Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004 1 v. (various pagings) : ill. ; 30 cm / The purpose of this study was to analyse and compare the NMR spectra of multiple parallel potencies of the homoeopathic remedy Natrum muriaticum (chosen for its easy solubility and purity) using 0, 10 and 100 succussions. The remedies were prepared using the classical single vial Hahnemannian method with the same potency and the varying numbers of succussion. A comparison was made in terms of the chemical shift and relative integration values of the OH, CH2, CH3 and H2O signals.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005 xxiii, 120 leaves ; 30 cm / This double-blind, placebo controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of Selenium sulphide 12X in the management of dandruff, as measured by a Visual Analogue Scale.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004 xiii, 238 leaves ; 30 cm / The aim of this comparative study was to determine the effects of the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency of the venom of Naja mossambica on healthy individuals with emphasis on the mental and dream symptoms produced by the drug, which were compared to those of Naja tripudians (an existing homoeopathic remedy) so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathic science.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004 xi, 91 leaves / The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a water-based extraction of Echinacea purpura (E. purpura) on the in vitro growth of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) to a control of distilled water in terms of the size of the zones of inhibition. It also sought to compare the results to those obtained from experiments using ethanol-based tinctures of Echinacea purpura

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004 1 v. (variuous pagings) ; 30 cm / The purpose of this study was to analyse and compare the NMR spectra of three analogous ultra-high dilutions, prepared according to the classical Hahnemannian method and two Anthroposophical methods viz; Wala and Weleda.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy) - Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003 xviii, 122 leaves / This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of Withania somnifera and Xysmalobium undulatum plant tinctures in 62% ethanol in inhibiting the in vitro growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2004 xviii, 97 leaves ; 30 cm / The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of Baptisia tinctoria extract (1:10) in 62% ethanol and Baptisia tinctoria extract (1:10) in distilled water on the in vitro growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis respectively as compared to ethanol and distilled water control.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Introduction Provings form a fundamental part of the philosophy and practice of homoeopathy and the foundation on which homoeopathic prescribing rests. The substance chosen for this study is Yam ha-Melach (Dead Sea water). This substance has been known for its healing properties since ancient times and thus seemed an apt addition to the homoeopathic Materia Medica. Purpose The primary purpose of this investigation was to investigate and determine the complete symptom picture of Yam ha-Melach , homeopathically prepared to the thirtieth centesimal potency, on the healthy individuals and record the mental, emotional and physical signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed to those suffering from similar signs and symptoms, according to the Laws of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. A further purpose of this investigation was to compare the symptom picture gained to the existing indications of clinical therapeutic use of this substance. This study was done in conjunction with Natasha Wallace, who compared the symptom picture gained from the proving of Yam ha-Melach 30CH to the symptom picture of its constituent minerals. Methodology To prepare the remedy, Yam ha-Melach was triturated at a ratio of 1:99 with Saccharum lactis powder to the 3rd centesimal potency. Liquid potencies were then manufactured from Yam ha-Melach 3CH to a potency of 30CH. The remedy was dispensed in the form of Saccharum lactis granules that have been triple impregnated at 1% volume/volume (according to Method 10 of the GHP) with Yam ha-Melach 30CH in 90% ethanol. The remedy was dispensed in the form of 6 single enveloped powders. 10 lactose granules impregnated with potentised Yam ha-Melach 30CH was added to each envelope. This was administered to the provers in the experimental group. The placebo was dispensed in the form of 6 single enveloped powders. 10 neutral lactose granules were added to each envelope. This was dispensed to the placebo group. The placebo and the active remedy were identical in appearance thus ensuring the double blind nature of the experiment with neither the provers nor the researchers able to differentiate the active remedy from the placebo. The research methodology of Jeremy Sherr is thorough and well researched as well as very user friendly thus for the purpose of this study the methodologies suggested by Sherr in his Dynamics and methodology of Homoeopathic Provings were used (1994). Twenty healthy individuals took part in this study. Participants were fully informed about the research (Appendix D) and had to meet all the inclusion criteria (Appendix B) before commencing the proving. 10% (2 provers) of the prover group received placebo and the remainder (18 provers) of the group received the verum. The homoeopathic proving of Yam ha-Melach 30CH took the form of a double blind placebo controlled study where neither the provers nor the researcher knew to whom the placebo or active remedy was given. The provers had no knowledge of the substance being proved or the potency in which it was administered. The potency utilized for this proving was the 30th centesimal potency or 30CH. Data collection was in the form of a journal kept by each prover. Provers observed themselves before, during and after administration of the remedy and recorded all their mental, emotional and physical signs and symptoms in the journal. On completion of the proving the information elucidated by the provers was correlated and assessed by the two researchers for suitability to be included in the Materia Medica of Yam ha-Melach 30CH. These symptoms were then translated into Materia Medica and repertory language. Information obtained from the case histories, physical examinations (Appendix F) and group discussions were also utilized. The information obtained from the proving of Yam ha-Melach 30CH was compared to the existing indications of clinical therapeutic use. This highlighted important themes in the remedy and explained symptoms. Symptoms and themes that emerged from the proving were related to the ailments, symptoms and signs being treated with Dead Sea water in an attempt to clarify and expand on the understanding of the remedy. Results Provers experienced a wide range of symptoms on the mental, emotional and physical planes. In the mental and emotional spheres, provers experienced intense irritability, anxiety and depression which was characterized by loneliness and hopelessness as well as much crying and thoughts of suicide. Mania was prevalent with spontaneity and rebellion against societal norms and religion, paranoia and discrimination. Physically, provers experienced much joint pain and stiffness as well as a variety of skin symptoms resembling psoriasis and vitiligo. Dehydration was a central theme as was detachment and symptoms involving the female system. Conclusions It was hypothesized that the proving of Yam ha-Melach 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy individuals. The results of the proving show no contradiction to this and thus the hypothesis verified. The musculoskeletal symptoms of Yam ha-Melach 30CH were comparable to those of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and skin symptoms were comparable to those of psoriasis and vitiligo. These are the primary clinical therapeutic indications for Dead Sea products. This verifies the homoeopathic principle of the Law of Similars.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Provings are important to expand known materia medica and advance homeopathy. The Dead Sea was chosen as a substance because it has numerous therapeutic properties in its crude form, making Yam ha-Melach an invaluable homeopathic remedy as the therapeutic properties of a substance is increased during the potentization process. Objective The objective of the study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of Yam ha- Melach 30CH, on healthy provers and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, to those presenting with similar symptoms and further to compare the materia medica of Yam ha- Melach’s constituent minerals with symptoms obtained from the proving of Yam ha- Melach 30CH. Methodology This proving took the form of a randomised double-blind, placebo controlled study. The potency used was the 30th centesimal potency or 30CH. The proving population consisted of a combined project of twenty provers who met the inclusion criteria (Appendix A). Ten percent of the test group (two subjects) received placebo and the rest received Yam ha-Melach 30C (18 subjects). In order for the study to have remained double blind, neither the researchers nor the provers were aware of who received placebo and who received the remedy. Data collection was in the form of a journal kept by each prover, in which their symptoms were recorded daily for a total of five weeks, before, during and after taking the powders. On completion of the proving, data obtained from the journals were analyzed by the researcher for suitability of symptoms for inclusion in the materia medica of Yam ha-Melach. These symptoms were then translated into ii materia medica and repertory language, and a homeopathic picture of the remedy formulated. Data obtained from the case histories and physical examinations (Appendix E) and group discussions were also considered. A comparison between the ‘minimum characteristic syndrome’ of Yam ha-Melach and the symptoms on the mental, emotional and physical planes of each of Yam ha- Melach’s main constituent mineral remedies and their group themes were made, whereby the essential similarities and differences between them were elucidated. The main constituent minerals of the Dead Sea are magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, bromide and sulphur. The materia medica of Yam ha- Melach’s main constituent minerals therefore included the remedies: Magnesium muriaticum Kali muriaticum Natrum muriaticum Bromium Sulphur The proving symptoms were also compared to the materia medica group themes of the Magnesuims, Kali’s, Bromatums, Muriaticums and the Natrums in Scholten’s Homeopathy and Minerals (Scholten, 1993). Rabinowitz (2008) conducted an analysis of the proving symptoms, comparing the symptoms with existing indications of the Dead Sea’s clinical therapeutic use, in a parallel study of similar methodology. Symptoms were taken from the groups of both studies and included in the materia medica and repertory for Yam ha-Melach. Results The symptoms obtained from the proving had a very definite polarity. On the one side there was depression and loneliness, whilst on the other side there was happiness. This was shown also on the mental sphere, which varied from confusion to mental clarity. iii The main symptoms of this proving were the dreams, especially of war; violence; evil; religion; family and friends. Provers experienced a wide range of symptoms on mental, emotional and physical levels during the study. The main themes were feelings of loneliness and isolation, depression and hopelessness, being emotionally overwhelmed and crying, irritability and frustration, worrying about family and friends, needing affection, paranoia, oversensitivity and mood swings; and the feeling of being relaxed, calm and happy. The polarity continued on the physical level with regards to sleep, energy and appetite. On the physical level provers experienced dehydration resulting in headaches, dry itchy skin, eyes and mouth with diarrhea or constipation as well as nausea and vomiting. Some of the subjects had no appetite while others had an increase in appetite. Provers noted flu and hay fever like symptoms as well as joint and muscle stiffness and pain. Numbness, pins and needles and increased sensitivity were present in the extremities of most provers. Provers noticed pimples and dry patches on skin with severe itchiness and burning all over. Sleep was affected with some provers having difficulty sleeping, waking up all the time and others sleeping like a ‘rock.’ There was either a lack of energy or an increase in energy levels. Some provers had hot flushes and others felt cold and noticed fluctuations of body temperature. There was a general increase in perspiration. Some provers displayed black rashes and black stools. Provers experienced a general aggravation from alcohol. The main cravings were for salty food and coffee. The main aversion was for sweets. There was a general increase in thirst among the prover population. Conclusions The 30CH potency of Yam ha-Melach produced clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers. Comparing the symptoms elucidated from the proving iv of Yam ha-Melach to the materia medica of its mineral constituents attempted to expand and clarify the therapeutic action of the remedy and allowed a better understanding of the similarities and differences between Yam ha-Melach and these remedies that exist in known materia medica. A complete and thorough understanding of Yam ha-Melach and its relationship to these remedies was achieved and contributed to a comprehensive remedy picture and aided in its practical application. The comparison revealed that Yam ha-Melach was most similar to Magnesium muriaticum on mental, emotional and physical planes. Both remedies had similar feelings of aggression, depression, being overwhelmed quickly, dreams of water, anxiety and restlessness, lethargy and similar sensations and complaints on the physical level. This is interesting as the Dead Sea consists of 53% magnesium chloride, 37% potassium chloride, 8% sodium chloride, low concentration of sulfate ions and a high bromide concentration. Magnesium chloride is therefore the main mineral constituent of the Dead Sea.

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.