HOMOEOPATHIC PHARMACY AND SOURCES OF HOMEO-MEDICINES

In 1805, HAHNEMANN announced his new method of pharmacological process in his treatise, ‘Fragmenta de viribus medica mentorum positives sive in sano corpore humano observatis,. Though HAHNEMANN never wrote any separate book on, ‘pharmacopoeia’ the basic principles of homoeopathic preparation of drugs and medicines are incorporated in different aphorisms of ‘Organon of medicine’, ‘The Chronic disease’, and Materia medica pura’. These scattered materials inter served as the nucleus of homoeopathic pharmacopoeia in future. Since 1825, a good number of homoeopathic pharmacopoeias have been published in different countries, especially in Germany, U.S.A., etc. The first homoeopathic pharmacopoeia was published by Dr. Carl W. Caspari of Leipzig, Germany, in 1825. Gradually different homoeopathic establishments published their pharmacopoeias.

They are:

1. German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia -1825.
2. British Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia - 1870.
3. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of U.S.A. - 1897.
4. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India - 1971.
5. French Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia

Homoeopathic Pharmacy is based on Monopharmacy, Pharmacodynamics and Potentisation.

DIFFERENT SOURCES OF HOMOEOPATHIC DRUGS

Homeopathic Medicines are derived from various sources from the earthly world. The sources are:

1. Vegetable Kingdom: It includes whole plants, roots -fresh and dried -, stems, leaves, herbs., flowers, fruits, seeds, barks, algae, fungi etc. The different plants and parts thereof, are used for the preparation of mother tincture and mother substances.
2. Animal Kingdom: The drugs are prepared from living and dried whole animals, different parts, secretions etc. and also from the venoms of poisonous animals as well as milk and milk products.
3. Mineral kingdom: The medicines are derived from Acids, Elements, Compounds, Minerals, Mineral-Spring Water etc.
4. Nosodes or Biotherapeutic Preparations: They are the medicines designated from the morbid product of disease, when employed as remedies. The medicines which are prepared from diseased product of human beings, lower animals and diseased plant products are called Nosodes.
5. Sarcodes: Sarcode means ‘fleshy’. It can be called as ‘protoplasm’ of animals. In fact, Sarcodes belongs to animal kingdom. Some of the sarcodes are well-proven and some are not. The remedies are made from preparations of healthy animal tissues and secretions.
6. Imponderabilia: It means "that which is not weighable", ie. The substances which have no perceptible weights. They are immaterial power or energy. Medicines prepared from energy, available from natural and physical reactions are called, ‘Imponderabilia’.
7. Synthetic Source: Some medicines are derived from the synthetic compounds also. Therefore , the source for the Homeopathic medicines is not limited and the substances from any source can be prepared as homeopathic remedy due to its unique feature of proving and the Potentisation principle.

SCALES OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES:

Homeopathic Medicines are subject to Potentisation at various scales and levels. The extractions of the drug are formed as Mother Tinctures , denoted by the symbols - Q. or Triturations. Further scales of the medicines are prepared from the mother tincture or triturations.

The Scales of Potentisation:
a. Scales of Triturations -
1. Decimal Scale.
2. Centesimal Scale.
b. Scales for Succussion -
1. Decimal Scale.
2. Centesimal Scale.
3. 50-millesimal Scale.

The decimal Scale of Potentisation are denoted with the suffix - X , e.g.. 3x, 6x, 12x,30x, 200x etc.

The Centesimal Scale of Potentisation are denoted with the suffix - C. eg. 3c, 6c,12c,30c,200c. The strengths after 200c are designated by Roman numerical e.g.. 1000 as M or 1M , 10,000 as 10 M, 50,000 as 50 M or LM, 100,000 as C.M. 500,000 as D.M. etc.

The 50-millesimal Scale remedies are designated as 0/1, 0/2, 0/3 etc.

Homeopathic remedies are available in the stores in the form of Dilutions, Triturations, Pills or Globules, Tablets, etc.

On prescription or order basis the druggist will dispense the remedies. Some Pharmacies are producing some formulated medicines which are normally called as Specifics; and they are available in the general stores on OTC basis in some countries.

Homoeopathic remedies are generally sensitive to strong smells, odors, fumes, sunlight, chemical exposures, heat, perfumes, etc. Hence they should be stored or kept in the places which are free from the aforesaid items.

Homeopathic medicines are sweet but irrational consumption or misuse by children is harmful. Hence they should be kept away from children to avoid any misuse.

Homeopathic medicines which are left after some consumption are need not be disposed off but can be stored well for further use, as they are useful for many years subject to good storage.