Materia Medica Approach

to Study
This article is written for all of You intending to study homepathy and
who are about to lose confidence facing such a vast number
of homeopathic remedies to be studied. The effort You are taking is
extraordinary, but it is worth all Your energy being put into the studies of
this subject. Never there will be a human being able to master the whole,
but to be able to practice this method of healing seriously, we have got to
get the picture at least of the most common remedies.
The best way to understand the importance of the Materia Medica in
homeopathy is by understanding Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in His
teachings as given to us In the Organon Of Medicine. Let me repeat only
a few of His dogmas although You might have read it already over and
over again.
1: The physicians high and only mission is to restore the sick to health,
to cure, as it is termed.
2: The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration
of the health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole
extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily
comprehensible principles.
3: If the physician clearly perceives what is to be cured in diseases, that
is to say, in every individual case of disease (knowledge of disease,
indication), if he clearly perceives what is curative in medicines, that is to
say, in each individual medicine (knowledge of medical powers), and if
he knows how to adapt, according to clearly defined principles, what is
curative in medicines to what he has discovered to be undoubtedly
morbid in the patient, so that the recovery must ensue to adapt it, as
well in respect to the suitability of the medicine most appropriate
according to its mode of action to the case before him (choice of the
remedy, the medicine indicated), as also in respect to the exact mode of
preparation and quantity of it required (proper dose), and the proper

period for repeating the dose; if, finally, he knows the obstacles to
recovery in each case and is aware how to remove them, so that the
restoration may be permanent, then he understands how to treat
judiciously and rationally, and he is a true practitioner of the healing art.
This says, that we are in need for four insights: knowledge of the disease,
indication; knowledge on the medical powers in remedies; to be able to
choose the medicine indicated; to be able to determine the proper dose.
18: From this indubitable truth, that besides the totality of the
symptoms with consideration of the accompanying modalities ( 5)
nothing can by any means be discovered in disease wherewith they could
express their need of aid, it follows undeniably that the sum of all the
symptoms and conditions in each individual case of disease must be the
sole indication, the sole guide to direct us in the choice of a remedy.
105: The second point of the business of a true physician related to
acquiring a knowledge of the instruments intended for the cure of the
natural diseases, investigating the pathogenetic power of the medicines,
in order, when called on to cure, to be able to select from among them
one, from the list of whose symptoms an artificial disease may be
constructed, as similar as possible to the totality of the principal
symptoms of the natural disease sought to be cured.
106: The whole pathogenetic effect of the several medicines must be
known; that is to say, all the morbid symptoms and alterations in the
health that each of them is specially capable of developing in the healthy
individual must first have been observed as far as possible, before we can
hope to be able to find among them, and to select, suitable homoeopathic
remedies for most of the natural disease.
118: Every medicine exhibits peculiar actions on the human frame,
which are not produced in exactly the same manner by any other
medicinal substance of a different kind.
120: Therefore medicines, on which depend mans life and death,
disease and health, must be thoroughly and most carefully distinguished
from one another, and for this purpose tested by careful, pure

experiments on the healthy body for the purpose of ascertaining their

powers and real effects, in order to obtain an accurate knowledge of
them, and to enable us to avoid any mistake in their employment in
diseases, for it is only by correct selection of them that the greatest of all
earthly blessings, the health of the body and of the mind, can be rapidly
and permanently restored.
If we are not willing to thoroughly follow these rules, frustration will be
ours I do not want to think of what will be the patients. So let us just
accept what has to be accepted and let us study the remedies available to
us.
BUT HOW SHALL I STUDY THE MATERIA MEDICA?
Well, everybody has to find his/her own individual approach. Perhaps
one has to invent ones own method to study Materia Medica. Have a
look to a well-stocked library. You will find books decribing homeopathic
medicines in poems. You will find books visualizing the remedies in
drawings either in trying to portrait the person fitting to the
constitutional appearance of a certain remedy and showing physical
characteristics together with descriptions of properties that cannot be
painted, or in cartoons that exaggerate the remediys individualistic
effects. Maybe You can compare a remedy with a person You know
well.
There are many methods You can apply, all of them requiring repetitions
over and over again.
And still, You will never succeed in learning Your remedies well enough
without a written Materia Medica. So the question arises, which Materia
medica shall I buy, which one shall I use? The market is flooded with
Homeopathic Materia Medicas of prime/high/low quality . I started with
two handy books: William Boerickes Pocket manual of homoepathic
materia medica and Eugene B. Nashs Leaders in homoeopathic
therapeutics. Especially the second mentioned book I found very
difficult to begin with because it compares different remedies in almost
every section. I always forgot what I have read. But even if such reading
is so much frustrating in the very beginning, the remedies will

increasingly visualize in our mind the more You repeat Your reading
again and again (and again and again).

What I want to do next is to provide You with a list of some books on

homeopathic Materia Medica. Links to online Materia Medicas follow.
The lists cannot be complete. This is why I want to invite You to give me
a note of any book or link that shall be added here. Do You want to write
a book review to be added? You are welcome to submit it here. Kindly
use the link at the end of the article.
In Your studies, it will be unavoidable that some of Your questions will
remain unanswered. In this case, besides of asking Your lecturer You are
invited to pass by at hpathy.coms Students
Corner http://hpathy.com/homeopathyforums/ . Tell everybody of Your
important or curious findings, ask the questions that are not being
answered in Your books. You will learn that studying within a group is
much fun and will carry You through episodes when You are close to give
up. I am much involved in this process of learning, too. And honestly,
with every step forward the paces become larger and faster. But the
finish-line still seems to be as distant as on the first day.
Dr. H.C. Allen: Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica (12 Volumes): Very
detailed. References to the source of the proving or clinical evidences are
given.
Dr. H.C. Allen: Keynotes of the Materia Medica with Nosodes: Peculiar
and characteristic symptoms are highlighted. Most detailed description
of classical nosodes like Lyssinum, Medorrhinum, Psorinum,
Pyrogenium, Syphilinum, Tuberculinum and others.
Dr. William Boericke: Pocket Manual of Materia Medica with Repertory
(American edition): Among the polychrests You will find many small
remedies. Few mental symptoms. Good to get a brief overview of a
remedy. The book is handy.

Dr. William Boericke: Pocket Manual of Materia Medica with Repertory

(Indian edition): The repertory can not be compared with a true
repertory.
Dr. CM Boger: Synoptic Key: A handy, compact book.323 remedies with
the most important symptoms and main effects. Characteristic
organotropic connections/relationships and modalities are highlighted.
Footnotes with original quotations from Pure Materia Medica and
Chronic Diseases and others.
Dr. Eugenio Candegabe: Comparative Materia Medica: A book to help as
a guide in differential diagnosis. Comparisons of mentals and personality
structures of some of the big remedies. Analytical and psychological view
on remedies. References to Kents repertory and Synthetic repertory.
Card Memorizer: Homeopathic Trivial Pursuit: For students:
learning by playing the game. 500 questions with reference to the
Complete Repertory.
Dr. H. L. Chitkara: Materia Medica of the Mind: Mental symptoms are
the main concern of the book. Small medicines are considerably taken
care of . You will find every mental symptom of Kents repertory.
Dr. John Clarke: Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (3 volumes,
British edition): Overview of each medicine, indications, strong or
peculiar symptoms. Occasionally cases. A repertory of relationships
(clinical and natural) gives in tabulated form complementary remedies,
compatible and incompatible remedies, remedies which follow well and
which the remedy under consideration follows well, remedy antidotes,
and duration of action.
Dr. John Clarke: Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (3 volumes,
Indian edition): Much cheaper than the above. Physical qualitiy, too.
Catherine Coulter: Portraits Of Homoeopathic Medicines: Expanding
Views Of The Materia Medica (vol. 1-3): This series helps the student of
homoeopathy to learn and memorize the remedies and to put them into
practice accurately. The information will also help the practitioner to

revisit aspects which may enrich their prescribing options and to help
them explore psychological types and behavior patterns.
Carrol Dunham: Lectures On Materia Medica: Descriptions of 63
remedies. This is a very reliable work. The remedies are concisely
described.
Dr. D. M. Gibson: Studies of Homeopathic Remedies: With reference to
the source of more than 100 remedies and historical uses. Systematic
approach to appearance, psychology, toxicology, physiology,
symptomatology, pharmacology.
Dr. Didier Grandgeorge: The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicines: The
mystery and complexity of remedies is explored using experiences
gained from more than twenty thousand consultations.
Dr. Didier Grandgeorge: The Spirit of Homeopathic Medicines: Essential
Insights to 300 Remedies: See above.
Dr. Samuel Hahnemann: Materia Medica Pura: Documentation of Dr.
Samuel Hahnemanns remedy provings. It also shows the way how best
to gain knowledge on materia medica.
Dr. Constantine Hering: Condensed Materia Medica: Description of the
strongest symptoms of a medicine.
Dr. Constantine Hering: Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica (10
volumes): A very comprehensive work. Grading of symptoms according
to a scale.
Dr. O. A. Julian: Materia Medica of New Homeopathic Remedies:
Around 100 new remedies.
Dr. James Tyler Kent: Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica:
Detailed and insightful descriptions on more than 200 homeopathic
remedies.
Dr. Otto Lesser: Textbook of Materia Medica: Focus on mineral
remedies, their biochemistry, clinical picture.

Dr. K. N. Mathur: Systematic Materia Medica: Remedies are described

according their primary indications, contraindications, complaints,
characteristics generals and modalities. It is based on Kents repertory.
Dr. Roger Morrison: Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory
Symptoms: Keynote symptoms of more than 300 remedies.
Dr. Robin Murphy: Homeopathic Remedy Guide (formerly entitled
Lotus Materia Medica): It covers 1200 remedies on about 1900 pages.
Dr. E. B. Nash: Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics: Outstanding for
beginners. 200 remedies are covered. Many differentials.
Dr. E. B. Nash: Nashs Expanded Work: All of Nashs writings in one
book.
Rene Otter: Quick Remedy Index to the Homeopathic Materia Medica:
Here You can get help if You want to know in which book You can find
informations on a certain, even rare, remedy.
Dr. S. R. Phatak: Materia Medica of Homeopathic Remedies (2nd
edition) at: Short description on 411 remedies. Sources from Allen,
Hering, Boger, Kent, Boericke, Clarke.
Dr. Abdur Rehman: Encyclopedia of Remedy Relationships in
Homeopathy: What to describe on the second consultation? Here You
find informations on well following remedies regarding to the symptoms
present. Remedy relationships are described in a unique precision and
complexity.
Heli O. Retzek: Complete Materia Medica of the Mind: Mind symptoms
of 1029 remedies, with their grading and source.
Dr. H. A. Roberts: Study of Remedies by Comparison: Side-by-side
comparisons of several remedies at a time.
Michael Rowan: The Homeopathic Coloring Book : 50 remedies are
covered.

Margaret Roy: A First Materia Medica: Take lessons in homeopathic

materia medica.
Rajan Sankaran: An insight into Plants: You seek insight to ten miasms?
You find it here. This book helps to understand relationships and
classifications of plants from a homeopaths view. The authors
experiences in casetaking will give You very worthy hints for Your daily
work.
Rajan Sankaran: Soul of Remedies: It is suggested to read His former
books first. One hundred remedies are covered with narrative style. The
reader gets the basic ideas of each remedy, their soul.
Rajan Sankaran: The Substance of Homeopathy: New insights on
miasms. Materia Medica section with minerals and metals.
Dr. Jan Scholten: Homeopathy and Minerals: An introduction to
homeopathic and chemical relationship of remedies.
Dr. Jan Scholten: Homeopathy and the Elements: A number of mineralic
and metalic elements and their chemical compounds are presented here
as hardly found in any other Materia Medica. Remedies are grouped
together corresponding to their appearance in the periodic system.
Dr. Frederik Schroyens: 1001 Small Remedies: Extracted from the
Synthesis repertory, this is an excellent way to study the small remedies!
Dr. Margaret Tyler: Drug Pictures: A book for the practicioner.
Descriptions of 100 remedies using material by Hahnemann, Kent,
Hering, Allen, Farrington, Hughes, Nash,
Dr. P. M. Verma: Encyclopedia of Homeopathic Pharmacopeoeia (3
volumes): Monographs of 1860 homeopathic remedies. Alphabetically
ordered, they are mentioned with their pharmacological, botanical,
zoological names and with names in different languages.
Frans Vermeulen: Concordant Materia Medica (2nd edition): Basis of
this work are classics in homeopathy by Allen, Boericke, Boger,
Cowperthwaite, Clarke, Hering (10 volumes!), Kent, Lippe, Phatak,

Pulford, Vermeulen. Repetitions are avoided, this makes this work a

compact compendium.
Frans Vermeulen: Synoptic Materia Medica: Vermeulen uses 22 classical
and modern resources. Approach to remedies by their organotropy,
modalities, cardinal symptoms. Info on small remedies by old and new
masters are integrated.
George Vithoulkas: Materia Medica Viva (8 volumes): This tremedous
work is less suitable to be used for systematic work and daily reference,
but the more to read for grasping the essential properties of
homeopathic remedies. Very detailed portrayals of remedy pictures. A
good time in reading.