Unveiling The Power of Biochemic Remedy Natrum Muriaticum: Exploring Its Efficacy and Scope in Homoeopathic Practice
Keywords
Inorganic cell salts, Physiological function remedies, Tissue remedies, Molecular deficiency, Biochemic remedy, Trituration, Infinitesimal, Biochemic potency, Material Substance.
Abstract
The Biochemical therapeutics aids nature in her efforts to cure by supplying the natural remedies lacking in certain parts, that is, the inorganic cell-salts, and in this way corrects abnormal states of physiological chemistry.
Every normal cell has the faculty of absorbing or rejecting certain substances. This property is diminished or suspended when the cell has suffered a loss in one of its salts in consequence of any irritation. As soon as this deficiency is made good by a supply of a homogeneous material from the immediate nutritive soil, the equilibrium is established. But if the supply is not offered spontaneously, it is to be assumed that the needful salt is lacking in quantity or on the other hand, that the diseased cells have suffered a physical alteration besides, which precludes the entrance of the required tissue salt. In such a case the salt must be offered in a more diluted state, that is a higher trituration or attenuation.
The aim of biochemistry is to cover a deficiency directly. All other methods of cure reach this goal indirectly, when they make use of remedial agent’s heterogeneous to the constituents of the human organism.
Introduction
SAMUEL HAHNEMANN whose genius divined the great importance of the inorganic cell salts as remedial agents of a high order, was the first who began their therapeutic uses. It was his proving’s of Lime, Salt, Potash and Silica which prepared the way for rest of the tissue remedies, that showed what vast store houses of medicinal force these inorganic substances are, although apparently inert in their crude state.
All constituents of the human body principally act on those organs wherein they have a function. All fulfil their functions when they are the cause of symptoms. This from the pen of that remarkable genius in the field of Materia Medica Constantine Hering.
Dr Wilhelm Heinrich Schussler, of Oldenburg, Germany, developed these suggestions and made the “new system”. In march 1873, an article entitled “An Abridged Homoeopathic Therapeutics”, from his pen, was published in a German Homoeopathic journal, in which he says: “About a year ago I endeavoured to discover by experiments on the sick if it were not possible to heal them, provided their diseases were curable at all, with those substances that are the natural, i.e., ” the physiological function remedies”.
Notwithstanding that Dr Schussler denies in the later editions of his work all connection with Homoeopathy, and insists that his method is not based upon the homoeopathic law of cure, but upon physiologico chemical processes that take place within the organism, it is nevertheless true that the present wide adoption of the “Tissue Remedies in the treatment of disease is the fruit of the seed sown on Homoeopathic ground as early as 1832, although it’s development was slow until Schussler gave it a wonderful impetus by bringing physiological chemistry and physiological and pathological facts to bear on his therapeutic procedure.
THE THEORY OF SCHUSSLER’S BIOCHEMIC METHOD
The idea upon which Biochemic Therapeutics is based is the physiological fact that both the structure and vitality of the organs of the body are dependent upon certain necessary quantities and proper apportionment of its organic constituents. They remain after combustion of the tissues and form the ashes.
The inorganic constituents are, in a very real sense, the material basis of the organs and tissues of the body, and are absolutely essential to their integrity of structure and functional activity. According to Schussler’s theory, any disturbance in the molecular motion of these cell salt in living tissues, caused by a deficiency in the requisite amount, constitutes disease, which can be rectified and the requisite equilibrium re-established by administering the same mineral salts in small quantities. This is supposed to be brought about by virtue of the operation of chemical affinity in the domain and stress is laid on the fact that it is in supposed harmony with well-known facts and laws in physiological chemistry and allied sciences.
The maintenance of a stable metabolism within the cell is due to the presence of these salts in the proper ratio in the fluid, which surrounds the cell. It is thus a protective process. They maintain a sort of physiologic balance in the liquids surrounding the living cells and any upsetting of this proportional interrelation of the various salts may lead to physiologic disturbance and disease.
INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS OF CELLS
The Principal Inorganic Materials of
1) NERVE-CELLS are -Magnesia Phos, Kali Phos. Natrum and Ferrum,
2) MUSCLE CELLS are Magnesia Phos, Kali Phos. Natrum and Ferrum, and Kali Mur.
3) CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELL is – Silica.
4) ELASTIC TISSUE CELL is Calcaria Fluor.
5) BONE CELLS are Calcarea Fluor, Magnesia Phos. Calcarea Phos.
6) CARTILAGE AND MUCOUS CELLS are -Natrum Mur. which is found also in all solid and fluid parts of the body.
7) HAIR AND CRYSTALLINE LENS ARE Ferrum.
Natrum Muriaticum- A Tissue Remedy
Synonyms: Sodium Chloride, Chloruretum Sodicum, Natrum Chloratum Purum, Sodii Chloridum, Chloride of Sodium.
Common Name: Common Salt, Table Salt.
Chemical Properties: Formula NaCl
It occurs abundantly in nature, nearly everywhere. It crystallizes from aqueous solution in colourless, transparent, anhydrous cubes. One gramme of salt contains Chlorine 0.6 and Natrum 0.4.
Preparation:
One part by weight of pure chloride of sodium is dissolved mine parts by weight of distilled water. Amount of drug power n-tenth Dilutions and trituration’s should be prepared according Hahnemann’s methods,
General Action:
Natrum Muriaticum promotes the activity of tissue change and increases the excretion of urea, hence it is used in chronic scrofulous ailments affecting the glands, bowels and skin. It acts upon the blood, lymphatic system, the mucous lining of the digestive tract and upon liver and spleen. It causes a deterioration of the blood and other vital fluids, partaking of a scorbutic nature, giving rise to inflammation, going on to ulceration and producing distinct dyscrasiae. It also produces, and hence cures, cachexia like that resulting from ague plus quinine. “Malnutrition and emaciation”. Great emaciation, even while eating enormously. (Hawkes] “Anaemia”, Leukaemia, Hydraemia, Chlorosis. The atom of common salt is the basement on which the blood globule is built up, and this fact assigns place and function to this cell-salt. Hence its use in these nutritive defects with their profound blood poverty. A serious discharge is the leader of this drug. It causes pain in any part of the body when they are accompanied by salivation, increased lachrymation, or by vomiting of water or mucus. Mucous membranes everywhere are affected, producing sponginess and swelling with venous hyperaemia, bleeding and increased mucous secretion; hence, catarrhs of all mucous membranes, with secretions of transparent, watery, coarse, frothy mucous. Diminished secretions of any part of the body, salty taste.
Dr Leon Rosenbusch, of Lemburg, reports a most favourable experience in the use of Natrum Muriaticum by subcutaneous injection in cases marked by danger of failing circulation. The following are resumed by the author of the indications for injection and the amounts to be used –
1) Sudden collapse (Five to eight drams of a six per cent solution).
2) Paresis of the heart muscles from any acute disease (five to eight drams at once, and then one to two drams daily).
3) Acute gastro enteritis, great weakness after severe vomiting and diarrhoea (eight to twenty ounces of a tepid solution of six per thousand).
4) Haemorrhage from lungs, stomach or bowels (five drams, then one and a half drams daily).
5) Heart-failure in consequence of chronic disease and cachectic conditions (one and a half drams daily for several days).
The balneological uses of salt as salt water baths, rubs, etc., are especially useful in chronic rheumatism, scrofulous conditions and to free the system from effects of inflammatory internal diseases. Be careful in the use of these measures in cardiac diseases, as insomnia and nervousness are apt to follow.
Salt might be taken by the ounce daily and yet the affected tissue cells will suffer from a “Molecular deficiency” thereof so that there will occur a suspension of their functions whereby the serous and watery fluids of the cells and intercellular spaces are no longer equally distributed throughout the organism, thus leading to a watery or serous exudation, containing a large amount of unabsorbed sodium chloride and other salts in solution. If, however, sodium chloride be subjected to the proper “trituration process” by which means its molecules are rendered infinitely more active through the unlocking of a “hitherto latent” force within them, the starved and shrunken blood and tissue cells will once again absorb their wanted quantum of division into new cells, whilst in the intercellular spaces of that Marvelous labyrinthine network, the connective tissue, the watery fluid or serum will be once more so equally distributed throughout, that its deficiency (leading to dryness) in one part and excess (leading to exudation) in another will result in complete, normal, fluidic equilibrium.
The importance of this cell salt cannot be too highly estimated, for it is one of the chief of “antidotes”, seeing that whenever it or any of the other cells salts are thrown out of the blood, etc., owing to some irritating drug or other cause, the watery fluids of the body are abnormally called into play, and as Natrum Muriaticum is the regulator of the distribution of such fluids, a molecular or dynamized dose thereof will set matters right so far as the fluidic disturbance is concerned.
Tissues
Anasarca, accumulation of serum in the areolar tissues. Dropsy or dropsical swelling, puffiness of the tissues. Serous or watery exudations, serous secretions. Anaemic condition, blood thin and watery chlorotic conditions: Chlorosis. It is the chief remedy (in conjunction with Calc. Phos.) for Anaemia and Chlorosis, as it has been found that iron is present in the blood-albumen of most anaemic persons in quite sufficient quantity; but it is the faulty action of the NaCl, whereby cell-multiplication is arrested, and of the Calc. Phos., whereby the young cells cannot be “organized” and so prepared for the process of “ferruginisation” in the spleen, that is the true cause of anaemia and chlorosis, so that the usual method of “drugging” with so-called “iron tonics” is not only useless and even harmful. but actually, leads to the very thing for which it is given to correct, viz., an actual deficiency of iron in the blood due to the irritation of constantly repeated doses of crude iron preparations. Diabetes, Grave’s disease, Bright’s disease, round worms. Anaemia due to abuse of salt; emaciation pallor with dirty, flaccid, torpid skin; hydraemic, adynamic conditions, varices. Basedow’s disease. Addison’s disease. Dryness of mucous membranes, going on to erosion. Emaciation while living well emaciation especially of the neck. Cachexia from ague plus quinine. Chronic swelling of lymphatic and sebaceous glands. Gout. Acts upon cartilage, mucous follicles and salivary and mesenteric glands. Catarrhs of all mucous surfaces. All exudation and secretions are transparent, slimy like boiled starch.
Modalities
Generally worse in the morning, periodically; at the seaside and in cold weather. Backache is relieved by lying on something hard. Complaints after urinating: after abuse of nitrate of silver; from quinine.
Administration
Schussler recommends the 6th potency. The general experience of the Homoeopathic school seems to be in Favor of the higher potencies; thus H. C. Allen, M. D., says it will cure more quickly in the attenuations above the 30th than below. Schussler also recommends its external application in such diseases as the stings of insects, likewise as a gargle or spray in catarrhal affections.
DOSE, OR QUANTITY OF TISSUE SALT REQUIRED TO RE-ESTABLISH NORMAL CELL EQUILIBRIUM-
Biochemic remedies are administered in minimal doses corresponding in minuteness to the cellular salts in the tissues. The curative virtue of small doses may be reduced from the following facts: Throughout nature, atoms and groups of atoms or molecules form the basis of her operations. The growth of animals and plants is the accretion of new atoms or groups of atoms to the existing mass of molecules.
In view of the fact of the action of light, itself imponderable, causing molecules movements in living plants by which carbonic acid is decomposed into carbon and oxygen, and again the action of light on the photographic plate and retina of the eye, it seems impossible of contradiction that infinitely small imponderable particles of matter can act upon the living body. The use of small doses in biochemical treatment is a chemico physiological necessity.
Every Biochemic remedy must be sufficiently diluted to avoid destroying the function of healthy cells, and to restore disturbed function wherever present.
The adaptability of minimal doses to the end in view is in entire harmony with physiological and chemical facts, as may be seen from the following words of Professor Valentine, the well-known physiologist: “Nature works everywhere with an infinite number of small magnitudes, which, whether in homogeneous or heterogeneous aggregations, can only be perceived by our relatively obtuse organs of sense when in definite masses. The smallest picture which our eyes perceive proceeds from millions of waves of light; a granule of salt that we are hardly able to taste contains myriads of groups of atoms which no sentient eye will ever view”.
Now, although the presence of common salt can be perceived by the nerves of taste, even if the crude salt touches the peripheral ends of these nerves, still in such a crude and undiluted form it is questionable whether the salt can enter and be taken up by the ducts of the neurilemma. For this purpose, it seems much more reasonable to suppose that the degree of attenuation attained by the trituration’s is more appropriate to meet the want of the required molecules of salts.
The dose of a Natrum Muriaticum prescribed according to chemical therapeutics had better be too small than too large; for if too small a repetition of it will attain the desired end, but if too large it will fail to accomplish the purpose in view.
Schussler say’s that we have had the most satisfactory result from sixth decimal trituration, rarely going higher, at times lower, and generally we prefer to give the selected remedy in solution by dissolving a good-sized power in a tumbler, half full of water, and administering teaspoonful doses every hour or two as it is required. (Schuessler’s own procedure).
These trituration’s may be moulded into tablets usually of one grain each: the dose being two or three taken dry on tongue or dissolved in water. If liquid solutions are used, a few drops may be dissolved in water, or pellets or disks may be saturated and given in that way. The latter is especially to be recommended with children.
Frequency of doses
In acute cases, a dose every hour or two; in severe, painful affections, a dose every ten to fifteen minutes, in chronic affections, one to four doses daily. In suitable cases the external use of the remedies is indicated and has been found useful. For this purpose, the lower trituration’s may be used.
In determining the dose of a Biochemic Natrum Muriaticum remedy, the amount of the morbid product involved is no important factor. For instance, a very small deficiency of Natrum Muriaticum in the cells of the epithelial layer of a serous sac may give rise to a massive serous exudation; and as minute a supply of Natrum Muriaticum corresponding to the deficiency may bring about a complete resorption of the exudation.
Guided by the relative quantities of the cell salts, each physician can select the proper dose of the indicated Bio-chemic remedy.
One milligram (1-100 grain to the 2nd decimal trituration) of a substance is estimated to contain 16 trillion of molecules. According to this estimate, the 6th decimal trituration of it would contain about 16 billion; this quantity is more than sufficient to restore disturbed molecular motions to the normal.
Relation of the Biochemic to the Hомоеораthic Treatment
Often the question has been asked “Is Schussler’s Homoeopathy?” and it has as often been answered in the formative as in the negative. Schussler himself claimed that it is not in any way related to homoeopathy, claiming for it a separate system of therapeutics.
He claims with others that the tissue remedies act by supplying deficiencies. This idea, taken literally, seems erroneous; for example, in a disturbance of the molecules of Natrum Muriaticum there is not necessarily a deficiency in the amount of Natrum Muriaticum in the body, but rather a lack of continuity in the arrangement of the existing molecules in the body. This salt given as a remedy does not supply a lack or deficiency of salt, as the quantity given is usually too infinitesimal for the purpose, and were this the case it might be given in quantity with food and drink with the desired effect. The deficiency that it does supply in minimal doses is in the arrangement of the equilibrium of the chain of Natrum Muriaticum molecules in the affected tissues as before explained. Thus, causing them to perform their function properly, for since the deficit is a molecular one, the supply must also be molecular.
DIFFERENCE AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT POTENCIES (BIO-CHEMIC AND HOMOEOPATHIC) OF NATRUM MURIATICUM
There are definite similarities between the effect of Natrum Muriaticum as a Bio-chemic medicine and as a Homoeopathic Medicine, (as you can clearly see in the Materia Medica), simply because the basic substance is the same Le. NaCl But there are definite differences also; basically, potentization is a very potent process of activating subtle qualities of the substance. The index of the developed subtle qualities will rise in proportion to the extent to which we potentise. Thus, the difference in action of the different potencies is due to the difference in the level of activation of the subtle properties,
I agree that there are many basic differences in the biochemic and Homoeopathic system of medicine, namely the principle applied, the concept of health, disease and cure, the significance of vital force / cell equilibrium, the range of potencies used, concept of drug proving, method of polypharmacy and also the scope and limitations of the treatment.
Of all these differences, the extent of potentization amounts to the most basic practical difference, in the Homoeopathic and Bio-chemic system of medicine.
The specific differences in the action of particular medicine in different potencies can be studied as range between two extremes.
- Crude
- Lower Biochemic Potency 3x
- Higher Biochemic potency 12 x
- Lower Homoeopathic potency 30 c
- Medium Homoeopathic potency 200 c
- High Homoeopathic potency 1 M
- Very high Homoeopathic potency
The start of the range is the absolutely crude substance, unadulterated but not potentised “The Material Substance”. As we proceed from here, we go on gradually potentising further and further and ultimately reach more and more ‘dynamic, or immaterial states up to infinity.
Potentization essentially acts in the following ways-
1) Increase in the sphere of action.
2) Increase in the depth of action.
3) Increase in characteristic action (peculiarity)
4) Increase in the duration of action.
5) Influences the pace of action.
6) Influences the intensity of primary and secondary action.
7) Influences the kind of action (structural / functional).
This can be observed prominently in the case of food substances or poisons, which are also used as medicines.
A strong acid in the crude form may at the least cause burns of the local tissue, i.e. structural change prior to the functional change. A food article in the crude form is consumed daily by everyone causing only nourishment of the body.
But potentised acid may not cause any structural change initially and influence the functions profoundly. Potentised Natrum Muriaticum would cause proving in a sensitive healthy human being. Thus, sphere of action of the crude substance was basically on the local tissue, the depth of action was only on the body (not on the mind and spirit); the action is not characteristic (a burn is a burn); the duration of action will be small (a few hours or days,); the action will be predominantly primary (drug action on the patient).; the kind of action will be structural first and functional changes later on.
In the potentised form the substance will have a broader sphere of action (remedy like Natrum Muriaticum shows its action on almost every cell of different tissues.). The depth of action will increase and include body, mind and spirit. The peculiarity of action will increase (Peculiar, Queer, Rare, Strange). The kind of action will be first functional and secondarily structural. The duration of action will be very long (several months or even life long.). The kind of action will be predominantly a secondary reaction of the patient to the stimulus by the potency.). There is some controversy regarding the influence of potentization on the pace of action of the medicine. Many feel that the higher potencies have a faster pace of action than the lower potencies.
CONCLUSION
My personal observation is that during proving the symptoms from crude medicine in material doses and frequent repetition will appear faster as compared to a high potency small dose in infrequent repetition. But in the olden days the proving’s were usually done in lower Homoeopathic potencies, Biochemic potencies or in the crude form. There are only very few provers who have proved higher potencies. Also, the data collected from the prover of heigh potencies is very meager. The finer details added in the Materia Medica recently are more from clinical observations rather than from drug proving’s of higher potencies (as quoted in many places by George Vithoulkas and Catherine Coulter.).
Also, I have observed that in acute diseases, (strong vital force) higher potencies act faster as compared to lower potencies. And in chronic diseases (subdued vital force) the higher potencies will take some time to show its action; and the lower potencies may need repetition. It is not that only the potency is significant in producing a certain effect. The patient or prover also plays an important role in this aspect. Because after all it is he who responds to the medicinal stimulus. Thus, it has been observed that a susceptible individual responds faster, more severely, more long lastingly, in a broader sense and more profoundly to any potency of that medicine. It is not so in a non-susceptible (insensitive) person. A susceptible patient is he who is in a state similar to the effects of that medicine OR a prover who is constitutionally close to the effects of that medicine. But there can be severe differences of opinion regarding these matters.
I will again emphasise that, even with these differences the basic character of action of that substance will essentially remain the same, whatever the potency. Only the higher potency will elicit further individualistic, peculiar details of its action.
Kent has emphasised that the Simillimum will act in any potency, and the choice of the remedy is always more significant than the choice of the potency.
The above general rules will apply to Natrum Muriaticum also. Because whether we prescribe it as a Biochemic remedy or Homoeopathic remedy, it is not known to the medicine or to the patient’s state. A remedy in a certain potency will act in its own way, whatever your approach in prescribing was (i.e. either Homoeopathic or Biochemic.).
REFERENCES
- Schussler’s, Biochemistry, Edition 1900, M.O. U.S.A., Luyties Pharmacal Co-operation, 10pp.
- Duby, S.K, Asok Kumar. Das, Text Book of Materia Medica new inclusion Biochemic System of Medicine, Fifth Edition, 2019, Calcutta, Books and Allied (P) Ltd., 655-664pp.
- Hahnemann, Samuel, The Chronic Diseases, Reprint Edition 1992, New Delhi, B. Jain Publisher (p) Ltd., 1071-1115pp.
- Robert, Herbert. A, The Principal and Art of Cure by Homeopathy, Revised Edition 1997, New Delhi, B. Jain Publisher (p) Ltd., 184pp.
- Diwan, Harish Chand, A Compendium of Lectures on Homoeopathy, Edition 1995, New Delhi, National Homoeopathic Pharmacy, 133–142pp.
- Boericke, William and Dewey, Willis. A, The Twelve Tissue Remedies of Schussler, New Delhi, Indian Books and Periodicals Publishers, 107–123pp.
- Vithoulkas, George, The Essence of Materia Medica, Second Edition 1990, New Delhi, B. Jain Publisher (p) Ltd., 130-137pp.
- Sankaran, Rajan, A Portrait of Natrum Muriaticum, New Delhi, Indian Books and Periodicals Publishers,1-31,44-46, 52-57,60-62pp.
Authors –
Dr. Jineshwar Annasaheb Yaligouda M.D. (Hom) : Professor & H.O.D Department of Human Anatomy, Gulabrao Patil Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Miraj, Maharashtra State. India.
: President of Malgaon Medical Association Malgaon. Miraj, Sangli. Maharashtra State. India.
Mr. Padmraj Jineshwar Yaligouda : B.H.M.S – Bharatesh Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Belagavi, Karnataka State.
