Materia medica is an ocean of symptoms contributed by various sources, different authors and many rubrics and this is growing day by day. All these symptoms and rubrics seem scattered and difficult to remember for beginners as well as even to the experienced practitioners.
Here comes to the rescue – ‘The Situational Materia Medica’. Dr. Rajan Sankaran’s clinical wisdom, deep understanding of rubrics, in depth study of each medicine gave birth to this unique and revolutionary concept.
His book, “The Spirit of Homoeopathy,” introduces the concept of situational materia medica, which puts into imaginative nutshells the basic delusions or unsuitable postures of a number of homoeopathic medicines. Situational materia medica is nothing but the basic delusion of that remedy state. It is the viewpoint from which all the expressions of the state arise.
In his evolution of understanding the disease phenomena a couple of decades ago, he came to the idea of disease as a delusion. He understood that when we study rubrics of one particular medicine carefully, and arrange all the rubrics in a proper manner, it indicates certain situations of human life. The situation fits exactly to the understanding of that medicine. For eg, when we study rubrics of Ars-alb –
- Delusion, that the house and space under the bed are full of thieves.
- Delusion, others conspire to murder him.
- Delusion, about criminals.
- Delusion, that she is being watched.
- Company, desire for, alone, while, aggravates.
- Fear, alone of being, lest he die.
- Fastidious
- Anguish driving from place to place.
When he studied rubrics like these and many others of the same remedy, he understood that this resembles the situation of an old man who has a lot of property but no children. His other relatives will come near him waiting for his death so that they will claim on his property. The old man knows why they are trying to get close to him. But being old he can neither protect his property nor can he live alone.
He perceives these relatives as thieves around him ready to take advantage of his weakness. This thought will make him anxious and restless. He will try to gain control over the situation by being fastidious, but without success. This will make him more anxious and restless.
Studying medicines in this way may make for easier understanding and memorizing of the whole materia medica. Dr. Sankaran’s idea further evolved to sensation, synergy, sub-class and superclass. But this Materia Medica still has the same significance and usefulness as it had two decades before.
Situational Materia Medica does NOT mean that the particular patient should be in the same situation or he should have that situation in his past. It has nothing to do with the situation of patient, but the experience of patient should be as per the situational materia medica. All the rubrics of the patient should correspond to the particular situation as described in this materia medica.
Another myth is that situational materia medica is not scientific. The concept is based on years of clinical experience and observation by Dr. Sankaran and other homeopaths. It is a way to understand the essence of a remedy state and how it manifests in different situations.
This Materia Medica is NOT the product of fiction or the imaginative mind of the author. Each concept is based on rubrics from trusted repertories and confirmed with numerous cases of Dr. Sankaran and his colleagues worldwide. Homoeopathy does not have scope for baseless theories and self-made concepts. Results in clinical practice is the highest court of justification of the ideas put in this book.
When studied carefully with complete understanding of philosophy and thought process of the author’s concept, situational materia medica is book for every homeopath, even if they follow different methods in their practice.
In conclusion, situational materia medica is a valuable concept introduced by Dr. Rajan Sankaran in his book “The Spirit of Homoeopathy.” It helps homeopaths understand the essence of a remedy state and how it manifests in different situations. The concept is not just for experienced homeopaths and is based on years of clinical experience and observation. It is time to dispel the myths surrounding this concept and embrace it as a valuable tool in homeopathy.
