Heroinum

Diacetylmorphine; Diamorphine; 3,6-Diacetylmorphine (Heroinum hydrochloricum is the salt usually triturated). Molecular formula C21H23NO5, MW 369.4 g/mol, CAS 561-27-3, PubChem CID 5462328. · Heroin, diamorphine, diacetylmorphine; in homeopathy: Heroinum, Heroin.

Modern MM

Sphere of action centres on the mind and emotions — themes of detachment, numbness, isolation and altered boundaries — together with the opioid physical sphere by toxicological analogy: cough, respiration/dyspnoea, sedation/stupor and constipation. A small, modern remedy known chiefly from one proving (Snowdon 1998) plus toxicological analogy.

Key symptoms

Sense of being an outcast, despised by society; marked isolation and a feeling of not connecting with people. A central polarity of intensity of passion against numbness and lack of feeling; detachment and emotional numbness. A feeling of not being approved of, with creativity suffering from perceived lack of understanding and cooperation from others (from the Snowdon proving). On the toxicological/clinical side (Law of Similars): the opioid state — suppression of cough, drowsiness/stupor, pinpoint pupils, constipation, and the dependence/withdrawal/craving picture. (Mental themes are from the proving; physical indications from documented toxicology.)

Worse (aggravation)

Not reliably established. The Snowdon proving record available here and the toxicological data do not yield a well-validated set of aggravating modalities; none are asserted, to avoid fabrication.

Better (amelioration)

Not reliably established from the available sources; no validated ameliorations are asserted.

Manohar V Nagaiah

Materia Medica of Modern Homeopathic Medicine · 2026

Heroin, diamorphine, diacetylmorphine; in homeopathy: Heroinum, Heroin.

Source & Nature

Heroinum is the homeopathic preparation of diamorphine (diacetylmorphine), a semi-synthetic mu-opioid agonist produced by acetylating morphine, the principal alkaloid of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum, Papaveraceae). It was first synthesized by Felix Hoffmann at Bayer on 21 August 1897 and marketed from 1898 under the brand name Heroin as a cough suppressant and a supposedly non-addictive substitute for morphine.

Chemical identity: C21H23NO5, molecular weight 369.4 g/mol, CAS 561-27-3, PubChem CID 5462328. Provings.info classifies the remedy within the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and as a synthetic-drug remedy.

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Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.