Essential Drug List – Common Homeopathic medicines for all Seasons

This essential drug list (EDL) is published by the Dept. of Ayush, under a consultative process and includes only generic medicines from Pharmacopeia, formulary and authoritative texts and is indicated as guiding tool for procurement and stocking of medicines in the public health system ( i.e., supply of homeopathy medicines in dispensaries and hospitals and co-located homeopathic facilities in PHCs, CHCs, and District Hospitals). The essential drug list has been arrived keeping in mind disease prevalence, evidence of efficacy, safety and comparative cost effectiveness. It  also keeps in mind specific consideration factors like multiple indications, dosage forms and diverse preferences of practitioners which may vary between locations. It aims to provide a careful selection of essential medicines with a limited range resulting in higher quality of patient care.

The AYUSH essential drug list were last formulated in 2000 and updated subsequently by taking inputs of homeopathic practitioners, who by virtue of being in direct touch with the patients know better about the access, quality and culturally appropriate use of homeopathy and other alternative medicines. This has resulted in a harmonized approach accommodating certain medicines in the EDL which are prepared by practitioner in a particular region because of their composition, long history of safe and effective use for certain ailments and which are not much practiced in other parts of the country owing to ignorance as well as lack of availability. This can be a essential guide to all homeopathic practitioners, not just restricted to Govt clinics/hospitals alone for procurement and stocking of medicines in their health facility.

Other Points to be noted

The medicines listed in the Essential Drugs List should be procured from a genuine supplier who meets the licensing requirement and quality standards in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940

To discourage loose dispensing of medicines to patients, it is advisable to procure medicines in standard unit pack sizes as indicated in EDL for each medicine. The unit pack size of the medicine has been indicated on the basis of weekly requirement of medicines to be given to the patients. Small dispensable paper bags, plastic bottles, polythene envelops etc. may be used for dispensing medicines to patients for 3-4 days. Homoeopathic medicines are particularly dispensed in globules in glass/plastic phials with cork.

The indications, contraindications and precautions of use given against each medicine are the general and illustrative or reference books.

The medicines to be procured out of the EDL must be distributed to patients under medical supervision.

Due care of the storage conditions and expiry dates of the medicines should be taken, Spoiled or expired medicines should not be used or dispensed.

 

Salient Features – Essential Drug List

The EDL contains generic homeopathic medicines based on Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India. Following aspects should be observed while considering procurement of medicines-

1. The homeopathic system is based on subjective and objective symptoms of ailments and the medicines are not disease-specific. The same medicines are used by clinicians in different ailments on the basis of symptom complex and individual’s psycho-physical characteristics.
2.  Homeopathic medicines are proven to be effective in treating large number of acute as well as chronic ailments. The successful treatment ensues when a physician understands the dimensions of the disease in the homeopathic perspective and accordingly prescribes genuine and effective homoeopathic medicines to restore the state of health. Unless the indicated medicine is administered in its correct potency and repeated properly, patient may not respond to the medication. Though the number of homeopathic medicines has increased over the years, the EDL contains such essential medicines as could effectively manage following common ailments-

Headache

Fevers

Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose, Mouth, Teeth, Throat and Tonsils

Naso-respiratory diseases

Gastrointestinal disorders

Skin diseases

Allergic Disorders

Childhood illnesses

Menstrual and reproductive health problems

Geriatric ailments

Psychological illnesses

Injuries, Burns, Hemorrhages

• In order to prevent wastage and misuse of medicines by the consumers, the procurement of Mother Tinctures of all homeopathic medicines may be done in 30 ml. sealed packs, Bio-chemic medicines in 20 gm. Sealed packs and ointments in 15 gm. cream base dispensable tubes.
• Dispensing materials viz. sugar of milk, globules, glass phials, cork, butter paper etc. should also be kept in a store for the purpose of dispensing of medicines to the patients.

Name of Medicine	Dilutions (Potencies)	Mother Tinctures	Indicated Health Benefits
Abrotanum	30/200
Absinthium	30
Acalypha Indica	3x/6	Q. (internal)
Aconitum Napellus	6/200/1M		collapse, restless, irregular beats, rheumatic fevers
Actaea Racemosa	200
Acsculus hippocastanum	200		lower bowel, producing engorged haemorrhoidal venis, with characteristic backache, with absence of actual constipation,whooping cough
Agaricus muscarius	200
Allium cepa	200
Aloe socotrina	200
Alumina	200
Ammonium carbonicum	200
Ammonium muriaticum	200
Ammonium phosphoricum	200
Anacardium orientale	200/1M
Angustra vera	Q. (internal)
Anthracinum	200/1M
Antimonium crudum	30/200
Antimonium tartaricum	6/30/200
Apis mellifica	30/200
Apocynum cannabinum	30/200	Q. (internal)	Ascites, anasarca, hydrothorax and urinary troubles, specially suppression and strangury
Argentum metallicum	30/200
Argentum nitricum	30/200
Arnica montana	30/200/1M	Q. (External)
Arsenicum album	6/30/200
Arsenicum iodatum	6/30/200
Asafoetida	3x/200
Abies nigra	6/30/
Abies canadensis	6/30/
Avena sativa	30		tremors of the aged; chorea, paralysis agitans, epilepsy. Post-diphtheritic paralysis
Aurum metallium	30/200/1M
Bacilliium	200/1M
Badiaga	30/200		Soreness of muscles, integuments, worse motion and friction of clothes, sensitiveness cold, gland swollen, general paresis, thick yellow cough
Baptisia tinctoria	30	Q. (internal)	Simulating low fevers, septic conditions of the blood, malarial poisoning, extreme prostration, indescribable sick feeling, great muscular soreness
Baryta carbonicum	30/200/1M
Baryta muriaticum	6
Belladonna	30		Producing active congestion, furious excitement, perverted special senses, twitching, convulsion and pain
Bellis perennis	30	Q. (internal)	Muscular fibres of the blood vessels, Much muscular soreness. Lameness as if sprained. Venous congestion, remedy in injuries, deeper tissues, after major surgical work
Benzzoic acid	30/200
Berberis vulgaris	30/200	Q. (internal)	Hepatic and rheumatic affections, particularly with urinary, haemorrhoidal and menstrual complaints, pain in the region of kidney is most marked
Blatta orientalis	30	Q. (internal)	Asthma, bronchitis, it is indicated after arsenic when this is insufficient.
Blumea odorata		Q. (internal)
Borax	30
Bovista	30/200
Bromium	30
Bryonia alba	30		Stools large, dry, hard, dry cough, rheumatic pain and swellings
Buforana	30
Carbo vegetabilis	30/200
Cactus grandiflorus	30	Q. (internal)	Haemorrhage, constrictions, periodicity and spasmodic pains
Calcarea carbonica	30/200
Calcarea fluorica	30/200
Calcarea phosphoricum	30/200/1M
Calendula officinalis	30/200	Q. (External)	All wounds, healing agent, leucorrhoea, burns, sores fissures, abrasions
Camphora	6/200
Cannabis indica	6/30/		Nervous disorders like epilepsy, dementia, delirium tremens, and irritable reflexes
Cannabis sativa	6/30/200		Intoxicant, stomachic, antispasmodic, analgesic, narcotic, sedative and anodyne
Cantharis	30/200/1M	Q. (External)	Gastric derangements of pregnancy, dysuria with other complaints, increases secretion of mucous membranes and tenacious mucus
Capsicum	30/200
Carbo animals	30/200
Carbolic acid	30/200
Cardus marianus	6/30/	Q. (internal)	Liver disease, hepatic disease, protects liver, increases breast milk, antidepressant and stimulates bile secretion.
Carcinosinum	200/1M
Cassia sophera	6/30/	Q. (internal)	Cough, constipation and rheumatic problems, and skin problems
Caulophyllum	30/200
Causticum	30/200/1M
Cedron	30/200
Cephalandra indica		Q. (internal)	Diabetes mellitus and insipidus, skin affections, jaundice and dropsy, slow pulse, scrofula, gravel
Chamomilla	6/30/200/1M
Chelidonium majus	30	Q. (internal)	Analgesic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, hypotensive action, gallbladder pain, improving bile flow, detoxification and in treatment of jaundice.
China officinalis	6/30/200	Q. (internal)
Chininum arsenicosum	3x/6/30
Chininum sulphuricum	6
Cicuta virosa	30/200
Cina	6/30/200	Q. (internal)	Such as fever, derangements of stomach and bowels, epilepsy, spasms and convulsions, irritability temper, variable appetite, grinding of teeth.
Cocculus indicus	6/30/
Coca	30/200
Coffea cruda	30/200
Colchicum autumnale	6/30/200
Collinsonia canadensis	30/200/1M		Depressed arterial tension, general atony of muscular fibre, chronic nasal, gastric and pharyngeal catarrh, due to portal obstruction, pruritus during pregnancy with piles, kidney stones, counteracting fluid retention, varicose veins.
Conium maaaculatum	6/30/200/1M
Colocynthis	6/30/200
Crataegus	3x/30/200	Q. (internal)
Crotalus	30/200
Croton tiglium	6/30/
Condurango	30/200	Q. (internal)	Digestive functions, anorexia nervosa, nervous indigestion, and thus improves the general health. Allays the pain in gastralgia accompanying cancer of stomach, chronic catarrh, syphilis and cancer, anti – tumor, stimulant for liver, pancreas, menstrual flow.
Cuprum metallicum	30/200
Cynodon dactylon	30	Q. (internal)	Haemorrhage, dysentery, dropsy, leucorrhoea, infusion of root is used fro stopping bleeding from piles, used for dropsy and anasarca, in hysteria, epilepsy, insanity, catarrhal ophthalmia.
Digitalis purpura	6/30/
Dioscorea villosa	6/30/
Drosera rotundifolia	30/200		Respiratory organs, whooping cough, phthisis pulmonum, vomiting of food from cough with gastric irritation and profuse expectoration.
Dulcamara	30/200		Scarlet fever or from malaria, specially related to very sensitive bleeding ulcers with granulation, phagedenic ulcers, threatening paralysis of lungs specially in the bronchitis of old and young children.
Echinacea angustifolia	6	Q. (External)	Tendency to malignancy in acute and subacture disorders, last stage of cancer to ease pain, vermiform appendix, snake bites and stings, against both virus and bacteria, is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, wound healing drug.
Equisetum hyemale	6/30/200		Enuresis and dysuria.
Eupatorium perfoliatum	30/200		It relieves pain in limbs and muscles that accompanies some forms of febrile disease, malaria and influenza, gastro hepatic organs and bronchial mucous membrane, great deal of bone pain, herpes, ring-worm, wounds.
Euphrasia officinalis	30/200	Q. (External)
Ecl serum	3x/6/30
Ferrum metallicum	200
Fluoricum acidum	30/200
Formica rufa	6/30/
Ficus religiosa		Q. (internal)	Haemorrhages, gonorrhoea, infusion of bark is given Q. (internal)ly in scabies.
Gelsemium sempervirens	6/30/200/1M		Action upon the nervous system, causing various degrees of motor paralysis, dizziness, drowsiness, dullness and trembling, paralysis of various groups of muscles about the eyes, throat, chest, larynx, sphincter, extremities.
Gentiana chirata	6	Q. (internal)
Glonoin	30/200
Geranium maculatum	6	Q. (internal)	Vomiting of blood, ulceration of stomach, atonic and foul ulcers, habitual sick headaches.
Graphitess	30/200/1M
Guaiacum	6/200	Q. (internal)
Gun powder	3x
Hamamelis virginica	6/200
Helleborus niger	6/30/		General muscular weakness, which may go on to complete paralysis, accompanied by dropsical effusions, rhizome is cathartic, emmenagogue, anthelmentic, apoplexy and skin diseases.
Hepar sulphuris calcareum	6/30/200/1M
Hippozaaaeninum	6
Hydrastis canadensis		Q. (internal)
Hydrocotyle asiatica	6
Hyoscyamus niger	200
Hypericum perforatum	30/200/1M	Q. (External)
Hecla lava	3x/6/30
Ignatia amara	30/200/1M
Iodium	30/200/1M
Ipecacuanha	6/30/200
Iris tenax	3x/6
Iris versicolor	30/200
Janosia asoka		Q. (internal)
Justicia adhatoda	30	Q. (internal)
Kali bromatum	3x/6/30
kali bichromicum	30/200
Kali nitricum	30/200
Kali phosphoricum	30/200
Kali carbinicum	30/200/1M
Kali cyanatum	30/200
Kali iodatum	30/200
Kali muriaticum	30/200
Kali sulphuricum	30
Kalmia latifilia	30/200/1M
Kreosotum	30/200	Q. (External)
Lac defloratum	30/200/1M
Lac caninum	30/200
Lachesis	30/200/1M
Lapis albus	6/30/
Ledum palustre	30/200/1M
Lillium tigrinum	30/200/1M
lobelia inflata	30	Q. (internal)
lycopodidum clavatum	30/200/1M
Lyssin	200/1M
Magnesium carbonicum	30/200
Magnessium phosphoricum	30/200/1M
Medorrhinum	200/1M
Mercurius corrosivus	6/30/200
Mercurius solubilis	6/30/200/1M
Mezereum	30/200
Millefolium	30	Q. (internal)
Muriatic acid	30/200
Mephitis	6/30/
Murex purpura	30/200
Mygale lasiodora	30
Naja tripudians	30/200
Natrum arsenicum	6/30/200
Natrum carbonicum	30/200/1M
Natrum muriaticum	30/200/1M
Natrum phosphoricum	30
Natrum sulphuricum	30/200/1M
Nitric acid	30/200/1M
Nux moschata	30/200
Nux vomica	30/200/1M
Nyctanthes arbor	3x	Q. (internal)
Ocimum canum	6/30/	Q. (internal)
Ocimum sunctum		Q. (internal)
Oleander	6/30/
Opium	30/200
Passiflora incarnata		Q. (internal)
Petroleum	30/200/1M
Phosphoric acid	30/200/1m	Q. (internal)
Phosphorus	30/200/1M
Physostigma	30/200
Plantago major	6/30/	Q. (External)
Platinum metallicum	200/1M
Platinum metallicum	200/1M
Podophyllum peltatum	6/30/200
Prunus spinosa	6/30/200
Psorinum	30/200/1M
Pulsutilla migricans	30/200/1M
Pyrogenium	200/1M
Ranunculus bulbosus	30/200
Ratanhia	6/30/
Rauwolfia serpentina	30	Q. (internal)
Rhododendron	30/200
Rhus toxicodendron	6/30/200/1M
Robinia	6/30/
Rumex crispus	6/30/
Ruta graveolens	30/200
Sabal serrulata	6	Q. (internal)
Sabina	6/30/
Senega	30/200
Sarsaaparilla	30	Q. (internal)
Secale cornutum	30/200
Selenium	30/200
Senecio aureus	6	Q. (internal)
Sepia	30/200/1M
Silicea	30/200/1M
Spigelia	6/30/200
Spongia	6/30/200
Stannnum metallicum	6/30/200
Staphysagria	30/200/1M
Sticta pulmonaria	30-Jun
Stramonium	30/200/1M
Saaabadilla	30/200
Sabadilla	30/200/1M
Sulpuric acid	30-Jun
Syphilinum	200-1M
Syzygium jambolanum		Q. (External)
Solanum lycopersicum	30/200
Tabacum	30/200
Tarentula cubensis	30-Jun
Tellurium	30/200
Terebinthina	30-Jun
Terminalia arjuna	6	Q. (internal)
Tarentula hispanica	30/200
Teucrium marum	30/200
Thuja occidentalis	30/200/1M	Q. (External)
Thyroidinum	200/1M
Trillium pendulum	30	Q. (internal)
Trombidium	3x/30
Tuberculinum bovinum	200
Uranium nitricum	3X/30
Urtica urens	6	Q. (internal)
Ustilago maydis	30	Q. (internal)
Veratrum album	6/30/200
Viburnum opulus	6/30/200	Q. (internal)
Vipera	30/200/1M
Veratrum viride	30/200
Viscum album	6
Vanadium	6
Wyethia	6/30/200
Zinucum metallliicum	200/1M
Zincum phosphoricum	200/1M
OINTMENTS
Aesculus hippocastanum
Arnica montana
Berberis aquifolium
Calendula officinalis
Cannthharis
Hamamelis virginica
Ledum palustre
Petroleum
Rhus toxicoden Dron
BIOCHEMICS 12 tissue salts {6x-12x}
Calcarea phosphorica
Calcarea sulphurica
Ferrum phosphoricum
Kali muriaticum
Kali sulphuricum
Kali phosphoricum
Magnesium phosphoricum
Magnesium sulphuricum
Natrum muriiaticum
Natrum phosphoricum
Natrum sulphuricum
Silicea
EYE/EAR DROPS
Cineraria eye drops
Euphrasiaeye drops
Mullein oil ear drops

Source: Dept of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India.