Abstract– Saccharum Lactis or placebo is a non-medicated Solid Vehicle. It is used for dispensing Homeopathic Medicine. Sac lac (sugar of milk) is a medium in which medicine is added to dispense. Its technical name is Saccharum Lactic Officinalis which is abbreviated as Sac Lac or SL or placebo. . Placebo is a Latin word that means “I shall please” or “I please. Some of the forms that a placebo is used in our daily homeopathic practice are milk sugar, alcohol, and cane sugar globules, pills, or cones. Sac lac has been demonstrated in numerous scientific and clinical investigations to have strong diuretic properties when taken in full quantities. Similar to how certain active medications work, a placebo may cause the body’s natural analgesics, endorphins, to be released.
Keywords– Sac lac, Placebo, Medicine, Amelioration, Aggravation.
Introduction:- A competent homeopath could not practice medicine for very long without sac lac, the second-best therapy. In our daily work, there are instances where we must prescribe a placebo, like if a patient comes after taking another mode of treatment, into the middle of treatment, and in the condition of Homoeopathic aggravation.[1] Placebo is an agent employed in medical practice with the primary aim of gratifying the patient. These effects are the psychological state of the individual at the time of its administration. Saccharum lactis is a remedy introduced by Dr. Swan a long time ago. It was his “fatigue powders,” which Dr. W. Yingling has confirmed to be accurate.[2]
Nomenclature– Saccharum Lactis, Milk-sugar- Lactose. (C12H22O11).
Effect of Sac Lac (Placebo) on Physiology:-
For the first time, research revealed that a placebo could cause the body’s natural analgesics, endorphins, to be released in the same way that some active medications do.
By taking the placebos, the patients have been creating their endorphins- their natural pain relievers. Placebo acts in their minds and bodies- in their state of being.[3] It can act as a stimulant and sleep inducer with the experience of relaxation. The body’s chemistry may cause effects similar to what a medication might have caused.[5]
According to Bruce H. Lipton, if the brain anticipates that a treatment will be successful. It helps with it by releasing therapeutic molecules into the bloodstream. This explains the “placebo” effect’s potency in all forms of healing. Conversely, the contrary is also true and potent: this phenomenon is known as the “nocebo” effect, it occurs when the brain anticipates that the therapy will fail.[4]
The Clinical Indication of Sac Lac –
-Amblyopia -Angina pectoris -Diabetes
-Dyspepsia -Earache. -Gout.
-Headache -Nervousness – Neuralgia
-Over-exertion -Ptosis – Sciatica.
According to J.H Clarke-
No substance is inert in attenuations, and experience demonstrates that no substance is inert in any form, according to J.H. Clarke. Sac lac, which produces feelings of both heat and cold, was the remedy prescribed by J.H. Clarke to treat the symptoms. Swan views “cold pains as a central theme.”
Sac lac has strong diuretic properties when taken in full amounts, according to H. A. Hare.” He goes on to state that it has a direct effect on the kidneys and a minor impact on renal dropsy and inactivity. It functions most well when albuminuria is absent, and when fed to infants, it results in excessive diuresis.
It has marked action on other body parts like in mind, head, eye, ear, GIT, and Extremities.
Modalities- Symptoms are < before a storm; in the damp room; morning and evening; by blue and yellow colors; mental excitement. > By the warmth of the fire, color.[6]
Use as a placebo-
- The second-best homeopathic cure is a placebo. In our daily work, some occasions come up that require us to give a placebo. A placebo is required for certain medical illnesses, such as Artificial Chronic Disease, Pseudo Chronic Disease, Mental diseases with emotional origins, Indisposition, and people with hypochondria.
- The placebo effect refers to the phenomenon where a patient experiences an improvement in symptoms after receiving an inactive substance or intervention, simply due to their belief in its therapeutic effects. It highlights the complex relationship between the mind and body and underscores the importance of psychological factors in the healing process.
- It plays a significant role in clinical trials and can lead to improvements in subjective measures such as pain, mood, and overall well-being.
- Placebo is administered to a particular patient when not necessary to give medicine
- In the meantime, between the first and second prescriptions.[4]
- The effects of Sac lac can be seen in the psychological state of the individual at the time of its administration.[7]
Hahnemann and Placebo-
- Hahnemann was the first physician who systematically used Placebo. Dr. Hahnemann clearly explains his view about the administration of placebos through his Organon of Medicine in Aphorisms -91,96, and 281.
- In Aphorism 91- Hahnemann says If the illness is persistent, the doctor may choose to give him a placebo or leave him quiet for a few days. Note on Aphorism 96: Hahnemann suggests that a doctor “gives them nothing at all or Placebo” in cases where a patient is a hypochondriac and their symptoms are a complete invention.
- Hahnemann typically used the paragraph symbol (¨) to indicate placebos. The symbol may have been inspired by the ‘ff’ acronym for sugar used in pharmacological literature. Over half (54%) of Dr. Hahnemann’s prescriptions between 1833 and 1835 were placebos.[8]
- Little envelopes or wrappers with just a number on them and no labeling were used to administer placebos.
- Hahnemann administers a placebo in between the first and second doses to give the medications time to work completely.
Sac lac use as a Remedy (by W.A. Yingling)-
- Dr. Swan proposed Saccharum Lactis as a remedy many years ago. It was his “Fatigue powders,” which W.A. Yingling confirmed to be accurate.
- A high concentration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae will relieve weariness extremely fast and permanently, leaving the patient feeling relaxed.
- Even if the patient is also taking the crude form, it is active and consistently curative in the potencies. such as Natrum mur. Even if table salt is used frequently and in big amounts, it will still work like magic when it is potentized.
- A good summary of this remedy is provided by Clark in his Dictionary, however, it is not as comprehensive as that provided by Dr. Swan in his Materia Medica.
Characteristics Symptom of Sac Lac-
- Typical signs and symptoms of lac Cold aches are present in Keynote. Neuralgic aches, cold, in the lobes, or elsewhere. These aches felt as frigid as the center.
- Extremely tense; she bolts from her seat at the first sound. dread of dying greatly. gets lost on a well-traveled roadway. believes her mother intends to murder her and that there is a big hole in the back, just above the sacrum.
- Significant and unusual cardiac symptoms include body odor before stools or just the hands.
- Modalities:- Symptoms worse before a storm, in a damp room or basement. Better by the warmth of a fire. [2]
Use in Homoeopathic Practice:-
– If the patient has a chronic illness and has been taking medication before the visit, the doctor may choose to give him a few days off from medication or a placebo.[9]
-When a hypochondriac fabricates symptoms, Hahnemann counsels doctors to either ignore the patient or put them on a placebo.
-A placebo is given in case Improvement starts.[4] To appease the hurried client used to regular prescriptions in allopathic medicine
-In the homeopathic treatment of serious chronic pathology, if the remedy is correct usually a strong initial aggravation takes place.
Utility of Placebo:-
-It is imperative to cease taking the prescribed medication as soon as improvement shows. Here, a placebo may be used in place of the prescribed medication. [1]
-Reducing the levels of stress and anxiety by taking a placebo helps to release adrenalin.
-The placebo may increase a person’s motivation and change in behavior which plays an important role in taking better care of themselves.
-Placebo shows activation of some areas in the brain. High placebo responses linked with dopamine activity.
– During homoeopathic aggravation: symptoms are worse, but the patient says that mentally he feels better. So wait and watch and prescribe only Placebo.
-At the end of treatment, few drug symptoms remain. These symptoms disappear within a few days, meanwhile, the patient may be given only a powder of sugar or milk.
-Antipsoric medicine is repeated in long intervals and to fill up gaps, sugar milk may be given every day at the usual time and usual manner.[4]
Doctors’ and Patient attitudes towards Placebo Prescription:
Throughout their careers, physicians have prescribed pure placebos in a range of 17% to 80% of cases. It appears that physicians prescribe impure placebos more frequently than pure ones. Substances or treatments that don’t have any pharmacological impact are known as pure placebos, such as sugar pills. Although the effects of pure placebos on the particular ailment for which they are prescribed have not been established or are unclear, they do have pharmacological effects. [10]
Dr. Hall reports that a sizable portion of patients (21.8% in the Hull et al. study) believed that placebos were never appropriate.
Due to some reason Placebo is ineffective and those who respond to Placebo are gullible, foolish, childish, and do not want to be treated in this way.
On the other hand, people who find placebo prescribing acceptable seem they believe placebos can be effective and they prioritize such patient benefits over other concerns.
Conclusion
Since its inception, there has been criticism against homeopathy that Homoeopathy is nothing but a placebo. Placebo acts better in Large pills than small pills, colored pills work better than white pills. Patients who have complete faith in their doctor’s integrity and competence will take a dose of sugar in milk without hesitation.
Modern research in the medical field has raised the value of placebos both in therapeutics and in clinical investigation. Placebo is a gift for homeopathy that it act psychologically on patients. In today’s advanced stage of medical practice remedial power of Sac lac should be repeatedly reproved and know their whole pathogenetic action.
A better understanding of placebo effects would help a homeopathic doctor make the most of this potent tool and establish himself as a genuine, exceptional homeopath. You will find more and more uses for it if you go in the correct direction. In the current circumstance, when actual medicine is not needed, the placebo is required in all medical systems, including homeopathy.
References:-
1.Close S. Indisposition and the second-best remedy. The Genius of Homoeopathy, Reprint ed. New Delhi: Indian Books & periodical publishers; 2005. P.174-175.
2.Clarks Swans Materia Medicas. Also Homoeopathic Physician, vol. 10, p. 137; vol. 12, p. 98; Organon Magazine, vol. 2, pp. 288, 247; vol. 3, p. 117; I.H.A. Trans. 1889, p. 194.
3.Dispenza Joe.D You are the placebo making your mind matter published in the United States 1st edition published in April 2014 page (57, 58).
4.Dr. S. Manimegalai,Dr. Samaran. Placebo Effects in Medicine & Its Application in Homoeopathy- A Review IJFMR May-June 2023, Volume 5, Issue 3, PG.3
5.Kassiani Nikolopoulou, what is the placebo effect? Definition and examples, internet October 16, 2022[cited 2023 May 2023] HTTP: // www. Scribbr. Com/ research- bias/ placebo-effect/.
6.John Henry Clarke. ADictionaryOfPracticalMateriaMedicaVol.2, London,HomœopathicPublishingCompany,1900. (https://www.materiamedica.info/en/materiamedica/john-henry Clarke/Saccharum Lactis).
7.Dhawale ML. Homoeopathic posology. Principles & practice of homeopathy, 5th reprint ed. Part 1 Mumbai: Dr. M.L Dhawale Memorial Trust; 2008. P. 285-87.
8.Mortsch M. Krankenjournal D 22 (1821) Kommentarbandzur Edition. Stuttgart: Karl F. Haug Verlag.2008 pp 151-155.
9.Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine. 6th ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers (P) Ltd;
10.Howick J, Bishop FL, Heneghan C, Wolstenholme J, Steven S, Hobbs FR, Lewith G. Placebo use in the United Kingdom: results from a national survey of primary care practitioners. PLOS One 2013 March 20;8(3): e58247.
Author
Dr. Manoj Kumar
M.D Scholar (Practice of Medicine)
Guru Mishra Homeopathic Medical College, Jalna, Maharashtra
