A homoeopathic drug proving of Acridotheres tristis

Abstract

Introduction The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Acridotheres tristis 30CH on healthy volunteers (provers) and to record the clearly observable signs and symptoms produced, so that Acridotheres tristis 30CH may be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. Methodology The proving of Acridotheres tristis took the form of a randomised, placebocontrolled trial on 30 healthy volunteers who met inclusion criteria. The 30th centesimal potency of the tail feather was administered as lactose powders and fifty percent of provers were randomly administered an identical placebo-control substance. The collection of the data from the provers took the form of a journal in which each prover‟s symptoms were recorded for six weeks, including a one-week observation period prior to taking the powders, and a proving period of five weeks after administration of powders. On completion of the proving, each journal was assessed by the researcher to determine the suitability of the recorded symptoms for inclusion in the materia medica of Acridotheres tristis. These symptoms were then translated into the language of the materia medica and repertory and the remedy picture then formulated. Data from case histories, physical examinations and group discussions were also taken into account during the analysis of the proving symptoms. Results The homoeopathic drug proving of Acridotheres tristis, conducted as a doubleiii blind, randomised and placebo-controlled study produced a wide range of symptoms. In the collated edited data arising from the proving 396 journal entries were extracted and 595 rubrics in total were formulated, of which 56 rubrics were new. The main symptoms belonging to the mental and emotional spheres of this remedy include depression, anxiety, memory weakness and isolation accompanied by a need for solitude. The characteristic physical symptoms include headaches, dizziness, extreme fatigue, skin eruptions especially pimples and rashes, haemorrhoids, numbness and severe dysmenorrhoea. Other symptoms indicate a possible use in the treatment of gastro-intestinal complaints which include nausea, abdominal cramps, abdominal distention and heartburn. Conclusion The investigation supported the hypothesis that Acridotheres tristis would produce clearly observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers. It is essential that the proving symptoms be verified and expanded through clinical trials and further provings of Acridotheres tristis in various potencies, so that it becomes well-utilized remedy in the future.