Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The purpose of this study was to investigate the homoeopathic indications of the bark of the Strychnos henningsii tree, through a homoeopathic proving, and to subsequently compare these results to the documented traditional use of the crude substance. Methodology The study design took the form of a triple-blind placebo-controlled trial consisting of 32 participants who met defined inclusion criterion. These participants were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of eight provers and supervised by one of four M. Tech Homoeopathy students. Fifty percent received placebo and fifty percent received verum. Neither the researcher nor the provers were aware of the nature of the proving substance as well as who received the placebo and who received the verum until the study was completed. The proving substance was administered in the 30CH potency, according to an ECH (European Committee of Homoeopathy) methodology. All provers were subjected to pre – and post -proving consultations in which case histories and physical examinations were performed. A pre-proving workshop was held for all provers and supervisors. Symptom collection was done by using information obtained from prover journals which was then collated, edited and translated into repertory language. By identifying broad areas of traditional use of Strychnos henningsii and relating these to rubrics derived from the proving of Strychnos henningsii 30 CH, a comparison was performed in order to evaluate the overlap between the homoeopathic indications and traditional use of the proving substance. Results After critical evaluation, it was found that whilst overlaps exist in the treatment of liver disease, nausea, dysmenorrhea, rheumatism, chest pain, malaria and dizziness, no overlap was found in the use of the homoeopathic remedy in snakebites. In addition the proving revealed symptoms that were not indicated in traditional use such as headaches, asthma, influenza, sinusitis and hayfever, as well as infections of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Conclusion Thus, upon comparison of the traditional uses of Strychnos henningsii to the symptoms produced in the proving of Strychnos henningsii 30CH, revealed that similarities pertaining mainly to the gastro-intestinal system, female gynaecological tract and rheumatic complaints exist. However, the proving elicited many new symptoms that are purely homoeopathic, these included head, mind, sleep, dream, nose, ear, chest and respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, it is hoped that further provings of this substance at different potencies would contribute further to the materia medica of the substance.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The homoeopathic drug proving of Strychnos henningsii 30CH took the form of a mixed-method triple-blind, placebo-controlled study. The purpose of the study was to compare the results of the triple-blind homoeopathic drug proving with the toxicology of the crude substance. Methodology Thirty-two provers were selected and randomly divided into four equal groups of 8 provers, with each group supervised by one of four M.Tech.Hom student researchers. Fifty percent of the subjects (16 or the 32) received placebo in a random manner. Provers recorded their state in journals for one week prior to commencing the verum/ placebo powders. Data was extracted from journals and combined with case histories, physical examinations to compile the proving profile. The data derived from journals and case histories were edited and collated and thereafter reformatted and classified according to standard materia medica and repertory conventions. This constituted the homoeopathic remedy picture which was then compared to the toxicity of the major chemical constituents of Strychnos henningsii by qualitative methods. Results Provers produced symptoms on the mental, physical and emotional levels. There was a distinct similarity between the toxicology of Strychnos henningsii in its iii crude form, and a majority of the symptomatology obtained during the proving. The comparison of Strychnos henningsii proving symptoms and that of the crude substance was demonstrated by the proving symptoms showing similarity with the chemical constituents of the bark. The bark contained alkaloids which demonstrated similar symptoms in poisonings as described by the provers. The alkaloids found in the Strychnos henningsii bark were strychnine, diaboline, holstiine, strychnochromine and guianensine. Conclusions This homeopathic proving of Strychnos henningsii allowed for successful comparison between the alkaloids contained in the bark and the proving symptomatology. Notwithstanding the successful comparison and noted levels of overlap, it was observed that prior knowledge of homeopathy was beneficial to the provers. Furthermore, the researcher argues that the triple blind method employed is effective, but may hinder the researcher during analysis and that it is important that toxicological information about any substance should be obtained before a proving commences.

BACKGROUND:Researchers are finding limitations of currently available disease-focused questionnaire tools for outcome studies in complementary and alternative medicine/integrative medicine (CAM/IM).METHODS:Three substudies investigated the new one-item visual analogue Arizona Integrative Outcomes Scale (AIOS), which assesses self-rated global sense of spiritual, social, mental, emotional, and physical well-being over the past 24 hours and the past month. The first study tested the scale's ability to discriminate unhealthy individuals (n = 50) from healthy individuals (n = 50) in a rehabilitation outpatient clinic sample. The second study examined the concurrent validity of the AIOS by comparing ratings of global well-being to degree of psychological distress as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in undergraduate college students (N = 458). The third study evaluated the relationships between the AIOS and positively- and negatively-valenced tools (Positive and Negative Affect Scale and the Positive States of Mind Scale) in a different sample of undergraduate students (N = 62).RESULTS:Substudy (i) Rehabilitation patients scored significantly lower than the healthy controls on both forms of the AIOS and a current global health rating. The AIOS 24-hours correlated moderately and significantly with global health (patients r = 0.50 / controls r = 0.45). AIOS 1-month correlations with global health were stronger within the controls (patients r = 0.36 / controls r = 0.50). Controls (r = 0.64) had a higher correlation between the AIOS 24-hour and 1-month forms than did the patients (r = 0.33), which is consistent with the presumptive improvement in the patients' condition over the previous 30 days in rehabilitation. Substudy (ii) In undergraduate students, AIOS scores were inversely related to distress ratings, as measured by the global severity index on the BSI (rAIOS24h = -0.42, rAIOS1month = -0.40). Substudy (iii) AIOS scores were significantly correlated with positive affect (rAIOS24h = 0.56, rAIOS1month = 0.57) and positive states of mind (rAIOS24h = 0.42, rAIOS1month = 0.45), and inversely correlated with negative affect (rAIOS24h = -0.41, rAIOS1month = -0.59).CONCLUSIONS:The AIOS is able to distinguish relatively sicker from relatively healthier individuals / and correlates in expected directions with a measure of distress and indicators of positive and negative affect and positive states of mind. The AIOS offers a tool for CAM/IM research that extends beyond a disease emphasis.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)--Durban University of Technology, 2008 / The proving substance Hemachatus haemachatus commonly known as the Rinkhals belongs to the family of Elapidae. This spitting-cobra is a local snake found only in Southern Africa. This proving tested the effects of the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency of venom from Hemachatus haemachatus on healthy provers. OBJECTIVES It was hypothesised that Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers, and that the comparison of Hemachatus haemachatus to those yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms would highlight differences and similarities between the remedy symptoms so that confusion as to the indication is eliminated. It was hypothesised that a fuller understanding of Hemachatus haemachatus and its relationship to other remedies would be gained following this comparison. METHODOLOGY A double blind, placebo controlled proving of Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH was conducted on thirty healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. Six of these thirty provers randomly received placebo, with neither prover nor researcher knowing whom received placebo. Provers had a homoeopathic case history taken and a physical examination performed on them prior to commencement of the proving. The provers recorded their signs and symptoms 6 by means of a journal before, during and after administration of the remedy. On completion of the proving, the information obtained was correlated and assessed by the two researchers, De la Rouviere and Cahill. The symptoms elicited during the proving were translated into materia medica and repertory language, and a homoeopathic picture of the remedy was subsequently formulated. Data from the case histories, physical examinations and group discussions were also considered in the assessment. RESULTS During the period of investigation, provers experienced a variety of symptoms on the mental, emotional and physical spheres. On the mental emotional sphere there was a marked degree of irritability and changeability in moods as is commonly seen in many of the snake remedies. Along with this, it was noted that there were feelings of anxiety for reasons unknown, a sense of having lost something or someone close, and a desire to be left alone. There were also a great number of feelings regarding the home, where there were feelings of the home being a place of safety and wanting order in the home. On a physical level, many of the provers noted varying degrees of abdominal discomfort and headaches. Along with anxiety, provers experienced palpitations and sensations of chest restriction or constriction with shortness of breath. There were a variety of musculoskeletal symptoms ranging from painful joints in the fingers to stiffness and tightness in the neck and back. Provers noted flushes of heat and alterations of their internal thermostat. Provers experienced marked dryness of the mucus membranes and the skin, and there was also a general feeling of weakness and heaviness as well as a marked aggravation in the mornings on waking. 7 CONCLUSIONS Symptoms obtained from the proving of Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH were studied and evaluated. Those symptoms that appeared to represent the remedy picture of Hemachatus haemachatus most accurately in the researchers‟ opinion were used in the repertorisation of the remedy. The investigation supported the hypothesis that Hemachatus haemachatus 30CH would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers. The subsequent comparison of the proving symptoms of Hemachatus haemachatus to Lycopodium (Club moss), Sulphur, Alumina (Aluminium oxide), Sepia (Cuttle fish) and Calcarea carbonica (Carbonate of Lime) highlighted differences and similarities between these remedies and Hemachatus haemachatus. The further comparison of remedies that came up on repertorisation restricted to the plant, mineral and animal kingdoms respectively provided a further comparison of remedies, which aimed at enhancing the differentiation of Hemachatus haemachatus to other similar remedies. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy in the Department of Homoeopathy at the Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Gymnura natalensis 30CH on healthy volunteers, and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed to those requiring it according to the Law of Similars. The other aims of this study were to compare the proving symptoms of Gymnura natalensis 30CH to the toxicology of stingray venom and to analyze the remedy picture in terms of the Doctrine of Signatures. It was hypothesised that the thirtieth centesimal potency of the remedy would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers (provers). It was further hypothesised that the above signs and symptoms would show a correlation to the toxicology of stingray venom and to the Doctrine of Signatures. The homoeopathic proving of Gymnura natalensis took the form a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. The selected proving potency was the thirtieth centesimal potency. A total population of 30 suitable and consenting volunteers participated in this trial. Twenty percent of this population was randomly administered a placebo-control substance. The collection of data from the provers took the form of a journal which was kept by each prover in which their proving signs and symptoms were recorded over a period of five weeks after the administration of the remedy or placebo. On completion of the proving, each journal was assessed by the researcher to determine the suitability of the recorded symptoms for inclusion in the materia medica of Gymnura natalensis. These symptoms were then translated into the language of the materia medica and repertory and a remedy picture was then formulated. Data from case histories, physical examinations (Appendix D) and group discussions were also taken into account during the analysis of the proving the symptoms. A concurrent proving study of Gymnura natalensis, conducted by Naidoo (2008), focused on comparing the symptoms of this remedy to those of other existing remedies that were derived from the sea. A variety of mental, emotional and physical symptoms were extracted from the proving study of Gymnura natalensis. The main mental and emotional symptoms of the remedy included anxiety, irritability, depression, a feeling of disconnection, spaciness of the mind and dreams of events and incidents of the past. The characteristic physical symptoms obtained from the proving included headaches, a reduction of pre-menstrual symptoms, heart palpitations, skin eruptions on the back, low energy levels, tiredness and sleep abnormalities. Symptoms that showed a correlation to the toxicological symptoms of stingray envenomation included frequent urination, muscular cramps, heart palpitations, laboured breathing, fever and copious night sweats. The symptoms that characterised the remedy in terms of the Doctrine of Signatures included anxiety, instinctive behaviour, the desire to be alone, feelings of disconnection, detachment and isolation and skin eruptions on the back. The investigation confirmed the hypothesis that Gymnura natalensis would produce clearly observable sings and symptoms in healthy volunteers. The correlation of the proving symptoms to the toxicology of stingray venom and the Doctrine of Signatures provided a clarification of the remedy picture to assist in the understanding and prescription of this remedy. / M

Ozone therapy is an alternative form of therapy that has gained attention in the last couple of years. It is believed that O3 may exert a stimulatory effect on the antioxidant defence and immune systems and may therefore be effective in the treatment of ischemic disorders. diabetes mellitus. AIDS and other diseases. On the other hand. it is well known that O3 is a reactive molecule that is toxic to the pulmonary system. Therefore. there remains scepticism regarding its use as a form of therapy. In order to shed some light on this. the effects of ozone autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) on the energy homeostasis of white blood cells were investigated. The possible protective effects of the plasma antioxidant defence system during O3-AHT, were also investigated. Venous blood from six apparently healthy human donors was collected in heparin. In one aliquot a precise volume of blood was mixed with an equal volume of O2/O3 gas mixture containing 20 or 80 μg/ml O3 for 20 minutes. In the other aliquot, the plasma was washed out and the cells resuspended in a buffered phosphate solution. The buffered blood cells were treated with the same concentrations of O3. Control samples was either not treated or treated with a corresponding volume of O2 . Various biochemical analyses were done on the whole blood and buffered cells to determine the oxidant/antioxidant status, cell viability, apoptosis and mitochondrial function. The higher concentration of O3 increased oxidative stress and caused death of white blood cells. Antioxidant enzyme (catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase) activity and the plasma antioxidant capacity decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase levels increased slightly. Exposure to O3 also increased caspase 3/7 activity. A decrease in mitochondrial function was measured by a decrease in ATP levels and an increase in NADH/NAD+ ratio. Complex IV of the respiratory chain was almost completely inhibited by both O3 concentrations. These results indicated that the death of white blood cells was probably through apoptosis. These effects were more evident in the absence of plasma antioxidants. Therefore. high concentrations of O3 were damaging to the cells, but this effect was lessened by antioxidants present in plasma. In view of the results, the use of O3 as a therapy needs to be reconsidered. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2007. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of an indigenous South African substance and the traditional uses of that crude substance. The substance under evaluation was Erythrina lysistemon which was prepared homoeopathically to the thirtieth centesimal (30CH) potency. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis on healthy volunteers (provers), and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it may be prescribed to those suffering from similar symptoms as determined by the Law of Similars. A further aim of the investigation was to compare the materia medica of Chamaleo dilepis dilepis as determined by proving symptoms to those remedies yielding the highest numerical value and total number of rubrics on repertorisation of the proving symptoms of Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis. / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / This study was conducted by administering Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis 30CH to healthy individuals with the aim of eliciting and documenting the resulting mental, emotional and physical symptomology. Chamaeleo dilepis dilepis was chosen as a substance based on it being indigenous to South Africa and as no other members of the Chamaeleonidae species have been proven / M

Ph.D. (Botany) / The most well-known tonic plants in South Africa have been used traditionally for the treatment of a great variety of ailments but aspects of their ethnobotany and chemistry remain poorly studied. Possible relationships between their ethnobotany and pharmacology are mostly speculative. In this study, literature reviews of the ethnobotany of these plants were combined with phytochemical screening studies and bitterness taste testing results in order to establish constituent patterns which may contribute to a scientific rationale for the claimed tonic (stimulating) properties of these plants. The tonic concept and definitions of terms associated with it are often used incorrectly and ambiguously. An analysis of literature on the traditional healing systems across the globe was used to establish the historical and cultural aspects relevant to tonics. This analysis revealed that sickness/illness is usually considered to be a result of imbalance in many cultures, whether this imbalance is between the patient and the environment or due to a lack of homeostasis in the body. In several healing cultures substances or mixtures of substances are used to rectify these imbalances through proposed effects on several bodily systems concurrently. According to some cultures, as in Eastern and Indian traditional medicine, tonic plants are considered superior to other medicinal plants in that they impart health, strength and a general sense of well-being, as well as being prophylactic. This definition of a tonic plant is consequently broad, but excludes plants merely used as multipurpose medicines. Where these tonics exhibit a specific mode of action, further classification is required, i.e. as bitter, adaptogenic, alterative, adjuvant or stimulant tonics. The South African traditional tonic plants studied were Agathosma species (Rutaceae), Aloe species (Asphodelaceae), Arctopus species (Apiaceae), Artemisia afra (Asteraceae), Balanites maughamii (Balanitacae), Dicoma species (Asteraceae), Harpagophytum procumbens (Pedaliaceae), Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Hypoxidaceae), Muraltia heisteria (Polygalaceae), Sutherlandia species (Fabaceae), Vernonia oligocephala (Asteraceae), Warburgia salutaris (Canellaceae), Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) and Ziziphus mucronata (Rhamnaceae). A detailed compendium of medicinal applications was compiled following a thorough, in-depth scrutiny of the historical and medicinal ethnobotany of each of these species. Such ethnobotanical data is important in understanding the cultural aspects of healing in southern Africa, and provides valuable direction and focus with regards to the phytochemical and pharmacological research of these plants.