Opiumischaracterisedbyanabnormallackofpain,as
ifthesenseshavebeenblunted.Afterashock,people
needingOpiumappearglassyeyedandstupefied,and
sufferfromgreatinertia.Theyfeelfaint,numband/
ortrembly.Theirfacesgoredandbecomedrawn,
sunkenandoldlooking,possiblywithabluishtinge. Childrenwhohavejustexperiencedafrightorshock
willbeunabletourinate. Generally,thereisprofusesweatingwithscanty
urinationandinafeverOpiumtypeswillbecome
heatedinbedandfeelworsefortheheatandthe
sweatingandwillkickoffthecovers. Theshockthatfollowsalcoholpoisoningwiththese
symptomsmaywellcallforOpium-thisisonlyuseful
inanunusual,mistakenaccidentandnotforhabitual
drinkers. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Apatheticduringfever.Complaintsfrom:anger;
reprimands;shock.Confused.Dreamy.Drowsy. Exhilarated.Expressionsleepy.Indifferentduringa
fever.Lively.Senses:dull;acute.Sensitivetonoise. Stupor. Inanacuteillnesslikeafever,Opiumpatientsaredull
andapathetic,dullerthananyotherremedy-tothe
pointofstupor.Theydon'tcomplainorevenaskfor
anythingandmaybeoverwhelmingly sleepy.Before
reachingthisstateofstupor,however,theymaybe-
comeexhilaratedanddeliriousandimaginetheysee
things,especiallyonclosingtheireyes. Peoplewhohavebecomestuckintoastateoffear
afterabadfrightorshockmaybenefitfromOpium. TheylooksimilartoAconite(thatis,enormously
shocked)buttheyarealsoinadream-likestatethat
theycannotsnapoutof.Thisiscommonafteran
operationandOpiumwillhelppeopleafterageneral
anaestheticwheretheyfeel'spacedout'anddrowsyto
128•Petroleum(Petr.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
getbacktotheirnormalstates.TheOpiumpersonwill
recreatetheimageorsituationthatcausedtheshock,
butduringwakinghours;hewillnothavebad
dreams.Arnicatypes,ontheotherhand,willbefine
duringthedaybutwillhavebaddreamsrelatingtothe
fright. Childrenwhohavebeenseverelytoldoffsome-
timesdevelopanOpium'acute'. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Constipation
SymptomsDesiretopassstoolabsent.Stools:
black;hard;smallballs;likesheep'sdung/droppings;
'shy'(recede).Withunfinishedfeeling. Thestoolwilllieinthebowelandthepersonhasno
desiretopassit.Noristhereanypainthatwould
normallybeassociatedwithsuchconstipation.The
constipationmaybeacuteafteranoperation. Itmay
alternatewithdiarrhoea,whichmaycomeonafter
suddenjoyorafterfright. Cough
SymptomsBreathingdifficult;slow;snoring. Worseduringsleep;onfallingasleep;onwaking. Thebreathingslowsdownduringsleepandwhenthe
feverisstrong;itbecomesirregularandlaboured,like
awakingsnoring.Thisaspectisverymarkedinthis
remedypictureandneedstobepresentforittowork
successfully. Fever
SymptomsHeat:burning;intense.Withdeepsleep;
sweating(seeGeneralSymptoms). Betterforuncovering. Worseduringsleep;forsweating. Apersonwiththisfeverwillexperienceoverpowering
sleepinessandyawning,willfallasleepandthen
breatheslowlyandloudlyasifsnoring.Heatcomeson
duringsleep,andsweatingwhichdoesnotrelievethe
symptoms. Ifwoken,thepersonwillbedazedand
confused,willwanttouncover,andiseitherdelirious
andexcitableorstupefiedandsemi-consciousduring
thefever. Insomnia
SymptomsWithsleepiness. Sleepslightlyandrestlesslyandhearseverysound.Is
sleepybutcannotfallasleep,andthebedmayfeelhot. Retentionofurine
Causesshock. Afterashockorfrightthepersonisunabletopass
urine.Petroleum (Petr.) Othernames:petra-rock;oleumoil;coaloil;rockoil
Theword'petroleum'originatesfromtheLatinfor
'rock'(Petra)and'oil'(Oleum).Thetermcommonly
referstotheliquidcrudeoilwhichcomesfrombe-
neaththeearth'ssurface,althoughpetroleumalso
occursintheearthingaseousorsolidforms,andafew
petroleumlakesortarpitsareknownthroughoutthe
world.Itisformedovermillionsofyearsfromthe
remainsofmarineplantandanimallifedeposited
underthesea,wheretheydecomposewithout
oxygen;heat,pressureandtimeconvertthisinto
petroleum. Petroleumwasknowntomanyancientpeoples,
whoreferredtoitas'burningwater'anduseditinthe
formofbitumentocaulkshipsandbuildroadsaswell
astogivelight.Morerecently, ithasprovideduswith
heatingandafuelforthiscentury'smachinery. Itis
refinedandprocessedintonumerousproducts,such
assolvents,paints,asphalt,plastics,cleansingagents,
waxesandjellies,medicines,explosivesandferti-
lisers.Thecrudeoilhasbeenusedforthetreatmentof
wounds. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefrompurified
oilorfromcrudeoilfromwhichatinctureisprepared
andthendilutedandsuccussedinthenormalway. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Dislikes:meat;fatty,richfood.Sweat:one-sided;
smelly. Worseforfreshair;duringthemorning;travelling
(boat,car,train,bus,etc.) ThisisasmallremedythatIhaveincludedbecause
ofitsusesintravelsicknessandnauseaduringpreg-
nancy.Thereisageneraldislikeoffreshairwhichalso
aggravatesthenausea. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Confusedinfreshair.Forgetful.Irritable. Quarrelsome. PeopleneedingPetroleumwillbegenerallyworsefor
andalsomentallyconfusedoutinthefreshair.They
maynotrecognisewell-knownstreetsandmaymake
mistakesinfindingtheirway. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Chilblains
SymptomsChilblains:onfeet,hands,toes;in-
flamed. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Phosphoricacid(Pho-ac.) •129
Feetbecomecoldand'fallasleep'easily,andthe
handsbecomecoldandchapped.Thechilblainsare
painfulanditching,andoccurinthewinterduring
coldweather. Diarrhoea
SymptomsDiarrhoeaduringthedayonly.Pains
pressing.Withravenousappetite. Thisisaveryspecificdiarrhoeathatoccursonlydur-
ingthedayandisnotaccompaniedbyalossof
appetite. Headache
SymptomsPains:inbackofhead;pressing.With
heaviness;nausea(seebelow). Theheadacheusuallycomesonwhentravellingand
accompaniesthenausea. Nausea
SymptomsWithdizziness. Worseforfreshair. Thisnauseaisusuallyaccompaniedbydizzinessand/
orheadache. Travelsickness
SymptomsWithheadache(seeabove);nausea(see
above);vomiting. Worseforfreshair. Causestravelling. Petroleumisoneofthemaintravelsicknessremedies
andisindicatedwherefreshairactuallyaggravates. (ItistheoppositeofTabacum,whichhasnauseabut
isbetterforfreshair. )Thissymptomshouldhelp
todifferentiatebetweenthevarioustravelsickness
remedies. PHOSPHORICACID(Pho-ac.) Othername:glacialphosphoricacid
Phosphoricacidoccurseitherasaclear,colourless,
sparklingliquidorasatransparentcrystallinesolid-
dependingonitstemperature. Itisusedinthemanu-
factureoffertilisers,softdrinks(givingthemafruity,
acidicflavour),pharmaceuticals, gelatin,animal
feeds,waxes,polishes,dentalcementsanddeter-
gents.Itisalsousedintheprocessesofsugarrefining
andrustproofingmetals,andinotherindustrialuses. Medicinally itisoccasionallytakenasatonicto
stimulatethesecretionofgastricjuices,incombi-
nationwithquinineandstrychnine(thatis,withour
friendsNuxvomicaandChinal).Thehomeopathicremedyismadefrompulverised
phosphaterockwhichisdissolvedinsulphuricacid
andthendilutedbysuccussion. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Complaintsfrom:lossofbodyfluids.Eyesglassy. Facepale.Likes:fruit;refreshingthings.Painsin
bones.Sweat:clammy;profuse.Symptoms
one-sided.Thirstless. Befferaftersleep. Worseforcold;forsweating;duringtheevening;
duringthemorning;ononesideofbody. Phosphoricacidbenefitsthosewhohavebecomeweak
andtiredfromstudyingtoomuchorfromlosingalot
ofbodyfluids,forexampleafterdiarrhoea,aheavy
period,bleedingorvomiting.Thispictureoccursin
youngpeoplewithbonepainswhohavegrowntoo
fast,inpeoplewhoareacutelydepressedorthosewho
areconvalescingfromanillnesswheretheyhavelosta
lotoftheirownfluids.Theymaylookpaleandsickly
withdarkringsaroundtheireyesandthevsweatalot. Theywantrefreshingfoodtoeat,suchasfruitand
vegetables(inordertoreplacetheliquids),butmay
notbeespeciallythirstyandwilloftenfeeltiredafter
eating.Theyaregenerallyworseforcoldandbetterfor
asleep,evenashortnap. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Apathetic.Complaintsfrom:disappointedlove;
excitement;fright;grief;humiliation;shock. Depressed.Forgetful.Homesick.Indifferentduring
afever.Irritable.Uncommunicative. Thesearepeopleinwhomtheacuteemotionaltrauma
hasanobviouscausesuchasdisappointment inlove,
shockandhomesickness,andthiscausesmental
apathy;theydonotwanttotalk,tothinkortoanswer
becausetheycannotconcentrate,andtheymayeven
forgetwordswhiletheyarespeaking.Theyappearto
bequiteindifferenttoeverything,especiallyduringa
fever.Theydonotweep;thereisatranquillityabout
them,averystilldepressiveness. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Cough
SymptomsCough:dry;tickling;violent. Diarrhoea
SymptomsBelly/stomach: rumbling.Stools:pro-
fuse;thin;watery;white.Withoutweakness. Worseaftereatingsolid/dryfood. Causessummer;hotweather. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 130•Phosphorus(Phos.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Thisisaprofusesummerdiarrhoea. Itisnotasex-
haustingasyoumightexpect(anunusualandthere-
forehelpfulsymptom),althoughexhaustionmayset
inafterthediarrhoeahasstopped.Thepersonmay
passaninvoluntarystoolatthesametimeaspassing
flatulence.Theremaybegurglingandcramping,grip-
pingpainsandabloated,fullfeelinginthebelly,
although itisusuallypainless. Exhaustion
SymptomsExhaustion:nervous;paralvtic. Worseaftereating;inthemorningongettingup;for
slightestexertion;forwalking
Causesbreastfeeding; lossofbodyfluids;flu. Hairloss
SymptomsHairfallsout. Causesgrief. Headache
SymptomsInschoolchildren. Eyessmarting.Head
feelsheavy.Pains:intopofhead;inbackofhead;at
napeofneck;one-sided;pressing. Betterforexcitement. WorseforgettingupfromKingdown. Causeseyestrain;grief;mentalstrain,especiallyin
schoolchildren. Theseheadachesoccurinschoolchildrenwhohave
workedtoohardandwhoaresufferingfrommental
strainasaresult.Theheadfeelsheavy. Insomnia
SymptomsSleepunrefreshing.Waking:frequent;
aftermidnight. Shock
Causesemotionaltrauma. ThePhosphoricacidshockisonethathasbeencaused
byanemotionaltraumaandisaccompaniedbythe
typicalemotionalsymptoms. Phosphorus (Phos.) Othername:whitephosphorus
Thiselementhasanumberofforms.Themostcom-
mon,theyellowsolidcalledwhitephosphorus, is
anon-metallic,poisonouselementwidelyfoundin
nature.Itishighlyflammableandglowsinthedark.It
burstsintoabrilliantwhiteflameoncontactwithair
andiskeptunderwaterorinalcohol.Itisuniqueamongthenon-radioactive substancesinthatinthe
processofoxidation itspontaneously givesofflight
withoutheat.Whenheated,whitephosphorusturns
intoapowdercalledredphosphorus,whichisless
poisonousandisusedtomakematches.Industrial
poisoninginthemanufactureofmatchesledtoa
complaintknownas'phossyjaw'wheretheboneof
thejawdiedoff. Phosphorus isanelementessentialtolife-both
vegetableandanimal-andmuchofthefoodweeat
containsphosphate.Largeamountsofitaremined
andusedasfertilisers. Medicinally,phosphoruswasuseduntilthe
nineteenthcentury,whenitfelloutofusebecauseof
itshighlypoisonousnature,thesymptomsofwhich
areviolentburningpainsinthechestandstomach,
vomitinganddiarrhoea,prostration,haemorrhaging
anddeath-eitherwithinafewdaysorafewmonths. Ithasbeenusedasaratpoisonandaninsecticide. Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedfromthe
elementitselfbytrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Anaemia.Bleeding:occurseasily;brightred;
profuse.Complaintsfrom:anychangeofweather;
gettingchilled.Dischargesblood-streaked. Dislikes
hotfood.Faceredinspots.Hairloss.Haemorrhages. Heavyfeeling.Hotflushes.Likes:colddrinks;cold
food;spicyfood;ice-cream;milk;chocolate;salt. Pains:inglands;burning.Sweat:onsinglepartsof
thebody;fromslightestphysicalexertion;clammy. Taste:mouthtastessour.Thirsty:unquenchable for
ice-colddrinks;forwater.Tonguered-coated. Betteraftersleep;forcolddrinks;formassage. Worseforcold;beforeeating;forchangeofweather;
duringtheevening;duringthemorning;forwind. Phosphorustypesareusuallytallandslimwithlong
darkeyelashes,orred-hairedwithfreckles.Despite
beingthintheyarealwayshungryandburnuptheir
foodquicklv;theythereforeneedtoeatoften.Theyare
alsoverythirstyandwantcoldoriceddrinks(es-
peciallycoldmilk).Theymaybewarmbloodedbut
moreoftenthevarechillyindividualswhofeelworse
forchangesintheweatherandforgettingcold,and
whohatethewind. Theybleedeasilyandcopiously,producingalotof
brightredbloodwhichisslowtocoagulate.Smallcuts
ortoothextractionswillbleedalot,andtheysuffer
heavyperiodsandnosebleeds.Theyaretherefore
pronetoanaemia; iftheyareanaemic,theirhairmay
fallout,probablyinhandfuls. Phosphoruspatientsareweak,delicateandchesty. Theirweaknessisoftenduetonervousexhaustion,
andtheyarethenpronetofeelingheavyandcold;feet
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Phosphorus(Phos. )•131
andhandsbecomeicycold,especiallyinbedandfrom
mentalstrain.Legsfallasleepeasily.Sleep,however
brief,andmassagemakethemfeelbetter.Theyprefer
sleepingontherightside. Phosphoruspainsareusuallyburningpains,wher-
evertheyare.Morningsandevenings,betweendusk
andmidnight,aretheirworsttimesofday. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Affectionate.Anxious.Apathetic.Desirescompany. Excitable.Fearful:generally;ofbeingalone;ofthe
dark;ofdeath;duringastorm.Jumpy.Irritable. Sensitive:generally;topain;tolight.Slowness. Sympathetic.Uncommunicative. Inhealththeseindividualsarelively,affectionateand
excitable-althoughtheymayalsohavetheclassic
Phosphorusfears.Theyhatetobealone,especiallyin
thedarkatnightwhentheirvividimaginationscon-
jureupallsortsofghostsandmonsterscreepingoutof
theshadows.Theyarealsoscaredofthunderstorms,
andjumpwitheachthunderclap,butastheygrow
oldertheymayfindthelightningexciting.Theseare
peoplewhowantcompany,whofeelthingsstrongly
andareverysensitive,but,beinghighlystrung,they
areveryeasilystartled. Whensick,allthischanges.Theybecomeirritable
andsluggishmentally(likePhosphoricacid)and
apatheticandtheydon'twanttothink,talkorwork. Illnessdebilitatesthesetypes;thoughtheirenergy
mayflareupinexcitedbursts,thiswillbefollowedby
areturntotheirexhaustedstates.Theyneedsym-
pathywhenill,and,despitebeingfearfulandproneto
becomingirritableiftiredorupset,theyareeasily
comfortedandreassured.Theylovemassage,touch
andaffection. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:betweenshoulderblades;inlower
back;asifbroken;burning. Betterforrubbing/massage. Worseongettingupfromsitting. Bleedinggums
Causestoothextraction. Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:blood-streaked; profuse;
one-sided;dry.Senseoftaste/smell lost.With
hoarseness;sorethroat(seebelow). Thenosemayrunprofuselyorbeblocked(whenitwillfeelverydryandtherewillbenodischarge).The
catarrhisusuallyblood-streaked. Cough
SymptomsBreathing: difficult;fast.Cough:dryat
night;duringfever;hacking;irritating;racking;tick-
ling;tight;violent;fromticklinginlarynx;wakens
personatnight;personmustsitup.Larynxraw. Mucus:tastessweet;salty;transparent;white;yellow;
green;copious;bloody.Paininchest:burning.With
sweating. Betterforheat. Worseforchangeoftemperaturefromwarmtocoldor
coldtowarm;forcoldair;forfreshair;duringfever;for
lyingonleftside;duringthemorningaftergettingup;
duringtheeveninguntilmidnight;readingaloud. Thereisafeelingofaweighton,andburningpainsin,
thechest,whicharebothworseforcoughing.The
airwaysfeelirritatedandtheticklinginthechestis
worseforcoldair.Thepersonwillwakefromsleep
withthecoughandwillthenhavetosituptocough. Hewillcoughupcopiousquantitiesofsputum,
especiallyinthemorning,whichisusuallyblood-
streakedandrangesincolourfromcleartowhiteto
yelloworgreen. Croup
Symptomsofcough(seeabove). Diarrhoea
SymptomsStools:blood-streaked; frequent;pain-
less;profuse;watery.Withicy-coldhandsandfeet. Befferaftereatingcoldfood. Worseduringthemorning;gettingchilled. Theabdomenmaybebloatedandgurgling,andthe
stoolsblood-streaked.Thepersonmayfeelbetterfor
colddrinks. Exhaustion
SymptomsExhaustion:nervous;paralytic.With
fever(seebelow). Worseforslightestexertion;forwalking. Causesdiarrhoea;fever;sweating. Thepatientissotiredduringanacuteillnessthathe
cannotevenstaysittinguprightinbedbutcontinually
slidesdown. Fever
SymptomsIncreasedappetite.Heat:dry;burningat
night;one-sided;worseontherightside. Worseintheafternoon/evening/night. Thepersonwiththisfeverwillhaveanunquenchable
thirstforcolddrinksandabiggerappetitethan
132•Phytolaccadecandra(Phyt.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
normal.Childrenwithahighfevermayplaynor-
mallyandappearquitewellinthemselves(withrosy
cheeks)andeveneatwell. Hairloss
SymptomsHairfallsoutinhandfuls. Causesacuteillness. Headache
SymptomsHungerbefore/duringheadache.Pains:
inforehead;insidesofhead;burning;bursting;
pressing;throbbing. Betteraftersleep;forcold;forcoldcompresses;for
freshair;ongettingup;formassage;forwalking. Worseforgettingcold;forcoughing;fordaylight;for
hotdrinks;inastuffyroom;forwrappinguphead. Causesbeforeathunderstorm. Duringthisnervousheadache,theheadfeelsheavy
andisworseforbeingwrappedupwarmly.Theeyes
waterinthecoldair.Thepersonusuallyfeelsvery
hungrybeforeandduringtheheadache,andthesense
ofsmellisoftenveryacute. Hoarseness
SymptomsPainful. Causesover-usingvoice. Indigestion
SymptomsPains:inthestomach;burning;sore,
bruised. Worseaftereating. Injuries
SymptomsCuts/wounds: bleedfreely;brightred;
slowtoclot. Insomnia
SymptomsAnxiousdreams.WithSleepiness. Thepersonwillsleeponherrightside-shecannotfall
asleepwhenlyingonherleftside,especially ifshehas
achestinfectionoracough.Hasanxious,vivid
dreams. Nausea
SymptomsBelly/stomach feelsempty.Belches
sour. Worseforputtinghandsinwarmwater;forhot
drinks;fordrinkingwater. Theemptyfnlinginthestomachisnotrelievedby
eating.Nosebleeds
SymptomsBlood:brightred;persistent.Withsweat-
ing. Worseforblowingnose. Sorethroat
SymptomsPains:raw;sore.Tonsilsswollen.Voice
hoarse. Worseforbreathingin;forcoughing;duringthe
morning/evening; forpressure;fortalking. ThesesorethroatsinaPhosphorustypeoftenaccom-
panyacold.Thepatientcan'ttalkasthethroatisso
painfullyhoarse,andthelarynxissensitivetotouch
andfeelsirritatedandtickly. Voicelost
SymptomsInsingers;painless. Vomiting
SymptomsBurningpainsinstomach.Vomit:bile;
mucus;bitter;yellow.Vomitingviolent. Worseafterdrinking/eating. Thepatientvomitsfoodanddrink-eventhesmallest
quantity-assoonasitbecomeswarminthestomach. Theremaybeburningpainsinthestomachora
bruisedsoreness.Thisoftenaccompaniesastomach
bug,oroccurswhenthestomachisespeciallysensi-
tiveforsomereason,oftenemotional. Phytolaccadecandra (Phyt.) Familyname:Phytolaccaceae
Othernames:Virginianpoke;poke-root;targetweed;
pigeonberry;Americannightshade
Thisperennialplantgrowsinmoistgroundalong
hedgesandroad-sidesintheUnitedStates,North
AfricaandChina,anditisalsocommoninMediter-
raneancountries. Itisastrikingbushwithfine,dark
reddish-purple stems;numeroussmallwhitish
flowersappearfromJulytoSeptemberwhichgiveway
tolongclustersofdarkpurpleberriessimilartoblack-
berries.Thestemswhenyoungandgreencanbe
cookedandeatenratherlikeasparagus,andtheber-
riesarelovedbybirds. Phytolaccahasanunusuallyhighpotassiumcontent
andtheashes,whichcontainover45percentcaustic
potash,havebeenusedbycountryfolkasasalvefor
ulcersandcancerousgrowths. Itwaswellknownto
theIndiantribesasausefulmedicinalplantforitspur-
gativequalitiesandforthetreatmentofrheumatism. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Podophyllum(Podo. )•133
Adecoctionoftherootshasbeenusedfordosing
cattlesufferingfrommastitis. Forthehomeopathicpreparationthefreshrootis
choppedandpoundedtoapulp,addedtoalcoholand
lefttostandbeforebeingstrainedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Breathsmells.Painsshootupwards.Tonguered-
tipped. ThemainactionofPhytolaccaisonthethroatandthe
breast,onthemusculartissuesandonthejoints.Itisa
wonderfulremedyforbreastabscessesandcracked
nipplesinbreastfeedingmothers. Phytolaccatypeswillusuallyfeelexhausted, stiffand
wornout,andunabletothink.Smellybreathaccom-
paniesmanyofthecomplaints.Phytolaccapains
characteristically appearanddisappearsuddenlyand
shootupthebodv. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Theemotional/mentalsymptomsofthisremedyare
notstronglymarkedbuttheremaybesomedepres-
sionwithtearfulnessand/orirritabilityaccompanied
bynotwantingtothinkorwork.PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Breastfeedingproblems
SymptomsBreasts:inflamed;lumpy.Abscesses. Nipples:cracked;raw,sore.Painwhilenursing. Manyhomeopathsregardthisremedyasaspecificfor
sore,crackednippleswherethereispainfromthe
nippleradiatingalloverthebody.Itisalsousefulfor
infectionsandforabscesseswherethebreastishard,
nodularandlumpy;orifalumpinthebreastbecomes
painfulandanabscessisthereforethreatening.This
remedycantaketwelvetotwenty-fourhourstoact
(unlikethequickactionofAconiteorBelladonna). Mumps
SymptomsGlands:hard;painful;swollen.Pains
spreadtobreasts,ovaries,testicles.Withcopious
saliva/sweating; sorethroat(seebelow). Sorethroat
SymptomsThroatdarkred.Tonsilsswollen. Betterforcolddrinks. Worseforhotdrinks. Thethroatisdryanddarkred.Swallowing isdifficult
andcausesthepainstoshootthroughbothears(in
Belladonnasorethroatsthepainsonlyshootuptothe
rightearonswallowing).Thethroatmayalsohurton
stickingoutthetongue;thisisanunusualsymptom,
andthereforeusefultolookoutforwhenprescribing. Teething
SymptomsPainfulinchildren. Betterforbitinggumstogetherhard. Teethingbabieshaveanirresistibleurgetobite
theirteeth(orgums)together-onanythingand
everything! PODOPHYLLUM (Podo.) Familyname:Berberidaceae
Commonnames:Mayapple;mandrake;duck's-foot;
groundlemon
TheAmericanmandrake isasmallherbthatgrowsin
wetmeadowsandindamp,openwoodsinthenorth
andeastoftheUSAandinCanada.Itgrowsuptotwo
feethighandproducesadroppingfoul-smellingwhite
flowerinMay,whichisfollowedbyarosehip-type
fruitmeasuring 1to2inches.Itsnameisderivedfrom
theLatinpottos('foot'),andphyllon('leaf'),asitsleaves
resemblethewebbedfeetofaduck;hencealsoits
nicknameduck's-foot. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 134•Pulsatillanigricans(Puis.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
ItwaswellknowntotheNorthAmericanIndiansas
aremedytokillparasitesorintestinalworms,asan
emetic(toinducevomiting)andasapurgative(a
drasticlaxative).ThisusespreadtoearlyAmerican
immigrantswhouseditasachiefcomponentin
'cathartic'pillsforcleansingthegut. Podophyllumhasbeenusedbyherbalistsasastimu-
lantfortheliverandbowelswherethereiscongestion
(thoughgreatcareistakennottouselargedoses
whichcanpoisonthesystemandcauseseverein-
flammationofthestomachandintestines). Itwasused
forcolic,usuallyincombinationwithotherherbssuch
ascolocynthis,andwasfoundtostimulatetheglandu-
larsystemwhengiveninsmalldoses. Forthehomeopathicpreparationthefreshrootis
gatheredbeforethefruitisripeandchoppedand
poundedtoapulp,thenlefttostandinalcoholbefore
beingstrainedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Dischargeswatery. Worseaftermidnight;mid-morning. Podophyllum isusedmainlyfortreatingdiarrhoea
wherethepatientfeelsweakandfaintafterthestool
(seebelow).Generallyspeaking,thesepeopleoften
feelattheirworstand'orthediarrhoeaisatitsworstin
theearlyhoursofthemorningormid-morning.EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Thisremedydoesnothavestrongemotionalsymp-
toms,thoughpatientsmaybetalkative,excitableand
restless,especiallyatnight;andmaymoanduring
theirsleep. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Diarrhoea
SymptomsInchildren.Belly/stomach: gurgling;
rumbling.Alternatingwithconstipation/headache. Stools:frequent;gushing;involuntary;painless;pro-
fuse;smelly;sudden.Withexhaustionafterpassing
stool. Worseafterdrinkingwater;immediatelyafterdrink-
ing;aftereating;forhotweather;mid-morning;
around4a.m.;atnight. Thisdiarrhoeamayalternatewithothersymptoms
suchasaheadacheorevenconstipation.Thereismuch
rumblingandgurglingintheabdomenbeforeastool,
andtheremaybedullachesorcrampingpainsaccom-
panyingthegurgling.Thestoolsareusuallypainless,
andareprofuseandwateryandliterallyshootout. Theymaybefrothyandofachangeablecolourand
consistency,thatis,white,yelloworgreen.Theyare
usuallyaccompaniedbyloudwind.These'evacu-
ations'leaveapersonfeelingcompletelydrained,faint
andweak.Thegutssoonfillupagainandanother
stoolmustbepassed,sothatpeoplesufferingfrom
thistypeofdiarrhoeawillneedtovisitthetoilet
frequently.Theymaythinkthattheyaregoingtopass
wind(whilstsittingonthetoilet)butdiarrhoeashoots
outinvoluntarily. Itoftencomesonimmediatelyafter
drinkingwater. Teethingchildrensometimesproducethistypeof
diarrhoea. Flatulence
SymptomsBelly/stomach gurglingbeforeastool. Windloudduringstool. Pulsatillanigricans (Puis.) Familyname:Ranunculaceae
Othernames:meadowanemone;pasqueflower;wind
flower;anemonepratensis
Pulsatillanigricansgrowsinopenfieldsincentraland
northernEurope.Itisaperennialplantwhichflowers
inMavandagaininAugustorSeptember,andreaches
aheightofsixtoeightinches.Theflowerpetalsarea
blackish-purple colour,andtheyandthesmooth
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Pulsatillanigricans(Puis. )•135
stemsarecoveredwithsoft,downyhairs.Itresembles
theAnemonepulsatilla,butthenigricanshasasmaller
floweranddeeperpurplepetals. Theplanthasanextremelyacridtastewhen
chewed,andwillburnthetongueandthroataswellas
causeblistersontheskin.Inancienttimessomany
marvellouscureswereattributedtoitthatiteventually
fellintodisrepute.Itsmainuses,however,wereasan
externalremedyforulcersandforinflammations of
theeyes. Forthehomeopathicremedy,thewholefresh
plantisgatheredwheninflower,thenchoppedand
poundedtoapulp,mixedwithalcoholandleftto
standforatimebeforebeingstrainedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Anaemia.Breathsmells.Complaintsfrom/after
measles;gettingwet;gettingfeetwet.Discharges:
thick;yellow;bland.Dislikes:bread;hotfood/drinks;
fatty,richfood;meat.Faintnessinawarmroom. Glandsswollen.Lipsdry.Mouthdry.Sweat:smelly;
singlepartsofthebody;one-sided;worseatnight. Thirstless.Tonguecoatedwhite/yellow.Painson
partslainon;wandering.Symptoms:right-sided;
changeable.Taste:mouthtastesbadinthemorning. Betterforbathing;forfreshair;formovement;for
pressure;forwalkinginfreshair;forcrying. Worseforgettingcold;forexposuretosun;forfatty
food;forgettingfeetwet;forheat;instuffyrooms;at
twilight;forwetweather;forwind.Pulsatillahassuchawiderangeofactioninallage
groupsthatithasbeencalledtheQueenof
HomeopathicRemedies(SulphurbeingtheKing). Pulsatillatypeshavedrymouthsandlipsandan
absenceofthirst.Theymaybechilly,withcoldhands
andfeet,buttheyactuallydisliketheheat,becoming
quicklyflushed,andtheyhatestuffyrooms.Theywill
alwaysfeelbetteroutinthefreshair,wheretheir
moodsliftandtheirsymptoms(especiallythecoughs)
disappear,returningonlywheninawarm,stuffy
roomagain.However,theyaresensitivetogettingwet
ortobeingexposedtowet,windyweather,andthey
maywellstartacoughorcoldafterbecomingcoldand
wet.Theyandtheirmoodsarechangeable. Pulsatillashaterich,fattyfood,whichgivesthem
indigestionandnausea.Theymay,however,have
suchastrongcravingforbutterthatPulsatillachildren
willoftenscoopitstraightfromthebowl. Theirchestsandjointsareworseforrestandbetter
formovingabout,especiallyinthefreshair;twilightis
atimeofgeneralaggravation. Pulsatillaisespeciallyusefulforbabiesandchildren
whosepicturesfitboththephysicalandthegeneral
andemotionalsymptoms. Itisawonderfulremedyfor
teethingchildrenwhoareweepyandwhinyand
betterforfreshair.Sincealargepercentageofbabies
startoutthePulsatillaway-wantingtobecarried,and
weepingiftheydon'tgetwhattheywant-itisamust
foreverynewmother'shomeopathic first-aidkit! Itisalsousefulinpregnancywheretheanaemiaina
Pulsatillatypemayactuallyresultfromanexcessof
ordinaryironpills,sostoppingtheironisessential
(seeFerrummetallicum). EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Affectionate.Anxious:atnight;indoors. Changeable.Clingy.Complaintsfrom:fright;grief;
shock.Depressed:worsebeforemenstrualperiod;in
astuffyroom;intheevening;fromsuppressedgrief;
betterforfreshair.Excitable.Fearful:attwilight;
duringtheevening.Desirestobecarried(infants). Introspective. Irritable.Jealous.Lonely.Gentle. Moody.Sensitive.Shy.Tearful:duringafever;
betterforfreshair.Whiny. Pulsatillatypeshaveagentle,yielding,milddisposi-
tionandareeasilymovedtolaughterortears;theyare
highlyemotionalandcancryateverylittlething.They
areclingyanddependent,particularlysowhensick,
whentheyalsobecomeirritableandwhiny.Children
willwanttobecarriedandwillclingtotheirmothers'
skirts.Theyoftensay'It'snotfair!'inawhinyway. Thesetypesusuallyelicitsympathyandcompassion
fromthosearoundthem,becausetheyareresponsive
toaffection,andaresoneedyandclingy.Mostparents
136•Pulsatillanigricans(Puis.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
willfeelsorryforthemandprotectivetowardsthem. However, iftheparentis,forexample,anArsenicum-
someonewhocannotstandbeingclungto-thenhe
orshewillfeelintenselyirritatedbythechild's
behaviour,whichwillmaketheirsymptomsworse. Pulsatillasareaffectionatecreatureswholoveani-
malsandwhocannotbeartoseefilmswhereanimals
arehurt.Theytooareeasilyhurtbutmaysuppress it
andbecomeintrospective,moodyandevenirritable. Theirdepressionwillbebetterforfreshair,and
worseduringtheeveningandinwarm,stuffyrooms. Abreastfeedingmotherwillweepwhilenursing. Generally,thesetypesmoanandweepduringafever,
andcrywhentalkingabouttheirillnesses. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;insmallofback;
aching;pressing. Betterforgentleexercise;forwalkingslowly. Worseonbeginningtomove;before/during amen-
strualperiod;ongettingupfromsitting. Thebackfeelsweakandtired.Gettingupafteralong
periodofsittingorbendingdown(forexampleafter
gardening) isalmostimpossible.Thebackmayactu-
allyfeelsprained. Bedwetting
Thesearechildrenwhowetthebedwhensickwho
wereformerlydryatnight. Breastfeedingproblems
SymptomsMilksupplyover-abundant. Ifthegeneralandemotional/mentalsymptoms fit,
thisisausefulremedyforpost-nataldepression,
especiallyinwomensufferingfrompost-natal
'weeps'. Chickenpox
SymptomsWithcough(seeabove). ThereisnormallyalowfeverandtypicalPulsatilla
symptoms, i.e.,weeping,clingingandlackofthirst. Theitchingisworseforheat. Chilblains
SymptomsChilblains:onfeet,hands,toes;in-
flamed;itching. Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:dirtyyellow;green;
yellow-green;bland(non-irritating); smelly;thick;dryalternatingwithprofuse;wateryinthefreshair.Sense
ofsmell/taste lost.Withsneezinginastuffyroom. Betterforfreshair. Worseinastuffyroom. Thenoseiswateryinthefreshair,andisbetter(thatis,
blockedup)intheevenings,andinawarmroom,
thoughtherewillbemuchsneezingthentoo.The
patient'ssenseoftasteislostaltogetherorthereisa
bittertastebeforeandaftereating. Cough
SymptomsCough:constantduringtheevening;dry
atnight;looseduringthemorning;exhausting; irritat-
ing;racking;infits;violent;disturbssleep.Mucus:
yellow;green;yellow-green;copious;sticky;difficult
tocoughup(mustsitup).Withnausea(seebelow);
RETCHING. Bettertorfreshair;forsittingup. Worseforgettinghot;forexertion;forheat;forlying
down;duringthemorning;atnight/evening; ina
stuffyroom;inbed(oncewarm). Causesaftermeasles. ThePulsatillacoughdisturbssleep-thepatientwillbe
wokenbythecoughandwillneedtositupinbedto
cough;itmaythenpreventthepersongettingbackto
sleep.Therewillbeloudrattling/breathing insleep. Thecoughisnearlyalwaysdryatnightandloosein
themornings.Thesputumischaracteristically thick
andvellow-greenish,anddifficulttocoughup;itmay
tasteunpleasantandbeworseinthemorningon
gettingup. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:frequent;ineffectual;
urgent.Spasmodicpains.Frequenturination. Urinecopious. Worseafterurination. Causesgettingcoldandwet. Thepersonhasfrequenturgestourinateandhas
tohurrytothelavatorytopreventurineescaping;
butonceonthelavatorytheurinedribblesslowly. Kidneysmavfeelsoreandbruised. Diarrhoea
SymptomsInchildren.Stools:changeable;green-
ish-yellow;slimy;watery. Betterforfreshair. Worseaftereating;aftereatingstarchyorrichfood;at
night;forgettingoverheated;inastuffyroom. Causesrichfood;fruit. Earache
SymptomsDischarge:smelly;thick;yellow;yellow-
green.Ear(external)red;ear(internal)feelsblocked. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Pulsatillanigricans(Puis.) •137
Pains:aching;pressing;pressingoutwards;stitching;
tearing;throbbing.Withdeafness;itching;noisesin
THEEAR. Worseatnight. Causesaftercommoncold;aftermeasles. Exhaustion
SymptomsExhaustionnervous. Worseforheatofsun;inastuffyroom;mentalexer-
tion;morninginbed. Pulsatillatypeswiltintheheatandcan'tthink! Eyeinflammation
SymptomsInbabies.Discharge:purulent;smelly;
thick;yellow.Eyes:aching;burning;itching;water-
ing.Eyelidsitchingintheevening.Withsymptomsof
commoncold(seeabove). Betterforcoldbathing;forfreshair;forcold. Worseduringtheevening;inawarmroom. Inthemorningstheeyesarestickyandtheinner
cornersdischarge.Theyacheandburn,especiallyina
warmroom,andtheywaterincoldairorwindand/or
withacough. Stickyeyesinnewbornbabiescommonlyneed
Pulsatilla. Fever
SymptomsHeat:burning;dryduringtheevening;
one-sided.Withchilliness. Betterforuncovering. Worseforheat;forwashing;intheafternoon;inthe
evening;atnight;inthemorninginbed;forwarm
covers;inastuffyroom;forbeinguncovered. Thepatientwantstobecoveredforsomeofthetime
butatothertimesdislikesit.Theheatmaybeonone
sideofthebodyonlyandisoftenworse(hotter)inthe
earlyafternoon;thisisfollowedbyachillaround4p.m. Sweatingmayalsobeone-sided(usuallytheleft)
oritmaybelocalisedtoapart.Thepersonwillsweat
whileasleepandwakeupchilled,andwillthenfindit
difficulttogetbacktosleep.Pulsatillatypesgenerally
moanandwhineduringafever. Flatulence
SymptomsBellystomach: rumbling/gurgling. Wind:smelly;obstructed(difficulttoexpel). Betterforpassingwind. Foodpoisoning
Causesrottenmeat;rottenfish. Hayfever
Symptomsofcommoncold(seeabove).Headache
SymptomsHeadachenervous.Pains:inforehead;
one-sided;pressing;sore,bruised;throbbing. Betterforfirmpressure;forfreshair;forlyingwith
headhigh;forwalkinginfreshair. Worseaftereating;forbendingdown;forblowing
nose;forhotdrinks;forrunning;forstanding;ina
stuffyroom;inheat. Causesexcitement;ice-cream;running. Pulsatillatypesarepronetonervousheadachesover
theeyes,usuallyononeside,andtheseareworsefor
movementandbetterforfreshair.Thevarecausedby
avarietyoffactors,fromtoomuchsun(rememberthat
Pulsatillaswiltinthesun)toeatingtoomuchrichfood. Indigestion
SymptomsBelches:bitter;empty;tastingoffoodjust
eaten.Bellystomachfeelsempty.Pains:instomach;
pressing.Withheartburn. Worseatnight;forrich,fattyfoods. Causesrich,fattyfood(ice-cream,fats,pork,etc.). Thebellystomachgurglesandrumblesduringthe
evening. Insomnia
SymptomsAnxiousdreaming.Sleeprestless.With
sleepiness.Waking:fromcold;frequently
Worsebeforemidnight. Causesover-activemind;repeatingthoughts. Pulsatillainsomniacsliketosleepontheirbacks,with
theirarmsabovetheirheads,andtheypoketheirfeet
outofbedbecausetheybecomehot.Theysleeprest-
lessly,withtwitchyarmsandlegs,andhaveanxious
dreamsandnightmares.Theywakefrequentlyand
can'tgetbacktosleepbecauseofover-activeminds
and'stuckrecord'thoughts.Childrenkickthecovers
offbecausetheyaretoohotandthentheycooldown
andwakebecausetheyhavebecomecold. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:inbones;injoints;pulling;sore,
bruised;wandering. Betterforcoldcompresses; forfreshair;forgentle
movement;forwalking. Worseaftercommoncold;onbeginningtomove;for
heat;forwarmthofbed;forwetweather. Labourpains
SymptomsPains:irregular;weak;intheback;stop
altogether;ineffectual. Withcharacteristicgeneralandemotionalmental
symptoms. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 138•Pyrogen(Pyr.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Measles
SymptomsWithcough(seeabove);commoncold
(seeabove);eyeinflammation (seeabove). Withcharacteristicweepinessandlackofthirst. Mumps
SymptomsGlands:swollen/painful. Pains:spreadto
breasts,ovariesortesticles.Withfever(seeabove). Thecharacteristic Pulsatillageneralandemotional/
mentalsymptomswillbepresent. Nausea
Worseafterdrinking/eating;duringcough;duringthe
morning;forhotdrinks. Causesrichfood;ice-cream. Periodproblems
SymptomsPeriod:late;painful.Bleedingduringthe
dayonly.Pains:aching;dull;wandering. Betterfordoublingup. Worsebeforeduringtheperiod. Thepainscausethepersontocryoutandbend
double.Theperiodmayflowonlyduringtheday,and
beconsistently late. Sciatica
Betterforfreshair. Worseinawarmroom. Sorethroat
SymptomsThroatdry.Larynx:irritated;tickling. Pains:raw;scraping;stitching. Worseforheat. Thelarynxfeelsasthoughthereisdustinit;itfeels
rough,andrawfromcoughing.Thepatientchokes
whenswallowingsolidfood. Styes
SymptomsStyes. Worseonuppereyelids. Teething
SymptomsPainfulinchildren. Bettertorcoldwater;awalkinfreshair. Worseforheatofbed,warmfood/drinks. Toothache
SymptomsPains:gnawing;pulling;stitching. Bettertorcoldwater;forfreshair. Worseinastuffyroom;forheat;forwarmthofbed. Causesteething. Holdingcoldwaterinthemouthgreatlyrelievesthe
pains.Thenervesfeelstretched.Varicoseveins
SymptomsVaricoseveinspainful. Worseduringpregnancy. Limbslainonbecomenumbandcold;thisisan
indicationofpoorcirculation. Pyrogen(Pyr.) Othernames:pyrexin;sepsin;pyrogenium
ThehomeopathicremedyPyrogenisaproductofde-
composedbeef.Itisdefinedas'achemicalnon-living
substanceformedbylivingbacteria,butalsobyliving
pus-corpuscles, orthelivingblood-ortissue-
protoplasmsfromwhichthesecorpusclesspring.' Thoughusedinitiallyfortreatingtyphoidfeverand
diphtheria, itbecameanindispensabletreatmentfor
bloodpoisoning,especiallypoisoningfrombacterial
products.Itwaslaterfoundtobeeffectiveinvarious
differentconditionssuchasulcersandflus. Theremedyispreparedbymixingchoppedlean
beefwithwaterandleavingitinthesuntodecompose
fortwoweeks.Itisthenpotentisedbysuccussion. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Discharges(breath,pus,sweat)smellyPains:in
partslainon;sore,bruised.Pulse:rapid.Thirsty. Betterformovement. Worseforcold;forcold,wetweather. Pyrogenismainlyforchroniccomplaintsorforvery
severeacutecomplaintssuchasbloodpoisoning,both
ofwhichneedthecareofaprofessionalhomeopath. It
is,however,usefulforaparticulartypeoffluandI
havethereforeincluded ithere.Ihavealsogiventhe
indicationsforbloodpoisoninginthe(Ihopeunlikely)
eventthatyouneedthisemergencytreatment. If
indicated itwillworkquicklyandmaketheneedof
antibiotictreatmentunnecessary. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Thisisasmallremedywithfewstrongemotional/men-
talsvmptoms,althoughintheacutefeveryoumay
seeanxietyandanunusualdegreeoftalkativeness. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Bloodpoisoning
SymptomsWithfever(seebelow);extremechilli-
ness. Worseforcold. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Rheum(Rhe. )•139
Causesafterchildbirth;aftersurgery;frominfected
wounds. GivePyrogeneveryfiveminutesandseekemergency
help.AkeynotefortheuseofPyrogenistherotten-
smellingdischargesofthebody(Pyrogenitselfisof
courseaproductofrottenmeat).Theurinemaybe
clear. Fever
SymptomsHeat.Withchilliness:internal;extreme;
sweating;shaking. Worseforbeinguncovered. Duringafeverpartslainonfeelsoreandbruised(like
Arnica)andthebedmaythereforefeelhard.Alow
feverisusuallyaccompaniedbyafastpulseandisnot
acauseforimmediateconcern.Ifhoweverthefeveris
highandthepulseslowthismayindicateacuteblood
poisoning. IfPyrogeniscalledforthepulseisfastout
ofallproportiontothefever,orthereverse-unusu-
allyslow.Thepatientwillbeextremelychilly,andwill
beunabletogetwarm. Flu
SymptomsPains:aching;inbonesoflegs.Withfever
(seeabove);extremethirst;chillsinback/smvER-
ING. Betterformovement;forwalking;forwarmthofbed. Worseduringchillystage;forsitting.Greekrheomeaning'toflow',alluding,apparently,to
thepurgativepropertiesoftheroot! Thehomeopathic tinctureispreparedfromthe
driedroot. Rheum(Rhe.) Familyname:Polygonaceae
Othernames:rhubarbarum;Chinarhubarb;EastIndia
rhubarb;Turkeyrhubarb;palmatedrhubarb;rheum
palmatum
Thisisaperennialherbaceousplantthatflowersfrom
JunetoJulyandisindigenoustonorth-westChinaand
north-eastTibet.IthasbeencultivatedinEuropean
gardensasanornamentalplantsincethemid-
eighteenthcentury,andisdistinguishablefromour
familiargardenrhubarbbyitsmuchlargersize,its
heightofupto11feet,anditsdistinctivelyshaped
leaves.Itsdifferentnamesreflectitsoriginsandthe
routesithastakentoreachtheEuropeanmarket. ItwasusedmedicinallybytheArabianphysicians
fordropsy,obstructionsofthespleen,andforjaun-
dice.Ithasalwaysbeenrecognisedforitspurgative
qualities;inhumanssmalldosesactasanastringent
tonictothedigestiveorgansandlargerdosesactasa
mildlaxative.ThenameissaidtohavecomefromtheGENERALSYMPTOMS
Discharges(stools,sweat,etc.)sour. Thesearepalechildrenwhohaveahardtimeassimi-
latingtheirfoodwhentheyareproducing(ortrying
toproduce)teeth.Sournessisthekeynoteofthis
remedy.Thewholechildmaysmellsour,despite
frequentwashing.Eventhescalpsmellsofsoursweat. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Capricious.Indifferentinchildrentoplaying. Irritable. Rheumisforteethingchildrenwhoarecolicky.They
willbeirritable,difficultchildrenwhoarepeevishand
restlessandwhodon'twanttoplay. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Diarrhoea
SymptomsInteethingchildren.Stools:sour;
pasty. Causesteething. 140•Rhododendron (Rhod.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Thechildmayeatalot,withoutappearingtoenjoyit. Foodisnotassimilatedwellandthecolickypains
causethechildtocryandtossaboutatnight. Teething
SymptomsPainfulinchildren.Withdiarrhoea
(seeabove). Thegeneralandemotional/mentalsymptomsshould
alsobepresent. Rhododendron (Rhod.) Familyname:Ericaceae
Othernames:yellowsnowrose;rosebay;rosage
alpenrose;rhododendronchrysanthum; Siberian
rhododendrongatheredwhentheseedcapsuleshaveripened,anda
tinctureismadefromthem. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Complaintsfromchangeofweathertostormy. Betterformovement. Worseforcold;forcold,wetweather;forstormy
weather;beforethunderstorms; forwind. Rhododendrontypesareextremelysensitivetothe
changeinpressurethatprecedesastorm;theirsymp-
tomscomeonthenoraregenerallyworse.Theyare
alsosensitivetochangesintheweather,particularlyto
cold,wetandwindyweather,andareworseduring
theseasonsofchange-springandautumn.Their
symptomsmayabateeitherduringorafterthestorm
hasbroken. Thisspeciesofrhododendron isindigenoustothe
mountainsofSiberia,andisnowcultivatedworld-
wide.Itisasmallbushthatgrowstoaheightof
1-1V2feet,andhasgoldenflowers. Thoughnotwidelyknowningeneralmedicine, it
wasmuchusedinitsnativeSiberiaasaremedyfor
rheumatism,goutandsyphilis.Thegrowingcon-
ditionsoftheplant-itsurvivesthestovms,windsand
rainoftheSiberianmountains-indicateitskeynoteas
ahomeopathicremedy;thatis,asensitivitytostormy
andchangeableweather. Forthehomeopathicpreparation,theleavesareEMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Fearfulofthunderstorm. Thisisasmallremedywithveryfewstrongemotional
symptomsbuttheaggravationthatoccursbeforea
thunderstorm isemotionalaswellasphysical.These
peoplemayfeelapprehensive, fearfulorjust'unwell'
beforeand,toacertainextent,duringastorm.They
mayalsobeparticularlyafraidofthunder. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;inneck;rheumatic;
sore,bruised. Befferformovement. Worseforwetweather. Headache
SymptomsPainstearing. Betterforgettingup;forwalking;forwalkinginfresh
air;forwrappingupthehead. Worsebefore/during astorm;fordampweather. Thepainsareinthefaceandeyesandarealways
worsebeforeandduringastorm. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:inarms/legs/shoulders; drawing;
tearing. Betterformovement;forstretchinglimb. Worseforchangeofweather;forsittingdown;for
stormyweather;forwetweather. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Rhustoxicodendron (Rhus-t.) •141
Toothache
SymptomsPains:spreadingtotheear;grumbling
Fefferaftereating;forheat;warmcompresses. Worsebeforeastorm. RHUSTOXICODENDRON (Rhus-t.)
Familyname:Anacardiaceae
Commonnames:poisonivy;mercuryvine;poison
ash;poisonvine;pubescentpoisonoak;trailing
sumach
Thisdeciduousshrubgrowsinfields,woodsand
alongfencesalloverNorthAmerica.Therootsends
upmanystemswhichdivideintowoodybranchesand
trailalongthegrounduntiltheymeetwithsupport-
forexampleawall,oratree-whichtheywillclimb. Theplantproducesamilkyjuicewhichturnsblackon
exposuretotheairandishighlypoisonous. Poisonivy'smedicinalpropertieswerefirstnotedin
1798byaFrenchdoctorwhoobservedthatafteran
accidentalpoisoningbytheplantapatientofhiswas
curedofalong-standing herpeticeruption(rash)on
hiswrist.Hewentontousetheivytocuresimilarskin
diseasesaswellastotreatparalysisandrheumatism
withsomedegreeofsuccess. Inplaceswheretheplantgrowsfreely,accidental
poisoningsarecommon;symptomsbeginwithan
extremelynastyrash,oftenwithaviolentfever,lossofappetite,nausea,headacheanddeliriumfollowedby
swollenglandsandulcersofthemouthandtongue. Therashishot,itchesviolentlyandblisterspainfully. Forthehomeopathicpreparationthefreshleaves
arecollectedwhenthepoisonismostactive:beforeit
flowers,duringthenight(itisthoughttobealmost
innocuouswhenexposedtosunlight)andindamp
weather(seeGeneralSymptoms).Theleavesare
choppedandpoundedtoapulp,thenlefttostandin
alcoholbeforebeingstrainedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Complaintsfrom:gettingwet;changeofweather
tocoldtodamp;gettingchilled.Facered.Glands
swollen.LikesmilkLipsdryPains:burning;
pressing;shooting;sore,bruised.Sweat:worsefor
lvingdownanduncovering;worseforslightest
physicalexertion.Taste:mouthtastesmetallic. Tonguered-tipped. Betterforchangingposition;forfreshair;formove-
ment;forsweating;forwarmthofbed;forhotdrinks. Worseintheautumn;forchangeofweather;for
cloudyweather;forcold;forcold/wetweather;
forfoggyweather;forcolddrinks/food;fordamp;for
draughts;onbeginningtomove;forlyingdown;
forbeinguncovered;swimmingincoldwater. Rhusfarisoneofthemainmumpsremedies,indicated
bythehard,swollenglandsthatoftenfeatureinRhus
toxacuteillnesses.Thetongueiscoatedwhiteor
vellowvwhiteandhasatriangularredtiptoitthat
maybesore. Thesepeoplefeelbettergenerallyforsweating,
especiallyduringafever,butgettingchilledwhilst
sweatingwillaggravatetheirconditionsandproduce
acoughorcold.Theyareextremelychilly-theyhate
thecoldinanyform:coldfoodordrink,swimmingor
washingincoldwater,andcoldandwetweatherin
anyform(cloudy,foggyordamp).Theyaresosensi-
tivetocoldthattouchingcoldthingscanaggravate,
andputtingahandoutofbedintothecoldaircan
makethemfeelworse.Eveneatingice-creamonahot
daywhenapersonisoverheatedcanbringonan
aggravationofsymptoms.Theyfeelasifthecoldness
isrunningthroughtheirbloodvessels,althoughthis
mayalternatewithafeelingofheatinthevesselsif
thereisanaccompanying fever.Notsurprisingly,they
feelbetterfortheheat,forwarm,drycompresses(heat
packs)andforhotbaths. Theyarealsoverysensitivetothedamp,sothat
whenautumncomes,bringingadampatmosphere,
thosewithRhustoxrheumatism willstarttomoan
andcomplain.Thisisoneofthemostimportant
homeopathicrheumatic/arthritic remedies,solongas
thegeneralsymptomsagree. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 142•Rhustoxicodendron (Rhus-t.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Rhustoxpainsaretypicallyaching,soreandbruised
withtearingorstitchingpainsthatareworseonfirst
movingafterarest.Theseeaseoffafterthejointhas
beengentlyexercisedby,forexample,gentlewalking. Butafterawhilethepersonwillfeeltired,thepains
maystartupagainandtheywillneedtorestonce
more,onlytofeelthattheyneedtomoveafterashort
periodofsitting.Andsothecyclecontinues.The
patientssufferaterribletortureofnotbeingcomfort-
ableinanyposition;theyarerestless,andneedtobe
constantlyonthemove.Theirpainscausethemtoget
upatnight,preventingsleep.Lyingonahardfloor
mayhelp. LikeArnica,itisalsoaremedyforthesortofphysical
strainthatcancomeonafteraperiodof'overdoing it',
(forexample,gardeningorspringcleaning).How-
ever,withRhustoxthestiffness,achesandpains
actuallyimproveafterabitofgentleexercisewhereas
Arnicatypesstaysoreandbruisedinspiteofany
movingabout(thoughofcoursewithRhustoxthereis
thecharacteristicaggravationonbeginningtomove,
whichthenwearsoff). Theyhaveafearofflying,mainlybecauseofhaving
tokeepstillforsolongwithoutfreshair. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Anxious:indoors;inbed.Confused.Depressed. Irritable.Restlessinbed.Tearful. Thisisoneofthemostrestlessremedies;thesepeople
cannotgetcomfortableinanypositionandarethere-
foreconstantlyonthemove.Therestlessness is
causedbyphysicalpain,butitisalsoanervous
restlessness,whichwilldriveapersonoutofbedat
night.Itcanbeseenduringanacuteillnesswitha
feverwhereapersonjustcannotkeepstillbuttosses
andturnsandhastogetup.Theanxietyisworsein
bedatnightbecauseofhavingtobestillthen,espec-
iallyaftermidnightwhenthemindwilldwellon
unpleasantpastevents. Theyfeelworseinotherwaysatnight,beingirri-
tableandfearfulthen,andtheymayactuallyfeelabit
betterforawalkinthefreshair. Thepatientsmaysufferfromdepression,which,
thoughnotverydeep,maybeconstant,andtheymay
suddenlyandinvoluntarilyburstintotearswithout
knowingwhy,andtheywillusuallysayso. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;insmallofback;
inneck;aching;sore,bruised;rheumatic.With
STIFFNESS.Betterforlyingonahardsurface;formovement;for
walking;forheat. Worseonbeginningtomove;ongettingupfrom
sitting;forreachingup;forwetweather. Causesdampweather;draughts;injury;lifting;
sprains. Thebackfeelsweak,lameandtired,andthepains
compelaconstantmovingaboutinbed.Gettingup
aftersittingdownforalongtimeisextremelydifficult. Thepainmayresultfromsittinginadraughtorfrom
lifting,orfromasprain,oritmayberheumaticky
painindamp,wetweather,butthereisalwaysim-
provementfromwarmth,andanaggravationonfirst
movement. Chickenpox
SymptomsSkinrashitchesseverely. Therewillbegreatrestlessnesswiththeitching,and
alsothecharacteristicRhustoxred-tippedtongue. Coldsores
SymptomsSoresonlips. Cough
SymptomsCough:irritating;short;tickling. Betterforhotdrinks. Worseforgettingcold;forbeinguncovered;onsingle
partsofthebody;foruncoveringhands. Causesswimmingincoldwater. Thiscoughisaggravated ifanysinglepartofthebody
isuncoveredandconsequentlybecomescold. Diarrhoea
SymptomsStools:mushy;watery. Causesgettingwet;gettingfeetwet. Exhaustion
SymptomsExhaustionnervous.Withheaviness;
RESTLESSNESS. Betterforwalkinginthefreshair. Worseforslightestexertion;forsittingdown. Theexhaustion issostrongthattheslightestexertion,
includinggettingupandwalkingabout,isaneffort. However,agentlewalkoutinthefreshairwillactu-
allyhelp.Itwillbeaccompaniedbythecharacteristic
Rhustoxrestlessness. Eyeinflammation
SymptomsEyes:sensitivetolight;sore;watering. Eyelids:gluedtogether;itching;swollen. Worseformovingeyes. Causescold,wetweather. Theeyelidsarestucktogetherinthemornings. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Rhustoxicodendron (Rhus-t.) •143
Fever
SymptomsHeat:alternatingwithchills;dry;burning. Betterforhotdrinks. Worseatnighrvevening/mid morning;formovement;
colddrinks;forbeinguncovered. Thepatientsweatsfromtheslightestexertion,aswell
aswhenlyinginbedandwhenasleep,andwillsweat
overthewholebodyexceptforthehead.Willalso
urinatefrequentlywhilesweating.Hemaygetchilled
afterbeinghotandsweaty;anymovementalsobrings
onchillinessasdoesuncoveringwheninbed.Warmth
willhelpthechilliness.Thefevermaybeone-sided
(thatis,onesidemaybehotwhiletheothersideis
cold).Itmayfeelasthoughthereishotwaterrunning
throughthebloodvessels. Flu
SymptomsPains;inbones;injoints;inlegs;aching;
snooting;sore,bruised.Withexhaustion(seeabove);
fever(seeabove);sneezing. Headache
SymptomsPains:inbackofhead;rheumatic;violent. Betterforgentlewalking;forwrappinguphead;for
movement. Causeschangeofweather;coldair/wind;damp
weather;gettingwet;lifting. Hives
SymptomsRash:burning;itching;stinging.With
jointpain(seebelow). Worseforcold;afterscratching. Causesgettingwet/chilled;coldair;duringafever. Hoarseness
Causesover-usingvoice. Insomnia
SymptomsSleep:restless;sleeplessaftermidnight. Thepersonhasvivid,work-relateddreams,causedby
strainfromworkingtoohard. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:aching,sore,bruised;shooting;
tearing.Withheaviness;lameness.Stiffness. Betterforcontinuedmovement;forexternalheat;for
walking;forwarmcompresses;forwarmthofbed. Worsefordampweather;duringafever;onbeginning
tomove;atnight;forsitting;whenchilled. Thepainsareworseforrestandonbeginningtomove;
theyimprovetemporarilybutthepatientsoongets
tiredagain(seeGeneralSymptoms).Thepainscan
alsobebroughtaboutbyover-exertion, forexample
springcleaningorgardening.Mumps
SymptomsGlandsswollen/painful.Withfever(see
above). Bettertorheat. Worseforcold;onleftsideofbody. Thisisoneofthemostimportantmumpsremedies,
providingthecharacteristicgeneralsymptomsagree.The
typicalglandsareaffectedanditisoftentheleftside
thatbecomesswollenfirst. Sciatica
Betterformovement;forwalking;forheat. Worseforcold;forcoldcompresses;onbeginningto
move;forlyingonpainfulpart;forwashingincold
water;forwetweather. Sorethroat
SymptomsThroatdry.Ticklinginlarynx.Voice
hoarse. Worseforcolddrinks;forswallowing;foruncovering
throat. Causesstrainingvoice. Thevoiceishoarse,orstrained,fromtoomuchtalking
orsingingbutitimprovesaftercontinueduse(asdo
Rhustoxjoints!). Sprains
SymptomsPain.Withstiffness;trembling. Causesfalling;lifting;twisting. ItisimportanttouseArnicafirstafteraninjuryora
spraininordertodealwithanybruisingandpossible
swelling.ThengiveRhustoxifthesprainisaccom-
paniedbythetypicalgeneralsymptoms.Asprained
wristwillbeaccompaniedbyaninabilitytogripany-
thingproperlyandstrongly. Stiffneck
Causesdraughts;gettingchilled;lifting. Strains
SymptomsWithstiffness;trembling. Betterforcontinuedmovement. Worseforbeginningtomove. Gardeningorspringcleaningcancausethisstiffness
inthejoints.Itisworsewhengettingupafterarest,
andbetterforgentleexercise(whereasArnicastiffness
andsorenessstaysinspiteofgentleexercise). Toothache
Betterforheat;forwarmcompresses. Worseforcolddrinks;inwinter. Causescold,dampweather. 144•Rumexcrispus(Rumex) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Thistoothache isonethatalwayscomesonafter
gettingcoldandchilled;itissensitivetocoldand
betterforheat,forexamplelyingonahotwaterbottle
ordrinkingwarmdrinks. RUMEXCRISPUS(Rumex)
Familyname:Polygonaceae
Othernames:Narrow-leafed/sour/curled/yellow dock;
gardenpatience
Theyellowdockisacommonweedthatgrowsin
arablefarmland,onroadsides,inditchesandonwaste
groundthroughouttheworld.Itsleavesarenarrow
andcurledattheedges,andtherootisdeepyellow,
odourlessandbittertasting. Therootistheusefulpartoftheplant:ithasbeen
usedsinceancienttimesasamildtonicandlaxative
(itslaxativeactionisverysimilartothatofrhubarbbut
itislesspowerful); ithasalsobeenusedtotreatmany
diseasesincludingdiphtheria,cancer,rheumatism,
piles,jaundiceandobstinateskindiseases,especially
ulcers,anditiswidelyregardedasabloodcleanser. Forthehomeopathicpreparationthefreshrootis
gatheredattheendoftheautumnbeforethetrosthas
touchedtheplant.Thetinctureismadebychopping
andpoundingtheroottoapulpandthenmixingit
withalcohol,beforestrainingandsuccussing.GENERALSYMPTOMS
Thisremedyisonlyusefulinacuteprescribingfora
particulartypeofcough,butitisveryeffectivesoI
haveincluded ithere.Thegeneralsymptomsarethe
sameasthespecificsymptomsforthecoughitself. Therearenonotableemotional/mental symptoms. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Cough
SymptomsCough:infits;constant;dry;irritating;
tickling.Painsinchest:burning;sore,bruised;stitch-
ing.Larynxraw. Worseforlyingdown;forbreathingincoldair;for
freshair;forchangeoftemperaturefromwarmtocold;
forbecomingcold;forcoldair;onleftsideofbody;in
morningonwaking;fortalking;forbeinguncovered;
forwalkinginthecoldair. Thecoughcausespainsinthechest,usuallyontheleft
sideorintheleftlung,orunderthesternum.These
painsareworseonbreathingincoldair,andpatients
willusuallycovertheirheads/mouthswithscarvesso
thatonlywarmairisbreathed.Thereisafeelingof
rawnessandticklinginthelarynxandthismakesthe
coughworse.Patientshawkupmucusfromtheback
ofthethroat,whereitgetsstuck. Sorethroat
SymptomsThroat:raw;sore;irritated.Airpassages
irritated.Voicelost. Worseforbreathingincoldair. RUTAGRAVEOLENS (Ruta.) Familyname:Rutaceae
Commonnames:commonrue;bitterherb;country-
man'streacle
Rueisanevergreen,shrubbyplantthatthrivesinpoor
soilinfullsun.IndigenoustosouthernEurope,itwas
firstcultivatedinthiscountryinthegardensofmonks
andisnowfoundinherbgardensthroughoutthe
world. ThenameRutaisderivedfromtheGreekreuo('toset
free'),becausethisherbwasusefulinsomanydis-
eases.Countrypeopletreatedmanycomplaintswith
it-coughs,croup,colic,andheadaches,tonamebuta
few.Atonetimeitwasusedasapowerfuldefence
againstwitches,andtheGreeksuseditfortheindiges-
tiontheysufferedwheneatingwithstrangerswhich
theyattributedtowitchcraft. Itwasalsohighly
thoughtofasaremedythatprotectedagainst
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Rutagraveolens(Ruta. )•145
infectionsandpoisoning.Inancienttimesrueseed
drunkinwinewasusedtoantidotethepoisonfrom
mushrooms,toadstools,snakebitesandthestingsof
scorpions,bees,hornetsandwasps.Houseswere
sprinkledwithwaterinfusedwithrueinordertorid
themoffleas.Engraversandpaintersateruetorelieve
theireyeswhentheywereweakfromoverwork. Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedfromthefresh
herbwhichisgatheredinJune,shortlybeforebloom-
ing,thenchoppedandpoundedtoapulp.Theex-
pressedjuiceislefttostandinalcoholandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Pains:inbones;inpartslainon;sore,bruised. Betterformovement. Worseforlyingonpainfulpart. LikeRhustoxicodendron,Rutaisaremedyforsprains;
thedifference isthatRhustoxisindicatedfordamaged
ligamentsandRutaisforinjuriestothetendonsand
theperiosteum(thecoveringofthebones).Itcanbe
veryhardtodifferentiatebetweenRhustoxandRutain
asprain,andusuallyitwillbeRhustox'scleargeneral
symptomsthatguideyou.Rutaisindicatedwhere
therearesore,bruisedjointpainswhichfeelworse
whenlyingontheaffectedpartofthebody.Theremay
berestlessnessbutnotnearlysomarkedasinRhustox.EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Fearfulofdying.Weary. Theemotionalsymptomsarenotstronglymarked,but
duringafeverthepatientwillfeelscared,andmay
alsobeirritableandalittledepressed. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPainssore,bruised.Withlameness. Betterforlyingonback. Eyestrain
SymptomsEyesight:dim;weak.Pains:aching;burn-
ing;strained. Worseduringtheevening;atnight;forpoorlight;for
usingeyes;forclosework. Causestoomuchclosework;overstrainingeyes. Rutawillstimulateandstrengthentheeyemuscles
andrestorethesightwhereeyesighthasbecomeweak
anddimafterstrainingtheeyeswithfineworkortoo
muchreading(whenthelettersonthepageseemto
runtogether).Thisparticularweaknessoftheeye
occursinpeoplewhodoagreatdealofcloseworkfor
prolongedperiodsoftime.Itisnotaremedyfor
inflammations oftheeye. Headache
SymptomsPains:insidesofhead;sore,bruised.With
eyestrain(seeabove). Causeseyestrain
Theheadfeelsasifithasbeenbeatenorcrushed. Injuries
SymptomsBruisesonshins.Painsbruised,sore. Rutaisindicatedforbruisestothecoveringofthebone
(theperiosteum), inparticularbruisesontheshins. Thesecanbeverypainfulinjuries. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:inhands;infeet;inlowerback;in
partslainon;inbones;sore,bruised.Withlameness. Worseforwalking. Sprains
SymptomsPains:bruised;constant;inankle;inwrist. Withexhaustion;lameness. Worseforexercise;forpressure;forstanding;for
walking. UsedafterArnicahasdealtwiththeswellingand
bruisingofsprainsandstrains,Rutawillfinishoffthe
NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 146•Sarsaparilla(Sars.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
healing.Handsandfeetfeelcold.Theinjuredpart
feelslameandasifbruisedandthepainsareconstant
-thereisnoreliefofpainfromcontinuedmovement. Pressureisalsopainful.Thepersonfeelsweakand
weary. Tenniselbow
SymptomsPainsbruised,sore.Withlameness. Worseforexercise. Thesearepotentiallydifficultinjuriestodealwithand
shouldalwaysbegivenalotoftimetohealincasethe
tendonitselfispartiallydetached.Rutawillhelpto
healadamagedtendon,providedthejointisban-
dagedtightlyandcompletelyrested.afterwardssoonbecameapopularremedytotreat
chronicrheumatismandobstinateskindiseases.The
Moroccansuseditinthetreatmentofleprosy.Itwas
alsoregardedasatonicandabloodpurifier.Itisoneof
themajorflavouringingredientsofrootbeer. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefromthe
driedandpowderedroot,whichisaddedtoalcohol
andsuccussedintheusualway. GENERALANDEMOTIONAL/
MENTALSYMPTOMS
Sarsaparilla isasmallremedythathasnomarked
generaloremotionalsymptoms,butitisoftenneeded
forcystitisandIhavethereforeincluded ithere. Sarsaparilla (Sars.) Familyname:Liliaceae
Othernames:wildliquorice;shotbush;small
spikeard;rabbitroot
Sarsaparilla isaperennialclimberfoundincertainparts
ofnorthandsouthAmerica. Ithaslong,slender,
bitter-tastingrootletswhicharepoisonous iftakenin
largequantity,producingnausea,vomitinganda
temporarylossofappetite. TheplantwasbroughttoEuropeinthemid-
sixteenthcenturybyexplorersofthe'NewWorld'andPHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Breastfeedingproblems
SymptomsNipplesinverted. Thismakesitverydifficulttoestablishbreastfeeding. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:ineffectual.Painscut-
ting.Urination:slow;dribbling;canonlypassurine
whilestanding.Urine:green;pale;withmucus;with
sediment. Worseatendofurination;duringamenstrualperiod. Causesgettingchilled;cold,wetweather. Thepersonmaypassurinewithoutfeelingit,butwill
experienceunbearablepainattheendofurinating,
andwillyellwiththepain.Urinatingisdifficultwhile
sittingdown,andthepersonmayonlybeableto
urinatefreelywhilestandingup.Eventhenshemay
onlymanageafeeblestream.Childrenwithcystitiscry
outbeforepeeingbecauseoftheanticipatedpain.The
kidneysmayalsobepainful(therightmoresothanthe
left)andinflamed(withcuttingpains)-itisadvisable
toseekprofessionalhelpbeforethispoint,butSarsa-
parillawillhelptorelievethepaininthemeantime. Sepia(Sep.)
Familyname:Dibranchiata
Othernames:squid,cuttlefish
Cuttlefisharemolluscsrelatedtotheoctopusand
squid,andarefoundmostcommonlyinthe
MediterraneanandotherEuropeanseas.Unlikemost
molluscs,whichhaveshellsoutsidetheirbodies,
cuttlefishhavesoft,gelatinousbodieswithtinyshells
inside.Theygrowtoonetotwofeetlong,andswim
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Sepia(Sep.)•147
aboutrapidlybysquirtingjetsofwaterfromtheir
bodies.Theycanchangecolourandsquirtjetsofinkas
aprotective,camouflagingdevice. Sepiaisthenamegiventothedriedbrownish-black
ink,whichisusedasanartists'pigment;therawinkis
notfitformedicinaluseandindeedwasunknownto
medicineuntilHahnemannobservedthatasickly
artistfriendofhislickedhispaintbrushfrequentlyas
heworked.Hemadeapotencyofthe'sepia'inkand
curedtheartistofhiscomplaints. Forthehomeopathicpreparationthepurepigment
istriturated. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Catchescoldseasily.Complaintsfromgettingwet. Cravesvinegar.Dischargesvellow.Dislikesmeat. Facepasty.Painspressing.Sweat:cold;hot;profuse;
smelly;sour;fromslightestphysicalexertion;from
mentalexertion;frompain;onsinglepartsofthe
body.Symptomsleft-sided. Betteraftereating;forvigorousexercise;forrunning;
forfastwalking. Worsebeforeduring/aftermenstrualperiod;atnight;
forcold;forfasting;forgettingwet;forrest;forfrosty
air;forsweating;fortouch;forwalkinginthewind;for
mental/physical exertion;forwriting. Sepiaisaremedythathasaprofoundeffectonthe
femalehormonesandisthereforeoftenneededduringandafterpregnancy,aroundthetimeofthemeno-
pause,andforproblemswithperiodsorproblemsthat
areexacerbatedaroundthetimeofthemenstrual
period. ThetypicalSepiafaceisyellow,earthyandpale,
withamarkedyellownessrunningacrossthesaddle
ofthenoseanddarkringsundertheeyes. Thesearechillytypes,withcoldhandsandfeet,
whoareextremelysensitivetothecoldinalmostany
shapeorform.Theysweateasilyandprofusely,when
experiencingstrongemotionsorwithanyexertionof
eitherthebodyorthemind.Coughingcanalsomake
themsweat.Thesweatwillsmellsourandwillmake
themfeelworseandaggravatetheirsymptoms. Theyfeelexhaustedandrundown.Theyhaveno
muscletoneandtheyfeelandlooksaggy;theyfeelas
thoughthereissomethingheavyinsidethatisdrag-
gingthemdown.Thisisamarvellousremedyfor
prolapseoftheuterus,whateverthecause(though
thisisusuallytoomanychildrentooclosetogether),
andmeansthatthetraumaofanoperationcanbe
avoided.However,thisconditiondoesalwaysrequire
carefulprescribingbyaprofessionalhomeopath.De-
spiteSepiatvpes'weakness,theyaregenerallyworse
forrest,andexercisingvigorouslywillenergisetheir
sluggishstate.Eatingwillhelptemporarily(theyare
muchworseformissingmeals).Theydonotwantto
betouchedormassaged. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Angryfromcontradiction.Anxious:duringafever;
duringtheevening.Confused.Depressed.Desires
tobealone.Dislikescompany;consolation;
contradiction.Forgetful.Indifferent:toown
children;tofamily;tolovedones;towork.Irritable. Sensitive:tomusic;tonoise;topain.Sluggish. Tearful.Weepy. Sepiatypesarepronetodreadfulemotionalstates,
wheretheybecomesluggish,indifferent, irritable,
weepvanddepressed.Sepiahasbeenfoundtobe
moreusefulforwomenthanformenandisespecially
neededforthetypicalworn-out-mother-without-any-
supportsyndrome,forwomenwhoareworndownby
thecaresoflifeandtoomanychildrenwithnot
enoughtimebetweenthemfortheirbodiestorecover. ThisistheclassicalSepiapicture,thoughwomenmay
alsobesimplywornoutfromhavingtoomuchtodo
andnotenoughpersonalresourcestoseethem
through it. Wheninthisdepressedstate,Sepiassag,mentally
andphysicallyTheysitsilently,feelingemptyand
enjoyingnothingintheirlives,andfeelingindifferent
toallthosethingsthatformerlygavethemenjoyment
-suchastheirchildrenandfamily,andtheirwork. 148•Sepia(Sep.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Theydonotwantanyhelpandwillrespondbadlyto
sympathy,preferringtobealonetoavoidanyfurther
stress.Becausethinkingissodifficultandtheirbrains
seemtohavegroundtoahalttheonlythingtheywant
todoistobequietandalone. Theywillfeelverymuchbetteriftheydragthem-
selvesoutoftheirtorportodosomethingstrenuous,
suchasexercise,aerobics,dancingorspringcleaning. Itisasifthecirculationhasslowedrightdownandthe
exercisegetsitmovingagain.Thisistheonlyremedy
thathasthissymptomtothisdegree.Childrenwho
needSepiamaybenegativeandsulkyandindifferent
totheirwork,thatis,toplaying!Theymaybeafraidof
beingalone,ofthedark(becauseofghosts)butthey
willnotwanttobehandledeither.Theybecomelazy
anddonotwanttodoanything,butoncetheyhave
actuallygotgoing,orhave,forexample,arrivedatthe
party,theyarequitehappyandhaveagoodtime. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;aching;dragging
down. Betterforpressure. Worseduringtheafternoon;atnight;before/during
menstrualperiod;forbendingdown;forsitting. Thelowerbackfeelsweakandtiredandasifithas
beenhitwithahammer. Coldsores
SymptomsSoresonlips. Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:green;dirtyyellow;
vellow-green;dripsdownbackofthroat.Senseof
smelllost. Constipation
SymptomsBellystomachfeelsfull.Stools:hard;
large.Strainingineffectual. Worseduringamenstrualperiod. Causespregnancy. Thisisforthetypeofacuteconstipationthatcan
accompanypregnancyorawoman'speriods.The
personwillstraintopassalarge,hardstoolbutwillbe
unableto. Cough
SymptomsBreathingfast.Couch:constantatnight;
dry;exhausting;hacking;irritating;loose;mustsitup
tocough;rattling;short;disturbssleep;tickling;vio-
lent;wakesfromthecoughatnight.Mucus:copious;
yellow;white;tastessalty.Betterforsittingup. Worseatnight;duringtheeveninginbed;forlying
down. Thepatientcoughsuplotsofsaltywhiteoryellow
mucus.Chestfeelsconstricted(tight)oroppressed
andtheribsmayhurtfromcoughing.Theairpassages
feelirritatedandthecoughseemstocomefromthe
stomachandisveryviolent,especiallyafterlying
downatnight.Patientsweatsaftercoughingandfeels
worseforit. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:constantdragging
downinpelvis;urgent.Painspressing.Urination
frequent;slow(hastowaitalongtimeforittostart). Urine:cloudy;darkbrown;red;scanty;smelly;with
sediment. Thiscystitisiscommonafterchildbirth.Thepatient
willhaveaconstantdragging-down sensationinthe
pelvis,andshewillhavetorushtopassurineoritwill
escapeinvoluntarily,becauseofsaggymusclesinthe
pelvicarea.Shemaythenhavetowaitforittostart
oncesittingonthetoilet.
The_Complete_Homeopathy_Handbook_by_miranda_castros.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Opiumischaracterisedbyanabnormallackofpain,as
ifthesenseshavebeenblunted. Afterashock,people
needingOpiumappearglassyeyedandstupefied,and
sufferfromgreatinertia. Theyfeelfaint,numband/
ortrembly. Theirfacesgoredandbecomedrawn,
sunkenandoldlooking,possiblywithabluishtinge. Childrenwhohavejustexperiencedafrightorshock
willbeunabletourinate. Generally,thereisprofusesweatingwithscanty
urinationandinafeverOpiumtypeswillbecome
heatedinbedandfeelworsefortheheatandthe
sweatingandwillkickoffthecovers. Theshockthatfollowsalcoholpoisoningwiththese
symptomsmaywellcallforOpium-thisisonlyuseful
inanunusual,mistakenaccidentandnotforhabitual
drinkers. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Apatheticduringfever. Complaintsfrom:anger;
reprimands;shock. Confused. Dreamy. Drowsy. Exhilarated. Expressionsleepy. Indifferentduringa
fever. Lively. Senses:dull;acute. Sensitivetonoise. Stupor. Inanacuteillnesslikeafever,Opiumpatientsaredull
andapathetic,dullerthananyotherremedy-tothe
pointofstupor. Theydon'tcomplainorevenaskfor
anythingandmaybeoverwhelmingly sleepy. Before
reachingthisstateofstupor,however,theymaybe-
comeexhilaratedanddeliriousandimaginetheysee
things,especiallyonclosingtheireyes. Peoplewhohavebecomestuckintoastateoffear
afterabadfrightorshockmaybenefitfromOpium. TheylooksimilartoAconite(thatis,enormously
shocked)buttheyarealsoinadream-likestatethat
theycannotsnapoutof. Thisiscommonafteran
operationandOpiumwillhelppeopleafterageneral
anaestheticwheretheyfeel'spacedout'anddrowsyto
128•Petroleum(Petr. ) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
getbacktotheirnormalstates. TheOpiumpersonwill
recreatetheimageorsituationthatcausedtheshock,
butduringwakinghours;hewillnothavebad
dreams. Arnicatypes,ontheotherhand,willbefine
duringthedaybutwillhavebaddreamsrelatingtothe
fright. Childrenwhohavebeenseverelytoldoffsome-
timesdevelopanOpium'acute'. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Constipation
SymptomsDesiretopassstoolabsent. Stools:
black;hard;smallballs;likesheep'sdung/droppings;
'shy'(recede). Withunfinishedfeeling. Thestoolwilllieinthebowelandthepersonhasno
desiretopassit. Noristhereanypainthatwould
normallybeassociatedwithsuchconstipation. The
constipationmaybeacuteafteranoperation. Itmay
alternatewithdiarrhoea,whichmaycomeonafter
suddenjoyorafterfright. Cough
SymptomsBreathingdifficult;slow;snoring. Worseduringsleep;onfallingasleep;onwaking. Thebreathingslowsdownduringsleepandwhenthe
feverisstrong;itbecomesirregularandlaboured,like
awakingsnoring. Thisaspectisverymarkedinthis
remedypictureandneedstobepresentforittowork
successfully. Fever
SymptomsHeat:burning;intense. Withdeepsleep;
sweating(seeGeneralSymptoms). Betterforuncovering. Worseduringsleep;forsweating. Apersonwiththisfeverwillexperienceoverpowering
sleepinessandyawning,willfallasleepandthen
breatheslowlyandloudlyasifsnoring. Heatcomeson
duringsleep,andsweatingwhichdoesnotrelievethe
symptoms. Ifwoken,thepersonwillbedazedand
confused,willwanttouncover,andiseitherdelirious
andexcitableorstupefiedandsemi-consciousduring
thefever. Insomnia
SymptomsWithsleepiness. Sleepslightlyandrestlesslyandhearseverysound. Is
sleepybutcannotfallasleep,andthebedmayfeelhot. Retentionofurine
Causesshock. Afterashockorfrightthepersonisunabletopass
urine. Petroleum (Petr. ) Othernames:petra-rock;oleumoil;coaloil;rockoil
Theword'petroleum'originatesfromtheLatinfor
'rock'(Petra)and'oil'(Oleum). Thetermcommonly
referstotheliquidcrudeoilwhichcomesfrombe-
neaththeearth'ssurface,althoughpetroleumalso
occursintheearthingaseousorsolidforms,andafew
petroleumlakesortarpitsareknownthroughoutthe
world. Itisformedovermillionsofyearsfromthe
remainsofmarineplantandanimallifedeposited
underthesea,wheretheydecomposewithout
oxygen;heat,pressureandtimeconvertthisinto
petroleum. Petroleumwasknowntomanyancientpeoples,
whoreferredtoitas'burningwater'anduseditinthe
formofbitumentocaulkshipsandbuildroadsaswell
astogivelight. Morerecently, ithasprovideduswith
heatingandafuelforthiscentury'smachinery. Itis
refinedandprocessedintonumerousproducts,such
assolvents,paints,asphalt,plastics,cleansingagents,
waxesandjellies,medicines,explosivesandferti-
lisers. Thecrudeoilhasbeenusedforthetreatmentof
wounds. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefrompurified
oilorfromcrudeoilfromwhichatinctureisprepared
andthendilutedandsuccussedinthenormalway. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Dislikes:meat;fatty,richfood. Sweat:one-sided;
smelly. Worseforfreshair;duringthemorning;travelling
(boat,car,train,bus,etc. ) ThisisasmallremedythatIhaveincludedbecause
ofitsusesintravelsicknessandnauseaduringpreg-
nancy. Thereisageneraldislikeoffreshairwhichalso
aggravatesthenausea. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Confusedinfreshair. Forgetful. Irritable. Quarrelsome. PeopleneedingPetroleumwillbegenerallyworsefor
andalsomentallyconfusedoutinthefreshair. They
maynotrecognisewell-knownstreetsandmaymake
mistakesinfindingtheirway. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Chilblains
SymptomsChilblains:onfeet,hands,toes;in-
flamed. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Phosphoricacid(Pho-ac. ) •129
Feetbecomecoldand'fallasleep'easily,andthe
handsbecomecoldandchapped. Thechilblainsare
painfulanditching,andoccurinthewinterduring
coldweather. Diarrhoea
SymptomsDiarrhoeaduringthedayonly. Pains
pressing. Withravenousappetite. Thisisaveryspecificdiarrhoeathatoccursonlydur-
ingthedayandisnotaccompaniedbyalossof
appetite. Headache
SymptomsPains:inbackofhead;pressing. With
heaviness;nausea(seebelow). Theheadacheusuallycomesonwhentravellingand
accompaniesthenausea. Nausea
SymptomsWithdizziness. Worseforfreshair. Thisnauseaisusuallyaccompaniedbydizzinessand/
orheadache. Travelsickness
SymptomsWithheadache(seeabove);nausea(see
above);vomiting.
An abnormal lack of pain, as if the senses have been blunted.
What is the characteristic symptom of people needing Opium?
It is used to treat various conditions, including breastfeeding problems, post-natal depression, and anxiety.
What is the main action of Phytolaccas a remedy?
It is used to treat various conditions, including teething, and is also used in treating children.
What is the main action of Pulsatillanigricans as a remedy?
It is used to treat various conditions, including depression, anxiety, and exhaustion, and is often needed for women who are worn out from caring for children and have no emotional support.
What is the main action of Sepia as a remedy?
It is used to treat various conditions, including toothache, and is often needed for people who are extremely sensitive to cold and damp weather.
What is the main action of Rhustoxicodendron as a remedy?