Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Masters Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of Oioscorea vil/osa cream in the treatment of menopausal syndrome in terms of subjective and objective data; and to compare the subjective data with that obtained from a concurrent study of ProgestoNat\xAE cream (McTeer, 2003). / M

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Diploma in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon NataI, 1994. / The efficacy of Pilocarpus Jaborandi in the management of emotional palmar hyperhidrosis was studied. It was hypothesised that this homoeopathic drug would cause a significant decrease in sweat production rates. The study was double blinded and consisted of thirty treated patients, with fifteen patients in group and fifteen patients in the the placebo group. Patients were chosen by convenience sampling with no specifications of age or sex. The treated group received Pilocarpus Jaborandi 9 CH, and were instructed to take five pills on waking everyday for ninety days. The other group received a placebo also for ninety days. Quantification of the first day, on ninetieth day of sweat production was done on the forty-fifth day and treatment, by means of on the sweat collection tests. In each test sweat was / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Aim The purpose of this research study was to compare the similarity and differences of the rubrics from a proving of a homoeopathic complex (Cinnabaris 12CH, Hydrastis canadensis 12CH and Kalium bichromicum 12CH) in order to establish whether the symptoms are similar to the individual constituents, or whether a new remedy is produced when individual remedies are combined. The research questions addressed by the study were: 1) Will the twelfth centesimal potency (12CH) of the homoeopathic complex produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy provers? 2) Will the majority of signs and symptoms of the complex be similar to those of its constituent parts? Methodology The proving was a randomised double blind placebo controlled study involving 20 participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The provers were randomly assigned to either a verum (80%) or placebo group (20%). Provers recorded their symptoms in their journals for one week prior to administration of the proving complex in order to establish a baseline for comparison. The proving complex was in form of lactose granules dispensed in lactose powders. Provers were given six lactose powders, one powder to be taken sublingually three times a day or until symptoms occurred. The provers recorded all mental or physical symptoms experienced in their journals. Once the proving was completed the journals were collected and symptoms derived from the recordings were collated and analysed. This information was converted to materia medica and repertory format. The researcher then analysed each rubric in order to establish if any or all of the three remedies of the complex appeared in that rubric. This comparison reflected the number of rubrics that contained the individual remedies of the complex. In this way the researcher established the rubrics that were unique to the complex as a whole. vi Results A total of 337 rubrics were produced by the proving. The analysis of rubrics showed that 216 rubrics did not contain any of the three remedies; 72 rubrics contained at least one of the three remedies; 29 rubrics contained two of the three remedies; and 20 rubrics contained all three remedies. Eighteen new rubrics were identified. In analysing the symptoms elucidated, a definite polarity between symptoms was noted, including within the same prover. This was the case with mental and physical symptoms. A vast range of symptoms was produced, spanning 29 sections of the repertory, with the majority being physical, related to headaches were quite common amongst provers, pain in the abdominal region, pain in the extremities, eye symptoms such as lachrymation and pain, pain in the throat, chest and neck, skin eruptions. Sinusitis or rhinitis symptoms such as nasal itching, sinus congestion, nasal discharge and sneezing were observed. A significant change in appetite and thirst was seen. The main regions that had an affinity for the complex were the head, abdomen and extremities with pain as the main symptom. Conclusion The substance did produce signs and symptoms in the provers, so Research Question 1 was answered with a “Yes”. Only a small proportion (0.05%) of the rubrics from the proving contained all three constituent remedies, therefore Research Question 2 was answered with a “No”. The results show that although the proving symptoms shared a small degree of similarity to the constituent remedies, the complex as an entity formed its own individual picture. / 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.

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.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The aim of this study was to elicit and document the effects, in the form of signs and symptoms produced in relatively healthy volunteers, of the venom of Hemachatus haemachatus, prepared in accordance with the methods set out in the homoeopathic pharmacopoeia. These signs and symptoms form the indications for the prescription of the remedy, according to the homoeopathic Law of Similars. A further aim of this study was a comparative analysis of symptoms produced by Hemachatus haemachatus 30ch with existing remedies derived from snake venom used in homeopathy, with the aim of highlighting the similarities and differences between them. The homoeopathic drug proving of Hemachatus haemachatus 30ch took the form of a double-blind, placebo controlled trial. The proving population consisted of 30 healthy subjects who met with the necessary inclusion criteria (Appendix B). Eighty percent (24 subjects) served as the experimental group, receiving the active verum in a randomised manner, while twenty percent (6 subjects) formed the placebo group, receiving non-medicated placebo powders in a randomised manner. Provers were unaware of either the nature or potency of the substance. Verum and placebo were indistinguishable from each other, and neither researcher nor volunteers knew who received verum and who received placebo. Intra-individual control was achieved through a pre-proving observation period of a week’s duration, during which provers recorded the signs and symptoms of their normal state. This symptom picture served as a baseline for comparison with symptoms noted after administration of the remedy. Verum and placebo were dispensed in the form of six powders to be taken sublingually three times a day for a period of two days, or until the onset of symptoms. Data was primarily collected in the form of a diary or journal kept by each prover in which they recorded symptoms on a daily basis. Provers were closely monitored by the researchers during this period. Data collected by the researchers during daily telephonic contacts, as well as during the pre-proving consultation, was also considered. Information obtained from the journals was then assessed by the researchers for suitability for inclusion in the materia medica of Hemachatus haemachatus. The data did not require statistical analysis. In a concurrent study of similar methodology, Cahill (2008) conducted a comparison of the symptom complex produced in the proving of Hemachatus haemachatus, with other homeopathic remedies which scored highest on repertorisation. Symptoms from both studies were collated and included in the materia medica and repertory of Hemachatus haemachatus. The investigation supported the hypothesis that Hemachatus haemachatus would produce clear and observable signs and symptoms in healthy proving volunteers. During the course of this study provers experienced a wide range of mental, emotional and physical symptoms. The highest number of symptoms was produced on the mental and emotional level. Provers experienced elation, joy, increased confidence, enthusiasm and energy. On the other hand, there was lack of confidence, vulnerability, anxiety, decreased motivation, decreased concentration, lethargy, depression and indifference. There were sudden changes in mood and provers experienced marked irritability. On the physical level, many provers experienced headaches, irritation of the eyes, symptoms resembling allergic rhinitis, sore throats, nausea, heartburn, abdominal pain and flatulence, menstrual disturbances, lumbar pain, rheumatic joint pains, and skin eruptions. There were disturbances in normal sleep patterns, subjective perceptions of increased body temperature with hot flushes, and generalised tiredness and lethargy. Symptoms obtained from the proving of Hemachatus haemachatus were analysed as part of a comparative study with other remedies derived from snake venom: Lachesis muta, Naja tripudians, Elaps corallinus, Naja mossambica and Bitis arietans arietans. This comparison highlighted both the similarities and differences between these remedies and Hemachatus haemachatus. / M

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Until recently homoeopathic remedies have been studied and understood by considering each remedy in isolation (Scholten, 1993). In the last few years a new method of understanding homoeopathic remedies, called group analysis, has emerged (Sankaran, 2002). This method involves an understanding of remedies in terms of characteristics common to a group of related remedies (Leisegang, 2007). Remedies are grouped according to natural classifications. Using the information available in computer repertories, searches are systematically performed to identify rubrics which are common within the group. This type of data analysis yields common characteristics which can be applied to lesser understood groups of remedies. This study was an investigation of the common characteristics of the remedies from the Class Aves, using the method according to Sankaran. The investigation was carried out by applying the group analysis method to the available data. Remedies from the Class Aves are relatively new additions to the materia medica, with the first of these proved in 1995. There is relatively little information available about this group and thus group analysis would be a valuable method of understanding these remedies (Fraser, 2009). A search was performed to determine which bird remedies were best represented in the repertory program iv Radar 10. Based on these results the sample group was selected. The rubrics of these remedies were then analysed to determine common sensations within the group. These sensations were then defined and synonyms were determined. These common sensations were then confirmed by searching for the keywords and synonyms in the available data. Second and third order analyses were performed based on the results. The resultant sensations were also compared with those proposed by Shore (2004) and Fraser (2009), to determine whether these theories on bird characteristics are consistent. Pathological tendencies of the Class Aves were found to involve the throat, female reproductive area, eyes and vision, skin, musculoskeletal system and mental disorders. Clinically there was strong indication for these remedies in cases of depression and anxiety, acne and dermatitis, dysmenorrhoea and disorders of vision such as blurred vision and eyestrain. The results of this study appeared to confirm the validity of theories on group analysis according to Sankaran (2002). The results further confirmed many of the characteristics attributed to the bird remedy group by Shore (2004) and Fraser (2009). Several new common characteristics of remedies from the Class Aves were deduced from the results of the analysis. The study also produced a proposed vital sensation and showed evidence linking several sensations in the process of reaction to the vital sensation. / M