Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy at the Durban Institute of Technology, 2004. / The aim of the study was to evaluate the relative efficacy ofhomoeopathically prepared Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA) in comparison to supplementation of GLA, in the form of Evening Primrose oil, in the treatment of ADD/ ADHD with regard to inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. It was hypothesised that both the homoeopathically prepared GLA and the Evening Primrose oil would result in a substantial improvement in boys diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD and thus lead to their recommendation as an alternative to Methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin\xAE) in the treatment ofthese disorders. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial oomplianoe with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Homoeopathy at Technikon Natal, 1998. / In this dissertation the physical properties of potencies in relation to their use is discussed. The investigation was divided into three: 1) Determination of the physical properties (surface tension and electro-conductivity) of the potencies, 2) Determination of which potencies are used most often (by means of a questionnaire), and 3) To try to find a collaboration between physical properties and use of potencies. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 1999. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra of samples of LM6; LM14 and LM22 homoeopathic quinquagenimillesimal (LM) potencies of tin (Stannum metallicum), lead (Plumbum metallicum) and two lactose based controls: one control which is prepared by the means of potentisation and one control prepared without the means of potentisation. It was hypothesised that in terms of the effect of different substances (Stannum metallicum and Plumbum metallicum, and the lactose controls) and of different dilutions (LM6, LM14, LM22) of these substances that significant differences exist between the chemical shift and relative integration values of the CH3, CH2, OH and H20 signals of these homoeopathic substances. / M

M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Baptisia tinctoria and Thuja occidentalis are reported to be immunostimulants, and thus have an effect on white blood cells. Little formal research has been done to demonstrate their effects on the different white cell populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of these substances on the circulating leukocytes, and to compare these effects to a placebo. An initial full blood count was conducted to establish a baseline level for each subject. The subjects were required to take 18.75 millilitres of the medication or placebo in split doses over a three-hour period. Thereafter, a second full blood count was taken at one-hour intervals. The medication appeared to cause an increase in the lymphocyte count, thus suggesting a possible indication for viral infection. There was an increase in both groups of the total WBC count as well as in the lymphocyte count, raising the question of what substance actually caused these changes to occur. Expansion of this study, including using a larger sample size and longer test period, may be required to validate these results.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Anecdotal evidence suggests that students perceive the research component of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy (M.Tech: Homoeopathy) qualification at Durban University of Technology (DUT) in a negative light, and as an unnecessary obstacle to the qualification and the practice of homoeopathy (Naude, 2008). One of the reasons for this negative perception is that in terms of the Homoeopathic programme, the only exit point is upon completion of the Master’s Degree. Although relevant status is awarded upon completion of N. Dip: Homoeopathy after the third year of study and B. Tech: Homoeopathy after the fourth year of study, no actual certificates/qualifications are awarded or issued nor can the student register/practice as a Homoeopath (Durban University of Technology, 2009). The Homoeopathic profession in South Africa is unique as there are very few professional qualifications which prescribe an obligatory Master’s level qualification in order to register and practice the respective profession. Due to the M.Tech: Homoeopathy being the only exit point in the Homoeopathy programme, every registered student must complete a Master’s dissertation in order to qualify and ultimately practice Homoeopathy in South Africa, this often results in students conducting research for the wrong reasons, without the genuine academic desire to do so or the maturity and skills required (Naude, 2008). According to the Education Department of South Africa (2007), the primary purposes of a Master’s Degree are to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, or prepare graduates for advanced and specialised professional employment. A Master’s Degree must have a significant research component. iv The Education Department of South Africa (2007), states that a Master’s Degree may be earned in either of two ways: (1) by completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation, or (2) by successfully completing a course work programme requiring a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence and a research project, culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation. In the latter case, a minimum of 60 credits at level 9 must be devoted to conducting and reporting research. According to the Education Department of South Africa (2007), Master’s graduates must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and nonspecialist audiences. Graduates must be able to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills. Methodology A non-experimental descriptive survey was conducted to determine the perceptions of DUT M.Tech: Homoeopathy graduates with regards to research as a component of the degree. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and 50 anonymous responses were obtained. Raw data was analysed using descriptive statistics and the relationships between variables tested for correlations. v Results 27% of practicing graduates felt that research had a direct benefit on their professional development. Graduates said that after completing research they felt more competent and gained more faith in their profession. 34% of graduates thought that research had a direct benefit on their personal development. Graduates felt that on the path of working towards a long term goal they had discovered that they possessed a significant amount of patience and will power. 40% of graduates agreed that research had no contribution to their personal and professional development as a Homoeopath. Although some graduates said they felt a “sense of accomplishment” upon completing research, other graduates argued that the delay in qualifying as a result of research contributed to the loss of income and valuable clinical knowledge. Conclusions and Recommendations The process of research is a multi–factorial problem. One has to look at each individual case in order to gain insight into how to best address respective problem areas in order to improve the process of research and reduce the delays in qualification. Many graduates expressed dissatisfaction at the inconsistent time factor, from conception of the research design, to awaiting both approval of the DUT 186 and finally the marking of the completed work. Some graduates felt that difficulties relating to the quality and quantity of supervision as well as poor patient/ participant compliance were the factors responsible for their delay in qualification. Many graduates reported that the previously limited Homoeopathic research budget left them compromised for scope, diversity and new ideas. vi It was recommended that future students insist on formal supervision contracts which clearly define issues such as accessibility and timeframes. It was also recommended that future students consider at least two supervisors, preferably one being an external supervisor with suitable specialist skills concerning the respective research study. Furthermore, it was recommended that future research should be designed around easily accessible target populations. The M.Tech: Homoeopathy programme is currently undergoing recurriculation; the new curriculum will be most likely implemented in 2011. A draft curriculum has been designed by academic staff of DUT and University of Johannesburg. The proposed new curriculum aims to addresse issues such as difficulties with research as well as solutions to these difficulties.

Submitted in fulfilment for the requirements of the Degree in Doctor of Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Homoeopathic provings form the experimental base of clinical homoeopathy. Provings are conducted through the administration of homoeopathically prepared medicine to healthy volunteers in order to elicit disease symptoms. The symptoms are collated to formulate the materia medica of the substance. AIM The aim of this study was to compare the most commonly employed proving methodologies, the C4 trituration, the Sherr and the Dream proving methodology, by application in order to ascertain the validity of the claims made in terms of the efficiency of the method to elicit reproducible symptoms. This study sought to follow the existing methodologies exactly as set out by the original developers with the aim of developing an integrated methodology. The order in which the three groups were assigned followed a logical sequence that ensured that the maximum efficiency would be obtained, and that the blinding process would not be compromised. The claims were investigated based on the hypotheses proving symptoms are reproducible when applying identical proving methodologies in consecutive years, that different methodologies yield different numbers, types and quality symptoms, that differences exist between the symptoms yielded by the placebo and the verum groups within the same methodology, and that an integrated methodology could be developed based on the study of the relative efficiency of the respective methodologies. METHOD During the course of the research, 70 provers were recruited to test the unknown substance through application of the three methodologies Page iii mentioned above. Each of the three groups comprised of 10 verum provers per year, thus totalling 20 verum provers per group. The second group had an additional 10 provers, comprised of five placebo provers for 2008 and 2009 respectively. RESULTS The rubrics produced in each group were statistically analysed. The results reflected a reasonable level of reproducibility, proving the first hypothesis, but highlighted the fact that different provers would result in different symptoms due to their individual susceptibility and sensitivity to the proving substance. This effectively proved the hypothesis that the proving effect was reproducible in consecutive years through the application of the same methodology. The result of the data collection was the formulation of 1 373 rubrics utilised for analysis purposes, resulting in 881 verified rubrics, that comprise the repertory for Protea cynaroides. From the data, it was evident that the C4 trituration and the Sherr proving methodologies yield the most rubrics. Not only do they yield a large number of rubrics, but they also yield a much larger number of rubrics than produced by the placebo portion of the Sherr proving methodology. In the Dream proving methodology group there is much less rubrics present at each rubric level than yielded by the C4 trituration and the Sherr proving methodologies. Strong chapter affinities were observable when applying the C4 and Sherr proving methodologies. The C4 methodology seem to favour the chapters dealing with the senses, evident in the Ear, Eye, Hearing, Mouth, Nose, Skin and Vision chapters where the C4 rubrics were more prevalent than the Sherr rubrics. The Sherr methodology was evident in the remainder of the chapters, indicating the wide applicability of this methodology. This proved the hypothesis that some proving methodologies are more effective than others. Page | iv The hypothesis of difference between the placebo and verum groups within the Sherr proving methodology was proven as it was evident in the number of rubrics produced by each section. The verum portion elicited 63 percent of the total rubrics compared to the placebo portion which only elicited 28 percent. Placebo provers thus elicit fewer symptoms during the proving process than verum provers, demonstrating that homoeopathic drug provings are not a placebo response, but that the administration of the medicine results in the development of clearly observable symptoms in the participants. As originally assumed, the proving did produce clearly observable symptoms in healthy provers. The symptoms gathered through the application of the methodologies were also comprehensive enough to develop a complete materia medica and repertory for Protea cynaroides. CONCLUSION From the data presented in the study, one can thus conclude that in order to elicit symptoms representing all 38 chapters present in the Protea cynaroides proving, the C4 trituration proving and the Sherr proving methodologies would have to be combined. Although Group two is able to elicit the majority of symptoms, it would be even more effective when it is combined with the C4 proving methodology, hence leading to the development of an integrated methodology combining these methods, proving the final hypothesis. The suggested integrated methodology thus comprises of firstly conducting a C4 trituration proving using at least 10 predominantly experienced C4 provers. This proving would serve to highlight the major themes. These themes can then be confirmed through secondly conducting a proving according to the Sherr methodology, in a group comprising of at least 17 provers, including a 10 percent placebo in the group. Repeated oral doses would be administered to the participants in this. At the conclusion of the second Page | v proving stage, all the data would be collated and formatted into a materia medica and repertory. It would, however, be important to prove the integrated methodology‘s usefulness through practical application, leading to the recommendation that the methodology be tested.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / INTRODUCTION: The idea of the memory of water arose in the laboratory of immunologist, Jacques Benveniste in the late 1980s where his research into allergies took him deeper intotrying to find out how the smallest amount of a substance could affect an organism. He experimented with Homeopathy by using highly diluted antibodies in his basophil degranulation test. He observed that highly dilute biological agents were still able to trigger the relevant biological system. (Thomas, 2007) The memory of water is a controversial topic that requires more research to be properly understood and as such, it is the researcher’s aim to gain insight on the memory of water. METHODOLOGY: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that the preparation of a Homeopathic remedy (Natrum muriaticum) has on water, as its solvent, using the glass stain analysis as outlined by Kroplin (2001). The possible ability of water to hold and store the memory of its solute, sodium chloride, was investigated. The results would be added to the critical reflection on current literature available. In an experimental double blind study, Kroplin’s glass stain method was used to analyse the following:  The mother solution samples.  The 9CH potency samples (within Avogadro’s constant).  The 30CH potency samples (past Avogadro’s constant).  As well as the water sample used to make the remedy as the control. The above four samples were supplied from the following two manufacturers:  Durban University of Technology (DUT) manufactured by the researcher (appendix 2).  Samples manufactured by one commercial homeo-pharmaceutical company, ParcevalPharmaceuticals (appendix 3). This research aimed to investigate, using homeo-pharmaceutical principles (dilution and succussion), the structural influence of a solute on water after the solution is diluted beyond Avogadro’s constant. Repetition of the 5 experiment in week six aimed to investigate the validity of expiry time proposed by the homeopathicpharmacopoeia. RESULTS:  The stained picture patterns took on a consistent form of a starry night and the ‘stars’ seemed to increase in mass with potentisation suggesting that the homeopathic remedy manufacture process affects the outcome of the water’s form.  Overall consistency in picture patterns between both experimenters suggesting minimal observer effect.  The experiment was repeated to test expiry date and these pictures displayed degradation and thus seemed to offer validation towards homeopathic remedy expiration.  Although abstract qualitative results, a notable difference in water control and potentised water samples offer enough evidence for further investigations. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / The proving study of Strychnos henningsii 30CH was primarily conducted to extract as many symptoms as possible from healthy provers to create a Homoeopathic picture of the drug. This would allow practitioners in clinical practise to prescribe Strychnos henningsii 30CH based on the Law of Similars. The second part of this study was to assess the symptoms produced, and thereafter determine the relationship to the natural history of the Strychnos henningsii plant as it relates to the Doctrine of Signatures. Methodology The Homoeopathic drug proving of Strychnos henningsii 30CH took the form of a mixed-method triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. The proving population consisted of a minimum of 32 subjects who met all the inclusion criteria. The proving was conducted by 4 M.Tech.Hom students, under the supervision of the principal researcher. The 32 provers were randomly divided into four equal groups of eight provers, with each group supervised by one of four M.Tech.Hom student researchers. Nine powders each of the respective test substance (verum or placebo) was randomly assigned by an independent clinician to 32 prover numbers (16 verum and 16 placebo). Randomisation was conducted by an independent clinician who was unaware of the proving substance. The physical and behavioural symptoms that were noted by the provers were extracted from their prover journals, case-histories and post-proving group discussions. This was then written up into Materia Medica and Repertory format and graded accordingly. Once this proving data was captured it allowed for the application of the Doctrine of Signatures. During this analysis, similarities were compared between the behaviour of the patient and the behaviour of the substance in nature, which indicated the therapeutic action of the plant. The main characteristics used to link the Strychnos henningsii plant in its natural state to the Homoeopathic remedy developed was the plants habitat, kingdom, toxicity, structure, Anthroposophy and Vibrational therapy. By applying the Anthroposophical and vibrational therapy view, it allowed the researcher to establish a more holistic approach. Results A broad spectrum of symptoms was obtained which resulted in the formation of 876 rubrics. The areas that Strychnos henningsii had a profound affinity for were the mind which yielded 170 rubrics, head (76 rubrics), extremities (82 rubrics), dreams (91 rubrics) and the generals (80 rubrics). These rubrics were used in the evaluation of the Doctrine of Signatures. The sensation of heat, dryness and burning appeared to be an integral part of the manifestation of symptoms in this proving study which correlated to the habitat of the plant in its natural environment. Many mind themes were noted, but in particular emotional sensitivity was one of the major themes. Sensitivity is the Plant Kingdom’s key sensation in general. The remedy was prepared using the bark of the plant which contained high levels of the alkaloid strychnine. This reflected in the provers symptoms (itching, skin eruptions, cramps, stiffness, tingling). The structure, colour, mode and speed of growth were all factors which yielded satisfactory comparative results. Chakras, Colour Therapy and Anthroposophy allowed the researcher to apply a more dynamic scientific methodology. This tied in well with the Doctrine of Signatures and essentially provided a broader understanding of the remedy. Conclusion The hypotheses of this study were largely validated by the symptoms produced and analysis conducted, after applying the scientific methodology. The Doctrine of Signatures evaluation helped to reveal the intrinsic nature of Strychnos henningsii, further highlighting the underlying themes in the remedy and explained certain symptoms in more detail and finally distinguished between the behaviour of the patient and the substance in nature aiding us with a better understanding for clinical practise. It is important to note that recommendations have been made for future provings.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / Two centuries ago it was possible to practice with only 100 remedies. Today with the constantly expanding materia medica, complexity itself tempts the homeopath to remain inside this range of remedies. It is due to the pioneering work of authors like Scholten (1993) and Sankaran (2005) that the vast materia medica of today can be summarized and understood through a method like group analysis which links naturally related substances via their common symptomatology. This not only offers new aspects to well known remedies, but highlights the smaller, not so well known remedies, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of the materia medica. Relatively few homeopathic remedies derived from the Araneae order are extensively utilized for the homeopathic treatment of patients. Therefore the spider remedies represented in the literature of Mac Rep computer program® were subjected to the group analysis method in order to extend the overall knowledge of this particular group of homeopathic remedies. The spider remedies were first analyzed in terms of their quantitative representation in the repertory (amount of rubrics) and then a sample group was chosen. This selection was screened for common sensations using the above mentioned computer program. The significance of a common sensation was confirmed by cross-checking the materia medica of all16 homeopathic spider remedies listed in Mac Reference® computer software for its occurrence. The findings were interpreted within the backdrop of the established animal characteristics of homeopathic remedies (Sankaran, 2005:24-31). The primary sensations extracted and confirmed in the rest of the Araneae group were stinging, stitching, shooting, sensitive, sore, cold, faint, paralytic, twitching and full. Significant synonyms of the first order analysis were heaviness, spasm, cramp, numbness and weakness. Second order and third order analysis not only provided symptoms of the mind, but led to the proposed themes common in spider remedies. The majority of themes like hyperactivity, restlessness, increased sexuality, impulsive violence and aggression, the periodicity of complaints, heightened sensitivity to music and the love for dancing are comparable to Mangliavori’s (2004) clinical findings and to Sankaran’s (2005) proposed spider characteristics. A miasmatic differentiation of each member of the sample group was performed according to Sankaran’s extended miasmatic model (2005:7). Araneus diademus was found to belong to the sycotic- as well as malarial miasm, Latrodectus hasseltii to the syphilitic-, Loxoceles reclusa to the leprous- and Tarentula hispanica and Theridion curassavicum to the tubercular miasm. Pathological tendencies of the Araneae remedies were found to involve the nervous system, eyes, heart, muscular – skeletal system, sexual organs and the mind. Examples of diseases common in Araneae remedies were found to be: mental disorders like anxiety neurosis, ADHD, depression, mania, sexual disturbances, STD’s, neurological disorders, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, spinal irritation, migraines, meningitis etc. The results of this research were found to support group analysis methodology as outlined by Sankaran (2005). However additional knowledge drawn from Sankaran’s 2008) most recent research into animal remedies and from the natural history of spiders was necessary to be able to interpret the results correctly and to illustrate an in-depth picture of the common characteristic features of the Araneae remedies.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Introduction: This study aimed to apply the methodology of group analysis, as proposed by Sankaran, to an under-represented and poorly-understood biological class. The intention of the study was to extend the group understanding of the biological class, with a view to more notable utilization of the individual members of the class as therapeutic substances. The Salicaceae Family was to the knowledge of the researcher, under-utilized in homoeopathy and was expected to have a much larger scope of use than is current. Methodology: The family, Salicaceae, was classified taxonomically. Secondly, an extraction of all rubrics pertaining to the Salicaceae family was done using the Radar® repertory program. Those rubrics that contained at least two remedies from the Salicaceae Family were retained and the rest were eliminated. A search of Encyclopaedia Homoeopathica® and other resources was utilized to derive common sensations, reactions to sensation, and to classify the remedies miasmatically. Results: The primary sensation was a burning sensation, with heat or a sensation of being burnt, which was confined primarily to the respiratory, genitourinary and gastrointestinal system. The next sensation, which was on the physical level, was of a stinging sensation, which may be interpreted as either a tingling or a prickling sensation. This sensation was found to be mostly confined to the skin. Another sensation was a feeling of being alone, in isolation, detached from surroundings, or being forsaken. Passive reactions included numbness, inflammation, tearfulness, trembling and crying. Active reactions were restlessness, irritation and wanting to sneeze. Miasmatically the task was a challenge, as the researcher found materia medica to be lacking in certain remedies. However many of the remedies were found to be Acute, Sycotic, Malarial or Leprous. v Conclusion: The Salicaceae Family had an affinity for all orifices, with many pathological tendencies occurring throughout the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory system. The researcher felt that the Group analysis of remedies was a powerful tool that can assist in a homoeopathic prescription. It gave great insight to the Salicaceae Family, and exposed the researcher to the lesser known remedies.