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Principles of Biochemic Remedies

Blood is composed of organic and inorganic substances which are essential to the process of tissue building. The organic matter comprises sugar, fatty and albuminous substances. The inorganic constituents are what are called tissue or cell salts, and water though present in minute quantities, these tissue salts use the organic salts and water for building the various body cells. Diseases caused by an imbalance in the assimilation or use of the essential (inorganic) materials that are required for the repair and maintenance of the myriad cells that are constantly being manufactured and breaking down.

A deficiency of any of the vital tissue salts causes a dysfunction in the body which gives rise to disease. In the simplest terms, biochemistry supplies such deficiency, in minute quantities, to allow the cells to absorb the salt and get the metabolism to normalcy. 

Biochemic prescribing may be done in two ways. Firstly, on the basis of symptom similarity and secondly, by consulting a repertory that lists various remedies for various diseases, and differentiating points between the remedies. 

Dosage

Biochemic remedies can be given in a fixed dosage.

 Highlights

2 tablets under tongue three to four times daily. 

The tablets are available in various potencies, but 6x may be preferred, though 3x and 12x potencies may be used too.

(Potencies indicate the number of times the salt has been triturated or dynamized; The higher the potency, the lesser is the actual dosage required, and the finer is its curative ability.) 

Frequency

The frequency of dosage depends on the acuteness of the illness. In a very acute condition, the doses may be taken as often as every half hourly or even every 15 minutes. As the condition improves, the intervals between doses should be increased to, say, 2 hourly, then 4 hourly, then to only three times a day. There is no strict rule about intervals between doses excepting to gradually decrease the doses as improvement sets in, and stop them after recovery. 

To explain a few terms 

An Intercurrent remedy is one given from time to time to enhance the action of the primary remedy, or to correct an underlying constitutional problem. An Intercurrent remedy may be given thrice daily for two days. Alternate remedies are to be given one at a time, with an interval of at least half an hour between the two. Combinations are remedies that are either mix together in a single vial, or taken together (from different vials), i.e. at the same time.

In the following sections appear keynotes or characteristic symptoms of the twelve remedies, (not to be confused with detailed Materia Medica) and suggested remedies for minor ailments that may also be considered a first-aid guide until medical help is available. It may seem confusing that often the indications of a remedy list contrary symptoms, e.g. diarrhea, as well as constipation, or, as under Natrum Mur., dryness as well as watery exudations. This is because remedies cover a spectrum of symptoms that may range from one extreme to another. For prescribing, either is valid. Check for characteristics and at least 4-5 of the other indications when choosing a remedy.