Ananda Zaren Materia Medica Core Element
46
for homoeopathy privately are likely to enjoy
reading the materia medica sections to learn
more about the medicine they have been
prescribed. The attractiveness of the format
may mean that many copies end up on the
c o f f e e table and are o n l y d i p p e d into.
However, if the results are a curiosity about
homoeopathy and a better understanding of
its potential, these could be more valuable
than 'self-help'.
CHRISTINA SCOTT-MONCRIEFF
The Complete Family Guide to
Homeopathy. Christopher Hammond.
Element. ISBN 1-85230-748-X. s
This book is similar to The Complete Guide
to Homeopathy, reviewed above, in size,
glossiness and price, but Dr H a m m o n d ' s
approach is very different. In his introduction
he explains that his aim has been to bridge
the gap between the inadequate instructions
that are o f t e n g i v e n out with o v e r - t h e counter h o m o e o p a t h i c medicines and the
professional texts that are too complex for
the family user.
To this end, Dr Hammond places a particular emphasis on individualizing the prescription. More than a third of the book is devoted
to helping the reader to find appropriate
prescriptions for a range of common acute
conditions by a process of elimination. This
is done by using detailed charts on which
possible medicines are matched to aspects of
the history.
For example, under eye complaints 12
medicines are considered and the reader is
advised to note which of these are the most
relevant to the history of the patient under
five headings: cause, onset, laterality, appearance and sensation. The reader is then invited
to examine how the medicines selected in
this way fit the other aspects of the history-discharges, peculiars, modalities, concomitants and general symptoms, both physical
and mental.
Clearly such an approach demands high
q u a l i t y c a s e - t a k i n g and Dr H a m m o n d
discusses how this should be done. It also
demands a degree of dedication from the
user. This may lead the purchaser of the book
to a b a n d o n h o m o e o p a t h y as b e i n g too
difficult, but it is arguably better than being
British Homoeopathic Journal
disappointed at poor results from inaccurate
prescribing.
The charts include aspects of the constitutional approach to prescribing in the sense of
looking at the whole person. But Dr Hammond
limits his use of the term constitutional to the
management of chronic or recurring conditions and advises that for these the reader
should consult a qualified h o m o e o p a t h i c
practitioner. However, in the materia medica
there are b r i e f v i g n e t t e s d e p i c t i n g the
' p e r s o n a l i t y ' o f the m e d i c i n e b e i n g
described, and these provide an introduction
to the wider scope of homoeopathy.
Although the materia medica is limited to
d e s c r i p t i o n s of 81 m e d i c i n e s , the main
s y m p t o m pictures are fully covered. The
keynotes are summarized in a box and the
other important symptoms are highlighted by
the use of bold type. This format should help
the serious but relatively novice student of
homoeopathy to assimilate materia medica in
a way that provides a sense of hierarchy in
the relative importance of the symptoms in
the 'medicine picture'.
In addition to practical self-help sections,
the book provides a good introduction to the
theory and philosophy of homoeopathy, and
is generously illustrated throughout. It is a
manual that can be recommended to readers
who are willing to recognize that skilled
h o m o e o p a t h i c prescribing requires some
effort. Such readers are likely to include
professional healthcare workers who are
seeking to add to their skills
CHRISTINA SCOTT-MONCRIEFF
Materia Medica, Core Elements of the
Materia Medica of the Mind Volumes |
and II. Ananda Zaren. 1994. Ulrich Burgdorf
Homoeopathic Publishing House, Germany.
ISBN 3-922345-94-8. Price not stated.
These two volumes of materia medica of
the mind by Ananda Zaren offer a new
model for exploring pathology and materia
medica. The work has been influenced by
Vithoulkas, and she emphasizes the importance of the emotional state in homoeopathic
prescribing.
Zaren's method of interpreting homoeopathic medicines and pathology looks at the
initial trigger to the diseased state, which she
Volume85, January1996
calls 'the wound'; the way the individual
protects himself from further injury, called
' t h e w a l l ' ; and the way the i n d i v i d u a l
presents himself to the world, called 'the
mask'. Each medicine is analysed in this way.
These layers of presentation are akin to
psychoanalytic theory, which views much
pathology as linked to childhood trauma (the
initiating wound), especially in the work of
analysts like Alice Miller. Psychoanalysis
also refers to the defences we develop to
cope with this state (the wall), and discusses
c o n c e p t s like a ' t r u e ' and ' f a l s e ' (i.e.
masked) self.
Zaren asserts that when the individual is
unable to cope with an injury or trauma, a
'wound' is created. Commonly, this is caused
by various forms of childhood abandonment.
The features of the wound are that it is
unexpected, and that its effects are deeply felt
by the individual. This original wound is
continually restimulated by repeated similar
stress. In order to p r o t e c t h i m s e l f , the
individual forms a barrier or 'wall' around
the wound. This wall is represented by
physical, mental and emotional symptoms
presenting, which initially protect, but later
disguise the original wound, causing it to
fester underneath. The wall of symptoms acts
to numb the individual's response to the
original offence and represents an adaptation
to the trauma. However, the body becomes
drained by having to maintain this defence.
Additional survival mechanisms are developed to obscure the wall, these the author
refers to as the 'mask' or the 'persona', the
interface the individual has with society. The
mask serves to 'distract the individual from
the pain and loneliness of the true self'.
H o m o e o p a t h i c t r e a t m e n t is a i m e d at
m a t c h i n g the o r i g i n a l w o u n d plus the
symptoms of the wall. Ananda Zaren sees the
h o m o e o p a t h i c m e t h o d as a p a i n s t a k i n g
method of working with the patient in order
to uncover these layers of pathology.
The author d i s c u s s e s 11 w e l l - k n o w n
medicines--Calc-p, Cann-i, Caust, Hyos,
Med, Sil, Anac, Calc, Nat-c, Sulph and Thuja.
However, her unique interpretation of the
mental aspects offers new insights, also into
pathology, in a similar way to the work of
Catherine Coulter.
Each drug is explored with respect to
aetiology, the wound, the wall, the mask,
47
relationship issues, childhood presentations,
and comparative materia medica.
A useful summary is provided at the end of
each discussion, and ample references to
r u b r i c s in K e n t ' s Repertory are g i v e n
throughout the discussions.
As with any materia medica of the mind,
there is much room for interpretation, yet
careful cross-referencing with Kent's rubrics
c r e a t e s a c o n v i n c i n g a r g u m e n t for the
interpretations given.
I would recommend this book for in-depth
study of the mental symptoms associated
with the drugs. It provides a fascinating
understanding of some which I thought I
knew well!
TESSA KATZ
Repertory of Homoeopathic Materia
Medica. J. T. Kent, 6th American edition.
Corrected, revised and improved by
Ramanlal P. Patel. Hahnemann H o m o e o pathic P h a r m a c y , H a h n e m a n n H o u s e ,
College Road, Kottayam 686 001, Kerala,
India. $60.
The repertory is an index of the materia
medica, proven homoepathically or based on
clinical observation. It can seem a maze until
one finds the relatively simple structure
running through it, but this in itself requires a
dedicated study of the book.
It is usually best to acquaint oneself with
only one repertory. Referring to several
r e p e r t o r i e s at a time can lead to p o o r e r
results. Indeed, a study of the repertory
should guide the practitioner to develop
internal lists of rubrics and the relationships
of homoeopathic medicines with each other
and with symptoms; just as a proper study of
the materia medica gives someone internal
drug pictures such that after many years of
practice the medicines seem like 'old friends'.
In this c o r r e c t e d v e r s i o n o f the 6th
American edition of Kent's Repertory, Dr
Patel has used his own perceptions from
clinical experience, a review of Kent's earlier
editions and wide r e f e r e n c e to m a t e r i a
medica and repertory to correct the many
m i s t a k e s that are a d m i t t e d l y in K e n t ' s
Repertory. In fact, Dr Patel argues he found
more than 10,000 errors in one of the Indian
editions of the Repertory.
for homoeopathy privately are likely to enjoy
reading the materia medica sections to learn
more about the medicine they have been
prescribed. The attractiveness of the format
may mean that many copies end up on the
c o f f e e table and are o n l y d i p p e d into.
However, if the results are a curiosity about
homoeopathy and a better understanding of
its potential, these could be more valuable
than 'self-help'.
CHRISTINA SCOTT-MONCRIEFF
The Complete Family Guide to
Homeopathy. Christopher Hammond.
Element. ISBN 1-85230-748-X. s
This book is similar to The Complete Guide
to Homeopathy, reviewed above, in size,
glossiness and price, but Dr H a m m o n d ' s
approach is very different. In his introduction
he explains that his aim has been to bridge
the gap between the inadequate instructions
that are o f t e n g i v e n out with o v e r - t h e counter h o m o e o p a t h i c medicines and the
professional texts that are too complex for
the family user.
To this end, Dr Hammond places a particular emphasis on individualizing the prescription. More than a third of the book is devoted
to helping the reader to find appropriate
prescriptions for a range of common acute
conditions by a process of elimination. This
is done by using detailed charts on which
possible medicines are matched to aspects of
the history.
For example, under eye complaints 12
medicines are considered and the reader is
advised to note which of these are the most
relevant to the history of the patient under
five headings: cause, onset, laterality, appearance and sensation. The reader is then invited
to examine how the medicines selected in
this way fit the other aspects of the history-discharges, peculiars, modalities, concomitants and general symptoms, both physical
and mental.
Clearly such an approach demands high
q u a l i t y c a s e - t a k i n g and Dr H a m m o n d
discusses how this should be done. It also
demands a degree of dedication from the
user. This may lead the purchaser of the book
to a b a n d o n h o m o e o p a t h y as b e i n g too
difficult, but it is arguably better than being
British Homoeopathic Journal
disappointed at poor results from inaccurate
prescribing.
The charts include aspects of the constitutional approach to prescribing in the sense of
looking at the whole person. But Dr Hammond
limits his use of the term constitutional to the
management of chronic or recurring conditions and advises that for these the reader
should consult a qualified h o m o e o p a t h i c
practitioner. However, in the materia medica
there are b r i e f v i g n e t t e s d e p i c t i n g the
' p e r s o n a l i t y ' o f the m e d i c i n e b e i n g
described, and these provide an introduction
to the wider scope of homoeopathy.
Although the materia medica is limited to
d e s c r i p t i o n s of 81 m e d i c i n e s , the main
s y m p t o m pictures are fully covered. The
keynotes are summarized in a box and the
other important symptoms are highlighted by
the use of bold type. This format should help
the serious but relatively novice student of
homoeopathy to assimilate materia medica in
a way that provides a sense of hierarchy in
the relative importance of the symptoms in
the 'medicine picture'.
In addition to practical self-help sections,
the book provides a good introduction to the
theory and philosophy of homoeopathy, and
is generously illustrated throughout. It is a
manual that can be recommended to readers
who are willing to recognize that skilled
h o m o e o p a t h i c prescribing requires some
effort. Such readers are likely to include
professional healthcare workers who are
seeking to add to their skills
CHRISTINA SCOTT-MONCRIEFF
Materia Medica, Core Elements of the
Materia Medica of the Mind Volumes |
and II. Ananda Zaren. 1994. Ulrich Burgdorf
Homoeopathic Publishing House, Germany.
ISBN 3-922345-94-8. Price not stated.
These two volumes of materia medica of
the mind by Ananda Zaren offer a new
model for exploring pathology and materia
medica. The work has been influenced by
Vithoulkas, and she emphasizes the importance of the emotional state in homoeopathic
prescribing.
Zaren's method of interpreting homoeopathic medicines and pathology looks at the
initial trigger to the diseased state, which she
Volume85, January1996
calls 'the wound'; the way the individual
protects himself from further injury, called
' t h e w a l l ' ; and the way the i n d i v i d u a l
presents himself to the world, called 'the
mask'. Each medicine is analysed in this way.
These layers of presentation are akin to
psychoanalytic theory, which views much
pathology as linked to childhood trauma (the
initiating wound), especially in the work of
analysts like Alice Miller. Psychoanalysis
also refers to the defences we develop to
cope with this state (the wall), and discusses
c o n c e p t s like a ' t r u e ' and ' f a l s e ' (i.e.
masked) self.
Zaren asserts that when the individual is
unable to cope with an injury or trauma, a
'wound' is created. Commonly, this is caused
by various forms of childhood abandonment.
The features of the wound are that it is
unexpected, and that its effects are deeply felt
by the individual. This original wound is
continually restimulated by repeated similar
stress. In order to p r o t e c t h i m s e l f , the
individual forms a barrier or 'wall' around
the wound. This wall is represented by
physical, mental and emotional symptoms
presenting, which initially protect, but later
disguise the original wound, causing it to
fester underneath. The wall of symptoms acts
to numb the individual's response to the
original offence and represents an adaptation
to the trauma. However, the body becomes
drained by having to maintain this defence.
Additional survival mechanisms are developed to obscure the wall, these the author
refers to as the 'mask' or the 'persona', the
interface the individual has with society. The
mask serves to 'distract the individual from
the pain and loneliness of the true self'.
H o m o e o p a t h i c t r e a t m e n t is a i m e d at
m a t c h i n g the o r i g i n a l w o u n d plus the
symptoms of the wall. Ananda Zaren sees the
h o m o e o p a t h i c m e t h o d as a p a i n s t a k i n g
method of working with the patient in order
to uncover these layers of pathology.
The author d i s c u s s e s 11 w e l l - k n o w n
medicines--Calc-p, Cann-i, Caust, Hyos,
Med, Sil, Anac, Calc, Nat-c, Sulph and Thuja.
However, her unique interpretation of the
mental aspects offers new insights, also into
pathology, in a similar way to the work of
Catherine Coulter.
Each drug is explored with respect to
aetiology, the wound, the wall, the mask,
47
relationship issues, childhood presentations,
and comparative materia medica.
A useful summary is provided at the end of
each discussion, and ample references to
r u b r i c s in K e n t ' s Repertory are g i v e n
throughout the discussions.
As with any materia medica of the mind,
there is much room for interpretation, yet
careful cross-referencing with Kent's rubrics
c r e a t e s a c o n v i n c i n g a r g u m e n t for the
interpretations given.
I would recommend this book for in-depth
study of the mental symptoms associated
with the drugs. It provides a fascinating
understanding of some which I thought I
knew well!
TESSA KATZ
Repertory of Homoeopathic Materia
Medica. J. T. Kent, 6th American edition.
Corrected, revised and improved by
Ramanlal P. Patel. Hahnemann H o m o e o pathic P h a r m a c y , H a h n e m a n n H o u s e ,
College Road, Kottayam 686 001, Kerala,
India. $60.
The repertory is an index of the materia
medica, proven homoepathically or based on
clinical observation. It can seem a maze until
one finds the relatively simple structure
running through it, but this in itself requires a
dedicated study of the book.
It is usually best to acquaint oneself with
only one repertory. Referring to several
r e p e r t o r i e s at a time can lead to p o o r e r
results. Indeed, a study of the repertory
should guide the practitioner to develop
internal lists of rubrics and the relationships
of homoeopathic medicines with each other
and with symptoms; just as a proper study of
the materia medica gives someone internal
drug pictures such that after many years of
practice the medicines seem like 'old friends'.
In this c o r r e c t e d v e r s i o n o f the 6th
American edition of Kent's Repertory, Dr
Patel has used his own perceptions from
clinical experience, a review of Kent's earlier
editions and wide r e f e r e n c e to m a t e r i a
medica and repertory to correct the many
m i s t a k e s that are a d m i t t e d l y in K e n t ' s
Repertory. In fact, Dr Patel argues he found
more than 10,000 errors in one of the Indian
editions of the Repertory.