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I.Ya . HORBACHEVCHY TERNOPIL STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Lection № 6 COMPLEX HOMEOPATHY. PRINCIPLES AS A RATIONAL THERAPY. CLASSIFICATION AND DISCRIPTION OF COMPLEX HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATIONS. BASICS OF ITS TECHNOLOGY.
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I.Ya. HORBACHEVCHY TERNOPIL STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Lection № 6 COMPLEX HOMEOPATHY. PRINCIPLES AS A RATIONAL THERAPY. CLASSIFICATION AND DISCRIPTION OF COMPLEX HOMEOPATHIC PREPARATIONS. BASICS OF ITS TECHNOLOGY.
Although classical homeopaths keep true to Hahnemann’s principles in prescribing only single remedies, it has been found by clinical experience that some homeopathic remedies can be mixed together and administered successfully as a complex. This method of treatment has become very popular. In Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands there is a collective market of over 450 such branded products.
Complexes may also be mixtures of generic remedies in the same dosage form, for example: ABC (Aconite, Belladonna and Chamomilla) for teething, AGE (Arseniod or Arsen alb, Gelsemium and Eupatorium) for influenza, SSC (Silica, Sulphur and Carboveg) for stomach problems, usually in one potency, or patented mixtures sold under a trade name.
Weleda have a product in the UK comprising Feverfew, Nat Mur and Silica that is promoted for the treatment of headaches and migraine. Another, for nausea, contains Arsen alb, Cocculus and Ipecac. There are combination remedies in the New Era Tissue Salt range (known by the letters A to S) with specific indications for use. Combination R, for teething, comprises Calc fluor, Calc phos, Ferrphos, Magphos and Silica. In New Zealand, NaturoPharm of Rotorua have sports care and baby care ranges of complex remedies and Miers Laboratories of Wellington an OTC preparation called ‘No-Jet-Lag ’. The South Australian producer Brauer also has a large range of complexes.
Soluble constituents are usually potentised individually and then mixed to give the required liquid potency prior to medication. Insoluble ingredients are individually triturated with lactose.
Some of the French manufacturers combine zoological material within their complexes (e.g. Feltauri, Ox gall). The extremely popular Oscillococcinun(also called Oscillo) is a cold and flu remedy that contains elements derived from Muscovy duck liver. None of these products is licensed or can be supplied legally in the UK by OTC sale.
Formula P5 recommended for ‘sinusitis, tonsilitis and throat disorders generally’ comprises: Ferrumphos 6x, Calc iod 6x, Silica 6x, Barytacarb 6x, Bryonia 3x, Guaiacum 3x, Belladonna 3x, Lachesis 12x.
When prescribed, the remedy mixtures are written as ‘Powell PX’, where X represents a number from 1 to 64. Some remedies have letters as well; for example, there is a 2B, a 3B and 28B and C. Potencies at the 3x level contain concentrations of remedy comparable to the orthodox dose of 0.1 mg/100 ml, and have few indications in classical homeopathy.
Another range of complexes with specific indications is produced by the Dr Reckeweg Company in Bensheim, Germany. The Reckeweg range comprises: oral liquids, injections, topicals eye drops, all with multiple ingredients. The formulae are referred to by the letter ‘R’ followed by a number – most also have product names.
The following are examples: ● R1 (‘Anginacid’) comprises 10 different remedies in a range of potencies and is indicated for ‘local inflammations of a catarrhal nature’ ● R9 (‘Jutussin’), available as syrup and drops, also comprises 10 different remedies; it is claimed to be an effective expectorant ● R77 (anti-smoking drops) comprises six remedies for the withdrawal of smoking ● R95 (‘Alfalfa tonic’) comprises six different mother tinctures and four remedies in low potencies. It is recommended for anemia, convalescence and after a debilitating fever or surgery.
The manufacturers recommend that the oral drops are taken in a teaspoonful of water and always on an empty stomach. A frequency of around three times a dayis usually indicated, but this dose can be increased, especially at the start of treatment.
Why use a complex? There are three main reasons why a complex is used: 1. One may be that the prescriber is uncertain as to which remedy is the most appropriate. Giving a complex is seen as increasing the chance of a correct prescription. Thus if a prescriber cannot ascertain whether a sports injury is due to damaged soft tissue involving muscles (Ruta) or ligaments (Rhustox) he or she may give both remedies, either as a complex or separately.
Why use a complex? 2. The second reason is to treat more than one symptom of the same condition, or more than one complaint at the same time. The complex AGE given for flu comprises the following three remedies with their keynotes in parentheses: Arseniod(thin watery discharge, swollen nose), Gelsemium (dull headache and fever) Eupatorium perf(the ‘sore muscles and bones’ often associated with flu) and is given to mount a three-pronged attack against the disease.
Why use a complex? 3. The final reason for using complexes is merely for convenience, to save time and trouble. Opponents of this type of therapy maintain that even if this strategy works, the prescriber will not know which of the remedies cured the patient. Some clinical trials have yielded positive effects but no provings have been carried out with complexes, and there is little information available to indicate how remedies might interact.
