Treat SIMPLE FEVER yourself with Homeopathy

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Now get cracking! Start practising Homeopathy yourself. I will give you some remedies which cure simple fever. (Please make sure it is simple fever and nothing else before prescribing). I will give you the drug picture of the remedies. If they match with the disease picture of the patient, you can administer the drug. If you are a raw beginner, use either 6C or 30C potency. Give one of the remedies only if the pictures match; otherwise you will have to look further.

Give just one globule of the remedy dry on the tongue. Some Homeopaths say you got to take 4 globules at a time. Disregard all that. The great Kent had said that even one tiny globule is as effective as four of them. Or you could dissolve one globule in half a cup of clean water and give one tea spoon at a time, till there is improvement. Once improvement starts, stop. Do not give any further teaspoons.

Acon.- After exposure to cold and dry air, especially when perspiring. The skin is hot and dry. Violent thirst. restlessness with tossing about.

Bell.- Face of the patient is red. He has a throbbing headache. Sweat on covered parts of the body. Hot head. Feet cold. Sleepy but cannot sleep.

Bryonia- Mouth, lips and tongue very dry. Hard dry cough but with little or no expectoration. The chest hurts during cough. Wants to lie down quietly. Big thirst for lots of water, but at long intervals. Or no thirst. The stool is dry and hard or constipated.

Gels- Drowsiness. Semi stupor. The patient cannot open his/her eyes, nor think clearly. Wants to lie still. Wants to stay silent. Does not like anybody's presence near him/her, even if the person stays quiet.

Ipecac- Fever with nausea and vomiting.

Merc sol- Creeping chilliness, especially in the evening. Chilliness alternates with heat. Profuse sweat at night without relief. The tongue is soft and flabby, taking the impression of the teeth.

Nux Vom- Great heat of body. Body is burning hot, yet the patient wants to have covers over him. Even then feels chilly.

Puls- Constant chilliness. Even in a warm room. Worse in the evening. Mouth is dry but does not feel thirsty. Bad or bitter taste in mouth.

Rhus Tox- Fever caused (Causation!) due to exposure to cold and rainy weather. Fever from getting wet. Whole body is painful. Great restlessness. Wants to change position, especially at night. Feels better after doing that.

The Miasms in Homeopathy: Miasms by Roger Morrison

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The following is miasms according to Roger Morrison. He agrees with interpretations of each miasm by different Homeopaths (named after each miasm in the following list)

Acute/Rabies Miasm (Sankaran)

Originally, these remedies were used during acute illnesses such as scarlet fever, pneumonia and delirium. Later it was found that they are useful in chronic conditions where the sensation of the patient is identical to the sensation of an acutely ill patient. The patient feels as if he were reacting to a sudden, unexpected, life-threatening situation (illness, attack, accident, etc). The patient is in an almost “primitive” state usually accompanied by great fear and child-like reaction. There is no compensatory mechanism except fight or flight. He seeks reassurance and protection. Often mania states require remedies from the acute or typhoid miasm. Severe phobia disorders also frequently fit within this miasm.
Remedies- Aconite. Arnica. Belladonna. Cactina. Calendula. Camphora. Chocolate. Coffeinum. Croton Tiglium. Digitoxin. Elaterium. Ergotaminum. Hydrogen. Hypericum. Lithium. Melilotus. Morphinum. Oenanthus. Stramonium. Strychninum. Veratrum.
Nosode: Lyssinum. Morbillinum. Diptherinum.

Typhoid Miasm (SANKARAN)

Also known as the subacute miasm. Remedies in this miasm were originally used for typhoid fever – that is high, unremitting fever often associated with prostration from violent diarrheas or other infections. The infections are slightly less rapid in their onset (like all our descriptions of Bryonia) than the remedies in the acute miasm. Now we find these remedies can be useful in a variety of chronic conditions such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, collapse states, psychosis. Patients in this miasm who have acute or recurring psychotic breaks have good prospects from homeopathic treatment. The patient feels himself to be in an urgent, life-threatening situation requiring his full capacity to survive. The patient is willing to use any means to return to a secure position: Violence, scheming, flight, lying, etc. Willful children who demand their desires so strongly that parents cave in often require remedies from this group. The patient’s goal is to conserve every resource to combat the threat. Thus materialism and business struggles are a strong component. The feeling is, “If I can just get through this crisis, I have it made and I can rest.” He seeks rest and a secure position.
Remedies- Abelmoschus. Acetic Acid. Aethusa. Ailanthus. Anantherum. Argemon. Asclepias Tuberosa. Baptisia. Benzoic Acid. Bryonia. Carbo Animalis. Carbo Vegetabilis. Carnegia gigantea. Chamomilla. Doryphora. Euphrasia. Gallic Acid. Gambogia. Helleborus. Hyoscyamus. Ipecac. Lycopus. Mancinella. Nux Moschata. Nux Vomica. Paris. Petroleum. Polystyrene. Podophyllum. Pyrogenium. Rheum. Rhus Tox. Sacchrum Album. Sulphuricum Acidum. Thyroidinum. Veratrum Veride. Viscum.
Nosode: Typhoidinum.

Malarial Miasm (Sankaran)

In malaria, the situation is still less severe. The patient is suffering but not in immanent danger for his life. Instead he finds himself repeatedly accosted by highly uncomfortable conditions. These conditions leave him weak and vulnerable between the attacks. He is partially crippled by the condition causing him to be dependent on those around him. His forward progress is arrested as he deals with these harassing attacks. For chronic conditions, the remedies of the malarial miasm feel they are facing recurring attacks from life – they feel stuck in a situation where nothing goes right and he is never truly well. He can do little more than complain or act out. Patients in this miasm often feel miserable and make those around them miserable from their negative outlook. The patient especially suffers with intermittent fevers, recurring hemorrhoids, recurring or allergic asthma, migraines, neuralgia, rheumatism.
Remedies- Ammonium Muriaticum. Angustura. Antimonium Crudum. Aurum Muriaticum Kalinatum. Berberis. Boletus. Cactus. Capsicum. Cedron. Chelidonium. China (and it’s salts). Cina. Clematis. Colchicum. Colocynthis. Eupatorium Perfoliatum. Eupatorium Purpureum. Iris. Kalmia. Magnesia Muriatica. Menyanthes. Natrum Muriaticum. Peonia. Prunus. Ranunculus Bulbosus. Sarracenia. Spigelia. Sumbulus. Verbascum.

Ringworm Miasm (Sankaran)

Ringworm and fungal disorders are annoying but not at all life-threatening. These conditions often get better very slowly but slip back in at the first vulnerable moment. It is a constant effort to combat the condition. The theme for ringworm miasm is struggle against an external object but alternately feeling optimism or pessimism. The patient often repeatedly uses the word, “trying.” The feeling is that he must try and try and yet he never quite gets there though never quite gives up.
Remedies- Actea Spicata. Allium Sativa. Calcarea Fluorica. Calcarea Silicata. Calcarea Sulphurica. Dulcamara. Fagus. Gossypium. Magnesia Sulphuric Opunta vulgaris. Pseudotsuga. Rhus Venanata. Sarsaparilla. Taraxicum. Teucreum. Upas. Veronica officianalis. Viola Tricolorata.
Nosode – Ringworm nosode.

Psoric Miasm (Hahnemann)

The theme for psora according to Sankaran is struggle against an external problem but with a feeling of optimism. Paradoxically, since many of the remedies and characteristics of psora have been differentiated into other miasms, few remedies are left in this category. Many have noted the similarity between Sankaran’s description of this miasm and his description of the ringworm miasm.
Remedies- Calcarea. Cuprum. Ferrum. Graphites. Kali-Carbonicum. Lycopodium. Niccolum. Sulphur. Zincum.

Sycotic Miasm (Hahnemann)

Gonorrhea is a condition that is not life-threatening but is shameful and embarrassing. The remedies used to combat gonorrhea and gleet also treat the ailments of suppressed gonorrhea. All of the diseases that respond to this group of remedies are fixed and intractable: They do not go away but they do not progress. The patient spends a great deal of time trying to cover up or compensate for the illness. Thus we have the well-known characteristic of the sycotic miasm: secretiveness. The patient is often riddled with guilt and insecurity. Inferiority complex is a common finding in this miasm. The physical conditions often center around the urinary or genital tract. Also common is asthma, tumors and neoplasms, eczema, genital herpes.
Remedies- Argentum Metallicum. Borax. Bovista. Calcarea Bromata. Cannabis Indica. Caulophyllum. Crocus Sativa. Digitallis. Gelsemium. Kali Bichromicum. Kali Bromatum. Kali Sulphuricum. Lac Caninum. Lac Delphinum. Natrum Sulphuricum. Palladium. Pulsatilla. Sabadilla. Sanguinaria. Silica. Thuja.
Nosode: Medorrhinum

Cancer Miasm (Foubister)

When a patient receives a diagnosis of cancer, it is obvious that the condition is life threatening. The patient and the family feel there is almost no hope but yet they do not give up. They search high and low for a new drug trial, a new surgery, or even a farfetched alternative like homeopathy. The feeling is one of desperation, of holding on to hope with the fingernails. The patient who needs a remedy from this miasm feels he must carry out his life perfectly – one failure of duty, one lapse in cleanliness, one cheat of the proper diet and all will be lost. Perfectionism and the need for control with the feeling of being strained to one’s very limit are the normal presentation. Physically the cancer miasm is often found in patients with a history of cancer but many other physical ailments can be produced. Anorexia nervosa is often treated by remedies of this miasm. Tumors of any sort, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis are often found in this miasm.
Remedies- Agaricus, Anacardium. Anhalonium, Argentum Nitricum, Arsenicum Album. Asarum. Baryta Arsenica, Bellis Perenis, Calcarea Arsenica, Calcarea Nitrica, Causticum, Conium. Ferrum Arsenicum, Ignatia, Kali Arsenicum, Kali Nitricum, Natrum Arsenicum, Nitricum Acidum, Opium, Physostigma, Ruta, Sabina, Staphysagria, Tabacum, Viola Odorata.
Nosodes: Carcinocin, Scirrhinum

Tubercular Miasm (Vithoulkas)

The feeling of the miasm relates to the ever encroaching and eventually fatally suffocating infection. The patient rebels, struggles, longs for freedom from his condition. He hurries to live his life even as he intuits that it is burning away from him. He feels the walls closing in upon him. His loved ones cannot be trusted. He suffers from respiratory conditions, persecution complex, deformative arthritis
Remedies- Abrotanum. Acalypha. Apis. Aranea. Arsenicum Iodatum. Atrax. Balsamum. Brucea. Bromium. Calcarea Iodata. Calcarea Phosphorica. Cereus Bonplandii. Cimicifuga. Cistus. Coccus Cacti. Coffea. Drosera. Elaterium. Euonymus. Ferrum Iodatum. Ferrum Phosphoricum. Fluoric Acid. Ginseng. Iodum Kali Phosphoricum. Latrodectus. Magnesia Phosphorica. Mygale. Myristica. Myrtus Communis. Natrum Phosphricum. Oleander. Phelandrium. Phosphorus. Pix. Rumex. Salix Niger. Sambucus. Senega. Succinic Acid. Tarentula. Theridion. Ustilago. Verbascum.Vespa.
Nosode – Bacillinum. Tuberculinum (in all its preparations). BCG vaccine.

Leprosy Miasm (Vakil)

Lepers have suffered enormously through history. The condition is slowly progressive and eventually leads to death. However, even more disturbing to the patient is the reaction of those around him. He is reviled by his friends and community. Where they looked at him with affection they now feel loathing. This results in a desperate state of self-disgust and self-hatred. He feels contempt with his condition and towards himself or others. He desires to tear, mutilate or bite himself. He suffers from suicidal thoughts or impulses, depression, morbid obesity.
Remedies- Agraphis. Aloe. Ambra. Androctonus. Aristolochia. Aurum Sulphuricum. Azadirachta. Baryta Iodata. Baryta Sulphurica. Cereus Serpentinus. Cicuta. Coca. Codeinum. Comocladia. Curare. Cyclamen. Fumaria. Gratiola. Homarus. Hura. Hydrastus. Hydrocotyle. Indolum. Kola nut. Lac Defloratum. Laurocerasus. Ledum. Mandragora. Mephites. Ocimum sacntum. Rhus glabra. Secale. Sepia. Skatolum. Solanum Tuberosum Aegrotans. Spiraea.
Nosodes – Leprominium. Psorinum.

Syphilitic Miasm (Hahnemann)

Syphilis was an inexorable death sentence in the pre-antibiotic era. The condition is utterly destructive – either physically or mentally. Extreme nihilism marks the patient in the uncompensated state. The diseases are destructive of bone and tissue leading eventually to death. The patient reacts to his illness or his perceived life situations as though under a death sentence. He is prone to feelings of violence and revenge. Suicide or homicidal feelings are common. Destructive addictions often result. Physical conditions include advanced cardiac conditions, aortic disease, aneurysm, alcoholism.
Remedies- Alumina. Anagallis. Aurum. Cenchris. Clematis. Crataegus Echinacea. Elaps. Hepar Sulphur. Hydrocotyle. Lachesis. Lathyrus. Leptandra. Mercurius. Origanum. Osmium. Naja. Platinum Plumbum. Plutonium. Psilocibe. Stillingea.
Nosode -- Syphilinum

SOME IMPORTANT BOOKS ON MIASMS

The Homeopathic Miasms - A Modern View by IAN WATSON

This is a modern review of the homeopathic theory of miasms, taking Hahnemann's groundbreaking hypothesis as the starting point, and extending it to include positive as well as negative traits, exploring how miasms can and do contribute to a growth in human consciousness. Considering the miasms as challenges to humanity, the author describes each major miasm in terms of its life issues and affinities, with the disease aspects being incorporated into a much larger picture. It includes the five chronic miasms of psora, sycosis, syphilis, tuberculosis and cancer, plus the more recent miasms of radiation and AIDS. It also includes the organ and tissue affinities, associated homeopathic remedies and flower essences.

Indications of Miasms by H CHOUDHURY

Dr. Choudhury's treatise on miasms is very explicitly written in all the aspects with practical suggestions which would help the readers immensely. He described the relationship of miasms with micro-organisms, the correct indication of the particular miasm thereby identifying one from another. He described mixed miasms, vaccinosis, acute miasms, etc., to understand and distinguish them for the purpose of treatment. He has written on the present days' dreaded diseases like Tuberculosis, Cancer, AIDS, etc. for appropriate understanding from homoeopathic point of view. He has compiled lists of drugs under each miasm for the benefit of readers.

Miasms as Practical Tools: A Homeopathic Approach to Chronic Disease (Beaconsfield Homeopathic Library) BY JOHN SAXTON

Here is a model for understanding the miasms and utilising them as real tools for prescribing which covers all the bases and has never quite been done this way before, to my knowledge. Illustrated well, with many useful and detailed discussed cases, this work should become a baseline for teaching of the subject and be added to each school's essential reading list, enabling a really good grounding.

-- The Homeopath

The Chronic Miasms: Psora, Pseudo-psora and Sycosis BY J H ALLEN

Comparative Study of Chronic Miasms- Y R AGARWAL

Notes on the Miasms- P S ORTEGA

Originally published in 1977 as Apuntes sobre los Miasmas o Enfermedades Cronicas de Hahnemann. Primera edicion. Biblioteca de Homeopatia de Mexico A.C. Mexico D.F. The English edition was published under the supervision of Diwan Harish Chand. This book is an in-depth look at miasmatic analysis of cases.

Miasmatic Diagnosis Practical Tips With Clinical Comparisons: Includes Summary of Miasmatic Indications from Head to Foot With Phychic and Paedeatric Manifestations and Miasm Medicine Chart- SUBRATA KUMAR BANERJEA

The Foundation of the Chronic Miasms in the Practice of Homeopathy- HENNY HEUDEN MAST

"Henny's depth of understanding of homeopathic philosophy is unsurpassed, as is her knowledge of materia medica, case taking, case analysis, miasms, and her amazing ability to find the simillimum. Her consistency in upholding the highest principles of homeopathic philosophy and healing in her teaching and practice shine a bright clear light on homeopathy. We are fortunate to receive this great gift to our healing profession.
Durr Elmore, D.C., N.D., LAc, Associate Professor
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Portland, Oregon



A COMPARISON OF THE CHRONIC MIASMS (Psora, Pseudo-Psora, Syphilis, Sycosis). With a Foreword by Noel Puddephatt- PHYLLIS SPEIGHT.

In chronic diseases theory of miasms is vital. Some books

REAL CURE. GENTLE CURE.
Because of the Theory of Miasms, Homeopathy stands much above other systems of medicine. it is unrivalled in treating chronic cases. By chronic we do not mean diseases which last for a long time. Chronic disease in Homeopathy has nothing to do with time. It has everything to do with miasms. Wherever miasms are present, the case is a chronic one and will not be cured even with the best similinum (matching disease picture with drug picture). Then is Homeopathy is useless, you may say. No way!

Best indicated remedies will not cure in chronic cases unless while prescribing the miasmatic dimension of the case is included. Hahnemann had faced the same problem centuries ago. He found that despite giving the best indicated remedy, the disease did not go away. After the first dose, there was some improvement. But soon there was a relapse. The second and third dose did nothing.

"Is the law of similars useless," Hahnemann had asked himself for a fleeting moment. But so sure was he that Homeopathy could never be wrong that he continued his hard work.

After much trials and tribulations he slowly gave shape to the theory of miasms. Today many Homeopaths still say it is all rubbish (luminaries like Dr. P. Sankaran tops the list). But experience has told me the theory of miasms is the greatest gift to humanity.

Hahnemann said there were only three miasms- psora, sycosis and syphilis. J.H.Allen added one more; tubercular miasm. Rajan Sankaran added six more. But it is widely accepted that these additional miasms are just combinations of the basic three miasms. They are not new.

I will not explain to you what these miasms are. Better and superior minds have given a clear account of them in their books. My advice to you is, read them. Though in the next article I will give you a table of miasms according to Rajan Sankaran. It has been prepared by Roger Morrison.

Essential Reading on Miasms:-

1. Miasmatic Diagnosis by Dr. Subrata Kumar BANERJEA (This can be taken as gospel as far as miasms are concerned. The book also has a table of remedies with corresponding miasms they act on. Invaluable. Read this before you go to Sankaran's interpretation of miasms. You will not get confused. Banerjea gives the pathology of miasms, Sankaran gives the mental states of miasms. Both are indispensable).

2. Predictive Homeopathy part 3. The End of Myasmtion of Miasms-Mathematics of Human Defense against Diseases by Prafull VIJAYAKAR. (He puts it all very succinctly. He derides Sankaran, but remember that Vijaykar is a brilliant Homeopath).

3. The Substance of Homeopathy by Rajan SANKARAN
(Page numbers: 20-24, 29, 30, 31-32, 37-45, 51-57, 72-73, 74-78 )

4. Notes on the Miasms by Proceso Sanchez ORTEGA (He says the color of psora is blue, of sycosis yellow and of syphilis red)

5. Chronic Disease- Its Cause and Cure by N. Ghatak (translated by P.N. BANERJEE)

6. Indications of Miasm by Harimohon CHOUDHURY

7. The new book by Henny Heudens-Mast is being highly praised. I haven't got to read it. Give it a try if you get a chance.

More on Homeopathic prescribing

REAL CURE. GENTLE CURE.
When I said that Homeopathic prescribing is all about matching the image of the disease with drug picture I did not mean that you sit down and go through mentals, generals, modalities one by one. Things don't work that way in Homeopathy.

Look at the patient and observe what you get from him/her. It might be strong mental picture or you might see keynotes of some remedy lurking. Hit with what you get. If you get mentals use them. If you get prominent keynotes, hit them. If you get characteristic local symptoms, use them. If the causation is clear, use causation to prescribe.

Kent's method, Boeninghausen's method, Boger's method.... Use them when you can use them in a case. If the mentals and generals are striking, use Kent's method. I modalities, use Boeninghausen's. Each case will cry out for the relevant method. You have to use your head.

But keep one thing in mind. Whatever symptoms you use they should be striking and strong. Weak and vague symptoms are of no use.

Recommended reading:-
1. Case Analysis and Prescribing Techniques by Robin MURPHY (Murphy's thinking is original. He has an awesome knowledge of Homeopathy. He believes you do not have to hit miasms with high potencies to get rid of them. 6C everyday for some time will do the job too. Though he does not rule out high potencies altogether).

How to get the mentals well- Homeopathy psychology

REAL CURE. GENTLE CURE.
The value of the mental state during Homeopathic prescribing cannot be overstated. It is all important. Though note that sometimes when the mentals in a case are unclear, go for the generals and then for the particulars. If nothing is available, then go by the clinical symptoms. This happens in gross pathology and all other symptoms have been suppressed. Go by clinical symptoms and give the remedy and hope that the suppressed symptoms begin to emerge again.

Both the first two books of Dr. Rajan Sankaran are invaluable to understand the mentals. His books have revolutionized Homeopathy and given it newer dimensions. His concept of compensation is as original as it is indispensable for prescribing.
So I will suggest the two books by Rajan Sankaran.

1. The Spirit of Homeopathy by Rajan Sankaran
2. The Substance of Homeopathy by Rajan Sankaran

I must readily admit that his later books, like The Sensation in Homeopathy has left me flummoxed, though many Homeopaths claim they are following the concept of sensation in their practice. My advise it forget that book. But those interested in reading cases by Homeopaths following Sankaran's 'sensation' and Scholten's methods can visit http://www.interhomeopathy.org/

Here are some more books that will acquaint you with the mental pictures of Homeopathic remedies.

1. Homeopathic Psychology (Personality Profiles of the Major Constitutional Remedies) by Philip Bailey.
An unique book. Gives the nature of important constitutional remedies. But he could have given more remedies.

2. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicine by Catherine R. COULTER (This book has volume 2 and volume 3 too)

3. Kent's Comparative Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica by DOCKS and KOKELENBERG
A great book. It has 500+ pages out which about 170 pages are devoted to the mind. These guys have not just copied down the mind symptoms from Hering or Allen or Clarke. They have explained, in their own unique way, the different shades of different remedies for a rubric. I give an extract...
The rubric is Irritability, when hurried.(From Kent's repertory).

For people who like to work in their own tempo. You may not urge
them.
Mercurius: When you urge him, he will not
like it, but he will work twice as fast.
Alumina: He will block. He loses his head. he is slow, but
in words he has a hurried feeling. For slow, cold people who are tired and
perspired.

The translation from Flemish to English is not too good, but adequate.
This book is a gem.

4. Synthesis Repertory (Synthesis Repertorium Homeopathicum Syntheticum) by Frederik SCHROYENS (The mind chapter)
5. Teachings: Homeopathy and Psychiatric Patients by André SAINE (The Canadian homeopath has exhaustively read old journals of the nineteenth century containing articles by masters of Homeopathy. His book describes many remedies that are used in psychiatric cases)

6. Homeopathy and the Elements by Jan SCHOLTEN

7. Homeopathy and Minerals by Jan SCHOLTEN

8. The Soul of Remedies by Rajan SANKARAN

9. Thematic Repertory and Materia Medica of the Mind Symptoms by José Antonio MIRILLI (Invaluable, but very expensive)

10. Complete Repertory - Volume 1 - Mind by Roger VAN ZANDVOORT (A deep knowledge of mind of Homeopathic remedies is not possible without this book. But it is not readily and widely available. It can be freely downloaded from the internet though).

How to choose the right potency in Homeopathy?

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The potency problem is the one which remains unsolved this day. I mean there is disagreement amongst the different masters of Homeopathy on the issue. Some like Dr. Kent and Dr. Nash were unabashed high potency preachers. On the other hand British homeopaths like Dr. J H Clarke voted for the lower potencies. (I HAVE THE HIGHEST REGARD FOR Dr. Clarke. His works are a treat to read).

My advice is keep a open mind. Decide after observing the case. If the totality of the case matches well with the characteristics of the patient, even high potencies will do good work. But be careful that the patient can take the high potency. If there is continuous aggravation (especially of the mental condition of the patient) antidote it or give the same remedy in low potency. Remember, lower potency of a remedy will antidote the high potency of the same remedy. I recollect I had given Carcinosinum 1 M to a patient. There was frightening aggravation. Now know this well, Carc. has no antidote. I gave Carc. 30 and everything was fine.

Remember, after giving the remedy, monitor the mental state of the patient. If the patient feels better, you have nothing to worry, even if the pathology is worsening. The cure process is under way.

If you are a novice in Homeopathy, start with 6C or 30C. Go after the 200, 1 M and 10 M only after you have read extensively. Ignorance is not bliss in Homeopathy. Read books. Then read more books, is my advise. Don't be lazy. There is no place for laziness in Homeopathy. Use your head. Be original. Always remember what Hahnemann, Boeninghausen, Hering, Kent, Von Lippe, Boger, Nash, Clarke, Bhanja, Grimmer say. They were greats. They knew what they were talking about. Be sceptical about everybody else. But what those greats said; take it as gospel. You will not regret it.

Essential Reading for potency

1. Select Your Dose and Potency by Dr. P.S. RAWAT

2. Introduction to Homeopathic Prescribing by S.M. GUNAVANTE (Lesson 7 - Selection of Potency and Repetition of Dose)

3. The Elements of Homoeopathy (Ch. 16 - The Potency Problem) by P Sankaran.

Some good books on Homeopathic therapeutics

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Good books on therapeutics are useful. They are useful in the sense that it gives you some idea of which are the likely remedies in a case. But do not depend wholly on these books. If none of the remedies seem to fit in your case, forget that book and get down to hard work. Keynotes, mentals, generals, modalities..... Find them. They will always remain your true guides.

1. The Homeopathic Prescriber by Dr. K.C. BHANJA. (I have found this to be the best book on therapeutics. Bhanja gives the keynotes of different remedies in different diseases. Most useful. He has given the keynotes of 60 odd remedies in the book, like nobody else before. I find them better than the much vaunted Allen's Keynotes. Dr. Bhanja was abrilliant Indian homeopath, who I think has not been fully appreciated by the internetional homeopathic community. Each of his books are masterpieces.  )

2. Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics by Willis Alonzo DEWEY

3. Select Your Remedy by Bishamber Das.
4. The Prescriber by John Henry CLARKE (Perhaps the best book on Homeo therapeutics. Even a novice can use it with success. When I was taking my first baby steps in Homeopathy, I had cured a case of spinal meningitis after going through the prescriber)
5. I also found the famous Homeopathic Therapeutics by Samuel LILIENTHAL very useful.

Some vital hints for Homeopathic prescribing

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• Common symptoms become characteristic ( which are used for prescribing) if they are 1. very intense or 2. group unexpectedly or peculiarly with other common symptoms

• HIERARCHY - Modalities (most imortant), sensation (less important) and then location (least important)

• HIERARCHY OF MODALITIES- 1. Causation, 2. Aggravation and 3. Amelioration

• HIERARCHY OF CAUSATION- 1. Mental 2. Physical (diathesis, suppressions)

• HIERARCHY OF AGGRAVATION- 1. Emotional 2. General and 3. Particular

• Common mentals are useless unless they are very intense or accompanied with modalities

• Concomitants of mental symptoms are extremely important

• Common symptoms become characteristic when they are 1. Very intense 2. Have modalities 3. associate themselves together peculiarly (Example-clean tongue with nausea) 4. Group together (ex. vomiting and diarrhoea)

• HIERARCHY OF SYMPTOMS ACCORDING TO DR. P. SANKARAN- 1. Mental characteristics, 2. General characteristics, 3. Particular characteristics 4. mentals common 5. Generals common 6. Particulars common (least important)

• KEYNOTES are characteristic symptoms which unmistakably point to a small group of remedies. Single keynote is of no use in prescribing. Atleast three keynotes are needed (Hering's three-legged stool)

• BOENINGHAUSEN'S GENERALISATION- when a sensation or modality is experienced in two or more locations; this can be safely generalised

• PHYSICAL GENERALS- 1. AGGRAVATIONS 2. AMELIORATIONS 3. SENSATIONS 4. Food (Aggravation and cravings) 4. Sleep & dreams 5. Sex (Desire, masturbation,menses) 6. Pathological generals (See Boger's General Analysis and "Sensations and complaints" chapter in Boger-Boeninghausen Repertory)

• TOTALITY OF SYMPTOMS is not totality of all symptoms but is the totality of characteristic symptoms

• CAUSATION is the most important. Causation forms the core of the picture of illness in a patient. If you get the causation in a case, you have hit bullseye. (There are about 5 pages of 'ailments from' in Synthesis Repertory in the mind chapter. They give the mental causation. Priceless stuff.)

• Boeninghausen considers aggravations as being more important than ameliorations during prescribing

• CHARACTERISTIC PARTICULARS come last in importance. They help in prescribing in acute diseases when the acute disease throws the chronic picture of disease into the background. They are useful in finding acute remedies.

• BOENINGHAUSEN'S FUNDAS- 1. Generalize on a large scale 2. Prime importance of modalies 3. Concomitants are very important 4 Physical generals are important 5. Mentals are used to differentiate

• KENT'S APPROACH 1. Mentals are most important 2. Generalization on a limited scale 3. Then come the Physical generals 4. Characteristic particulars help to differentiate during prescribing

• BOGER'S APPROACH It is mostly the Boeninghausen's method. Boger's contribution is Pathological generals

• Remember that all chronic cases have miasms involved. Such cases need miasmatic prescribing. What are miasms? We will discuss that in a later article. In fact because of the concept of miasms, Homeopathy is a much superior system of medicine as compared to Allopathy and other systems.

• Unlike in allopathy diagnosis is useless while prescribing Homeopathically. Clinical systems as they are called are totally useless. In Murphy's repertory ther are about 100 remedies under tuberculosis. How do you decide which to pick? Get my point? Moreover, if the mentals and physicals fit, even if that remedy is not given under tuberculosis, it will cure and cure pronto.