Aarogya - The Wellness Site

Homeopathic medicines are derived from various sources such as:
Plant Kingdom
There are over 2000 homeopathic drugs that have been proved and are in use world over. The process of preparing is unique. The mother tincture, which is the core extract of the plant that may come from the roots or stem or leaves or fruit or the entire plant is prepared and then is diluted with alcohol to form various higher potencies by giving what is called as succussions. Succussions are repeated beatings given to the bottle containing the mixture (mother tincture of the drug diluted with prescribed amount of alcohol) to extract the hidden medicinal powers or energy of the drug. It comes in various potencies starting from 6x to 12x to 30c to 200c to 1000c(1M) to 50M to CM in the ascending order. Some examples or drugs from plant kingdom are Arnica montana, Bryonia alba, Cinchona officinalis, Pulsatilla nigricans, Rhus tox, Symphytum etc.

Animal Kingdom
Several homeopathic drugs are prepared from the animal kingdom which are prepared in the similar manner as that of the plant kingdom the only difference being here the part of the whole animal is taken to prepare the medicine. A few examples of drugs are, Latrodectus mactans, Tarentula hispania (Spanish spider), Tarentula cubensis (Cuban spider), Naja tripudians (King Cobra), Vipera (Russell’s viper), Sepia (Dried inky juice of cuttle fish), Cantharis (Spanish fly).

Mineral Kingdom
The drugs under this category are very useful and have a good medicinal effect. Individual drugs or compounds are taken and medicines are prepared. It also contains elements such as Phosphorous. A few examples are Calcarea carbonica (Calcium carbonate–CaCo3), Phosphorus (Phosphorus), Calcarea phosphorica (Calcium phosphate–Ca3 (PO4)2), Natrum muriaticum (Sodium chloride–NaCl). Acids are also included in this category such as Nitric acid (Nitricum acidum), Phosphoric acid (Acidum phosphoricum), etc. Also metals are included in this category such as Copper (Cuprum metallicum), Iron (Ferrum metallicum), Gold (Aurum metallicum) and Silver (Argentum metallicum). These metals are potentized with Saccharum Lacts (Lactose sugar) a procedure which minimizes the toxicity of the metals and lower concentration that is higher potencies are prepared where the medicinal powers of these metals are obtained.

Nosodes
These are drugs prepared from morbid parts or secretions of animals. The extract is similarly diluted to remove the toxicity of the drug and thereon with further succussions higher potencies are produced. A few examples of these are, Anthracinum (Diseased spleen of sheep), Medorrhinum (Morbid Grease of horse).

Sarcodes
These are drugs prepared from healthy parts or secretions of animals. E.g Pancreatin (secretion of the pancreas). Higher potencies are efficacious in treatment of various disorders.

Imponderabilia
This is a very important and unique feature of Homeopathy. Drugs are actually prepared from universal energies. That is for example, Alcohol is exposed to X–rays to have a drug called X–ray. Drugs are even prepared from Moon rays.