Abstract: In present era, medical science fights very hard with complex pathology to offer a better health. Every day, there is emergence of new complex pathology or treatment resistance which blocks the path of holistic healing. In this situation, there is a need to give palliative relief with the uses of various mother tinctures, but selection should be solely over the symptom similarity. It can act in the stage of low vitality and in cases where major pathological changes take place. Homoeopathic science understands their limitation in case management that all cases are not meant to be cure. So, more studies and research should be done on the doses and use of mother tincture, so that its utility in incurable disease conditions with logical application of principles can precisely being placed.
Keywords: Homoeopathy, Mother tincture, palliative treatment.
Introduction:
Homeopathy is the system of medicine which emphasizes various diluted and potentized medicines for the treatment of different disease conditions. The use of mother tinctures (MT) has long been known for its existence in the regular homeopathic practice. The mother tincture is a liquid extract, which is prepared by the process in which the soluble and active constituents of a drug are extracted with the help of an appropriate solvent (alcohol and distilled water). [1]
The mother tincture is mainly prepared from vegetable sources. Hahnemann experimented extensively with the use of various types of homeopathic potencies ranging from mother tinctures to C and LM potencies. From a historical perspective, the predominant modes of prescribing have covered the full spectrum from the use of low potencies (including mother
tinctures) to the exclusive use of very high potencies. Homoeopathy is a system of therapeutics which has a holistic approach towards diseased individual. Prescription in homoeopathy is based on individualization which can be achieved in various ways. Homoeopathy can also be used as a supportive or palliative treatment. As a palliative and supportive approach, homeopathy is used to develop general health and to relieve the pain and suffering resulting from other orthodox treatment such as in incurable cases [2] or cases with advanced pathology or cases undergoing chemotherapy – radiotherapy. In inoperable cases like carcinoma of the liver, advanced carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, lungs, esophagus etc. palliative medicinal treatment should be the method of choice. When the vital force is too weak to receive deep acting constitutional remedies in high potency, mother tincture acts promptly over such places and afford instant relieve of the patient. There is a need for an overview of the studies regarding the use of mother tinctures in a more effective and authentic way based on the principle of “Similimum”.
Some Mother tinctures and their clinical indications: [3, 4, 5, 6]
- ACONITUM FEROX
- ferox. (The most poisonous species known, containing greatest proportion of Aconitine; from the Himalaya Mountains.) N. O. Ranunculaceae. Tincture of root.
Clinical -Burning pains. Cheyne-Stokes breathing. Chill. Dyspnea. Gastralgia. Neuralgia. Numbness.
Characteristics -A. ferox was proved by Dworzack, who also proved Aconitine. The Ferox developed burning pains in greater intensity than the alkaloid; more intense mental activity followed by greater depression. The Aconite note of unendurability of suffering was marked. Anxiety and fear of suffocation from paralysis of respiratory muscles; obliged to breathe half
sitting up with head resting on palms of hands. Cold drinks >; sitting up >; warm food.
- ARALIA RACEMOSA
Common Name: Spikenard
Clinical: Asthma, Cough, Hay fever.
Indications: Remedy for asthmatic conditions, with cough aggravated on lying down. Dry cough coming on after first sleep. Asthma; on lying down at night with spasmodic cough; worse after sleep, with tickling in throat.
- ALLIUM SATIVUM:
Common Name: Garlic
Parts used: Mature bulb
Clinical: Arteriosclerosis, Hypertension, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia.
Indications: Hypertensive dues to Arteriosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia. Lowers blood pressure produces normal sleep.
- BLUMEA ODORATA:
Common Name: kukurmota
Clinical: Hemorrhage from uterus, piles, abortion, dysentery.
Indications: A great remedy to control hemorrhages from uterus, piles and dysentery. An excellentremedy for bleeding pile. Menorrhagia, leucorrheamixed with blood and miscarriage all are benefited by this great Indian drug.
Excellent remedy for tertian fever.
- CASCARA SAGRADA
Common name: Chitten bark.
Clinical: Constipation, Cirrhosis.
Introduced as a palliative for constipation (non-homeopathic), fifteen drops of fluid extract here it restores normal function by its tonic effects, but it has a wider sphere of action, as careful proving will show. Chronic indigestion, cirrhosis and jaundice. Hemorrhoids and constipation. Gastric headache. Broad, flabby tongue; foul breath.
Urine- Must wait for minute before flow start.
Extremities- Rheumatism of muscles and joints, with obstinate constipation.
- CHAPARRO AMARGOSO
Common name: Goat bush.
Clinical: Diarrhea, Dysentery.
Indications: In chronic diarrhea when all indicated remedies fail.
- COCA:
Botanical name: Erythroxylum coca
Clinical: Mountaineer’s complaints, Aphonia.
Indications: Useful in a variety of complaints incidental to mountain climbing, such as palpitation, dyspnea, anxiety and insomnia. Loss of voice. Weak vocal cords. In loss of voice give 5-6 drops, every half hour, two hours before expected demand on voice.
- CHELIDONIUM MAJUS
Common Name: Celandine
Clinical: Cancer. Constipation. Gall stones. Hemorrhoids Jaundice. Liver affection of Pleurodynia. Stiffness.
Indications: A prominent liver remedy. Liver enlarged. Jaundice due to hepatic or gall bladder obstructions. Gall stone colic Pain in back under inferior angle of right Scapula is a characteristic symptom. It can be effective one during Stage of Hepatization of Pneumonia.[7]
- DIGITALIS PURPURA
Common name: Foxglove
Clinical: Angina pectoris. Bright’s disease. Cyanosis. Delirium tremens. Heart, affections of
Indications: In all diseases where the heart is primarily involved, where the pulse is weak, irregular, intermittent, abnormally slow, and dropsy of external and internal parts. Weakness and dilatation of the myocardium. Its greatest indication is in failure of compensation and especially when auricular fibrillation has set-in. The third to thirtieth
attenuation will bring about reaction when the drug is homeopathically indicated; but for palliative purposes the physiological dosage is required. For this purpose, the tincture made from the fresh plant, in doses of five to twenty drops, when the cardiac stimulation is desired, or the infusion of 1 1/2 per cent. Dose, one-half to one ounce if the diuretic action is wanted. The tincture may be given on sugar or bread, and nothing liquid be taken for twenty minutes before or after its administration. Of the powdered leaves, 1/2 to 2 grains in capsules. Digitoxin 1-250 grain. No matter what form of digitalisis given the dose should be reduced as soon as the pulse rate has been lowered to 80 beats a minute and the normal rhythm has been partially or completely restored.
- DIOSCOREA VILLOSA:
Common name: China Root.
Clinical: Gastric disorders, Gall bladder colic.
Indications: It affords prompt relief in colic, painful affections of abdominal and pelvic viscera. Aggravation by lying down and doubling up, better by standing erect or bending backward. Pain suddenly shifts to different parts. Pain from gall-bladder to chest, back and arms. In acute pain 5 drops Q, every 10 to 15 minutes.
- FRAXINUS AMERICANA
Common name: White Ash.
Clinical: Fibroid uterus, prolapse of uterus
Indications: Fibrous growth, subinvolution and prolapse, with bearing down sensations. Dysmenorrhea. Dose Ten to fifteen drops of tincture, three times a day.
- GENTIANA LUTEA
Common Name: Better wort (Yellow Gentian)
Clinical: Anorexia. Biliousness. Colic. Debility. Dyspepsia. Stomach; disorders of. Indications: Acts as a tonic increasing appetite. Sour acid risings, nausea, flatulence. Colic umbilical region sensitive to touch.
- HYDRANGEA ARBORESCENCE
Common Name: Seven barks
Clinical: Bladder; Stone in. Diabetes. Gravel. Prostatic; affections of Urine; incontinence of.
Indication: A great remedy for gravel, profuse deposit of white amorphous salt in urine. Calculus. Renal colic, bloody urine. Acts on ureter. Urine hard to start, burning in urethra with frequent desire. Sharp pain in lumbar region on left side.
- IRIS VERSICOLOR
Common name: Blue Flag
Clinical: Constipation, Dyspepsia, Pancreatic affection, Psoriasis
Indications: Great burning distress in epigastrium; mouth and stomach feel on fire. Cancer of pylorus with sour vomiting and great prostration (Cooper). Pain in the region of the liver; < from motion. Awful burning distress, deep in region of pancreas, not > by cold water. Colic > by bending forward; > by discharge of flatulence
- MYRISTICA
Common Name: Brazilian Ucuba.
Clinical: Suppuration. Ulceration. Whitlow.
Indications: It is a great antiseptic drug; it hastens suppuration and shortens its duration. Inflammation of skin and cellular tissue and periosteum. Traumatic infection. Fistulas. Carbuncles fistula in anus. Pain in finger nails with swelling and inflammation.
- OCIMUM CANUM
Common name :(Brazilian Alfavaca)
Clinical: Is to be remembered in diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urethra (nephritis, cystitis and urethritis). Uric acid diathesis. Red sand in the urine is its chief characteristic and frequently verified.
Indications: Renal colic especially rightsided, urine turbid, thick brick dust red or yellow.
- PASSIFLORA INCARNATA
Common name: Passion-flower
An efficient anti-spasmodic. Whooping-cough. Morphine habit. Delirium tremens. Convulsions in children; neuralgia. Has a quieting effect on the nervous system. Insomnia, produces normal sleep, no disturbance of cerebral functions, neuroses of children, worm fever, teething, spasms. Tetanus. Hysteria; puerperal convulsions. Painful diarrhea. Acute mania. Atonic condition generally present. Asthma, 10-30 gtt every ten minutes for a few doses. Locally, in erysipelas.
- PIX LIQUIDA
Common name: Pine-tar
Its skin symptoms most important. A great cough medicines. Bronchial irritation after influenza (Kreosote; Kali bi). Scaly eruptions. Much itching. Constant vomiting of blackish fluid, with pain in stomach. Alopecia (Fluor ac).
Chest- Pain at a spot about the third left costal cartilage where it joins the rib. Rales through the lungs, and muco-purulent sputum; offensive odor and taste. Chronic bronchitis.
- POTHOS FOETIDUS
Common Name: Skunk cabbage
Clinical: Asthma.
Indications: A great anti-allergic drug, having marked effect on respiratory tract in allergic asthmatic complaints, worse from inhaling any dust. Millar’s asthma. Spasmodic croup. Troublesome breathing with sudden feeling of anguish and sweat. Sneezing, with pain in chest, difficult breathing. Asthma, relieved by passing stool.
- STELLARIA MEDIA
Common Name: Chickweed.
Clinical: Rheumatism
Indications: Morning aggravation. Sharp, shifting, rheumatic pains in all parts very pronounced. Rheumatism; darting pains in almost every part; stiffness of joints; parts sore to touch; worse, motion. Chronic rheumatism. Shifting pains (Puls; Kali sulph). Psoriasis. Enlarged and inflamed gouty finger joints
- STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS
Common name: Kombe-seed
Clinical: Dropsy, Heart affections of
Indication: It increases the contractile power of all striped muscles. Acts on the heart; increasing the systole and diminishes the rapidity. May be used with advantage to tone the heart, and run off dropsical accumulations. In small doses for weak heart; it feels
enlarged. In mitral regurgitation, where edema and dropsy have supervened (Digit). Strophanthus is a greater diuretic, and is safer for the aged, as it does not affect the Vaso motors. In pneumonia and in severe prostration from hemorrhage after operations and acute diseases. Irritable heart of tobacco-smokers. Arterio-sclerosis; rigid arteries of aged. Restorestone to a brittle tissue, especially of the heart muscle and valves. Especially useful in failing compensation dependent upon fatty heart. Corpulent persons.
- SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE
Common name: Comfrey
Clinical: Gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Indications: The root contains a crystalline solid, that stimulates the growth of epithelium on ulcerated surfaces. It may be administered internally in the treatment of gastric and duodenal injuries, ulcers. Very good for Pruritus ani.
- USTILAGO
Common Name: Maize smut.
Clinical: Menorrhagia. Post-partum hemorrhage.
Indications: Menorrhagia at climacteric, oozing of dark blood, clotted, forming long black strings. Cervix bleeds easily. cervical erosion. Post-partum hemorrhage.
- UVA URSI
Common Name: Bearberry
Clinical: Cystitis. Pyelitis. Uterine hemorrhages. Urticaria.
Indications: Hematuria with cystitis. Burning after discharge of slimy urine. Calculus. Frequent urging. Urine contains pus, blood and mucus.
Dose: Five to ten drops doses.
- YOHIMBINUM:
Common name: Corynathe yohimbe
Clinical: Sexual stimulants.
Indications: Excites sexual organs and acts on the central nervous system and respiratory center. An aphrodisiac, used in physiological doses, but contraindicated in all acute and chronic inflammations of abdominal organs. Homeopathically, should be of service in congestive conditions of the sexual organs. Neurasthenic impotence.
Conclusion:
A mother tincture, being the lowest possible potency of any particular homoeopathic preparation, it should always be prescribed Homeopathically to get its optimum result. With much clinical research, mother tincture can be a great tool of Emergency room and many more cases where palliation is the first priority.
References:
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- Roberts HA. The principles and art of cure by homoeopathy: a modern textbook. New Delhi: Jain; 1997.
- Boericke W. Boericke’s new manual of homoeopathic materia medica with repertory: including Indian drugs, nosodes, uncommon rare remedies, mother tinctures, relationships, sides of the body, drug affinities, & list of abbreviations. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2007.
- Clarke JH. Condensed homoeopathic materia medica and repertory: including repertories of ailments from temperaments and clinical relationships. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers; 2001.
- Yadubir Sinha. Miracles of mother tinctures: with therapeutic hints and treatment of diseases. New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P) Ltd; 2014.
- Jain N. Clinical Prescriber to Indian Mother Tinctures: New Weapon in The Armoury. Notion Press; 2021.
- Gardin NE, Braga AJ. Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) for COVID- 19: A twenty-case series. Phytother Res. 2021 Jul;35(7):3792-3798.
