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Materia Medica is written by Prof. Dr G. Nagendra Babu. Many of the books on homeopathic materia medica are compilations of symptoms produced by the drugs. Many materia medicas available now are aiming at understanding the drug pictures. Readers of homeopathic materia medica complain that different views of authors’ on different drug pictures create confusion in the minds of beginners of materia medica. During my 33 years of teaching in Homeopathic College I was not in a position to suggest any one book (which covers all the required portion) for the beginners and fresh teachers, now I am confident that Professor Nagendra Babu’s book will fulfill this lacuna. Author’s conscious attempt in keeping the language very simple is aimed at blooming students of materia medica. On going through the book one can understand the sincere efforts taken by author in compiling the data from different sources and presenting it in his own lucid style of writing. This book has covered almost all the topics needed to understand the philosophy and principle of homeopathic materia medica for students. Chapters like history of materia medica, relationship of remedies, applied materia medica in learning and practice, group remedies in homeopathic materia medica will be useful to undergraduates as well as post graduate students. This book no doubt will make an addition to the text books on homeopathic materia medica. As the title suggests this book aptly named as an introductory preparation to homeopathic materia medica for beginners. As per the authors’ narrative the subject is based on the new curriculum introduced by the C.C.H standard regulations for the preliminary study. I hope that both the profession as well as students will welcome and utilize this book and be benefitted by the labors of Prof. Dr G. Nagendra Babu.
It gives me immense pleasure to write foreword to the book Introduction to Materia Medica by Dr G. Nagendra Babu, MD (Hom.) Professor and HOD Sri Sai Ram Homoeopathic Medical College, Chennai, the author of another versatile book A comprehensive study of Organon and a recipient of Best Teacher award. There have been so many books of Materia Medica written from the century when homeopathy was discovered to this century, the so-called modern Materia Medica. We have the pure Materia Medica where symptoms are expressed as they have been produced in provers and Materia Medica where interpretations and elaboration are given for each and every symptom. We have Materia Medica where the mental symptoms are expressed and exposed and Materia Medica where the pathological general are dealt with. Moreover, we also therapeutic Materia Medica where medicines are given for each disease condition and with indications of the particular drug in each disease condition, which lead to confusion among the students of homoeopathy whether they are undergraduate or postgraduate. This confusion get expressed in practice and finally resulted in many schools of Homoeopathy, some of them jeopardizing the existence of homoeopathy itself. These all confusions could be sorted out if we really understand the origin and evolution and types of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica. Until this time rarely, academicians have tried to bring out a book on this do except taking a few lectures on this topic. Dr G. Nagendra Babu has made this attempt in an elaborate manner which is really the need of the time. The salient features of the book are,a brief introduction to beginners on what is Materia Medica, and how it is different from other Materia Medica, journey on the history of Materia Medica dating from ancient to modern times, explanations to terms used in Homeopathic Literature, Schuessler 12 Tissue Remedies, methods of studying Homeopathic Materia Medica, Sources Of Materia Medica, Scope / Advantages And Limitations of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Types of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Relationship of Homoeopathic Remedies, Applied Materia Medica in Learning & and Practice, and Group Remedies of Homeopathic Materia Medica will also be useful to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. More over the knowledge of the above are very much essential according to the new CCH curriculum for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate. Thus this book in not another Materia Medica Book where every medicine is explained so that a practitioner can use but it is a book on how the books of Materia Medica need to be understood and studied which become very essential for a newcomer to the homoeopathy that is our student community. So I wish the homoeopathic fraternity to make use of this wonderful book. Reviewed by – Dr Winston Vargheese MD (Hom) Professor and P. G. Coordinator Sarada Krishna Homoeopathic Medical College Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari
An introduction to materia medica from Dr.G.Nagendra Babu is needed today. As we know that in both U.G and P.G courses new syllabus includes the literature part of materia medica still there was no single book which can be recommended to students as well as young teachers. This book resolves the problem of new commerce. We have uncountable books on materia medica, but very few on the introduction of materia medica. The author’s sincere efforts in compiling this book not only show his interest but his vision for the upcoming students. It seems that during his journey he has noticed various problems faced by students and he has tried to bridge the gap between understanding and applying materia medica. As a teacher, none of us can deny the fact that not only students but the teachers also don’t want to teach the introductions part excluding a few of them, because most of them feel that the introduction part is very dry and the content available in various books is very confusing. After going through this book I felt that it will create interest among students and young teachers as everything is well explained in very easy language. The features of the book are, A brief introduction to materia medica Various terms used in materia medica, History and construction of materia medica, Sources of materia medica, Sourcebooks of materia medica, Method of Studying Materia medica Types of material medica, Scope and limitations of materia medica, Group Remedies of Homeopathic Materia Medica Relationship of homoeopathic remedies, Relationship of materia medica with other sciences Applied materia medica, Schussler’s 12 tissue remedies, Bowel nosed, Bach flower remedies Model Drug Picture. The content of this book covers all the topics needed for the U.G and P.G Homoeopathic courses. Also, the content is written in a very simple language which makes it more understandable. The sincere efforts of Dr. Nagender babu are commendable to bring all the homoeopathic literature of materia medica under one roof. The duty of the senior academician is not only to teach students but also to prepare new generation for future, and author has justified his responsibility by providing such a wonderful book.
c for fresher’s and for 1 st year BHMS students. It gives an brief idea about the History of Homoeopathy, Scope and Limitations of Homoeopathy, Bowel Nosodes, Batch Flower. This book also can be recommended for examination for the 1 st year BHMS students. This book not only for the homoeopathic students and also who has the interest in learning homoeopathy this is the book of choice, for easily understand
As the name suggests Introduction to Materia Medica, this book brings forth not only Introduction but evolution also of different system materia medica’s. In beginning author introduces what actually materia medica is?. Additionally he defines it from different sources including Organon of Medicine as well as from different medical dictionaries majorly Dorland, Steadmans, Taber’s. Author also enlists and elaborate different terms used in homoeopathic literature including different philosopher’s for an example everyone of you have read about what is drug? But this book highlights what H.A. Robert said about drug. This is just an example but author puts his insights also while writing about different terms along with different pioneers where it is needed. It is difficult for student to compile this information so, it is found in Chapter-2 of book which titled “Terms used in Homoeopathic Literatures”. In this chapter you will find all essential information which a UG Student needs not only for making their base but also for examination purpose because these are frequently asked in question paper in 2,5 or 10 marks respectively. Important definitions included in this chapter are constitution,Temperament, Diathesis, Dyscrasia, Miasm. This chapter also includes definitions along with examples of acute, chronic, intercurrent etc remedies and types of symptoms also. Next moving onto it’s Third chapter which is “History Principle, Nature and construction of True Materia Medica” which describes the aphorisms 143-145 of organon of medicine. The most intresting Chapter no. 5 which I found in this book is “Source books of Homoeopathic Materia Medica” and this chapter is very much important both for UG and PG students because this is always asked in question paper. It contains all the essential information or I must say elaborated information of 16 source books of homoeopathy.This is most important chapter for PG Curriculum. Chapter-7 deals with “Types of Homoeopathic Materia Medica” & Chapter-8 deals with “Scopes and Limitations of Homoeopathic Materia Medica”. Students must go through the above two mentioned chapters because it is always asked in question paper of Materia Medica from First to Final Year. If you feel difficulty in answering the basic question about relationship of homoeopathic remedies for an example inimical, corcordance, complimentary, compatibles, incompatible, cognates and so on this book is going to be useful because author not only defines it but also mentions examples along with it. Lastly, when it is asked in question paper of UG in not only Materia question but in other subjects relating to Materia Medica relationship with other sciences students must refer this book. This book not only elaborates Schuessler’s 12 tissue remedy but also Bowel Nosodes, Bach Flower remedies also. And finally when student gathers all the essential terminologies information then he/she is ready now to read what actually the medicines are. So author mentions in the Chapter-16 of this book named “Model drug picture: A guide to study drug picture” in which he illustrates taking an example of Lachesis all what a student needs to know and how to study a drug picture. So, this book fills the barrier between basic knowledge & in depth knowledge. Author compiles all this information from 35 sources which are mentioned in bibliography section. So, I found that if you read this book you are referring 35 books at a once. This is what I found intresting about this book, now I leave onto you all dear readers to decide the what essentiality this book contains to you
"This book helps me a lot in remembering the symptoms of medicine which is given in group study and it is very easy to understand. The inimical, complementary medicine which is given in last of book that is very beneficial for pg preperation... This book makes Materia Medica easy to understand and to remember."
cwhere digital resources abound, the timeless significance of paper books persists. Dr. NagendraBabu's "Introduction to Materia Medica" emerges as an indispensable resource for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) students. As a seasoned Professor and Head of the Department Dr. NagendraBabu brings to the table 23 years of clinical expertise and 20 years of teaching experience in the field of Homeopathy. The book, organized into 16 chapters, guides readers from the foundational "Introduction to Materia Medica" to the pragmatic "Application of Materia Medica in Practice." It bridges the theoretical to the practical, encompassing essential topics such as 12 Tissue Remedies, Bowel Nosodes, and Bach Flower Remedies. A pivotal chapter, "Model Drug Picture: A Guide to Study a Drug Picture," offers a systematic approach to understanding each medicine, exemplified with the drug “Lachesis” One of the book's distinctive features is its simplicity and accessibility. Dr. NagendraBabu employs an easy language, enriched with examples and insights from stalwarts in the field, creating an impactful learning experience. Chapters draw direct references from the aphorisms of the "Organon of Medicine," underscoring the interconnectedness of Materia Medica and this seminal work in Homeopathy. The book's key points reflect the meticulous compilation undertaken by the author, referencing authoritative source books. The initial chapters unravel the complexity of terms used in Homeopathic literature, unravelling the confusion that often hinders students' understanding. Dr. NagendraBabu shares the construction process of this monumental work and delves into the sources of Materia Medica, highlighting the contributions of stalwarts and emphasizing the importance of understanding their monumental works. A notable inclusion is the exploration of group remedies, advocating for collaborative learning and emphasizing its utility in comprehending the subject. The book also illuminates the relationships between remedies, providing a comprehensive guide for clinical application. It adeptly showcases the interconnectedness of Materia Medica with other subjects, reinforcing the importance of a coordinated approach to education.The inclusion of clear classifications and a comprehensive list of medicines in appendix section adds practical value to the reader's experience.The appealing and comprehensive cover design adds to the overall appeal of the book.