A homoeopathic drug proving of Panthera leo with a subsequent comparison of Lac leoninum

Introduction This study was a double-blind, placebo controlled proving of Panthera leo 30CH (claw of a African lioness); the aim being to determine the effect of this substance induces on healthy persons and in doing do explore the homoeopathic therapeutic potential thereof, in addition a subsequent comparison with the provings of Lac leoninum (milk of a lioness) (Sankaran,1998) (Herrick,1998) was performed. Objectives The primary objective of this proving was to determine the effect that Panthera leo 30 CH on healthy provers so that the therapeutic potential of the substance could be determined. The secondary objective was to compare the Materia medica of Panthera leo with that of Lac leoninum (Herrick, 1998) and Sankaran (1998). Lastly, the third objective was to further develop the homoeopathic Materia medica by adding the remedy picture of Panthera leo. Methodology The drug proving of Panthera leo was conducted as a randomized, exploratory, double blind placebo controlled study. Thirty participants (healthy volunteers) who met the inclusion criteria (Appendix B) participated in the proving, twenty – four were given the verum and the remaining six placebo. Upon obtaining written informed consent the researcher performed a full case history and comprehensive physical examination on each prover before commencement of the proving. A subsequent follow up case history and physical examination at the end of the proving was also performed to establish whether provers had returned to their respective healthy states. The provers took their first dose of the proving remedy at a dosage of 1 dose three times daily for 2 days and recorded all symptoms they experienced in their respective journals according to the guidelines in Appendix C. On completion of the proving, all provers handed in their journals which were then transcribed, assessed and analyzed. An extensive comparison between the proving of Panthera leo and the two provings of Lac leoninum (Herrick, 1998) (Sankaran, 1998) followed. The respective remedies were compared and contrasted with respect to Materia medica and repertory and similarities and differences highlighted. Results A total of 1255 rubrics were obtained of which the mind section of the Materia medica weighed heavily comprising 35 % (435 rubrics) of the proving symptoms, the generals section (11% = 135 rubrics) and head section (9% = 109 rubrics) respectively. Therefore it can be suggested that this remedy’s sphere of action is limited largely to the mind (emotional state) however unique physical indications specifically regarding headaches are also within its sphere of action. Of the total, 1255 rubrics that were obtained only 11% (138 rubrics) where shared with the two other provings of the African lion (Herrick 1998 & Sankaran 1998); as suggested by Naude (2011) one can speculate that these shared symptoms may represent the unique mammalian component of the animal the differences however considerably outweigh the similarities between these provings and for this reason one can conclude that factors in addition to the species of animal from which the remedy is sourced further influence the resultant proving symptoms. Conclusion It can be concluded that Panthera leo 30CH produced clearly observable symptoms in healthy provers who participated in this proving, furthermore there was clear congruency between certain aspects of this proving and that of Herrick and Sankaran however such similarities were limited.