Theorie Pink
An Investigation of the Concept of Homoeopathic Imponderabilia
using a Hahnemannian Proving of Focused Pink Light.
Nevorndutt Somaru
A dissertation submitted to the
faculty of health in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters
Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy at the Durban University of Technology.
I, Nevorndutt
Somaru, declare that this dissertation represents my
own work in both conception and execution.
____________________ __________
Nevorndutt
Somaru Date
Approved for final submission
____________________ __________
Dr. C. R. Hopkins Date
B.Sc. (Agric.-Ansi. & Gene) (UNP); M.Tech.Hom (TN)
Supervisor
This
dissertation is dedicated to two very special souls in my life.
First and foremost to
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba, Swami without your support none of this would have been possible…
…and to my late nanie
who always believed in me and supported me in all of my endeavours throughout
my life…I love you and miss you
very, very much.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the
guidance and encouragement given to me by all of my teachers whose wisdom and
example continue to inspire me to this day.
Special thanks must however go to Dr. C.
R. Hopkins for all of his efforts and for being such a wonderful supervisor. His
keen insight and understanding has been priceless in making this proving what
it is today.
To all of my provers,
a very big thank you for sacrificing your time and allowing me to complete this
research study. Without you this proving would never have been possible.
To all of my beloved friends and classmates (2006), thank you so much for walking this journey with me. I wish each and every one of you the very best that life has to offer wherever you may now be. I hope that someday soon our paths will once again cross in this small, small world.
To the greatest of all masters of
Homoeopathy, Samuel Hahnemann, who dedicated his life
and gifted the entire world with a priceless jewel that we all pray will never
be taken away: Homoeopathy. I sincerely believe that you certainly did not live
in vain.
Last but not least, to my wonderful
parents without whom I could never have imagined, grown and become who I am
today. Your sacrifice and support throughout all of the years has been absolutely
tremendous and I am deeply grateful for everything that you have given to me…I
have never been left wanting for anything. I hope you both know just how much I
love you.
ABSTRACT
The objectives of the following research
study were to:
1. Conduct a randomised, double blind,
placebo controlled study in order to determine the sphere of action of the
imponderable remedy Pink 30CH on healthy volunteers who recorded the
signs and symptoms produced in order to determine the substances potential
usefulness in a future clinical setting according to the Law of Similars.
2. Determine and highlight the
commonalities shared between the symptoms and themes produced by remedy Pink
30CH and the other selected imponderable remedies.
In the homoeopathic drug proving of remedy
Pink 30CH, provers were uninformed to both the
nature of the substance as well as to the potency selected and used for proving
purposes. Neither the provers nor the research
investigator had any knowledge of who received the verum
or the placebo until the end of the proving.
Thirty (30) provers
were selected after meeting the inclusion criteria of which thirty percent
(30%) of the subjects received placebo in a randomised fashion. Verum and placebo were dispensed to the proving body in a
set of six (6) powders which were taken sublingually three (3) times daily or
until any proving symptoms were experienced.
All provers were
examined and made to record in their journals before, during and after the
administration of the proving substance so as to serve as their own
intra-individual controls. At the end of the proving period all journals were
then recalled and all proving data recorded was then collated and edited into a
repertory and materia medica
format, which was then used to formulate a homoeopathic drug picture of the
remedy that could be used in future clinical settings.
i
The
homoeopathic drug picture thus derived was then analysed with the aim of
highlighting the important themes that were elicited during the proving. These
symptoms and themes were then related and compared to seven (7) other
imponderable remedies: Luna (Moonlight); Magnetis
Polus Arcticus (North
pole of the magnet); Magnetis Polus Australis (South pole
of the magnet); Positronium (Anti-matter);
Radium bromatum (Radium bromide); Sol (Sunlight)
and X-ray, in order to expand the overall understanding of the
commonalities shared by the imponderabilia as an
entirety.
Remedy Pink 30CH thus clearly produced
observable signs and symptoms in healthy individuals as was hypothesised, as a
wide variety of symptoms covering thirty-three (33) sections of the materia medica were obtained. It
was further hypothesised that the group analysis of the imponderabilia
would illustrate the themes and symptoms common to these remedies, which will
in turn assist in the future understanding and application of these remedies in
homoeopathic practice. This was also verified as the group analysis of these
imponderable remedies revealed the following set of thematic expressions:
Energy
Sensitivity
Irritability, impatience, anger
Psychotic, changeable mood
Heaviness, morose, sadness
Detachment, indifference
Tranquillity
Sex
It
must be stressed however that these thematic expressions are to be considered
as proposals until further re-provings have been
conducted on the existing imponderable remedies in order to verify and expand
on the existing imponderable remedy profiles, so that a more in-depth analysis
can be attempted.
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABSTRACT
i
TABLE
OF CONTENTS iii
LIST
OF APPENDICES xi
LIST
OF DIAGRAMS xii
LIST
OF TABLES xiii
DEFINITION
OF TERMS xiv
CHAPTER
ONE
OVERVIEW
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 The Hypotheses 4
1.3 The Delimitations 4
1.4 The Assumptions 5
CHAPTER
TWO
THE
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1
Introduction 6
2.2
The Historical Perspective of Provings 6
2.3
Modern Developments in Provings 8
2.4
Modern Refinements of Proving Methodologies 9
2.4.1 The Rule of Potency 10
2.4.2 The Rule of Posology
11
iii
2.4.3 The Prover Population and Percentage Placebo 12
2.5 The Method of Group Analysis 14
2.5.1 The Concept 14
2.5.2
The Challenge 15
2.5.3
Refinements in Group Analysis 17
2.6 The Science of Light and Colour 18
2.7 The Therapeutic uses of Colour as Medicine 20
2.8 The Imponderable Remedies 23
2.9 Proving Substance: Focused Pink Light 24
CHAPTER
THREE
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
3.1
The Experimental Design 26
3.2
An Outline of the Method 26
3.3
The Proving Substance 29
3.3.1
Preparation and Dispensing of the Remedy to be
Proven 29
3.3.2
The Potency 30
3.3.3
Dosage and Posology 30
3.4
Ethical Considerations 31
3.5
The Prover Population and Percentage Placebo 31
3.5.1
Criteria for the Inclusion of a Subject in the Proving
Group 31
3.5.2
Lifestyle of the Provers during the Proving 32
3.5.3
Monitoring of Provers 33
3.6
Proving Chronology 33
3.7
Group Discussion 34
iv
3.8
The Duration of the Proving 34
3.9
Symptom Collection, Extraction and Evaluation 35
3.9.1
Criteria for the Inclusion of a Symptom as a Proving
Symptom 35
3.9.2
Collating and Editing 37
3.9.3
Formalizing and Reporting the Data 38
3.9.3.1
The Materia Medica 38
3.9.3.2
The Repertory 39
3.9.3.3
Group analysis and Comparison of Imponderable Remedies 40
CHAPTER
FOUR
THE
MATERIA MEDICA AND REPERTORY OF REMEDY PINK
4.1
Related Information 41
4.1.1
Key 41
4.1.1.1
Materia Medica Section 41
4.1.1.2
Repertory Section 42
4.1.2
Prover List 43
4.2
THE MATERIA MEDICA OF REMEDY PINK 44
4.2.1 Mind 44
4.2.2 Vertigo 69
4.2.3 Head 70
4.2.4 Eye 77
4.2.5
Vision 78
4.2.6
Ear 78
4.2.7
Nose 80
4.2.8
Face 80
v
4.2.9
Mouth 84
4.2.10
Teeth 85
4.2.11
Throat 86
4.2.12
Neck 87
4.2.13
Stomach 87
4.2.14
Abdomen 92
4.2.15
Rectum 95
4.2.16
Stool 96
4.2.17
Bladder 97
4.2.18
Urine 98
4.2.19
Male 98
4.2.20
Female 99
4.2.21
Respiration 104
4.2.22
Cough 104
4.2.23
Chest 104
4.2.24
Extremities 105
4.2.25
Back 110
4.2.26
Sleep 111
4.2.27
Dreams 114
4.2.28
Chill 131
4.2.29
Skin 131
4.2.30
Generals 132
4.3
REPORTORISATION OF REMEDY PINK 141
4.3.1 Mind 141
4.3.2 Vertigo 147
vi
4.3.3 Head
148
4.3.4 Eye 152
4.3.5
Vision 152
4.3.6
Ear 152
4.3.7
Nose 153
4.3.8
Face 153
4.3.9
Mouth 155
4.3.10
Teeth 156
4.3.11
Throat 156
4.3.12
Neck 157
4.3.13
Stomach 157
4.3.14
Abdomen 158
4.3.15
Rectum 160
4.3.16
Stool 160
4.3.17
Bladder 161
4.3.18
Kidneys 161
4.3.19
Urine 161
4.3.20
Male 162
4.3.21
Female 162
4.3.22
Male and Female Genitalia/Sex 163
4.3.23
Respiration 164
4.3.24
Cough 164
4.3.25
Chest 164
4.3.26
Back 166
4.3.27
Extremities 166
vii
4.3.28
Sleep 168
4.3.29
Dreams 168
4.3.30
Chill 172
4.3.31
Perspiration 173
4.3.32
Skin 173
4.3.33
Generals 173
CHAPTER
FIVE
THE
DISCUSSION OF THE PROVING OF FOCUSED PINK LIGHT
5.1
INTRODUCTION 175
5.2
THE SYMPTOMS 176
5.2.1
Mind 176
5.2.2
Vertigo 186
5.2.3
Head 186
5.2.4
Eye 188
5.2.5
Vision 188
5.2.6
Ear 188
5.2.7
Nose 189
5.2.8
Face 189
5.2.9
Mouth 189
5.2.10
Teeth 190
5.2.11
Throat 190
5.2.12
Neck 190
5.2.13
Stomach 191
5.2.14
Abdomen 191
5.2.15
Rectum 192
viii
5.2.16
Stool 192
5.2.17
Bladder 193
5.2.18
Urine 193
5.2.19
Male Genitalia/Sex 193
5.2.20
Female Genitalia/Sex 193
5.2.21
Respiration 194
5.2.22
Cough 194
5.2.23
Chest 194
5.2.24
Back 195
5.2.25
Extremities 195
5.2.26
Sleep 196
5.2.27
Dreams 196
5.2.28
Chill 198
5.2.29
Skin 198
5.2.30
Generals 198
5.3
THE ESSENCE OF REMEDY PINK 199
5.4
GROUP ANALYSIS OF THE IMPONDERABLE REMEDIES 201
5.4.1
Discussion of the Mental Thematic Expressions 201
5.4.2
Discussion of the Common Physical and
General
Symptoms 205
5.5
A COMPARISON OF THE PINK PROVING
SYMPTOMATOLOGY
208
CHAPTER
SIX
RECOMMENDATIONS
AND CONCLUSIONS
6.1
Recommendations 212
6.1.1
Prover Group 212
ix
6.1.2
Contribution in terms of Age, Gender and Ethnicity 214
6.1.3
Timeframe of the Proving 214
6.1.4
Reproving the Imponderables 215
6.1.5
Further Comparison with other Remedies 216
6.1.6
Publication 216
6.2
Conclusion 216
REFERENCES
219
APPENDICES
Appendix
A – Suitability for Inclusion in the Proving 226
Appendix
B – Case History Sheet 228
Appendix
C – Informed Consent Form 239
Appendix
D – Instructions to Provers 243
Appendix
E – Parental Consent Form 249
Appendix
F – Gender, Ethnic and Age distribution of Provers
250
Appendix
G – Quantitative distribution of repertory symptoms 251
Appendix
H – The Imponderable Remedy Symptom Comparison
Chart 252
Appendix
I – Proving Advertisement 256
DIAGRAMS
Diagram
1 – The Electromagnetic Spectrum 19
Diagram
2 – The Parameters of Colour 20
TABLES
Table
1 – List of verum provers
43
x
LIST OF APPENDICES
Appendix A – Suitability for Inclusion in the
Proving
Appendix B –
Case History Sheet
Appendix C –
Informed Consent Form
Appendix D –
Instructions to Provers
Appendix E –
Parental Consent Form
Appendix F –
Gender, Ethnic and Age distribution of Provers
Appendix G –
Quantitative distribution of repertory symptoms
Appendix H –
The Imponderable Remedy Symptom Comparison
Chart
Appendix I –
Proving Advertisement
xi
LIST OF DIAGRAMS
Diagram
1 – The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Diagram
2 – The Parameters of Colour
xii
LIST OF TABLES
Table
1 – List of verum provers
xiii
DEFINITION OF TERMS
COMPLEMENTARY
REMEDY – Also known as the ‘’concordant remedy’’ – can be
defined as a remedy which assists or reinforces the action of another remedy. For
example,
CHROMOTHERAPY – Or ‘’colour
medicine’’ – is a centuries old concept that has been used to successfully
treat and cure disease through the application of the full spectrum of visible
light i.e. colour. According to the principles of chromotherapy,
all ailments are the result of an imbalance or lack of the applicable colours
within an organ or life system of the human body. Healing is therefore thought
to occur by the application of the unique wavelengths and oscillations inherent
to the appropriate colour found to be lacking or imbalanced in these organs and
systems. (Gupta, 2007:7)
IMPONDERABILIA – Or
imponderable remedies - are homoeopathic remedies which are considered to be
manufactured from a dynamically, immaterial energetic source (Goel, 2002:12). These sources have no mass and exist only
at a vibrational, energetic level; examples of such
remedies include those derived from sunlight (Sol), moonlight (Luna),
and electricity (Electricitas) (Yasgur, 2004:122).
LAW OF SIMILARS – Derived from
the Latin translation ‘’Similia Similibus Curentur’’, is the
fundamental law of homoeopathic medicine formulated and employed by Dr. Samuel
Christian Friedrich Hahnemann (Yasgur,
2004:234). Any substance that can produce a totality of disease symptoms in a
healthy human being – can cure that same totality of symptoms when present in a
diseased human being (Vithoulkas, 2002:92).
xiv
PLACEBO – A
non-medicated, relatively inert drug or substance administered to a group of
individuals (forming the control group) during a controlled clinical trial, in
order to establish a contrast between the symptomatology
experienced by the verum group from those of the
control group (Yasgur, 2004:187). For the purposes of
this study, the placebo took the form of lactose powders impregnated with a
single drop of 96% ethanol.
POLYCHREST – A remedy
which has many widespread uses covering a wide variety of mental, emotional and
physical symptomatology expressed through the process
of provings and subsequent clinical applications;
examples of such remedies include
POTENCY – The power,
strength or vitality imparted too, and possessed by, a homoeopathic medicine
through the means of a measured process of de-concentration with either
inter-current stages of succussions or triturations of the chosen medicinal substance in an
applicable inert medicinal vehicle (Gaier, 1991:432).
The above process can be carried out ad infinitum with the resultant
potencies being of an ever increasing strength, yet with ever decreasing
concentrations of the chosen crude, medicinal substance (Yasgur,
2004:197).
PROVERS – Individuals
of average health who are administered repeated doses of a remedy until
subjective or objective symptomatology of a
disturbance are experienced or appear (De Schepper,
2001:34).
PROVING – A
translation of the German ‘Prufung’, meaning
test or examination (Gaier, 1991:390). It is the
systematic procedure of determining the medicinal or curative properties of a
substance (either in crude form or in potency) on healthy human beings (Vithoulkas, 2002:96).
SIMILLIMUM – The one
remedy which most closely corresponds to the totality of symptoms expressed by
a diseased individual, which when found is always
xv xvi
curative
– or in the case of incurable diseases, it is the best possible palliative
remedy (Yasgur, 2004:234).
THIRTIETH CENTESIMAL POTENCY (30CH) – Is
the thirtieth step of serial de-concentration on a 1:99 scale with
inter-current succussions applied at each step; thus
having an effective concentration of 1 x 10-60 (Yasgur, 2004:193-194).
CHAPTER ONE
1. OVERVIEW
1.1 INTRODUCTION
From ancient times up until well into the 18th
century, much of what was known about the ‘’medicinal properties’’ of
drugs was largely based upon pure speculation; reports of accidental
poisonings; or from the limited information obtained from laboratory experimentations
performed on animals, organs and tissues. This was largely due to the fact that
before Hahnemann’s revolutionary innovation of drug provings, the allopathic school had never tested medicines
on healthy individuals in order to discover the precise chemical and
physiological effects of these substances before prescribing them on
sick people (De Schepper, 2001:32-33).
A proving can basically be defined as the systematic
procedure of experimentally testing substances, on healthy human beings, in
order to observe and record the totality of morbid symptoms produced through
the action of the chosen substance (Vithoulkas,
2002:96). This means that any substance that is capable of inducing disease
symptoms, when taken by a healthy individual, is potentially of therapeutic
value to diseased individuals when administered in a potentised
form according to the homoeopathic principle of similitude (O’ Reilly,
1997:144-145). As Hahnemann states, provings are the only way of identifying new homoeopathic
remedies which may then be added to the materia medica (O’ Reilly, 1997:161-162). Hence, provings are the very pillars upon which homoeopathic
practice stands as there is no other way of predicting the effect of any given
substance as a homoeopathic remedy, with any degree of accuracy, other than
through a reliable proving (Sherr, 2003:7).
As in Hahnemann’s time many
modern day homoeopathic physicians have called for the proving of new remedies
(Sherr, 2003:6). However few have been
- 1 -
willing
to spend the immense amount of time and effort required to produce such
thorough and useable provings like those conducted in
the past (Vithoulkas, 2002:148). In fact many of the
modern day provings have deteriorated in quality,
often lacking in refinement and detail, particularly in mental symptoms, to
make them truly indispensable to homoeopathic practice (Sherr,
2003:9). The importance of a thorough proving is that when a new remedy is
proven reasonably well, it will cure a class of cases that until then could
only have been partially covered by existing remedies (O’ Reilly, 1997:173-174;
Sherr, 2003:8).
Unfortunately however not all of the remedies included
into the homoeopathic materia medica
are proven ones (Souter, 2005:12). Some remedies are
included based solely upon the gross toxicological features and the
physiological changes effected upon the human organism by the crude substance
itself (Mondal, 2004:245; Sherr,
2003:9-10). Other remedies have also been introduced into the materia medica by methods ranging
from meditation to dream provings (International
Council of Classical Homoeopathy, 1999:33; Souter,
2005:245) – whereas more obscure proving methodologies adopted include
‘‘clinical trials’’ in which the participants utilise ‘‘intuition’’,
‘‘dowsing’’ and ‘’chakra-matching’’ in order to determine the remedy profile of
a selected substance (Wauters, 1999:26-28). This of
course poses a great and fundamental threat to homoeopathic medicine in that
without accurate provings all prescribing indications
are bound to be vague guesses at best and pure fiction at worst (Sherr, 2003:7).
To date, the researcher has found that there are only
a few imponderables currently being utilised as homoeopathic remedies; the most
famous of these include X-ray, Radium bromatum (Radium
bromide), Electricitas (electricity), Sol (sunlight)
and Luna (moonlight). Unfortunately, even these remedies have not yet
proven indispensable to homoeopathic practice and are often seen referenced
amongst the ‘‘minor/small’’ remedies found scattered throughout homoeopathic
literature. Souter (2005:71) suggests that it is
highly plausible that most homoeopathic physicians tend to favour the more
familiar polychrest remedies such as
- 2 -
metallicum (Gold)
as these remedies are perceived to be more therapeutically effective and
reliable. This suggests that the imponderable remedies are being
rejected or under-utilized based upon the unfounded belief that these remedies,
like other classified ‘‘small’’ remedies, have only smaller spheres of clinical
activity and hence a greater chance of failure (Souter,
2005:71).
Another likely contributing factor that may bias
homoeopathic practitioners away from the use of the imponderabilia
is the method adopted in the manufacturing and preparation of these remedies. All
imponderable remedies are considered to be highly controversial, since all imponderabilia are manufactured from a dynamically,
immaterial energetic source e.g. from moon rays, sun rays and even magnetic fields
(Goel, 2002:12). This of course raises the question
of the very efficacy of such remedies as it is very difficult to either qualify
or quantify the presence of any energetic impressions in an imponderable remedy
even at the first step of homoeopathic preparation (Goel,
2002:12; Saxena, 2003:10). Another evident
contributing factor noted by the researcher is the relative lack of information
concerning the usage, clinical effectiveness and good proving profiles for many
of these remedies, which has also unfortunately aided in maintaining the
imponderable remedies in a state of prolonged obscurity, doubt, and
practitioner neglect.
The purpose of this research study was to therefore
investigate into the concept of homoeopathic imponderabilia
through a double-blind placebo-controlled proving of the thirtieth centesimal
(30CH) potency of remedy Pink. This study was conducted on volunteers of
average health in order to determine the totality of symptoms and themes
produced by the chosen proving substance. All recorded proving data was then
comparatively studied against that of already existing imponderable remedies in
order to determine the symptoms and themes common to the imponderable group as
an entirety.
This ‘group analysis’ method, as devised by Scholten (1993) and further expanded upon by Sankaran (2002) will allow for the identification of key
themes of imponderable remedies and thus ease the uncertainty in understanding
and prescribing these remedies. Such abstraction thus creates a
- 3 -
new
level of looking at remedies making it possible to even predict, to a certain
extent, the picture of unknown remedies (Scholten,
1993:11). Such analysis, as Scholten (2004:160)
argues, is most important in the ‘’maturing’’ of both the theoretical components
and practical applications of the science of homoeopathy.
1.2 THE
HYPOTHESES
1. The
first hypothesis was that the thirtieth centesimal potency (30CH) of remedy Pink
would produce clearly observable symptoms and signs in healthy provers.
1. The
second hypothesis was that remedy Pink 30CH would share themes and
highlight symptomatology common to, and when compared
with, the chosen group of imponderable remedies.
1.3 THE DELIMITATIONS
This research study did not:
�.
Seek to explain the mechanism of
action of the homoeopathic preparation in the production of symptoms in healthy
individuals.
�.
Determine the effects of potencies
of remedy Pink other than in the thirtieth (30th) centesimal potency.
�.
Seek to perform multicentre
drug trials.
�.
Seek to conclusively determine how
imponderable remedies are formulated and was strictly limited to the proposed
theory of formulation of any one remedy.
- 4 -
�.
Attempt to draw comparisons between
the symptomatology and themes of all existing
imponderable remedies and the one being proven.
�.
Seek to determine, evaluate or
recommend the proving substance for any one particular purpose.
1.4THE ASSUMPTIONS
�.
The remedy used in the proving was
prepared to the thirtieth (30th) centesimal potency by Helios Homoeopathic
Pharmacy from the original stock potency produced by Ambika
Wauters.
�.
The provers
took the remedy in the correct dosage, frequency and manner prescribed.
�.
The provers
were conscientious and closely observed themselves for any effects of the
proving substance.
�.
The provers
accurately, conscientiously and honestly recorded all symptoms observed.
�.
The provers
did not deviate significantly from their normal lifestyle or dietary habits
prior to or for the duration of the proving.
�.
The repertorisation
of Pink 30CH would yield imponderable remedies that share themes and symptomatology common to the group of imponderabilia
as an entirety, thus making a subsequent comparative discussion possible.
- 5 -
CHAPTER TWO
2. THE
REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
2.1
INTRODUCTION
Much has changed since the time Hahnemann
undertook the tremendous challenge of conducting provings
on healthy individuals and completing at least 140 remedy profiles all by
himself. Unfortunately, most of the details regarding the manner in which these
provings were conducted cannot be determined today. This
is due to the fact that Hahnemann did not start with
a set proving protocol; instead, he continued to alter and develop his
methodology according to his latest findings as he gained further experience in
his work. Hahnemann’s provings
have nevertheless yielded reliable results, even though his proving methodology
would certainly not be called reliable by today’s standards for clinical trials
which rely heavily on the use of blinding procedures and placebo controls (Wieland, 1997).
However, with the recent contributions of such
notables as Riley (1997), Coulter (1998), Vithoulkas
(2002), Sherr (2003) and Sankaran
(2004) to name a few, provings have become far more
structured and methodically sound. Hahnemann’s
homoeopathic drug provings have become vastly
improved upon through the incorporation of the relevant scientific methods much
in use today - such as blinding, randomisation, double blind and cross-over
experimental designs, and even placebo controls (Riley, 1997:225).
2.2 THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PROVINGS
It is generally recognized that the ‘‘dawn’’ of
homoeopathy began in the year 1790 with the subsequent proving of
- 6 -
malarial
agent due to its bitterness. In order to test the author’s assumption Hahnemann began to ingest crude doses of the drug and
noticed that he began to experience symptoms of malaria. He had unofficially
‘’proven’’ his very first remedy –
However, the Law of Similars
– ‘similia similibus
curentur’ – also recognized as the ‘’principle of
similitude’’, is an age old concept which predates even Hahnemann
himself (Sankaran, 2001:8). According to
Being both disillusioned and dissatisfied by the
manner in which medicine was been practiced in his era, Hahnemann
sought to create a clinical form of medicine that was comparatively more humane
and largely based upon clear, rational principles of healing and on accurate provings (
- 7 -
aphorisms
105-145 (O’ Reilly, 1997:144-163). In this clearly defined form drug provings became a revolutionary innovation in the domain of
medicine, and as a scientific experiment, it was far ahead of its time (Riley
1996:4).
2.3 MODERN DEVELOPMENTS IN PROVINGS
A large number of provings
have been done in recent years and the trend for the execution of new provings seems to be unending.
In 1980, George Vithoulkas
devoted an entire chapter to provings and proving
protocol in his book ‘The Science of Homoeopathy’; in which he outlined
an exceptionally elaborate and detailed proving method that few could ever
conduct due to the enormous amount of time and expense needed to invest in such
methodology. Likewise, the year 2003 saw the publication of Jeremy Sherr’s work ‘The Dynamics and Methodology of
Homoeopathic Provings 2nd
edition’. In his work Sherr (2003) synthesises and clarifies the relatively
copious, unorganised references made to provings and
proving protocol, found scattered throughout homoeopathic literature, into a
clearly defined and practical framework which has enabled homoeopathic
physicians to conduct and garner reliable information from modern day
homoeopathic drug provings.
Sherr (1997)
himself has also contributed immensely to the homoeopathic materia
medica with his own provings
of Androctonus amoreuxii
hebraeus (the scorpion), Brassica
napus (Rape seed oil), Germanium metallicum, Adamas (Diamond),
Plutonium nitricum, and Haliaeetus
leucocephalus (the American Bald Eagle). Recently
he has also furthered his work with provings on Cygnus
cygnus (the Whooper
swan), Onchorynchus tschawytscha
(Pacific Salmon), Olea europaea (Olive) and Taxus
baccata (English Yew) (Sherr,
2002).
Other more recent provings
that have been carried out by other homoeopathic physicians include those of Larus argentatus (the
Sea-gull) (Fink, 1997:106), Oenanthe crocata (Hemlock water dropwort) (Lesigang,
1997:110), Bitis arietans
arietans (the Puff-adder) (Wright, 1999), Sutherlandia frutescens
(Cancer bush) (Low, 2002), Pycnoporus sanguineus (a fungus) (Morris, 2002),
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Galium aparine (Goose-grass/Cleavers) (Norland and Fraser, 2003), Passer domesticus
(House-sparrow) (Norland and Fraser, 2004) and Pavo cristatus (Peacock
feather) (Fraser, 2005).
Numerous other modern day provings
have also been conducted on imponderable agents. Those that were found included
Venus Stella Errans (planet Venus) by
Wilkinson (1996), Positronium (Anti-matter)
by Fraser (1998) and those of the various colour remedies by Wauters (1999). De Vries (2004)
has also conducted a large number of seemingly partial provings
on imponderable agents such as Adoris (Heating), Frigus (Cooling), Gravitas (Gravity), Luxi
(Light), Obscuritas (Darkness) and Sonor (Sound).
2.4 MODERN REFINEMENTS OF PROVING METHODOLOGIES
According to Riley (1996:4) homoeopathic drug provings should initially be carried out using the
historical principles and proving protocol as laid down by Hahnemann,
while at the same time satisfy the modern requirements imposed upon the
clinical trials of today.
Nowadays homoeopathic drug provings
are being largely compared to the phase one (1) clinical trials used in
orthodox medicine where the safety and efficacy of a drug is determined through
a double-blind placebo controlled study. However the purpose of a homoeopathic
drug proving is neither to show the safety and efficacy of a remedy, nor to
compare a remedy to another therapy or even against placebo control. Rather it
to ascertain a series of complete individualistic symptoms in order to create a
mass of reliable data for the homoeopathic materia medica; where the value of each symptom is dependant upon
the symptom quality rather than on the quantity of symptoms obtained (Wieland, 1997:230).
- 9 -
2.4.1 The Rule of Potency
According to Wieland
(1997:229), like his proving methodology, Hahnemann
continued to change and develop his ideas as to what potency should be utilized
in a proving according to his latest findings. Hahnemann
initially
conducted his provings with
crude doses of the selected substance; he later began to employ the use of potentised mediums for his provings
as he found that these remedies exhibited a wider range of symptoms that had
until then, remained hidden to the observer (De Schepper,
2001:33; Sherr, 2003:55). Walach
(1995:64) states that even Hahnemann himself had
remained inconsistent on the selection of the potencies to be used in his provings until he finally endorsed the use of the 30CH
potency in aphorism 128 of his ‘Organon of
the Medical Art 6th edition’. Even
so the Vienna Society did not fully endorse Hahnemann’s
application of the 30CH potency in his provings until
re-proving his remedies in the same potency themselves (Kent, 1995:188). According
to
Alternatively, Sherr
(2003:56) states that it is perfectly acceptable to use a wide range of
potencies in provings such as the 6CH, 15CH, 30CH and
200CH potencies. He maintains that multiple potencies may be useful as it
allows the research investigator to explore the exact effects of each potency
level, thus allowing the homoeopathic physician to prescribe the proven remedy
at that precise potency level that produced that exact symptom during the
proving (Sherr, 2003:56). Sherr
(2003:56) also expresses that it is equally valid to use a single potency in a
proving such as a 30CH or even a 1M potency. Likewise
De Schepper (2001:36) has also stated that any other
potency can certainly be used when conducting a proving, even though Hahnemann had specified on the use of only the 30CH potency
in his provings. Even Vithoulkas
(2002:152) has advocated the use of a range of potencies when conducting provings, 1X-8X being used for relatively non-toxic
substances (e.g. edible plants) and from the 8X-12X for far more toxic
substances (e.g. hydrocyanic acid).
- 10 -
However
there is much evidence that supports the use of only the 30CH potency when
conducting a homoeopathic drug proving. Hahnemann’s
insistence on the use of the 30CH potency (O’Reilly, 1997:154) coupled with the
endorsements from
2.4.2 The Rule of Posology
In ‘The Dynamics and Methodology of Homoeopathic Provings 2nd edition’,
Sherr recommends
that no more than a total of six (6) doses should ever be administered to a prover during a proving. In his experience he has found
that approximately eighty percent (80%) of his provers’
experienced distinct symptomatology even before
completing all six doses. Sherr also states that it
is a common misconception that a dose has to be repeated throughout the
duration of the proving. It is said that
- 11 -
engraft
onto the provers constitution and thus prove
problematic to the prover’s wellbeing (Sherr, 2003:53-54).
2.4.3 The Prover
Population and Percentage Placebo
Like the selection of the proper potency for proving
purposes, the number of subjects necessary for a thorough proving and the
percentage of those subjects that should fall into the placebo control group
has also become an issue with no hard and fast rules. There are currently many
differing views on this subject as there are many homoeopathic researchers who
are deterred from using groups that are either too large or too small since
either group can prove to be too cumbersome or unreliable (Sherr,
2003:45).
In Sherr’s (2003:45) opinion
a hundred or more provers is far too large and leads
to both the overcrowding of the repertory with too many common symptoms, as
well as over-inflating the remedy out of proportion in relation to the others. On
the other hand, De Schepper (2001:34) states that it
would be ideal to have at least 50 provers
participating in a proving – whereas Vithoulkas
(2002:152) recommends that it would be ideal to use between 50-100 provers. Unfortunately however, the resources required for
such large proving samples as suggested by both De Schepper
(2001) and Vithoulkas (2002) may also be far beyond
that to what is available to the researcher. Anna Schadde
conducted a proving of Ozone with only 55 provers
and concluded that the group was too large and that smaller groups would have
to be considered in the future (Sherr, 2003:45). Likewise,
the International Council of Classical Homoeopathy (ICCH) (ICCH, 1999:34)
regards that 10-20 provers are of an ideal size for
any given proving. Sherr (2003:45) states that five provers would suffice for a small proving project but in
order to produce a full remedy picture a proving group of at least 15-20 provers should be considered for a thorough and useable
proving.
The use of placebo in homoeopathic drug provings has also become a controversial issue as a control
medium in proving protocol. In fact most of the symptoms produced within the
control group of a homoeopathic drug proving is largely ignored or even
discarded (Kaptchuk, 1996:238). Walach
(1994:130)
- 12 -
considers
the use of placebo as largely unnecessary as he argues that for more than one
hundred years, provings have been conducted without
placebo control and that to consider it as the only valid control medium will
necessitate the re-proving of all substances proven in the past. Raeside also shares his view in his article ‘A Proving
of Mandragora officinarum’ in
which he and his provers felt after conducting many provings, that controls were an unnecessary waste of good provers (Sherr, 2003:57). Likewise
Sherr (2003:57) also believes that the use of placebo
is an undeniable loss of potentially good provers,
and coupled with the fact that the individuals on placebo control occasionally
also produce symptoms similar to those of the proving group, also casts further
doubt on the efficacy of placebo as a valid control medium in proving protocol.
Even so, Sherr (2003:37)
maintains that the use of placebo control still has benefits in a clinical drug
trial in that it serves as a device that decreases prover
expectation and promotes an improved quality of judgement and awareness amongst
provers when relating symptoms. However Sherr (2003:57) also warns that even though we should use
placebo in good measure, we should also be careful not to go out of our way to
please the modern system of orthodoxy which will never be truly satisfied with
pure homoeopathy. Like Sherr, the ICCH (1999:34) also
supports the use of placebo as it is considered to not only increase the
reliability of symptoms, but it also increases the provers’
attention and accuracy in relating these symptoms. The ICCH (1999:34)
recommends 10-30% of the provers should receive
placebo; while both Vithoulkas (2002:151) and Sherr (2003:57) recommend the use of 25% and 10-20% placebo
in the proving protocol respectively.
In this double-blind placebo controlled proving of Pink
30CH, 30% of the thirty (30) provers were
provided with placebo preparations. This left a total of 21 provers
in the verum group which in turn correlated to the
number of provers recommended by both Sherr (2003:57) and the ICCH (1999:34) to produce a full
remedy picture. In this research study, the placebo control took the form of
powders medicated with 96% alcohol which had not been exposed to focused Pink Light at any step of its preparation. Thus any
symptoms elicited during the proving were wholly attributed to the action of
the remedy exposed to the
- 13 -
focused
Pink Light. Furthermore each prover was provided a
maximum of six doses only, where each dose was administered sublingually three
(3) times daily over a period of two (2) days as per the suggestions of Sherr (2003:53). No further doses were administered
following the onset of any proving symptomatology,
nor were any further doses administered in those provers
who did not experience any symptomatology once all
six doses had already been completed (Sherr,
2003:53).
2.5 THE METHOD OF GROUP ANALYSIS
2.5.1 The Concept
Even in the very beginning of homoeopathy there arose a great need and desire amongst homoeopathic
physicians to classify and categorise a seemingly unmanageable list of proven
remedies that could no longer be comfortably held in memory. The medieval
‘Doctrine of Signatures’ (where a morphological relationship is drawn between
that of a particular substance to a particular disease or organ) was perhaps
one of the earliest attempts made to make sense of a large and ever growing materia medica (Yasgur, 2004:70). However this type of remedy selection was
largely condemned and met by fierce opposition by Hahnemann
who believed that such methods posed a major threat to scientific homoeopathy –
albeit that this concept, even though in a more circumspect and circumscribed
manner than in the past, is still in use today (Vermeulen,
2004:xi).
The most useful and probably the longest serving
method of remedy categorization and selection was only developed in 1833
following the production of the very first repertory through the endeavours of
von Boenninghausen. Since then many different
versions of repertories have been published with the most popular and widely
used being Kent’s repertory which has now formed the basis of various hardcopy
and computer software formats which now circulate the world over. Unfortunately
however, even the repertory has been unable to improve the understanding and
recognition of all remedies, especially the smaller and less well proven ones
such as the imponderabilia. It
- 14 -
has
however, when coupled with computer software programmes and effective search
engines, made it possible for homoeopathic physicians to easily access and
analyse vast sums of collected observations and centuries worth of work for any
commonalities (Souter, 2005:13).
Sankaran
argues that the practice of homoeopathic medicine has never been easy, since
homoeopathy is one of the very few, if not the only, of the scientific
disciplines that begins with the specifics in its methodology of
remedy identification. He further states that a scientific discipline should
firstly investigate in more broad terms and then ask more specific questions in
order to bring about further refinement, differentiation, and clarity. In this
way the monumental task of remedy differentiation and selection would be made
far easier if physicians were able to follow a system like group analysis,
rather than randomly searching through a jungle of symptoms listed in the materia medica (Sankaran, 2002:19).
In this respect the concept of group analysis seems to
be a natural and inevitable progression of homoeopathy in its study and
understanding of the nature of whole groups of remedies (Sankaran,
2002:6).
2.5.2 The Challenge
The challenge with the concept of group analysis is
that up until the last decade the most common method of studying and applying
homoeopathic remedies has been to look at each remedy separately (Scholten, 1993:23). Group analysis differs in that it
basically concerns itself with the comparison of groups of remedies and then
extracting what is common from that group (Scholten,
1993:23). These extracted symptoms are then used to formulate themes which
indicate the basic expression of a group as an entirety (Scholten,
1993:23). This allows the homoeopathic physician to consider and delve deeply
into a particular group of remedies e.g. the Natrum
or Carbonicum groups, and isolate the most
appropriate remedy for the patient once the common thematic expression of that
group has been correctly identified (Scholten,
1993:23; Souter, 2005:12).
- 15 -
Unfortunately
homoeopathy as a science has always resisted or shown very little interest in
the classification of remedies up until the last decade. Winston (2002:36)
states that the conflict essentially lies on whether or not homoeopathic case
taking and analysis should still be approached using the ‘’traditional’’
methods as laid down by Hahnemann; or whether the
latest concept of group analysis should be adopted and fully utilized instead. Like
any other new paradigm of thinking, the concept of group analysis has therefore
also sparked major debates between those in opposition - the adherents and
those who are not too sure about it (Winston, 2002:36).
Scholten
(1993:11) is quick to point out however that the concept of group analysis is
certainly not new to the science of homoeopathy. According to Scholten (1993:23) homoeopathic physicians such as Clarke,
Morrison and even Vithoulkas are all said to have
applied this concept in practice. In his book ‘Lectures on Clinical Materia Medica’, Farrington
(2002) was also noted to have devoted much of his time in the development of a
method which bares a remarkable resemblance to that of the modern day concept
of group analysis, even though he conceived his method over one hundred years
ago.
By far, the two most influential teachers and avid
supporters of the concept of group analysis in the past decade are Scholten and Sankaran (Thompson
and Geraghty, 2007:102). Scholten
introduced the concept of group analysis to the modern era by creating groups
of some of the major elements and respective salts used in homoeopathy by
utilizing the scientific model of the periodic table of elements as his basis (Scholten, 1996:6). Scholten
proposed that each row/series corresponded to a particular general theme, and
that each column/group from left to right of the periodic table outlined the
degree of development of that particular theme of the series in question (Scholten, 1996:13). This type of understanding has made it
possible to prescribe an intersecting remedy with a higher degree of confidence
provided that the patient required a remedy from the mineral kingdom in the
first place.
- 16 -
2.5.3 Refinements in Group Analysis
Sankaran
on the other hand explored and developed the concept of group analysis in a
slightly different manner to that of Scholten. He
first subdivided all homoeopathic remedies into the respective kingdoms of
origin i.e. the mineral kingdom, animal kingdom, plant kingdom, nosodes, sarcodes and imponderabilia (Sankaran,
2005:127). Through this ‘‘natural classification of drugs’’ he then went
further by specifying the distinguishing features (thematic expressions) that
he had observed in each of the kingdoms (Sankaran,
2005:318-319). For instance, the animal kingdom according to Sankaran (2006:2) can be distinguished from the other known
kingdoms in that its features are primarily focused upon issues of ‘‘survival,
victim/aggressor tendencies, feelings of being dominated or persecuted, and
conflict’’; whereas the features of the mineral kingdom revolve around issues
of ‘’performance, structure, defence, relationships, attack and a lack of
security/support/identity’’ (Sankaran, 2006:4).
However Sankaran’s major
breakthrough in his concept of kingdom analysis is that he further subdivided
each of the kingdoms into its component ‘‘family groups’’ and noticed that each
family of remedies could also be defined along a set of thematic expressions (Sankaran, 2002:20). For instance, the plant kingdom was
further subdivided into the various botanical families such as the Anacardiaceae, Berberidaceae, Cactaceae, Compositae, Conifers, Hamamelidae and the Liliiflorae
to name but just a few (Sankaran, 2002). He then drew
differentiations between each of the many botanical families by ascribing a set
of basic sensational and thematic expressions that he had observed and which he
truly felt characterized each particular family from the other (Sankaran, 2002:22). His next problem however was to be able
to differentiate between remedies within the same botanical family that
essentially shared the same thematic expressions. Sankaran’s
solution was to draw upon his extended miasm model
and thus he begun to further classify members of a common botanical family into
their respective miasmatic tendencies (Sankaran, 2002:22). According to Scholten,
Sankaran’s approach is virtually analogous to that of
the concept of group analysis where a row/series is intersected with a
- 17 -
column/group
– here, remedy families and miasms are instead being
‘’crossed’’ in order to identify a remedy (Sankaran,
2002:5).
Scholten
further states that the discovery of these groups is a major step forward in
the homoeopathic analysis of cases and remedy selection, as it is now possible
to extend the drug pictures of little known remedies so that they become full
and meaningful pictures (Sankaran, 2002:5). He
further argues that Sankaran’s work in group- and
kingdom analysis has now brought homoeopathy further into the second scientific
stage – the stage of classification, categorization and grouping (Sankaran, 2005:5). This has made the practical application
of homoeopathy far easier in terms of remedy prescribing and patient
management, as well as allowed the understanding of remedies to become far more
exciting and insightful.
2.6 THE SCIENCE OF LIGHT AND COLOUR
Colour theory has occupied philosophers and scientists
from a variety of disciplines throughout the ages (Valberg,
2005:275). Today, the study of colour vision has become central in an effort to
understand the behaviour of the neural networks of the human brain, and in this
context, has aroused a rather passionate debate regarding the role of colours
in our understanding of nature and of ourselves (Valberg,
2005:275). Though colour and light are quite distinct intellectually, both the
natures of light and of colour are almost always inextricably bound and closely
related in theory (Lamb and Bourriau, 1995:66).
According to modern physics, light is either regarded
as a ‘‘wave-form’’, a concept which is attributed to the investigations of Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), or as stream of particles
(photons) as asserted through the experiments of Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Unfortunately
however, modern physics is still in a quandary when attempting to ‘‘explain’’
what precisely light is - as both theories are still considered to be in
conflict even today. Therefore, modern science does not have any good unifying
alternatives to this dualistic concept to ‘‘explain’’ light and have thus begun
to use either the ‘‘particle’’ or the ‘‘wave-form’’ analogy depending on which
one suits best at that moment in time. Light
- 18 -
is
considered to be a part of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation which
consists of everything from radioactive radiation to radio waves (See Diagram
1). Light – or visible radiation – is only a small ‘‘window’’ in this much
greater spectrum that allows us to see with our eyes. Normal eyes can detect
radiation with wavelengths ranging between 380 and 760 nanometres (nm), whereas
wavelengths below 380nm and above 780nm do not lead to a visual impression (Valberg, 2005:35).
Diagram 1: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Coloured light is produced through the refraction of
white light as it passes through a medium that causes it to disperse into its
different component wavelengths. When viewed in darkness and at moderate
intensity, these wavelengths will appear as colours in a sequence going from
red (760-600nm), orange (600-580nm), yellow (580-560nm), green (540-490nm),
turquoise (490-480nm), blue (480-460nm) to violet (450-380nm) (Valberg, 2005:47).
All colours are said to have three dimensions that
define the parameters of the colour being perceived: hue, saturation and
lightness/darkness (See Diagram 2).
- 19 -
with
more green becomes more colourful – and less grey. The lightness/darkness of a
colour, also known as the ‘’value’’ of a colour, determines whether a colour
remains ‘’pure’’ or whether it is altered to an intermediate colour ranging
between the above seven spectral colours, for example, if red is lightened and
de-saturated with white – it becomes pink.
(http://www.ncsu.edu/scivis/lessons/colormodels/colour_models2.html)
Diagram 2: The Parameters of Colour
2.7 THE THERAPEUTIC USES OF COLOUR AS MEDICINE
The history of colour medicine or ‘‘chromotherapy’’ is as old as that of any other medicine
still in use today; evidence suggests that the use of colour as medicine
stretches as far back as to ancient Egypt, India, China and Greece where people
placed immense faith in colour as a healing modality while being fully unaware
of the scientific facts of colour as medicine. According to the
- 20 -
doctrine
of chromotherapy, the human body is basically
composed of colours, and colours were therefore responsible for the correct
working of the various systems that function in the human body. Each organ and
cell is said to have had its own unique vibrational
pattern or frequency that was harmonized by the frequencies of a
correspondingly appropriate colour that had been ascribed to that particular
organ or system. Therefore, every organ had an energetic or vibrational
frequency at which it functioned at its level best. This meant that any
departure from that vibratory rate in those organs or systems resulted in
pathology or ‘’dis-ease’’ that would in turn require
the restoration of the appropriate frequencies, through the use of chromotherapy, in order to re-establish balance and
healing.
In the hermetic traditions, the ancient Egyptians and
Greeks utilized appropriately selected coloured minerals, stones, crystals, salves,
oils and dyes as remedies – as well as painted treatment sanctuaries in various
shades of colours. In
Edwin Babbitt, regarded as the pioneer of modern chromotherapy, presented a comprehensive theory of healing
with colour. Babbitt believed that all the vital organs had a direct connection
to the skin via the arterial and venous blood supply, and therefore coloured
rays of light could affect the entire blood stream
- 21 -
through
circulation and elimination of toxins. Babbitt identified the colour red as a
stimulant, notably of blood and to a lesser extent the nerves; yellow and
orange as nervous stimulants; and blue and violet as soothing to all systems
and as having anti-inflammatory properties. Accordingly, he prescribed red for paralysis,
physical exhaustion, and chronic rheumatism; yellow as a laxative, emetic, and
purgative; blue for sciatica, meningitis, headache, nervous instability and
sunstroke. He is also said to have developed various ‘’colour elixirs’’ by
irradiating water with sunlight filtered through coloured lenses, and claimed
that this ‘’potentised water’’ had remarkable healing
powers once ingested. However Babbitt fails to explain the energy changes in
water and how different kinds of vibrations affect water. He also does not
explain what is meant by the potency of his ‘‘potentised
water’’.
More modern applications in the use of chromotherapy include the use of blue light in the
treatment of the once potentially fatal neonatal jaundice, rheumatoid
arthritis, burns and various lung pathologies. Bright white full-spectrum light
is also now being used in the treatment of cancers, seasonal affective
disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, insomnia, jet-lag, and alcohol and drug
dependency. At the other end of the colour spectrum, red light has been shown
to be effective in the treatment of cancer, constipation and in the healing of
wounds. Chromotherapy is now also used to improve the
performance of athletes; whereas red light appears to help athletes who need
short, quick bursts of energy, blue light seemed to assist in performances that
require a steadier output of energy. By comparison, pink light has been found
to have a tranquilizing and calming effect within minutes of exposure as it
seems to suppress hostile, aggressive and anxious behaviour in individuals. Pink
holding cells are now widely used to reduce violent and aggressive behaviours
and tendencies amongst prisoners – with some sources going so far as to report
a reduction of muscle strength in inmates within 2.7 seconds following exposure
to the colour pink. In contrast, yellow should be avoided in such contexts
because it has been found to be highly stimulating, with a possible
relationship being drawn between violent street crimes and sodium yellow street
lighting.
- 22 -
This work
has given a new dimension to chromotherapy, and the
use of colour is now fast becoming widely accepted as a therapeutic tool with
various medical applications. This is especially true since research has now
confirmed that certain parts of the brain are not only light sensitive, but are
actually able to respond differently to different wavelengths (colours). It is
now also believed that different colours of radiation interacts differently
with the endocrine system to stimulate or reduce hormone production, thus
having far reaching effects on the entire human organism as a whole – both on a
psychological, as well as on a physiological approach.
(http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1297510)
2.8 THE IMPONDERABLE REMEDIES
The imponderabilia are those
remedies which are considered to be manufactured from an immaterial, dynamic,
largely energetic source – these include remedies produced from moon rays, sun
rays, X-rays, electricity, and magnetic fields (Goel,
2002:12; Saxena, 2003:12). The imponderable remedies
are generally produced by exposing a mixture of lactose and distilled water to
the desired energy source from which a remedy is to be manufactured; in some
cases, a pure solvent of either distilled water or alcohol alone can also be
used for the above mentioned purposes (Goel,
2002:69). Upon exposure for a predetermined time period these solutions are
believed to absorb the emitted energies to which they have been exposed too,
thus allowing the manufacturer to safely harness and use these solutions as
medicinally active agents. Like all other homoeopathic remedies these ''energy
impregnated'' substances can then be triturated and/or succussed
further by the homoeopathic physician to the desired potency levels required
for medicinal purposes (Goel, 2002:69; Saxena 2003:18-19).
Saxena
states that the imponderable remedies should be considered as being more
penetrating and enduring than all other homoeopathic medicines due to the fact
that these remedies are formulated from direct energy sources, whereas all
other homoeopathic medicines are not (Saxena,
2003:24-26).
- 23 -
Hence these
remedies are said to work the fastest, reaching deeply into and stimulating the
organism to health by clearing away stubborn chronic diseases that fail to
yield to other homoeopathic remedies, including the powerful homoeopathic nosodes (Saxena, 2003:90).
Saxena
(2003:26) further states that these imponderable remedies should also be
considered in situations where individuals have undergone heavy radiation
exposure; in those that suffer from immunodeficiency diseases; in others who
are experiencing stubborn allergic and skin disorders, and also in those
individuals with iatrogenic diseases. A remedy such as X-ray has been
noted to be one of the leading imponderable remedies for all of the above cited
situations. Proven in 1897 by Dr. Bernhardt Fincke, X-ray
has been used for a host of clinical diseases – particularly those
involving cancerous conditions of all types – especially leukaemias
and leucopaenias; anaemias;
glandular disorders (particularly those afflicting the sexual glands leading to
atrophy and sterility); conditions produced after prolonged exposure to X-ray
emissions; rheumatoid arthritis, and a variety of skin complaints that range
from eczema to psoriasis, burn wounds and warts (Saxena,
2003:56; Vermeulen, 2000:1619).
Other imponderable remedies such as Radium bromatum (Radium bromide), first proven by John
Henry Clarke, has also been found to be of importance in the treatment of
rheumatic pains and inflammation; gout; as well as in the clinical treatment of
skin affections such as acne roseacea, naevi, cancers and slow healing ulcerations (Vermeulen, 2000:1314; Vermeulen,
2004:1119). Other less well proven imponderable remedies such as Sol (Sunlight)
and Luna (Moonlight) have also been used in disease conditions which
include lupus, sun burns, sun strokes – and worms, epilepsy, oedema and
somnambulism respectively (Saxena, 2003:54).
2.9 PROVING SUBSTANCE: FOCUSED PINK LIGHT
The research investigator has decided to refrain from
reproducing remedy Pink 30CH as the precise method of its manufacture
could not be located and obtained. All references to the manufacturing process
of these colour remedies
- 24 -
in the
published work ‘The Homoeopathic Colour Remedies’ by Ambika
Wauters (1999), have also been found to be too vague
and thus unusable for a precise reproduction of remedy Pink 30CH.
Wauters
states that ‘’auspicious days’’, days of maximum and minimum light, such as the
winter – and summer solstices were chosen on which to make the various colour
remedies. No indication is given however on which of the two solstices remedy Pink
was prepared.
(http://www.ambikawauters.com/journal.html)
According to Wauters
(1999:19) the remedy was originally produced by exposing glass beakers of
distilled water to a light source; in this case and unlike for the other respective
colour remedies, pink filters could not be located – instead, Wauters wrapped the glass beakers of distilled water in
pink silk fabric as a source of colour and exposed it to sunlight. Thereafter
each glass beaker was then rested upon small glass mirrors in order to better
reflect, and thereby maximize, the pink coloured light vibrating through the
distilled water in the glass beaker.
(http://www.ambikawauters.com/journal.html)
According to Wauters
(1999:20) this now considered ‘’colour impregnated’’ distilled water was then
preserved in alcohol and officially potentised in a
homoeopathic fashion by John Morgan and his staff at the Helios Homoeopathic
Pharmacy in 1992. Remedy Pink 30CH was thus purchased in a medicating
potency form (in 96% alcohol) from Helios Homoeopathic Pharmacy and used as the
proving substance.
- 25 -
CHAPTER THREE
3.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 THE
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
The homoeopathic drug proving of remedy Pink 30CH took
the form of a double blind, placebo controlled study on thirty (30) voluntary
participants who met all the inclusion criteria (3.5.1). Thirty percent
(i.e. nine) of the proving participants received placebo in a randomized
fashion so that neither the provers nor the research
investigator knew who received either the verum or
placebo. As an added control measure the provers were
uninformed as to the nature of the substance being proven or as to the potency
it had been administered in as suggested by Vithoulkas
(2002:151).
Provers
were then required to record their symptomatology in
the journals provided from which the primary data was then later extracted. All
symptomatology was recorded in chronological order
and on a daily basis. Any data recorded from case histories and physical
examinations taken and performed by the research investigator, prior to the
commencement of the proving, was also taken into consideration. Provers also served as their own intra-individual controls
in this proving. The recorded state of each prover
prior to the administration of the proving substance served as a baseline or
control for comparison to the state of each prover
under the influence of the proving substance.
3.2 AN
OUTLINE OF THE METHOD
�.
Prospective provers
were recruited by means of a proving advertisement posted at various sites
around the grounds of the Durban University of Technology.
- 26 -
�.
Once provers
had been recruited, the research investigator conducted an initial interview
where the suitability of each prospective applicant was then checked against
the inclusion criteria (3.5.1) (see Appendix A).
�.
All provers
were randomly assigned by computer to either the verum
or placebo group.
�.
The provers
then attended the pre-proving seminar, during which, all aspects and
requirements of the proving were explained to them. This seminar also afforded
the provers time to ask questions and clarify any
queries regarding or relating to the proving.
�.
Once the provers
had accepted all conditions of the research project, they were then asked to
sign a consent form (see Appendix C).
�.
Provers
between the ages of 18-21 were also required to provide additional consent from
parents or guardians prior to participating in the proving (see Appendix C and
Appendix E).
�.
A thorough case history (medical and
homoeopathic) and physical examination of each prover
was performed by the research investigator. This also served as an accessory
screening procedure (see Appendix B).
�.
Provers
were then assigned a prover number, a journal with a
number corresponding to the prover number, a list of
instructions (see Appendix D), and the relevant contact details of the
research investigator and research supervisor.
�.
Once all case histories, physical
examinations and relevant documentation on all thirty provers
had been completed, all provers were then notified as
to the date of commencement of the proving.
�.
At the commencement of the proving,
all provers began to record their daily symptoms in
their journals prior to taking the proving remedy for one week. This enabled
the establishment of a baseline control for the comparison of each prover’s state during the pre- and post proving periods.
�.
All provers
were then assigned an envelope containing six (6) medicated (verum) or un-medicated (placebo) powders, with each
envelope being
- 27 -
marked
with the number corresponding to each respective prover
number.
• The provers started taking
the proving remedy three times daily while continuing to record all symptoms
experienced in their journals. The research investigator maintained daily
contact with all provers during the first week
following the administration of the proving remedy.
• As soon as a prover
experienced any symptoms, she/he discussed it with the researcher and together
decided whether or not these symptoms were admissible as proving symptomatology. The proving remedy was then discontinued
for safety reasons if the symptomatology were found
to be proving symptoms.
• If no symptoms were experienced after two (2) days
or once all six proving powders had been completed, the prover
still maintained a daily entry in the journal noting that no symptoms had
occurred for that day. This was either continued till the end of the proving,
or until proving symptoms did occur.
• All provers continued to
record symptoms on a daily basis until all proving symptoms had abated.
• After the first week of daily contact with each prover, the researcher then reduced contact to every two –
then every three (3) days, and then weekly.
• The proving was then considered to be completed once
all proving symptoms had abated for a period of three weeks.
• A two week post-proving observation period then
occurred where the provers noted down if any symptoms
recurred.
• This homoeopathic drug proving lasted approximately
to 4-6 weeks per a prover, including the one (1) week
pre-proving and two week post-proving observation periods.
• All journals were then recalled and a full case
history and physical examination was performed on each prover,
with any differences noted down by the research investigator.
•
A group discussion then took place allowing all provers
to share their experiences with the other provers.
- 28 -
�.
The proving was then unblinded to the researcher so that he could distinguish
between the placebo and verum groups.
�.
Extraction and collation of proving
data then occurred.
�.
Those symptoms that appeared
significantly in both the control group (placebo group) and in the experimental
group (verum group) were not considered as proving
symptoms.
�.
The researcher then investigated
into existing Imponderabilia by comparing the
symptoms/themes of these established Imponderable remedies with those
symptoms/themes produced by remedy Pink 30CH.
�.
The proving was then reported in a materia medica and repertory
format and then published.
3.3 THE PROVING SUBSTANCE
3.3.1 Preparation and Dispensing of the Remedy
to be Proven
The researcher decided to refrain from reproducing the
remedy as the precise method of its manufacture could not be obtained. All
references to the manufacturing process of these colour remedies in the
published work ‘The Homoeopathic Colour Remedies’ by Ambika
Wauters, have also been found to be too vague and
thus unusable for a precise reproduction of remedy Pink 30CH.
Remedy Pink 30CH was thus purchased from the
Helios Homoeopathic Pharmacy group and was originally produced by Ambika Wauters as an un-potentized ‘mother tincture’. All further potencies were
then homoeopathically prepared from this ‘mother tincture’ through a series of
successive dilutions and succussions according to the
Hahnemannian centesimal (1:99) scale of potentization. This means that the ‘mother tincture’ was
hand succussed to the thirtieth centesimal (30CH)
potency with a minimum of ten (10) firm hand succussions
being applied between each successive step of serial de-concentration.
- 29 -
The verum was dispensed in the form of lactose powders
medicated with a single drop of a 96% ethanol solution of remedy Pink 30CH potency.
The placebo was also dispensed in the form of lactose powders, but was
medicated with a single drop of 96% ethanol solution only. The dispensing of
these medicines was done by a professional homoeopathic doctor so that the
research investigator remained uninformed as to which of the provers had received the placebo, and which the verum. (See section 3.5).
3.3.2 The Potency
After taking into careful consideration all aspects of
potencies, and on the information previously discussed in the literature review
gleamed from Sherr (2003:56), Hahnemann
(O’ Reilly, 1997:154) and Kent (Webster, 2002:12), only the 30CH potency of
remedy Pink was used in this proving.
3.3.3 Dosage and Posology
�.
One (1) powder was administered
sublingually three (3) times daily for a period of two (2) days or until
proving symptoms first appeared.
�.
A maximum of six (6) doses was
administered.
�.
The prover
ceased taking any further doses as soon as he/she or the researcher noted the
onset of proving symptoms (Sherr, 2003:53-54).
�.
The remedy was taken on an empty
stomach and with a clear mouth. Neither food nor drink was permissible or taken
for an hour before or after taking the remedy.
�.
The dosage and posology
was clearly explained to each prover during the
pre-proving consultation and in the Instruction to Provers
(see Appendix D), a copy of which was given to each prover
to take home with them.
- 30 -
3.4 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The methodology used in this research project was
approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences Ethics Committee of the Durban
University of Technology to ensure the rights and safety of the proving
participants. Furthermore, informed consent was also obtained in those
participants who were between 18 – 21 years of age.
3.5 THE PROVER POPULATION AND PERCENTAGE PLACEBO
In this double-blind, placebo-controlled homoeopathic
drug proving, thirty (30) participants were used. Thirty percent (i.e. 9 of the
30) provers were assigned placebo in a randomised
fashion so as to act as placebo controls, and the remaining twenty-one (21) provers (70%) received verum. Assignment
of the provers to either the verum
or placebo group was established through computer randomization carried out by
the researchers’ supervisor. Each prover was,
furthermore, assigned with a prover number (in consecutive
order from 1-30) upon application to take part in the proving. It was the
matching of the prover number against the numbers
appearing on the randomisation list that ensured that each prover
collected the correct envelope of either the verum or
placebo powders. The 21 provers who received verum corresponded with the recommendation of Sherr (2003:45) and the ICCH (1999:34) that 10-20 provers provided enough information to produce a very full
remedy picture. Of these provers, eleven (11) were
male and ten (10) were female and all provers fitted
into the 18 – 70 age groups (see Appendix F: Graph 1 and Graph
3).
3.5.1 Criteria for the Inclusion of a Subject in
the Proving Group
It was ensured that each participant:
�.
was
between the ages of 18 to 70 years.
�.
had
obtained parental consent if he/she was between 18 to 21 years of age. (see Appendix
C and Appendix E).
- 31 -
�.
was
in a general state of good health with no gross physical or mental pathology
determined by the case history or physical examination (Sherr,
2003:44; ICCH, 1999:34; Wright, 1999:20).
�.
was
neither on nor in need of any medication (chemical, homoeopathic or otherwise)
(Sherr, 2003:44; Wright, 1999:20).
�.
had
not used the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy within the
last six months (Sherr, 2003:44; ICCH, 1999:34).
�.
was
not pregnant or breastfeeding (Sherr, 2003:44; ICCH,
1999:34).
�.
was
not a user of any form of recreational drugs (Sherr,
2003:44; ICCH, 1999:34).
�.
had
not had surgery within the last six weeks (Wright, 1999:20).
�.
did
not consume more than 2 measures of alcohol, 3 cups of caffeine-containing
beverages (e.g. tea, coffee or carbonated drinks), herb teas or 10 cigarettes
per day (Sherr, 2003:29; Wright, 1999:20).
�.
was
able to follow the proper procedures for the duration of the proving (Wright,
1999:20).
�.
was
competent, trustworthy and had signed the consent form (O’ Riley 1997:144; Sherr, 2003:24; Wright 1999:20).
3.5.2 Lifestyle of the Provers
during the Proving
All proving participants were also advised to:
�.
avoid
all antidoting factors such as camphor and menthol
for the duration of the proving and to stop taking them two (2) weeks prior to
the commencement of the remedy administration (Sherr,
2003:92).
�.
avoid
any form of medication including antibiotics, vitamin and mineral supplements,
herbal or other homoeopathic remedies (Sherr,
2003:92).
�.
practise
moderation with regards to work, alcohol, smoking, exercise, study and diet (Sherr, 2003:92, O’ Riley, 1997:200).
�.
maintain
their usual habits to a moderate degree (Sherr,
2003:92).
�.
store the medicaments in a cool,
dark place away from all pungent agents, electrical equipment, heat, moisture
and cellular phones (Sherr,
- 32 -
2003:92).
•
Consult with a doctor, dentist or hospital in the event of a medical emergency
where immediate medical attention is required – and thereafter, contact the
research investigator as soon as possible (Sherr,
2003:92).
3.5.3 Monitoring of Provers
The researcher kept in daily telephonic contact with
each prover during the initial stages of the proving.
As proving symptoms began to abate, contact frequency with each prover was then decreased as follows: to every second day
during the second week; then every third day during the third week; and
eventually to every seven days till all symptoms had completely stopped from
the fourth week onwards. Such
close monitoring of each prover ensured
that :
�.
the
researcher could determine when the proving substance had begun to act, so that
he could inform the prover to cease taking the
proving substance.
�.
the prover did not neglect or forget to record any symptom
experienced.
�.
the provers were closely monitored for any adverse reactions
that needed anti-doting.
3.6 PROVING CHRONOLOGY
It was important that the prover
noted down the time elapsed since the beginning of the proving for each symptom
(O’ Reilly, 1997:116, Sherr, 2003:73). This was
recorded in the form of DD:HH:MM, where ‘’DD’’ was the
number of days (day 1 was marked 00), ‘’HH’’ was the number of hours and ‘’MM’’
was the number of minutes since the commencement of the proving. The top of
each page in the prover’s journals was marked with
the appropriate day code. After 24 hours, the minutes became redundant and were
represented with an ‘’XX’’. After 2 days, the hours became redundant and were
also represented with an ‘’XX’’. In instances were time was insignificant or
unclear,
- 33 -
the
symptom was marked XX:XX:XX. When symptoms occurred after a dose, the time was
marked from that dose. Actual time of the day was only included in the proving
if it was definite, significant and causal to the symptom. All irrelevant time
data was erased during the initial extraction (Sherr,
2003:73-74).
3.7 GROUP DISCUSSION
Once all of the journals used during the proving
process had been collected, a group discussion was then held, during which, all
provers were given the opportunity to share and
discuss the proving and their experiences with the rest of the group. This
enabled the researcher to consolidate the fragmented aspects of the proving
into a single unit, as well as to address any areas found to be seemingly
deficient in terms of proving symptoms. Unfortunately, due to reasons beyond
the control of the researcher, not all of the provers
were able to attend. Even so, it was still useful discussing the proving within
a group as it was found to have added a deep and dynamic dimension to the
proving experience. The group discussion also enabled provers
to clarify symptoms and to discard those that were found to be too doubtful, or
those that were undeniably due to circumstantial causes rather than due to the
remedy itself. After the discussion, the substance that was used for proving
purposes was then revealed to the provers, following
which, any queries regarding the proving and the nature of the proving
substance was then addressed and clarified by the researcher.
3.8 THE DURATION OF THE PROVING
A one (1) week pre-proving observation period preceded
the commencement of the proving process. Following this, the provers then continued to record all of the symptoms
experienced over an allocated four (4) to six (6) weeks or until no more
symptoms were experienced or observed. The two (2) week post-proving
observation period then followed at the close of the proving process. The
duration of this proving thus took approximately sixteen (16) weeks to complete
as in some instances, new provers had to be recruited
and accommodated in
- 34 -
the
place of those provers who chose withdraw prematurely
from the research study for various reasons.
3.9 SYMPTOM COLLECTION, EXTRACTION AND
EVALUATION
This phase of the research design concerned itself
with the conversion of the provers written journals
into a materia medica
format from which only the valid proving symptoms were extracted (ICCH,
1999:35, Sherr, 2003:67). Each symptom was then
analysed, validated or rejected according to the following criteria detailed
below by the research investigator, then edited into a proving format that was
coherent, un-repetitive and logical (Sherr, 2003:67).
All proving accounts were written in the first person, not in repertory
language, in simple grammatically correct English with the basic expression of
the prover being retained (Sherr,
2003:68). Any information garnered from an objective observer of the prover was also considered important and thus retained and
included – in these instances, such information was included below the relevant
provers’ entries and placed within brackets. Likewise,
any symptomatology not written but relayed by the prover during the post-proving consultation or the
post-proving meeting was also included and indicated as such below the provers’ entry.
3.9.1 Criteria for the Inclusion of a Symptom as
a Proving Symptom
The process of extracting valid symptoms from a proving
has been regarded as the most difficult stage of a proving (Sherr,
2003:68). Sherr (2003:68) suggested that the criteria
listed below be used together, as a whole, rather than individually, and his
suggestion was followed in the extraction process for this proving. This is the
area in which the qualitative analysis of symptoms, using these criteria as
guidelines, is of the utmost importance and far outweighs any quantitative
analysis.
�.
The symptom did not appear
significantly in a subject in the placebo group.
- 35 -
�.
The symptom occurred shortly after
taking the medication (Riley, 1995a, b).
�.
The number of subjects experiencing
a symptom (Riley, 1995a,b) i.e. if only a single subject experiences a symptom,
it may not be that of a proving symptom; however, if a significant or marked
symptom appears in one or more subjects, it will serve to validate those others
in which the same symptom occurred (Sherr, 2003:71).
�.
The intensity and frequency of the
symptom i.e. the more severe/intense and common a symptom, the more likely it
was to be a proving symptom, unless it was present before the proving (Sherr, 2003:72).
�.
The symptom was not usual or current
for the proving subject, unless intensified to a marked degree (Sherr, 2003:70; ICCH, 1999:36).
�.
A current symptom that has been
modified or altered, with a clear description of the current and modified
component (Sherr, 2003:70; ICCH, 1999:36).
�.
The current symptom must not have
occurred in the proving subject within the last year (Sherr,
2003:70; Riley, 1997:227).
�.
Any symptom that occurred a long
time previously, especially for more than 5 years ago, but has not occurred for
at least one year and that had no explainable reason to reappear at the time of
the proving (O’ Riley, 1997:207; Sherr, 2003:70).
�.
A new symptom unfamiliar to the prover occurring after taking the remedy (Sherr, 2003:70; Riley, 1997:227).
�.
A present symptom (especially a
pre-existing chronic symptom) that disappeared during the proving. This will be
marked as a 'cured symptom', and the nature of the symptom prior to the proving
will be adequately described (Sherr, 2003:71; Riley,
1997:227).
�.
The time of day at which a symptom
occurs will be included if there is a repetition of such time in another prover (ICCH, 1999:36).
�.
If the prover
is under the influence of the remedy (as may be seen by a general appearance of
symptoms), then all other new symptoms are considered as proving symptoms (Sherr, 2003:70).
�.
A strange, rare or peculiar symptom
in general or for that proving subject
- 36 -
�.
The modalities, concomitants,
localizations (sides and extensions) and timing associated with a symptom
(Riley, 1997:227).
�.
Accidents, synchronistic events and
coincidences that occur to more than one prover (Sherr, 2003:71).
�.
A symptom will be excluded if there
is a possibility that it has been produced by unexpected life changes or due to
an exciting cause extraneous to the proving (Sherr,
2003:70; ICCH, 1999:36).
3.9.2 Collating and Editing
The aim of this stage of the research study was to
synthesise the separate proving accounts from the individual provers into a single structured document (Sherr, 2003:77). All data from each prover
was collated into its relevant subdivision e.g. mind, head, stomach etc., and
was then combined and sorted by subject and time of appearance. Any identical
or similar symptoms from the different provers were
recorded separately and consecutively, with symptoms being sorted according to
the following criteria:
�.
the nature of the symptom
�.
the prover
�.
the sequence of development of the
symptom
�.
the symptom chronology
Any symptoms that were repeated from a single prover were amalgamated into a single entry in order to
avoid unnecessary repetition (Sherr, 2003:78). However,
due care was taken to ensure that any important and subtle information with
regards to these seemingly repetitive proving entries were not unduly erased or
ignored – these were then documented as a separate entry so as to preserve the
integrity of the symptom.
- 37 -
Furthermore,
if the same quality of sensation was found in several of the above
mentioned subdivisions, e.g. burning of the feet, face and the hands; then the
sensation of 'burning' was then added to the Generalities section (Sherr, 2003:79). Likewise, any recurring symptoms, sides of
the body and times of the day that were repeated three or more times throughout
the proving were also elevated to general symptoms and were added to the Generalities
section (Sherr, 2003:79). At the closure of this
process a final editing for errors in grammar and spelling took place.
3.9.3 Formalizing and Reporting the Data
In order for the data collected from this research
project to become useful to homoeopathic physicians worldwide, it was written
up into two standard accepted formats: the materia medica and the repertory.
3.9.3.1
The Materia Medica
|
All collated and edited proving symptoms were
written up into standard materia medica format under the following subdivisions, closely
adhering to the sections of Synthesis - Edition 9.1 (2004), to ensure
standardization and ease of reference. Mind |
Urethra |
|
Vertigo |
Urine |
|
Head |
Urinary Organs |
|
Eye |
Male |
|
Vision |
Female |
|
Ear |
Male/Female |
|
Hearing |
Larynx |
|
Nose |
Respiration |
|
Face |
Cough |
|
Mouth |
Expectoration |
|
Teeth |
Chest |
Vorwort/Suchen Zeichen/Abkürzungen Impressum