Similia similibus curantur, “like cures like”, or more accurately, “let likes be treated by like” is a phrase coined by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century. It was not, however, the first time this law of similia had been recognized.
Throughout medical history there are references to this law, whether directly written about or hidden within the works of the time. In Hippocrates work, De Morbis Popularies, he states, dolor dolom solvit, or one pain cures another. In De Morbo Sacro he says the same that produces epilepsy will cure it. Paracelsus said in his Treatise von der Astronomy, “Nature wills that in the combat, stratagem should be employed against stratagem and in medicine also the same rule prevails”.
There are many other examples, but Hahnemann was the first to flesh out the idea and bring it closer to the forefront of medicine. As discussed in a previous newsletter, his first experience with this principal was with Cinchona bark when he postulated that the reason it was an effective treatment for Malaria was because of the similar symptoms it produced and not due to the bitter and astringent properties previously thought to be curative.
Materia medica
Bryonia alba (Bry), or white bryony, has a keynote that it is almost impossible to prescribe without. That is an aggravation from motion. No matter the symptom, if it is notably worse from motion and better when still, Bryonia must be considered. There are other remedies which include this aggravation, but it is most strongly present in this medicine. This patient is irritable and wants to be left alone, like a sleeping bear who growls and roars when awakened. They tend to focus on business in the mental sphere. There are headaches which cause pressure, shootings, or pulsating pain. As with most other symptoms, these are worse from motion, sometimes even small movements, such as with the eyes.
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