ANXIETY with cold perspiration

MIND - RESTLESSNESS anxious (driving from place to place)

The correlation between the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as illustrated

in table 22.

Table 22: Keywords relating to the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and keywords of rubrics of Nicotiana tabacum

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS

KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Weakness

Tremor

Convulsions

Confusion

Excitation

Anxiety

Irritability

Dizziness

Perspiration

Weakness

Trembling

Convulsions

Confusion

Excitement

Anxiety

Irritability

Vertigo

Perspiration

From the general and mental symptoms discussed above it is apparent that relationships between the natural history of

Nicotiana tabacum and its general and mental symptoms exist, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Nicotiana tabacum.

4.7.7

Mandragora officinarum

In this remedy only one general symptom related to its natural history,

GENERALS - ANALGESIA.

Sub rubrics belonging to general symptoms of this remedy also showed no relationship to the natural history according to the methodology used by the researcher. However the following mental symptoms were related to the natural history.

MIND - DELIRIUM

MIND - DELUSIONS

MIND - EUPHORIA

MIND - EXITEMENT

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

The correlation between the natural history of Mandragora officinarum and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised as illustrated in table 23.

Table 23: Keywords relating to the natural history of Mandragora officinarum and keywords of rubrics of Mandragora officinarum

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Hallucinations Delusions

Euphoria Excitement

Confusion Delirium

No keywords or synonyms belonging to sub rubrics of the mental symptoms related to the natural history and therefore no significant mental symptoms could be found which contained more than one keyword or symptom from the natural history.

It can therefore be deduced that the remedy Mandragora officinarum showed far less relationships between its natural history and general and mental symptoms than other remedies in the study, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Mandragora officinarum.

4.7.8

Solanum nigrum

Although the smallest remedy in terms of general and mental symptoms in the study, Solanum nigrum exhibited relationships between its natural history and general and mental symptoms. General symptoms related to its natural history are listed below.

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS

GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS

GENERALS - TWITCHING

The symptom GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS - convulsive was the only symptom containing keywords or synonyms in both the main rubric and

sub rubric and was a more significant general symptom in the view of the researcher.

Mental symptoms related to the natural history included the following symptoms. In general the majority of symptoms had sub rubrics unrelated to the natural history of the remedy and are listed below.

MIND - ANXIETY

MIND - COMA

MIND - DELIRIUM

MIND - RESTLESSNESS

MIND - UNCONSCIOUSNESS

The following mental symptoms listed below contained sub rubrics in their relation to the natural history of Solanum nigrum.

MIND - GESTURES, makes - convulsive

Mental symptoms containing more than one keyword or synonym in their rubrics and sub rubrics and which the researcher found to be of more significance were as follows.

MIND - ANXIETY - beside oneself from anxiety

MIND - RESTLESSNESS - convulsive

The correlation between the natural history of Solanum nigrum and the homoeopathic mental and general symptoms can thus be summarised

as illustrated in table 24.

Table 24: Keywords relating to the natural history of Solanum nigrum and keywords of rubrics of Solanum nigrum

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Restlessness Restlessness

Delirium Delirium

Coma Coma

From the general and mental symptoms related to the natural history of Solanum nigrum it is evident that relationships do exist between the natural history of the remedy and its general and mental symptoms, thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to Solanum nigrum.

4.8)

Hypothesis 2: Collective commonalities and correlations exist between the general and mental symptoms of the Solanaceae family and its natural history as a whole. From the tables in section 4.7 above, common keywords from the natural history and keywords of rubrics from each remedy were extracted to observe commonalities exhibited by the Solanaceae group as a whole.

The relative common symptoms related to the natural history of the group as a whole are tabulated in table 25 below.

Table 25: Summary of keywords relating to the natural history of the Solanaceae family sample group and keywords of rubrics of the Solanaceae

sample group relating to the group as a whole.

NATURAL HISTORY KEYWORDS KEYWORDS OF RUBRICS

Convulsions Convulsions

Hallucinations Delusions

Confusion Delirium

Anxious Anxiety

From the above table it can be seen that commonalities exist between natural history keywords and the keywords of rubrics from the Solanaceae group as a whole. Thus proving the hypothesis as applicable to the Solanaceae group as a whole.

4.9)

Conclusion

The results thus reflect relationships between the natural history and general and mental symptoms via the use of keywords and synonyms derived from the natural history of species belonging to the Solanaceae plant family. General and mental symptoms related to the natural history of the species of the sample group as well as the Solanaceae family will be further discussed in chapter 5.

CHAPTER: 5

DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

Relationships via the use of keywords and synonyms obtained from the natural history of the Solanaceae have been extracted and analysed in chapter 4

In an attempt to further understand the relationship between the natural history of the Solanaceae family and its general and mental symptoms

homoeopathically.

This chapter aims to discuss broader concepts pertaining to the relationships between the individual remedies general and mental symptoms and their respective natural histories.

Furthermore, common relationships between the general and mental symptoms and the natural history of the family as a whole will be expanded on.

5.1 Relationships of individual Solanaceae remedies to their relative natural histories.

5.1.1

Atropa belladonna exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history.

Atropa belladonna’s habitat and distribution ranges from abandoned places, old quarries, waste places and ruins.

Its global distribution ranges from deciduous forests in Asia, Europe and Mediterranean regions of North Africa.

This perennial herb which is characterised by soft stems, bright green simple leaves, yellowish brown tubular flowers, followed by big black shiny berries, has been used historically by ancient Mesopotamians for treating illness and for its hallucinogenic effects.

Its use in mythology by the devil, Greeks, Romans and witches is also noted.

Its use as a mydriatic, poison and spasmolytic has also been documented.

Atropa belladonna’s physiological actions and toxicology range from hallucinations to sedation and are attributed to the primary alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine found in the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Atropa belladonna’s natural history commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found.

These commonalities in terms of keywords included is discussed below:

a. The keyword “aggression” from the natural history, is synonymous with the word “violent” featured in the symptoms from the study, and can be related to Atropa belladonna’s mythology where it was used in wine to improve the aggression of certain warriors.

b. The keyword “confusion” found in the natural history and found in symptoms from the study, relates to the confusion manifested in Atropa belladonna’s toxicology brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

c. The keyword “devil” found in Atropa belladonna’s natural history and found in symptoms studied relates to its mythology in its natural history where it is said to be trimmed by the devil when preparing for the witches’ Sabbath.

d. The keyword “euphoria” from the natural history which is synonymous with the word “exhilaration” found in the studied rubrics relates to the euphoria explained in its toxicology brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

e. The keyword “hallucinations” found in the natural history and synonymous with the word “delusions” found in rubrics can be related to the physiological actions and toxicology where we see its action as a hallucinogenic and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

f. The keyword “insomnia” found in the natural history of Atropa belladonna and synonymous with the word “sleeplessness” found in the rubrics studied can be related back to its toxicology where insomnia features predominate and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

g. The keyword “red” found within Atropa belladonna’s natural history and synonymous with the words redness found in the rubrics studied can be related redness of the face as found in Atropa belladonnas toxicology brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine on the circulatory system causing vasodilation.

h. The keyword “spasms” found in the natural history, and synonymous with the words “convulsions”, “jerking” and “twitching”, can be related back to the natural history of Atropa belladonna as far as its physiological actions characteristics are concerned. This is highlighted in Atropa belladonna’s spasmolytic physiological action described in its natural history brought on by action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, nicotine and scopolamine and their effect on the peripheral nervous system.

i. The keyword “warriors” found in Atropa belladonna’s natural history and synonymous with the word “soldiers” relates to Atropa belladonna’s mythology which explains it as being used to increase the aggressiveness of certain warriors.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationship of keywords extracted from the natural history of Atropa belladonna and the studied general and mental rubrics.

It is therefore clear that a relationship exists between the natural history of Atropa belladonna and its general and mental symptoms.

5.1.2

Solanum dulcamara exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history.

Its habitat and distribution ranges from Asia to Europe and North America.

Solanum dulcamara is described as a deciduous woody climber up to 0.5 meters bearing simple or lobed leaves, dark purple flowers and attractive berries that are bright red when mature. Historically this plant has been used by ancients to induce sleep, treat rheumatism, gout and in the treatment of whooping cough.

Its use in mythology ranges from the treatment of warts to tumours.

The physiological actions and toxicology which range from anticholinergic effects to hallucinations are attributed to the primary alkaloids which are glycosides of soladulcidine, tomatidenol and solasodine found in the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Solanum dulcamara’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities, in terms of keywords, included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “depression” from the natural history which is synonymous with the keyword “sadness” found in the mental symptoms studied, relates to Solanum dulcamara’s toxicology in its natural history where depression is seen as a feature of its toxicology and is brought on by the action of alkaloids which are glycosides of soladulcidine, tomatidenol and solasodine on the central nervous system.

b. The keyword “dizziness” from the natural history, which is synonymous with the word “vertigo” which occurred in the symptoms studied, relates to the mythology in Solanum dulcamara’s natural history where we see its use in folk medicine as a remedy for dizziness and vertigo.

c. The keyword “forgetting” from the natural history, synonym with the word “absentminded” seen in the mental symptoms in the study, can also be related to the mythology of Solanum dulcamara where its use as helping to forget past love is seen.

d. The keyword “hallucinations” from the natural history which is synonymous with the word “delusions” found in mental symptoms in the study, is related to the toxicology in the natural history where hallucinations are described and is brought on by the action of alkaloids which are glycosides of soladulcidine, tomatidenol and solasodine on the central nervous system

e. The keyword “rheumatic” from the natural history which is also found in symptoms in the study is related to the use of Solanum dulcamara in its natural history where it is described as being used in rheumatic conditions. The discussion above therefore describes the relationship of keywords extracted from the natural history of Solanum dulcamara and the studied general and mental rubrics. It is therefore clear that a relationship exists between the natural history of Solanum dulcamara and its general and mental symptoms.

5.1.3

Datura stramonium exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history. From its original habitat in tropical North America, it

is now distributed worldwide. It is described as robust annual up to 1.5 meters in height, with large unpleasantly scented leaves and large white or purplish, tubular, erect flowers and typical thorny capsules that split open to release numerous small, kidney shaped black seeds. Historically this plant has been used as an intoxicant, infanticide and as a poison in murder and suicide.

Datura stramonium’s use in puberty rites by Luisiana Indians, its association with the forces of darkness and the use of its seeds by gypsies in the preparation of love potions features in its mythology.

Datura stramonium’s physiological action and toxicology ranging from it being a depressant, to it causing respiratory arrest, can be attributed to the primary alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Datura stramonium’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities, in terms of keywords, included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “amnesia” from the natural history, which is synonymous with the keyword “forgetful” found in the mental symptoms studied, relates to Datura stramonium’s toxicology where amnesia is seen as a feature here and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant on the central nervous system.

b. The keyword “anxious” from the natural history, which is synonymous with the word “anxiety” found in mental symptoms is related to Datura stramonium’s toxicology where anxiety is described here and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found in the plant on the central nervous system.

c. The keyword “darkness” from the natural history, which is synonymous with the keyword “dark” from mental symptoms studied, is related to Datura stramonium’s mythology where it features as being associated with forces of darkness.

d. The keyword “death” from the natural history, which also occurred in mental symptoms studied, relates to the toxicology of Datura stramonium found within its natural history where death is featured in its toxicology, brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found in the plant, which cause respiratory arrest.

e. The keyword “hallucinations” from the natural history of Datura stramonium, and synonymous with the word “delusions” found in mental symptoms studied, relates to Datura stramonium’s toxicology in its natural history where we see hallucinations featuring predominantly and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant on the central nervous system.

f. The keyword “intoxicant” from the natural history of Datura stramonium and synonymous with the word “intoxication” found in the general symptoms studied, relates to Datura stramonium’s history in its natural history where it was traditionally used as an intoxicant.

g. The keyword “love” from Datura stramonium’s natural history, and also found in mental symptoms in the study, relates to Datura stamonium’s mythology in its natural history where it was used by gypsies in preparation of love potions.

h. The keyword “murder” from Datura stramonium’s natural history and synonymous with the words “murdering” and “murdered” found in the mental symptoms studied, relates to Datura stramonium’s history in its natural history where we see its use in murder.

i. The keyword “suicide” from Datura stramonium’s natural history, synonymous with the word “suicidal” found in mental symptoms studied, relates to its use in its natural history where we see it being used in suicide.

j. The keyword “reddening” from Datura stramonium’s natural history, synonymous with the word “red” from general symptoms in the study, relates to the toxicology found in its natural history where red face features and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant which cause vasodilation.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationship of keywords extracted from the natural history of Datura stramonium and the studied general and mental rubrics. It is therefore clear that a relationship exists between the natural history of Datura stramonium and its general and mental symptoms from the discussion above.

5.1.4

Hyoscyamos niger exhibits an selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history.

Hyoscyamos niger native to Europe, Western Asia and Northern Africa is found abundantly on rubbish heaps and near old buildings.

Described as an annual or biennial herb up to 0.8 meters, with soft, hairy stems and soft, lobed and sparsely hairy leaves. The petals are greyish yellow with dark purple veins and the plant is characterised by a disgusting smell.

Historically used to treat asthma, toothache, mania and hysteria. Its use as a poison and as a means to induce dementia has also been documented.

In Greek mythology, the dead were adorned with Hyoscyamos niger when they wandered.

Hyoscyamos niger’s physiological action and toxicology ranges from central paralysis to being a spasmolytic is attributed to the primary alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities, in terms of keywords included, the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “confusion” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history and found in mental symptoms in the study relates to the toxicology found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history where confusion features and is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found in the plant on the central nervous system.

b. The keywords “seisures” and “spasms” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history, synonymous with the words “convulsions” found in general symptoms in the study are related to Hyoscyamos niger’s uses and toxicology found in its natural history where we see its use in treating convulsions and featuring as causing seizures in its toxicology. Its toxicology is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found in the plant on the central and peripheral nervous systems.

c. The keyword “dementia” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history and found in mental symptoms in the study, relates to Hyoscyamos niger’s history in its natural history where it was used to induce dementia.

d. The keyword “epilepsy” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history and synonymous with the word “epileptic” found in general symptoms in the study relates to Hyoscyamos niger’s history in its natural history where it was historically used in treating epilepsy.

e. The keyword “euphoria” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “excitement” found in mental symptoms in the study, relates to Hyoscyamos niger’s toxicology in its natural history where we see euphoria as a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine found within the plant on the central nervous system.

f. The keyword “mania” found in Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “manic” found in mental symptoms studied, relates to Hyoscyamos niger’s history in its natural history where it was used to treat mania.

g. The keyword “poison” from Hyoscyamos niger’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “poisoned” found in the mental symptoms studied relates to Hyoscyamos niger’s history in its natural history where we see it being used as a poison due to its effect as a central paralytic.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationships of keywords extracted from the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger and the studied general and mental rubrics. It is therefore clear that a relationship exists between the natural history of Hyoscyamos niger and its general and mental symptoms from the discussion above.

5.1.5

Capsicum annuum exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history. This plant is indigenous to Central and South America and is cultivated in tropical countries up an altitude of 200 meters.

Capsicum annuum is described as an annual plant of up to 0,5 meters in height with dark green, stalked leaves, white flowers and oblong green and red fruit.

Historically this plant has been used by Mexican Indians and Szechwan Chinese in many of their meals as a flavour enhancer. Its use as a “wonder drug” from being used in treating everything from harmful bacteria and releasing lock jaw has been documented in its mythology.

Its physiological action and toxicology ranging from it causing pain and severe irritation to the mucous membranes and skin is attributed to the

alkaloid capsaicin found within the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Capsicum annuum’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities, in terms of keywords, included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “burns” from Capsicum annuum’s natural history is found in general rubrics pertaining to Capsicum annum in the study,

and relates to its mythology in its natural history where we see it as being used for the treatment of burns.

b. The keyword “discomfort” from Capsicum annuum’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “pain” found in general symptoms pertaining to the study, relates to the physiological actions in Capsicum annuum’s natural history where both discomfort and pain feature.

This is brought on by the irritant action of the alkaloid capsaicin found within the plant.

c. The keyword “injuries” from Capsicum annuum’s natural history and found in general symptoms pertaining to Capsicum annuum in the study, relates to the mythology in Capsicum annuum’s natural history where it is seen in treating injuries.

d. The keyword “irritation” from Capsicum annuum’s natural history and synonymous with the keyword “irritability” found in mental symptoms pertaining to Capsicum annuum in the study, relates to the toxicology in Capsicun annuum’s natural history where it is seen as causing irritation. This is brought on by the alkaloid capsaicin found within the plant.

e. The keyword “ulceration” from Capsicum annuum’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “ulcerative” found in general symptoms pertaining to Capsicum annuum in the study, relates to the physiological action in Capsicum annuum’s natural history where it is seen as causing ulceration when exposed to the skin and mucosa.

This is brought on by the alkaloid capsaicin found within the plant. The discussion above therefore describes the relationships of keywords extracted from the natural history of Capsicum annuum and the studied general and mental rubrics.

It can therefore be deduced that relationships exists between the natural history of Capsicum annuum and its general and mental symptoms.

5.1.6

Nicotiana tabacum exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history. This plant is found in Central America and is cultivated worldwide. It is described as an erect, leafy and single stemmed annual herb with large, glandular leaves and pink tubular flowers. Historically this plant was smoked by the Indians in pre Columbian times and used as an insecticide.

Today this plant is still smoked worldwide.

In its mythology we see its use in curative rituals of tribes of the North East Amazon and its ordinary medicinal use in some tribes.

Its physiological action and toxicology ranging from convulsions to tachycardia are attributed to the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Nicotiana tabacum’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities in terms of keywords included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “anxiety” from the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and found in mental symptoms pertaining to Nicotiana tabacum in the study, relates to Nicotiana tabacum’s toxicology in its natural history where we see anxiety as a feature.

This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

b. The keyword “confusion” from the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and found in mental symptoms pertaining to Nicotiana tabacum in the study, relates to Nicotiana tabacum’s physiological actions and toxicology in its natural history where we see confusion as a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

c. The keyword “convulsions” from the natural history and found in general symptoms pertaining to Nicotiana tabacum in the study relates to Nicotiana tabacum’s toxicology in its natural history where convulsions feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

d. The keyword “dizziness” found in Nicotiana tabacum’s natural history and synonymous with the keyword “vertigo ”in general symptoms pertaining to the study of Nicotiana tabacum, relates to the toxicology of Nicotiana tabacum in its natural history where we see dizziness as a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

e. The keyword “excitation” found in Nicotiana tabacum’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “excitement” in general symptoms pertaining to the study of Nicotiana tabacum, relates to the physiological action of Nicotiana tabacum in its natural history where we see excitement as a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

f. The keyword “perspiration” from the natural history and found in general symptoms pertaining to Nicotiana tabacum in the study relates to Nicotiana tabacum’s toxicology in its natural history where perspiration is a feature. This is brought on by action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the sympathetic nervous system.

g. The keyword “tremor” found in Nicotiana tabacum’s natural history, synonymous with the keyword “trembling” in general symptoms pertaining to the study of Nicotiana tabacum, relates to the toxicology of Nicotiana tabacum in its natural history where we see tremor as a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

h. The keyword “weakness” from the natural history and found in general symptoms pertaining to Nicotiana tabacum in the study, relates to Nicotiana tabacum’s physiological actions in its natural history where weakness is a feature. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids anabasine, nicotine, nornicotine and nicotyrine on the central nervous system.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationships of keywords extracted from the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and the studied general and mental rubrics. It is therefore deduced that relationships exists between the natural history of Nicotiana tabacum and its general and mental symptoms exist.

5.1.7

Mandragora officinarum exhibits an selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history. Its habitat and distribution ranges from areas of the Mediterranean and eastwards to the Himalayas. This perennial herb characterised by its thick tuberous roots which have traditionally been thought to resemble the human body. It also exhibits a rosette of dark green leaves and greenish white flowers in spring, which is later followed by ball shaped fruits.

Its uses historically range from an aphrodisiac to the treatment of worms and its use in magic, superstitious practices and as symbol of fertility is documented in its mythology.

The physiological actions and toxicology which range from hallucinations to vomiting are well documented and are attributed to the alkaloids

atropine, hyoscyamine, mandragorine and scopolamine found within the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Mandragora officinarum’s natural history commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found. These commonalities, in terms of keywords, included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “confusion” from the natural history which is synonymous with the keyword “delirium” found in the mental symptoms studied, relates to Mandragora officinarum’s toxicology where confusion features here.

This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, mandragorine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

b. The keyword “euphoria” from the natural history, synonymous with the word “excitement” found in mental symptoms studied, relates

to Mandragora officinarum’s toxicology where both euphoria and excitement are seen as a feature of its toxicology in its natural history.

This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, mandragorine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

c. The keyword “hallucinations” from the natural history, synonymous with the keyword “delusions” found in the mental symptoms

studied, relates to Mandragora officinarum’s physiological actions and toxicology where we see hallucinations being a predominant feature here. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloids atropine,

hyoscyamine, mandragorine and scopolamine on the central nervous system.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationships of keywords extracted from the natural history of Mandragora officinarum and the studied general and mental rubrics. It can therefore be deduced that relationships exists between the natural history of Mandragora officinarum and its general and mental symptoms.

5.1.8

Solanum nigrum exhibits a selection of characteristics pertaining to its natural history.

This plant is native to Europe and Asia and is also found in tropical and temperate regions of the world.

It is an annual plant rarely growing 0.5 meters in length and is much branched.

The flowers are arranged in clusters and are small and white and are later succeeded by small round black berries.

Historically the fresh bruised leaves of the plant were used to abate inflammation and applied to burns and ulcers by the Arabs.

Its use in treating asthma and digestive orders has also been documented. The physiological actions and toxicology ranging from disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract to restlessness and coma are attributed to the alkaloids solanine and other steroidal alkaloids found within the plant.

From this abundance of characteristics found in Solanum nigrum’s natural history, commonalties relating to general and mental rubrics and the natural history were found.

These commonalities, in terms of keywords, included the following discussed below:

a. The keyword “coma” found in Solanum nigrum’s natural history and found in the mental symptoms in the study relates to Solanum nigrums Toxicology found within its natural history where we see coma being featured here.

This is brought on by the action of the alkaloid solanine, and other steroidal alkaloids on the central nervous system.

b. The keyword “delirium” found in Solanum nigrum’s natural history and found in the mental symptoms studied relates to Solanum nigrum’s toxicology found within its natural history where we see delirium featured here. This is brought on by the action of the alkaloid solanine, and other steroidal alkaloids on the central nervous system.

The discussion above therefore describes the relationships of keywords extracted from the natural history of Solanum nigrum and the studied general and mental 100 rubrics.

It is therefore deduced that relationships exists between the natural history of Solanum nigrum and it s general and mental symptoms.

The discussion in section 5.1 therefore highlights relationships between general and mental symptoms and the natural histories of plants of the sample group, therefore proving the first hypothesis.

5.2

Commonalities in terms of keywords relating to the group as a whole were found.

These commonalities in terms of keywords and synonyms included anxiety, anxious, confusion, convulsions, delirium, hallucinations and spasms.

The keywords, delirium, hallucinations and spasms found in common through out the Solanacea family as a whole are exhibited as themes in Solanaceae remedies according to Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2002).

Themes exhibited in Solanaceae remedies according to Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2005).

THEMES ACCORDING TO MANGIALAVORI THEMES ACCORDING TO SANKARAN

Aggression Anaesthetic

Amnesia Apoplexy

Anger Black and white

Calmness Bursting

Defensiveness Choking

Darkness Constricting

Delirium Cowardice

Deprivation Dark

Destruction Death

Dogs Explosive

Explosive anger Faintness

Hallucinations Hurried

Loquacity Jerking

Loss of inhibition Killed

Night Life

Over control Light

Rationalisation Murder

Self-destruction Panic

Sudden anger Pulsating

Victims Pursued

Violence Rage

Shooting

Wolves

Shrieking

Sluggish

Spasmodic

Spasms

Splitting

Startling in sleep

Striking

Stupefied

Stupor

Tearing

Unconsciousness

Violent

Violent terror

Table 26 therefore highlights themes found in Solanaceae remedies according to studies conducted by Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2002).

Themes in bold print indicate themes common to Solanaceae study as a whole from the study.

5.3

Conclusion

The results therefore elucidate the first hypothesis that states that, relationships exist between individual Solanaceae remedies, their natural histories and their general and mental Symptoms.

The results also elucidate the second hypothesis that states that collective commonalities and correlations exist between the general and mental

symptoms of the Solanaceae family and its natural history as a whole.

This is further supported by the fact that common keywords found to be common to the group as a whole were found to occur in Solanaceae plant family studies conducted by Mangialavori (2007) and Sankaran (2002).

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMENDATIONS

The relationship study conducted is an entirely new concept to homoeopathy.

It hoped to create a paradigm shift within the profession.

From the study a definite relationship between the ethnobotanical, historical and mythological characteristics and the general and mental symptoms of the Solanaceae family was established, therefore bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and homoeopathic proving findings. It is the view of the researcher that the paradigm promises a deeper understanding of the materia medica, especially as it relates to the understanding of the natural history of kingdoms and their symptoms manifested by the remedies utilised in these kingdoms homoeopathically.

A more systematic methodology and approach to homoeopathy is vital, especially in this modern age where scientific thinking dominates what is fact.

This will help shift the homoeopathic profession closer to mainstream science, therefore leading to more rigorous and serious scientific studies into the principles governing homoeopathic philosophy.

6.1)

Limitations of the methodology

Smaller, less adequately proved and homoeopathically less well defined remedies provided few, relatively unconnected general and mental symptoms in relation to the natural history of the plant family.

This made it difficult to outline and understand relationships between the natural history and general and mental symptoms of smaller remedies of the sample group.

Most remedies represented in the Solanaceae family are relatively small in terms of rubric representation, except for the 8 archetype Solanaceae remedies, namely

Atropa belladonna,

Solanum dulcamara,

Datura stamonium,

Hyoscyamos niger,

Capsicum annuum,

Nicotiana tabaccum,

Mandragora officinarum

Solanum nigrum.

Of the 35 remedies used in homoeopathy, 27 have less than 99 rubrics each (Archibel, 2009b).

Although the sample group used for the purposes of this study revealed enough data for an accurate relationship study of the natural history of the plant family to its general and mental symptoms, the researcher was unable to confirm some ideas proposed in this study by applying them to the lesser known remedies.

The researcher also found that by limiting the relationship of the natural history to general and mental symptoms exclusively, certain important rubrics such as those found in other symptoms could have been utilised.

This would have allowed for a broader and in depth relationship study of the Solanaceae family.

6.2)

Recommendation for further research into the Solanaceae family of plants is important, especially considering that they are a family of massive economic importance worldwide and are of great homoeopathic importance in their utilisation as homoeopathic remedies (Vermeulen, 2004).

Firstly, more high quality, in depth provings of both smaller remedies and previously unproven remedies belonging to the Solanaceae family of plants are needed.

This is of great importance as more rubrics representing Solanaceae remedies in the literature will increase the homoeopathic understanding in terms of its relation to its natural history and symptoms belonging to remedies.

The researcher felt that non-toxic species belonging to the Solanaceae family were excluded due to this, therefore leaving out concepts of polarity between toxic and non-toxic species which the researcher felt could have been investigated and highlighted in the study.

In conjunction with this, is the need for more studies focusing on the natural history of species belonging to Solanaceae plant family and all the symptoms of remedies belonging to the family. Together, this will provide greater insight into the relationships between the natural history and all symptoms of the plant family thus broadening ideas and concepts that the researcher felt were limited by solely focusing on general and mental symptoms.

With a greater number of Solanaceae remedies in the literature, more accurate research into the relationship between the natural history and symptoms of the family can be undertaken. This too is important as more detailed rubrics can be isolated and understood as relating to the natural history of the Solanaceae family.

Further research with other families using the same paradigm is also necessary to further develop such research and to create a deeper understanding of homoeopathic kingdoms.

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