Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 121

A group analysis evaluation of the Kingdom Fungi of

homoeopathic remedies in terms of known materia medica

By
Kristian Leisegang

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s
Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban
University of Technology.

I, Kristian Leisegang, do hereby declare that this dissertation represents my own work in
concept and execution.

------------------------------ ------------------------------
Signature of Student Date of Signature
Kristian Leisegang

APPROVED FOR FINAL SUBMISSION

------------------------------ ------------------------------
Signature of Supervisor Date of Signature
Dr A.H.A. Ross
M.Tech: Hom (T.N.); B.Mus (UCT)
DEDICATION

This dissertation is dedicated firstly to my parents, Hans and Tina Leisegang.

They have very happily given me the moral and financial support needed so that

I may have the opportunity to complete these seemingly endless years of study,

and have shown unlimited love and encouragement throughout my life, for which

I am eternally grateful. Secondly, I dedicate this dissertation to my wife, Alta, with

whom I am unbelievably lucky to share not only my life, but eternity too. I love

you all very much.

ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr Ashley Ross. He dedicated some of his
very valuable time for the guidance of this project.

The work of Dr Rajan Sankaran, with which I am familiar with through his numerous
publications and a seminar I attended in Johannesburg (May 2004). His ground breaking
work in the group analysis approach and the systematization of homoeopathy has
inspired me to undertake this study.

I must thank Dr David Naude, with whom I worked closely with on a previous dissertation
proposal. He guided me through the correct methodology of a scientific paper, dedicating
many hours to a project that ultimately never materialized. I must thank him too for his
support in my decision to change my dissertation topic.

iii
ABSTRACT

Until recently the most important method of studying homoeopathic remedies has been to

look at each remedy separately and not in the context of a particular group to which it

belongs. Group analysis, as defined by pioneering authors such as Sankaran (2002) and

Scholten (1993), is an attempt to identify a mechanism for understanding groups of

related remedies according to natural classification of the various sources used in

homoeopathic practice.

Fungi, as a biological group, have been classified into a kingdom on its own, separating

them from the plant kingdom (Mader, 1998: 539). The homoeopathic remedies obtained

from this kingdom were analysed in terms of rubric representation (size) and a sample

selection was chosen. This selection was analysed in terms of common sensation via a

rubric extraction process using homoeopathic software packages, Radar 9.0 (Archibel,

2003) and Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel, 2004). The analysis focused on

sensations, active and passive reactions and compensations of the group.

The primary sensations extracted were burning and itching, leading to restlessness.

There were also sensations of cramps, spasms, dryness, heaviness and formication.

Active reactions included convulsions and twitches, and irritation on various levels.

Passive reactions included numbness, paralysis and dullness. Compensation included an

increased sexual desire and a desire for masturbation, and restlessness. These

sensations and reactions are to be considered as proposals, ideas that need to be further

analysed and confirmed via more in-depth case material.

iv
The differentiation of fungi remedies within the group focuses on miasmatic tendencies of

the various remedies. The researcher classified each on the sample selection remedies

based on keywords relating to each miasm, and according to central essence of each

miasm as understood by Sankaran (2002: 53). The tubercular miasm was found to

contain a few remedies, namely Agaricus muscarius, Bovista lycoperdon, Boletus laricis

and Sticta pulmonaria. Secale cornutum was found to be in the leprous miasm, and

Ustilago maydis was found to be in the ringworm miasm. Both Psilocybe caerulescens

and Monilia albicans were found to be in the sycotic miasm.

Pathological tendencies of the fungi remedies were outlined based on the sensation

analyses and the proposed themes. Fungi remedies were found to have the following

patterns of disease processes: involuntary moments (twitching and jerking),

paraesthesia’s and neuralgia’s, increased sexual desire and masturbation, female sexual

organ pathology and haemorrhagic tendencies. Fungi remedies were also found to have

chilly sensations and reaction to cold, ailments from suppression and ailments from

excessive coitus/sexual abuse.

Common mental and emotional manifestations were analysed too, including anxiety,

confusion of mind, various delusions, dullness and irritability.

The researcher found that the application of this methodology to the fungi group was

possible in terms of execution, and believes an accurate picture of Kingdom fungi has

been portrayed in this study.

v
CONTENTS

DEDICATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii
ABSTRACT iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES ix
LIST OF FIGURES x

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION 1
1.1) Aim of the group analysis study 2
1.2) Rationale for the group analysis of Kingdom Fungi 4

CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW 6


2.1) Remedy Selection and the Systematization of Homoeopathy 7
2.2) Recent Advances in Homoeopathic Prescribing - Group Analysis 8
2.3) Kingdom Analysis in Homoeopathy 9
2.4) Scholten’s Periodic Table 11
2.5) Miasmatic Theory 12
2.5.1) The 5-Miasm Model 13
2.5.2) Sankaran’s Extended Miasmatic Model 13
2.6) Sankaran’s Concept of ‘Vital Sensation’ 16
2.7) Group Analysis in Homoeopathic Software 18
2.7.1) Radar and Encyclopedia Homoeopathica 19
2.8) Fungi Taxonomy 20
2.8.1) Kingdom Fungi 21
2.8.2) Fungi in Homoeopathy 22

CHAPTER 3 – RESEARCH MEATHOD 23


3.1) Kingdom Fungi 23
3.2) Sample Selection 23

vi
3.3) Data Processing 24
3.4) Data Analysis
3.4.1) Determination of Common Sensations, Reactions and Compensations 25
3.4.2) Miasmatic Classification 26

CHAPTER 4 – RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 27


4.1) Fungi in Homoeopathy 27
4.2) Extraction of Rubrics 29
4.3) Analysis of Extracted Sensations 30
4.3.1) First Order Analysis 30
4.3.2) Second Order Analysis 36
4.3.3) Summary of Data Analysis 41
4.4) Proposed Table of Sensations 41
4.5) Miasmatic Classification of Fungi Family 42
4.5.1) Agaricus muscarius 49
4.5.2) Bovista lycoperdon 52
4.5.3) Secale cornutum 55
4.5.4) Ustilago maydis 59
4.5.5) Psilocybe caerulescens 62
4.5.6) Monilia albicans 64
4.5.7) Sticta pulmonaria 66
4.5.8) Boletus laricis 69
4.5.9) Summary of Miasmatic Classification 70

CHAPTER 5 – ANALYSES OF FUNGI REMEDIES 72


5.1) Sphere of Action 72
5.2) Pathological Tendencies Relating to Kingdom Fungi 73
5.3) Mental/Emotional Manifestations of Fungi Remedies 88
5.4) Fungi as a Kingdom 90

vii
CHAPTER 6 – CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 92
6.1) Group Analysis Approach to Homoeopathy 92
6.2) Limitations of the Methodology 93
6.3) Recommendations for Further Research 95

viii
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Fungi remedies used in homoeopathy and the relative homoeopathic

significance in terms of number of rubrics 28

Table 2: Themes that have been isolated from the source sensations via the

extraction process 41

Table 3:Proposed sensations, reactions and compensations common to

Kingdom Fungi 42

Table 4: Miasmatic classification of the individual fungi remedies as suggested

via a keyword search of the literature 45

Table 5: Final suggested miasmatic classification of the individual fungi remedies

as suggested by the evidence 71

ix
LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: A map of Sankaran’s extended miasmatic model 14

x
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Faced with the enormous number of living organisms on earth, scientists have

long realized that we needed a way of classifying and naming individual species.

The Greek philosopher Aristotle devised a primitive classification system over

two thousand years ago. In modern biology, an organism is generally classified

on the basis of its evolutionary relationship to other species, including anatomy,

genetics and reproductive behaviour (Mader, 1998: 491).

The need to classify our observation of nature is reflected in the evolution of

homoeopathic practice. After the advent of homoeopathy in the late 18th century,

there was an explosion of provings that has resulted in approximately 3000

remedies that make up the materia medica, a list that is constantly growing. As a

result, a need to systematize the process of remedy selection became essential

to homoeopathic practice. Miasmatic theory, the doctrine of signatures and the

repertory have been some of the more useful attempts by practitioners to help

ease the process of remedy selection for the individual (Gaier, 1991). However,

the most important method of studying homoeopathic remedies has been to look

at all the remedies separately (Sankaran, 1994: 313).

Group analysis is a relatively new approach to homoeopathic prescribing,

understood as an attempt to identify a mechanism for understanding groups of

related remedies according to natural classification of the various sources used

in homoeopathic practice. In group analysis, therefore, we look at groups of

1
remedies and we extract from these groups that which is common (Scholten,

1993:23). This is a process that both classifies and differentiates homoeopathic

remedies in order to ease the selection of the simillimum.

Allied to the group analysis method is the advent of software based

homoeopathic repertories and encyclopedia, together with computer based

intelligent search engines, has made it possible to analyse the collected

observations of commonalities found in remedy groups (Wulfsohn, 2005).

Kingdom Fungi, as represented in homoeopathy, is a relatively small group.

Considering the diversity of fungi in nature, and the biological importance within

the ecosystem (Mader, 1998: 540), it is surprising that the kingdom does not

have a deeper understanding and a greater use in homoeopathic practice.

1.1) Aim of the Group Analysis Study

The researcher aims to extract and evaluate common themes that can be applied

to the Kingdom Fungi group of homoeopathic remedies based on the

methodology proposed by Rajan Sankaran (2002). This methodology involves

analysing a particular biological group according to the 3 steps outlined below:

a) Definition of a common set of sensations according to known materia

medica symptomatology (via rubric extraction process).

2
b) Definition of reactions to the common sensations in terms of passive,

active and compensatory reactions.

c) The miasmatic classification of each individual remedy (species) used in

the analysis, according to Sankaran’s extended miasmatic model

(Sankaran, 2002: 53).

Therefore the following research questions should be answered by the author as

a result of this study:

a) What is the common set of sensations peculiar to the fungi group of

remedies?

b) What are the reactions to these sensations, defined in terms of passive,

active and compensatory reactions?

c) What is the miasmatic classification of each individual remedy (species)

within the group, according to Sankaran’s extended miasmatic model?

As a result, the researcher hopes to illuminate the Kingdom Fungi in terms of

known symptomatology by proposing broader concepts and themes that may be

synonymous with the group as a whole, thus enabling an increased

understanding and use of the various individual remedies (species) belonging to

the kingdom, particularly the so called ‘smaller’ remedies or those used less

frequently.

3
1.2) Rationale for the Group Analysis of Kingdom Fungi

a) Rajan Sankaran has developed a methodology of group analysis

based on the natural biological classification of organisms. This

methodology has been applied to a number of plant families with

apparent success (Sankaran, 2002).

b) Other methodologies of group analysis have been proposed by various

noted authors - such as Scholten (1993) and Mangialavori (Hiwat et

al., 1996) - as a means of extending the understanding of remedy

relationships (Wulfsohn, 2005).

c) The application of the methodology, as proposed by Sankaran (2002),

to the Kingdom Fungi is needed in order to increase the homoeopathic

understanding of the group as a whole and to increase the utilization of

the individual under-represented remedies belonging to the Kingdom.

Therefore this study aims to subject a poorly understood biological

kingdom with a view to extend the overall group understanding as-well-

as the individual remedies within the group.

d) The fungi currently have limited use in homoeopathy, with only 3

individual remedies reasonably well understood. Most remedies

sourced from the fungi are relatively small and not well documented.

4
Fungi play a crucial role in the organised world and this should be

reflected in homoeopathic literature (Vermeulen, 2002: 23).

e) No other group analysis study of the fungi as a kingdom has been

undertaken according to the knowledge of the author.

5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine that uses natural remedies to boost the

bodies own healing ability, and thereby aims to treat the whole person

independent of the disease. The central principle to homoeopathic practice is

known as the „law of simillars‟, or „similia similibus curentur‟ („let like cure likes‟)

(Lockie, 2000: 14), and was originally described and developed by the German

physician Samual Hahnemann (1755 – 1843) in the late 18th century.

Homoeopathy utilizes the vitalistic, subtle energies of material substances to

produce a powerful medicine when „potentised‟. By stimulating the „vital force‟

with a medicine that produces a similar but slightly stronger effect than the true

disease, balance is restored and health ensues (Lockie, 2000: 14).

The basic principles of homoeopathy have remained unchanged since they

where defined by Hahnemann. The process of remedy selection, however, is an

area that has evolved over the subsequent generations of homoeopathic

practitioners. Group analysis, as described by authors such as Sankaran (1994)

and Scholten (1993), is a recent development in homoeopathic prescribing, and

has sparked major debates and objections in the homoeopathic world (Saine,

2001; Moscowitz, 2002; Winston, 2004).

6
2.1) Remedy Selection and the Systematization of Homoeopathy

Samuel Hahnemann originally proved approximately 100 remedies during the

course of his lifetime (Lockie, 2000: 14). In the early decades of the 19th century,

an explosion of provings led to an unmanageable list of remedies being added to

the materia medica. As a result, a need to systematize the process of remedy

selection became essential to homoeopathic practice.

Hahnemann himself had started this process with the identification, definition and

practical application of miasmatic theory (Gaier, 1991). He discovered that the

chronic diseases nearly always had a pattern that could be related to psora,

sycosis or syphilis – the chronic miasms (Sankaran, 1994:21) – and he

subsequently grouped the initial remedies he knew into these miasms (Gaier,

1991), thus classifying remedy selection accordingly. The concept of miasms is a

useful tool with which to classify disease states, and not only helps deepen the

understanding of disease processes but also gives insight into other phenomena

in the world around (for example, the reason for the recent increase in “new

diseases”) (Sankaran, 1994:3).

“The Doctrine of Signatures”, where there is morphological relationship between

the drug substance and the disease or organ affinity in question, was another

attempt to make sense of the large and growing materia medica (Gaier, 1991).

7
However, the longest serving and most useful method of systemization was the

development of the repertory which is credited to von Boenninghausen and Jahr

in 1833 (Gaier, 1991). Many forms of repertories have since been published,

including Kent‟s repertory and more recently the Repertorium Homoeopathicum

Syntheticum, or Synthesis, by Schroyens (2001). As we move into the IT era,

repertories have been converted into computer software formats for analysis and

extraction purposes (a process vital to the development of group analysis as

outlined below).

2.2) Recent Advances in Homoeopathic Prescribing - Group Analysis

The group analysis approach to homoeopathy is not new. Farrington used

kingdom analysis in 1880 and Leeser used periodic table information in 1935

(Winston, 2004: 36). However, it was not until the 1990‟s that the first modern

application of group analysis began to emerge. Group analysis is an attempt to

identify a mechanism for understanding groups of related remedies according to

natural classification of the various sources used in homoeopathic practice. Until

recently the most important method of studying homeopathic remedies has been

to look at each remedy separately and not in the context of a particular group to

which it belongs.

The prime movers of group analysis of the modern era are Scholten and

Sankaran (Wulfsohn, 2005). Scholten (1993: 23) has defined group analysis as

the process of looking at a group of remedies and extracting what is common

8
from that group. Therefore, by extracting the common theme‟s within a particular

group of remedies, the understanding of both particular remedy groups as a

whole as-well-as the individual remedies belonging to each particular group is

enhanced, which has subsequently added another invaluable tool for accurate

remedy selection available to the homoeopathic practitioner.

Scholten (1993: 23) realized that homoeopathic practitioners have generally used

symptoms as the only, or almost only, guide to the remedy, without really

considering the source of the drug. It is, however, becoming very clear that the

symptomatology of any drug is intimately related to the source it is drawn from,

and that each drug has in it the essence of its source. However, this knowledge

has not been actively or systematically used in differentiating remedies by

studying their origin. If properly understood, this study could enable us to think

directly of the kind of remedy needed for the patient, a sort of direct application of

the law of simillars.

2.3) Kingdom Analysis in Homoeopathy

Sankaran (1994:313) classified patients in terms of kingdoms by identifying the

main differentiating features of each kingdom (i.e. the plant kingdom, the animal

kingdom and the mineral kingdom). This makes it possible to determine which

kingdom the practitioner is to choose his remedy from. The classification of each

kingdom included the nature of the complaint, the nature of the individual

(disposition), pace and causation factors of complaints, fears, dreams and

9
interests, cravings/aversions and even handwriting and words used by a

particular patient.

The central themes common to remedies of the mineral kingdom are „structure‟

and „organization‟, and the problems of mineral remedies/personalities arise from

a break in this structure and organization, breaking in relationships or failure in

performance. As personalities they are very systematic and tend to be highly

organized (Sankaran, 1997: 229). Sankaran continues to classify mineral

remedies into metals, cations, anions, salts and acids.

Plants are of a „sensitive‟ nature. They are affected by changes in the external

environment and are capable of adapting to these changes. They are

disorganized when compared to a mineral type personality, and are sensitive,

soft and emotional beings. Complaints usually present with rapid onset and are

changeable with many modalities. They are easily affected emotionally and have

abrupt mood changes (Sankaran, 1997: 233).

Common to the animal remedies is a „conflict‟ which has at its basis a „split‟ in

the self – the animal side and the human side. The animal side is concerned with

competition and a need to attract attention and these personalities are therefore

attractive in their behaviour and appearance. They can also be deceitful,

malicious and aggressive (Sankaran, 1997: 233).

10
As outlined below, fungi have been classified into their own biological Kingdom,

and have not been investigated as such via a group analysis methodology. The

researcher hopes to shed more light on the fungi kingdom in order to provide a

greater understanding of the individual remedies within the group (refer to

Chapter 1.2).

2.4) Scholten’s Periodic Table

Scholten (1993) turned his attention to the mineral kingdom and noticed trends

within the periodic table of the elements. First he created groups of the major

elements used in homoeopathy, such as the Carbonicums and the Muriaticums,

including their respective salts (e.g. Calcarea carbonica and Natrum muriaticum

respectively). By extracting what is common from each group, Scholten defined

common themes that can be applied to the group as a whole. For example, the

Carbonicum group has issues around the idea of self worth, needing to find

meaning and values within themselves. They too are found to be rather shy and

timid, and also hard and consistent workers. This theme is found in all

Carbonicum remedies, such as Calcarea carbonica, Magnesia carbonica and

Natrum carbonica, etc. Each individual element (calcarea, magnesia and natrum

in the above example) that forms part of the remedy has its own themes that

combine to produce the remedy picture.

Scholten (1996) later used the periodic table of elements to classify and group

mineral remedies. He proposed that each row („series‟) corresponds to a general

11
theme, and that each column („group‟) showed the development of the general

theme of each series. This allowed the practitioner to pin-point a remedy required

from the mineral kingdom to a high degree of accuracy by using a systematic

approach defined in Homoeopathy and the Elements (1996).

2.5) Miasmatic Theory

The term „miasm‟ comes from the Greek, meaning “pollution or taint”, and was

used in relation to various unknown causes of illness from the time of

Hippocrates, through the Middle Ages, and into the 18th century. Hahnemann

eventually used the term in his great theory of the origins of chronic disease (de

Schepper, 2001: 355). While pondering for years on the reason why some

patients would improve with the help of a homoeopathic remedy only to return

later with a recurrence of their former disease state that responded less

effectively to repetitions of the same remedy, Hahnemann realized that diseases

which were not acute infections had to be of a chronic, deep-seated nature

(Sankaran, 2000, 449). Through tireless work studying these patients‟ cases, he

found patterns of diseases in the patients and their family histories which he felt

explained the true basis of chronic disease. He called these patterns „miasms‟

(de Scheeper, 2001: 355) and classified diseases as venereal (sycosis and

syphilis) and non-venereal (psora or scabies), and proposed that all disease

states had their origin in these „miasms‟ (Sankaran, 2000: 449). Hahnemann

therefore proposed that underlying the symptoms of all diseases is an all

pervasive miasm or tendency to react in an identifiable set of ways (Hahnemann

12
1996: 190). As mentioned earlier, this also began the tendency to systematize

the prescription of homoeopathic remedies.

2.5.1) The 5-Miasm Model

Hahnemann‟s original theory of miasms was published in Chronic Diseases

(1828) and outlined 3 miasms: psora, sycosis and syphilis. Later homoeopaths

defined the tubercular miasm (a combination of psoric and syphilitic) and the

cancer miasm (based on a mixture of at least 2, often 3 or even all 4 of the other

miasms) (de Scheeper, 2001). De Scheeper (2001) describes psora as „the

sensitizing miasm‟, sycosis as „the miasm of excess and overgrowth‟ and syphilis

as „the destructive miasm‟. He also refers to the tubercular miasm as „the

reactive/responsive miasm‟ and the cancer miasm as „the mixed miasm‟.

2.5.2) Sankaran’s Extended Miasmatic Model

Sankaran (1997: 217) extended the model by focusing more deeply on the

responses and reactions evoked by specific remedy groups. He proposed a ten

miasm model (illustrated in figure 1 below).

13
┌→ Tubercular → Leprosy
│ (Change) (Isolation)
Acute → Typhoid → Psora → Ringworm → Sycosis│ ↓
(Panic) (Critical) (Struggle) (Trying) (Fixidity)└→ Cancer → Syphilis
│ │ (Perfection) (Destruction)
│ │
│ │
└──────→ Malaria ←─────────┘
(Persecuted)

Figure 1: A map of Sankaran‟s extended miasmatic model with the main action of

each miasm shown in brackets (Sankaran, 2000: 450).

Sankaran‟s model shows relationships between the miasms as-well-as a

continuum of responses from the acute miasm through to the syphilitic miasm,

compared to the discrete entities of the 5-miasm model (Wulfsohn, 2005).

Interpretation of miasms using Sankaran‟s understanding of „disease as delusion‟

is a very practical classification system (Sankaran, 1994: 3).

Below is a brief description of the sensation that is at the core of each miasm

according to Sankaran.

Acute Miasm: The feeling is of an acute threat and the reaction is strong

and instinctive (Sankaran, 2002: 53).

Typhoid Miasm: The feeling is that of a critical situation which, if properly

handled for a critical period, will end in total recovery. The reaction is an

intense struggle against it (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

14
Psora: The feeling is that of a difficult situation where one has to struggle

in order to succeed. There is anxiety with doubts about his ability, but he is

hopeful and failure does not mean the end of the world. He must struggle

in order to recover or maintain his position (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Ringworm Miasm: It is characterized by an alteration between periods of

struggle with anxiety about success, and periods of despair and giving up

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Malarial Miasm: There is an acute feeling of threat that comes up

intermittently, in phases, between which there is an underlying chronic,

fixed feeling of being deficient. This miasm is characterized by sudden,

acute manifestations that come up from time to time, followed by periods

of quiescence (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Sycosis: The feeling is that there is fixed, irremediable weakness within

the self. The action is to attempt to cope with it and hide it from others;

hence he covers it up with egotism, compulsive acts, is very secretive etc.

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Tubercular Miasm: The feeling is of intense oppression and a desire for

change. The reaction is intense, hectic activity in order to break free from

this oppression (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

15
Cancer Miasm: There is a feeling of weakness and incapacity within, and

the need to perform exceedingly well and live up to very high

expectations. The reaction is a superhuman effort, stretching himself

beyond the limits of his capacity. It is continuous, prolonged struggle

which seems to have no end. His survival depends on it, for failure would

mean death and destruction (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Leprosy Miasm: The feeling is of intense oppression, intense

hopelessness, isolation and an intense desire for change.

Syphilis: The feeling is that he is faced with a situation beyond salvage,

leading to complete hopelessness and despair. In a desperate effort, he

tries to change the situation and the result is usually destruction.

The extended miasmatic model allows the differentiation between remedies that

essentially share the same sensitivity (i.e. a particular family or group such as the

compositae botanical family) by classifying each individual within the group (i.e.

species or remedy) according to its miasmatic manifestations. Therefore, the

intersection point between patients primary sensitivity and the patients miasmatic

classification point to the remedy required in each case (Sankaran, 1997: 217).

2.6) Sankaran’s Concept of ‘Vital Sensation’

Sankaran has outlined 6 basic levels that should be traced during a

homoeopathic case taking (Sankaran, 2005: 250):

16
Level 1: Pathological (The main complaint or diagnosis)

Level 2: Symptomatic (Description of actual symptoms, such as local

symptoms, modalities and location)

Level 3: Emotional (What does it feel like? What is the emotional state of

the patient whilst experiencing the symptoms?)

Level 4: Delusion (What does the patient feel like? Symptoms of the

neuro-endocine-immune axis)

Level 5: Sensation (The sensation felt in the body when exploring the

symptoms)

Level 6: Energy (Background pattern, movements and patterns observed

or evoked by the interview experience)

Sankaran (2005: 290) describes sensation as „discernment or consciousness of

any experience‟ where the experience itself and the nature of the experience

qualify the sensation. Energy patterns received by nerves are experienced as

sensation. Sanakran continues to describe the vital sensation as „the general

sensation which is common to the mind and body‟.

The sensation level provides a deeper understanding of the patient as a whole, a

culmination of the previous four levels that is more reliable due to the multiple

sources of evidence rather than relying on physical symptoms or

mental/emotional symptoms on their own (Wulfsohn, 2005). According to this

17
view, pathology is a manifestation of the vital sensation – the local sensation and

symptoms are expressions of the vital sensation (Sankaran, 2005: 312).

The vital sensation is specific, and the most accurate, in terms of kingdom

analysis and source identification (Sankaran, 2004b: 5). Sankaran (2005: 293)

suggests that all remedy states and disease states are essentially vital

sensations, therefore kingdom classification is essentially a classification of vital

sensations (where structure relates to the mineral kingdom, sensitivity relates to

the plant kingdom and survival relates to the animal kingdom). This suggestion

highlights the importance of the current growing trend in homoeopathic

philosophy that leans towards the group analysis method, and underlines the

need for more research into this realm of practice in order to add to the modern

literature. Wulfsohn (2005) suggested that all rubrics that describe a felt

„sensation‟ in the body need to be analyzed for being as possibilities for the

central sensation of the particular group. Examples of sensations include words

such as, „burning‟, „tight‟ or „tingling‟ sensations. Mental aspects of vital

sensations are important too, such as „trapped‟ or „rage‟.

2.7) Group Analysis in Homoeopathic Software

The group analysis approach to homoeopathy is mirrored by the development of

homoeopathic computer software such as MacRepertory, Hompath and Radar1.

The software has allowed the extraction process to be undertaken with relative

ease, making the analysis of particular remedy groups and families possible.

18
MacRepertory, for example, uses approximately 1300 homoepathic families

comprised of “…miasms of Sankaran and Bjørndal, Vega‟s Boxes,

Mangialavori‟s families, Morrison‟s organic chemicals, Scholten‟s minerals,

König‟s groups, taxonomy and others…” (Wulfsohn, 2005).

2.7.1) Radar and Encyclopedia Homoeopathica

Archibel, a computer software company, has been creating cutting edge software

for homoeopathic practitioners since 19892. „Radar‟ is a repertory analysis

software package that has been developed by Archibel, and is widely circulated

to homoeopaths around the globe. Radar assists the professional in finding

appropriate symptoms for each case via the worlds most popular repertories,

incorporating approaches to case analysis and remedy studies used by

contemporary master homoeopaths3. „Encyclopedia Homoeopathica‟ is a

homoeopathic Materia Medica software package also developed by Archibel. It

contains thousands of pages of Materia Medica‟s, Homoeopathic Journals and

Homoeopathic Philosophy literature, including the original writings of Samual

Hahnemann, to the classic writings of Kent, Allen and Herring, the more modern

works of George Vithoulkas and Jonathan Shore, to the most recent published

works by renowned homoeopaths, such as Rajan Sankaran and Franz

Vermeulen, to name but a few2. The unique link between Radar and

Encyclopedia Homoeopathica adds depth to the fundamental task of comparing

repertorization and materia medica3. Therefore, through this technological

advancement, the practitioner and student can quickly and easily access and

19
make use of the entire homoeopathic heritage for more precise prescribing, for

studying and for research purposes.

2.8) Fungi Taxonomy

Man has classified the diversity of living things in a variety of ways based on their

more striking features and metabolic criteria. The most fundamental distinction

has traditionally been between animals (motile and food-ingesting) and plants

(static and apparently drawing their nutrients from the soil or in some instances

from other plants). The fundamental features of green plants are that they are

phototrophs, utilizing energy from light, and autotrophs, synthesizing their organic

components from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Animals on the other hand are

chemotrophs, obtaining energy from organic materials, and heterotrophs, utilizing

the same materials as the source of carbon for the synthesis of their own organic

components (Carlile et al., 2001: 3).

Fungi resemble plants, but they lack chloroplasts and do not photosynthesize

(Mader, 1998: 539), therefore they are unable to synthesis their energy

requirements from sunlight as plants do. They also have no direct evolutionary

connection with plants (Vermeulen, 2002: 22). On the fundamental metabolic

criteria it is clear that fungi resemble animals rather than plants (Carlile et al.,

2001: 4). Yet, fungi clearly aren‟t animals, nor do they resemble bacteria or

protozoa. Based on their multicellular nature and mode of nutrition, Whittaker

placed fungi in their own kingdom (Mader, 1998: 539).

20
2.8.1) Kingdom Fungi

Kingdom Fungi contains the fungi, which are mostly multicellular eukaryotes of

varied structure that share a common mode of nutrition (Mader, 1998: 540).

Fungi either live as parasites on other living plants or animals, or they live in

decaying matter. In either way they derive their energy by breaking up highly

complex substances (when these are broken down in another living organism,

the organism suffers) (Vermeulen, 2002: 23). Therefore, like animals, fungi are

heterotrophic and consume performed organic matter. Fungi, however, are

heterotrophic by absorption; animals are heterotrophic by digestion (Mader,

1998: 540). Most fungi act as saprotrophic decomposers that aid the cycling of

chemicals in ecosystems. They, along with bacteria, enrich the immediate

environs with inorganic nutrients and thereby keep chemicals cycling in the

ecosystem. Some fungi are parasitic, especially on plants, and others are

symbiotic with plant roots and algae (Mader, 1998: 540).

Fungi are characterized by non-motile bodies (thalli) constructed of apically

elongating walled filaments (hyphae), a life cycle with sexual and asexual

reproduction, haploid thalli resulting from zygotic meiosis, and heterotrophic

nutrition. The characteristic cell wall components are chitin and glucans (Griffin,

1994). Exceptions to this characterization are well known (Alexopoulos et al.,

1996: 868).

21
The organisms of the fungi lineage include mushrooms, rusts, smuts, puffballs,

truffles, morels, molds and yeasts, as well as many less well-known organisims

(Alexopoulos et al., 1996: 868). About 70 000 species of fungi have been

described (Hawksworth, 1991); however, some estimates of total numbers

suggest that 1.5 million species may exist (Hawksworth et al., 1995: 616). Their

office in the organized world is to check exuberance of growth, to facilitate

decomposition, to regulate the balance of the component elements of the

atmosphere, to promote fertility and to nourish myriads of the smaller numbers of

the animal kingdom4. It is clear they play a vital role in the cycle of life.

2.8.2) Fungi in Homoeopathy

The biological kingdom of fungi has a relatively limited use in homoeopathy,

especially when considering the wide variety and ecological importance of the

kingdom (Mader, 1998: 540). Agaricus muscarius (Fly agaric), Bovista

lycoperdon (Puff ball) and Secale cornutum (Ergot) are the 3 well represented

remedies in the materia medica derived from the kingdom. The other remedies

represented in the materia medica and repertories are all considered small

remedies and currently have limited use in homoeopathic practice. The author

believes that a group analysis of the kingdom will shed more light on the use of

fungi remedies in homoeopathy and allow the relatively small remedies derived

from this kingdom to play a more significant role in homoeopathic practice.

22
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH DESIGN

3.1) Kingdom Fungi

The first step was to accurately define the fungi group of remedies used in

homoeopathic prescribing, i.e. species (remedies) belonging to the kingdom that have

been subjected to a proving and can be found in homoeopathic literature. This step

also defined the homoeopathic significance of each individual remedy in terms of

number of rubrics (increased number of rubrics corresponds to an increase in

significance).

The list of fungi remedies used in homoeopathic literature was obtained via Radar 9.0

computer software (Archibel, 2003), and was tabulated using the following headings:

scientific name (species or remedy name); class subdivision; common name;

homoeopathic significance according to rubric representation in the repertory

according to Radar 9.0 (Archibel, 2003).

3.2) Sample Selection

The sample selection was chosen based on the homoeopathic significance of each

remedy. The group of 32 was narrowed down by the researcher to just 8 of the more

significant fungi remedies. This was done because the group analysis method is

particularly focused on characteristic, well-defined features which are poorly

represented in the so-called „smaller‟ remedies (Sankaran, 2002: 25).

23
The selected sample group is listed below, in order of most significant to the least

significant:

Agaricus muscarius (Fly agaric)

Bovista lycoperdon (Warted puff ball)


Secale cornutum (Ergot)
Ustilago maydis (Corn smut)
Psilocybe caerulescens (Landslide mushroom)
Monilia albicans (Candida)
Sticta pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Boletus laricis (White agaric mushroom; Larch agaric)

Boletus laricis, which has 172 rubrics in Radar 9.0, was made the end point for

remedies in which to include in the extraction. Thus remedies with less that 172 rubrics

where excluded from the comparative extraction process.

3.3) Data Processing

A computer repertory extraction was done using Radar Synthesis 9.0 (Archibel, 2003).

Parameters were set to exclude rubrics containing more than 25 remedies, which

ensured the data used contained sensations that are more characteristic in nature (i.e.

the so-called „smaller‟ rubrics will be extracted).

The researcher then scanned the extracted rubrics for those containing sensation.

Sensation in this sense is defined as “…consciousness off perceiving or seeming to

24
perceive some state or condition of one‟s body or it‟s parts or senses or of one‟s mind

or emotions…” (Allen 1990: 1102).

The extracted rubrics and the „sensation‟ rubrics were ranked in order of those

containing the least remedies to those containing the most remedies, arranging the

most significant (smaller) rubrics at the top, and have been included in this study as

Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.

3.4) Data Analysis

3.4.1) Determination of Common Sensations, Reactions and Compensations

The extracted data was analysed in order to propose common sensations of the

Kingdom Fungi. The data was scanned for commonalities in sensation (including

mental symptoms, general symptoms and symptoms particular to various parts of the

body), which were then highlighted by the researcher. The accuracy of the common

sensations was cross-checked via a search of the homoeopathic literature. This test

was done by using keyword searches of Encyclopedia Homoeopathica (Archibel,

2004), restricting the set of remedies to the fungi group only.

An analysis of the confirmed common sensations was undertaken in an attempt to find

common links between them, and to identify possible reactions (active and passive) or

compensations to the various extracted sensations. Each sensation was subjected to a

full definition via a dictionary, and then a thesaurus was consulted in order to identify

various synonyms relating to the sensation. Each common synonym identified was

25
then subjected to a literature search via Encyclopedia Homoeopathica in order to test

is validity. This was done using a keyword search of a particular sensation or common

synonym, and limiting the results to the fungi remedies. If the sensation or common

synonym was supported by the literature, the researcher submitted it as a sensation,

reaction (active or passive) to a sensation, or as compensation. Detailed analysis of

the common sensations has been tabulated in Appendix C.

The reactions selected by the researcher and confirmed by the literature were divided

into 3 different classifications: active reactions, passive reactions and compensatory

reactions (Sanakaran, 2002). Reactions to a particular sensation may include actual

actions, a desire to act and or the avoidance or lack of action (Wulfsohn, 2005).

3.4.2) Miasmatic Classification

The different fungi remedies were then individually studied and classified in terms of

their miasmatic tendencies, based on Sankaran‟s extended miasmatic model

(Sankaran, 2002: 53). Miasmatic keyword searches, limited to the fungi group, were

done in Encyclopedia Homoeopathica. This gave the researcher an indication of the

possible miasm of each remedy. This classification also involved an analysis of

individual characteristics within each remedy, focusing on the particular expression of

each in order to differentiate them within the group.

26
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1) Fungi in Homoeopathy

Approximately 32 remedies in the Materia Medica are represented by species

belonging to the fungi kingdom (Archibell, 2003). The homoeopathic significance

of each individual fungi remedy (based on the number of rubrics) is widely varied,

with only 3 remedies considered to have a major homoeopathic significance:

Agaricus muscarius, Bovista lycoperdon and Secale cornatum. The kingdom is

therefore relatively under-represented and a largely unknown area in

homoeopathic literature. Listed below is a table of the fungi species that are

represented in the literature, sourced via Radar 9.0 (Archibel, 2003).

Scientific Name Common Name Class Subdivision Homoeopathic


Significance
Candida parapsilosis Candida Ascomycota 6 rubrics
Cordyceps militatis Caterpillar fungus Ascomycota 18 rubrics
Monilia albicans Candida albicans Ascomycota 468 rubrics
Torula cerevisiae Yeast plant Ascomycota 9 rubrics
(Saccharomyces)
Cetraria islandica Iceland moss Lichen 14 rubrics
Cladonia pyxidata Pixie cup lichen Lichen 3 rubrics
Sticta pulmonaria Lungwart Lichen 453 rubrics
Usnea barbata Old man‟s beard Lichen 21 rubrics
Agaricus Unknown Basidiomycota 3 rubrics
campanulatus
Agaricus campestris Common mushroom Basidiomycota 11 rubrics
Agaricus citrinus False death cap Basidiomycota 3 rubrics
Agaricus emeticus Acrid agaric Basidiomycota 18 rubrics
Agaricus muscarius Fly agaric Basidiomycota 5916 rubrics
Agaricus pantherinus Spotted amanita Basidiomycota 19 rubrics
Agaricus phalloides Amanita bulbosa Basidiomycota 62 rubrics

27
Agaricus procerus Parasol mushroom Basidiomycota 8 rubrics
Agaricus Half rounded Basidiomycota 6 rubrics
semiglobatus mushroom
Agaricus stercorarius L'Oronge-ciguë Basidiomycota 13 rubrics
Boletus laricis White mushroom; Basidiomycota 172 rubrics
Larch agaric
Boletus luridis Lurid boletus Basidiomycota 6 rubrics
Boletus satanas Satan's fungus; Basidiomycota 19 rubrics
Devil's boletus
Bovista lycoperdon Warted puff ball Basidiomycota 3167 rubrics
Ergotinum Alkaloid of ergot Basidiomycota 22 rubrics
Muscarinum Alkaloid of fly agaric Basidiomycota 5 rubrics
Phallus impudicus Stinkhorn Basidiomycota 14 rubrics
Polyporus pinicola Pine agaric Basidiomycota 71 rubrics
Psilocybe Landslide mushroom Basidiomycota 554 rubrics
caerulescens
Russula foetens Russula Basidiomycota 15 rubrics
Secale cornatum Corn ergot; Ergot of Basidiomycota 2853 rubrics
rye
Solanum tuberosum Rotten potato; Basidiomycota 293 rubrics
aegrotans Diseased potato
Ustilago maydis Corn smut Basidiomycota 574 rubrics
Mucor mucedo Common Pinmould Zyogmycota 27 rubrics

Table 1: Fungi remedies used in homoeopathy and the relative

homoeopathic significance in terms of number of rubrics (Archibel, 2003).

The sample selection was chosen based on the homoeopathic significance of

each fungi remedy. For the purposes of an accurate group analysis study, the

researcher limited the sample selection to the more significant remedies in terms

of rubric representation. This was done because the group analysis method is

particularly focused on characteristic, well-defined features which are poorly

represented in the so-called „smaller‟ remedies (Sankaran, 2002: 25).

28
The final selection is listed below, in order of significance:

Agaricus muscarius (Agar.)


Bovista lycoperdon (Bov.)
Secale cornutum (Sec.)
Ustilago maydis (Ust.)
Psilocybe caerulescens (Psil.)
Monilia albicans (Moni.)
Sticta pulmonaria (Stict.)
Boletus laricis (Bol-la.)

4.2) Extraction of Rubrics

The sample selection was subjected to the computer repertory extraction

process, using Radar 9.0 (Archibel, 2003) computer software package.

Parameters were set to exclude rubrics that contain more than 25 remedies (i.e.

sensations that are more characteristic in nature), and all rubrics were extracted

where there were at least 2 of the above remedies (sample selection)

represented. The results of the extraction process have been included in

Appendix A.

The researcher then scanned the extracted rubrics (Appendix A), selecting those

that contain words representing sensation. This list, included as Appendix B, was

ranked from smallest (least amount of remedies) to largest.

29
4.3) Analysis of Extracted Sensations

The most common sensations identified via the computer extraction process

were burning, itching and stitching. Other common sensations extracted were

numbness, heaviness, stupefying/stunning, spasms, rheumatic, tearing,

formication, dragging/bearing down sensation, dryness and cramps/labour

like pain.

The following methodology was used by the researcher in order to identify

relationships between the extracted sensations: each sensation was subjected to

a full definition via a dictionary, and then a thesaurus was consulted in order to

identify various synonyms relating to the sensation. Each synonym was then

subjected to a literature search via Encyclopedia Homoeopathica in order to test

is validity. This was done using a keyword search of a particular sensation or

synonym, and limiting the results to the fungi kingdom. If the sensation or

synonym is supported by the literature, the researcher then submitted the word

as a sensation, reaction (active or passive) to a sensation, or as compensation.

Detailed analysis of this process has been tabulated in Appendix C.

4.3.1) First Order Analysis

The sensations of „burning‟ and „itching‟ were found by the researcher to share

various common synonyms, namely irritation, tingling and restlessness.

30
These words were found to apply to the fungi group via the literature search.

Below is listed a selection of examples from the literature, in order to illustrate the

above ideas:

Agaricus muscarius

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper limbs


EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper arm
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Fingers
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS – Leg

CHEST - TINGLING
EAR – TINGLING
COUGH - TINGLING - Larynx; in

COUGH - IRRITATION; from - Air passages; in


GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - excessive
MIND – IRRITABILITY
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - sexual excesses

Agaricus phalloides

MIND – RESTLESSNESS

Agaricus stercorarius

MIND – RESTLESSNESS

Boletus laricis

MIND – RESTLESSNESS

MIND - IRRITABILITY

Boletus satanas

31
MIND – RESTLESSNESS

MIND – IRRITABILITY

Bovista lycoperdon

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Lower limbs - perspiration; during


GENERALS – RESTLESSNESS
MIND – RESTLESSNESS

GENERALS – TINGLING
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - TINGLING, voluptuous
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - excessive
MIND – IRRITABILITY
LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION – Larynx

Monilia albicans

MIND – RESTLESSNESS
SLEEP – RESTLESS

CHEST - TINGLING - swallowing amel.


EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Fingers
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING – Foot

MIND – IRRITABILITY
COUGH – IRRITABLE

Mucor mucedo

CHEST - PALPITATION of heart - irritable heart

Polyporus pinicola

MIND – RESTLESSNESS

32
Psilocybe caerulescens

SLEEP – RESTLESS

LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Larynx – talking

Secale cornutum

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Fingers


EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Lower limbs - evening
GENERALS – RESTLESSNESS
MIND - RESTLESSNESS – anxious

GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical – excessive

MIND - IRRITABILITY
THROAT – IRRITATION
STOMACH - IRRITATION

Solanum tuberosum aegrotans

MIND – RESTLESSNESS

MIND - IRRITABILITY - expression, from unintelligible

Sticta pulmonaria

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS
EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Upper limbs
GENERALS - RESTLESSNESS
MIND – RESTLESSNESS
EXTREMITIES – TINGLING
NOSE - TINGLING – Inside

LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Trachea


SLEEP - SLEEPLESSNESS - irritability, from

33
Torula cerevisiae

MIND – IRRITABILITY

Ustilago maydis

EXTREMITIES - RESTLESSNESS - Leg


MIND – RESTLESSNESS

EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Upper limbs


EXTREMITIES - TINGLING – Hand

LARYNX AND TRACHEA - IRRITATION - Trachea


SLEEP - SLEEPLESSNESS - irritability, from

Dryness, numbness, heaviness and dragging sensation was found by the

researcher to all correspond to an idea of dullness or dull. Paralysis was also

identified via numbness. Both dullness and paralysis where confirmed via a

literature search as being relevant to the fungi group. Examples from the

literature are listed below:

Agaricus muscarius

MIND – DULLNESS
MIND - SENSES – dull

BACK - PARALYSIS - sensation of - Lumbar region


EXTREMITIES – PARALYSIS
RECTUM – PARALYSIS
MOUTH - PARALYSIS - Tongue
GENERALS – PARALYSIS

34
Boletus luridus

MIND – DULLNESS

Bovista lycoperdon

EYE - DULLNESS
GENERALS - PAIN – dull

EXTREMITIES – PARALYSIS
GENERALS - PARALYSIS - Organs, of

Ergotinum

CHEST - PARALYSIS - Heart

Monilia albicans

MIND - DULLNESS - thinking - long; unable to think


MIND - EXCITEMENT - alternating with – dullness

Psilocybe caerulescens

HEAD - PAIN - dull pain - Forehead


MIND - DULLNESS
GENERALS - PARALYSIS AGITANS

Secale cornutum

GENERALS - PAIN – dull


ABDOMEN - PARALYSIS of intestines
EYE - PARALYSIS - Optic nerve
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS – spastic

35
Ustilago maydis

MIND – DULLNESS
HEAD - PAIN - dull pain

4.3.2) Second Order Analysis

Passion emerged from the sensations of „burning‟ and „itching‟, but did not have

a good number of matches via the literature search. The researcher found that

various synonyms corresponding to passion reflected a theme of increased

sexual desire, lust and erotic fancies. The literature was searched again using

keywords relating to the sexual sphere, such as sexual desire and masturbation,

and also organic pathology relating to the reproductive system, and a large

number of matches were indeed found to relate to the fungi group. A few

examples are listed below:

Agaricus muscarius

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE - increased
GENERALS - IRRITABILITY, physical - sexual excesses
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCITEMENT agg.
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to

Bovista lycoperdon

GENERALS - MASTURBATION; ailments from


GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after

36
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased

Psilocybe caerulescens

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased

Secale cornutum

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses

Sticta pulmonaria

MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased

Ustilago maydis

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to
GENERALS - WEAKNESS - sexual - excesses, after
MIND - THOUGHTS - sexual
MIND - THOUGHTS - sexual - masturbation, with
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased

The sensation of stitching was found to be defined in relation to sewing fabric -

“making a stitch” (Oxford, 1998: 220). The author thus turned to a medical

dictionary, finding a more suitable alternative definition: “a sharp localized pain,

commonly in the abdomen, associated with strenuous physical activity, especially

shortly after eating - it is a form of a cramp” (Oxford, 1996: 627). As no useful

37
synonyms to stitching was found in the thesaurus, the researcher instead used

„cramp‟ as a substitute, based on the word forming part of the definition of

stitching and the fact that cramp was identified as a sensation via the extraction

process. Synonyms relating to cramp that proved to belong to the fungi group

were spasm and stitch (further confirming the link), and from spasm, the

researcher isolated and confirmed convulsions and twitches. Below the

researcher has included literature evidence supporting these ideas:

Agaricus muscarius

ABDOMEN - PAIN – cramping


EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS – Leg
GENERALS - PAIN - cramping – Muscles
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping – Muscles

FACE - CONVULSIONS, spasms


RESPIRATION - ASTHMATIC – spasmodic
MOUTH - SPEECH - difficult - spasms; from - tongue, from

EXTREMITIES – CONVULSION
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - coition – after
GENERALS – CONVULSIONS

ABDOMEN - TWITCHING and jerking


EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING - electric shocks, as from
EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING – Muscles

Agaricinum

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS – epileptic

38
Agaricus pantherinus

GENERALS – CONVULSIONS

Agaricus phalloides

EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Leg – Calf

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - tetanic rigidity

Agaricus stercorarius

MIND - EXCITEMENT - convulsions – after

Boletus luridus

GENERALS - TWITCHING - subsultus tendinum

Bovista lycoperdon

GENERALS - PAIN - cramping – Muscles


ABDOMEN - PAIN – cramping

FACE - CONVULSIONS, spasms


MIND - WEEPING – spasmodic
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS – clonic

FACE - TWITCHING - asthma - before


GENERALS - TWITCHING - subsultus tendinum

Monilia albicans

ABDOMEN - PAIN - cramping – night

ABDOMEN - INFLAMMATION - Colon – spasmodic

39
Mucor mucedo

NOSE - CORYZA – spasmodic

Russula foetens

GENERALS - CONVULSIONS – clonic

Secale cornutum

EXTREMITIES – CRAMPS

GENERALS - PAIN - cramping – Muscles


BLADDER - SPASM - urination – after
EXTREMITIES - PARALYSIS – spastic
MIND - LAUGHING – spasmodically
MIND - FOOLISH behavior - spasms, during

ABDOMEN - COMPLAINTS of abdomen - accompanied by – convulsions


EXTREMITIES - CONVULSION - alternately extended and flexed

ABDOMEN - TWITCHING and jerking


EXTREMITIES - TWITCHING - paralyzed parts

Sticta pulmonaria

COUGH - WHOOPING - convulsions; with

FACE - TWITCHING - Jaws - Lower - Along

Ustilago maydis

EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Leg - Calf


FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping – Uterus

EYE - TWITCHING

40
4.3.3) Summary of Data Analysis

After extensive analysis of the data obtained via the extraction process, various

words have been identified to represent the fungi remedies as a collective group.

Table 2 below is a summery of these themes listed next to the source sensation

from which they were isolated:

Burning Passion (Sex); Irritation; Restlessness

Itching Passion (Sex); Irritation; Restlessness; Burning

Stitching Cramp; Spasm; Convulsions; Twitch

Numbness Dullness; Paralysis

Dryness Dullness

Heaviness Dullness; Numbness

Dragging Dullness

Table 2: Themes that have been isolated from the source sensations

(underlined) via the extraction process.

4.4) Proposed Table of Sensations

From the above data, the researcher has proposed an array of sensations that

represent the fungi group. Included in this model are possible reactions to these

sensations and possible compensation as a result.

41
SENSATION ACTIVE PASSIVE COMPENSATION

REACTION REACTION

Burning Irritation Numbness Sexual Desire

Itching Convulsions Paralysis Masturbation

Stitching Twitches Dullness Restlessness

Cramp

Spasm

Dryness

Heaviness

Formication

Table 3: Proposed sensations, reactions and compensations common the

Kingdom Fungi.

4.5) Miasmatic Classification of Fungi Family

The fungi remedies were then classified into miasmatic groups, based on

Sankaran‟s extended miasmatic model (Sankaran, 2002: 53). Miasmatic keyword

searches, limited to the fungi group, were done in Encyclopedia Homoeopathica.

The keywords used for each miasm are based on Sankaran‟s keywords used to

42
describe the sensation of a particular miasm (Sankaran, 2002: 60). The following

keywords were used for each of the miasms:

Acute

acute; sudden; violent; panic; danger; reflex; escape; helpless; terror;

insanity; fright; alarm; instinctive.

Typhoid

crises; intense; recover; typhoid; emergency; homesick; sub-acute;

collapse; impatient; critical

Malaria

stuck; persecution; colic; paroxysmal; malaria; worms; migraine;

periodicity; hindered; obstructed; torture

Ringworm

trying; giving up; irritation; try; ringworm; tinea; acne; discomfort; herpetic

Sycosis

fixed; guilt; hide; secretive; warts; tumours; gonorrhea; neurosis;

avoidance; weakness; accepting; covered

43
Tubercular

hectic; intense; suffocation; trapped; change; activity; freedom; defiant;

tuberculosis; oppression

Cancer

control; perfection; fastidious; superhuman; cancer; expectation; capacity;

chaos; order

Leprous

disgust; contempt; isolation; leprosy; mutilation; hopeless; oppression;

dirty; despair; outcast; sadism; repulsion

Syphilis

destruction; homicide; suicide; syphilis; ulcers; impossible; despair;

psychosis; devastation

A picture of possible miasmatic tendencies emerged as a result of the above

keyword search, and has been tabulated below for illustrative purposes:

44
Agar. Bov. Sec. Ust. Psil. Moni. Stict. Bol-la.

Acute

Typhoid + ++

Malaria + ++ ++ ++

Ringworm ++ + + ++ + +

Sycosis ++ + ++ ++ + + + +

Tubercular ++ ++ ++ ++ + + ++ ++

Cancer ++ + ++ ++ + + +

Leprous ++

Syphilis +

Table 4: Miasmatic classification of the individual fungi remedies as

suggested via a keyword search of the literature.

The search of the literature using the above keywords resulted in a quantitative

ranking of the fungi remedies, in terms of number of positive matches. The

keyword search offers an insight into possible miasms of the fungi remedies, and

is also useful in excluding remedies from a certain miasm. As illustrated by the

above table, relatively larger remedies seem to have multi-miasmatic covering

according to the number of matches, which is also due to re-quotation of original

sources by other authors through the generations. Therefore, a quantitative

ranking does not represent the final word on miasmatic classification, but

provides a framework for the more detailed methods.

45
The researcher thus classified the fungi remedies based on a more detailed and

insightful qualitative method, according to Sankaran‟s description of each miasm.

Below is a brief description of the sensation that is at the core of each miasm

(Sankaran, 2002: 53):

Acute Miasm

The feeling is of an acute threat and the reaction is strong and instinctive

(Sankaran, 2002: 53).

Psora

The feeling is that of a difficult situation where one has to struggle in order

to succeed. There is anxiety with doubts about his ability, but he is hopeful

and failure does not mean the end of the world. He must struggle in order

to recover or maintain his position (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Typhoid Miasm

The feeling is that of a critical situation which, if properly handled for a

critical period, will end in total recovery. The reaction is an intense struggle

against it (Sankaran, 2002: 54).

46
Ringworm Miasm

It is characterized by an alteration between periods of struggle with

anxiety about success, and periods of despair and giving up (Sankaran,

2002: 54).

Malarial Miasm

There is an acute feeling of threat that comes up intermittently, in phases,

between which there is an underlying chronic, fixed feeling of being

deficient. This miasm is characterized by sudden, acute manifestations

that come up from time to time, followed by periods of quiescence

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Sycosis

The feeling is that there is fixed, irremediable weakness within the self.

The action is to attempt to cope with it and hide it from others; hence he

covers it up with egotism, compulsive acts, is very secretive etc.

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Tubercular Miasm

The feeling is of intense oppression and a desire for change. The reaction

is intense, hectic activity in order to break free from this oppression

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

47
Cancer Miasm

There is a feeling of weakness and incapacity within, and the need to

perform exceedingly well and live up to very high expectations. The

reaction is a superhuman effort, stretching himself beyond the limits of his

capacity. It is continuous, prolonged struggle which seems to have no end.

His survival depends on it, for failure would mean death and destruction

(Sankaran, 2002: 54).

Leprosy Miasm

The feeling is of intense oppression, intense hopelessness, isolation and

an intense desire for change.

Syphilis

The feeling is that he is faced with a situation beyond salvage, leading to

complete hopelessness and despair. In a desperate effort, he tries to

change the situation and the result is usually destruction.

The researcher studied each individual fungi remedy of the sample selection to

determine the miasmatic expression of each. This was based on the results of

the miasmatic keyword search and the core sensations of each miasm as

described by Sankaran. The results are given below:

48
4.5.1) Agaricus muscarius

The keyword literature search indicated multi-miasmatic tendencies of Agaricus

muscarius, as is often found with archetype remedies. The major indications

were the ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer miasms.

The researcher focused on the disease central to each miasm, and found that

Agaricus muscarius has a large tendency towards tuberculsosis, and cited the

following examples:

Incipient phthisis; is related to the tubercular diathesis, anaemia, chorea,

twitching ceases during sleep (Boericke, 1927).

An addition has been made of Th. Rückert's essay, comparing the symptoms of

this remedy [Agar.] with the symptoms of incipient tuberculosis; they are

marked (Hering, 1879).

Respiration - Short breath in walking, has to stand still to get breath. Incipient

tuberculosis (Hering, 1879).

Agaricus will cure the most inveterate chronic catarrhs with dryness and crusts,

in tubercular constitutions, so deep-seated is it (Kent, 1904).

I let it alone and watched and waited patiently and the symptoms of Agaricus

came up and established the relationship between these two remedies,

and confirmed Hering's observation of the relationship of Agaricus to the

tubercular diathesis (Kent, 1904).

49
Constitutions - TUBERCULOSIS, constitutions (Murphy, 1993).

Diseases - TUBERCULOSIS, lungs (Murphy, 1993).

GENERALS - FAMILY HISTORY of – tuberculosis (Schroyens, 2001).

GENERALS - HISTORY; personal - tuberculosis; of (Schroyens, 2001).

Generals - TUBERCULAR miasm: wide variety of symptoms (Vermeulen, 2002).

This indicated that Agaricus muscarius falls within the tubercular miasm. The

oppression and suffocation sensations, intenseness of symptoms and active

nature of the tuberculinic miasm are well documented in the literature:

Stomach - After a meal, oppression at the stomach and choking at the

oesophagus (Allen, 1898).

Stomach - Oppressive weight in the stomach (Allen, 1898).

Chest - Burning inside the chest, and a kind of oppression (Allen, 1898).

Respiratory organs - Labored, oppressed breathing (Boericke, 1927).

Heart - Cardiac region oppressed, as if thorax were narrowed (Boericke, 1927).

Voice and larynx - Oppression and constriction of larynx; he fears suffocation

(Hering, 1879).

GENERALS - PAIN – oppressive (Schroyens, 2001).

Respiratory apparatus - Anxiety;attacks of suffocation (Allen, 1898).

Sleep and dreams - At night, fear of suffocation;sensation as if the nose were

entirely stopped (Allen, 1898).

50
Coughing - SUFFOCATIVE, cough (Murphy, 1993).

Chest - Suffocation; a feeling of tightness; chest feels too narrow (Vithoulkas,

1992)

Intense thirst for cold water, dry skin (Boericke, 1927).

Sexual organs - Intense exhaustion after coition (Boger, 1938).

On the skin we find many miliary eruptions, the parts looking red and swollen

with intense burning as in frost-bite (Choudhuri, 1986).

Sexually Agaricus is easily excitable, intense and overactive. The desire is

excessive in the morning (Master, Undated - A).

Convulsive disorders - Mental:Intense theorizing, clairvoyant and with love of

drums or dancing (Morrison, 1997).

Calm, composed, sociable, active, and glad of having done his duty (healthful

reaction of the organism) (Allen, 1898).

It is useful in children whose development is arrested, and who refuse to study.

They are unable to concentrate while learning, and have an aversion to

mental work. The internal restlessness gives them the title of being 'hyper-

active'. As a teenager an Agaricus has bold plans. He tends to reach his

father's bar at an early age and develops a craving for alcohol later. The

red letter symptom to describe Agaricus is 'Internal Restlessness'

(Homoeopathic Links, 1998a).

51
It renders some remarkably active, and proves highly stimulant to muscular

exertion; by too large a dose, violent spasmodic effects are produced

(Hughes, et al. 1891).

MIND - ACTIVITY - desires activity (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - MEMORY – active (Schroyens, 2001).

SLEEP - SLEEPLESSNESS - thoughts - activity of thoughts; from (Schroyens,

2001).

4.5.2) Bovista lycoperdon

According to the quantitative keyword literature search, this remedy has an

affinity for the malarial, ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer miasms.

However, there is a much larger affinity towards the malarial and tubercular

miasms.

The researcher found that there was a wide variation of keywords that relate to

the tubercular miasm, such as oppression and suffocation sensations,

intensiveness and changeability, as-well-as a family history of tuberculosis itself:

Frequent heat and oppression of the chest, with thirst, anxiety, restlessness;

relieved by uncovering (Allen, 1879).

Respiratory organs - Oppressed breathing (Allen, 1898).

Chest - Oppression in the middle of the chest, with fine stitches, on breathing

52
(Allen, 1898).

Chest - Constrictive oppression of the chest; everything seems to be too tight

(Clark, 1904).

Upper limbs - Tremor of the hands, with palpitation of the heart and oppressive

anxiety (Clark, 1904).

Oppression of the chest (Clark, 1904).

Fever - oppression of chest (Hering, 1879).

CHEST – OPPRESSION (Schroyens, 2001).

GENERALS - PAIN – oppressive (Schroyens, 2001).

STOMACH - OPPRESSION – Epigastrium (Schroyens, 2001).

Respiratory organs - Great scraping in the larynx as if sore, extending down into

the chest, with much tough mucus in the chest, which threatens to

suffocate her; this mucus is raised with difficulty and tastes salty (Allen,

1928).

Suffocation from carbon vapors (Hering, 1879).

Another type of reaction preceding menses is a constant inclination to yawn,

followed by stitching in throat and a sensation as if the tongue were cut

through with a knife, accompanied by painful tensions in the mouth and

convulsions of all the facial muscles. This is followed by spasmodic

laughter with suffocation, constriction or distention of the throat and lastly

by spasms of chest and a dark red face (Vithoulkas, 1992).

53
Sexual organs -Intensified sexual desire (Boger, 1938).

There is one particular locality, a special cite in Bovista where we find intense

itching and that part is the tip of the coccygeus (Choudhuri, 1986).

Phthisis pulmonum - Incessant cough about 5 P. M., from a tickling and rawness

in larynx; anxious respiration, amel. in fresh air, aggr. by moving arms;

sensation of intense burning in middle of chest, stitches in chest;

abundant expectoration of tough bronchial mucus; chill with burning heat

in face; chill mornings, heat afternoon (Lilienthal, 1879).

Bovista is an intense remedy both mentally and emotionally……overflowing

anxiety coupled with restlessness and excitement put the patient into such

a state that you feel as though she were talking over your head

(Vithoulkas, 1992).

Face - Great changes of color in the face, which is at one time red, at another

pale (Allen, 1898).

Pustules, changing to obstinate crusts, under the nose, with swelling of the

upper tip (Buck, 1987).

Mind - MOODS, general - changeable, variable (Murphy, 1993).

Bovista patients, as mentioned, are very emotional. Their emotions are strong

and changeable, alternating despair with hope, or anger with exhilaration.

Life to them seems charming at certain times and they love it, whereas at

other times it seems difficult and they hate it (Vithoulkas, 1992).

54
EXTREMITIES - PAIN - Joints - tubercular family history (Schroyens, 2001).

GENERALS - HISTORY; personal - tuberculosis; of (Schroyens, 2001).

The researcher also cited examples relating to the keywords hectic and activity:

Coughing - HECTIC, cough (Murphy, 1993).

Mind - MEMORY, general, active (Murphy, 1993).

Mind - MEMORY, general, active - weakness, of (Murphy, 1993).

These are spontaneous, lively, quick acting, active people (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Increased sexual desire with frequent pollutions; aggravation from excess of

sexual activity (Vithoulkas, 1992).

4.5.3) Secale cornatum

This remedy featured under almost every miasm (except acute) when subjected

to the quantitative keyword search via the literature. However, Sankaran states

that Secale cornatum is a „keynote or signature‟ remedy under the leprosy miasm

(Sankaran, 2002: 55). The researcher was not able to find any major evidence in

the literature to counter this statement, as themes of the leprosy miasm are

prominent throughout the remedy picture.

55
Firstly, Secale cornatum is indicated as a treatment for leprosy:

Leprosy - principal remedy (Guanavante, Undated)

Diseases - LEPROSY, skin (Murphy, 1993).

Diseases - LEPROSY, skin - spots, on – face (Murphy, 1993).

Face - ERUPTIONS, facial - leprous, spots (Murphy, 1993).

In carbuncles with gangrenous degeneration (82), in senile gangrene (82) and in

leprosy, Secale cor. is to be thought of with the dry, cool and shrunken

skin and aggravation from heat or warm applications (Pierce, Undated)

FACE - ERUPTIONS - leprous spots (Schroyens, 2001).

The leprosy miasmatic themes of oppression, dirtiness, despair and disgust are

prominent in Secale cornatum:

Inner head - Feels oppressed; stupid, heavy; aches every night; would waken

me at night; ameliorated by eating breakfast and exercise (Allen, 1910).

Scrobiculum and stomach - Great distress and oppression of stomach (Allen,

1910).

Chest - Dyspnoea and oppression, with cramp in diaphragm (Boericke, 1927).

It is following by exhaustion, debility, oppression, heart-burn, and a ravenous

appetite, which it is dangerous to gratify (Durham, 1879).

Constant retching and oppression (Durham, 1879).

Chest – OPPRESSION (Murphy, 1993).

56
GENERALS - PAIN – oppressive (Schroyens, 2001).

The patient generally has a dirty appearance with brown or brownish-white spots

all over her face and body (Choudhuri, 1986).

Pregnancy, parturition - Lochia : dark, very offensive; scanty or profuse; painless

or accompanied by prolonged bearing-down pain; suppressed, followed by

metritis; suddenly change character and become of a dirty brown or

chocolate color, with fetid odor, grows sad and melancholy and fears

death; of too long duration (Hughes, et al. 1891).

She snaps greedily at everything, is very thirsty, is dirty, stools diarrheic,

temperature normal, tongue moist (Hughes, et al. 1891).

The face looks like dried beef, wrinkled, shrivelled, scrawny, as if it had not been

washed, as if grey dirt had dried on the skin, and this especially on the

extremities, a dirty, grey appearance (Kent, 1904).

Face - DISCOLORATION, face - dirty, looking (Murphy, 1993).

Female - DISCHARGE, vagina, - dirty (Murphy, 1993).

Pregnancy - LOCHIA, discharge - fetid - character, suddenly changes, becomes

dirty brown or chocolate colored (Murphy, 1993).

Skin - DISCOLORATION, skin – dirty (Murphy, 1993).

Female genitalia/sex - LEUKORRHEA – dirty (Schroyens, 2001).

Mind - Loathing of life, despair (Allen, 1910).

Mind – Despair (Guanavante, Undated)

Tuczek relates a long series of cases in which ergotism was attended by various

57
symptoms pointing to affections of the nervous centres, such as epileptic

fits, mania, ataxia, stupor, dementia, extreme anxietas, vertigo, religious

despair, great lethargy, impossibility to remain standing with eyes shut,

loss of power of coherent speech, feeling of being surrounded by a tight

girdle, occipital headache, analgesia, Romberg's symptoms, and in every

case loss of knee-jerk (Hughes, et al. 1891).

Moods of joy, despair, emptiness; and various violent and demented behaviour

(Vermeulen, 2002).

Female sexual organ - Menstrual blood; thin and black, lumpy or brown fluid and

of disgusting smell (Allen, 1910).

Disgust for food, meat and fats (Allen, 1879).

In afternoon became limp and ill, the transpiration had a disgusting odour, he

felt out of sorts (Hughes, et al. 1891).

Further evidence supporting this notion is found contemptuous nature and

hopelessness of Secale cornatum:

Mind - Paralytic mental diseases; treats his relations contemptuously and

sarcastically; wandering talk and hallucinations; apathy and complete

disappearance of the senses (Hering, 1879).

MIND – CONTEMPTUOUS (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - CONTEMPTUOUS - relations, for (Schroyens, 2001).

58
Mental - Sarcasm and contempt (Vermeulen, 2002).

Clinical - Dysentery, particularly valuable in the collapsed stage, stools

involuntary, grumous; with these conditions it has saved many apparently

hopeless cases (Allen, 1910).

He passed one stool quite involuntarily in my presence, which was very

offensive. The thermometer indicated the temperature of the boy to be 102°

F. The eyelids were stiff and did not at all respond to the touch of my finger.

The tongue was dry and stiff like a piece of wood. The lower jaw having

dropped, the boy lay with his mouth half open. The eyes were half closed.

The part of the conjunctiva which could be seen appeared to be covered with

a thin, hazy, layer. The pulse at the wrist was full but soft. The case appeared

to be all but hopeless. But we homoeopaths are not quite at sea, as the men

of other schools are, when the brain is gravely involved. I prescribed Phos.

ac. Again, but in the third decimal potency, to be exhibited every hour

(Homoeopathic Recorder, The, 1910).

4.5.4) Ustilago maydis

Evidence extracted via they keyword search indicated that Ustilago maydis

covers the malerial, ringworm, sycotic, tubercular and cancer remedies fairly

equally.

59
The researcher searched the literature for all fungi remedies useful in the

treatment of ringworm (tinea), finding that Ustilago maydis produced a large

number of matches, along with Tinea unknown species, which, according to

Sankaran, is the nosode of the ringworm miasm.

SKIN - The scalp became one filthy mass of inflammation, two thirds of the hair

came out, the rest matted together, with oozing of watery semen from

scalp, eruption like rubeola on neck and chest, gradually extending to feet,

thickest on chest and joints, itching aggravated night, rubbing any part

brought out the eruption, on face and neck it was in patches like

ringworm (Herpes circinatus), but not vesicular (Allen, 1910).

Skin - TINEA, general - tinea, capitis, favosa (Murphy, 1993).

Head - TINEA, favosa (Murphy, 1993).

The researcher thus places this remedy in the ringworm miasm, citing further

evidence from the literature:

Mind - great irritability, mental weakness and depression (Allen, 1910).

Mind - IRRITABILITY - emission; after (Schroyens, 2001).

Mind - Very depressed. Weeps frequently. Irritability at climaxis. Aversion to

company; desires solitude to practise masturbation. Irritability; after

emission; when questioned; when spoken to (Vermeulen, 2000).

60
Male sexual organs - Irritable weakness and relaxation of the male sexual

organs, with erotic fancies and seminal emissions (Allen, 1910).

Sexual organs, Male - Sexual dreams, followed the next day with great physical

prostration; pain in the lumbar region; great despondency and irritability

(Burt, 1883).

Male - Dull pain in lumbar region, with great despondency and mental irritability

(Boericke, 1927).

Sexual organs, Female - Scanty menstruation, from ovarian irritation (Burt,

1883).

Female genitalia/sex - IRRITATION – Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).

Throat – IRRITATION (Schroyens, 2001).

Generalities - Adapted to thin, scrawny, feeble, Adapted to weak, relaxed, atonic

cachectic women; irritable, nervous, patients; irritable, despondent, weak

pale sunken countenance. (Allen, 1910).

Examples from case material reflecting the essence of the miasm (try):

I wasn't a great student. I don't think I tried very hard. Boys were always more

important than school work (International Foundation for Homeopathy,

1991).

But I would like to try to get pregnant. He (gynecologist) says that it's not very

likely (International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).

61
He has taken the keys to my car and has threatened to take the credit cards. I try

not to react, but I feel so helpless and small (International Foundation for

Homeopathy, 1991).

I don't know why I want to get pregnant. I think maybe I am trying somehow to

connect us again (International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).

My whole belly feels like it is heavy, like a big lead weight is in there trying to

dissolve, but never does. In the last six months my belly is bigger. I am

always touching it and feeling for this big thing in there that never seems

to leave me (International Foundation for Homeopathy, 1991).

That is what the dreams are about, wanting and trying to say goodbye and just

not being able to let go (weeping). Letting my mother go would seem like

freedom, but I hold on to something - her? I don't know. But I can't go on like

this; I will weep myself to death and still not have let go. Maybe it isn't her I

can't let go of; maybe it's the anger and the guilt that I swallowed and pushed

down inside all those years (weeping) (International Foundation for

Homeopathy, 1991).

4.5.5) Psilocybe caerulescens

The researcher found very little evidence linking this remedy to a particular

miasm, with only a few indications pointing to the sycotic, tubercular and cancer

miasms. There is however a tremendous amount of weakness running through

the remedy picture of Psilocybe caerulescens, indicating the sycotic miasm:

62
Mind - MEMORY, general, active - weakness, of (Murphy, 1993).

BACK - WEAKNESS - Cervical region (Schroyens, 2001).

GENERALS – WEAKNESS (Schroyens, 2001).

LARYNX AND TRACHEA - VOICE - weak - talking – after (Schroyens, 2001).

SLEEP - FALLING ASLEEP - weakness, from (Schroyens, 2001).

Failed five times an examination, from mental weakness (in a prover who never

had failed an examination before) (Vermeulen, Undated).

All persons taking the LM6 experienced an extreme weakness and tiredness

(Vermeulen, Undated).

Another key feature of the sycotic miasm is warts, with the researcher finding

only a single reference:

EXTERNAL THROAT – WARTS (Schroyens, 2001).

The researcher feels that there is enough evidence to support the idea that

Psilocybe caerulescens belongs to the sycotic remedy, especially as there are so

few rubrics supporting any other miasm.

63
4.5.6) Monilia albicans

This remedy was very difficult to classify, as very few clues where obtained via

the keyword literature search.

The researcher believes that Monilia albicans belongs to the sycotic miasm,

based on the source material and original provings. The remedy is sourced via a

fungus that is naturally found in the human organism (Archibel, 2004), but if there

is over-growth of the organism for various reasons, symptoms manifest, known

medically as Candida or thrush. This disease process is more common in

females, usually affecting the genitor-urinary system (Robbins. et al. 2003: 684).

This indicates the sycotic miasm, as it has an affinity for the genitor-urinary

system (de Schepper, 2001: 383).

A major factor for the over-growth of the fungus is due to the over use of anti-

biotics in the human organism (Robbins. et al. 2003: 684). This results in a

suppression of the immune system, allowing the fungus to freely proliferate.

Suppression plays a major role in the sycotic miasm. Any form of suppression,

such as vaccinations, overuse of antibiotics or cortisone and even the use of oral

contraceptive pills (suppressing the natural cycle of the female hormonal system)

can “fuel the fire” of the sycotic miasm (de Schepper, 2001: 382). Below the

researcher has cited evidence of suppression in Monilia albicans.

64
Thoughtless use of antibiotics (as well as cytostatic and immune-suppressing

drugs) damages the intestinal flora and promotes, amongst other things,

the expansion of fungi (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).

The phenomenon of suppression is very evident in Candida albicans, first of all

in the form of suppressed anger (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).

Suppression (especially suppressed anger) describes the central characteristic

of the remedy, the more so as the parasitic growth, e.g. of Candida

albicans in the bowels, is suppressive as well (Homoeopathic Links.

1998b).

These people have been inhibited, often hindered and suppressed in expressing

their free will and this suppression has become the central theme of their

lives (Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).

The resulting (suppressive) effects are enormous and far reaching: It has caused

a shifting of existing diseases and a manifestation of new diseases

(Homoeopathic Links. 1998b).

Some evidence of suppression as an aetiology:

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anger – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - DESTRUCTIVENESS - emotions; destructiveness from suppressed

(Schroyens, 2001).

Skin - URTICARIA, hives - antibiotics, after (Murphy, 1993).

65
Weakness is prominent in Monilia albicans, further evidence suggesting the

sycotic miasm:

GENERALS – WEAKNESS (Schroyens, 2001).

GENERALS - WEAKNESS – nervous (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - MEMORY - weakness of memory (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - MEMORY - weakness of memory - do; for what was about to

(Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - MEMORY - weakness of memory - proper names (Schroyens, 2001).

MIND - WILL - weakness of (Schroyens, 2001).

4.5.7) Sticta pulmonaria

Sticta pulmonaria belongs to the tubercular miasm, with very little evidence

supporting any other miasm.

Firstly, this remedy is indicated for tuberculosis as a disease, strongly indicating

the tuberculinic miasm:

Lungwort has been suggested in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and

other chronic bronchial conditions… (British Homoeopathic Journal, 1912).

Diseases - TUBERCULOSIS, lungs (Murphy, 1993).

66
Lungs - TUBERCULOSIS, infection (Murphy, 1993).

BACK - TUBERCULOSIS - Vertebrae; of (Schroyens, 2001).

There too is much suffocation and oppression running through the remedy

picture:

Mrs. P. thirty-six years of age in robust health, took cold and from it a

catarrh……She cannot lie down because she has a sensation of

suffocation as soon as she is in a recumbent position; unsuccessful

desire to sneeze from a titillation in the upper nares; if she falls into a dose

while sitting up at night, she awakes with a sensation of suffocation

(Hahnemannian Monthly, The, 1865 – 1866).

Dull oppressive pain in cardiac region (Allen, 1910).

Oppression of lungs (Allen, 1910).

Respiratory organs - Whooping cough in early stages. Croupy coughs, during

catarrh or influenza. Bronchial catarrh with oppression of the chest; hard

racking coughs excited by inspiration (British Homoeopathic Journal,

1912).

Cough - After taking a severe cold, hard, racking cough, agg at every inspiration;

considerable oppression of chest (Hering, 1879).

Inner chest and lungs - Oppression of chest and feeling of a hard mass there;

hard, racking cough, excited by inspiration (Hering, 1879).

67
CHEST – OPPRESSION (Schroyens, 2001).

CHEST - OPPRESSION – Heart (Schroyens, 2001).

Finally, there is an intense and hectic nature documented in the literature:

Mind - Inability to concentrate the mind upon any one subject; a general

confusion of ideas, increasing in intensity all day (after one hour, third

day) (Allen, 1910).

Eye - Burning in the eyelids, with soreness of the ball, on closing the lids or

turning the eye, increasing in intensity during the entire day (after one

hour, third day) (Allen, 1910).

It was found to cause severe coryza, with violent sneezing, intense headache,

and conjunctivitis (Clark, 1904).

Case IV. Mr. F., aged 50 years, came to me, saying he had rheumatism all over

him……the pain in the neck and head were intense......I gave Sticta Ist,

five drops to a tumbler of water, table-spoonful to be taken every hour.

Aug. 23. Mr. F. reports himself greatly improved; pains not so severe

(Hale, 1886).

Clarke writes that Price noticed "one symptom so frequently present in the cases

he cured with Sticta that he began to regard it as a characteristic although it

was not in the provings: A spot of inflammation and redness on the affected

joint like the hectic flush on the cheeks in phthisis." Commenting on the

68
connection between tuberculosis and rheumatism, Clarke says: "Phthisis and

rheumatism not infrequently occur in different members of a phthisical family;

and rheumatism [as the word implies] is related to catarrh. Sticta meets all

these conditions; and it has, like Bacillinum, 'a deep-in headache' "

(Vermeulen, 2002).

4.5.8) Boletus laricis

Boletus laricis belongs to the tubercular miasm.

Night sweats in Tuberculosis (Master, Undated - B).

Perspiration - Sweat is light and without relief. Night-sweat in tuberculosis

(Murphy, Undated).

Tubercular and other enervating night-sweats 1-4 to 1-2 grains doses, also in

chorea in dilatation of heart with pulmonary emphysema, fatty

degeneration, profuse perspiration and erythema (Murphy, Undated).

Forehead - Continuous oppressive headache in forehead and temples, all day

(sixth day) (Allen, 1898).

Chest - Sharp darting pains in the left lung, with slight suffocating feeling,

causing me to rise up in bed, lasting four hours (fourth day) (Allen, 1983).

69
Nausea and vomiting - Nausea and slight vomiting of a sour watery fluid,

intensely bitter (after four hours, fourth day) (Allen, 1898).

Upper face - Weak and languid; poor appetite; every day for the last week, at 12

M., burning pain in upper teeth, left side of jaw, also in left temple; pain

intense, lasts until midnight, when it gradually passes off; feels it slightly

through forenoon. Intermittent neuralgia (Hering, 1879).

Fever - Hectic chills and fever in phthisis, with copious night sweats (Burt, 1883).

FEVER - HECTIC fever (Schroyens, 2001).

Sweat - Profuse, at night, & hectic chills and fever (Vermeulen, Undated).

4.5.9) Summary of Miasmatic Classification

The final miasmatic classification of the fungi remedies, as hypothesized by the

researcher based on the evidence, is tabulated below. Generally, the researcher

found strong affinity for the fungi remedies to the tubercular miasm (Agar, Bov,

Stict and Bol-la).

70
Agar. Bov. Sec. Ust. Psil. Moni. Stict. Bol-la.

Acute

Psora

Typhoid

Malaria

Ringworm +

Sycosis + +

Tubercular + + + +

Cancer

Leprous +

Syphilis

Table 5: Final suggested miasmatic classification of the individual fungi

remedies as suggested by the evidence.

71
CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS OF FUNGI REMEDIES

Common sensations have been extracted and analysed by the researcher

(Chapter 4) as an attempt to further understand the Kingdom Fungi in terms of

known symptomatology. In this chapter, the researcher aims to discuss broader

concepts and themes that may be synonymous with the group as a whole and to

propose more specific pathological tendencies produced by fungi remedies

5.1) Sphere of Action

It is noted that certain remedies have an affinity towards specific physiological

systems, and the following sphere of action was noted in the case of the

Kingdom Fungi:

a) Central Nervous System

b) Peripheral Nervous System

c) Circulation – haemorrhage tendencies

d) Female Sexual Organs – especially uterine and menstrual complaints

e) Male Sexual Organs – sexual desire and masturbation

Pathological processes, as manifested by the fungi remedies, generally gravitate

around the above systems. This is further explored below in Chapter 5.2.

72
5.2) Pathological Tendencies Relating to Kingdom Fungi

As a direct result of the proposed sensations that represent the fungi group of

remedies, certain pathological tendencies have been found by the researcher.

Please note that the evidence produced below is sourced from “Concordant

Materia Medica” as compiled by Frans Vermeulen (2000), unless stated

otherwise.

a) Involuntary movements (twitching and jerking)

There is a clear indication that the fungi remedies produce involuntary

movements of the organism, such as twitching and jerking, spasms, and

convulsions. Jerking and twitching can be described as a sudden contraction of a

muscle in response to a nerve impulse (Oxford, 1998: 349), or a sustained

involuntary muscular contraction which may be part of a generalized disorder or

a local response to an unrelated condition (Oxford, 1998: 611). These motions

can also be defined as chorea, defined as jerky, involuntary movements (Oxford,

1998: 124).

Agaricus muscarius

Jerking, twitching, trembling and itching are strong indications.


Chorea and twitching ceases during sleep.
IRREGULAR, UNCERTAIN and EXAGGERATED MOTIONS.
Nervousness and restlessness.
TWITCHING, JERKING, TREMBLING; here and there.

73
Involuntary movements while awake; cease during sleep: chorea, from simple motions
and jerks of single muscles to dancing of whole body; trembling of whole body.
It is esp. useful in muscular twitching of a choreic nature, but where chorea has not fully
developed.

Bovista lycoperdon

Spasms before menses or after strong emotions (Vithoulkas, 1992).


Twitching in both external ears (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Restlessness.
Hiccough [spasm of the diaphragm] before and after dinner.

Secale cornutum

Twitching; spasms.
Chorea; expression of face varied every moment from a constant play of the muscles.
Cramps in calves and spasmodic twitching of limbs.
Convulsive jerks and shocks in paralyzed limbs. Spasmodic jerks of hand
Tetanic spasms & full consciousness.
Formication, pain and spasmodic movements [Limbs].

Ustilago maydis

Twitching of eyes, they seem to revolve in circles and dart from object to object.
Clonic and tetanic movements [Limbs].
Restless [sleep]; tossing about.
Nerves - CONVULSIONS, general (Murphy, 1993).

Sticta pulmonaria

Chorea; after loss of blood.


Restless hands and feet.
Chorea-like spasms [Lower limbs].
GENERALS – CHOREA (Schroyens, 2001).

74
b) Paraesthesia and Neuralgia

Paraesthesiae, defined as “spontaneously occurring abnormal tingling

sensations”, is also referred to as “pins and needles”. It is usually due to partial

damage to peripheral nerves, such as external pressure, and may be due to

damage of sensory fibers in the spinal cord (Oxford, 1998: 484). Neuralgia is

usually described as a burning or stabbing [shooting] pain that follows the course

of a nerve (Oxford 1998: 442). It is a form of peripheral neuropathy, a syndrome

of sensory loss [numbness], atrophy and vasomotor symptoms (Berkow, R. et al.

1999: 1491). These conditions reflect the affinity of the fungi remedies too the

peripheral nervous system.

Agaricus muscarius

Sensation as if pierced by needles of ice; 2 or hot needles.


Various forms of neuralgia and spasmodic affections, and neurotic skin troubles are
pictured in the symptomatology of this remedy.
Pains are accompanied by sensation of cold, numbness and tingling.
Neuralgia & icy cold head.
Neuralgia, as if cold needles ran through nerves or sharp ice touched them.
Neuralgia in locomotor ataxia.
GENERALS - PAIN – neuralgic (Schroyens, 2001).
Trigeminal neuralgia of the right side of the face where the pain feels like cold needles
piercing the nerves (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Bovista lycoperdon

Stage of numbness and tingling in multiple neuritis.


Numbness and tingling in multiple neuritis (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Shooting pains between scapulae, along borders, has to "straighten up" to be relieved.

75
GENERALS – TINGLING (Schroyens, 2001).
Lower limbs - Numbness and tingling in the legs with inability to stand upright, especially
in the afternoon (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Secale cornutum

Chronic, sharp, stinging neuralgic pains, which burn like fire.


Neuralgia caused by pressure on nerves by a distended vein.
Insufferable tingling, crawling.
Numbness.
Paralysis… tingling, numbness and prickling. Restlessness.
Numbness of fingertips.

Ustilago maydis

Severe neuralgic, in one or both testicles.


Arms - TINGLING, prickling, asleep feeling (Murphy, 1993).
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING - Upper limbs (Schroyens, 2001).
Intermittent, numb tingling sensation in right arm and hand every day. (Clarke, 1904).

Psilocybe caerulescens

GENERALS - MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (Schroyens, 2001).


GENERALS - PARALYSIS AGITANS (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Upper limbs (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Lower limbs (Schroyens, 2001).

Monilia albicans

CHEST - TINGLING - swallowing amel. (Schroyens, 2001).


EXTREMITIES - TINGLING – Fingers (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - TINGLING – Foot (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS – Hand (Schroyens, 2001).
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Fingers - extending to – upwards (Schroyens, 2001).

76
Sticta pulmonaria

GENERALS - PAIN – neuralgic (Schroyens, 2001).


EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Foot – Heel (Schroyens, 2001).
HEAD - NUMBNESS; sensation of (Schroyens, 2001).

c) Increased sexual desire and masturbation

The researcher found a strong influence of the fungi remedies on the sexual

desires of both male and female, often leading to sexual pathology,

nymphomania and an uncontrollable desire to masturbate. This was found to

even result in the desire to watch pornographic material and to be alone to

practice masturbation. However, no evidence of violence was found by the

researcher to relate to this desire.

Agaricus muscarius

Great sexual desire (Vermeulen, 2002).


Increased sexual desire in morning [Male].
Sexual excitement; Desire for coition [Female].
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to - itching, from – Clitoris
(Schroyens, 2001).
MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
Quite a lot of masturbation, with a heavy reliance on pornographic magazines or films to
stimulate sexual excitement, may be seen in both sexes. This desire is very strong in
Agaricus and is in keeping with the general character of the remedy -- the search for easy
pleasure without much responsibility. These patients, despite the fact that they may feel
rotten after coition on a physical or mental level, are not much bothered by masturbation.
The women are many times driven to masturbation by a voluptuous itching of the clitoris
(Vithoulkas, 1992).

77
Bovista lycoperdon

Excessive sexual desire [Male].


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – excessive (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased (Schroyens, 2001).

Secale cornutum

MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).


FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION, disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND – NYMPHOMANIA (Schroyens, 2001).

Ustilago maydis

Desires solitude to practise masturbation.


Uncontrollable masturbation; says he can't break off habit, has no control of himself when
passion is aroused [Male].
Spermatorrhoea, & erotic fancies and amorous dreams.Emissions, & irresistible tendency
to masturbation [Male].
Talking about women causes an emission [Male].

Psilocybe caerulescens

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased (Schroyens, 2001).


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased (Schroyens, 2001).
Mind - SEXUAL, behavior, - nymphomania, women (Murphy, 1993).

Sticta pulmonaria

MALE GENITALIA/SEX - MASTURBATION; disposition to (Schroyens, 2001).


MALE GENITALIA/SEX - SEXUAL DESIRE – increased (Schroyens, 2001).
Mind drawn to sexual subjects (Clarke, 1904).

78
d) Female sexual organs

Pathology relating to the female sexual organs is very marked in the fungi

remedies, particularly focusing on the uterus and menstrual cycle. There is much

haemorrhage and leucorrhoea. The established sensations of itching and burning

are apparent here too, especially on the external female sexual organs.

Agaricus muscarius

Severe bearing-down [pain], almost intolerable, esp. after menopause; post-climacteric


prolapsus.
Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
Menses increased, earlier.
Nipples burn, itch; look red; during pregnancy.
Complaints following parturition and coition.
Leucorrhoea, & much itching.
Leucorrhoea, dark, bloody, excoriating, patient is unable to walk.
Itching, & sexual desire.
Menses & titillation in genital organs.
Female - BLEEDING, uterus, metrorrhagia (Murphy, 1993).

Bovista lycoperdon

Before, during and after menses: pain as if bruised and weary in loins.
Painful urging toward genitals (before menses) & weight in lumbar region. Burning in
genitals.
Menses too early and profuse.
Leucorrhoea acrid, thick, tough, greenish (leaving green spots on linen), follows menses.
Traces of menses between periods.
Menses every two weeks, much dark and clotted blood.
Diarrhoea agg. before and during menses.
Disordered menstruation. Metrorrhagia. Affections of the ovaries (Vithoulkas, 1992).
Female - SEXUAL, behavior - voluptuous sensation, tingling, coitus-like (Murphy, 1993).

79
Secale cornutum

Nymphomania during menses; during metrorrhagia.


Brownish, offensive leucorrhoea.
Menses irregular, copious, dark; continuous oozing of watery blood until next period.
During labour no expulsive action, though everything is relaxed. Afterpains; too long and
too painful.
Dark, offensive lochia.
Gangrene of female organs.
Menstrual blood of disgusting smell. Uterine haemorrhage.
Uterine haemorrhage & tingling or formication all over body.
Uterine ulcer, feels as if burnt, discharges putrid, bloody fluid.
Labour ceases and twitchings or convulsions begin.
Ulcers on external genitals, discoloured and rapidly spreading.
Puerperal mania; exposes body, tears at genitals, inserts her finger into vagina and
scratches until it bleeds.

Ustilago maydis

Affects the female sexual organs.


Flabby condition of uterus.
Congestion to various parts, esp. at climaxis.
Irritability at climaxis.
[Vertigo] at climaxis, and profuse menses.
Nervous [head pain], from menstrual irregularities.
Congestive dysmenorrhoea & severe pain in ovaries, uterus and back; scanty, pale flow
with false membranes; & thickly coated tongue and poor appetite.
Cervix (cervix spongy) bleeds easily. [Uterus] Oozing of dark blood, clotted, forming long
black strings.
Foul, yellow or brown leucorrhoea.
Agalactia; chronic inflammation and induration of mammae.
[Generally] worse: Climaxis.

80
Monilia albicans

FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CANCER of - Uterus - precancerous stage (Schroyens,


2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION – Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - ITCHING - leukorrhea; from (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - PAIN - cramping - Uterus - menses – during (Schroyens,
2001).

Sticta pulmonaria

Scanty flow of milk; absence of milk after delivery.

e) Haemorrhagic tendencies

The action of fungi remedies on the circulatory system manifests in both

haemorrhagic diathesis and congestive symptoms. Complications of circulatory

disturbances are also noted by the researcher, such as gangrenous conditions.

Agaricus muscarius

Epistaxis when blowing nose, early in morning; followed by violent bleeding.


Swelling and bleeding gums, & pain.
Itching eruption of easily bleeding whitish nodules.
GENERALS – HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE - blood – dark (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - HEMORRHAGE - blood – thick (Schroyens, 2001).
RECTUM - HEMORRHAGE from anus (Schroyens, 2001).
Blood - BLEEDING, general (Murphy, 1993)

81
Bovista lycoperdon

Has a marked effect …circulation, predisposing to haemorrhages (due to relaxation of


capillary system).
Oozing haemorrhages, agg[revated at] night.
Bleeding of nose (early in morning, during sleep; vertigo) and gums.
Haemorrhage; after extraction of teeth.
[Consider] in cases where the circulation is influenced, with relaxation of the capillary
system, thereby producing a hemorrhagic diathesis (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Secale cornutum

GENERALS – HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).


Haemorrhages; continued oozing; thin, fetid, watery black blood.
Passive haemorrhages in feeble, cachectic women.
Threadlike pulse in haemorrhages.
Purpura haemorrhagica.
Small wounds bleed much. Slight wounds continue to bleed.
Bleeding from gums. Bleeding from bowels.
Olive-green, thin, putrid, bloody stool.

Ustilago maydis

Haemorrhage.
Congestive, passive or slow bleeding or clots; blood dark, but watery.
Haematemesis of a passive nature, profuse, blood venous, & nausea, which amel. after
haemorrhage.
GENERALS – HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).

Psilocybe caerulescens

MOUTH - APHTHAE - bleeding – easily (Schroyens, 2001).


MOUTH - BLEEDING – Gums (Schroyens, 2001).

Monilia albicans

MOUTH - BLEEDING – Gums (Schroyens, 2001).

82
SKIN - ITCHING - bleeding - scratching; after (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION – Ovaries (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - CONGESTION – Uterus (Schroyens, 2001).

Sticta pulmonaria

Haemorrhages [Causation].
GENERALS – HEMORRHAGE (Schroyens, 2001).
Hysterical chorea coming on after profuse haemorrhage has been cured by Stic[ta
pulmonaria]. (Clarke, 1904).

f) Chilly sensations and reaction to cold

Although no evidence of an aggravation due to cold was uncovered by the

researcher via the proposed methodology, it was noted that evidence relating to

this tendency was found throughout the literature of the fungi remedies. There is

a general aversion to cold, and tendency to become cold easily and an

aggravation of symptoms by cold. This includes cold air, weather, food or drink,

and even sensations of coldness in various parts. The researcher has found this

to be an integral manifestation of the fungi remedies.

Agaricus muscarius

Pains are accompanied by sensation of cold, numbness and tingling.


Sensation of a cold drop or cold weight on parts.
Painful twitching, then parts become stiff and cold.
Burning, itching and redness of various parts, as if frostbitten (nose, ears, fingers and
toes).
Icy coldness, like icy needles, or splinters.
Patients are exceedingly sensitive to cold air and damp.

83
Worse: COLD AIR; FREEZING AIR; OPEN AIR.
Many symptoms appear when walking in the open air; this is a very general and
characteristic aggravation.
Great chilliness in open air, strikes through whole body.
The feeling that the painful part is affected by frost; the pain felt is similar to that of
frostbite: this is actually a more general characteristic of Agaricus (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Bovista lycoperdon

Very sensitive to [cold] drafts.


[Chill] during pain. [Chill] After going to bed at night. [Chill] Predominating; becomes chilly
even with the pains.
Shivering in evening, spreading from back; and drawing pain in bowels.
[Worse] Cold food.
Chilliness predominates with sensitivity to drafts (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Secale cornutum

Coldness, but doesn't want to be covered up. Coldness and intolerance of heat.
Sensation of coldness in stomach.
Cold feeling in abdomen and back.
[Abdomen] Coldness and cramps. Coldness and intolerance of being covered & great
exhaustion.
Fingertips sensitive to cold.
Coldness; cold, dry skin; cold, clammy sweat.
ICY COLD EXTERNALLY, YET BURNING HOT INTERNALLY.

Psilocybe caerulescens

GENERALS - BATHING - cold bathing - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).


GENERALS - COLD - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - cold drink, cold water - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
HEAD - PAIN - cold - becoming; from (Schroyens, 2001).

Monilia albicans

GENERALS - COLD - becoming cold - after, agg. (Schroyens, 2001).

84
GENERALS - COLD - take cold; tendency to (Schroyens, 2001).
HEAD - COLD - air - sensitive to (Schroyens, 2001).

Boletus laricis

Yawns and stretches when chilly.


Severe aching in shoulders and joints and lumbar region [when chilly].
Profuse [sweat], at night, & hectic chills and fever.

g) Ailments from suppression

Aetiology shared by fungi remedies for various symptom manifestations was

observed by the researcher to relate to suppression of other sensation or

symptoms, as-well-as from sexual excesses or abuse (see below). The causation

of various conditions is an important aspect of homoeopathic case taking and

prescribing, resulting in the researcher to search for common aetiologies shared

by this group.

Agaricus muscarius

Convulsions from suppressed milk.


Epilepsy from suppressed eruptions.
GENERALS - CONVULSIONS - suppressions, from (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anger – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).
CHEST - MILK - suppressed - metastasis from suppressed milk (Schroyens, 2001).
Convulsions … from suppressed eruptions, and from suppressed milk in nursing women
(Vithoulkas, 1992).

Secale cornutum

Sec[ale cornatum] is indicated in suppressions.


GENERALS - SUPPRESSED COMPLAINTS; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001).

85
Lachrymation suppressed. Urine suppressed.
Suppression of milk; breasts don't fill properly.
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MENSES – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).

Ustilago maydis

GENERALS - SUPPRESSED COMPLAINTS; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001).


CHEST - HEMORRHAGE of lungs - menses - suppression of; after (Schroyens, 2001).
FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - MENSES – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).

Monilia albicans

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - anger – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).


MIND - DESTRUCTIVENESS - emotions; destructiveness from suppressed (Schroyens,
2001).

Sticta pulmonaria

CHEST - MILK – suppressed (Schroyens, 2001).

h) Ailments from excessive coitus/sexual abuse

The researcher found that consequences of sexual excess and/or sexual abuse

to be an important aetiology for various seemingly unrelated conditions

manifesting in fungi pathology. This was not a surprise as this project has already

established the increased sex drive of the fungi remedies leading to excessive

coitus or masturbation. Generally, the overuse or abuse of any vice leads to

symptoms manifesting to various degrees.

86
Agaricus muscarius

Convulsions after coition.


Young nervous hysterical married women who faint after coition.
General agg[ravation from] coition.
Hysteria, after sexual excesses.
After coition, great debility, profuse sweat, burning and itching of skin; tension and
pressure under ribs. [Male]
Coition, subjective symptoms arising after.
[Causation] Sexual excesses.
GENERALS - CHOREA - masturbation, from (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - MASTURBATION; ailments from (Schroyens, 2001).
Depletion of energy as a consequence of sexual excessess, masturbation, coitus, etc.
(Vithoulkas, 1992).
Convulsions after coition and excitement (Vithoulkas, 1992).

Bovista lycoperdon

Mental symptoms from sexual excesses. Complaints from sexual excess.


Confusion and numbness in head, after coition, & staggering.
Vertigo and confusion of head after coition.
Numbness in the head after coition (Vithoulkas, 1992).
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses (Schroyens, 2001).

Secale cornutum

MIND - AILMENTS FROM - sexual excesses (Schroyens, 2001).


MIND - FORGETFUL - sexual excesses, after (Schroyens, 2001).
MALE AND FEMALE GENITALIA/SEX - COITION - agg. (Schroyens, 2001).
GENERALS - SEXUAL EXCESSES; ailments after (Schroyens, 2001).

Ustilago maydis

Prostration from sexual abuse.


Irritability; after emission.
Great weakness of sexual system.

87
GENERALS - WEAKNESS - sexual - excesses, after (Schroyens, 2001).
MIND - AILMENTS FROM - abused; after being – sexually (Schroyens, 2001).

5.3) Mental/Emotional Manifestations of Fungi Remedies

The researcher has so-far discussed sensations and pathological conditions of

the fungi remedies that pertain mostly to the physical plane of manifestation, with

very few references to the deeper mental and emotional states of the kingdom as

a whole. The researcher has just touched on these themes as they are outside

the aims of the study as defined in Chapter 3, but they do however colour the

picture of the proposed sensations of the fungi group. Below in an outline of

common manifestations of mental symptoms found in the fungi remedies:

a) Anxiety

There is a sense of anxiety that is common to the fungi group. The anxiety is

usually manifested as a mental symptom, but is also felt as a deeper physical

sensation that is felt in various parts of the body, but which stems from a more

deep-seated anxious mentality.

The following remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND – ANXIETY‟: Agaricus

muscarius; Agaricus emeticus; Agaricus phalloides; Bovista lycoperdon;

Ergotinum; Monilia albicans; Psilocybe caerulescens; Secale cornutum; Solanum

tuberosum aegrotans.

88
b) Confusion of mind

There is much confusion in the mentality of the fungi remedies. The confusion is

especially apparent around their own identity,

The following remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND – CONFUSION of

mind‟: Agaricus muscarius; Agaricus phalloides; Bovista lycoperdon; Monilia

albicans; Psilocybe caerulescens; Secale cornutum; Sticta pulmonaria; Ustilago

maydis

c) Delusions

This is an area of great affinity for the fungi remedies. Delusions seem to be such

a large manifestation in fungi remedies that it almost seems as if a remedy from

this kingdom should not be considered without some sense of delusions within

the symptom picture presented by the patient.

The following fungi remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND – DELUSIONS‟:

Agaricus muscarius; Bovista lycoperdon; Monilia albicans; Psilocybe

caerulescens; Russula foetens; Secale cornutum; Solanum tuberosum

aegrotans; Sticta pulmonaria; Ustilago maydis.

The scope of delusions as presented in various fungi remedies is far-reaching.

Some of the more common delusions include the following:

enlarged (distances; body; body parts)


intoxicated

89
poisoned
under superhuman control
low weight/incorporeal
visions (fantastic; beautiful; on closing eyes)

d) Irritability

This is a sensation that runs through the whole being of a fungi remedy, as it was

part of the sensation extraction section of this study. It is an example of how a

theme can run through the organism from a physical level to the sensation level.

The following remedies are listed under the rubric „MIND – IRRITABILITY‟:

Agaricus muscarius; Boletus laricis; Boletus satanas; Bovista lycoperdon; Monilia

albicans; Secale cornutum; Solanum tuberosum aegrotans; Torula cerevisiae;

Ustilago maydis.

5.4) Fungi as a Kingdom

The fungi have been recently classed biologically as a kingdom in their own right,

separating them from both the plant and animal groups. They are essentially

placed between the plant and animal kingdoms, sharing commonalities with both

(Mader, 1998:539). Taking this into consideration, the researcher expected to

identify homoeopathic characteristics of both the plant and animal kingdoms

within the group symptomatology of the fungi remedies. Evidence of an „animal

nature‟ is reflected in the strong sexual desire of the fungi remedies, leading to

90
sexual excesses or even masturbation. However, there is little evidence of the

fungi sharing the more central animal characteristics of „competition‟ and a „need

to attract attention‟, making them „attractive in their behaviour and appearance‟

(Sankaran, 1997: 233).

The researcher believes that, generally, the characteristics of the fungi remedies

suggest that the fungi manifests homoeopathically closer to the plant kingdom

than the animal kingdom. They seem to be more „disorganised‟, manifesting in

mental confusion and various delusions, and have a more „sensitive‟, „emotional‟

personalities (Sankaran, 1997: 233).

However, the themes of „confusion to identity‟ are very curious indeed, as that is

how the fungi are viewed biologically. With the scientific problem of classifying

the fungi into a an appropriate group, biologists have created a sense of

„confusion‟ about the definition of a fungi and which organisms can be placed

within that definition, as they are not an animal and they are not a plant.

91
CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1) Group Analysis Approach to Homoeopathy

The group analysis approach to homoeopathy, although not entirely new

(Winston, 2004: 36), has created a major paradigm shift within the profession. It

proposes a different method of case taking, analyses of a case, and ultimately in

the prescription of the simillimum. As a result, there is now dispute between

various authorities of those who are opposed to the notion, those who fully

accept the ‘change’, and those who are unsure about it.

It is the view of the researcher that group analysis promises a deeper

understanding of the materia medica, especially as it relates to the nature of

each substance. In this modern age, where scientific thinking dominates what’s

fact, a more systematic methodology and approach to homoeopathy is vital. This

will help move the profession closer to mainstream science, which in turn will

open the path to more stringent and serious scientific studies into the principles

governing homoeopathic philosophy.

Ultimately though, the researcher believes that by gaining a greater insight into

the various groups of remedies, and by allowing ‘smaller’ remedies to be viewed

in a new light, that the patient will benefit most of all. Armed with a new

dimension and understanding of the materia medica, the homoeopathic

92
practitioner is better able to determine the simillimum needed by an individual so

that a curative effect can be initiated.

This research has shown that Sankaran’s methodology of group analysis can be

used in order to explore other biological groups of remedies, and that biologically

related remedies share common characteristics that can define them as a group,

adding depth to the homoeopathic literature. However, much care is needed in

order to obtain accurate results, and much confirmation of proposed themes is

needed before the results can be written into stone.

6.2) Limitations of the Methodology

Smaller, less adequately proved and homoeopathically less well defined

remedies generally provide few, relatively unconnected physical symptoms.

There is often a lack of detailed mental and emotional symptoms, making it

difficult to outline and understand a central theme/essence of the substance.

The fungi remedies are a relatively small group in terms of rubric representation.

They too have a very limited use in homoeopathic prescribing, especially outside

the 3 archetype fungi remedies, namely Agaricus muscarius, Bovista lycoperdon

and Secale cornutum. Of the 32 fungi remedies used in homoeopathy, 22 have

less than 72 rubrics, 9 remedies represented by less than 10 rubics (Archibel,

2003). Although the sample selection used for the purposes of this study

93
revealed enough data for an accurate extraction of common sensation, the

researcher was unable to confirm some ideas proposed in this study by applying

them to the lesser known remedies.

There too is a lack of in-depth, ‘cured’ cases of the lesser known fungi remedies.

Case studies provide detailed insight into the essence of a remedy, allowing a

deeper understanding of the symptomatology as manifested by the substance,

and also confirming and expanding on symptoms produced through provings.

Again, this creates a problem as the themes proposed in this study can’t be fully

tested and confirmed in the smaller fungi remedies.

Both these problems have a solution in the form of supergroups. A supergroup is

essentially a larger group consisting of multiple related families that are

individually too small to expose to the sensation extraction process. By joining

these ‘small’ groups together, larger, well known remedies become part of the

extraction process, allowing common sensations to be extracted and confirmed

with greater accuracy. For the purposes of this study, the researcher basically

formed a supergroup by using fungi remedies from multiple sub-divisions, namely

Ascomycota, Lichen and Basidiomycota. However, the main reasoning for this

was so that an understanding of the entire kingdom may be obtained, and not the

individual sub-divisions.

94
6.3) Recommendation for Further Research

Research into the Kingdom Fungi is important, especially considering that very

few remedies used in homoeopathy are derived from this ecologically vital

component of any ecosystem (Mader, 1998:540).

Firstly, more high quality, in-depth provings of both the smaller fungi remedies

and previously unproven fungi remedies are needed. This is of great importance,

as more rubrics representing individual fungi remedies in the literature will greatly

increase the homoeopathic importance of the kingdom. In conjunction with this,

more cured case studies need to be compiled and analysed in-depth in terms of

vital sensations and reactions. Together, this will provide insight into the kingdom

and help confirm the themes proposed in this study.

With a greater number of fungi remedies in the literature, research into the sub-

divisions of the kingdom can be undertaken. This too is important as more

detailed sensations can be isolated and understood as relating to the smaller

biological divisions with in the kingdom.

95
REFERENCES

Alexopoulos, C.J. et al. 1996. Introductory Mycology. John Wiley and Sons,
New York, USA.

Allen, H.C. 1879. The Therapy of Intermittent Fevers.Jain Publishers, New Delhi,
from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Allen, H.C. 1898. Keynotes and characteristics with Comparisons.


Wellingborough: Thorsens Publication, from Encyclopaedia
Homeopathica.

Allen, H.C. 1910. The Materia Medica of some Important Nosodes.


Philadelphia: Boericke and Tafel, from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Allen, H.C. 1928. The Therapy of Fevers.Boericke & Tafel, Philadelphia, from
Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Allen, H.C. 1983. The Therapy of Tuberculous Affections. New Delhi, from
Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Allen, R.E. 1990. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English. Oxford,
Oxford University Press.

Berkow, R. et al. 1999. The Merck Manual of Medical Information.


Centennial edition. Merck Research Laboratories – Merck and Co., Inc.
Whitehouse Station, N.J.

Boericke, W. 1927. Pocket Manual of Hoeopathic Materia Medica. Jain, New


Delhi, from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

Boger, C. W. 1938. Boenninghausens’s Characteristics and Repertory. 2nd


Edition. Roy & Co. Bombay, from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

British Homoeopathic Journal. 1912. Sticta Pulmonaria. Volume 27. From


Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

Buck, H. 1987. The Outlines of Materia Medica and Clinical Dictionary. Jain
Publishers, New Delhi, from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

Burt, W.H. 1883. Physiological Materia Medica. Chicago, from


Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Carlile, M.J. et al. 2001. The Fungi. Academic Press, London, UK.
Clark, J.H. 1904. Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (Vol. 1-3). London, from
Encyclopaedia Homeopathica.

Choudhuri, N.M. 1986. A Study on Materia Medica and Repertory. Jain


Publishers, New Delhi, from Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

De Schepper, L. 2001. Hahnemann Revisited. A Textbook of Classical


Homoeopathy for the Professional. Full of Life Publications, Santa Fe,
USA.

Durham, C. 1879. Lectures on Materia Medica. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, from
Encyclopaedia Homeopathica

Gaier, H., C. (1991). Thorson's Encyclopeadic Dictionary of Homoeopathy.


London, Thorsons.

Griffin, D. 1994. Fungal Physiology. Wiley-Liss, New York, USA.

Guanavante, S. M. Undated. The "Genius" of Homoeopathic Remedies. From


Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Hahnemannian Monthly, The. 1865 – 1866. Sticta Pulmonaria, Case 1. Number


10. From Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Hahnemann, S. 1996. Organon of the Medical Art. Birdcage Books, Washington,


USA.

Hale, E. M. 1886. Special Therapeutics of the New Remedies. Boericke & Tafel,
Philadelphia, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica

Hawker, L.E. 1974. Fungi. Hutchinson & Co., London, UK.

Hawksworth, D.L. 1991. The Fungal Dimension of Biodiversity: Magnitude,


Significance and Conservation. Mycological Research 95:641-655.

Hawksworth, D.L. et al. 1995. Ainsworth and Bibsy’s Dictionary of the Fungi.
CAB International, Wallingford, United Kingdom.

Hering, C. 1879. Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica (Vol. 1-10).


Philadelphia, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Homoeopathic Links. 1998a. A mischievous boy. Spring. From Encyclopaedia


Homoeopathica.

Homoeopathic Links. 1998b. Monilia albicans: A Proving Report and a Case.


Summer. From Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.
Homoeopathic Recorder, The. 1910. Secale cornutum, Case 1. Number 6. From
Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Hughes et al. 1891. Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy. Ringer, Calcatta, from


Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

International Foundation for Homeopathy: Case Conference Proceedings. 1991.


Myoma. From Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Kent, J.T. 1904. Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica .4th edition. New
Delhi: Jain Publishers, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica

Lilienthal, S. 1879. Homoeopathic Therapeutics. 2nd Edition. Boericke & Tafel,


Philadelphia, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica

Lockie, A. 2000. Encyclopoedia of Homoeopathy. London, England.


Dorling Kindersly.

Mader, S.S. 1998. Biology. McGraw-Hill, United States of America.

Master, F.J. Undated - A. The Fascinating Fungi. From Encyclopaedia


Homoeopathica.

Master, F.J. Undated - B. Tubercular Miasm Tuberculins. From Encyclopaedia


Homoeopathica.

Morrison, R. 1997. Desktop Guide. Nevada City, California: Hahnemann Clinic


Publishing.

Moscowitz, R. 2002. “Innovation and Fundamentalism in Homoeopathy.”


American Journal of Homoeopathy 96(2): 91 – 108.

Murphy, R. 1993. Homoeopathic Medical Repertory. Pasoga Springs, Colorado:


Hahn. Acad. North America. From Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Murphy, R. Undated. Homeopathic Remedy Guide. From Encyclopaedia


Homoeopathica.

Pierce W. I. Undated. Plain talks on Materia Medica with Comparisons. Haren &
Brother, Calcatta, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Robbins, S. et al. 2003. Basic Pathology. 7th edition. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


W.B. Saunders Company.
Saine, A. 2001. “Homoeopathy versus Speculative Medicine.” Homoeopathy
Today October.

Sankaran, R. 1994. The substance of homoeopathy. Homoeopathic Medical


Publishers, Mumbai, India

Sankaran, R. (1997). The Soul of Remedies. Bombay, Homeopathic Medical


Publishers, Mumbai, India.

Sankaran, R. (2000). The System of Homoeopathy. Bombay, Homeopathic


Medical Publishers, Mumbai, India.

Sankaran, R. 2002. An Insight into Plants. Homoeopathic Medical


Publishers, Mumbai, India

Sankaran, R. 2005. The Sensation in Homoeopathy. Homoeopathic Medical


Publishers, Mumbai, India

Scholten, J. 1993. Homoeopathy and Minerals. Homoeopathic Medical


Publishers, Bombay, India

Schroyens, F. 2001. Synthesis (original English version) Homeopathic Book


Publishers, London, from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Vermeulen, F. Undated. Synoptic Materia Medica. Vol2. From Encyclopaedia


Homoeopathica.

Vermeulen, F. 2000. Concordant Materia Medica. Millinium edition.


Netherlands. Emryss bv Publishers.

Vermeulen, F.2002. Prisma. The Arcana of Materia Medica Illuminated;


Similars and Parallels Between Substance and Remedy. 2nd edition.
Netherlands. Emryss bv Publishers.

Vithoulkas, G. 1992. Materia Medica Viva. Health and Habitat, San Fransisco,
from Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica.

Winston, J. 2004. “Uh oh, Toto. I don’t think we in Kansas anymore”.


Homoeopathy In Practice: 32-37

Wulfsohn, T. 2005. A Group Analysis of the Graminae (Grass) Plant Family of


Homoeopathic Remedies. M. Tech Dissertation, Durban Institute of
Technology.
Internet references:

1. Taylor, W. 2002. Defining Families of Remedies


Creating a Remedy-Family Database, 4 June 2004, from
http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homoeopathy_pro/wt15.html

2. Archibell S.A. 2005, from


http://www.archibel.com/homoeopathy

3. Radar South Africa, from


http://www.homeopathy_sa.co.za/RADAR_and_research.pdf

4. Grieve, M. 2003. A Modern Herbal, from


http://www.nisbett.com/herbs/f/fungi-37.html
APPENDIX A

Extraction by size (Rubrics size < 25)

RUBRIC Agar. Bov. Sec. Ust. Psil. Moni. Stict. Bol- Size
la.
MIND – delirium – silent 1 1 2
HEAD – pain – stitching – sides of – 1 1 3
morning
ABDOMEN – pain – stitching – 1 1 3
hypochondria – sitting – bent, while
EYE – pain – burning – cough – with 1 1 3
FEMALE – abortion – tendency to 2 2 3
abortion – flabby woman; in
CHEST – eruptions – pimples – 1 1 3
burning
EXTREMETIES – pain – upper arm – 1 1 3
forenoon
EXTREMETIES – pain – stitching – 1 1 3
knee – rising from a seat
EXTREMETIES – sensitive – cold, to 1 1 3
– fingers
HEAD – motions of head – pains, 1 1 4
moves head to relieve
HEAD – pain – burrowing – temples – 1 1 4
left
MIND – menses – after 2 1 5
MIND – speech – jerks, by 2 1 5
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – delivery – 1 2 5
inertia uteri, with
SKIN – eruptions – urticaria – menses 1 1 5
– during
GENERALS – weakness – walking – 1 1 5
house, in the
FACE – eruptions – excoriating – nose 1 1 6
MOUTH – eruptions – vesicles – blood 1 1 6
vesicles
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – 1 1 6
subinvolution, from
CHEST – palpitation of heart – 1 1 6
nausea; with
BACK – pain – straightening up the 1 1 6
back – amel.
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – upper 1 1 6
limbs – pimples – burning
EXTREMETIES – pain – burning – 1 1 6
forearm – forearm – near the wrist
EXTREMETIES – sensitive – fingers 1 2 6
SKIN – eruptions – pimples – 1 1 6
scratching – after – white after
scratching; pimples become
MIND – delirium – exaltation of 2 1 7
strength, with
HEAD – pain – night – midnight – after 2 1 7
– 3h
EAR – pain – dinner, after 1 1 7
NOSE – itching – external nose 1 1 7
FACE – pain – pressing – chin 1 1 7
MOUTH – speech – difficult – spasms; 2 1 7
from – tongue; from
BACK – pain – aching – stooping – on 2 1 7
SKIN – burning – sparks; as from 1 3 7
SKIN – eruptions – tubercles – 1 1 7
ulcerating
SKIN – indurations, nodules, etc. – 1 1 7
white nodules – scratching; after
MIND – insanity – violent 1 1 8
NOSE – tingling – inside – right 1 2 8
MOUTH – twitching – tongue 1 1 8
STOMACH – nausea – pain, during – 1 1 8
stomach, in
FEMALE – lochia – thin 2 1 8
COUGH – irritation; from – throat; in - 1 1 8
right
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – foot – 1 1 8
back of – vesicles
MIND – rage – mischievous 1 1 9
HEAD – pain – stunning, stupefying – 1 1 9
vertex
NOSE – discharge – offensive – putrid 1 1 9
NOSE – sneezing – morning – rising – 1 1 9
after
MOUTH – ulcers – tongue – painful 1 1 9
ABDOMEN – pain – drawing – 1 1 9
inguinal region – right
RECTUM – flatus – noisy – moving 1 1 9
about, changing place; the noise is
RESPIRATION – asthmatic – allergic 1 1 9
SKIN – electric – sparks; sensation as 1 3 9
from electric
MIND – dancing – jumping; and 1 1 10
NOSE – discharge – crusts, scabs, 2 1 10
inside – detach – hard to detach – raw
and sore spot; leave
ABDOMEN – itching - hypochondria 1 1 10
ABDOMEN – pain – hypochondria – 1 1 10
morning
FEMALE – leucorrhea – atony, from 1 1 10
FEMALE – lochia – dark 3 1 10
FEMALE – menses – clotted – partly 2 1 10
fluid
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – bright red – 1 2 10
clots, with
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – delivery, 1 1 10
after
BACK – cracking – dorsal region 1 1 10
EXTREMETIES – motion – irregular 2 2 10
SKIN – eruptions – pimples – hard 1 2 10
FACE – pain – stitching – lips – lower 1 1 11
STOMACH – nausea – breakfast – 1 1 11
during
ABDOMEN – pain – tearing – 1 1 1 11
menses – during
STOOL – thin – formed then thin 1 3 11
FEMALE – leucorrhea – dark 1 1 11
EXTREMETIES – pain – sore – upper 1 1 11
limbs – joints; of
MIND – delusions – enlarged – 1 1 12
objects are
HEAD – pain – occiput – coition, after 1 1 12
NOSE – discoloration - bluish 1 1 12
NOSE – epistaxis – blowing – nose; 2 2 12
the – morning
NOSE – obstruction – sensation of – 1 1 12
watery discharge; with
NOSE – pain – root – headache, with 3 1 12
FACE – discoloration – pale – morning 2 3 12
URETHRA – discharge – viscid 1 1 12
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – pale 1 1 12
EXPECTORATION – bloody – 1 1 12
uncoagulated
BACK – itching – sacrum 1 1 12
BACK – numbness – dorsal region 1 1 12
EXTREMETIES – paralysis – wrist – 1 1 12
sensation of
SKIN – discoloration – spots – 1 1 12
fleabites; like
SKIN – eruptions – rash – white 1 1 12
MIND – menses – after 1 1 13
VERTIGO – accompanied by – 1 1 13
epistaxis
VERTIGO – periodical 1 1 13
EAR – itching – meatus – boring with 1 2 13
finger – amel.
NOSE – dryness – inside – blowing 1 3 13
nose, but without discharge; compels
THROAT – inflammation – left 1 1 13
SLEEP – sleepiness – eating – during 1 1 13

MIND – confusion of mind – time, as 1 1 14


to
MIND – delusions –superhuman; is – 1 1 14
control; is under superhuman
NOSE – epistaxis – old people 2 1 3 14
FACE – expression – idiotic 3 1 14
STOMACH – heaviness – epigastrium 1 1 14
RECTUM – itching – anus; around – 1 1 14
stool – after
FEMALE – menses – copious – 2 2 14
exertion agg.
FEMALE – menses – motion agg. 1 2 14
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – offensive 2 1 14
EXTREMETIES – pain – sore – upper 1 1 14
limbs – bones
EXTREMETIES – pain – stitching – 1 2 14
ankle – malleolus – outer
CHILL – night – midnight – after – 5h 2 1 14
MIND –stupefaction – morning 1 2 15
HEAD – complaints of head – 1 1 15
extending to – brain
FACE – eruptions – pimples – mouth 1 1 15
– around
FACE – pain – stitching – chin 1 1 15
FEMALE – abortion – inertia of uterus, 1 1 15
from
FEMALE – leucorrhea – lumpy 2 1 15
EXTREMETIES – swelling – foot – 1 1 15
right
GENERALS – pulse – slow – slower 1 1 15
than the beat of heart
NOSE – pulsation 2 1 16
MOUTH – ulcers – tongue – sides 1 1 16
STOMACH – pain – morning – 1 1 16
waking, on
STOMACH – pain – stool – during 1 1 16
COUGH – coughing agg. 1 1 16
BACK – pain – turning 2 1 16
BACK – pressure – agg. 2 1 16
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – foot – 1 1 16
pimples
HEAD – pain – stool – after – amel. 1 1 17
HEAD – pain – stitching – forehead – 1 1 17
eyes, over – left
EYE – pain – burning – closing lids 1 1 17
NOSE – coryza – morning – waking 1 1 17
TEETH – pain – food – cold 1 1 17
THROAT – pain – burnt; sensation as 1 1 17
if
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – dark blood 2 1 17
– clots, with
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – intermittent 1 1 17
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – painless 1 2 1 17
BACK – formication – spine 3 1 17
EXTREMITIES – coldness – lower 1 2 17
limbs – sensation of
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – leg – 1 2 17
vesicles
EXTREMETIES – stiffness – toes 1 1 17
GENERALS – hemorrhage – blood – 1 2 1 17
thin
GENERALS – weakness – 1 1 17
convulsions, after
MIND – delusions – enlarged – 1 1 18
distances are
EYE – pain – turning eyes - sideways 1 2 18
NOSE – sneezing – coughing – after 3 1 18
STOMACH – appetite – constant 1 1 1 18
FEMALE – lochia – bloody 2 1 18
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – leg – 1 1 18
calf – pimples
EXTREMETIES – restlessness – 2 1 18
fingers
GENERALS – convulsions – 1 1 18
periodical
GENERALS – hemorrhage – passive, 1 1 18
oozing
MIND – unconsciousness – morning 1 1 19
HEAD – itching of scalp – morning 2 1 19
FACE – eruptions – acne – papules; 1 1 19
with indurated
MOUTH – speech – indistinct 1 1 19
FEMALE – abortion – month – third 2 2 19
month
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – abortion – 2 2 19
after
FEMALE – pain – labour pain – 1 1 19
excessive
COUGH – burning; from – larynx; in 1 1 19
CHEST – pain – burning – external 1 1 19
EXTREMETIES – contraction of 1 2 19
muscles and tendons – leg – calf
PERSPIRATION – odor – urine 1 1 19
GENERALS – circulation; complaints 1 1 19
of the blood
GENERALS – food and drinks – dry 1 1 19
food – agg.
GENERALS – history; personal – 1 1 19
tuberculosis; of
GENERALS – painlessness of 1 1 19
complaints usually painful
HEAD – pain – accompanied by – eye 2 1 20
– pain
HEAD – pain – shooting – forehead – 1 1 20
eyes, over
STOMACH – pain – lancinating 1 1 20
FEMALE – menses – copious – night 1 2 20
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – continuous 2 1 20
BACK – pain – sacral region – motion 2 1 20
– during
EXTREMITIES – awkwardness – 1 3 20
fingers
EXTREMETIES – pain – jerking, 1 1 20
tearing – foot
CHILL – heat – without subsequent 1 1 20
SKIN – eruptions – pimples – burning 1 1 20
GENERALS – hemorrhage – blood – 1 1 20
thick
GENERALS – pulse – febrile 1 1 20
MIND – suicidal disposition – 1 2 21
drowning, by
MIND – tearing – things in general 1 1 21
HEAD – eating – during – agg. 1 1 21
EYE – pain – sore – motion – eyes; of 1 2 21
MOUTH – pain – stitching – palate – 1 1 21
hard palate
STOMACH – hiccough – afternoon 1 1 21
ABDOMEN – heaviness – 1 3 21
hypogastrium
RECTUM – diarrhea – fever – typhoid 2 1 21
fever
FEMALE – itching - voluptouos 2 1 21
FEMALE – menses – ropy, tenacious, 1 1 21
stringy
FEMALE – pain – uterus – extending 1 1 21
to – downward
FEMALE – relaxation – vagina; 2 1 21
sphincter of
COUGH – dry – evening – lying down 1 2 21
BACK – pain – exertion – from 2 1 21
EXTREMETIES – nails; complaints of 1 2 21
– falling out of nails
EXTREMETIES – pain – fingers – 1 1 21
rheumatic
NOSE – coryza – left 1 1 22
NOSE – sneezing – morning – 1 1 1 22
waking, on
THROAT – hawks up cheesy lumps 2 1 22
THROAT – swallow , constant 1 1 22
disposition to – lump in throat, from
ABDOMEN – pain – dragging, bearing 1 1 22
down – menses – before
STOOL – thin – followed by – hard 2 1 22
stool
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – gushing 1 2 2 22
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – thin blood 2 1 22
FEMALE – pain – tearing – uterus – 2 2 22
menses – during
CHEST – coldness – heart – region of 1 1 22
CHEST – palpitation of heart – 1 1 22
paroxysmal
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – upper 3 1 22
limbs – eczema
SKIN – eruptions – vesicular – watery 1 1 22
SKIN – itching – scratching – bleeds; 2 2 22
must scratch until it
GENERALS – pain – burning – blood 1 1 22
vessels, in
HEAD – hair – grey; becoming 1 1 23
HEAD – sides; complaints of - external 1 2 23
NOSE – epistaxis – menses – during 1 1 23
FACE – heat – chin – sensation of 1 1 23
FACE – quivering 1 1 23
MOUTH – spasms – tongue 1 1 23
TEETH – food – cold food – agg. 1 1 23
STOMACH – heat – epigastrium 1 1 23
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – active 3 2 23
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – fluid 2 2 23
EXPECTORATION – bloody – 1 1 23
menses – suppressed, during
BACK – itching – coccyx 1 2 23
BACK – numbness 2 1 23
BACK – pain – afternoon 1 1 23
EXTREMETIES – cramps – ankle 1 1 23
EXTREMETIES – discoloration – 2 2 23
fingers – blue
EXTREMETIES – formication – legs – 1 2 23
calf
EXTREMETIES – pain – forearm – 1 1 23
rheumatic
MIND – stupefaction – waking, on 1 1 1 24
HEAD – pain – coition 1 2 24
ABDOMEN – pain – inguinal region – 1 1 24
walking, while
FEMALE – menses – copious – 1 2 2 24
menopause, during
FEMALE – metrorrhagia – oozing 2 3 24
FEMALE – pain – labor like – menses 2 1 24
– before
EXTREMETIES – lightness, sensation 1 1 24
of
EXTREMETIES – nails; complaints of 1 2 24
– thick nails
EXTREMETIES – stretching out – 1 1 24
lower limbs – amel.
GENERALS – convulsions – 2 1 24
excitement, from
GENERALS – medicine – allopathic – 1 1 24
abuse of
MIND – delusions – double – being 1 1 25
MIND – unconsciousness – transient 1 1 25
HEAD – heaviness – sides 1 1 25
RECTUM – dragging – heaviness, 1 1 25
weight – stool – during
CHILL – chilliness – night 1 1 25
APPENDIX B

Sensation extraction table (Rubrics size < 25)

RUBRIC Agar. Bov. Sec. Ust. Psil. Moni. Stict. Bol- Size
la.
HEAD – pain – stitching – sides of – 1 1 3
morning
ABDOMEN – pain – stitching – 1 1 3
hypochondria – sitting – bent, while
EYE – pain – burning – cough – with 1 1 3
CHEST – eruptions – pimples – 1 1 3
burning
EXTREMETIES – pain – stitching – 1 1 3
knee – rising from a seat
HEAD – pain – burrowing – temples 1 1 4
– left
FACE – eruptions – excoriating – 1 1 6
nose
EXTREMETIES – eruptions – upper 1 1 6
limbs – pimples – burning
EXTREMETIES – pain – burning – 1 1 6
forearm – forearm – near the wrist
NOSE – itching – external nose 1 1 7
FACE – pain – pressing – chin 1 1 7
MOUTH – speech – difficult – 2 1 7
spasms; from – tongue; from
BACK – pain – aching – stooping – 2 1 7
on
SKIN – burning – sparks; as from 1 3 7
NOSE – tingling – inside – right 1 2 8
MOUTH – twitching – tongue 1 1 8
COUGH – irritation; from – throat; in - 1 1 8
right
HEAD – pain – stunning, stupefying 1 1 9
– vertex
ABDOMEN – pain – drawing – 1 1 9
inguinal region – right
SKIN – electric – sparks; sensation as 1 3 9
from electric
NOSE – discharge – crusts, scabs, 2 1 10
inside – detach – hard to detach – raw
and sore spot; leave
ABDOMEN – itching - hypochondria 1 1 10
BACK – cracking – dorsal region 1 1 10
FACE – pain – stitching – lips – lower 1 1 11
ABDOMEN – pain – tearing – menses 1 1 1 11
– during
NOSE – obstruction – sensation of – 1 1 12
watery discharge; with
BACK – itching – sacrum 1 1 12
BACK – numbness – dorsal region 1 1 12
EXTREMETIES – paralysis – wrist – 1 1 12
sensation of
VERTIGO – periodical 1 1 13
EAR – itching – meatus – boring with 1 2 13
finger – amel.
NOSE – dryness – inside – blowing 1 3 13
nose, but without discharge; compels
STOMACH – heaviness – 1 1 14
epigastrium
RECTUM – itching – anus; around – 1 1 14
stool – after
EXTREMETIES – pain – stitching – 1 2 14
ankle – malleolus – outer
MIND – stupefaction – morning 1 2 15
FACE – pain – stitching – chin 1 1 15
EXTREMETIES – swelling – foot – 1 1 15
right
NOSE – pulsation 2 1 16
HEAD – pain – stitching – forehead – 1 1 17
eyes, over – left
EYE – pain – burning – closing lids 1 1 17
THROAT – pain – burnt; sensation as 1 1 17
if
BACK – formication – spine 3 1 17
EXTREMITIES – coldness – lower 1 2 17
limbs – sensation of
EXTREMETIES – stiffness – toes 1 1 17
EXTREMETIES – restlessness – 2 1 18
fingers
HEAD – itching of scalp – morning 2 1 19
COUGH – burning; from – larynx; in 1 1 19
CHEST – pain – burning – external 1 1 19
EXTREMETIES – contraction of 1 2 19
muscles and tendons – leg – calf
HEAD – pain – shooting – forehead – 1 1 20
eyes, over
STOMACH – pain – lancinating 1 1 20
EXTREMITIES – awkwardness – 1 3 20
fingers
EXTREMETIES – pain – jerking, 1 1 20
tearing – foot
SKIN – eruptions – pimples – burning 1 1 20
MOUTH – pain – stitching – palate – 1 1 21
hard palate
ABDOMEN – heaviness – 1 3 21
hypogastrium
FEMALE – itching – voluptouos 2 1 21
FEMALE – menses – ropy, 1 1 21
tenacious, stringy
COUGH – dry – evening – lying down 1 2 21
EXTREMETIES – pain – fingers – 1 1 21
rheumatic
ABDOMEN – pain – dragging, 1 1 22
bearing down – menses – before
FEMALE – pain – tearing – uterus – 2 2 22
menses – during
SKIN – itching – scratching – bleeds; 2 2 22
must scratch until it
GENERALS – pain – burning – blood 1 1 22
vessels, in
FACE – heat – chin – sensation of 1 1 23
MOUTH – spasms – tongue 1 1 23
BACK – itching – coccyx 1 2 23
BACK – numbness 2 1 23
EXTREMETIES – cramps – ankle 1 1 23
EXTREMETIES – formication – legs 1 2 23
– calf
EXTREMETIES – pain – forearm – 1 1 23
rheumatic
FEMALE – pain – labor like – menses 2 1 24
– before
EXTREMETIES – lightness, 1 1 24
sensation of
GENERALS – convulsions – 2 1 24
excitement, from
RECTUM – dragging – heaviness, 1 1 25
weight – stool – during
Burning Itching Stitching Spasm Numbness Heaviness Dryness Dragging

APPENDIX C
Definition “On fire, very “tickling “a sharp “strong “deprived of the “having a great “without water “to pull
hot; intense; sensation in localized involuntary power to feel” weight; a great or moister; something
(Oxford, hotly discussed” skin, causing a pain…it is a contraction of amount of force; thirsty; boring heavy along;
1998) desire to form of a muscle” full of sadness or or dull” continue
scratch” cramp” worry” slowly and
dully”
Synonyms Intense Irritation Cramp Convulsion Deadness Weight Aridity Tedious
All-consuming Tingling Contraction Dullness Gravity Aridness Boring
(Collins, Eagar Spasm Paroxysm Insensibility Heftiness Dehydration Dull
2005) Frantic Desire Ache Twitch Insensitivity Ponderousness Drought Going slowly
Frenzied Craving Contraction Paralysis Thirst Humdrum
Impassioned Hankering Crick Burst Stupefaction Onerousness Thirstiness Monotonous
Passionate Hunger Pain Access Torpor Arduousness Tiresome
Zealous Longing Pang Eruption Unfeelingness Burdensomeness Dull Wearisome
Crucial Lust Stiffness Fit Grievousness Boring
Acute Passion Stitch Frenzy Oppressiveness Dreary
Critical Restlessness Twinge Outburst Severity Monotonous
Essential Seizure Weightiness Plain
Important Longing Spasm Tedious
Significant Burning Sluggishness Tiresome
Vital Curiosity Ache Deadness Uninteresting
Blazing Impatient Contraction Dullness
Fiery Inquisitive Stiffness Languor Sarcastic
Flaming Stitch Lassitude Cutting
Glowing Twinge Numbness Droll
Hot Torpor Keen
Illuminated Quietly
Stinging Sadness Humorous
Biting Dejection Sharp
Caustic Depression Sly
Irritating Despondency
Painful Gloom
Tingling Melancholy

Analysis of the various common sensations extracted. Words highlighted in red were found to be supported by a search of the
literature and have been included in the data analysis.

You might also like