The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica
by Timothy F. Allen • 1837–1902
The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica — the original 12-volume compendium of every proving of record.
About Timothy F. Allen
Timothy Field Allen, MD (1837–1902) was an American homeopath, dean of the New York Homeopathic Medical College, and the general editor of the most ambitious documentary project in homeopathy's history.
T.F. Allen is not to be confused with his contemporary H.C. Allen. Where H.C. Allen compiled keynotes for daily clinical use, T.F. Allen compiled the primary source material — every proving, every symptom, attributed and indexed.
About The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica
The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica was published in twelve volumes between 1874 and 1879. It is the definitive source compilation of homeopathic provings up to its date — every symptom is referenced back to its original prover and publication.
This is not a book to prescribe from directly. It is the archive that every modern materia medica and every modern repertory ultimately traces back to. When a symptom is disputed, or when you want to see the original proving data for a remedy, T.F. Allen is where you go.
For serious students of materia medica and for anyone researching remedy provings, it is indispensable. For daily prescribing, start with Boericke or Kent and consult T.F. Allen when you need the primary source.
Best for
- Verifying symptoms against original provings
- Research on remedy provings and homeopathic history
- Serious materia medica study
- Resolving disputes between secondary sources
Frequently asked questions
What is T.F. Allen's Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica?
A twelve-volume primary-source compilation of homeopathic provings edited by Timothy F. Allen and published 1874–1879. Every symptom is attributed to its original prover and source.
How is T.F. Allen different from H.C. Allen?
They were contemporaries but different people. T.F. Allen wrote the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica (primary-source provings). H.C. Allen wrote Keynotes and Characteristics (clinical keynotes). The two books serve opposite purposes.
Should I use T.F. Allen for daily prescribing?
Not directly — it is a research compilation, not a practical reference. Use Boericke, Kent, or H.C. Allen for daily work, and consult T.F. Allen when you need to check an original proving.
Why does T.F. Allen matter today?
Every modern repertory and every modern materia medica is ultimately traceable to the primary provings. T.F. Allen is the authoritative compilation of those provings and therefore the ground truth of the English-language homeopathic tradition.
All remedies in this book
816 remedies — jump to a letter or scroll the list.