Hom
œopathic
tonic therapy.
By Dr.
Charles Boericke, M. D.
Presented by Dr.
Sayeed Ahmad D. I. Hom. (London)
The thoughtfully selected homœopathic remedy is
definitely the best tonic to stimulate the return to normalcy. Armed
with this therapeutic weapon, the physician need not resort to iron,
vitamins and minerals, let alone quinine, strychnia, and potassium
iodide. Nor need he specify the use of unsaturated fats, yeast, wheat
germ, sunflower seed, and black strap molasses. In this brief paper I
have purposely failed to mention the standby foolproof tonics with which
every homœopath is so well conversant such as NUX
VOMICA for the irritable, overworked, costive dyspeptic male ;
PULSATILLA for the contradictory,
changeable, lachrymose female ; CHAMOMILLA
for the whining, restless, irritable child ; CHINA
and CHININUM ARSENICOSUM
for postgrippal asthenia.In chronic coronary artery disease, and in the
recuperative stage following acute myocardial infraction, a valuable and
often neglected heart tonic is IODIDE OF
ARSENIC. This remedy covers the weakness, prostration,
restlessness, nightly aggravation, substernal soreness and burning pains
relieved by heat, paresthesias, and chronicity of complaints.In arteriosclerotic heart disease, where the
pathology is angina pectoris and right heart disease, with cold and blue
extremities, intermittent claudication and endarteritis, the remedy that
pops into one’s thoughts is SECALE,
particularly if the patient is intolerant of heat and feels better in
the cold and from cold applications. SECALE
may well turn out to be the homœopathic nitroglycerine.In neuro-circulatory asthenia and hyperventilation
syndrome I have found SCUTELLARIA
has tonic virtue. It seems to quiet the marked apprehension due to
cardiac irregularities. (MOCHUS).An excellent rheumatic tonic is NATRUM
SULPHURICUM, particularly in the hydrogenoid constitution
where the patient feels change of temperature from dry to wet, always
weak ankles and knees, and a tearing rending pain from hips to knees,
aggravated at night.
CARBO VEGETABILIS
is to be thought of as a
post-influenzal tonic, where the patient has complete asthenia, easy
perspiration, a stubborn persistent tracheo-bronchial cough and evening
huskiness of the voice.
STAPHYSAGRIA
is an excellent tonic for the
residual pain and nervousness after teeth extraction. Also one of the
best constitutional tonics for the early paranoid psychosis
characterized by hypersensitivity, easy offence over trifles,
indignation about things done by others, inward sufferings from pride,
envy, or chagrin. The patient harbors imagined slights as an obsession.
PICRIC ACID
is the tonic par excellence
for extreme mental and physical prostration. The patient is always
tired, so much so that he must lie down and sleep most of the time.
There is a heaviness and numbness of the limbs and a persistent weakness
of the back.
ECHINACEA
is the great and
well-authenticated eclectic blood tonic. Staphylococcic infections,
viral herpes of the lips, canker sores, and so-called blood poisoning.
ZINCUM
is the ideal tonic for the older
individual who is oversensitive and prostrated. This remedy typifies
slow cerebration. The mind seems weak and sluggish. He repeats questions
before answering, waits a moment, looks blank, then his face lights up
and he answers.Dr. Margaret Tyler said, “When the reflexes are
abolished Zincum comes in.” ZINCUM might
well be considered for the paralysis following cerebral thrombosis.
AMBRA GRISEA
is a valuable geriatric
tonic. Indicated for the prematurely old with feebleness and trembling.
The patient exhibits confusion with vanishing of ideas. He jumps from
one subject to another. He asks question after question, never waiting
for an answer. The presence of another person seems to aggravate all
symptoms. The mind runs on unpleasant fancies, diabolical faces and
sights. Physically the patient has asthmatic breathing and a nervous
spasmodic cough. General nervous hypersensitiveness is a keynote
symptom.
PHOSPHORUS
is the great tonic for the
delicate and sensitive adolescent. The patient is apathetic, responds
slowly and move sluggishly. He seems weary of life and has gloomy
forebodings. He has weak and “all gone” sensations in all
parts of the body. He craves salt and iced drinks. He elicits fears of
being alone, of the dark, of thunder, that something will happen. He is
indifferent to friends and loved ones. He has vivid imaginations.
PHOSPHORIC ACID
is similar to PHOSPHORUS
in some respects, but these patients complain of crushing weight on
vertex, occiput, and nape of neck. A painless diarrhœa is common. The
nervous system is in a state of debility without erethism. There are
profuse night sweats. This remedy is a great tonic to young people who
are over-grown. To be considered for the chronic and long lasting
effects of grief.
CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA
is the great tonic of
pregnancy and prophylactic to toxemias and anæmias. This remedy seems
to regulate calcium-phosphorus metabolism and is a catalyst for the
assimilation of iron.Copyright © Dr. Sayeed Ahmad
2004