A Homoeopathic C4 trituration proving of Withania somnifera with a subsequent comparison to the conventional 30CH proving of Withania somnifera

Abstract

The C4 trituration method is a unique method for homoeopathically proving a substance and determining its therapeutic properties. The process requires the use of a mortar and pestle and involves many rounds of grinding (triturating) the raw substance. During the trituration process symptoms are experienced by the triturator.

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha in Ayurvedic medicine is highly regarded for its clinical efficacy as an adaptogenic herb. Due to the herb’s therapeutic properties and extensive use in Ayurvedic medicine a comprehensive homoeopathic drug proving was conducted at The Durban University of Technology by Laidlaw in 2015.

Aim The aim of this study was to conduct a homoeopathic C4 trituration proving of Withania somnifera with a subsequent comparison to the conventional 30CH proving of Withania somnifera which was conducted by Laidlaw in 2015.

The study was of a qualitative and exploratory nature hence employed a qualitative methodology with purposive sampling. Participants were required to triturate up to the fourth potency [C4] and all the symptoms experienced were recorded in the journals provided.

The study incorporated thematic analyses of data. The data was transliterated by the researcher, thereafter those symptoms were classified systematically and converted into rubrics using Schroyens (2012) repertory. Recorded symptoms were collated to create a C4 trituration representation. Subsequently the symptoms obtained from the C4 trituration proving of Withania somnifera was comparatively analysed against the symptoms of the conventional 30CH proving of Withania somnifera, which was conducted by Laidlaw (2015).

Method This research study followed a qualitative methodology which comprised a single blind study, and a proving sample. This was a qualitative study; the requirement for sample size is usually up to 10 participants until saturation of data, but this study utilised 18 participants to ensure the generation of rich data. Participants triturated 91: 100 lactose to the fourth potency [C4] using a mortar and pestle. All symptoms experienced were recorded in journals. The analysis of the data followed a qualitative phenomenological methodology.

Results The C4 trituration proving yielded 145 rubrics. Two of these rubrics were newly formulated. The majority of the rubrics were produced in the MIND and HEAD section. There were 100 Grade 1 rubrics, 44 Grade 2 rubrics and 1 Grade 3 rubrics.

Conlcusion The C4 trituration produced a symptom picture of Withania somnifera, which was comparable to the 30CH conventional proving. The C4 trituration proving produced observable changes in the triturators’ state of health but predominantly MIND symptoms were evoked. The symptom picture created with the C4 trituration had many similarities to the 30CH conventional proving. The polarity of symptoms that existed in Withania somnifera was observed in both provings and included symptoms such as: anxiety vs tranquillity, increased concentration vs decrease in concentration.

Differences between the C4 trituration proving and the 30CH conventional proving were found in the description of physical symptoms such as headaches, in the types of delusions that occurred in each proving, and in some mental symptoms such as anger, sadness, clarity, and introspection.