MATERIA MEDICA (Alphabetically arranged)
THE following drugs are most frequently indicated in cases of skin diseases. But certainly they are not the only ones. We must sometimes choose the drug in a special case in accordance with a symptom which has nothing to do with the skin disease. A good homoeopath always acts according to our fundamental law: “Let like be cured by like.” That means, the homoeopath takes the totality of all subjective and objective symptoms. Only such a treatment is homoeopathic, if the drug prescribed is the similimum for the special patient; that means, if the drug- picture and the symptom-picture are alike.
ACONITUM
General Indications. Acute diseases. High temperature due to catarrhal inflammations coupled with the greatest unrest and anxiety. Peripheral neuralgic pains.
Key Symptoms. Restlessness, fear of death. Onset of colds due to dry coldness or draught. Dryness of the skin. Thirst. Suddenness of all symptoms. Aggravation of all symptoms in the evening and during night. Better by perspiration.
SKIN DISEASES. Pruritus, urticaria, herpes zoster during the first stage characterized by fever, sharp neuralgic pains.
Aconite should be given in low potencies.
AGARICUS
General Indication and Key Symptoms. Disorders of the nervous system. Convulsions and trembling of the extremities. The skin troubles usually due to disorder of the circulation and the glands. Skin of face and head reddened, burning, itching, sensation of stinging by ice-needles. Aggravation of all symptoms by rest, in the morning. Better by motion, in the evening.
SKIN DISEASES. Acne, seborrhoea, erythema multiforme. Agaricus should be given in the 4-6 decimal potency.
AMMONIUM CARBONICUM
General Indications. Acute feverish diseases with nervous disorders. Erysipelas.
Key Symptoms. Weakness of memory. Irresolute-system.
Especially women with low vitality, always sensitive and ailing. Bleeding from the nose, when washing the face.
SKIN DISEASES. Rashes in cases of scarlet fever, measles, Psoriasis, burns, eczema with burning and itching.
Low potencies should be given.
ANACARDIUM ORIENTALE
General Indications. Chronic diseases. Neurasthenia.
Hypochondria. Illusional depression. Indigestion and skin diseases.
Key Symptoms. Hypersensibility of the nervousness. Despair. Itching and burning sensations, aggravated late in the evening.
SKIN DISEASES. Herpes zoster, herpes labialis and genitalis.
Pemphigus, urticaria, warts, vesicles and bulbous eczema.
Low potencies are effective.
ANTHRACINUM
The drug is indicated in the blue boils with burning pains, and in hard carbuncles accompanied by serious cerebral symptoms and exhausting perspiration.
Anthracinum, must be given in high potency. Only a few doses are necessary (Anthracinum 30x).
ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM General Indications. Metabolic disorders. Nausea. Indigestion. Corpulence. Gout. Uric acid. Eczema. Urticaria.
Key Symptoms. Very irritable and peevish. Tongue with thick white coat. Skin hardened with honey-like scabs. Aggravation by wet cold, cold bath, by sun or fire heat, during the night. Better by rest and in the open air. Especially indicated in children and old men.
SKIN DISEASES. Pimples and pustules on the face, yellowish scabs. Urticaria, impetigo, subacute eczema about the nostrils and mouth, ears and eyelids. Horny warts and rhagades of the hands and feet. Impetigo contagiosa.
Low potencies are most effective.
ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM
Stimulates the secretions of the skin, giving rise to papules, vesicles and pustules. It depresses the functions of circulation and respiration, causing nausea, faintness and prostration.
SKIN DISEASES. Acne, herpes, impetigo and impetigo contagiosa.
The best potency is 3x.
APIS
General Indications. Inflammatory oedematous conditions resulting in the formation of exudates. The cutaneous eruptions are especially located on the face (the lower eyelid) and extremities.
Key Symptoms. Thirstless during fevers. Weakness. Sensation of stinging, burning pricking, itching. Aggravation in the afternoon, by heat, better by cold.
SKIN DISEASES. Urticaria, boils, carbuncle. Erysipelas. Bites of insects. Erythema nodosum.
Potencies 3x to 5x are the most frequently used.
ARNICA General Indications. Mechanical injuries. Haemorrhages. Bruises.
Key Symptoms. Serious pains in the whole body. Face hot, reddened, General lassitude. Throbbing, burning, stitching pains.
SKIN DISEASES. Boils, symmetrically distributed, bluish red.
Erysipelas with tendency to vesicles and bulbae. Dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, diabetic gangrene.
