The term “materia medica” is a Latin phrase which literally means “medical matter”. Those materials are the medicines derived from plants, animals, chemicals, and minerals. All medicines are discussed using their Latin names.
There are a multitude of books on materia medica. They vary in organization, writing style, and intended audience (introductory vs. advanced practitioner level, for example). All of them have the goal of providing detailed information about the medicines they discuss.
As homeopaths practice and observe and experience the ways various remedies work with particular types of people and symptoms, they generally become better at seeing remedies in cases without having to spend as much time repertorizing. In my experience, seeing the remedies work is the best way to remember and understand materia medica. This is one reason why clinics are so very important in homeopathic education.
Another way to learn materia medica is to think about people you know and match them to the remedy that seems to fit their symptoms. You can do this with book or television characters as well. Reading cases is also a good way to study remedies. Hpathy is one resource with a large number of cases to read and study.
Come up with your own system, focusing on whatever works best for you. Probably the least effective approach is straight memorization, but that may be helpful for some.
The following books are just a few that focus on materia medica:
Repertory of the Complete Homeopathic Materia Medica, by Dr. James Tyler Kent.
Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory , by William Boericke, MD.
Materia Medica of Homeopathic Medicines, by Dr. S. R. Phatak.
Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms, by Roger Morrison, MD.
Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, by John Clarke, MD.
Prisma: The Arcana of Materia Medica Illuminated, by Frans Vermeulen.
Comparative Materia Medica, by Richard Pitt.
Materia medica
Berberis vulgaris (Berb) has sharp, stitching pains. The pains are sudden and radiate out from the affected part. It is often useful in arthritis, gout, and kidney conditions where the type of pain fits. There may also be low back pain and sciatica with the pain radiating outward or downward into the thigh. Pains tend to be aggravated during menstruation and during motion.
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