Title: Family Homeopathy : A Practical Handbook for Home
Treatment
author: Callinan, Paul.
publisher: NTC Contemporary
isbn10 | asin: 0879836873
print isbn13: 9780879836870
ebook isbn13: 9780071404662
language: English
subject Homeopathy--Popular
works, Homeopathy--Materia
medica and therapeutics.
publication date: 1995
lcc: RX76.C35 1995eb
ddc: 615.5/32
subject: Homeopathy--Popular
works, Homeopathy--Materia
medica and therapeutics.
Family Homeopathy
title: Family Homeopathy : A
Practical Handbook for Home
Treatment
author: Callinan, Paul.
publisher: NTC Contemporary
isbn10 | asin: 0879836873
print isbn13: 9780879836870
ebook isbn13: 9780071404662
language: English
subject Homeopathy--Popular
works, Homeopathy--Materia
medica and therapeutics.
publication date: 1995
lcc: RX76.C35 1995eb
ddc: 615.5/32
subject: Homeopathy--Popular
works, Homeopathy--Materia
medica and therapeutics.
Keats titles of
related interest
The Bach Flower
Remedies
Edward Bach, M.D.
and F. J. Wheeler, M.D.
Handbook of the
Bach Flower Remedies
Dr. Philip M.
Chancellor
Complementary
Natural Prescriptions for Common Ailments
Carolyn Dean,
M.D.
Homeopathic
Medicine Today
Trevor M. Cook,
Ph.D.
Homeopathy in
Practice
Douglas Borland,
M.D.
The Medical
Discoveries of Edward Bach, Physician
Nora Weeks
Family Homeopathy
A practical
handbook for home treatment
Paul Callinan
Foreword by
Carolyn Dean, M.D.
Keats Publishing,
Inc. New Canaan, Connecticut
FAMILY HOMEOPATHY
Published by
arrangement with Penguin Books Australia Ltd
Copyright © 1995
by Paul Callinan
All Rights
Reserved
No part of this
book may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the
publisher.
Library of
Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Callinan, Paul.
Family homeopathy:
a practical handbook for home treatment / Paul
Callinan,
foreword by Carolyn Dean.
p. cm.
Includes
bibliographical references and index.
ISBN
0-87983-687-3
1.
HomeopathyPopular works. 2. HomeopathyMatoria medica and
therapeutics. I.
Title.
RX76.C35 1995
615.5'32dc20
95-25132
CIP
Printed in the
United States of America
Published by
Keats Publishing, Inc.
27 Pine Street,
Box 876
New Canaan,
Connecticut 06840-0876
95 96 97 98 6 5 4
3 2 1
Dedication
To my children,
Ariel, Damon and Imagene, for
enduring the
ministrations of a homeopath.
DISCLAIMER
The material here
is condensed from journals, textbooks, research material and clinical
experience. The greatest
possible care has
been taken to insure that it is accurate and complete. However, the medicines
and dosages
described in this
book are offered as guidelines, subject to current knowledge, research
findings, the symptoms
presented in the
case and the individual user's judgment. The author and publishers cannot be
held responsible for
the misuse of the
information, nor for any effects arising from the inappropriate prescription of
any of the
medicines
mentioned. In any treatment program regular contact with a practitioner is
recommended.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sincere thanks to
Brauer Biotherapies and Martin and Pleasance for their support and
encouragement in the writing
of this book.
CONTENTS
Foreword: Carolyn
Dean, M.D. xiii
Introduction xvii
Homeopathy: its
place in medicine Homeopathic medicines Safety
Part One
Homeopathy: How
Does It Work?
1
Explaining
homeopathy 3
The law of
similars Potentization Clinical trials Pharmacological support
Hormesis: the new
breakthrough How does homeopathy work? Homeopathy
around the world
Part Two
Treatments
2
How to use
homeopathic medicines 29
Selecting the remedy
Dose Remedy reactions
3
First aid 33
Abrasions and
lacerations Bites and stings Bruises and blows Burns Collapse
Concussion Cuts
and scratches Fracture Puncture wounds Sprains and strains
Sunburn
Sunstroke
4
Common Problems 46
Acne Acne
rosacea Anemia Anxiety Appetite problems Arthritis Asthma Bad
breath
Biliousness Boils and abscesses Bone pain Bronchitis Catarrh Chilblains
and poor
circulation Cold sores Colds Colitis Conjunctivitis Constipation Cough
Cramp Cystitis
Diarrhea Earache Eczema Exhaustion, debility and fatigue
Fibrositis
Genital herpes Glandular fever Hemorrhoids Hay fever Headache
Heart pain Heat
exhaustion Hives Hoarseness and loss of voice Incontinence of
urine
Indigestion and heartburn Influenza Insomnia Jaundice Lumbago
Meningitis Mouth
ulcers Neuralgia and nerve pain Perspiration, offensive
Psoriasis
Rheumatism Sciatica Shingles Sinusitis Skin problems Sore throat
Styles
Synovitis Tonsillitis Toothache Travel sickness Varicose veins Vertigo
Vomiting Warts
5
The treatment of infants
133
Colic
Constipation Convulsions Cradle cap Crying and irritability Delivery
Diaper rash
Diarrhea Hiccup Jaundice Milk crust Prickly heat Snuffles Teething
Thrush Vomiting
6
The treatment of
children 146
Adenoids Bed
wetting Chickenpox Croup Earache Glue ear Fever German
Measles
Impetigo Irritability Measles Mumps Nosebleeds Scarlet fever Sleep problems
Whooping cough
Vaccination
7
The treatment of
mothers 167
Pregnancy
Miscarriage Labor Post partum Breastfeeding
8
The treatment of
women 184
Absent periods
Breast lumps and congestion Delayed periods Heavy periods and
flooding
Menopause Ovarian cysts Period pain Period problems in adolescents
Premenstrual
tension Scanty periods Uterine fibroids Uterine prolapse Vaginal
discharge
Vaginal itching
9
The treatment of
men 199
Gout Hair loss
Impotence Prostate enlargement Stress and nervous tension
10
The Bach Flower remedies: medicine for the mind and emotions 205
Prescribing back
remedies Healing the mind
Part Three
A Materia Medica of
Common Remedies
11
Materia medica of
the tissue salts 221
12
Homeopathic materia
medica 236
13
A home medicine
kit 327
Resource guide of
suppliers 331
Bibliography and
Acknowledgments 333
Index 335
FOREWORD
Paul Callinan is
an Australian who has a great affinity for homeopathy. He is also a naturopath
and chiropractor.
But I suspect his
first love is homeopathy.
When I sent out a
request on the Internet for feedback on this man, I got some glowing praise and
the hint of a true
explorer, a man
pushing the envelope. But part of the glue keeping the envelope together is his
attention to the
scientific
method. The first chapter Explaining Homeopathy is a thorough reporting
of the studies that prove
homeopathy works
and that its benefits are not due to placebo effect. For those of us who
already know that
homeopathy works
because we have had first hand experience, this may not be necessary; however,
in order for
the practice of
homeopathy to spread and be accepted by the medical profession, these studies
are essential.
I was also very
impressed with Dr. Callinan's ability to synthesize the recent advances in
biophysics, hormesis and
pharmacology in a
successful attempt to explain how and why homeopathy works. Back in 1888 Arndt
developed
the Arndt-Schulz
Law, which stated that for every substance, small doses stimulate, moderate
doses inhibit, large
doses kill. The
world followed the path of moderate drug doses, which work on the inhibitory
curve of the scale
producing the
suppressant effect of drugs. Homeopathic medicine begins at the lower doses
which are stimulatory
and moves to even
smaller doses. This is in an effort to stimulate the body's natural balancing
mechanisms.
Hormesis is the
Arndt-Schulz Law revived in modern toxicology. Since 1960q data has
demonstrated the existence
of two effects of
poisonous substances on living organisms. At high doses they inhibited
metabolism and ultimately
caused death, but
at low doses they exerted a stimulating
effect. This is
an astonishing finding and parallels the action of homeopathy. At large doses a
drug can cause the
same symptoms
that can be treated with small doses.
Dr. Callinan also
explains the mechanism by which the water molecules are imprinted with the
vibratory rate of the
substance being
potentized. He explains that this work is in the realm of biophysics, that it
is a relatively new
discipline and
that most medical doctors are not familiar with it and therefore ignore or deny
its findings.
Biophysics can
apply tests to water which determine that structural changes do occur in water
when a substance is
diluted and
succussed. When water alone, with no substance added, is succussed, there are
no structural changes. It
is this change in
the water molecule that imparts information to the body to cause a desired
effect.
Thus far I have
only talked about one chapter of a very large homeopathic encyclopedia. The
rest of the book is
just as
impressive. Callinan has managed to include, not only a homeopathic materia
medica, but also a complete
review of the
Bach Flower Remedies, the 12 tissue salts, a first-aid kit and comprehensive
treatments for 130
conditions.
The Bach Flower
Remedies were one of the first modalities that I learned, and I found them
invaluable in practice.
Dr. Callinan has
managed to transmit the essence of each remedy in a very brief description that
can be easily
memorized and be
recalled to treat specific conditions as they arise.
The 12 tissue
salts are low-potency homeopathics of mineral salts that seem to work because
they treat a mineral
deficiency in the
patient but they also have a particular homeopathic picture that Dr. Callinan
describes very
clearly.
The materia
medica listing of remedies is also described in a most concise and
''user-friendly'' way. The keynotes
of the remedy and
general appearance of the patient who needs the remedy are set apart from the
symptom picture,
which makes it
much easier to understand what to prescribe. In most old texts all three
aspects are often jumbled
together and it
is hard to get the feel of a remedy. It is wise to read through this section to
familiarize yourself with
the remedies that
seem to suit you, your disposition and tendencies, so that when the need arises
you are able to go
straight to a
short list of possibilities. It is this type of knowledge that centers you and
allows you to focus on
helping yourself
or your family. There is no better resource or means of taking responsibility
for your health than
homeopathy
The therapy
section itself comprises the bulk of the book. There are chapters on first aid,
common ailments, infants,
children,
mothers, women and men. For each condition there are from two to 20 remedies
prescribed and often a
little
naturopathic advice thrown in for good measure.
The chapter for mothers
is comprehensive and includes such difficult problems as herpes in pregnancy
and
miscarriage. The
miscarriage section covers threatened and true miscarriage and delineates the
different remedies
for both. There
is a detailed section on labor which should be extremely helpful to any doctor,
midwife or mother.
There are no
natural allopathic treatments for easing labor. What a wonderful way to bring a
new life into the
world with the
use of natural, nontoxic homeopathic remedies.
Dr. Callinan has
done a great service in writing this exceptional book. Family Homeopathy will
replace several
books that I
previously used for reference.
Family Homeopathy
is
a wonderful book for the novice lay homeopath and a great reference book for
the
knowledgeable. I
recommend it highly.
CAROLYN DEAN,
B.SC., M.D.
INTRODUCTION
Homeopathy: Its
Place In Medicine
Homeopaths, like
all natural therapists, have always agreed on the most fundamental point in the
treatment of
disease: that
disease is caused by mistakes in the habits of living. Correct the mistakes of
living, the thinking goes,
and disease will
take care of itself. Only if the body has trouble in regaining its equilibrium
should medicine be
given.
To date, this
approach to medicine has served us well. It has taken the responsiblity for
personal health from the
doctor and given
it back to the individual. The message has been clear: live well, and last
longer; look after your
life, and its
quality will improve. Our vitality, a precious gift, should be nurtured; our
life should be in our own
hands.
Vitality is the
health factor that orthodox medicine has forgotten. Known more correctly as
allopathy, orthodox
medicine is just
one of the ten or so mainstream schools of medical thought existing throughout
the world:
massage,
herbalism, nature cure, nutrition, naturopathy, ayurveda, unani, acupuncture,
osteopathy, chiropractic and
homeopathy make
up the list of the main alternative medicines. These systems are traditionally
developed, with
their roots deep
in their countries' cultures. A number, like acupuncture and ayurveda, go back
several thousand
years.
Homeopathy is a
newcomer, as it goes back only two hundred years, to a time when allopathy was
already
flourishing in
Europe. It was developed in Germany, although both homeopathy and allopathy
claim their
Page xviii
roots in
Hippocrates, a Greek of the late fifth century BC, generally acknowledged to be
the father of modern
medicine.
Hippocrates, in turn, had already been influenced by unani, the medicine of the
ancient Persians and
Egyptians, and by
ayurveda from India. In this way it can be seen that many medical systems have
common
beginnings.
Most of these
medicines, with the notable exception of allopathy, have as their basic tenet
that it is the vital energy
of the patient
that must be treated, not just the physical symptoms. These medical systems are
currently used for
the treatment of
well over half of the world's population, and many have the support of the
World Health
Organization,
particularly in Third World countries. This support is fostering research, and
an emergence of
traditional
medicines is occurring worldwide.
The great
developments that allopathic medicine lists as proof of its effectiveness are
mostly confined to the
development of
sophisticated tests, the treatment of life-threatening disorders, such as
infection and traumatic
injury, and to
one of its greatest triumphs, essential surgery. In these areas it is without
peer. Much of this
development began
in World War II, when the need for these was high; the development of
specialized surgical
procedures,
antibiotics and pain killers were particularly notable achievements. It was
believed these successes
would be repeated
with breakthroughs in the treatment of a broader range of illnesses.
But the routine
use of allopathic medicines in treatment is not showing the success hoped for;
the cost of drug
research is going
up, and reports of side effects are increasing. The public is becoming more
aware of the toxic
effects of many
drugs. It is no news to anyone acquainted with the allopathic system that it
functions principally to
treat existing
illness and to care for the chronically ill: to pull people out of the river
and resuscitate them, rather
than to prevent
them falling in. There is a neglect of prevention, and the incidence of most
preventable diseases
(such as cancer,
asthma, heart disease, osteoporosis and hypertension) remains unacceptably
high. There is also a
lack of urgency
in the treatment of chronic disease compared with acute disease; with the
exception of injuries,
Western
medicine's most prevalent, serious, and costly health problems nearly all
concern chronic disease.
Homeopathy is
regarded by its practitioners as being well suited to the treatment of most
common disorders,
including chronic
disease, where allopathy is less appropriate. Homeopathic medicines offer many
advantages, the
greatest being
that they are safe, easy to use and cheap. Home-
Page xix
opathy is a
system of medicine easily understood by the lay person, and one of its greatest
uses is in the treatment
of domestic
ailments.
Homeopathic
Medicines
The medicines are
usually sold either as liquids or in pillules of calcium lactate, otherwise
known as sugar of milk.
An alcohol-and-water
mixture is the most common liquid form, and most prescriptions in this book
will be for
liquid, although
a few different preparations exist.
Mother tinctures
are concentrated extracts, in an alcohol and water base. They can be made from
any substance in
the animal,
vegetable or mineral kingdoms. All told, probably about 2000 homeopathic mother
tinctures have been
prepared from
different substances, and more are always being tested somewhere in the world.
Mother tinctures are
used as raw material,
and in homeopathy are seldom used undiluted, except occasionally on wounds. The
proportion of
alcohol, which is used as a preservative, can be as high as 80 per cent in some
preparations.
Lotions are
dilutions of the mother tincture, usually by about 1:10 tincture:water, but up
to about 1:50. They can be
applied
externally as often as desired to control suppuration and promote healing. When
applied direct to the skin
they may also
have a drying effect. When added to gauze, as a dressing for a wound, the gauze
should not be
allowed to dry
out. Lotion can be re-applied to the outside of a dressing before it dries, so
the dressing may need
to be changed
less often.
Potencies are
higher dilutions of the mother tincture than are lotions, and are given internally.
The dilutions used
by homeopaths are
very high by allopathic standards, but homeopaths maintain that this very
dilution produces a
medicinal action
not yet properly researched.
Normally, I part
of mother tincture is added to 9 parts water, and shaken rhythmically. This is
known as a Ix
(decimal)
dilution, or I part in 10. One part of this is then taken and added to another
9 parts water, and again
shaken, to give a
2x dilution, or I part in 100. Similarly, a 3x dilution is I part in 1000, and
a 6x is I part per
million. These
dilutions, also known as potencies, can be repeated a lot of times; the higher
the dilution, the higher
the potency
number.
Dilutions are
also made on a centesimal scale, or I part in 100, yielding 1c, 2c, and so on.
A 6c potency, commonly
recommended in
this book, is a dilution of 1 in 10 followed by 12 zeroes. A 12c potency, often
Page xx
used by
homeopaths, is a dilution of 1 in 10 followed by 24 zeroes, very close to the
point at which there is none of
the original
substance remaining in a normal dose of about 6 drops. Yet the medicine still
works, and many notable
cures have been
obtained at these dilutions.
The shaking
procedure is known as succussion, and is regarded by homeopaths as an essential
part of the dilution
stage. Together,
the dilution and succussion process is known as potentization, and can be
repeated many
thousands of
times in the preparation of the medicines.
Although
medicines for domestic use are not normally used above 6c and 12c, much higher
potencies can be
obtained from
homeopaths for more specialized treatment. A number of 30c potencies,
recommended for
protection
against infectious diseases such as influenza and measles, for example, are
included in this book, and
can be obtained
from any homeopathic practitioner or homeopathic dispensary. Higher potencies
are best obtained
from a homeopath
after consultation.
Mention should
also be made of the tissue salts, which are homeopathic preparations of the
twelve main mineral
salts found in
the body. These are also called cell salts and biochemic salts, and are widely
available as
homeopathic
pilules in a 6x potency through health food shops and homeopathic pharmacies.
Their use now has
extended for over
a century since their development by Dr. William Schuessler in Europe, and they
are a valuable
addition to any
domestic homeopathic kit.
Safety
The safety of a
wide variety of homeopathic medicines has been checked by government
authorities. You would
need to drink
about five liters of a homeopathic medicine above 3x before you would begin to
poison yourself.
Anyone trying
this would be unconscious from the alcohol, used as the preservative, before
they approached a
toxic dose. Since
domestic doses are normally about 6 drops, a further safety factor is built in.
As a result,
homeopathic medicines are particularly useful for home treatments. They are of
good use in a wide
range of
disordersfor infants, children, women, men and the elderly. Therefore it is in
the service of humanity that
this book is
presented.
Page 1
PART ONE
HOMEOPATHY: HOW
DOES IT WORK?
Page 3
1
Explaining
Homeopathy
The rising
profile of homeopathy has produced something of a dilemma in the world of
medicine: does it work or
doesn't it? The
decision bites deep: if homeopathic medicine is nothing but fraud, quackery and
placebo, as many
of its opponents
would maintain, then a large number of competently trained homeopaths and
doctors, together
with countless
thousands of dedicated lay practitioners, have been led up the medical garden path.
Their millions of
patients,
including many heads of state and prominent members of several of Europe's
royal families, have fallen
victim to the
most successful medical hoax ever perpetrated. On the other hand, if
homeopathic medicine is
effective, then
for the first time in more than a hundred years the Western world is on the
verge of accepting an
entirely new
system of medicine. Unlike modern pharmaceutical drugs, homeopathic medicines
are non-toxic and
easily
manufactured; they are also very cheap.
During its 170
years of existence, homeopathy has been the center of continual and often
bitter medical
controversy. It
has been particularly opposed by orthodox medicine, otherwise known as
allopathy. But recently,
both research and
patient support has grown at a rapid pace. Yet rather than being hailed as a
possible new medical
breakthrough to
give better health for all, it has been ridiculed, ignored and systematically
suppressed.
Clearly,
something is wrong. The problem is that homeopathic medi-
Page 4
cines can be
diluted to such extremes that it can be shown physically, chemically, and
mathematically that there is
nothing in the
final dose but water. Obviously then, the objection goes, any medicinal effect
is nothing but placebo,
and the
homeopaths are both frauds and charlatans.
Yet the origins
of homeopathic medicine are both honorable and orthodox. It was developed in
Germany by the
research of Dr.
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1834), who as well as being an experienced orthodox
physician was
also a competent
chemist, a good mineralogist and botanist, and an able translator of eight
different languages. His
research stemmed
from a dissatisfaction with the standard medical practices of his time: routine
bleedings, heroic
purgings with
cathartics, and administration of large doses of crude drugs. While translating
into German the
Materia Medica by William
Cullen, a Scottish professor of medicine, he was struck by a hitherto
unexplored
medical
observation, first mentioned by Hippocrates. Cullen had proposed that the
notable success of cinchona (an
extract of
quinine bark) in the treatment of swamp fever was due to its value as a stomach
tonic. Hahnemann
disagreed, and in
his research on the question decided to take a course of the cinchona extract
himself. To his
surprise, he
developed a set of symptoms remarkably similar to those of the swamp fever it
was used to treat. All
the symptoms
disappeared when he stopped taking it. Further administration to himself and
his family always
produced the same
symptoms, varying only in degree.
This was a
strange phenomenon, uncited in the medical literature of the day: a remedy that
was effective in a
particular
disease would produce a similar set of symptoms in a healthy person, when given
in sufficient doses. In
searching for
precedents for this effect, he established that the first mention made of it
was in the writings of
Hippocrates
(460-377 BC), regarded by the orthodoxy as the father of modern medicine.
Hippocrates had said that
likes can be
cured by likes: that vomiting may be stopped by being made to vomit, and any
illness caused by one
means can be
treated successfully by a similar means.
The Law of
Similars
From this
Hahnemann produced the first axiom of homeopathy, Sireilia Similibus
CurenturLet Likes be Cured by
Likes, otherwise
known as the Law of Similarsand so began his life's work. By 1821 he had
produced two major
works: The
Organon of Rational Medicine, embodying the principles
Page 5
of the
homeopathic approach to medicine, and his Materia Medica Pura, covering
the effects of 64 medicines.
His approach to
medicine represented a dramatic move away from the established method.
Allopaths establish the
existence of a
particular disease, clarify its symptoms, and then test the effectiveness of
various medicines on it, by
the use of
opposites. An illness accompanied by fever and diarrhea, for example, would
call for the combined use
of medicines that
are anti-febrile and others that normally constipate, and so, in a crude way, a
total balance would
be found by using
a number of appropriate medicines together.
Homeopaths tried
the opposite approach: first test a substance for medicinal use, they said, by
giving it to healthy
volunteers, and
carefully noting the symptoms it produces. This is known as a
"proving." Once the symptom
picture has been
fully developed over a number of human trials, then the remedy can be assessed
for usefulness
against diseases
with a similar set of symptoms. A substance that produces a bizarre set of
symptoms such as
bright red
orifices and blue-green discharges, for example, will have little use in
homeopathic clinical practice
because symptoms
of this type are rarely met. However a substance that produces a runny nose,
watery, red eyes
and repeated
sneezing would be of great value in the treatment of hay fever. The common
onion produces just
those symptoms
(as countless cooks can guarantee) and by use of the above trial system the
onion has now
achieved an
established place in homeopathic therapeutics.
In essence, allopathic
medicine embodies the law of opposites, homeopathic medicine the law of
similars.
Potentizatton
At first the
homeopathic approach to medicine seems contradictory. Surely experience tells
us that exposing hay
fever sufferers
to large doses of onion would just add insult to injury, and make them worse
rather than better. The
homeopaths would
agree, but with two provisos.
First, the
symptoms must match closely before onion will have a therapeutic effect; this
is embodied in their Law
of the Single Remedy,
which states that the most effective result will come from the most similar
remedy, given in
single doses.
Then after the initial aggravation of symptoms dies down, the hay fever will be
noticeably better.
Page 6
Second, if the
initial doses of onion are sufficiently diluted, there will be very little
aggravation at all before
improvement sets
in. In fact, the homeopaths see dilution to infinitesimal degrees as a
necessary part of the
preparation of
their medicines. It is embodied in the other important axiom for treatment: the
Law of the Minimal
Dose. This states
that the most effective dose for a disorder is the minimum amount necessary to
produce a
response. Give
one dose only of the diluted substance, the homeopaths say, and then wait for a
favorable reaction.
Having produced
the desired improvement, give a second dose only when improvement stops.
It is this
dilution of homeopathic medicines that has been the greatest obstacle to their
more universal acceptance.
The process is
known as potentization, and involves a sequence of progressive dilution and a
rhythmic shaking,
termed
succussion. In the normal case, I part of the source substance is added to 9
parts of water and shaken
rhythmically.
This is known as a Ix (decimal) dilution, or I part in 10 (also written as
100-1). One part of this is
then taken and
added to another 9 parts of water, and again succussed, to give a 2x dilution,
or I part in 100 (10-2).
Similarly, a 3x
dilution is I part in 1000 (10-3). These dilutions, also known as potencies,
can be repeated a large
number of times.
Dilutions are
also made on a centesimal scale, or I part in 100, yielding 1c, 2c and so on.
It needs only a little
mental arithmetic
to appreciate that a dilution procedure of this type (either decimal or centesimal)
rapidly
disperses the
original substance. Table I gives a summary of the potencies, and their
corresponding dilutions.
The Avogadro
Limit
In practice, a
convenient classification of the dilutions is usually used.
Low potencies:
1x-30x, or 1c-15c.
Medium potencies:
30c-200c.
High potencies:
above 200c.
Table 1
Comparison of
homeopathic potencies
DECIMAL SCALE
CENTESIMAL SCALE CONCENTRATION
1x 1c 10-1
2x 2c 10-2
3x 3c 10-3
4x 6c 10-4
6x 12c 10-6
12x 15c 10-12
24x 30c 10-24
30x 200c 10-24
1,000c (1M) 10-30
10,000c (10M)
10-60
100,000c (CM)
10-400
1,000,000c (MM)
10-2000
10-20,000
10-200,000
10-2,000,000
You will notice
that the low potencies have been diluted least, and may still contain
significant amounts of the
source drug. But
at a dose of 12c or 24x what is known as the Avogadro limit is reached, and at
this concentration
it is unlikely
that even a single molecule of the original drug is still present in one liter
of the preparation. Yet the
Avogadro limit
occurs in the low potency range and homeopaths maintain that, contrary to
expectations, the power
of the medicine
increases as the potency increases.
So there is very
little doubt that many patients treated with high potencies receive nothing but
water.
Figure 1
The homeopathic
dilutions
BELOW 24X 24X
ABOVE 24X
Many molecules of
course
drug per liter
Perhaps I
molecule
per liter
Low probability
of even I
molecule per
liter
While the
toxicity of such medicines is obviously very low, their efficacy has been.
seriously questioned, as
dilutions above
12c can be dismissed on pharmacological grounds as completely inert. Yet
potencies in the
medium to high
dilution range are the normal working area of homeopathy, and many striking
cures have been
claimed using
them. The first and obvious response by allopaths is to claim that the action
in successful cases is
purely placebo,
and the medicine is useful only to the suggestible and the gullible. Not so,
maintain the
homeopaths, who
claim cures on infants, animals, unconscious patients, those with infectious
diseases, and those
with deep-seated,
chronic disorders. In addition, the clinical trials are impressive. So the
medical plot thickens.
Clinical Trials
The early
homeopaths were all trained allopaths and, once having been convinced of the effectiveness
of
homeopathic
medicines, felt no need to prove anything to anybody. After all, they had the
training to use whatever
medicine they
considered appropriate for their patients. It was also expedient for them to
make as little noise as
possible about
their use of a medical system that was already regarded as suspect within their
own ranks. In any
case, most of
their research time was spent on provings, in order to expand the number of
known and useful
medicines, and
very little on clinical trials.
As a result, it
took an event of considerable magnitude to bring homeopathy out into the open,
and the European
cholera epidemic
of 1832, two years before Hahnemann's death, was the occasion. By all accounts
the homeopaths
had a far higher
recovery rate than the allopaths; it is said that in Paris the price of the
homeopathic medicine for
cholera increased
a hundredfold. In Russia (where the epidemic originated), the report from the
Russian Consul-
General showed
that of the 1270 cases treated homeopathically, 1162 recovered and only 108
died, giving a
mortality rate of
less than 10 per cent. By contrast, the mortality rate from allopathic
treatment was 60 to 70 per
cent. 1
Following the
homeopathic success in this epidemic medical interest in homeopathy increased
at a rapid rate, and
by the time of
the next European cholera epidemic in 1854 the London Homoeopathic Hospital was
already
established. Its
facilities were turned over entirely to the treatment of cholera victims, and
the results were
impressive. The
Page 9
homeopathic death
rate was 16.4 per cent, compared to the allopathic death rate of 51.8 per cent.
Similar successful
figures were
reluctantly reported by a number of other countries. 2 In Britain detailed
returns had to be made by all
hospitals and
practitioners as to treatment and results in cholera, and the totals published
by the British Medical
Council in their Blue
Book of Statistics. However, the figures from the Homoeopathic Hospital
were deliberately
omitted, and were
only produced after considerable protest. The official reason for the omission
was that inclusion
of the
homeopathic figures2 ''would give an unjustifiable sanction to an empirical
practice, alike opposed to the
maintenance of
truth and the progress of science.''
This prejudiced
and bigoted reaction to the success of homeopathic medicine is typical of the
problem that has
plagued the
advance of science for many centuries. Orthodox medicine, in particular, is
well known for its poor
track record in
meeting innovative change and research breakthroughs with the proper degree of
scientific
detachment and
quiet encouragement. Even within their own ranks some of the greatest of
innovators, such as
Lister, Jenner
and Harvey, suffered ridicule and professional ostracism over discoveries that
later became
mainstays of
medical practice. In reaction to homeopathic successes, the modem orthodox call
has been for more
clinical trials.
Give us controlled trials, many allopaths have said, and if successful, we will
accept the medicine.
Since that time,
a number of clinical trials have been run, but many of them with poor controls.
Some of the betterrun
trials are
summarized here briefly. Those looking for a more complete list could do no
better than the excellent
review of
Scofield.3
Mustard gas
The best
controlled of the early clinical trials was conducted jointly in London and
Glasgow during the Second
World War, to
find a method of prevention and treatment of mustard-gas burns. Mustard gas in
the 6c potency,
given as a
preventative, reduced the incidence of deep and medium burns significantly. The
remedies Rhus tox and
Kali bich also
gave statistically significant results in treatment.4
Rheumatoid
arthritis
More recent
trials were conducted in 1978 at the Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital, now
emerging as a stronghold
of homeopathic
research. Gibson
Page 10
and co-workers
conducted a double-blind comparison of a range of homeopathic remedies in the
treatment of
rheumatoid
arthritis (matched against the individual symptom pictures), and compared the
patients' responses to
those of
salicylates and placebo. They showed that the patients who received homeopathic
remedies responded
statistically
better than those who received salicylates; moreover, 42 per cent of the
homeopathic group were able
to discontinue
all other treatment during the year. 5
Objections to the
method of trial led to a more rigidly designed trial in 1980, where patients
were given either a
homeopathic
medicine or a placebo, but were allowed to continue with their orthodox anti-inflammatory
drugs.
The homeopathic
group showed significant improvement as judged by a number of tests, as
compared to the
patients who
received placebo. It was noted that homeopathy was a safer and no less
effective alternative to
present-day
second-line drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.6
Homeopathic
Remedies Not PlaceboThe Crack Widens
One of the most
recent clinical trials, and certainly the most tightly controlled to date, was
conducted in 1986 at the
Glasgow
Homoeopathic Hospital by David Taylor Reilly, an allopath by training. The
claim that homeopathic
medicines are
placebo was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. In
statistical terms, this is
about as tough a
trial as can be set up.
The effects of a
homeopathic preparation of mixed grass pollens (30c potency, no molecules of
the original pollen
remaining) were
compared with those of a placebo in a total of 144 patients with active hay
fever. The
homeopathically
treated patients showed a statistically significant reduction in symptoms as
assessed by both
patient and
physician. No evidence emerged to support the idea that placebo action explains
the clinical response to
homeopathic
remedies.7
The publishing of
Reilly's results in the Lancet, arguably the most prestigious medical
journal in the world,
indicates the
current depth of penetration of homeopathic medicine into the allopathic world.
The controversy it
produced
indicated the degree of crystallization of the collective allopathic brain.
Here at last was proof positive in
the much upheld
double-blind trial, yet the collective reaction was less than positive.
Although some of the more
far-sighted of
the correspondents suggested the possibility that a new chemistry and a new
physics had been born,
the
Page 11
reliance on
pharmacology in the allopathic way of thinking showed its dominance. Reactions
to drugs are caused
by molecules of
drug substances interacting with various body components, the thinking goes,
and if there are no
drug molecules in
a medicine then there is no reaction aside from placebo effects. The experiment
was simply
testing one
placebo against another. The fact that statistical significance was obtained
for one of the "placebos" was
apparently deemed
of no consequence, and indicates that the issue may not be a scientific issue
at all, but more an
economic and
emotional one.
Pharmacological
Support
Logically, one of
the first areas to investigate for support (or the lack of it) in homeopathy is
the area of
pharmacology, or drug
action. And, contrary to expectations, some surprising support is appearing.
Ask a
pharmacologist about the biological effect of very low concentrations of common
substances on living
organisms and the
answer will be that there is typically very little or zero response. Ask for
some theoretical
backup, and in
short order you will find yourself confronted by one of the pharmacological
tools of the trade, the
Dose-Response
curve. In brief, the curve illustrates one of the rules of thumb in drug use:
that an increased dose of
drug will give an
increased effect, while a lowered dose of a drug will give a reduced effect,
and a very low dose
will give no
effect at all.
A glance at the
curve in Figure 2 will show that the pharmacologically recommended dose of a
drug lies in the area
of the ED50, the
dose that produces 50 per cent of the total or maximum effect. The homeopathic
area of interest,
on the other
hand, lies at the very start of the curve, in the area of the so-called
threshold dose.
The area of the threshold
dose is usually avoided in standard pharmacological drug testing, for two
reasons. The
first is that the
threshold dose lies some distance from the area of the ED50, so investigating
this area for drug
reaction is
basically a waste of time. But the other reason is far more interesting. The
threshold dose is an area
where paradoxical
and contradictory results are obtained, not easily explained in conventional
terms. Again, the
easy answer is to
simply avoid it in experimentation. But the bottom line is that for many years
the pharmacologists
have known of the
strange results obtained in the threshold
Page 12
Figure 2
A typical
pharmacological Dose-Response curve
dose area, but
have simply chosen to ignore them. In doing so, they have unwittingly withdrawn
orthodox support
for an entirely
different field of medicine;
It is interesting
that one of the very earliest laws of pharmacology, known as the Arndt-Schulz
Law, had already
expressed the
homeopathic effect. Formulated by Arndt in 1888, and restated by Hueppe a few
years later, the law
set the
groundwork for what should have been a side-by-side development of allopathic
and homeopathic medicine
in the following
century. It states: For every substance, small doses stimulate, moderate
doses inhibit, large doses
kill.
Allopathic
medicine, with its emphasis on moderate drug doses, works in the inhibitory
part of the scale. The result
is seen in the
typically inhibitory medicines produced: antihistamines, antibiotics, antacids,
cough suppressants and
so on, laying the
basis for the so-called "suppressant" effect of drugs.
Homeopathic
medicine, on the other hand, begins at the stimulatory end of the curve, and
moves to the left, into
the smaller and
smaller dose range. Its emphasis is on the stimulation of the body's natural
balancing mechanisms,
as seen in its
philosophy of the natural regeneration of the body through rebuilding of
vitality, a concept also in
close agreement
with naturopathic thought.
Page 13
Figure 3
Graphical
representation of the Arndt-Schulz Law
The pioneering
work of Dr William Boyd in the early 1940s 8 bound the worlds of homeopathy and
Arndt-Schulz
together with a
series of tightly controlled experiments, and set the stage for work much later
on as to how
homeopathic
medicine may work. Boyd worked with the enzyme malt diastase, which was already
known to be
inhibited by
crude doses of the salt mercuric chloride, and measured its speed in the
hydrolysis of starch. He also
used a number of
homeopathically prepared dilutions of mercuric chloride, including a batch at
61x, where there
was no likelihood
of any of the original salt remainingit was pure water. He additionally worked
with distilled
water as a
control. He showed that crude doses of mercuric chloride inhibited diastase
activity, as was already well
known, and that
distilled water had no effect. But he also showed, with statistically
significant results, that
mercuric chloride
61x accelerated diastase activity.
Now this
experiment had a number of ramifications, besides supporting the Arndt-Schulz
Law. If there was no
mercuric chloride
in the 61x potency, the malt diastase should have reacted the same as distilled
water. If, on the
other hand, there
was a contamination of mercuric chloride somehow in the test doses, then the
activity of the
diastase enzyme
should have decreased. Instead it did neither, but increased. From the
laboratory point of view,
homeopathic
medicines not only had been shown to work according to the Arndt-Schulz Law,
but had been shown
to affect enzyme
action.
Page 14
Figure 4
The activity of
malt diastase
Hydrolysis
reduced
Hydrolysis in
accord with accepted
rates
Hydrolysis
accelerated
Hormsis: The New
Breakthrough
Look up the
Arndt-Schulz Law in a modern textbook of pharmacology and you will be lucky if you
find it
mentioned, let
alone discussed. It died out of the textbooks as allopathic interest moved
further into the inhibitory
part of the
Arndt-Schulz curve, and as the pharmacological Dose-Response curve avoided the
area of the threshold
dose. It appeared
that, for all its promising origins, theoretical support for homeopathy had
died a natural death.
Recently,
however, further support for homeopathic medicine has come from a most unlikely
direction: the field of
toxicology, or
the action of poisons. Beginning in 1960, data began to accumulate that
poisonous substances were
having two
effects on living organisms. 9 At high doses they inhibited metabolism and
ultimately caused death, as
was well known.
But at low doses they exerted a stimulating effect, a response totally
unexpected and not
explainable by
current medical science. Recently the trickle turned to a torrent, as
toxicologists have turned to
examine the new
phenomenon of hormesis, the name given to the stimulatory effect of low levels
of usually
poisonous
substances.101112 13 14 15 The Arndt-Schulz Law has not died: it has simply
resurfaced with a new
name.
The research
results are incomplete, but the trend is inescapable. Evidence from
experiments, both human and
animal, shows
hormesis as an effect occurring in all biological domains tested, with growing
research
Page 15
support. It
demonstrates that all substances (including pesticides and carcinogens) that
show an inhibitory effect at
high
concentrations, have a stimulatory effect at low concentrations.
Figure 5
Typical
concentration-response curves
developed in
hormesis research 16
In Figure 5 the
alpha (a) curve is the most expected pattern, and is assumed to describe the
actions of drugs in
humans as the
concentration moves from low concentrations to progressively more inhibitory
ones. This curve is a
tentative one,
and is assigned to those drugs that have not yet been fully tested for a
stimulatory response.
The beta (b)
curve was the most frequently observed pattern, and accounted for the human
reactions to the bulk of
the drugs tested.
It shows a typical curve as predicted by the Arndt-Schulz Law, but
(understandably) was not
tested in toxic
and lethal dose ranges.
The two other curves,
the gamma (g) and delta (d) forms, were recorded where data was available for
biological
response at lower
dose ranges. However, data points for these ranges are generally less
available, so the validity of
these curves is
unknown until further data is available.
Homeopathic
research has consistently produced results showing the basic curve structure of
hormesis and the
Arndt-Schulz Law.
But the research goes further: as the drug substance is progressively diluted,
the biological
reaction
alternates between stimulation and inhibition, as given by the hormesis gamma
and delta curves. This
periodic behavior
is called rhythmicity by homeopaths, and represents one of the several
great unexplained
phenomena in
homeopathic action. But one factor has been established: as the dilutions
become extreme and the
concentration of
the source drug approaches zero, the biological reaction will also fade out
unless the diluted
solution is
succussed in accord with traditional homeopathic practice.
Page 16
Figure 6
A typical
rhythmicity curve of the homeopathic
remedy Prunus
spinosa (experimental data)
How Does
Homeopathy Work?
Central to the
issue of medical acceptance of homeopathy is the clarification of its mechanism
of action. In
particular, is
there a model that adequately explains its clinical effectiveness and the
successes of the trials?
In the
development of a workable model, the research thinking has gone something like
this: given that
homeopathic
medicine is effective even when it can be shown that there is no likelihood of
any molecules being
left in a
particular dose (due to dilution), then the effect of the dose must lie with
the water molecules themselves,
since that is all
that is left. Water itself can be assumed to have no effect in this case, since
the dose is small, and
the effect would
always be the same. The answer must lie within the water molecules, and the
only real possibility
is in the type of
energy that the molecule has stored.
Energy storage
within molecules in biological systems lies within the realm of biophysics
rather than biochemistry.
Biophysics is a
new field, having become established only within the last twenty years or so.
It is
Page 17
not yet included
in medical curricula in universities to any great extent, and is only now
beginning to make its
mark in the
biological sciences. Small wonder, therefore, that the established medical
world knows little of its
existence, or the
promise it holds in explaining the action of the medicines of energy, such as
homeopathy,
acupuncture, psychic
and spirit healing and radionics.
Energy Storage
Molecules such as
water can store energy in four different waysas motion, spin, vibration and
electronic excitation.
Some storage
modes can store more energy than others, and we will start at the lowest, least
energetic mode, which
is kinetic
energy, or energy of motion. A molecule stores kinetic energy by virtue of its
speed. It is this storage in
gases and liquids
that causes pressure (such as air pressure) by the continual collision of the
molecules with
surfaces like our
skin, and also causes the bulk of chemical reactions to occur. At room
temperature, the energy that
these molecules
contain is low, compared with other states. It is unlikely to be associated
with homeopathic
medicine's
effects, since the energy is constantly altered by collision, and so any energy
stored is quickly degraded.
Spin and
Microwave Cooking
Spin energy is
found in gases and liquids, but not in solids, where the stronger attractions
between molecules
prevents
rotation. It is also not found in water until it reaches about 108°F (42°C), a
factor of considerable
importance to
living organisms, composed as they are of up to 90 per cent water, with humans
being about 40 per
cent. Heating
water to about 108°F causes sufficient disruption of the molecular attraction
between molecules to
allow spin to
occur, and that's precisely the temperature at which humans start to die. Life
processes in general
seem to keep a
safe distance from the temperature band of 108-113°F.
Spin energy in
molecules corresponds to microwave radiation, which is one reason why this
radiation is lethal. It is
also an
indication of the potential power of energy storage in this modestrong enough
to cook food. But it is
unlikely to be
the source of action of homeopathic medicine, since at room temperature the
spin storage state in
water has not
become active.
Page 18
Figure 7
Energy storage in
molecules
STORAGE STATE
TYPE OF ENERGY STORED
Motion
Kinetic energy
Translational
energy
Spin Microwave
radiation
Vibration
Infrared
radiation
Heat
Electronic
Excitation Light
Electronic
Excitation
At the top end of
the scale is electronic excitation, which is the stuff powering lasers, of
great strength and
intensity. Excite
the electrons circling the component molecules up into higher orbits and energy
is stored. Drop
them down
together, and a pulse of light is given out. It may be of sufficient strength
and power to burn a hole
through a razor
blade, cut tissue in surgery, or stop an army tankit depends on what molecules
are used, and how
strongly the
electrons are excited. Again, it is unlikely to be the source of action of
homeopathic medicine, because
the excited
electrons are unstable, and will decay to their previous state in a matter of
fractions of a second.
Page 19
Vibratory Storage
Standing midway
between the cooking power of microwave and the destructive power of lasers is
vibratory energy.
Although it has
an accepted place in physics as a means of storing energy, it has had a
chequered career in medical
science because
of its association with trance mediums, psychic phenomena and extrasensory
perception. Vibratory
energy can be
found in molecules throughout all three states of mattersolid, liquid and gas.
It is responsible for
phenomena such as
the expansion of metals when heated, and the transfer of heat by conduction.
Vibratory motion
of a molecule
increases when the molecule absorbs energy, and this vibratory energy can be
re-radiated at a later
time, usually in
the infrared part of the spectrum, where heat is also found.
It is in the storage
of vibratory energy in water molecules during the succussion process that
homeopathic medicine
places many of
its hopes for a scientific explanation of its action. It is proposed that
during the collision process,
vibratory energy
is exchanged between the source drug and the water, and that the water is left
with a vibratory
imprint of the
drug. Further succussion makes the imprint deeper, which explains why the
medicines are regarded
as acting more
strongly as the dilution increases. Furthermore it is not just energy that is
being stored, it is
proposed, but
information, differing from one remedy to another depending on the source
substance used, with
every substance
leaving a different vibratory signature in the water molecule. In this way
homeopathic medicine is
seen as carrying
information into the body when it is taken in dose form, perhaps as biological
instructions.
If water
molecules were dissociated from each other (moving freely in all directions) at
room temperature, any
vibratory energy
stored would quickly degrade. But at 77° (25°C) about 70 per cent of water
molecules are
incorporated into
a stable, hexagonal, lattice structure, capable of storing a considerable
amount of vibratory energy
before it breaks up.
However, storage of vibratory energy causes structural changes, because any
molecule that
absorbs energy
will always change its shape. So a convenient way of telling if this particular
model was possible
was to examine
homeopathic water for structural changes.
A number of
workers over the years have shown that both high and low potency homeopathic
medicines show
structural
changes in the water they contain. It was additionally shown that in order for
the structural changes to
occur, two things
must happen. First, there must be a source
Page 20
drug to begin
with: that is, you can't make a homeopathic medicine from water alone. Second,
you must succuss
the remedy as it
is diluted stepwise, in the rhythmic shaking manner used by the homeopaths for
many years. Only
when these two
processes are included will structural changes show.
BenvenisteChampion
or Charlatan?
In one of the
stranger episodes in the recorded history of scientific publishing, the
prestigious British research
journal Nature
recently published experimental results which the editors say they consider
utterly impossible. The
paper, ''Human
Basophil Degranulation Triggered by Very Dilute Antiserum Against IgE'' 17, and
the conclusions
it proposes, has
stirred up substantial controversy in the medical community.
The main players
in the experiment were an eminent French medical researcher, Professor
Benveniste, a special
type of white
blood cell known as a basophil, and an antibody, IgE. When basophils are
normally exposed to this
antibody, their chemistry
and internal structure change, in a way that is easily checked by staining
techniques. But
what Benveniste
and his colleagues found was that the changes occurred even when the antibody
was used up to
the 120x potency,
a dilution at which it is mathematically impossible for even one molecule of
the antibody to
remain.
The results also
showed the familiar rhythmic changes in basophil reactions as the potencies
increased, a factor still
unexplained even
by homeopaths. The deputy editor of Nature remarked that two centuries
of observation and
rational thinking
about biology will have to be abandoned if the results stand, because they
cannot be explained by
existing physical
laws.
The 13-member
international research team headed by Professor Benveniste conducted their
experiments after
being challenged
by two eminent French homeopaths to disprove homeopathy. To settle the question
once and for
all, they
conducted a sensitive, tightly controlled experiment at the University of South
Paris, where Professor
Benveniste is a
research director. "That was how it all started," he said. "They
challenged us to prove them wrong,
and we
couldn't." Instead, the experiment showed strong support for homeopathy.
The furor
surrounding this experiment has produced some unique reactions within the
scientific community, and
highlights an
important question: how should the scientific establishment deal with findings
that challenge the very
roots of
established thought? Nature had its own answer: it sent a fraud squad
comprising one of its editors, a
professional
magician
Page 21
Table 2
Structural
changes in high and low potency homeopathic medicines 18
WORKERSPREPARATIONMEASURED
FINDINGS
Wurmser
and Loch,
1948
Several
substances from
24x to 30x
Intensity and
wavelength
of light by
photoelectric
cell
Measurable
changes for
several
substances
Gay and
Boiron,
1951-3
Distilled water
alone, and with
several additions
of sodium
chloride 27c
Dielectric constant
Could select the
single
bottle with
sodium
chloride 27c from
99
control bottles
Boericke
and Smith,
1963
12x dilution of
sulphur with and
without
succussion
Solvent structure
by
nuclear magnetic
resonance
spectrum
Structural change
in
solvent as the
potency is
increased with
succussion;
no change in
control
Stephenson
and
Brucato,
1966
Distilled water,
mercuric
chloride 1x to
33x
Dielectric
constant For
controls, the
dielectric
constant varied
from 5.6 to
6.05. For
homeopathic
dilutions, it
varied from
2.80 to 4.40
Young,
1975
Sulphur from 5x
to 30x, with
controls
Solvent structure
by
nuclear magnetic
resonance
spectrum
Measurable
changes m
spectra at each
dilution
and succussion.
No
changes for
solutions
without
succussion or
without sulphur
Page 22
and an
investigator of scientific frauds from the USA to Benveniste's laboratories.
Over a period of a week they
criticized
shortcomings in experimental design, studied the laboratory records and
interrogated the researchers.
Finally, they
failed to replicate the results in a double-blind trial, and declared the
experiments "a delusion."
Professor
Benveniste, not unexpectedly, considered the investigation a witch hunt and an
outrage. "I welcome any
explanation for
our findings on homeopathy," he said, "but not this kind of
rubbish.''
New Findingsa
Recent Survey of Clinical Trials
As a useful
summary of all published trials, a recent paper in the British Medical
Journal reviewed the evidence of
107 homeopathic
trials from 96 published reports. 19 Most of the trials were considered to be
of poor quality;
however, there
were exceptions. The best trials were those by Grecho and by Reilly. Reilly's
trial was to test
whether
homeopathic medicines were placebo, and came out in favor of the medicine being
therapeutically active.
The Grecho trial was
specialized, and some would argue out of the realm of homeopathy: it looked at
recovery of
bowel movements
after surgery and gave a negative result.
Overall the
results of all trials showed a positive trend, regardless of the quality of the
trial or the prescribing
system used. Of
the 105 trials with interpretable results, 81 trials indicated positive results
using homeopathic
remedies, while
in 24 no positive effects were found. A more interesting, and perhaps more
useful, result can be
drawn from looking
at the most recent trials, which were also the most tightly controlled. Of
these trials, nine
showed a positive
result in favour of homeopathy being therapeutically valid, and two gave
negative findings.
The review
concluded that the evidence from clinical trials was positive but not
sufficient to draw definitive
conclusions, and
recommended more well-conducted trials. Nevertheless the homeopaths of the
world can now be
reassured that
what we always knew to be true is at last starting to appear in the research:
that homeopathy works.
Homeopathy Around
the World
Homeopathy is
achieving increasing support and acceptance worldwide. Often it is being
included as part of the
global acceptance
of natural medicine, but one fact stands out: there has been a substantial
integration
Page 23
of homeopathy
into the education and health-care systems of a number of countries. Figures
worldwide are
difficult to
find, but the following items of information will help to set a global picture.
Belgium
All natural
therapy practitioners are registered with a central medical council. One person
in every four visits a
natural
therapist. Homeopathy is the most popular treatment. 20
Denmark
There are about
2000 registered natural therapists, including homeopaths. About one in 10 of
the population go to
them.21
France
In France 20,000
pharmacies sell homeopathic remedies, and many faculties of pharmacy award
postgraduate
diplomas in
homeopathy. One quarter of all French doctors have prescribed homeopathic
medicines. Acupuncture
and homeopathy
are taught in some university medical faculties. One in six patients is given
homeopathic
treatments.2223
The Netherlands
The integration
of orthodox and alternative medicines is encouraged by the government. Training
in natural
therapies is
restricted to university-trained doctors.24
India
The government
directly supports and funds many of the 120 homeopathic medical colleges and
research
establishments in
India. There are now 125,000 trained and registered degree-level homeopaths
practicing
throughout the
country. There are over 2000 dispensaries and over 100 homeopathic hospitals,
all governmentfunded.
There is also a
government-funded National Institute of Homeopathy in Calcutta. The president
of India
has an honorary
homeopathic physician.25
South Africa
Education for
naturopathy, homeopathy and herbalism is currently available at
government-funded tertiary
institutions.26
Page 24
Usa
It appears that
in the United States there is now an enormous swing to alternative medicine. A
recent report showed
that more than
one in three Americans had used alternative medicines at least once in 1990.
Furthermore, the study
found that
patients made more than 425 million visits to alternative practitioners that
year, in contrast to 388
million visits to
family doctors and other primary care physicians. Among the 16 systems examined
were
chiropratic,
vitamin therapy, massage, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine and
spiritual healing. Affluent
and well-educated
25-49-year-oldsthe nation's most influential consumer groupwere found to be
most likely to try
alternative
health care. 27
Although much of
the modern development of homeopathy occurred in America because of the efforts
of pioneers
there such as
James Tyler Kent and Constantine Hering, homeopathy in America has been largely
suppressed.
Now for the first
time in many decades a conventional American medical school is running a course
in
homeopathic
medicine. The first training program is now being offered at Arizona State
University Medical
School, and
includes continuing medical education credits for practicing allopaths. Other
courses, including
weekend seminars,
are pending approval. The two-year course will be followed by one year of
clinical training.
United Kingdom
About one person in
eight goes to a natural therapist. British law puts no restriction on natural
therapists, who may
take referrals
from doctors. Homeopathy is practiced under the National Health Service, and
has a wide level of
acceptance. All
homeopathic medicines prescribed by a doctor are available under the National
Health Service;
many doctors
practice homeopathy and many pharmacists stock homeopathic medicines. The Queen
and other
members of the
royal family have an appointed honorary homeopathic physician.2829 30
A recent article
published in the British medical journal Doctor looked at a survey of
GPs' attitudes toward
homeopathy. It
reflects the growing acceptance of the medicine on a worldwide scale:
80 per cent of
all doctors said they believed homeopathy to be effective;
92 per cent of
female GPs believed in the effectiveness of homeopathy;
Page 25
20 per cent of
all doctors said that homeopathy can be more effective than conventional
medicine;
43 per cent of
doctors were willing to refer patients to homeopaths.
Interestingly,
only 11 per cent had any homeopathic training, but 79 per cent wanted
homeopathy included in
medical training.
Australia
Certainly in
Australia homeopathic medicines are gaining new levels of acceptance, due
mainly to the recent
Therapeutic Goods
and Cosmetic Act. This act was put into place to ensure that medicines sold in
Australia were at
a world standard
of quality, safety and efficacy. Although most homeopathic medicines are exempt
from the
Australian
Register of Therapeutic Goods set up by the Health Department, some specific
remedies have already
been included on
the register. They must comply with standards of quality and safety, and must
also comply with
the same
legislation as all other medicines concerning standards of manufacture and
labeling.
Qualified
homeopaths now have government recognition as health-care professionals under
recent legislation.
While official
registration as Medicare providers will be a long time coming (if it comes at
all), it is safe to say that
homeopathy is now
established in Australia.
Notes
1 Bradford's
Logic of Figures (1900), from Tyler, 'Homeopathic Drug Pictures', Health
Science, 1978.
2 Tyler,
'Homeopathic Drug Pictures', Health Science, 1978.
3 Scofield,
'Homeopathy and Its Potential Role in Agriculture. A critical review,' Biol.
Ag. Hort, 2: 1-5, 1984.
4 Scofield, ibid.
5 Scofield, ibid.
6 Scofield, ibid.
7 Reilly et al,
'Is Homeopathy a Placebo Response?' Lancet, 881-6, 18 October 1986.
8 Boyd, 'The
Action of Microdoses of Mercuric Chloride on Malt Diastase', Brit. Hom. J.,
31: 1-28, 1941 and 32:
106-11, 1942.
9 Townsend and
Luckey, 'Hormoligosis in Pharmacology', JAMA, 44, 7 May 1960.
Page 26
10 Stebbings,
'HormesisThe Stimulation of Growth by Low Levels of Inhibitors', Sci. Tot.
Environ., 22: 213-34,
1982.
11 Bond et al,
'Microdosimetric Concepts Applied to Hormesis', Health Physics, 52 (5):
659-61, 1987.
12 Furst et al,
'Hormetic Effects in Pharmacology', Health Physics, 52 (5): 527-30.
13 Sagan, 'What
Is Hormesis and Why Haven't We Heard of It Before?', Health Physics, 32
(5): 321-5.
14 Calabrese et
al, 'The Occurence of Chemically Induced Hormesis', Health Physics,
52 (5): 531-41.
15 Brisbin et
al, 'Sigmoid Growth and the Assessment of Hormesis', Health Physics,
52 (5): 553-9.
16 Stebbings, op.
cit.
17 Coulter, Homeopathic
Science and Human Medicine, North Atlantic, 1980.
18 Devenas,
Benveniste et al, 'Human Basophil Degranulation Triggered by Very Dilute
Antiserum Against IgE',
Nature 33: 816-30, June
1988.
19 Kleijnen et
al, 'Clinical trials of homeopathy', BMJ 302: 316-23, 1991.
20 The Times,
23 November 1989.
21 The Times,
op. cit.
22 The Times,
op. cit.
23 Pharmaceutical
Journal, 19 September 1987.
24 The Times,
op. cit.
25 Goel, Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare, Traditional Medicines: The Indian Scenario,
American Botanical
Council Classical
Reprint Number 201.
26 South
African Government Gazette, 1982.
27 New Eng. J.
Med 328; 246-52, 1993.
28 Lancet 108,
15 January 1983.
29 Pharmaceutical
Journal, 29 October 1988.
30 Steinbach, Pharmaceutical
Journal, 385-7, 3 October 1981.
Page 27
PART TWO
TREATMENTS
Page 29
2
How to Use
Homeopathic Medicines
Remedies should be
stored in a cool, dark place such as a cupboard or drawer, and away from
strong-smelling
perfumes and
liniments. They should not be stored in the refrigerator, nor close to
microwave ovens or computers.
They should be
taken under the tongue in a clean mouth, preferably about half an hour before
meals. Avoid
drinking coffee
completely while taking homeopathic medicines (tea, however, is okay), and do
not take after using
toothpaste.
Selecting the
Remedy
If you are
familiar with homeopathic prescribing, you will know that homeopaths can ask
patients many curious
questions, and
may base their choice of the correct remedy on a number of different and
apparently unrelated
conditions.
Symptoms such as being worse in a draught, or always better in humid weather or
in the open air, can
decisively
indicate the correct choice of remedy.
The remedies
listed in this book have been chosen for a number of reasons: they are well
suited to the disorders
found in the
average home, they are safe and easy to use, and they have clear-cut symptoms.
To begin with, you
may care to rely
on the descriptions of the symptoms given for each disorder in this book. By
using this alone,
Page 30
you will become a
prescriber of some competence. But you will soon become aware that these medicines
work best
by treating the
patient as an individual and the body as a whole. At about this time you would
find Part Two, "A
Materia Medica of
Common Remedies," useful, as each remedy there is summarized, showing its
main pattern of
symptoms.
It is the
understanding of the pattern of symptoms in a remedywhat the homeopaths call a
symptom picturethat is
the key to
prescribing. A remedy that closely matches in its symptom picture the symptoms
of the patient is known
in homeopathy as
the similimum, the most similar remedy, and is the one to prescribe. In these
cases, its action is
dramatic and
gratifying, and quickly repays the effort of prescribing correctly.
Dose
How often you
give a medicine will depend on the potency you use, the type of illness, and the
age of the patient.
As a general
rule, low potencies of 6x, or 3c, to 12c are used for acute complaints, such as
colds, attacks of
vomiting, wounds,
and so on. Medium potencies of 30c are used in more established conditions such
as recurrent
migraines or
entrenched period pain. Higher potencies, of 200c and above, are used in deeper
constitutional
treatment, and
are best left to experienced prescribers.
Many of the
potencies mentioned in this book are for 6x and 6c; these are good, fast-acting
potencies, well suited
to the majority
of domestic disorders. They are available in a variety of dose forms, including
liquids, pilules,
tablets and oral
sprays.
A normal dose of
any liquid is about 6 drops, usually taken under the tongue, but the remedy can
be rubbed into
the chest in
cases where opening the mouth is difficult. For frequent dosing, such as with a
child at night, put half a
capful, or about
20 drops, in I cm of water in a glass, and give by clean eye dropper.
Generally, a dose
is given every 2-3 hours during the day. It can also be given at night if the
patient is awake.
Tablets are
placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, or can be chewed if preferred.
The usual dose is 2
tablets for
adults, I for children.
Pilules are
small, round tablets, often used in homeopathic kits
Page 31
because they can
be packed into space-saving bottles. The usual dose is 4 pilules for an adult,
2 pilules for a child.
Like tablets,
they are placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve, or can be chewed if
preferred.
Oral sprays are a
recent introduction to the homeopathic market, and have proved to be very
convenient. The usual
dose is 4 sprays
for an adult, 2 for a child.
For the low
potencies of 6x, or 3-12c, one dose generally can be given every few hours
until the patient improves
or until a change
occurs. If there is no change after one or two weeks, especially in acute
illnesses, the remedy has
probably failed
and a hew remedy should be chosen. Higher potencies are given less often. As a
general rule, the
30c potency is
given once a day, to adults and children, for several days. It is used most
often in longer term
disorders, such
as arthritis or constipation, although it is sometimes given once a day for
several weeks. For
entrenched
conditions, the 200c potency may be given once a week or once a month. Higher
potencies, such as
IM, are given
about once a month for constitutional problems.
Infants and
children respond more quickly to remedies than do adults, although their
symptoms are also liable to
change more
quickly, so they need to be watched closely. Particularly in infants, the
results from a single dose can
show within
hourseven minutesso the remedy can sometimes be given less often, such as
morning and evening.
Remedy Reactions
After giving a
well-chosen remedy for a number of doses, one of three things can happen.
The symptoms
persist
If given for
three to six doses in an acute illness, or for several weeks in a more
long-standing illness, and there is
no improvement,
the remedy has failed. The similimum was not chosen. A new remedy should be
selected.
The symptoms
improve
The remedy has
succeeded, and dosage should be stopped. Further dosage should begin only when
improvement
stops.
Page 32
The symptoms
aggravate (worsen)
The remedy may be
correct, but is stimulating a response. Dosage should be stopped. A marked
improvement can
be expected when
the aggravation subsides. Further dosage should begin only when improvement
stops, usually at
a higher potency
than the first remedy. If the aggravation continues, professional advice should
be sought.
Any illness that
fails to improve after the administration of apparently correct remedies should
always receive
professional
assessment.
Page 33
3
First Aid
Abrasions and Lacerations
Abrasions are
wounds where the surface layer of skin has been taken off. Deeper damage,
especially involving
underlying
muscle, nerves and blood vessels, is a laceration; these wounds are typically
torn and jagged, and are
often badly
pulped.
The first action
needed is always to stop any bleeding. Elevation of the wound (holding it
higher than the rest of
the body) will
always help. Clean the wound as far as possible: holding it under cold running
water will
substantially
remove debris although embedded particles may need to be removed with forceps
or tweezers. Large
wounds may need
pressure to bring the edges together, and usually require allopathic treatment
(stitching).
Wounds containing
badly pulped tissue, or showing uncontrollable suppuration, should also receive
allopathic
treatment.
Treatment
The choice of
lotion or ointment to apply depends on the nature of the wound. Homeopathic
lotions are known as
tinctures, and
may be put directly on the wound, or on a pierce of gauze (the gauze should be kept
moist). They are
Page 34
useful when
maximum penetration of a wound is necessary. It is rarely necessary to apply
the tincture undiluted, as
a dilution of
about I in 10 parts water works just as well, and is more economical. Ointments
are more greasy, and
do not penetrate
as well as tinctures, but they have the advantage of sealing the wound to some
extent and so the
wound may not
require further covering.
For wounds oozing
dark, (venous) blood.
Hamamelis
tincture diluted 1 in 10, applied locally.
Internally
Hamamelis 6c, every 3-4 hours.
For wounds with
bright red (arterial) blood.
Calendula
tincture 1 in 10, applied locally.
Internally
Calendula 6c, every 3-4 hours.
If local
inflammation (redness, heat, swelling and tenderness) sets in.
Hepar sulph 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For wounds likely
to suppurate.
Equal parts of
Hypericum and Calendula tincture (Hypercal) diluted 1 in 10, applied
locally.
Internally
Calendula 6c, every few hours.
For pain that is
sharp, intense and shooting.
Hypericum 6c
internally, every 3-4 hours, or whenever the pain returns.
Bites and Stings
Insect Bites and
Stings
Ledum and Apis
given internally are useful generally for treating insect bites and stings, and
most symptoms will
yield rapidly
using these two remedies alone.
Allergic
reactions to insect bites should be treated differently: these appear as rapid
and large swellings, beginning
at the site of
the sting and spreading out. If the sting is on the neck, if it causes
breathing difficulty, or if the person
has a known
sensitivity to stings, allopathic advice should be sought immediately.
Treatment
Immediately.
Lemon juice
applied locally is a good first-line treatment.
As a general
treatment.
Ledurn tincture 1
in 10 externally, followed by Urtica tincture 1 in 10 if Ledum does not cause
improvement.
For mosquito
bites or insect stings that feel worse from warm applications, and better from
cold applications.
Ledum 6c every
3-4 hours.
For bee or wasp
stings, that are bright red and swollen, painful, burning and itching and that
become worse in
heat.
Apis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For ant bites,
with sudden rheumatic and gouty pains.
Formica rufa 6c, every 1-2
hours.
For pain, in
extremely sensitive areas, especially when it is darting or shooting.
Hypericum 6c, every 3-4
hours, or whenever pain returns.
To reduce
infection and promote healing.
Calendula 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For shock after
stings, if the person is anxious and restless.
Aconite 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For itchy,
blotchy skin, with burning and pain.
Urtica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Animal, Spider and
Repile Bites
These bites are
dangerous, particularly snake and spider bites. In these cases, the entire limb
should be wrapped in
compressive
bandages such as crepe bandage or panty hose as soon as possible after the
event to reduce fluid flow.
The limb should
then be immobilised, and allopathic treatment should immediately be found. It
should also be noted that human bites can be extremely infectious.
Treatment
The following
remedies can be used while allopathic advice is being sought.
As a local
treatment.
Ledum tincture
applied to the bite as a compress.
For spider and
snake bites that are purple and oozing thin, dark blood, while allopathic
treatment is being sought.
Lachesis 12c, every 30
minutes.
As a general
treatment.
Ledum 6c given
internally, every 3-4 hours.
For spider and
snake bites that cause burning and itching, with unsteadiness and exhaustion,
while allopathic
treatment is
being sought.
Carbolic acid 6c,
every 30 minutes.
For bites that
are swollen and blackish-purple in color, with swollen lymph nodes.
Tarentula 12c, every 3-4
hours.
For shock, anxiety,
restlessness, or fear of death.
Aconite 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Tick Bites
Using tweezers,
try to remove the tick whole, taking special care to ensure the head is not
left behind.
Alternatively,
put a drop of kerosene or olive oil on the tickthis may make it fall off.
Treatment
As a local
application.
Ledum tincture 1
in 10, applied to the bite.
For tick bite in
animals, with paralysis of the rear limbs.
Lathyrus 30c can
be obtained from a practitioner.
As a general
treatment.
Ledum 6c
internally, every 3-4 hours.
In collapse due
to tick poisoning, with a craving for fresh air.
Carbo veg 6c, every
3-4 hours, while allopathic treatment is being sought.
Bruises and Blows
Injuries of this
type are usually caused by collision with a hard, blunt object, with resulting
damage to the soft tissue. The rupture of capillaries and small blood vessels
results in the seepage of blood under the skin, with pain, swelling and
discoloration. Blows to the head, chest and abdomen should be watched
carefully. Increased pulse rate, pallor and distressed breathing, as well as
obvious deterioration, are signs that immediate allopathic intervention is
needed.
Treatment
The following
remedies are useful in serious cases while allopathic attention is being sought
Shock. Concussion
with pallor, stupor or loss of consciousness.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Patient is blue and
cold, and has a scanty sweat; does not want to be covered.
Camphor 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Patient is cold
and blue with a profuse cold sweat.
Veratrum album 6c, every 3-4
hours.
The body is cold,
face grayyellow, the patient must have air.
Carbo veg 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For different
types of bruises
To limit swelling
and discoloration.
Ice packs on the
bruise, if applied immediately.
On soft tissue
when the skin is unbroken.
Arnica tincture 1
in 10 on the skin.
Arnica 6c
internally, every 3-4 hours.
On soft tissue
when the skin is broken.
Hamamelis
tincture 1 in 10 on the skin.
Hammamelis 6c
internally, every 3-4 hours.
On areas rich in
nerves (e.g. base of neck or spine).
Hypericum
tincture 1 in 10 on the skin.
Hypericum 6c, internally
every 3-4 hours.
Bruises to the
breast.
Bellis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For bruises to
eyes (black eyes)
As a general
treatment.
Arnica tincture, diluted 1 in
10, on the bruise.
Arnica 6c
internally, every 3-4 hours.
If arnica is not
successful, or if the bruise is turning green.
Ledum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For extreme pain
in the eye itself.
Hypericum 6c
every 3-4 hours, or every time the pain returns.
For bruises to
the bone surface
As a general
treatment.
Symphytum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Jamming or
crushing of fingers or toes.
Hypericum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Burns
It is customary
to classify burns according to the damage that has been done. A first degree
burn is only redness of the skin. Second degree burns involve blistering, while
third degree bums involve damage to the deeper layers of the skin and the
oozing of clear liquid from raw, inflamed areas. In fourth degree burns,
destruction of the whole skin has occurred. Allopathic treatment should always
be sought for burns of the third or fourth degree, and the patient should be
kept covered and comfortable.
All burns are
dangerous if not properly treated: the conditions to be aware of are infection,
pain and shock.
Clothing not
adhering to severely burned areas should be cut away, but clothing burned into
the flesh is most likely sterile and should not be removed.
Treatment
In severe burns,
immediate applications of egg white, ice or honey are good emergency dressings.
Cotton wool, oily substances and antiseptics are to be avoided. In less severe
burns, a local dressing can be made with clean gauze. Saturate the gauze with
Urtica tincture for first degree burns, and Hypericum tincture for second
degree burns, 20 drops to a little water. Re-apply liquid often to keep
dressing moist.
Immediate
treatment, first and second degree burns.
Cold water or ice
on the burn.
Immediate
treatment, third degree burns.
Apply egg white
liberally.
When healing has
started and pain subsided.
Apply a mixture
of Hypericum and Calendula tinctures (Hypercal), diluted 1 in 10, locally.
For shock.
Arnica 6c, every 1-2
hours.
For persistent
stinging.
Urtica 30c, every time
pain recurs.
If there is fear
of death, with anxiety and restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
For burns where
the skin
is red, shiny, hot and throbbing, and the pain is worsened by touching.
Belladonna 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
Burns when there
is a swelling and sometimes looking like orange peel, with sensations of
burning and stinging as
if pricked by a
hundred needles.
Apis 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
For second degree
burns, with large blisters and intense pain.
Cantharis 30c,
every time pain recurs.
Scarring third
degree burns, with pains that are worse at night and soothed by warmth.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Deep bums of third
degree, where yellow-green ulcers have formed.
Kali bich 30c,
every time pain recurs.
For painful burns
with a drawing, tightening sensation.
Causticum 30c,
every 3-4 hours.
Collapse
Collapse is always
a serious incident, and should be regarded gravely. These remedies are included
for emergency treatment only, while allopathic advice is being sought.
Nevertheless they are very effective, and have produced many remarkable
recoveries.
Treatment
For shock
immediately after an accident.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes.
For sudden and
complete prostration, where the skin is dry and very cold, but the patient will
not be covered or objects to it. Camphor is a good remedy for shock.
Camphor 6c, every
30 minutes.
For fainting or
collapse, with cold sweat on the forehead and the whole body is icy cold.
Veratrum album
6c, every 30 minutes.
To reduce the
prolonged effects of shock.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Patient is blue
and cold; lies motionless as if dead, wants fresh air and to be fanned. Carbo
veg is often called 'the corpse reviver' because of its success in collapse.
Carbo veg 6c,
every 30 minutes.
For extreme
weakness of the neck muscles, with heaviness of the head; the legs give out
when walking, patient can hardly stand, walk or talk.
Cocculus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Patient faints
easily, from extremes of cold or heat, after getting wet, kneeling, and other
minor causes.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Concussion
Concussion is a
special kind of bruising, where the brain has been bruised from a blow to the
head. The symptoms vary, depending on the severity and extent of the injury.
Mild cases may show no more than dizziness, passing off after an hour or two.
In more serious cases the face and skin are pale, there are alterations in
pulse rate and breathing, unequal pupil size and loss of consciousness. If
vomiting occurs, ensure the airways are clear. There may be bleeding inside the
mouth or throat. In very serious cases, symptoms are coma, diminished pulse and
breathing,
and cold
extremities. In all cases of concussion other than mild ones allopathic advice
should be sought.
Treatment
Loss of memory
after concussion.
Arnica 200c or
1M--from a practitioner.
For concussion
with resultant depression.
Nat sulph 200c--from a
practitioner.
Whether loss of
consciousness has occurred or not.
Arnica 6c, every
30 minutes for 5 or 6 doses.
Cuts And Scratches
Cuts and
scratches are generally regarded as only skin deep, and require only antiseptic
treatment. Deeper cuts may have divided not only the skin, but also structures
underneath it such as ligaments and nerves, and in such cases surgical
attention is necessary. Test to see if all normal movements can be carried out,
and that there are no numb areas. Stitches will be needed if the wound is
gaping and cannot be drawn together.
Treatment
First aid for
cuts, scratches, and sharp wounds is substantially the same as for abrasions.
Cleaning the wound is
always necessary,
but it is particularly important if it is an animal scratch. Suppuration
(oozing of pus) should be watched cautiously, and allopathic advice should be
sought if it
worsens, and
especially if the lymph nodes in the armpit, neck or groin become swollen or
red streaks develop around the wound.
For general
purposes, externally.
Hypercal (equal parts
of calendula and hypericum tincture), applied undiluted locally or diluted 1 in
10.
For clean-cut,
deep or surgical cuts, with sharp stinging pain.
Staphysagria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For inflammation
locally.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For sharp pain
shooting up the limb.
Hypericum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For wounds with
suppuration, and where the patient has great sensitivity to the slightest
touch.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Fracture
All fractures
require allopathic treatment. Any suspected broken bones should be moved as
little as possible, to prevent further injury. Fractures of the skull, neck or
spine are usually the most dangerous. Bleeding from the ears, mouth, nose or
into the eyes is often a sign of skull fracture. If the patient cannot move the
fingers, the neck may be broken, while if they cannot move their legs, the back
may be broken. In these cases, do not move the patient
unless absolutely
necessary, and call an ambulance. Fractures of arms or legs should be
immobilised and allopathic
treatment sought.
Treatment
As a general
treatment for trauma and bruising.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
If nerve damage
is involved, with shooting pains.
Hypericum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
As a general treatment,
to aid knitting of the bones.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For aching,
throbbing pain in bones.
Eupatorium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For prickling
pain as the bone is knitting.
Symphytum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
To promote the
union of fractured bones.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Puncture Wounds
This type of
wound is usually caused by a nail, thorn, splinter or similarly sharp-pointed
object. Although the wound may appear insignificant, deeper structures may be
injured, or infection may be implanted. Damage to important organs, or large
blood vessels, requires allopathic treatment.
Watch for
tetanus. The typical case of tetanus occurs from a sharp but dirty object that
punctures the skin and penetrates a short distance, with the wound closing over
when the sharp object is withdrawn. The incubation period for tetanus (the time
taken for any implanted tetanus infection to produce enough toxin to affect the
spinal cord)
may be anywhere
from two to thirty days; the average is about ten. The longer the period of
incubation, the milder
the disease.
After any untreated deep puncture wounds, tetanus should always be suspected if
the patient complains
of cramping,
especially in the face or bowel. The following remedies can be used on puncture
wounds while
allopathic advice
is being immediately sought.
Treatment
General treatment
externally.
Ledum tincture, 1
in 10 dilution.
General treatment
internally.
Ledum 6c, every
3-4 hours for a few days.
If the wound is
painful, and there are shooting pains.
Hypericum 6c,
every 3-4 hours, each time pain returns.
Sprains and
Strains
Strains occur
when the ligaments around a joint have been stretched, and sprains when they
have been torn. The surrounding membranes of the joint may also be involved, resulting
in fluid building up, which stretches the joint capsule and limits joint
movement. In all cases, pain, swelling and discoloration occur. If the joint is
badly displaced or wobbling, or impossible to straighten or bend, allopathic
treatment is necessary, but can be followed
with advantage by
homoeopathic treatment.
Muscular
problems, such as stiffness after unaccustomed exercise, have essentially the
same treatment, so are covered here as well.
Treatment
As a general
treatment.
Apply ice packs immediately,
externally.
For muscle strain
after unaccustomed exercise, involving rupture, swelling and bruised pain.
Arnica tincture,
diluted 1 in 10, applied locally as a firm compress;
Arnica 6c,
internally, every 3-4 hours.
For a sprain or
strain of joint, with painful ligament, tendon or bone.
Ruta grav
tincture, diluted 1 in 10, externally.
Ruta grav 6c,
internally, every 3-4 house.
For painful
muscle and tendons, from overexertion, with pain that is worse on initial
motion and better on continued motion.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sunburn
Sunburn may lead
to nothing more than a temporary reddening of the skin, or it may progress to
blistering and deeper damage. It can be relieved temporarily by the application
of aloe vera gel. Other external applications are as for burns; some internal
remedies follow.
Treatment
Sunburn with
heat, redness and pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunburn with redness, heat
and throbbing, worse from touch.
Belladonna 6c,
every 1-2 hours until improved, then one dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn, with
large blisters, burning and containing clear or bloody liquid.
Cantharis 30c,
every 3-4 hours for 1 day, then 1 dose every time the pain returns.
Sunburn peeling
and leaving a raw, oozing surface, itching and burning.
Bufo 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Sunstroke
Sunstroke, more
correctly called heatstroke, is a disorder of the body's heat-regulating
mechanism caused by overexposure to the sun or great heat, while in a humid atmosphere.
It can also be brought about through excessive exercise. Sunstroke shows
symptoms similar to heat exhaustion--both have headache, dizziness and
weakness--but
in sunstroke
there is a high temperature and absence of sweating, while in heat exhaustion
there is sweating with a normal or below normal temperature.
Sunstroke can be
dangerous. The high temperature should be brought down as quickly as possible,
as above 104°F
(40°c) the person
may collapse and become unconscious, with circulatory failure in severe cases.
The immediate treatment is to bring down the temperature by wrapping the person
in a wet sheet, and create a draught by fanning or switching on an electric
fan. Keep the sheet wet and sponge the face. Once the person has cooled down,
cover
with a dry sheet:
if the temperature begins to climb again, allopathic treatment is immediately
necessary.
Treatment
General treatment
should include giving a little water to drink, with half a teaspoon of salt
added per half-litre of water, or an electrolyte replacer such as a sports
drink. In stable cases, the following remedies can be used.
Sunstroke with
hot dizzy sensation and bursting pressure. Person anxious and restless, worse from
sitting up. The skin is red and dry.
Aconite 6c, every
30-60 minutes.
Sunstroke with
headache from the heat of the sun, with pounding head, flushed face
and bloodshot eyes, person is bathed in sweat.
Belladonna 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with
violent, pounding headache, pale face and fixed eyes, white tongue and laboured
breathing.
Glonoine 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Hot, dry and
inflamed, with flushed face and feverish symptoms.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sunstroke with
stupefied, giddy, intoxicated feeling and band-like pain around the head.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Collapse after
overexposure to the sun, with great coldness.
Camphor 6c, every
30 minutes.
Headache after
sun exposure, like a thousand tiny hammers, with debility and thirst.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Common Problems
Acne
Acne is a common
problem in adolescents but also often occurs in adults. It is thought to be due
to hormonal imbalances, and perhaps faulty diet. It appears as inflamed oil
glands, generally on the skin of the face, neck or back, which have become blocked
and often infected. The pimples are raised, red and usually pus-filled;
blackheads are common. The pimples may or may not be painful.
Treatment
External
treatment of the skin should be as gentle as possible, avoiding harsh
antiseptic soaps. Creams and
ointments
containing antibiotics or the cortisone type of hormones should not be used,
since general allergic
reactions and
permanent damage to the skin can easily occur.
Avoid chocolate, cheese,
nuts, soft drinks and junk food. Supplementation with vitamins A and B6, and
the mineral
zinc, is
beneficial. The most suitable remedy given below should be tried for three to
six weeks.
Painful pimples
with a small area of white pus in the centre.
Eugenia jambosa
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Pustular acne,
only on the cheeks and nose.
Ledum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Oily skin with
small pimples and blackheads in adolescents, following mental strain or sexual
frustration.
Selenium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pimples on the
forehead and other areas where the skin is thin.
Calc pic 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Blind boils and
burning stinging acne, mainly on the face, chest and shoulders, in restless,
depressed and worried adolescents.
Kali brom 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Lesions contain
pus, are of a purplish hue, are hard, painful and often symmetrical.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pimples that
leave a raised scar after healing.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Large numbers of
pimples that heal leaving purple-red scars and pits.
Ant tart 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Weeping pustules,
forming yellow crusts, that will not heal.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Painful red
pustules like small boils, highly sensitive, discharging yellow pus.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pimples that come
to a head but will not discharge, or discharge leaving a scar.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Long-standing
acne, with rough hard skin, made worse by washing and heat.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Acne Rosacea
Ache rosacea is the
name for acne-like symptoms that occur in middle age, with red, thickened skin,
blotchy red
patches due to
the enlargement of small blood vessels and appearing as red, pus-filled spots.
There is easy flushing
of the nose and
cheeks, at first periodically, then permanently. Possible causes are thought to
be oral contraceptives, steroid ointments, and possibly a deficiency of vitamin
B2.
Treatment
As a general
treatment.
Avoid hot spicy
foods, tea, coffee and alcohol.
Reduce stress as
much as possible.
Supplement with B
complex vitamins.
When the face is
always red and dry, with pimples and pus-filled spots.
Sulphur iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
In the early
stages, when the face is red, dry, and burning hot.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
There is burning
and stinging of the lesions, often in women with flushing or scanty periods,
and the condition is always worse in heat.
Sanguinaria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
The face is dry
and burning, and condition is worse from cold applications; there is flaky,
scaly skin.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
When the acne has
a symmetrical look on cheeks and forehead.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
For red, painful
or itchy spots, where the face is puffy and swollen and the acne is worse in
cold or wet weather.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Where the face is
reddish-purple and mottled, patient feels worse in the morning, after sleep or
from exposure to the sun.
Lachesis 12c,
morning and evening.
In older people,
with poor circulation, distended veins, and blue extremities. The acne gives no
sensation of heat.
Carbo animalis
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Anemia
Anemia is a
deficiency in the blood, either in quality or quantity. It is usually a
decrease in the number of red blood cells, or a reduction in their hemoglobin
content. Symptoms include pale face, fingernail beds and mucous membranes,
general fatigue and weakness, and shortness of breath. There are several
possible causes, but the most significant are excessive loss of blood, such as
may be caused by very heavy menstrual bleeding, childbirth, gastrointestinal
disease or an accident, and inadequate intake of iron. Vitamin B12 is the
missing factor in
pernicious
anemia.
Treatment
The first action
is to supplement the diet with extra iron, either through iron-rich foods such
as red meat and parsley, or by iron supplements. Often, however, there can be
problems with the absorption and assimilation of this iron into the red blood
cells; in such cases the following remedies can be of great use.
In simple anemia,
to help with assimilation of dietary iron.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Anmia due to
blood loss, with chilliness, digestive distress and exhaustion.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Anemia with
depression of spirits and prostration, headache, constipation, dry mouth and
lips, and tendency to cold sores.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Patient is
robust-looking, but the face is pale, flushing easily.
Ferrum met 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
In children and
adolescents, during growth spurts, or during convalescence.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Anemia coupled
with mental overload.
Picric acid 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Anxiety
Sudden,
short-lived anxiety due to particular circumstances is natural and needs no
treatment, since after a short time the mind and body return to normal.
Apprehension and worry that continue longer with less cause, coupled with
increased pulse rate, clammy skin and disturbed sleep and appetite, warrant
attention. Treatment with tranquilizers has short-term value, and over the longer
term carries the risk of side effects and dependence. Those taking
tranquilizers and who wish to take homeopathic medicines should wean themselves
off their medication
very gently, as
extreme reactions can occur if tranquilizers are stopped suddenly.
Treatment
Anxious after
nervous stress, patient cannot relax or sleep easily, is irritable and jumps at
the slightest sound.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Patient is
oversensitive to many influences, with anxiety, repeated sighing, insomnia,
palpitations and loss of
appetite; he or
she is better when the mind is occupied. Often the after effect of an emotional
shock.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Anxiety, with
restlessness and fear of death, often at the onset of an acute illness.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Anxiety before
any ordeal, such as performing in front of an audience, in tense intellectual
types who are irritable and touchy, lacking confidence and intolerant of
contradiction.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Anxiety with restlessness,
exhaustion and desire for warmth, patient fends off anxiety by being
meticulously tidy.
Arsenicum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Nervous, agitated
and restless; sufferer walks faster from anxiety. Hurried and
anxious before appointments, torments from anticipation of failure.
Argentum nit 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Extremely
sensitive to atmospheres, thunderstorms, the thoughts and feelings of others,
and to touch. Nervous and fidgety, desires affection and gives it easily.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Patient is easily
anxious and discouraged, apprehensive and fearful; feels very chilly, yet
sweats easily about the head and feet.
Calc carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Nervous,
irritable and stubborn person, yet thin and weak and exhausted easily by effort; has
anxiety before events; fears failure.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Appetite
Problems
Problems with
appetite are often ephemeral, and are usually related to other symptoms of the
time. Nevertheless, a few remedies have well-defined symptom pictures, and are
often useful.
Treatment
Appetite varies:
from good to complete loss.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Appetite
excessive, even at night, but easily satisfied.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Appetite
variable, from voracious to indifferent. Child wants things, but rejects when
offered, with irritability. Grinds teeth at night.
Cina 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Appetite absent,
with irritability, especially after excesses of living.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a
disorder affecting the structure of the joints and their surrounding tissue.
There is pain, swelling and,
frequently,
changes in the joint structure. The condition usually begins in the small
joints of the hands, especially
the fingers,
although other joints can be involved. With recurrent attacks, the joints can
become swollen and
immobile. There
can often be wasting of the surrounding muscle. General treatments of benefit
include compresses
on the affected
parts and an alkaline diet.
The term
arthritis covers more than a hundred different types of joint disease, the most
common being rheumatoid
arthritis: and
osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease where the joint
tissues are attacked by
the body's own
defenses. It is most often seen as a shifting attack on one or more joints at a
time, frequently
settling on the
fingers, but sometimes involving many joints in increasing pain, swelling and
immobility.
Osteoarthritis is
a degeneration of the joints that is most likely to strike those that receive
the most use or stress
over the years.
As a result, the knees, big toes, spine, and end joints of the fingers are
common sites of complaint.
Symptoms vary
from mild to severe depending on the amount of degeneration that has taken
place. It is caused by
the
disintegration of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bone, which leaves
roughened surfaces and results in
stiffness and
pain.
Treatment
In acute attacks,
when the joint is swollen, painful and red, aggravated by motion.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain with
sour-smelling sweat and a persistent creamy coating on the back of the tongue.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 52
Pain and
stiffness, often brought on by cold and damp and improved by heat. Pains are
worse on initial movement,
especially in the
morning, but better after limbering up.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For a stabbing
pain that is better when absolutely still, worse on movement and in dry, cold
weather, and is
relieved by
pressure being applied and lying on the affected part.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Joint pain made
worse by heat and warm rooms, flitting from one part of the body to another.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Joints feel cold and
numb, with pain and stiffness increasing when the weather changes.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain mainly in
the jaw and neck, with muscle spasm, better in warm, damp or humid weather.
Causticurn 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Aches and pains that
are worse at night; there is greasy, offensive sweat and a foul taste in the
mouth in the
morning.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain and
stiffness that is worse in cold, damp weather, especially after becoming
overheated.
Dulcamara 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stiff, bruised
pains after injury, no matter how long ago.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Bruised, sore,
aching stiffness, sufferer feels they must move, but feels no better when they
do.
Phytolacca 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain is worse
when at rest and improved by movement, and is particularly aggravated by the
approach of stormy
weather.
Rhododendron 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Limbs are stiff
and painful after becoming cold, or when the weather changes from warm to cold;
condition is
somewhat improved
by moving about.
Dulcamara 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain with great
creaking of the joints.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4hours.
Pain in the
joints, especially the larger ones, where the tendons meet the bone, condition
is improved by warmth.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 53
Asthma
The symptoms of
asthma are attacks of breathlessness, brought about by contraction of the
bronchial tubes, with the secretion of a very thick, sticky mucus instead of
normal fluid phlegm. Attacks vary greatly in frequency, duration and intensity,
ranging from occasional periods of wheezing and breathing difficulty, to severe
attacks that almost cause suffocation. Most of the symptoms arise from an
allergic or hypersensitivity reaction taking place in the bronchial walls.
Treatment
A great
improvement can often be seen by following a diet free of dairy products,
wheat, oats, rye and barley.
Other allergens,
such as dusts and pollens, can also cause asthma, and can be treated by
homeopathic desensitisation. The following remedies are also of great use: they
should be taken often during an attack, and 2-3 times a day between attacks.
Serious attacks always need allopathic attention.
Attack comes on
suddenly after midnight, with anxiety, restlessness and thirst, often after exposure to dry cold
wind.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Constriction of
the chest, with spasms of the bronchial muscles, and spasmodic dry tickling
cough. Difficulty breathing when lying down.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every1-2 hours.
Asthma in
children, who wake with cough, profuse sweating, mouth breathing, and sensation
of intense suffocation.
Sambucus 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Asthma worsened
from exposure to house dust and dust mite.
Blatta 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Nervous asthma, and
from taking the least food, with depressed nervous system. Attacks with
oppressed breathing.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Asthma with
gagging: may have persistent nausea and vomiting, but feel no better by it.
Ipecac 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Asthma with
muscle spasms in chest and arms, perhaps vomiting after each spasm.
Cuprum met 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Asthma with
white-coated tongue and coughing up white mucus with difficulty.
Kali tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2 hours.
Page 54
Asthma with
expectoration of clear, frothy mucus and watery discharges from the eyes and
nose.
Nat tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 1-2hours.
Attacks between
midnight and 3 a.m., with burning in the chest, restlessness, and anxiety,
sufferer wants sips of water, is better by sitting up.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Asthma worse around 3 a.m., with
exhaustion, pale face, and great rattling of mucus in chest, hard to raise.
Ant tart 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Asthma is worse
2-4 a.m., with chilliness; may have stabbing pains. Sufferer sits bending
forward, or with arms on knees.
Kali carb 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Asthma worse from
going to bed, or shortly after going to sleep.
Aralia racemosa
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Whistling asthma
towards 3 a.m., with irritating cough and severe congestion, difficult to
expectorate.
Ammonium carb
6c, every 1-2 hours.
Asthma worse 3-5
a.m., in damp conditions, with early morning diarrhoea.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Asthma in obese,
cold-sensitive persons, worse 3-5 a.m. and from humidity.
Thuja 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Asthma worse on
waking in the morning, with great fear of constriction.
Lachesis 12c,
morning and evening.
Bad Breath
Bad breath can
have many causes, including decayed teeth, sinus problems, tonsillitis, bronchitis,
indigestion,
constipation,
liver trouble, and strong smelling ingredients in the diet such as garlic. It
usually occurs as part of a
broader symptom
picture, but a few remedies are helpful.
Treatment
Bad breath
especially in morning, with thirst.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bad breath with
irritability in the mornings, especially after overeating or alcohol.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Biliousness
Biliousness is a
rather vague term applied sometimes to indigestion with irrritability, vague
nausea, headache and
constipation. It
may occur after overindulgence in rich food or drink, and often after excessive
production of bile
from the liver.
Treatment
Biliousness with
greenish-brown coated tongue, sallow skin, and a yellow tinge to the eyes.
There may be a bitter
taste, and
vomiting of bile or bitter fluid.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Biliousness after
over-indulgence in food or drink, with irritability, worse in the morning.
Seeks coffee and stimulants.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Biliousness with
a white-coated tongue or light-colored stools.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Biliousness with
nausea, inclination to vomit, wants hot water or hot drinks. Yellow tinge to
the skin, and pain
under the right
shoulder blade.
Chelidonium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Boils And Abscesses
An abscess is
formed when the body reacts to an infection with redness, heat, swelling, pain
and tenderness, and often an accumulation of pus. Abscesses can occur anywhere:
they are usually very painful and should not be squeezed. On the surface of the
skin, an abscess also forms the familiar congested area called a boil; it may
also develop from a spreading ulcer. If the infected area has several openings
or heads, a carbuncle is forming, and allopathic advice should be sought. Any
area showing uncontrollable suppuration should also receive allopathic
treatment.
Page 56
Treatment
Immediate
treatment.
Apply Hypercal
externally, diluted 1 in 10.
Internally give
Calendula 6c, every 3-4 hours.
In the early
stages of inflammation, when there is heat, pain, congestion and fever.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
For the swelling,
before pus has begun to form.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Skin hot, red, painful
and throbbing, with general restlessness.
Belladonna 6c
every 3-4 hours.
Skin shining and
swollen, with stinging pains that are worse from heat.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Boils intolerably
painful and sensitive. Patient is chilly, but boil is hot.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Purplish wounds,
burning and throbbing. To hasten resolution.
Tarentula 12c,
once a day.
Boils slow in
coming to a head, to hasten resolution.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours, or Silicea 6x, a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
When suppuration
and discharge have occurred, but are slow to clear.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
If the discharge
occurs too long, and the wound refuses to heal.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Unhealthy skin,
easily infected and sensitive to touch.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
When even minor
wounds turn septic, and develop into boils.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bone Pain
Bone pain can
show a variety of types and have a variety of causes, from the sharp pain of
fracture, to the aching
pain of influenza
and the dull pain of arthritis. Occasionally bone pain can also be due to a
dietary deficiency. Any
pain that fails
to clear should receive professional assessment.
Page 57
Treatment
Prickling pains in
the bone, especially after a fracture, when the bone is knitting.
Symphytum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bones ache, are
numb, chilly; feel great weakness when climbing stairs.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bruised,
throbbing pain in the bones and especially in the eye sockets, during fever or
flu.
Eupatorium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bone pain worse
from any movement, better by lying completely still.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain on the
surface of bones, often with spurs or bony outgrowths such as bunions.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
To promote the
union of fractured bones, to shorten the duration of the pain.
Calc phos 6x,
every 3-4 hours.
Bone pain with
easy sweating, especially around the feet. Ulceration of bone.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an
inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bronchial tubes. It often follows a
cold or influenza, and may become chronic. The usual symptoms are fever with a
harsh, dry cough, chest pain and wheezing, although the chest pain improves
when expectoration begins. If the temperature rises above 102°F (39°C), or
breathing becomes rapid and difficult, or the phlegm contains blood, allopathic
treatment is essential.
Treatment
Heat and
congestion, with short painful cough and oppressed breathing. Discharge is
absent or clear and minimal, may show traces of blood.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bronchitis that
may come on suddenly, with fever, restlessness and anxiety. Dry staccato
cough, with notable thirst.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Sudden onset,
with high fever, restlessness, pounding headache and flushed face.
Cough is worse at night and when lying down.
Belladonna 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Expectoration is
thick, yellow and heavy. The cough is made better by heat and warm drinks, but aggravated
by cold drinks.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry, stabbing
painful cough, with chest pain relieved by holding tightly or lying on it.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Expectoration is thick,
white, tenacious and the tongue has a white or grayish-white coating.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Loose and
rattling cough, patient is sensitive to drafts, worse in the evening and on
lying down, better from warm and humid air.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Tight, ticklish
cough, with traces of blood. Burning in the chest, with craving for cold water.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Phlegm is light
yellow, watery and copious, or greenish and slimy, with back of the tongue coated
yellow. There is a craving for fresh air.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bronchitis with
loose and rattling expectoration of clear, watery mucus.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Thick, bland,
creamy expectoration, loose in the mornings but dry at night.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Expectoration of
thick, clear, jelly-like mucus, especially in anemic persons.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Catarrh
Catarrh is the
excessive discharge of mucus from any mucous membrane, but most commonly the
nose, sinuses and lungs. it is the attempt by the body to protect itself
against invasion by pathogens, as a reaction against irritation, and to rid
itself of toxic wastes that are not being properly eliminated by the kidneys,
bowel or skin.
Homeopathy
regards chronic catarrh as a symptom of general body toxicity, which should be
treated by deeper acting, more constitutional remedies. The following remedies
are for more
acute conditions, and can be used primarily according to the colour of the
mucus discharge.
Treatment
First stage, with
fever, inflammation, heat and a clear or minimal discharge, occasionally tinged
with blood.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Catarrh with a
watery, frothy, clear discharge, often with sneezing. There may be great
thirst, or complete absence of it, and a loss of smell and taste.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Second stage of
catarrhal discharge, with thick white mucus that is bland and abundant. Tongue
is coated white.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Yellow or white
discharge that is thick, stringy and ropy, or with tough and jelly-like plugs,
with feeling of pressure around the bridge of the nose.
Kali bich 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bronchial catarrh,
with coughing up tiny, yellow, tough lumps of mucus.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Profuse thick,
yellow discharge, the inside of the nose is sore and ulcerated; sneezing makes
symptoms worse.
Arsenicum iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Third stage of
discharge, with yellow mucus that is watery or slimy. Tongue is yellow at the
back; person feels better in the fresh air.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Yellowish
discharge, with sore scabs and fissures inside the nose, made worse by blowing.
Sense of smell is abnormally acute.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bright yellow
discharge, running all the time, with mucus dripping down the back of the
throat, and small ulcers in the nose.
Hydrastis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bland mucus, yellow
or greenish-yellow, that is changeable in colour and stops and starts, with
loss of smell and taste. Patient is worse in stuffy rooms and better outdoors.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Mucus is thick,
yellow or greenish-yellow, often offensive, and sometimes mixed with blood.
Cal sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Thick offensive
discharge, yellow and slimy, sometimes streaked with blood. Skin has a greasy
sweat.
Merc sol 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Profuse secretion
of greenish mucus with tongue green-gray at the back. Worse in the damp and at
every change of weather.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry scabs inside
the nose that bleed easily, nose stuffier indoors than out of doors, cold sores
on the outside of the nose.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Chronic catarrh,
with offensive discharge, excessive sweating of the feet, and poor resistance to infection. The edge of
the nostrils is dry and ulcerated. The tip of nose may itch.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Chilblains and Poor
Circulation
Poor circulation
includes persistently cold hands and feet, and cold, mottled skin. Chilblains
are a special case of poor circulation, where the cold has caused a
constriction of the blood vessels in areas such as the fingers, toes, ears and
nose; here the tissue becomes purple or deep red, begins to itch and burn, and
is painful. Exercise and massage help to improve the circulation.
Treatment
General
Treatments For Poor Circulation Poor circulation, with intense chilliness,
always worse from drafts.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Poor circulation,
patient faints easily, with chilliness, especially in the evening.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Remedies For Chilblains
As an external
application.
Tincture of Tamus
can be applied locally, morning and evening.
Chilblains, to
prevent appearance.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours daily during autumn and winter.
Chilblains that
are hot,
red, congested and throbbing.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Chilblains itchy,
swollen, with stinging pain.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Chilblains
itching, burning bluish-red and swollen; become worse from warmth and in bed.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Chilblains, with
sore, swollen and bruised pain.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Broken chilblains
exuding thin, yellow fluid.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are an
infection of the herpes simplex virus, showing usually as itching, burning
blisters inside the mouth and on the lips, chin or cheeks. When ruptured the
blisters leave a thin, yellowish crust, often with broken skin or fissures,
that is very prone to secondary infection. While the symptoms may clear up
after 5-10 days, the virus is not destroyed, but incubates until conditions are
ripe for recurrence. Triggering factors for recurrence include stress,
emotional trauma and any general lowering of resistance.
Treatment
Lysine (an amino
acid) can be taken as a supplement, along with zinc and bioflavonoids. Avoid
grains, seeds, peanuts and chocolate.
Externally, apply
ice as often as possible in the very early stages. Applications of tea tree oil
are also useful for aborting attacks. After the lesions have formed, solanum
nigrum ointment is soothing.
As a general
preventative, if infection or recurrence is suspected.
Herpes simplex
nosode 30c, morning and evening for a few days.
Large blisters
that smart and burn intensely, may also bleed.
Cantharis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 62
Deep crack in
middle of lower lip, mouth very dry, pearl-like blisters on the lips.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Corners of the
mouth ulcerate; angry-looking blisters with great itching and tingling.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Many ulcers inside
the mouth, very sore and worse at night, with easily bleeding gums.
Sempervivum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cracks at the
corners of the mouth, lips pale, red itchy rash on chin, burning blisters on
tongue, breath foul.
Capsicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Colds
The common cold
is known medically as coryza, an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, and is
considered by allopaths to be due to a virus. The symptom picture normally goes
through a number of stages as the disorder progresses. Its symptoms are
sneezing, discharge from the nose and eyes, and often sore and reddened eyes. It differs from influenza in that there is no bone pain, less
prostration, and less sweat. In homeopathic treatment the color and effect of
the discharges are important, as well as the influences that make the disorder
better or worse.
Stages
1 Mucous membrane
inflammation and pain. Discharge is absent or minimal.
2 Running of the
nose, clear and more profuse, changing to white as the disorder progresses. Eye
involvement.
Sneezing.
3 Discharge thickening
in texture, and moving from white to yellow.
4 Discharge
yellow to yellow-green.
Treatment
The homeopathic
treatment of colds is very effective, and can stop a cold at any stage. Since
colds can have differing symptom pictures, careful prescribing is necessary. As
general winter treatment, daily doses of half a gram of vitamin C to children
aged 7-14, and one gram to anyone over fourteen, is useful in preventing
infection and hastening recovery.
Page 63
To build up the
general health after a cold.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stage 1 Colds
Mucous membrane
inflammation and pain. Discharge is absent or minimal.
In the very early
stages, where there is the sensation of icy cold, but no fever. Nose stopped,
dry and contracted.
The head aches in
front.
Camphor 6c, every
2 hours for a few doses is enough.
After exposure to
dry cold; not much running of the nose, but burning and pricking of the throat,
restlessness and heat, obvious fever. Anxiety, apprehension and fear.
Aconite 6c, even every
20 minutes.
High temperature
with sudden onset, dry mucous membranes and great congestion of the nose and
throat. Profuse sweating, restlessness, flushed face.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For a cold
beginning with sneezing.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Painful, dry or
moist cough. May be sneezing, but no other discharges. Feverishness; face pale
or flushed, pulse is rapid.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
The nose remains
dry and obstructed, headache over the root of the nose persists, and is
aggravated by motion. The lips are dry and there is considerable thirst for
water in large amounts, but not particularly often.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
The nose is dry
and blocked at night, flowing in the morning and in a warm room, with a sore
throat. Shivering if uncovered, can't get warm enough, wants warm drinks, very
irritable.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stage 2 Colds
Running of the
nose, clear and more profuse, changing to white as the disorder progresses. Eye
involvement.
Sneezing. Hay
fever symptoms.
Clear, profuse
and acrid
discharge from the nose, corroding the nostrils and upper lip, with heat and burning.
Eyes are suffused and watery, tears are bland. There is sneezing and headache.
Allium cepa 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Tears are burning
and acrid, the nasal discharge bland. Conjunctivitis, worse from light; the
patient often dabs at the eyes repeatedly. The coryza is worse at night, in a
warm room, and from lying down; better in the fresh air.
Euphrasia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 64
Thin, watery,
nasal discharge irritating the upper lip, but better in a warm room. The
discharge is more burning in character; the throat also burns. The patient may
feel intensely hot, yet craves heat--hot drinks, hot rooms, hot
applications--and is restless, always worse around midnight.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
White mucus
discharge, with stuffiness and congestion.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Often good for
treating a cold that begins by sneezing. Abundant tears and nasal discharge,
clear and watery or thick and white like the white of an egg, either raw or
cooked, sneezing is violent, paroxysmal, loss of smell and taste, dry cracked
lips, cold sores about lips and nose.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stage 3 Colds
Discharge
thickening in texture, and moving from white to yellow.
Bland, thick
yellow discharges, often at the end of a head cold. The nose is stopped up
indoors and at night, discharging in the open air. There is often a loss of smell
and taste. The lips are chapped and peel easily; patient has a dry mouth with
no thirst and a generally poor appetite. Better in open air, and worse from
heat.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Violent coryza,
with red swollen throat, hoarse, raw and rough voice, better after beginning to
talk. Thick yellow, offensive mucus, sneezing and coughing. Thirst for cold
drinks, especially at night, but generally better from heat.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For colds that
invariably spread to the throat, or where every sore throat ends in a cold.
There is constant, profuse salivation with intense thirst, bad breath and bad
taste in the mouth. The nasal discharge is thin, with sneezing, watering of the
eyes and a sore throat that stings and pricks, making swallowing difficult. The
nostrils can be red, raw and ulcerated. Often there is a profuse, offensive
sweat, which does not relieve the symptoms.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Discharge is
yellow, patient has desire for fresh air.
Kali sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 65
Stage 4 Colds
Discharge yellow
to yellow-green.
Takes cold at
slightest exposure to fresh air, generally unhealthy. Nose blocks on going
outside, with a thin, irritating discharge, yellow to yellow-green in color. A
sore throat usually accompanies the discharge, is very sensitive to touch and
drafts, often with the sensation of a splinter there. Sometimes a loose and
barking cough, usually worse at night. Cold sores are common.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Yellow discharges
changing to yellow-green, profuse and intermittent, slimy and tenacious,
sometimes tinged with blood.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Catarrh, with
thick yellow (or green), stringy, ropy discharge, or tough and jelly-like; can
be drawn into long strings.
Kali bich 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stringy, yellow,
nasal discharge, sticky and tenacious.
Hydrastis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Colitis
Colitis is
inflammation of the colon. It may show as four different conditions, which have
some symptoms in common. There are varying degrees of abdominal pain,
constipation, diarrhea and bloating after meals. If blood appears in the stool
professional advice should be sought.
Irritable colon
involves overactivity of an otherwise normal bowel, with bouts of diarrhea and
an increased frequency of bowel movements, with or without pain. These bouts
are usually related to stressful emotions, overtiredness and mental and
physical stress.
Spastic colon
shows as very painful spasms of the colon, which are brought on by foods or
laxatives, and which may be relieved by passing wind or stool.
Mucous colitis is
a condition where the bowel movements are covered by clear mucus, or joined
together by mucus strands, or where large lumps of clear mucus can be passed
alone.
Ulcerative
colitis is a potentially dangerous condition, where the colon becomes
ulcerated. It may involve fever, pain, profuse bloody diarrhea
Page 66
and varying
amounts of mucus in the stool. There may be marked loss of weight and general
debility.
Treatment
Loose bowel
movments every morning, with spasms of pain, often after nervous stress or
emotional trauma.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Painless
diarrhea, with distension of the whole abdomen, which is tender and rumbling.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stools liquid but containing
hard lumps, with belching of undigested food and white-coated tongue.
Ant crud 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Abdominal pain
with offensive gas. Passing of dry, bulky stool covered in mucus, or joined
together by strings of mucus.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sudden cramping
pain, worse after eating and improved by bending double or applying heat and
pressure to the abdomen.
Colocynthis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Burning pains in
abdomen with vomiting and diarrhea. Desire for warmth and warm drinks. Often
worse midnight to 3 a.m.
Arsenicum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Cutting abdominal
pain, not relieved by passing stool, with hot offensive stools accompanied by
blood and mucus.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea with
blood, gushing like a fire hydrant; anus feels wide open afterwards.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is
the inflammation of the tissue lining the eyelid and eye, due usually to cold,
irritation or infection.
It is often
accompanied by redness of the eyeball, gushes of tears or a yellow discharge,
particularly noticeable in the mornings. The eyes may be cleaned using cotton
wool moistened with cool boiled water, working from the inner comer of the eye
outwards. A fresh pad should be used on each eye, to limit infection. If the
condition does not resolve after several days, allopathic advice should be
sought.
Page 67
Treatment
Neuralgic pains
in the eyes, with flow of tears, from weakness or exhaustion after an illness.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry, inflamed,
glaring eyes, pupils dilated, with absence of any discharge.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Eyes inflamed,
with swelling of the lids, pain, and occasional, hot, watery discharge. Patient
anxious,
restless, and feverish.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Eyes red and
inflamed, with burning relieved by cold applications. Often resulting from
overstrain. Patient nervous and sensitive.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Eyes inflamed,
burning and watering, irritating discharge, patient cannot bear bright light.
Euphrasia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Eyes red, painful
and burning, particularly inside the eyelids, with acrid, burning discharge.
Better from warm applications. Eyes can scarcely be opened.
Arsenicum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Pale, watery
discharges, with puffy eyes, particularly the lower lid.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Eyes red and
inflamed, with discharge of watery mucus or flow of tears. Discharge irritates
the skin, may cause small blisters to form.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sore eyes, with
discharge white or grayish-white, or specks of white matter on the lids.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Profuse discharge
that is bland, white or yellow.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Golden-yellow,
creamy discharge, eyelids stuck together in the morning, creamy coating on the
back of the tongue.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Inflamed eyes
with swollen
eyelids, white or yellow discharge.
Argentum nit 6c
every 3-4 hours.
Thick yellow
discharge, with styes, little boils or small hard lumps on the eyelids.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Discharge yellow
and sticky, eyes swollen and hard to open, patient feverish, with oily sweat.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 68
Constipation
Constipation is
having less than one bowel movement per day. It can often be improved by
drinking more water, introducing oil, fiber and roughage into the diet, and
reducing the intake of refined foods. The diet should include plenty of fresh
fruit, green vegetables, green salads and whole grains.
Constipation has
three main causes: inadequate lubrication of the bowel, irregular peristaltic
action and irregular operation of the sphincters of the digestive tract.
Inadequate lubrication causes a dry stool that is difficult to pass;
irregular
peristalsis results in incomplete movements; irregular sphincter operation
causes constipation at irregular intervals. Often these three causes can be
mixed together.
Straining at
stool increases the risk of hemorrhoids, which can easily become chronic in
established constipation. It is wise to treat only occasional episodes of
constipation with laxatives; recurrent or chronic constipation, especially with
blood in the stools, should not be treated with laxatives and should be
assessed professionally.
Treatment
Constipation with
heat in rectum, inflammation and fever.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stool difficult
to pass, with abdominal distension immediately after eating.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Obstinate
retention of stool--irregular, hard, unsatisfactory.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stool large,
hard, and difficult to expel; may recede when partly expelled.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Frequent and
ineffectual desire to defecate, producing only a little at a time which
relieves for a while. Particularly after abuse of laxatives.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stool like
sheep's dung, crumbles as if very dry.
Mag mur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Habitual
constipation, with heat, discomfort, large and painful stools.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Alternate
constipation and diarrhea, with irritability.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 69
Constipation with
light-colored stool, white or grayish coating on the tongue.
Kali mour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Inability of
muscles to expel stool, muscles weak and relaxed, especially with anal fissure.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Alternating
constipation and diarrhea with heat or
burning.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Hard knotty
stool, with biliousness, or stool soft and difficult to expel. No urge to
use the bowels. Must strain, and stool is unformed, soft and sticky, yet passes
with difficulty.
Alumina 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Constipation of
infants, with occasional attacks of diarrhea.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Constipation with
hard, scanty stool, one session can last for hours, with severe burning in
rectum and tendency to anal fissures.
Nit ac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Chronic
constipation, often no urge to go for many days. Stools are large, hard, dry
and painful; sufferer often has severe headache.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Constipation with
excessive gas.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Constipation with
no desire for stool, alternating with loose stools or diarrhea. Foul-coated
tongue, headache and hemorrhoids.
Hydrastis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Frequent desire
to defecate, but stool difficult, hard and dry, with burning.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Feeling of ball
in rectum.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Constipation with
pains after stool.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
No urge to
defecate, but bowel is full.
Lycopodium 6c,
ever 3-4 hours.
Difficult
expulsion, leaving a sensation of much soreness.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sensation of
constant pressing down, without much urging.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
From inactivity
of the rectum, with heat and headache.
Veratrum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Stools large:
much straining until exhausted, with cold sweat.
Veratrum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Feels better when
constipated.
Calc carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 70
Cough
Cough may be
acute or chronic, and may be dry, spasmodic, or loose, with a variety of colors
of mucus discharge.
There are many
remedies for cough in homeopathic treatment, and often the choice of the
correct remedy needs a careful study of the symptoms. If the cough is part of a
cold or influenza, those sections of this chapter should be read first. Chronic
cough, cough that fails to improve, and cough that returns periodically need
professional assistance. Cough with persistent blood in the sputum needs
allopathic advice.
Treatment
Dry Cough
Short, acute,
painful cough, with sore lungs and no expectoration.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry, hard cough
with anxiety and restlessness, worse in the evening.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Cough brought on
by dry, cold winds, with anxiety, restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Dry ringing or
barking cough, with fever, anxiety and restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Dry, barking or
repetitive cough with a sudden onset, a flushed, congested face, and strong
pulse; patient is restless and sweaty, but dislikes being uncovered.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cough dry and
painful, patient must hold chest and head.
Bryonia 6c,
every, 3-4 hours.
Cough with
difficult breathing and dry throat, worse from movement.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Dry, tickling,
irritating, hacking cough, with pronounced thirst.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry, wheezing,
barking cough, beginning around midnight. Spongia is a remedy for croup.
Spongia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Dry, fatiguing
cough, seldom loose, always worse in morning.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cough from every
exposure to cold air, worse from drafts, better from warm rooms.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Irritable, dry,
tickling cough during sleep, does not waken.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cough with
burning in chest and difficult breathing; loss of voice.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 71
Constant dry,
tickling cough, coming at night, and better from warm air or putting head under
blankets.
Rumex 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Spasmodic cough
Sudden and
suffocating cough, with congested face and inability to exhale, especially in
infants. If a child it cannot nurse because of blocked nose.
Sambucus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Retching and
vomiting while coughing, with nausea, but cough is no better.
Ipecac 6c every
3-4 hours.
Sudden spasmodic
attacks, tickling and wheezing, worse lying down. Patient holds chest with
hands while coughing; may whoop, gag and retch.
Drosera 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Racking cough at
night with sore throat and thirst, greasy sweat.
Mercurius 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Dry, spasmodic,
constricted cough, that may result in the vomiting of phlegm, but patient feels
no better afterwards.
Ipecac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Crowing cough,
with spasms going on almost to the point of suffocation, sometimes with vomiting
or convulsion,
patient better
from sipping hot water.
Cuprum met 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Paroxysms of
coughing without expectoration, loud and noisy, like whooping cough, relieved
by hot drinks.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cough with
clear expectoration
Cough with clear,
watery mucus, sometimes tasting salty, or with excessive watery discharge from
eyes or nose.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cough with white expectoration
Hoarse cough,
with thick white mucus rattling in bronchi that is difficult to cough up, with
white- or gray-coated tongue.
Kalu mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 72
Cough with yellow
or yellow-green expectoration
Dry and painful cough,
with soreness or burning in the chest, later with a small amount of yellow
sputum, occasionally streaked with blood. The cough is often worse in a sitting
position.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Raucous, noisy
and rattling cough, with yellowish mucus that is difficult to cough up,
improved by humidifiers and vapour baths. There can be a thin, yellowish, nasal
discharge.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cough dry at
night and helped by being in the sitting position, and productive during the
day. Sputum is thick, yellow, bland and not irritating.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cough with
expectoration of slimy yellow or watery yellow mucus, worse in a warm room and
the evening, better in the open air.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Loose cough with
yellow or green-yellow mucus, sometimes streaked with blood.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Chronic cough
with thick, profuse, yellowish-green mucus, always worse from cold drinks, in the
morning on rising, or on lying down at night.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Loose and rattling cough
Raucous cough,
with rattling, wheezing and anxious breathing, even to the point of threatened
suffocation.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Moist hollow
cough, much rattling in the chest, worse 4-8 p.m.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Loose cough,
chest sore and painful; worse from damp.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Wheezy chest with
much thick mucus, rattling loudly but difficult to bring up. Worse 3-4 a.m., and better
from sitting up.
Ant tart 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
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Cramp
Cramp is muscle
spasm, caused by interference with the nerve supply to the tissue, or the
circulation. Useful treatments include massage of the affected part, applying
hot compresses and checking for excessive losses of calcium, magnesium or salt.
Abdominal cramps and chest cramps should always be viewed cautiously, and
allopathic advice sought if appropriate remedies fail to improve cramps of any kind.
Treatment
Cramps in any
location, better from heat and pressure.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours, with a little hot water.
Cramps in any
location, feeling numb and cold, as if parts were asleep. Better from heat but
not pressure.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Very acute pains
with restlessness and irritability, may drive patient out of bed to pace about.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Abdominal cramps,
running down the thighs.
Chamomilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cramping pains radiate
from abdomen to back, chest and arms, worse when bending double and while lying
down, better by bending backwards.
Dioscorea 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cramps in legs
and arms of pregnant women.
Viburnum op 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Agonizing pain in
abdomen, as if clamped by iron bands, forcing patient to bend double and apply
hard pressure.
Colocynth 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Spasms and cramps
in muscles in nape of neck, and spasmodic
drawing back of the head. Back bends backwards, like an arch.
Cicuta 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cystitis
Cystitis is
inflammation of the bladder, usually with painful, frequent urination. It can
come on suddenly, with urgency, incontinence and spasm.
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Urine may be
passed in copious or minute amounts, and may be tinged with blood. Drink plenty
of water and avoid acid fruits and fruit juices. Obstinate cystitis can
indicate infection and a deeper disorder, and professional advice should be
sought to avoid kidney infection.
Treatment
First stage of
cystitis, with frequent urination and burning pain, or difficult and suppressed
urination with constant urging.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bladder painful,
with violent cutting pains and great urging; intense burning pains before and
after urination. Urine passed drop by drop with constant urging, extreme pain.
Urine may be tinged with blood.
Cantharis 12c, every 4
hours.
Pain during and
after urination, in copious amounts; great urge to urinate, with pain in the
bladder as if full, but urination does not help much, so the patient must try
again and again. Equisetum is useful in bedwetting in children.
Equisetum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Ineffectual
urging to urinate after or during intercourse, with pressure on the bladder and
a feeling that it did not empty. Pain in the urethra when not urinating, that
is better on passing urine. Often after or during intercourse and often in
newly married women.
Staphysagria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Constant desire
to urinate, with sharp, stinging pains and increased volume of urine. No thirst.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain in the
urethra and bladder on urinating, extending into the thighs and hips. The small
of the back and region of the kidneys feel bruised, stiff and lame. Fatigue,
exercise, standing, any jarring movement, worsens the pain.
Berberis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Frequent
urination, with pain at the endalmost unbearable, and often accompanied by
painful, spasmodic straining.
Sarsaparilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Urination intermittent
and painful, with bloated abdomen and strong urging. The urine is red, brown,
black or smoky in appearance, with burning and smarting.
Terebinth 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Painful urging,
with small amounts of urine, dark or bloody.
Mercurius 6c, every
3-4 hours.
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Dark red urine
containing thick, white mucus, and swelling of the tissues.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cystitis with
nervousness and debility. Scalding urine, with cutting pain.
Kali phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Ineffectual and
painful straining, urine passes in drops. Severe spasmodic pains. Constant
urging to urinate when standing or walking.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Urethra swollen
and inflamed, with frequent painful urination with cutting pain afterwards.
Desire sudden and urgent, not easily controlled. There can be a sensation of
trickling.
Thuja 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Kidney pain
relieved after discharge of urine containing sand. Pain is worse on the right
sideor begins on the right and moves to the left.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Profuse urination
at night of clear watery urine, preceded by anxiety and followed by burning.
Phosphoric acid
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Urine is
increased in volume, clear and watery, with pains just after urinating. There
may be involuntary release during coughing, walking, or sneezing.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Intense sensation
of burning, as if due to pepper in urine; urine is
copious and clear.
Capsicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Intermittent flow
of urineflows and then stops again, even if bladder is not empty. May be also
dribbling of urine.
Conium 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Cystitis after
injury.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Must wait a
long time to urinate.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Bladder is
irritable, sensitive to jarring and pressure.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea
Three or more
loose movements per day is considered to be diarrhea. The movements are watery,
and may contain mucus, undigested food or blood. The cause may be simple, such
as dietary excess, or an episode of
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anxiety. In many
cases it may be due to a temporarily inflamed colon, probably due to food that
was not fresh or that did not suit.
If the colon is
irritable, it is overactive but otherwise normal. There may be bouts of
diarrhea, with or without pain. Bouts may be associated with emotional trauma,
stress, or debility. If the colon is spastic, there is consistently more pain,
caused by spasms of the colon. The pains are relieved by the passing of wind or
stool. If the mucous membrane of the colon is disordered, mucous colitis can
result. This can lead to bouts of diarrhea, often with the passing of large
masses of mucus.
Ulcerated colon
is usually accompanied by pain, fever and profuse diarrhea accompanied by blood
and mucus, and should receive immediate allopathic attention.
Acute attacks of
diarrhea that recur at intervals of weeks or months, or with accompanying fever
of persistent blood in the stools, should be assessed professionally. Avoid
dehydration in children and infants.
Treatment
Painless diarrhea with bitter taste, abdominal distension,
rumbling and wind. Vomiting and great weakness; hunger but no appetite.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stool offensive, gushing, yellow and watery, worse in the early morning, with colicky
pains. Better from heat and lying on abdomen.
Podophyllum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea and
vomiting with cold sweat, exhaustion and great coldness of skin, even collapse. Veratrum
album is another good travellers'
remedy.
Veratrum album
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Watery diarrhea,
burning and stinging, with vomiting, exhaustion, restlessness and thirst for small drinks.
Violent burning pains in the abdomen,
improved by heat. Arsenicum is a good remedy in food poisoning and the diarrhea
of travellers.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea
immediately after eating or drinking, with a great deal of wind and lack of
confidence in the anal sphincter.
Aloes 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Diarrhea with
painful cramps, starting and stopping suddenly, made better by doubling up, by heat and
strong pressure.
Colocynthis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
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Diarrhea with
white-coated tongue and variable stools, changeable in color and frequency.
Much gas and rumbling, worse from fats and rich food.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea in
spasms, with great nausea, not helped by vomiting. Stools offensive, yellow-green and frothy, sometimes bloody.
Ipecac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stools liquid but containing
solid lumps, with belching of undigested food and a white tongue. Often after
overeating, with nausea and vomiting, which do not improve.
Ant crud 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Loose movements
driving patient out of bed every morning, with spasm of pain.
Ignatia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Debility and
weakness, with digestive disturbances, after long-continued diarrhea.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Yellow, watery
diarrhea, expelled in a jet like a pistol shot, worsened by even
small amounts of food or drink. Often after antibiotics.
Croton tig 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stool gushing
like fire
hydrant, with small lumps of white mucus, and with exhaustion.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Diarrhea at
upredictable times, after emotional crisis.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stool yellow,
offensive and urgent, driving patient out of bed in morning.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stool greenish
like chopped spinach, with irritability and burning of the anus.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stool greenish or
clay-colored, offensive, may be bloody. Diarrhea is worse at night, with great straining, but always a sensation of incompleteness.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Earache
The common causes
of earache include outer ear infection, where the pain is made worse by pulling
on the lobe, middle ear infection or eustachian tube blockage, where the pain
comes on suddenly, and a build-up of ear wax, where the pain comes on
gradually. Another cause is pressure trauma after air travel, which gives a
painful, blocked feeling not
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relieved by
swallowing. Earache with pains in the jaw, teeth, face or throat may be caused
by dental problems, sinusitis or a throat infection. Earache accompanied by a
discharge of blood is usually a sign of an acute infection.
Ears should be
treated with care and should not be poked. Any wax in the ear can be cleared by
running warmed olive oil gently into the canal, until it is full. The oil
should be kept in the ear for about ten minutes, then allowed to run out.
Insects and other objects may also be cleared using this method. Do not attempt
to clear wax during an infection.
Be cautious about
the home homeopathic treatment of earache, as untreated infection can cause
scarring and serious damage to the hearing. As a general rule, homeopathic
treatment should only be used in uncomplicated earache, when there is
inflammation but no evidence of discharge. In these cases, or when the earache
is recurrent, the following remedies can be used while professional advice is
being sought.
Treatment
Earache with
fever, pain and congested face, or flushing, with alternate pallor and redness,
occasionally with nosebleed.
Ferrum Phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 30-60 minutes.
Earache with burning pain, coming on
suddenly, with anxiety, irritability and restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every
30-60 minutes.
Earache with
fever, heat and throbbing, patient flushed and restless. Worse from
warmth, and sensitive to noise, movement and touch.
Belladonna 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Earache with
throbbing pains made better by warmth. Ear sensitive to cold and draughts,
feels bruised and sore.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Earache in
restless, irritable types, driving patient to pace constantly.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Earache with
sharp neuralgic pains in or around the ear.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain as if
pressure behind the eardrum is pushing it out. Person is irritable, changeable
and restless, prefers open air.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Page 79
Earache with swelling
of the glands and tongue coated white.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Earache with
yellow catarrh of the ear and yellow tongue.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Shooting pains in
the ears.
Hypericum 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Pain is stinging and
burning, better by cold applications.
Apis 6c, every
30--60 minutes.
Patient is
tearful and seeks comfort, but not irritable. Pain centres behind the ear, is sensitive to
touch, and is made better by hot applications.
Capsicum 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Deafness, with
noises in the ear, from nervous weakness or exhaustion.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin
rash characterised by itching, swelling, thickening, scaling and blistering
(dry eczema) or oozing, weeping and discharging (wet eczema). It is a common
allergic reaction in children but it also occurs in adults, usually in more
severe form. Childhood eczema often begins in infancy, the rash appearing on
the face, neck and folds of elbows and knees, and is often due to an allergy to
cow's milk or formula. It may disappear by itself when the offending food is
removed from the diet, or it may become more extensive and in some instances
cover the
entire surface of
the body.
Seborrheic eczema
seems to be inherited, and not linked to an allergy. It shows as a flaking
itchiness in the smile lines between the nose and mouth, in the beard area,
around the hairline, in the scalp, groin and armpits, and on the chest. Severe
eczema can be complicated by skin infections.
The orthodox
treatment of eczema commonly involves the use of steroid ointments to relieve
the inflammation, and sometimes antihistamines and antibiotics to control the
itching and infection. The homeopathic treatment of eczema involves constitutional
treatment; however, the following remedies can be used for general treatment.
Steroid ointments should be avoided except in extreme cases.
Page 80
Treatment
As a general
application to help itching and drying in dry eczema.
Chickweed
ointment or Urtica tincture, morning and evening.
In wet eczema.
Chickweed
ointment or Calendula tincture, morning and evening.
Dry eczema in
hot, sweaty types with rough, itching skin, made worse from washing and the heat of the
bed.
Sulphur 6c, morning and
evening for several weeks. Stop and wait f there is a reaction.
Dry, red areas
often with
small blisters, made better by warmth and worse in cold damp weather and at
night. Usually on the hands, wrists and the bends in the joints.
Rhus tox 6c, morning
and evening for several weeks. Stop and wait f there is a reaction.
Dry eczema, can be red and
raised,
cracked and bleed. Skin looks dirty, smells musty; itching is worse from warmth
and the heat of the bed.
Psorinum 6c,
morning and evening for several weeks. Stop and wait if there is a reaction.
Skin dry and
itchy, also constipated.
Alumina 6c,
morning and evening for several weeks. Stop and wait if there is a reaction.
Skin dry and burning, worse around midnight, made better by hot applications.
Arsenicum 6c,
morning and evening for several weeks. Stop and wait if there is a reaction.
Wet eczema,
oozing a clear or yellow honey-like discharge, often on the palms, behind the
ears and on the head.
Graphites 6c,
morning and evening for several weeks. Stop and wait if there is a reaction.
Exhaustion,
Debility And Fatigue
Fatigue, debility
and exhaustion are all states of lowered vitality. They can spring from many
causes, but notably a lack of sunshine, exercise, fresh air, sensible diet and
positive mental attitude. Lowered vitality often
Page 81
occurs as the
aftermath of an illness, especially one involving loss of vital fluids such as
blood and digestive secretions. It is also seen as the result of the abuse of
stimulants and from too little sleep. Supplementation of the diet with vitamins
and minerals should always be thought of, but if the condition persists
professional advice should be sought.
Treatment
Nervous
exhaustion after long-continued strain or intense study. Patient is easily
irritable, excessively sensitive, even slight noises can prevent sleep.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Weakness after
loss of blood and other vital fluids, especially with flatulence, diarrhea and
other digestive disturbances.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Vital forces
nearly exhausted, cold, especially from knees to feet, with cold sweat on
limbs. Starved for oxygen, asks for fresh air and to be fanned.
Carbo veg 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Fatigue with
nerve pains, muscle cramps and twitching.
Mag phos fix, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Low vitality,
with lack of brain or nerve power. Fidgety feet. Aching and weariness in the nape of the neck
as if it had been held in one position too long.
Zincum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Great fatigue,
with weakness and drowsiness. Sleepy and dull, cannot think clearly or fix
attention. The legs and hands tremble, the eyelids droop.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Debility with
great apathy and indifference, especially in stressed adults and in young
people worn down by hard study.
Phos ac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Great weakness
and weariness, yet restless, especially midnight to 3 a.m. Exhaustion from the slightest exertion, patient
craves heat and hot drinks.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Extreme exhaustion
of mind and body, with great weakness in the chest, so weak patient is unable
to talk. The weakness is worse from talking, laughing, reading aloud, singing. There is
usually a loose cough.
Stannum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Exhaustion and
debility, especially in the old, with emaciation even though appetite and
thirst may be excessive.
Secale 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 82
Weakness and
exhaustion in the elderly, sensitive to the cold, with offensive foot sweats.
Baryta carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Debility in
women, from too much or too little work, with sensations of dragging and weight in the
abdomen.
Helonias 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Debility with a
strong sensation of internal
trembling, though externally it is not visible. There
is often a craving for wine or stimulants, especially after alcoholism.
Sulph ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Exhaustion with
tired feeling all over the body, and accompanied by weakness of mind,
indifference, want of will power and a desire to lie down. Even the slightest
mental exertion may bring on a headache.
Picric ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Apathy,
sluggishness and difficulty in speaking, patient restless and fearful.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Great weariness
and debility, patient wants constantly
to lie down.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Great weakness,
faintlike, with sinking of strength and trembling, drooping of the
eyelids.
Causticum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Depression with
anemic paleness and emaciation, even though eating well.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
To aid recovery
after exhaustion, and promote the assimilation of nutrients.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Fibrositis
Fibrositis is a
popular term applied to muscular rheumatism. It is caused by small adhesions
between muscle fibres, resulting in pain and stiffness. It is usually the
result of habitual strain and emotional tension. It is one of the most common
causes of backache.
Treatment
Avoid the use of
mentholated creams and ointments while taking homeopathic remedies, as the remedies
are neutralized by camphor and menthol.
Page 83
Acute,
inflammatory pain, with redness and heat.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Acute cramping
pains, relieved by warmth.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain coming on after
unaccustomed strain, exercise or physical overwork, with bruised pain
worse from movement.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stiffness and
pain after exercise or overuse, worse on initial movement but better on
limbering up and from heat.
Rhus tox 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain from
straining tendons, feels bruised and stiff, worse from cold and better from
movement.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Fibrositis in
neck, back, and limbs, made worse by movement and better by stillness and
pressure.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stiffness and
weakness in limbs, with aching, tearing pains, worse in cold weather and better
in warm or humid weather.
Causticum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain and
stiffness relieved by cold applications such as ice packs.
Ledum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain and
stiffness coming on before a storm, becoming worse during rest and better from
motion.
Rhododendron 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Aching pain and
stiffness, especially in the neck and shoulders, causing intense pain and spasm; feels as if
patient must move, but movement worsens the pain.
Phytolacca 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is
a viral disorder in the same family as cold sores. It is transmitted by
oral-genital or genital-genital contact with someone who is incubating the
virus, and shows as crops of small blisters, itching and burning, on the penis
or vulva. They quickly become moist and ulcerated, often with swelling and
tenderness of glands in the groin, and a mild fever appears. The symptoms
usually clear within two weeks, but may recur periodically during stressful
periods, when the health is below par, or when the immune system is weakened.
Genital herpes in an
expectant
Page 84
mother can be
passed on to the child during birth, with risk of localisation in the baby's
nervous system and the possibility of complications such as meningitis or
encephalitis developing. In these cases a cesarean delivery must be employed to
avoid infection.
Treatment
As a general
preventative.
Herpes
progenitalis nosode 30c, morning and evening for a few days.
As a general
treatment, as soon as irritation is felt or recurrence suspected.
Borax 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Small blisters,
itching and burning, with restlessness.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pearl-like
blisters, hot and puffy, with dry skin.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Genitals burn
and sting, with cracked skin and red, itchy rash.
Capsicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching lesions
that form thick, yellow crusts.
Petroleum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Ulcers that bleed,
especially at night. Whole genital area tender and painful.
Sempervivum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Glandular Fever
Glandular fever
is otherwise known as infectious mononucleosis, and is a vital disease
affecting children, teenagers and adults. It most often occurs in adolescents
and those passing through growth spurts, emotional stress or in other ways
being at a low ebb. It begins as an influenza-type illness, with fatigue,
headache and aching muscles, and is usually followed by a fever and swollen
glands. There is often a sore throat that does not respond to antibiotics. A
measles-like rash is common in the first two weeks; there may also be jaundice
and abdominal pain later. The
illness is
infectious from just before the symptoms appear until the fever and sore throat
are gone. Glandular fever can last from several weeks to many months. Episodes
of debility, sweat and fever can occur sporadically during this time.
Page 85
Treatment
Lethargy, with
weakness and drowsiness. Head and muscular pains, swollen or ulcerated throat.
Enlarged glands, and blotchy rash.
Ailanthus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
As general
protection for family and friends.
Glandular fever
nosode 30c, once daily for 7 days.
Great sensation
of coldness, with sore throat and chronic swelling of the glands. Rash of
small, painful, itchy pimples.
Cistus canadensis
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are
varicose veins in the rectum, and are otherwise known as piles. They are always
present to some degree in patients prone to prolapse, but may occur as isolated
episodes in almost anyone. Often they will come as a result of straining at
stool, particularly during episodes of constipation, or as a result of dietary
indiscretion.
Hemorrhoids that appear
for no apparent reason but do not improve, or which gradually enlarge and
bleed, should receive professional assessment.
Treatment
As a local
application.
Pilewort ointment
or Hamamelis ointment, applied to the affected area.
Sensation of
dryness, burning and fullness of the rectum, with pains like needles.
Aesculus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching
hemorrhoids, painful some hours after stool, with constipation and
irritability.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids
protruding like grapes, with scraped, burning sensation, made better by cold applications.
Aloes 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Sensitive
hemorrhoids with bruised feeling, worse from the slightest touch even the touch
of toilet paper is painful.
Mur ac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 86
Burning, itching hemorrhoids,
usually with constipation.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain from
hemorrhoids during and after a bowel motion, often with a fissure in the anus.
Paeonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids
inflamed and bleeding.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids very
tender and oozing dark blood.
Hamamelis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Prolapsing,
painful hemorrhoids, with shooting pains and abundant bleeding, improved by
cold and sitting on a hard seat.
Kali carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids that
tend to bleed easily, in constipated cases where there is difficulty in passing
large Stool.
Collinsonia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids with
severe itching and fissures of the anus.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
During pregnancy
and after birth, feeling bruised and swollen.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
During pregnancy
and after birth, with stinging.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
A longer-term
constitutional treatment, to prevent return of hemorrhoids.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hay Fever
Hay fever usually
begins as irritation of the nasal membrane, with swelling, dryness, and
tickling, culminating in episodes of sneezing. It is quickly followed by
smarting, watery eyes, and watery nasal discharge. Symptoms may appear quite
suddenly.
A more accurate
term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis, as hay is not the only offender.
Dusts, pollens from grasses, weeds, trees and flowers, as well as other factors
such as fungal spores and animal hair; may also induce it. It may be seasonal
or perennial.
Homeopathic
treatment based on the hay fever symptoms alone will give relief but not cure,
as the fault is usually an allergic response to unavoidable airborne irritants,
and represents a deep-seated reactive pattern. The seasonal type is more easily
treated, as the symptoms are more acute and more obvious. Perennial rhinitis is
usually little helped by acute remedies; it is best treated by constitutional
treatment from a homeopath.
Page 87
Treatment
The symptomatic
remedies can be divided into three categories, based on the locality of the
irritation and the kind of discharge. They are:
local
irritation
irritant
discharge
non-irritant
discharge
Local
Irritation of The Eyes And Nose
Extremely chilly,
often with severe frontal headache or nosebleeds. Eyelids red, face mottled,
frequent spasms of severe sneezing. Nose is either stuffed up or running
freely, often itching inside. There is a peculiar numbness of the throat, where
the patient tries to scratch the affected parts with the tongue. Very sensitive
to smells, especially flowers and garlic.
Sabadilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching and
tingling of the nose with violent sneezing.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Profuse watery
secretions, stinging and burning, with much sneezing. Intense dryness of the
mucous membranes of the nose and pharynx, with raw, burning sensation,
particularly at the back of the nose, as if it was being scratched. Like
sabadilla, there is hypersensitivity to smells.
Sanguinaria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For hay fever after
exposure to the sun. Watery symptoms with sensation of itching and tingling in
the nose.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Irritant
Discharge
Nose and eyes
stream, sneezing is severe and increases in frequency, lips and nostrils become
sore. Worse: indoors, mornings and in heat; better: in the open air.
Ammonium mur 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Acrid, watery
discharge, irritating the upper lip and nostrils; with inability
to smell. There is the impression that the nose is blocked, despite the running discharge.
Allium cepa 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 88
Sneezing is
violent and painful, due to tickle inside nose not relieved by sneezing.
Profuse, watery, corrosive nasal discharge, irritating the lip. Burning of eyes
and nose is a prominent sensation. Worse: change in weather, cold, open air.
Patient often wakes around midnight, irritable and restless.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sneezing with
prickling in the nose, causing patient to pinch nose or bore into nostrils. Nose is stuffed
up, especially on the right side, but may be running profusely, with irritation
to the nostrils. The throat is usually involved. The eye symptoms are usually
not severe. Worse at night, particularly the sneezing.
Arum triph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sneezing in
bouts, with irritant discharge from the nose and eyes, better in the open air.
Naphthalinum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Much sneezing,
with bland discharge from the nose. Eyes are red and burning, discharge acrid
and irritating. The throat is often involved, with a hard, dry cough. Worse:
light, wind, indoors, lying down. Better: in the open air.
Euphrasia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Face full and
hot. Aching all over, limbs feel heavy. Violent sneezing with tingling of the
nose, streams in morning with irritating discharge. Throat dry and burning;
swallowing causes pain in the ears. Eyes feel hot and heavy.
Worse: spring and
humid weather.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Profuse watery
discharges with sneezing, and spasmodic cough followed by sneezing.
Badiaga 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Non-Irritant
Discharge
Chilly and
irritable, always worse in morning. Face feels hot; nose stuffed up at night,
streams in morning. Nose and eyes itch and burn, extending to larynx and
trachea. Prolonged spells of sneezing. Worse: mornings and cold, open air.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Constant
sneezing; nose may be stuffed up or streaming. Eyes swell and water,
alternating with streaming nose. Worse: open air and damp, becoming chilled
when hot.
Dulcamara 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 89
The discharges
are bland, and yellow or yellow-green. The nose is dry and constricted at
night, abundant discharge in the morning and during the day. Although chilly,
patients have a marked aversion to heat and a desire for the cold, and open
air.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headache
Most headaches
are due to strain on the muscles of the neck or head, or congestion of the
muscles that supply them. Patients with headache usually have other symptoms,
so the treatment must include all the symptoms, including emotional states,
rather than the headache symptoms alone. Some of the most frequent causes of
headache are defective eyesight, spinal misalignment, constipation, anxiety and
living at too high a pressure, all of which would require attention.
Nevertheless, the remedies given here will have considerable success. Headaches
that are chronic,
or that become more frequent and intense, should be viewed seriously.
Allopathic advice should be sought, and an osteopath or chiropractor consulted.
Treatment
Headache comes on
suddenly with feelings of anxiety or apprehension. Sensation as if there is a
tight band around the skull, or the brain is being forced out of the head.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
For congested, throbbing
pain in the temples or over the eyes, with red face or bloodshot eyes, and
vomiting of undigested food.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Throbbing,
drumming, congestive pain, with enlarged pupils and glassy eyes, patient
flushed and restless, headache worse in the sun or from sudden movement.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sudden bursting,
throbbing, hammering pain, often after exposure to the hot sun.
Glonoine 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bursting,
throbbing headache, improved by nosebleed or onset of menstrual bleeding.
Melilotus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stinging,
stabbing or burning headache, rest of the body feels bruised and tender. There is
usually no thirst, and the symptoms are worse in hot, stuffy surroundings.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Headaches from
nervous tension, with piercing frontal pain and neck tension in zealous,
irritable types, who suffer from insomnia.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headache with
dull, congestive, hammering pain, patient feels heavy and stupefied. May feel
like there is a band around the head, with trembling of the hands and shivers
up the spine.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
After excessive
alcohol or rich food, irritable and oversensitive, worse in morning. Nux vomica
is the hangover remedy.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Dull, heavy
headache, with profusion of tears, watery discharge from the nose or profuse
saliva, frequently associated with constipation.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Headache from exhaustion,
with apathy and inability to think or reflect. After severe debilitating
illness, overwork, or in children who are growing too rapidly.
Phos ac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Headaches of
purely nervous character, from overstrain of the mental faculties, worry,
sleeplessness or stress, in schoolchildren, students and overworked
intellectuals.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Student's
headaches; inability for thought, better from cheerful excitement or gentle
motion.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgic
headaches: excruciating, stinging, darting pain. Heat and pressure relieves,
cold aggravates.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sick headaches,
with giddiness and dullness, bitter taste, greenish-gray coated tongue.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Headache with
white-coated tongue, or vomiting and hawking of white mucus.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Headache or
migraine that often comes periodically, such as on Sundays or holidays with profuse
vomiting that is acrid and burning.
Iris vers 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headaches with
sparks before the eyes.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Migraine with
pain under the eyes, especially the right side, accompanied by yellowish vomit,
thick and sticky.
Kali bich 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Migraine or
headache, with pain starting in the forehead and ending in the back of the
head, with constipation.
Lac deflor 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Migraine worse
from vibration, such as a lot of noise or talk, beginning each time on the
opposite side, or starting at the base of the skull and settling over one eye.
Lac caninum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Periodic
migraine, coming on every 7 days, affecting especially the left side, beginning
in the morning and worse from smells, noise, light and movement. Pains start at
base of skull and extend over head to right eye.
Sanguinaria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hammering
headache, preceded by misty vision or zig-zag lights.
Nat tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Headache from eyestrain
or from close application to fine work.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headache with
offensive taste in mouth, bad breath, worse at night and in the morning.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headache with
painful, watering eyes, intolerance of bright light.
Euphrasia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headache with dry
mouth and bruised, sharp, stabbing pain, made better by pressure and worse by
the slightest motion; patient must lie still, with room dark and quiet.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Headaches with a
cold feeling in the head, or with creeping numbness and pain.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
From overwork or
emotional distress, in tearful types, better in the open air.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Headaches of
young girls with irregular menstruation and watery discharges.
Nat tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain beginning in
the neck, coming over the head, and ending in one eye.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Bruised pain,
especially after a blow.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Headache on the
crown of the head, with acid, sour regurgitations, creamy-coated tongue.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Headache with
wandering or changeable pain.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
As if temples
were being screwed together.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
With burning on
top of head.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Worse 4-8 p.m.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Worse from
jarring, lying down.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain reduced by
bending head backwards.
Hypericum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Heart Pain
Heart pain is
otherwise known as angina, and is a dull constricting pain felt in the centre
of the chest, radiating up
into the neck and
jaw, and usually down the left arm. It is caused by restriction of the supply
of blood and oxygen
to the heart.
Other symptoms can be dizziness, nausea, sweating and difficult breathing. If
you suspect you are
suffering from
angina you should go to an allopath for a thorough checkup.
Unlike the pain
of a heart attack, angina is often directly associated with excitement,
exertion and stress, and will
wear off after
the excitement or exertion ceases. Nevertheless, angina can precede a
full-blown heart attack, so if
the pains do not
wear off after five minutes, or become more severe, allopathic advice should be
sought
immediately.
Constitutional homeopathic treatment is recommended.
Treatment
Treatment
includes losing weight, taking daily moderate exercise, reducing stress, giving
up smoking, avoiding
animal fats, coffee
and alcohol. Supplementation with fish oil and garlic is beneficial.
Supplementation with
vitamin E is also
beneficial over the longer term, but must be started slowly.
Pain and stitches
in the heart region, as if squeezed, particularly after strain or exertion,
with irregular pulse.
Arnica 6c, every
15 minutes in the acute case, and morning and evening over the longer term.
Sensation as if a
band were constricting the chest or heart, with cold sweat, difficult breathing and pain
down the left arm. Worse by lying on left side.
Cactus grand 6c,
every 15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening
over the longer
term.
Stitching pains,
violent palpitations and difficult breathing, with thirst for hot water, person
cannot bear to be
touched. Symptoms
are relieved by lying down on the right side with the head raised.
Spigelia 6c every
15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening over the
longer term.
Dull, pressing
pain extending down the right arm with whole body pulsing, worse in a warm
room.
Lilium 6c, every
15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening over the
longer term.
Angina with
irregular pulse, heart feels as if it has a weight on it, sensations of blood
surging into the head, made
worse by
stimulants.
Naja 6c, every 15
minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening over the
longer term.
Angina with
fluttering heart and sensation of pounding throughout the body. Person feels
faint, with difficult
breathing, worse
by heat.
Glonoine 6c,
every 15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening
over the longer term.
Violent chest
pains, numbness in the fingers, feeble but rapid pulse.
Latrodectus 6c,
every 15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening
over the longer term.
Stitching pains
in the heart, can come at any time, bringing cries of pain. Person leans
forward, resting on arms, to
take the weight
off the chest.
Kali carb 6c,
every 15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening
over the longer term.
Congestion and
anguish about the heart, with depression and melancholy. Great difficulty in breathing, person must lie
down.
Aurum 6c, every
15 minutes for a few doses in the acute case, and morning and evening over the
longer term.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion
is caused by excessive fluid and salt loss in hot or humid conditions due to
prolonged sweating, leading to general dehydration and exhaustion. Diarrhea and
vomiting can also be predisposing causes. A person developing heat exhaustion
shows symptoms of headache, excessive sweating, dizziness and weakness, with
mild nausea. There may be fast, shallow breathing, cramps and muscle twitches,
and a weak but rapid pulse. The temperature may be normal or below normal. Heat
exhaustion shows symptoms similar to sunstroke; both have
headache,
dizziness and weakness, but in heat exhaustion there is sweating with a normal or
below normal temperature, while in sunstroke there is a high temperature and
absence of sweating. If the condition is unstable, or the patient collapses,
allopathic attention is necessary.
Treatment
General treatment
should include giving a little water to drink, with half a teaspoon of salt
added per half-liter of water. The patient should lie down, with the legs
elevated. The following remedies can be used in stable cases.
Sudden drop in
temperature, with red, dry skin and no sweat. Intense thirst, with high anxiety
about condition.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes.
Throbbing,
bursting headache, hot face and sweaty skin.
Glonoine 30c, every hour.
Fever with
prostration, trembling and a crimson face. Severe headache radiating into the
shoulders. Occasionally there are visual disturbances.
Gelsemium 6c,
every hour.
Bright red face,
and often with fluctuating temperature. Throbbing headache. Pulse strong and
rapid; pupils fixed and dilated. Sensitive to noise, light and movement.
Belladonna 6c,
every 30-60 minutes.
Headache, usually
at the front, with oily sweat and intense thirst. Pain is worse on the
slightest movement.
Bryonia 6c, every
1-2 hours.
When muscle
cramps predominate.
Cuprum met 6c,
every 30-60 minutes
Severe headache,
with red congested face and rolling of the head from side to side. No thirst,
and the skin is alternately dry, then moist with sweat.
Apis 6c, every 15
minutes.
Flushed face and
congestive, throbbing headache, throbbing of arteries of head and neck, eyes
red and bloodshot. Improved by appearance of bloody nose.
Melilotus 6c,
every 15 minutes..
Hives
Hives are
properly known as urticaria, and can follow stings and trauma from plants such
as nettles, although they are usually caused by allergic reaction to foods,
medication or external pollutants. Hives may also be associated with worm
infestations. They appear as intensely itchy red spots, in clusters or spread
apart, and can occur anywhere. They may show as a fine rash or as well-defined,
raised swellings.
Treatment
As a local
application.
Tincture of
urtica, or urtica cream, applied to the lesions.
With feverish
symptoms and anxiety, on first appearing.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
With stinging pains and swelling,
made worse from heat. Face and eyelids puffy.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Burning, stinging
rash and intense, intolerable itching, patient cannot refrain from scratching,
has blotched and swollen face.
Urtica 6c, ewry
3-4 hours.
Small blisters or
swollen rash, intensely itching and tingling, surrounded by red and swollen areas,
with restlessness.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Eruptions are
clear and watery, often from insect bites or after becoming overheated.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Feverish
symptoms, dry and flushed.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
With severe
headache, hot and red face.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hives with dry
skin, tending to scale.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hives with
soreness of the skin and a creamy tongue.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry., burning,
itching rash, worse from heat or hot water.
Sulphur 6c,
every, 3-4 hours.
Hives from eating
shellfish.
Camphor 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Brought on by
eating meat.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
With burning and
itching skin, often with gastric disorders, with white-coated tongue. Worse from warmth and the
heat of the bed, worse on cheeks and chin.
Ant crud 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
In chronic cases.
Sulph ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hoarseness And Loss
Of Voice
Hoarseness is
caused by inflammation or infection of the larynx or vocal cords. It is
commonly due to shouting or straining the voice, heavy smoking, or from a cold,
sore throat or cough. Loss of voice is more commonly caused by vocal overuse
than by infection.
Treatment
Hoarseness caused
by overuse of the voice, such as singing, shouting or screaming. Sudden loss of
voice.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Painful
hoarseness of speakers and singers due to strain of the vocal cords or from
catching cold.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hoarseness with
raw, dry throat, that is hard to clear or swallow, and a scraping or burning
sensation. Desire for cold drinks.
Causticum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hoarseness at the
beginning of speaking, improving from continued use.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 97
Hoarseness with
itchy, painful larynx, made worse from speaking, and that brings on a hard, dry
cough and loss of voice.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Hoarseness worse
during menstruation.
Gelsemium 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Hoarseness with
swollen, burning throat and loss of voice. Voice difficult to control, pitch
varies, and voice worse from use.
Arum triph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Voice feeble due
to overuse, with tickle in the larynx made worse by cold.
Alumina 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Voice weak and
trembling, inclined to break, with tickle in the larynx.
Argentum met 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Loss of voice
with croup or a dry, barking cough.
Spongia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Loss of voice
from cold. Croupy cough, with abundant white mucus, and a white-coated tongue.
Kali tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Chronic
hoarseness with much clearing and scraping of the throat.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Loss of voice
from paralysis of the vocal cords.
Oxalic acid 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Hysterical loss
of voice.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Chronic loss of
voice without obvious cause.
Baryta carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Laryngitis with
barking cough and tickling, dry throat.
Drosera 6c, every
2-3 hours.
Incontinence Of
Urine
Incontinence of
urine often occurs in the elderly, usually through loss of control of the
bladder sphincters, and less often because of spinal problems, or brain damage
after a stroke. Stress incontinence momentary loss of control when laughing,
coughing, etc.is primarily a female problem and is clue to weakness of the
pelvic floor muscles.
Involuntary
dribbling after the end of urination in men is often a prostate disorder, which
should be checked by an allopath.
Page 98
Treatment
Incontinence due
to weakness of sphincter, with pain in the neck of the bladder, aggravated by
standing, relieved by urinating.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Incontinence from
nervous weakness.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Incontinence
because of paralysis of the bladder muscles, with weak, trembly legs.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Involuntary
urination when walking or coughing.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Incontinence made worse by
coughing or laughing.
Causticum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Involuntary
dribbling of urine after urination, especially in irritable men.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Indigestion And
Heartburn
Indigestion may
be simply a sensation of discomfort after food, or marked by symptoms of nausea,
heartburn, stomach congestion, wind and occasional vomiting as a result of
faulty habits of eating. Particular habits to watch are eating too fast, eating
too much, eating when not hungry, eating when tense or emotionally upset and
excessive intake of rich food or alcohol. Treatment includes giving the
digestion as much rest as possible by adopting regular eating habits, and
selecting wholesome, easily digestible foods. Avoid late-night eating, and
reduce coffee, tea and
alcohol
consumption. Try to stop smoking. Persistent pain or burning in the digestive
tract may indicate ulcers or other problems and warrants allopathic
examination.
Treatment
Stomach pain,
tenderness and swelling, with a hot, flushed face and clean tongue.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Spasmodic pains
and cramp of the stomach, relieved by hot drinks.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 99
Indigestion with sour risings
and heartburn after eating. The tongue is creamy yellow at the back. Nat phos is a good
remedy for simple acidity.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt. Can be used every 5 minutes in acute acidity, every 3-4 hours in
the normal case.
Indigestion, with
discomfort, bloating and pain, especially in children and stressed adults.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Indigestion
several hours after eating. Food sits like a stone in the stomach with feeling
of pressure under the breastbone, particularly from fats and rich foods.
Patient feels worse in the evening. Creamy tongue and no thirst.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Indigestion from
overloading the stomach, especially with fatty food, and thickly coated
white tongue.
Loss of appetite, nausea, distress. Feels as if must vomit for relief.
Ant crud 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Indigestion after
taking rich or fatty foods, with a whitish coating on the tongue.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Indigestion every
1-2
hours after
meals, improved by eating.
Anacardium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Nervous indigestion,
with an empty, ''gone'' feeling in the stomach, often after flight or
excitement.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Digestive powers
gradually weakening: patient irritable, pale and sallow. Frequent bloating after
only a few mouthfuls. May be able to take only small meals.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Much wind and
flatulence, somewhat relieved by belching, in chilly persons who like fresh
air. Digestion seems slower than usual, and the plainest food disagrees,
especially fats. Often after weakening of the digestion by abuse of rich foods.
Carbo veg 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Discomfort,
nausea and flatulence every 30-60 minutes after eating or drinking alcohol,
with irritability
and sour, bitter belching.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Flatulence, with
uncomfortable distension of the whole abdomen, not relieved by belching. Person
sluggish and apathetic, often after excessive loss of body fluids.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 100
Bloating and
flatulence after even a light meal, not relieved by belching; must loosen
clothing. Much rumbling and gurgling in lower abdomen pressing downward, pain.
on right side and intolerance of fats.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Flatulence with
tenderness over the liver, craving pickles and acid foods, with sudden empty feeling in the stomach yet nauseated
by the smell of food.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Simple heartburn
with excessive belching, may have nausea and fluttery feeling in stomach. Eating
relieves the nausea, but makes the stomach worse. Improved by sour foods, but
craves sweet foods, that disagree.
Argenturn nit 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Heartburn and
discomfort, felt 30-60 minutes after eating in tense, irritable types. May have
painful retching, leaving putrid taste in the mouth.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Food lies like a
stone in the stomach, with heartburn and bitter risings. Worse from pressure
and movement, better while resting.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Burning sensation
in the chest, with nausea and craving for ice cream or ice-cold water. may
vomit.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Heartburn often
around midnight, stomach burning and heavy, person may retch and vomit till
exhausted, better from warmth and small sips of water.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Burning hunger
pains, relieved by food and hot milk, but soon followed by indigestion. Nauseated by
sweet things.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Burning sensation
in the stomach and the length of the bowel. Much thirst, but drinking causes
shuddering.
Capscium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Gastric
disturbances with bilious symptoms, bitter taste in the mouth and vomiting of
bitter fluids. The tongue may be coated greenish-brown or greenish-gray.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Gastric catarrh
with slimy, golden-yellow coating of the tongue. Colicky pains in the stomach,
with feeling of pressure and fullness.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Craves coffee,
acids, sweet and salt things.
Carbo veg 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Digestion seems
very slow, especially after illness.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Long history of
indigestion, with alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
To improve
digestion and assimilation.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Influenza
Influenza is a
highly infectious disease, associated with a number of viruses. It often has
symptoms very similar to those of colds, such as sneezing and streaming eyes,
but influenza is more widespread in its symptoms: it usually begins with a
sudden fever of short duration, with headache, prostration, severe pain in the
body, chill and lassitude. Aches and pains in the bones and joints are
prominent. Inflammation of the respiratory passages follows, with sneezing,
cough, catarrh and hoarseness.
Prevention
Aconite,
Belladonna, Gelsemium and Ferrum phos can be used in the early feverish stages
of influenza, and will often stop the influenza progressing if given early
enough. In addition, one homeopathic remedy, Oscillococcinum 200c, has a useful
clinical anti-vital action, and can be obtained from a practitioner. It is
given as one dose per week during the winter months, as a preventative of
influenza. It is also useful when given as soon as the first symptoms appear,
and the earlier it is given the more effective it is. Give one dose daily for
one week. Taken later
in the illness,
it can usefully complement the action of the remedies given here.
Treatment
First stage
In the first
stage, with chills followed gradually by heat, fever, headache and vomiting.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
May have a hard
dry cough.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Flushed,
restless, with pounding pulse and throbbing throughout the body. Violent
headache. Usually there is no thirst.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 102
Influenza
beginning with clear discharge from the eyes and nose. The throat is dry;
thirst may be intense or absent. Much sneezing.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Discharges are
thick and white, with sore throat and a white-coated tongue. In the early
stages, in alternation with Ferrum phos.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Established stage
Intense bone pain:
often the eye sockets and shins ache most intensely. Patient depressed,
complains loudly and incessantly restless. There is an intensely dry throat,
with thirst for ice-cold drinks, but sometimes no thirst at all.
Eupatorium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain through the
whole body: wants to lie still and be left alone, and irritable if disturbed.
Sweat is hot and considerable; cough, if present, is hard, dry and painful. The
mouth is very dry, with thirst for large amounts of cold water. All pains are
worse from movement.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Restless, yet
weak and easily exhausted; irritable, wants to sit up. Great heat and burning
in the chest, yet desires heat and hot drinks. Abundant discharge. from the
nose, thin and irritating. Breath short and difficult.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Intense
weariness, with dullness. Congested, slightly flushed with heavy eyelids.
Usually no thirst. Comfortable propped up with pillows and lying still.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Craves heat, yet
cannot get warm enough; hugs the fire. Shivering and chilly, with violent
cough. Worse from open air and especially after drinking, with chills as if
blood turned to iced water.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Fever progresses
slowly, with increasing aching. Pain with great restlessness, has relief only
in constant movement. Sweat is profuse and sour, with intensely dry mouth and
lips; person takes small sips of water to keep the mouth moist. Cold sores
often develop on the lower lip within 12 hours of onset of illness.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Thick yellow
discharges, with dry skin and desire for fresh air.
Kali sulph 6x,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 103
Influenza with
oily sweat, offensive mouth and breath. Thirsty, in spite of a sticky, fairly profuse
salivation, and wants cold drinks. There is often conjunctivitis, with profuse,
hot, irritating tears. Patient is uncomfortable all night, made worse by the
heat of the bed, with a marked rise in temperature, and is liable to greasy
sweats that bring no relief.
Mercuris 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
For debility and
weakness after influenza, to help convalescence and build up the constitution.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia
The causes of
insomnia in children are usually overexcitement and overstimulation, and
remedies for them are in Chapter 5. In adults the causes are more diverse, but
often center around an overactive mind, abuse of food, alcohol or coffee, or as
the aftermath of stress.
Treatment
Anxiety and fear,
tossing about restlessly. Nightmares; cannot sleep. Sometimes after shock.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Insomnia
following excitement, or from overwork, mental or physical. Can be excited or
exhausted.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia after
flight or shock.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Insomnia
following grief, disappointed love, or other emotional shock.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Insomnia around 3
a.m. until around dawn, from mental stress or too much study. Irritable that
sleep will not come, especially after abuse of alcohol or coffee.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia from
nervous stress and tension. Spells of yawning.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Mind overactive:
cannot stop train of thought and flow of ideas.
Coffea 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 104
Excessive sleep
or constant desire to sleep, yet sleep is unrefreshing. Restless sleep, with
constant starting.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia from oversensitivity
to pain, drives out of bed to move about restlessly.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sleepless from
feverish congestions. Drowsy in the afternoon but unable to sleep at night.
Ferum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Can sleep in short
naps only, then person wakes feeling unrefreshed.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia after
exertion and physical strain, bed feels too hard.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Sleepy but cannot
get to sleep.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Drowsy during the
day, yet sleepless at night. Can get short naps only.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Restless between
midnight and 3 a.m., walks about, cannot relax, even though exhausted.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Drowsy and sleepy
during the day, with bilious symptoms and gray-green tongue.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia after
overeating.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Insomnia with
itching of skin, burning of feet.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Sleepless due to
digestive disturbances and sour regurgitations.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours
Jaundice
Jaundice is
yellowness of the skin and whites of the eyes following the accumulation of
bile products in the blood.
It is usually due
to poor liver function, although it can also arise from disorders such as
blocked bile ducts in the gallbladder, or when blood cells break up due to
haemolytic anemia. It may also arise from chemical poisons or drug
prescription. It is a common symptom in newborn infants. Jaundice that comes on
suddenly, with nausea and lethargy, should be assessed medically to make sure
it is not infectious.
Page 105
Treatment
Jaundice with a
pain under right shoulder blade, a bitter taste, thickly coated tongue, loss of
appetite, and nausea relieved by drinking hot water.
Chelidonium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Early stages of
jaundice, with inflammation, fever, pain in the liver and vomiting of
undigested food.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice from congestion
of the liver and gallbladder, with biliousness, flatulence and greenish stools.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice with
enlarged liver, constipation and clay-colored Stools.
Chionanthus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Yellow skin with
great itching, worse at night and from the warmth of the bed. Tongue is large
and flabby, showing the imprint of the teeth, and the breath is foul.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice from
abuse of rich food and alcohol, irritable, constipated and chilly.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice with
empty, gnawing hunger, constipation, a dragging down feeling in the abdomen and
indifference to loved ones.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Jaundice with
swollen, hard liver, painful to touch. Bitter taste in the mouth and great
bloating of the abdomen.
China 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Jaundice caused
by a fit of anger.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice with
light-colored stools, a white-coated tongue and a bitter taste.
Kali tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Jaundice with
pressure in the liver, sore and sensitive to motion and touch. Even a deep
breath causes pain through the liver.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Jaundice caused
by haemolytic anemia.
Crotalus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 106
Lumbago
Lumbago is pain
in the lower part of the back that is commonly caused by injury, arthritis or
overstrain of the back muscles. The muscles may be strained or torn, and go
into spasm, or ligaments between the vertebrae may be torn.
There is often
pressure upon the nerves. The pain may be severe and immobilising, and may come
on suddenly, making movement difficult. Heat and gentle massage often give
benefit. Osteopathic or chiropractic treatment is important: the following
remedies will give symptomatic relief.
Treatment
Early stage of
lumbago, with inflammation and pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sharp pain,
coming on suddenly, made worse by exposure to dry, cold winds.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes for a few doses.
Pain immediately after
injury or overstrain, feels bruised and stiff.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Lower back feels
stiff and bruised, worse from damp, cold weather, while at rest and in bed.
Feels as if must move often to get more comfortable, but only relieves for a
while.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Lumbago from an
over-acid condition of the tissue, with sour perspiration.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Lumbago relieved
by lying on something hard, with pain as if bruised from prolonged stooping.
Sensation of coldness up and down the spine.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain made worse
by the slightest movement, better from pressure and lying on the affected part.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stiffness and
pain worse on the approach of storms.
Rhododendron 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Lumbago following
exposure to cold and damp, worse by moving or stooping.
Dulcamara 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Backache and
stiffness from a slight draught, worse in the morning.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Lumbago following
a strain.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 107
Meningitis
Meningitis is a
vital or bacterial infection of the delicate membranes of the brain. Symptoms
are fever, nausea and vomiting, a stiff neck, a severe headache made worse by
bending forward, intolerance of light and abnormal sleepiness and drowsiness.
This disorder is potentially more serious in infants and toddlers than in older
children and adults, as there is a risk of brain damage. The symptoms in
infants can be a little different, and include an unusually high-pitched cry,
coupled with vomiting and intolerance of light. Recovery from vital meningitis
takes
2-3 weeks, and is
usually complete, but the consequences of the bacterial form can be more
serious, and include loss of hearing, brain damage and even death.
If meningitis is
suspected, the following remedies can be tried while allopathic advice is being
urgently sought.
Treatment
After head
injury.
Arnica 6c, every
30 minutes.
With
restlessness, great fear, dry skin and intense thirst.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes.
Hot, delirious,
with staring eyes.
Belladonna 6c,
every 30 minutes.
Severe headache,
made worse by the slightest eye movement, wants to lie still and quiet.
Bryonia 6c, every
30 minutes.
Infant irritable
and oversensitive, with sudden piercing screams.
Apis 6c, every 30
minutes.
Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers can
be very painful and they can have an obscure cause. They can come in crops or
singly, can be infrequent or recurrent. They may accompany thrush, and may
become infected.
Page 108
Treatment
Ulcers with a
gray base on the inside of the cheeks or on the tongue, starting as small
vesicles, and made painful by acid or salty foods.
Borax 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Ulcers, shallow and
burning, with foul breath, increased salivation and thirst. Tongue may be thick
and coated.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Mouth ulcers on
the tongue and the inside of the cheeks. Lips and mouth are either excessively
dry, or there may be copious salivation. Often there are cold sores on the
lips.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Ulcers with white
membrane and often a thick, white discharge. The tongue is coated white.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Ulcers ashy-gray,
especially from nervous stress.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Ulcers with a
yellowish membrane, anywhere in the mouth.
Kali bich 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Ulcers with
irregular edges, bleeding easily with a pricking, stinging pain.
Nit ac 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Ulcers secreting
a thick, yellowish mucus, especially on the inside of the lower lip.
Hydrastis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Gums sore, with
blisters becoming ulcers. Ulcerated comers of the mouth and cold sores on lips.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Whitish or
yellowish ulcerations that bleed easily, with foul breath and profuse
salivation.
Sulph ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgia and Nerve
Pain
Neuralgia is a
severe, sharp pain along the course of a nerve. It is due to a painful
inflammation of nerve fibres, and is usually worse from cold or draughts. It
occurs anywhere in the body, but most notably in the trigeminal nerve of the
face. Osteopathic or chiropractic treatment should always be considered.
Page 109
Treatment
For intense,
darting, excruciating or spasmodic pain, relieved by heat and pressure, and
aggravated by cold.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgic pain
coming on suddenly, after sudden exposure to cold or cold, dry winds.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes for a few doses.
Attack brought on
by dry cold. Person feels chilly, exhausted and restless, with burning pains
relieved by heat.
Arsenicum alb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgic pain
violent and cutting, especially in the face, brought on by cold or damp and
relieved by heat.
Colocynthis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Paralysing pain
in sensitive persons, better by gentle motion and when mind is occupied. Often
with insomnia, irritability, exhaustion and oversensitivity.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Severe neuralgic
pain, but intermittent, with excessive flow of saliva.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Severe, throbbing
neuralgic pain, like a nail being driven in over the eye, with burning heat and
a flushed face.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pains coming on
at night, with a sensation of numb crawling or coldness, especially in anemic
persons.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgia brought
on by damp weather or by living in a damp house.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgia
affecting the rib cage, or above the right eye.
Ranunculus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Neuralgia above
the left eye, made worse by movement.
Spigelia 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Perspiration
Offensive
Sweating is an important
mechanism for the body to reduce body heat and eliminate wastes.
Homeopathically speaking, it is not healthy to suppress perspiration with
anti-perspirants. However, offensive-smelling sweat may indicate a
constitutional imbalance that should be treated.
Page 110
Treatment
Overweight,
clammy persons, easily fearful, with sour sweat, especially round the head at
night.
Calc carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Thin, chilly
persons, with profuse offensive sweat on the feet, must change socks often.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Perspiration
greasy, pungent and unpleasant; it is worse at night and by both heat and cold.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sweating worse
about the head, sour-smelling and profuse, better by cold weather and by
walking.
Huoric ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Excessive
perspiration with sour, acidic smell and tongue coated creamy at the back.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sweats are easy,
profuse and offensive, in overweight persons with dry, harsh skin and poor
circulation.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a
complex and chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, with unsightly patches of
pink, raised, flaking skin on the knees, elbows, lower back, and the scalp
behind the ears. In a few cases, the joints of the hands, fingers, knees and
ankles may become inflamed and swollen. Orthodox treatments manage but do not
cure the condition and include steroid and coal tar ointments, cytotoxic
ointments that slow down cell division, vitamin A and D derivatives that can be
highly toxic, and ultraviolet therapy. The remedies given below have a long
history
of success, but
there are many remedies that may suit, and for such a chronic condition a
constitutional treatment from a homeopath is recommended. If any remedy causes
aggravation, stop giving it immediately and wait for the aggravation to die
down and improvement to set in. Give another dose only when improvement stops.
Page 111
Treatment
Skin is thick and
dry, especially at the fingertips, bends of the limbs, the orifices, behind the
ears and on the face and scalp. The skin may crack, itch and bleed, and ooze a
honey-coloured exudate. The itch is worse for warmth, the heat of the bed and
washing, and is better by cold.
Graphites 6c,
morning and evening.
Skin is hot, dry,
red, scaly and itchy, worse from heat and washing, and worse at night from the
heat of the bed. May put feet out of bed at night to cool.
Sulphur 6c,
morning and evening.
Skin is dry and
scaly, with burning sensation relieved by heat, often worse around midnight.
Arsenicum 6c,
morning and evening.
Psoriasis better
during the summer, and notably worse during winter and from cold.
Petroleum 6c,
morning and evening.
Skin itchy and unhealthy,
may crack, peel and bleed, and have a musty, mousy odor. It is always worse
from heat, at night, washing, contact with wool, and the heat of the bed.
Psorinum 30c, one
dose per week
Rheumatism
Rheumatism is a
general term for pain and stiffness of the muscles and joints. The pains are
usually worse in cold, damp weather, and are better by warmth and massage.
Orthodox treatment is with anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers.
Homeopathic treatment is constitutional, but the following remedies can be used
first, and will give relief if well suited.
Treatment
Vegetarian diet
suits best, because of its alkaline-forming qualities. For those unable or
unwilling to adopt such a diet, avoid wheat, rye, oats, barley, meat, dairy
products, potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and eggplant as much as possible.
Restrict tea, coffee, alcohol and spices.
Page 112
In the first
stages, with heat, pain and redness. Pains are increased by movement.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Second stage of
rheumatism or fibrositis, when swelling has resulted, and movement increases
the pains. Thick white or grayish coating on the tongue.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain and
stiffness, causing great restlessness, often brought on by cold and damp, and improved
by heat. Pains are worse on initial movement, especially in the morning, but
better on continued movement, after limbering up.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Rheumatism from
over-acid conditions of the tissue, with sour-smelling sweat and an acid taste
in the mouth. Tongue is coated creamy-yellow at the base.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stabbing pain
better when absolutely still, worse on movement and in dry, cold weather, and
relieved by pressure and lying on the affected part.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pain made worse
by heat and warm rooms, flitting from one part of the body to another.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Rheumatism that
is worse by humidity and at every change of weather and better by dry, settled
weather. The tongue is clear, or has a gray-green coating at the base.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Rheumatism with
stiffness and numbness, that is worse at night, from heat or cold, dampness,
and at every change of weather.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain mainly in
the jaw and neck, with muscle spasm, better in warm, damp or humid weather.
Causticum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain and
stiffness worse in cold, damp weather, especially after becoming overheated.
Dulcamara 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Enlargement of the
joints from rheumatism.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Acute, sharp,
spasmodic pains in rheumatism, relieved by pressure, massage or warmth.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Joints feel cold
and numb, with pain and stiffness increasing when the weather changes.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 113
Stiff, bruised
pains after injury, no matter how long ago.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Bruised, sore, aching stiffness, feels that he or she must move,
but no better by it.
Phytolacca 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Pain worse when
at rest and better by motion, and particularly aggravated by the approach of
stormy weather.
Rhododendron 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Limbs stiff and
painful after taking cold, or when the weather changes from warm to cold,
somewhat better by movement.
Dulcamara 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Aches and pains
worse at night, with greasy, offensive sweat and foul taste in the mouth in the
morning.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain in the
joints, especially the larger ones, where the
tendons meet the bone, better by warmth.
Ruta grav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sciatica
Sciatica is pain
in the sciatic nerve, which supplies the legs. It is caused by nerve
inflammation or injury, usually because of pressure from a misaligned spine, a
damaged or prolapsed disc, or from osteoarthritis. It shows as a sharp,
shooting pain into the buttock and leg, especially when bending, sneezing or
coughing. Orthodox treatment includes pain killers, muscle relaxants, steroid
injections and physiotherapy. Osteopathy, chiropractic and acupuncture usually
offer more lasting benefit. The following remedies can be taken for relief in
acute cases.
Treatment
Pain coming on
quickly, especially after exposure to cold or dry cold wind, with anxiety and
restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
For general pain
and inflammation.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours
Page 114
Cramping,
lightning-like pains, especially in the right leg, worse by coughing and better
by heat.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sciatic pain in
the elderly, worse at night around midnight causing restlessness, and better by
warmth.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain shoots down
the right leg, with numbness and weakness, worse in cold or damp weather.
Colocynthis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain worse when
sitting. Difficulty straightening the affected leg because the muscle and
tendon have contracted; better by walking and rest.
Ammonium mur 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain with
cramping and pronounced numbness in the affected leg, the numbness alternating
with the pain. Better by rest and worse by movement.
Gnaphalium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Shifting,
shooting pains, returning regularly, especially in the left leg, with
increasing stiffness and difficulty in walking, and worse by both heat and
cold.
Carbon sulph 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Burning pains
shooting into the knee and foot, can come any time but especially around 3
a.m., causing cries of pain.
Kali carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cramping, tearing
pain, better by heat and movement, worse from cold, damp, and by rest in bed,
driving to move restlessly, which improves for a while.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain in the right
leg, aggravated by pressure and lying on the right side, and often coming on
4-8 p.m.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain with
exhaustion; person is
irritable, sleepless and sensitive to every stimulus.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Shingles
Shingles is a
rash caused by the chickenpox virus, and can be very painful. The rash begins
as a burning, stinging pain that may be anywhere, and soon resolves into
patches of vesicles, which burst and form scabs. The vesicles follow the course
of a nerve, causing inflammation of the skin,
Page 115
with such pain as
to make movement, the touch of clothes and pressure on the affected part to be
unbearable. Sleep may be impossible, and the patient may be feverish, with
aches, pains and malaise. The duration of the disease is normally 14-20 days,
or even longer, but this can be dramatically shortened using the appropriate
remedy, and the neuralgia that often follows can be avoided.
Treatment
To be prescribed
in the early stages, as soon as the disorder intiates, to shorten the course.
Staphylococcinum
30c, one dose every 3 hours for 2 days.
For established cases
Small vesicles
the size of pinheads, containing a clear liquid, with itching and burning, not
helped by scratching. Patient is restless, and changes position often. The
eruption is eased by heat and hot applications.
Rhus tox 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Small vesicles
like those of Rhus tox symptom picture, but much more numerous and itchier, and
more likely to ulcerate.
Rhus ven 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Vesicles itch and
bum intensely, relieved by heat, often worse after midnight. Patient is
restless and anxious, then often exhausted.
Arsenicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Vesicles are
large and sometimes confluent, with a prickly, burning, stinging sensation, helped by cold
applications. Usually there is no thirst.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours
Itching, burning
vesicles containing white or yellow liquid, forming thick crusts covering an
underlying ulcer with white or yellowish pus. The pain is worse by movement and
the heat of the bed, but better from warmth.
Mezereum 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Burning and itching
in vesicles, often with shocks and stabs of pain from touch or movement. The
blisters may be bluish, with bloodstained fluid.
Ranunculus bulb 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Vesicles on the
face, with eye pain and the sensation that the eyeball will burst.
Prunus spinosa
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Large blisters
itching and burning, may be bloody, better by cool air and cold compresses.
Cantharis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 116
Itching, painful
blisters that, once healed, cover over with a layer of skin on which a new vesicle
forms.
Anagallis
arvensis 6c, every 3-4 hours.
As a
preventative, for family and friends.
Varicella 30c or
Herpes zoster nosode 30c, 1 dose per day for 7 days.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a
complication of acute colds or influenza. Usually there is facial pain, a
persistent discharge from the front and back of the nose, and this is often
accompanied by nasal blockage. Headache is frequently present and may be
severe. Sinus infections can easily become chronic. Acute sinusitis responds
well to homeopathic treatment, but chronic sinus-iris is difficult because it
is often accompanied by long-standing and often irreversible changes to the
structure of the sinuses.
Treatment
Check for
allergic foods in the diet, particularly grains and dairy products, and avoid
if possible.
First stage, with
fever, inflammation and pain in the sinuses. The face may be flushed, and the
pulse rapid.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
In the early stages,
with blocked nose, loss of smell, sneezing, watery discharge and head pain like
thousands of tiny hammers, worse in cold air.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dull, stuffy pain
in the sinuses, a thick, white, mucous discharge and a white-coated tongue.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pains in sinus
with sneezing and watery nasal discharge, abundant and burning. Nose red,
swollen, with a sensation of constriction at its root, often with stabbing
pains. Pain worse by pressure, heat and warm rooms, better in open air.
Kali iodatum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 117
Frontal headache,
with pain at the root of the nose, as if blocked. Constant need to blow nose,
but little result. Often a dry, irritating, continuous cough, especially at night.
Sticta pul 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Yellow, slimy
discharge, worse in warm rooms and at night, and better in the open air.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
The nose is
blocked in the cold open air. Chilly and irritable from drafts and better in
warm humid weather. Later a thick, offensive discharge appears, smelling like
old cheese.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain above the
eyes with nose stuffed up indoors, flowing more freely out of doors. Discharge
is changeable, comes and goes, but usually yellow or yellow-green.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain and pressure
outward along the brow, often encircling the eyes, or pain on the upper part of
the nose, as if wearing tight. spectacles. Radiating pain from the eyes to the
sides of the face, with marked redness of the eye.
Stringy mucus
from back of the nose dropping into throat, must hawk to clear. The pain is
better in the open air, and worse at night and from the least touch.
Cinnabaris 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Discharge of
thick, sticky, yellow or greenish-yellow mucus, may be irritating or bloody,
often dripping into the throat. The discharge may form strings or crusts. Pain
and pressure at the root of the nose, and often a violent cough. Better by heat
and movement and worse from cold, damp and fresh air.
Kali bich 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Thick, tenacious,
yellow, ropy mucus, raw and irritating, with a yellow, slimy tongue. The throat
is red and congested, with streaks of mucus running down from the back of the
nose, worse from cold and in the open air.
Hydrastis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Burning pains in
the bones of the nose and face, with sneezing, and a yellow discharge,
sometimes streaked with blood. Worse at night
and the warmth of the bed, and from cold, damp weather.
Mezereum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sinusitis with
foul discharges, fever and agitation, worse from cold and damp, better from
heat and pressure.
Pyrogen acts
similarly to an antibiotic, and can stop the progression towards infection.
Pyrogen 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 118
Sinusitis often
beginning with a headache, which is relieved when discharge appears and returns
when discharge is blocked. Worse at night and from sun's heat.
Lachesis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Chronic sinusitis
with thick, offensive, acrid discharges, tip of the nose itchy, and ulceration
of the nasal mucous membrane.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours
Skin Problems.
The skin accounts
for about 16 per cent of the total body weight; it is the largest organ of the
body. Apart from contact dermatitis, most skin conditions arise from internal
problems and general imbalance; it is these problems that must be treated. Diet
is often a factor. Even so, in homeopathic medicine some good skin remedies can
be prescribed just on the obvious and visible symptoms. In using the following
remedies, remember that the treatment
of many skin conditions often takes months. Delay giving further doses if the skin gets
worse, and wait for improvement to follow. Give further single doses only when
the improvement stops, using a higher potency. If there are complications, see
a homeopath.
Treatment
Skin and hair
dry. Skin flakes easily, hair falls out.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Thin and softened nails, weak hair, and susceptibility to cold.
Silicea 6x, a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cracked skin,
looks rough and red, especially at the comers of the mouth.
Petroleum 6c,
awry 3-4 hours.
Chapping and
cracks of the skin, even the palms of the hands. Fissures around the nails,
mouth and anus. The skin may become hard, tough. Brittle fingernails.
Calc fluor 6x, a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry, peeling
skin, with or without sticky secretions.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 119
Cracking in the
nostrils, on lips, behind ears, on nipples, or on fingertips.
Graphites 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Cracks on
fingertips, becoming deeper in cold weather, slow to heal, with sweaty hands
and feet.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Eczema and
eruptions of the skin with exhausting perspiration, offensive odor and nervous
irritability.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cracking in the
folds of the skin, especially if complicated by fungal infection. Skin is
itchy, worse from washing.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Watery
blisters, burning and irritating, with thin, transparent, white scales.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Skin dry, red and
itching, worse from heat, hot water and the warmth of the bed.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Skin becomes
red and itchy after water is applied, with clear discharges like the white of
an egg.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Eczema in the
bends of the joints.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dry,
dirty-looking skin, often smells musty, with intolerable itching.
Psorinum 30c, 1
dose per week for several months.
Eruptions on any
part of the body, when the contents are thick and white, and accompanied by a
white-coated tongue.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Eruptions of the
skin when the discharges are watery, yellow and foul.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Greenish-yellow
exudate, with the formation of crusts.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Athlete's foot.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Skin eruptions
when the discharges are creamy, golden-yellow or colored like honey, with sour
sweat and a creamy coating at the back of the tongue.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 120
Thick yellow
discharges from wounds that do not heal easily. Pimples and pustules during
adolescence.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Boils, abscesses
and suppurating, festering sores.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Boils and ulcers
suppurating easily but healing poorly, with sweaty, offensive feet.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is a
blanket term that covers disorders of several organs. it must always be treated
with attention, as it may be the first symptom in the development of other
disorders, such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis or diptheria, that
carry additional risk of complication. If homeopathic treatment does not
improve a sore throat, allopathic advice should always be sought.
Treatment
As a general treatment,
gargle a mixed tincture of Cinnamon and Sage, 20 drops of each in a half-glass
of water.
Alternatively
gargle water with a few drops of tea tree oil added, but do not swallow.
The throat is
bright red and shiny; the patient is nervous, sensitive and easily flushed but
not anxious. Heat, pain and dryness are marked, and there is no exudation.
Ferrum phos 6x,
a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours. The first remedy to try and often the only
remedy needed.
Sore throat, with
fever, anxiety and thirst, painful on speaking or swallowing, with a dry,
tingling, burning sensation. Often following exposure to cold, dry wind.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Throat red and
shiny, face red, pupils enlarged, skin hot and dry. Restlessness. Swallowing is
painful, pain may spread to ears.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 121
Sore and swollen
throat with high fever and stinging, burning pain, or sometimes no pain at all; but always worse
from touch. Tissues have a swollen, glazed, purple-red appearance. Cold drinks
and sucking ice always relieve, heat in any form aggravates. Right side is
often worse.
Apis 6c, every
2-3 hours.
Throat sore, very
sensitive to touch and cold air, worse at night. Sensation of a crumb or
fishbone in the throat, with pain through to the ears on swallowing.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Throat is red,
raw, burning and smarting, worse at night and on waking. Tongue coated yellow,
breath foul. Thirsty, even though mouth is moist. May bring up yellow mucus,
tinged with blood.
Mercurius 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Like symptom
picture for Mercurius, but worse on the left side.
Mere bin iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Throat is dry,
irritable, pricking and painful; worse from any type of motion talking,
swallowing or turning the headand better from pressure and stillness. Intense
thirst is often, but not always, present.
Bryonia 6c, every
2-3 hours.
Like symptom
picture for Mercurius, but worse on right.
Merc iod flav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
The sore throat
develops slowly, person feels tired, heavy, no energy, weak and shaky, hot and
cold in turn, with cold shivers up and down the back. Pain in neck and ears
made worse by swallowing, patient avoids drinks because swallowing hurts so
much. Usually there is no thirst.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
The throat is painfully
raw, sore and burning, often from overuse of voice in talking or singing; voice
is hoarse or breaks. Although very painful, the throat may be itchy; the
patient may often want to grasp or scratch it, even though swallowing is
painful. There may be raw cracks in the corners of the mouth, cracks in the
centre of the lips and mouth ulcers.
Arum triphyllum
6c, every 2-3 hours.
Frothy,
transparent mucus covering the tongue, with swollen uvula (the flap of skin at the centre back of
the mouth) and a sense of
obstruction in the throat. Constant flow of clear saliva.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 122
Swelling of the
throat with a white-coated tongue and difficulty swallowing.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Acute sore throat
coming on after exposure to cold and damp, or after exertion. Throat is raw and
burning, saliva thick, voice hoarse. There may be cold sores around the mouth,
a red, itchy skin as in nettle rash, a thirst for cold drinks and restlessness.
Dulcamara 6c, every
2-3 hours.
Pain and soreness
on the right side, with feeling of lump in the throat, coming on slowly. Neck glands
swollen, lips dry, thirsty but not hungry.
Baryta mur 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
The throat is
swollen, dark red, burning and constricted; the pains are often worse between
swallowing. The ears are very tender, with severe, shooting pains. Typically
the patient is red and feverish, but is chilly, feels cold, and is worse from
cold and draughts. Water is often craved, but it makes the throat worse and
increases the chill.
Capsicum 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Ulcerated sore
throat, with formation of yellow pits.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Plugs or lumps in
the throat often as a result of suppressed emotion, grief, or unrequited love.
The pain is worse from liquids than solids, typical of the contradictory nature
of the remedy, which suits hypersensitive, emotional types, intolerant of
contradiction.
Ignatia 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Creamy-yellow
mucus on the tonsils and the base of the tongue, with sensation of a lump in the throat. There
may be acid stomach or sour risings.
Nat phos 6x,
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Inflamed throat;
tonsils swell and become very red at first, then may change to dark or
bluish-red, especially on the right side. Shooting pains running into the ears
when swallowing, starting at the root of the tongue.
Phytolacca 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Sore throat,
extremely sensitive, first on one
side then the other, and may alternate for days. Feels dry,
scalded, tight and stiff, as if it were closing up. Sensation of a lump in
throat, and pain through to ears on swallowing. Worse from cold air, better by
either warm or cold drinks.
Lac caninum 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Relaxed sore
throat, with tickling in the larynx.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 123
Styes
Styes are an
infection of the pores of the skin of the eyelid. They look like a boil, occur
at the roots of eyelashes and can be very painful.
Treatment
At the onset of
appearance.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Styes, from
resentment or other suppressed emotion.
Staphysagria
6c, every 3-4 hours.
Styes in small
crops, extremely sensitive to touch and cold air.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Bluish styes in
small crops.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Styes in those
who feel cold easily, may have offensive foot sweats.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Synovitis
Synovitis is the
inflammation of the membrane lining a joint. There is usually a release of
fluid into the joint, causing swelling and pain. It may occur in some rheumatic
disorders, and also after injury and strain. Bursitis and housemaid's knee are
similar conditions.
Treatment
Pain,
inflammation and stiffness.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Joint hot, red
and painful, throbbing and swollen worse from the slightest jar.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain made worse on any
movement. Better from strong bandaging and rest.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Joint stiff and
swollen with tearing pains, worse by cold damp weather and better by
warmth and gentle exercise.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Synovitis with
pain in the joint, worse on first rising from sitting, at night and also worse
from the
heat of the bed.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 124
Chronic
synovitis, with swelling and difficulty of movement.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
For long-standing
cases that are slow to respond.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an
inflammation of the tonsils, and may be either acute or chronic. It occurs
mainly during winter, with a sudden onset, pain in swallowing, chilliness and
fever. The tonsils become enlarged and often show a white exudation.
Tonsillitis may involve the glands of the throat, which also become tender and
swollen. Most cases resolve easily, although there is always a risk of
complication. If a membrane forms in the throat diptheria is to be feared and
allopathic treatment should be sought. In the early stages, gargling water with
a few drops of tea tree oil
added often
helps, but do not swallow.
Treatment
Throat bright
red, shiny; patient feverish, nervous, sensitive and easily flushed but not
anxious. Inflammation marked, but no exudation.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours. The first remedy to try and often the only remedy
needed.
Sore throat with
swelling of the tonsils, hoarseness and hacking cough, often from taking cold
through exposure to draughts, or while damp. Adult is restless and
irritable, child is cross, irritable and wishes to be carried.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 1-3 hours.
Throat bright
red, dry and burns like fire, tonsils swollen with pains shooting into the
ears, outside of the throat swollen. Patient flushed and restless.
Belladonna 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Sore and swollen
throat with high fever and stinging, burning pain or sometimes no pain at allbut always worse from
touch. The tissues have a swollen, glazed, purple-red appearance. There is no
thirst, but sucking ice will relieve, while heat in any form aggravates. The
right side is often worse.
Apis 6c, every
2-3 hours.
Page 125
Swelling of the
tonsils with a white-coated tongue and difficulty swallowing. May be white or
grey spots on the tonsils.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Offensive sore
throat. Tonsils generally very swollen, with yellow coating on tongue and
burning pain into ears. Foul breath, profuse flow of saliva with marked dryness
of throat and intense thirst; often an oily sweat. The throat is worse at night,
in the mornings, after sleep.
Mercurius 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Like Mercurius
symptom picture, but worse on the left side.
Merc bin iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Like Mercurius
symptom picture, but worse on the right side.
Merc iod flav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Frothy,
transparent mucus covering the tonsils, with swollen uvula (the flap of skin at
the centre back of the mouth) and a sense of obstruction in throat. Constant flow
of clear saliva.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Creamy, yellow
mucus on the tonsils and the base of the tongue, with sensation of a lump in the
throat. There may be acid stomach or sour risings.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Tongue and back
of the throat yellowish and coated. The tonsils may be suppurating or
abscessed; there is a craving for fresh air.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Repeated
tonsillitis in children or adults with chronically enlarged
tonsils and lymphatic glands.
Baryta carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Inflamed throat; tonsils
swell and become very red at first, then may change to dark or bluish red, especially on the right side. Shooting pains running into the ears when
swallowing, starting at the root of the tongue. White or graywhite spots appear
on tonsils, coalescing to form patches.
Phytolacca 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Sore throat,
extremely sensitive, first on one side then the other, and may alternate for days. Feels dry,
scalded, tight and stiff, as if it were closing up. Sensation of a lump in the
throat, and pain through to the ears on swallowing. Worse from cold air, better
by either warm or cold drinks.
Lac caninum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pitted sore
throat, white pits full of pus and debris, with extreme sensitivity to pain, cold air and draughts. Violent
pricking pains when swallowing, running into the ears or the glands of the
throat, and a sensation of a splinter at the back of throat.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Tonsils and
throat are bright red and ulcerated, with a sensation of constriction,
Swallowing is difficult, and there is fear of any contact or pressure.
Lachesis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Repeated
tonsillitis in those with
Page 126
yellowish and
coated. The tonsils may be suppurating or abscessed; there is a craving for fresh air.
Calc sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Repeated
tonsillitis in children or adults with chronically enlarged tonsils, and lymphatic
glands.
Baryta carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
chronically
enlarged tonsils, and who suffer periodic fevers, colds and influenza.
Tuberculinum 30,
1 dose per month.
Toothache
Decayed teeth
should always receive dental care, especially if infection is suspected. If
there is throbbing, swelling of the gum or face, and a rise, in temperature, an
infection or abscess may be developing.
Treatment
As a local
application on swelling or painful area.
Hypericum
tincture, or oil of cloves.
To relieve the
anxiety before visiting dentist.
Aconite 6c, every
30 minutes.
Before and after
visit to dentist, to relieve the pain of extraction. Arnica is a wonderful
remedy.
Arnica 200c, 1
dose before the extraction and l dose after.
Enamel of the
teeth rough and deficient, causing rapid decay. Teeth loose in their sockets.
Calc fluor 6x,
a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours, for 1 month.
Inflamed
toothache, with redness and swelling.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Stabbing pain
with restlessness, especially after ice cream, cold foods or cold wind.
Aconite 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Restless and
flushed, with congested face and throbbing pain.
Belladonna 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
Irritable, restless, thirsty and hot. Pain is worse at night and
from warm food or drink.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3 hours.
Page 127
Toothache with
salivation, teeth very sensitive to touch, feel longer than normal.
Plantago 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Pain with foul
mouth, stabbing pain to the ear. Increased thirst and saliva. Worse from hot
and cold, better from rubbing the cheek.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Teeth sensitive
to touch and cold, with severe, shooting pains.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Teeth very
sensitive to touch or cold, with drawing and tearing pain, irritability and
resentment. Cheek may be swollen and red.
Staphysagria 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Severe pain in
decayed or filled teeth, from oversensitivity
of the nerve.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Intolerable pain,
forcing patient to pace restlessly.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Toothache
relieved by holding cold water in the mouth.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Bad teeth, bad
breath and bitter taste.
Kreosote 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Local pain, with stinging and
throbbing, often with swelling of the gum.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Gum is hot,
shining and swollen, but pus or abscess is not obvious.
Belladonna 6c,
every 2-3 hours.
For swelling
with suspected abscess, to speed up ripening.
Hepar sulph 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Abscess
discharging pus, with foul taste and feverish state.
Pyrogen 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Travel Sickness
Travel sickness includes
seasickness and airsickness, and is a distressing condition caused by the
rhythmic or irregular movements associated with travelling. Symptoms range from
simple nausea or headache to vomiting and collapse. Influences likely to
improve the condition are fresh air, and freedom from smells of petroleum,
cooking and tobacco. A tea made from fresh ginger root often relieves.
Treatment
Persistent
nausea, with accumulation of water in the mouth. Worse from passive motion,
from light, noise or attempting to sit up. Better from closing the eyes, and
from eating small amounts of food.
Petroleum 6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Nausea and
giddiness, with death-like pallor, icy coldness and sweat; may faint. Violent
vomiting with cold sweat. Worse by least motion and tobacco smoke; better from
cold, and in fresh cold air.
Tabacum 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Nausea and
vomiting from travel motion, or even from looking at a boat in motion; wants to
lie down and be still, better by fixing eyes on the horizon. Sick headache,
with inclination to vomit, worse from sight or smell of food. Great weakness,
hollow, ''gone'' feeling. Better from warmth.
Cocculus 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Nausea worse from
any downward motion, such as in aircraft and lifts.
Borax 6c, every
1-2 hours.
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins
are veins that have become stretched and dilated, and are especially found on
the inner side of the leg. When they occur in the lower end of the bowel they
are known as hemorrhoids. A tendency to varicose veins is often hereditary, and
jobs that require long standing with little opportunity to move about can also
lead to them.
Varicose veins
can also appear during pregnancy, although they often disappear after the child
is born.
Treatment
Elevate the legs
as often as possible, and apply tincture of Hamamelis externally as a compress.
If available, take the minerals calcium fluoride and silica.
Page 129
Inflammation of
the veins, sore and throbbing, with red streaks following the course of the
vein, better by walking slowly.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Varicose veins
with bluish discoloration of the tissue.
Calc fluor 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Varicose veins
with sore, bruised feeling in the legs.
Hamamelis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Varicose veins,
aching, swollen and purple, often with a sore, lame back.
Aesculus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Aching, throbbing
veins, with shooting pains along the leg.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Varicose veins
during pregnancy, with sore, bruised feeling in the legs, worse from warmth and
allowing the legs to hang down.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Varicose veins
with severe, spasmodic, cramping pains.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Varicose veins, worse
when the legs are allowed to hang down, with pain as if they would burst.
Vipera 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Vertigo
Vertigo,
otherwise known as giddiness, is the sensation of moving around in space, or of
having objects moving about the person. It is due to a disturbance of the
balancing apparatus in the ear, and may be caused by middle-ear disease, spinal
misalignment, infectious disease, low blood pressure, or toxic conditions from
smoking, excess alcohol or environmental pollutants. It is a side effect of
many drugs.
Treatment
Check for
environmental causes, and seek chiropractic or osteopathic advice.
Giddiness from a
rush of blood to the head, with flushing or throbbing pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Vertigo worse
when rising suddenly, particularly after a blow or injury to the head.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 130
Vertigo worse
from rising or looking upwards, from nervous causes.
Kali phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Vertigo worse
when closing the eyes, when sitting or lying down, and worse from loud noise.
Teridion 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo worse
when lying down or turning over in bed.
Conium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo worse
when sitting, with nausea and a tendency to vomit or faint.
Cocculus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo from
heights or from looking up at tall buildings.
Arg nit 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo with
great fear of downward motion.
Borax 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo with
trembling and weakness, as if the muscles refuse to obey the will.
Gelsemium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo worse
when trying to walk, turn or read, can come on suddenly.
Kali carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vertigo with
bitter taste in mouth and tendency to fall to right side, from upset stomach.
Nat sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Vertigo from
optical disorders, with black spots before the eyes.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dizziness worse
in cold weather and when lying on the left side.
Silicea 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting
Vomiting can be merely
one symptom in a much larger picture, such as in pregnancy or during influenza,
and in such cases the appropriate section should also be checked for additional
remedies. Generally vomiting is no great cause for concern unless it is
persistent, especially in infants and young children. In these cases, care
should be taken to replace lost fluids, and allopathic advice should be sought
in intractable cases.
Page 131
Treatment
Nausea not
relieved by vomiting nothing relieves. With nausea is profuse saliva; vomiting
can be food, bile, blood, mucus. May be diarrhea. Ipecac
leads all nausea remedies.
Ipecac 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Intense but not
persistent nausea, with thirst for cold water, little and often, and relief
after vomiting. General coldness, drowsiness, prostration and sweat.
Ant tart 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Burning of whole
digestive tract tongue, throat, esophagus, stomach, even to anus; with
vomiting, sour, sweetish or bitter, burning the throat. Profuse saliva and ropy
mucus, which hangs in strings.
Iris vers 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
vomiting, relieved by very hot water, and particularly if there is a pain under
the right shoulder blade. May have yellow tint to skin, tongue and eyes.
Chelidonium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting in
pregnancy, with "all gone" feeling, especially
if the thought or smell of food sickens.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Persistent
nausea, with accumulation of water in the mouth. Worse from passive motion,
light, noise or trying to sit up. Petroleum is a good remedy in travel
sickness.
Petroleum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
giddiness, with death-like pallor, icy coldness and sweat. Seasickness, worse
by least motion, better on deck in fresh, cold air. Violent vomiting with cold
sweat, on moving, during pregnancy.
Tabacum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea, vomiting,
with sweat, prostration, shortness of breath. Profuse watery saliva. Worse:
tobacco, slightest motion.
Lobelia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
vomiting from riding in a plane, car or boat, or even looking at a boat in
motion. Sick headache from travelling, with inclination to vomit. Great
weakness, hollow "gone" feeling. Cocculus is useful for any kind of
travel sickness.
Cocculus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Exhaustion after
loss of fluids from persistent vomiting.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 132
Warts
Warts are small,
horny outgrowths of skin, commonly occurring on the hands, but can be anywhere.
Treatment should continue for several weeks, then wait.
Treatment
Locally, apply
tincture of Thuja twice a day.
Warts on the palms
of the hands and soles of the feet, or warts that are hard and corny. Both
often occur in clusters.
Ant crud 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Flat, transparent
warts, often on the backs of the hands, and more visible in reflected light
than in direct light.
Dulcamara 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts on the
fingertips, under the nails, on the eyelids or on the end of the nose.
Causticurn 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Soft, fleshy,
cauliflower-like warts, that ooze and bleed easily, often on the back of the
head.
Thuja 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Numerous, small,
horny warts that itch, sting, weep and bleed, in chilly persons, sweating
easily and always better by warmth.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts with a
yellow tinge, often with cracking of the skin elsewhere.
Nit ac 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts that are
flat, hollowed out, or raised on tiny stalks.
Causticurn 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cauliflower-like
warts, often on the upper lip, that itch and sting, ooze and bleed, or become
large and jagged.
Nit ac 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts around the
fingernails.
Graphites 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Large, dark
warts, very fleshy, as if full of water.
Dulcamara 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Weeping,
ulcerated warts on the tips of the toes.
Nat carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Large, black
warts with hairs in them.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts around the
anus or the genitals, often with numbness and burning.
Sabina 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Warts on the
foreskin, often bleeding.
Cinnabar 6c, every 3-4
hours.
The Treatment
of Infants
The problems of
infants and children represent a special area of medicine. For the most part,
the illnesses are mild and rarely life-threatening, while drug treatment is
often inappropriate due to problems of toxicity.
It is in this
area that homeopathic medicine has much to offer, but remember that babies can
become seriously ill much more quickly than adults and children. If
well-indicated remedies fail to give improvement, professional advice should
always be sought.
The problems of
infants usually revolve around feeding disorders and skin rashes. Usually the
problem is that the baby cannot tolerate milk, vomits it, has wind or colic, or
has diarrhea. Skin disorders include cradle cap, nappy rash and thrush. There
also may be irritability, sleeplessness, and crying without apparent cause.
For more general
disorders that are as applicable to adults as infants, consult Chapter 3,
"Common Problems."
Colic
Intestinal colic
is an attack of abdominal pain caused by contractions of the intestines, most
common during the first three months of life. Pulling up of the arms and legs,
restlessness, crying loudly and turning red in the face are common symptoms,
eased by belching and passing gas. In a breast-fed baby, colic can be caused by
maternal tension and anxiety, a reaction to dairy products, wheat, beans,
cabbage or citrus fruits in the maternal diet, or the baby being held at an
extreme angle while feeding, causing air swallowing. In a bottle-fed baby,
colic may also be
due to air
swallowing because the hole in the nipple is too small.
Treatment
Colic with
drawing up of the legs, and relieved by heat and bending double, not relieved
by belching. Mag phos is often the only remedy needed.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
Colic with
distension and wind, cannot keep still, writhes and twists, with pale face and
no thirst. Eased by bending double, firm pressure or a hot water bottle.
Colocynthis 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Irritable,
restless infant, drawing legs toward abdomen, wanting to be held.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Distension of abdomen,
with green and watery diarrhea.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Colic, stretches
backwards, worse when doubling up and from pressure, with hiccup and sour wind.
Dioscorea 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Colic due to poor
assimilation of milk or food, if Mag phos fails.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Colic with sour regurgitations and green, sour-smelling stools.
Nat phos 6x,
a tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Irritable, wants
to lie still, and screams at the slightest movement.
Bryonia 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Irritable with
severe bloating, worse from pressure,
often
as a result of overfeeding.
Nux vomica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Child flushed and
restless, with hot and distended abdomen relieved by bending backwards, worse from touch and pressure.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Miserable and
changeable, may be vomiting milk, wanting to be picked up.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Colic towards
evening, with hardness of abdomen.
China 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Colic due to
irregular contraction of the bile duct, with vomiting of bile, and
brownish-green coating on the tongue.
Nat sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Constipation
Constipation
occurs when the bowel is not cleared regularly. A bowel movement I-3 times a
day is considered normal. In infants constipation is not unusual, but should
resolve quickly. Commercial laxatives should be avoided:
a homemade jelly
using agar instead of gelatine, with 25g of agar to half a litre of boiling
water, adding half a litre of fruit juice as it cools, is easily taken by a
child and helps keep the bowels loose. Sudden cessation of bowel motions,
especially in a newborn child, should be viewed with concern, and allopathic
advice sought if the condition persists for more than 24 hours.
Treatment
Stool is dry and
difficult, child is irritable and thirsty.
Bryonia 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Straining at
stool, but passing only a little at a time. Alternating constipation and diarrhea.
Nux vomica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Constipation in
chubby babies with sour sweat, especially around the head at night.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Even soft stool
is passed with difficulty. The child smells sour, despite bathing.
Hepar sulph 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Constipation of
infants, with occasional attacks of diarrhea.
Nat phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Convulsions
Convulsions in
infants, toddlers and small children are always alarming, but usually look
worse than they are. Not all involutary, convulsive movements are epileptic
fits or caused by brain injury or infection: in two-thirds of cases, no cause
can be found. These infantile convulsions usually occur during fever or
teething, and show as twitching or spasms of limbs or body. The child may
become purple during the spasm and hold the breath. Cooling the child
if there is
fever, and giving the appropriate remedy, is usually sufficient. If the fits
continue, or the child loses consciousness, allopathic advice should be sought.
Treatment
As an immediate
treatment.
Rub upper lip, below the nose, with tincture
of Camphor.
Convulsions
during teething, with nightmares and anxiety.
Aconite 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Convulsions
during teething, with heat, flushed face, delirium and restlessness.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Convulsions
during teething, with restlessness, irritability, and thirst.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Jumps and jerks
in sleep, bores fingers into nose and grinds teeth.
Cina 6c, every 2-3
hours.
With great
anger and irritation, and chewing motion of the jaws.
Nux vomica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
During fever,
with jerking of fingers and toes.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Convulsion with
clammy, sticky hands, exhaustion and sleep. May vomit.
Aethusa 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Convulsions
during teething, with drawing backward of the head.
Cicuta 6c, every 2-3
hours.
As a general
treatment, in children prone to convulsions.
Mag phos 6x and
Calc phos 6x, two tissue salts, twice a day for l month.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is
more properly known as seborrheic eczema. It is a scurfy accumulation of skin,
most commonly on the scalp, but can also affect the face, neck, armpit or
loins. The skin can become yellow and soggy looking, although it can often be
lifted by applying olive oil. The affected area should be kept clean, with
regular washing after olive oil applications. After washing, apply Calendula
tincture, diluted 1 in 10, and allow to dry.
Treatment
Cradle cap, with
white chalk-like crust.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Crusting lesions
through the hair.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
For crusty
lesions around the hair line.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
Skin dry and
scaly, but not infected.
Lycopodium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Skin crusty, can
weep or ooze straw-colored fluid. Can crack and bleed.
Graphites 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Affecting mainly
the face and scalp, lesions thickly encrusted, with swollen glands.
Viola 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Scabby patches on
the scalp, which ooze and mat the hair together.
Vinca 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Crying and
Irritability
A baby's way of
communicating a variety of complaints hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain,
boredom, loneliness, or anxiety shows this common pattern. Irritability and
crying is probably never without a cause, but the cause can be quite difficult
to find. It may be something as minor as clothing that is uncomfortable, or
being hungry; it may be an episode of teething or colic coming on.
If the baby has a
fever, looks ill, or is continually distressed, then remedies can be used while
the condition is watched closely. Failure to improve warrants professional
attention. A unusually high-pitched cry, coupled with vomiting and
intolerance of light, may indicate meningitis, a serious condition requiring immediate
allopathic treatment.
Treatment
Irritable,
restless and demanding. Wants to be held, hard to please.
Chamomilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Irritable and
changeable, always better
from being carried or held.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Irritability with
anger. Spiteful, does not invite comfort. Particularly during teething, or if
there are boils or styes.
Staphysagria 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Irritability
with anger, better from warmth. May have constipation or diarrhea.
Nux vomica 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Complaining child, worse from
comfort, often with white tongue.
Ant crud 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Child is anxious
in sleep, restless dreams with half-opened eyes.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Delivery
Being a natural
process, birth is usually problem-free. However after a difficult birth, a long
or very rapid labor, or when forceps have been used, a number of remedies are
useful to comfort the baby, although in serious cases allopathic advice should
be sought.
Treatment
Baby shocked, frightened
and anxious.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Baby is pale, breathless,
gasping, suffocated.
Ant tart 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Baby pale, collapsed and cold.
Carbo veg 6c, every 30-60 minutes.
Bruised head or
purple marks after birth.
Arnica 6c, 1 dose per
day.
Diaper Rash
Diaper rash is
usually seen as sore, red, scalded skin around the genitals and buttocks, often
from leaving diapers on overly long, or from chemical residues left in the
diaper after washing. It can be improved by allowing the skin to dry as much as
possible, preferably in the open air. Chickweed ointment, or Penaten cream from
a pharmacy, can then be applied to soothe the skin. Diapers should be rinsed
one extra time. Avoid the use of plastic coverings as they do not allow the
skin to breathe.
Treatment
Diaper rash, with
red skin worse from heat and bathing, better in warm air.
Sulphur 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diaper rash in
chubby babies, sweaty around the head.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diaper rash
from scalding urine, irritating the skin.
Medorrhinum 30c, 1
dose a day for 3 days.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea in
infants is potentially dangerous, as it can lead to dehydration quite quickly.
The symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth,
sunken eyes and depressed fontanels. To keep the infant's fluid intake up give
water with a mixture of special salts (Gastrolyte) added, as well as the usual
feeds. If diarrhea persists for longer than 12 hours in infants, or the stools
are bloody, allopathic advice should be sought.
Treatment
Diarrhea after
exposure to cold winds, with restlessness and anxiety.
Aconite 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Greenish stools,
especially with vomiting of milk.
Aethusa 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Watery, green
stool, in crying, fretful baby, wanting to be held.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diarrhea in
babies who do not tolerate milk well. Stool is watery, green and frothy, and the child has an acid odor.
Mag carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Sour-smelling or
offensive stool, with salivation and great straining.
Mercurius 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Offensive,
fermented, painful stool, with vomiting, and pale face.
Ipecac 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Stools fermented,
foamy,
like yeast; grass-green, mucous or watery.
Ipecac 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diarrhea in
children while feeding or teething: profuse and
offensive, green, watery and gushing.
Podophyllum 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Watery, painless
diarrhea, with wind and undigested milk in the stools.
China 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diarrhea with
abdominal distension, rumbling and wind. Hungry but no appetite.
China 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Diarrhea caused
by overfeeding.
Nux vomica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Slightest
movement brings on diarrhea.
Bryonia 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Hiccup
Hiccup is a
spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that closes the throat, resulting in a
sudden shutting off of breath. It usually passes quite quickly, although
persistent hiccups can be distressing and exhausting.
Treatment
Spasmodic
attacks, better by pressure and warmth. Mag phos is the principal remedy.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue salt,
every 1-2 hours.
With
irritability and restlessness.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Hiccups that
bring up sour, bitter wind.
Dioscorea 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Page 141
Jaundice
Jaundice is the
appearance of a yellowish pigment in the skin. It appears in mild form on the
second or third day after birth due to immaturity of the liver, and fades a few
days later. It is improved by exposing the child to fluorescent light or
sunlight, although you should be careful of glare and sunburn. The child should
be given plenty to drink to flush out excess pigment. If jaundice persists or
deepens after the appropriate remedies are used, allopathic advice should be
sought.
Treatment
In the usual
case, to hasten disappearance.
China 6c, twice daily
for a few days.
Baby is irritable, thirsty and hot.
Chamomilla 6c, twice daily
for a few days.
Baby is
irritable, with constipation.
Nux vomica 6c, twice daily
for a few days.
If Chamomilla is
not effective and symptoms persist.
Mercurius 6c, twice daily
for a few days.
If jaundice is
due to Rhesus incompatibility.
Crotalus 6c, twice daily.
Milk Crust
This skin
disorder shows as clusters of small white pustules on a red surface, appearing
first on the face and spreading from there over the whole body. In a short time
they can burst and form thin yellow crusts. The lesions can itch considerably,
and the baby can be restless and fretful. Applying Calendula ointment or
Chickweed ointment will assist healing and keep the skin soft. Solanum nigrum
ointment should be used in resistant cases.
Treatment
In the early
stages, where the eruption is red and inflamed, and the baby is restless and
anxious.
Aconite 6c, every 2-3
hours.
When pustules
form and the rash spreads.
Rhus tox 6c, every 2-3
hours.
In entrenched cases,
with cracking.
Viola 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Lesions of the
scalp producing a white deposit looking like chalk.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Lesions
particularly affecting the fingers and palms of the hands.
Anagallis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Small vesicles,
like blisters, around the hair line.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
Prickly Heat
Prickly heat
shows as itchy red pimples during hot periods. The skin should be kept as dry
as possible; in irritated conditions Chickweed ointment, or Penaten cream from
a pharmacy, can be applied.
Treatment
Prickly heat,
with irritability and restlessness.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Prickly heat,
worse from bathing, particularly in hot water.
Sulphur 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Prickly heat,
with restlessness and small blisters like pinheads.
Rhus tox 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Itching violently
at night.
Juglans regia 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Snuffles
Snuffles are due
to a thickening of the mucous membrane lining the nose, making breathing
through the nose difficult. It would not be particularly noticeable in older
children, but it prevents babies feeding.
Treatment
Complete blockage
of the nose, but little or no discharge.
Sambucus 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Nose runs during
the day but is dry and obstructed at night.
Nux vomica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
With irritability
and running of watery mucus from the nose.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Discharge
green-yellow, comes and goes.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Teething
The first teeth
appear at about 6-10 months, and the last at
about 20 months. During this period most babies will suffer discomfort, and
often find relief by chewing on teething rings or zweiback. Allowing the baby
to chew on a piece of ice is often beneficial. There is usually salivation,
often diarrhea, and frequently irritability. Catnip or chamomile tea is a
useful drink for babies at this time: it soothes and slightly sedates. Clove
oil may also be rubbed
on the gums.
Treatment
Swollen tender
gums, with salivation, restlessness and irritability. Child wants to be held;
may have one cheek red, the other pale. Particularly if there is green
diarrhea.
Chamomilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
As a general
remedy in chubby, sweaty babies, smelling sour.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Irresistible
desire to bite the teeth together. Teeth clenched, or biting on everything.
Phytolacca 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Great desire to
press the gums together, with hot glowing cheeks and often a gushing diarrhea.
Podophyllum 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Teething trouble
in chilly, dark and wiry babies.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
Head flushed and
hot, rolling from side to side. Restless; may be delirious or have convulsions.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Convulsions
during teething, arching
backwards.
Cicuta 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting during
teething, bringing up food with great force.
Aethusa 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Teething with
mouth ulcers.
Borax 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Teeth decay
almost as soon as they are through.
Staphysagria 6c, morning and evening
for a few weeks.
Thrush
Thrush is due to
the overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. It commonly appears as
white patches on the tongues of nursing infants, and looks like milk curds,
although it will not brush off. Usually it runs a course of about two weeks,
but is dangerous if it spreads to other areas. It often follows treatment by
antibiotics.
Treatment
Whitish or
yellowish patches, joining together.
Sulphuric acid 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Thick tongue,
with yellow-white deposit.
Mercurius 6c, every 2-3
hours.
In resistant
cases, especially with ulceration.
Borax 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting
Bringing up small
amounts of food is common in infants, but if nearly all the food is vomited for
more than 24 hours, allopathic advice should be sought. Repeated vomiting is
very dehydrating for a young baby: symptoms of dehydration are dry mouth,
sunken eyes and depressed areas of the skull. Replace fluids if necessary with
water to which salts (Gastrolyte) have been added. There may be obstruction of
the intestine if the vomiting is accompanied by bouts
of screaming, or if the vomit is greenish-yellow, and allopathic
advice should then be sought immediately.
Treatment
Milk is vomited
with great force as soon as swallowed, followed by distress and exhaustion.
Aethusa 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Milk stays down
for a time, but reappears as sour green or yellow curds, large and profuse.
Aethusa 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Sudden vomiting
of milk, with oily sweat and irritability.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Feverish and
irritable, with one cheek red, one pale, wants to be carried.
Chamomilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Restless and
changeable, wanting to be picked up.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting of milk
followed by retching.
Ipecac 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting with
constipation, stools dry and crumbly.
Mag carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting with
stomach full of wind and rumbling, obviously painful.
Nat carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting without
crying. Waxy pallor and bluish rings around eyes.
Phos ac 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting in a
baby with sour head, sweats during sleep.
Calc carb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting with
marked distension of the abdomen.
Lac caninum 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Vomiting in a
tense baby, especially troubled by hiccups.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
6
The Treatment of
Children
Adenoids
The adenoids are
lymphatic glands behind the nose, which can enlarge and cause obstruction of
the nose, throat and eustachian tubes in the ear. This often shows as mouth
breathing, because of the partially blocked nose, and nasal-sounding speech.
Food allergies are commonly a primary cause, and should be investigated to
resolve the problem.
Treatment
Enlarged adenoids
after vaccination, especially in children with profuse foot sweats.
Silicea 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours..
Enlarged adenoids
in slow-growing children, with easy fatigue.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Enlarged adenoids
in pale, overweight children, prone to head sweats at night.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Enlarged adenoids
in children with yellow nasal discharge, thick and bland, worse in a warm room
and flowing freely outdoors.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 147
Bed Wetting
Bed wetting in
the normal case occurs less and less after the age of two. However about 10 per
cent of four- and five-year-olds regularly bed wet, and a further 10 per cent
do so on occasion. Causes include anxiety, problems in the family and at
school, food allergies, acidic urine, urinary infections and worms.
Treatment
The following
remedies have a good history of success.
Large quantities
of urine, soaking the bed.
Plantago 6c, morning and
evening.
Wetting during
dreams, soaking the bed.
Equisetum 6c, morning and
evening.
Soaks the bed
later in sleep, anxious and irritable.
Lycopodium 6c, morning and
evening.
Bed wetting
during the first sleep, especially if there are frequent nightmares.
Belladonna 6c, morning and
evening.
Bed wetting in
young children and old people.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, morning and evening.
Child sleeps
deeply, cannot wake fast enough to get to toilet.
Kreosotum 6c, morning and
evening.
Wets both day and
night, leaks when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Wets early in the night,
unaware of passing urine.
Causticum 6c, morning and
evening.
Bed wetting in
older children, from nervousness or lack of nerve power.
Kali phos 6x, a tissue
salt, morning and evening.
Bed wetting in
children, with excessive flow of watery urine.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, morning and evening.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is otherwise
known as varicella, a viral disease, and is characterised by fever followed by
a rash. It has an incubation period of about 14 days and is contagious until
the scabs form. The disorder starts as a
Page 148
chill, followed
by fever, aching of the back and legs, and loss of appetite. Vomiting may
occur. On the second day the rash shows as more or less transparent vesicles,
which begin as a pink dot then blister to the size of a pea. The spots first
appear on the trunk, then spread to the face and limbs; within 24 hours after
appearance they become pustular, and after a few days dry up to form scabs
which scale off within a week. At this stage the disease is no longer
infectious. Serious complications are rare; the most usual is secondary
infection of the lesions. More serious
complications are
encephalomyelitis, pneumonia and myocarditis.
Treatment
For general
protection of family and friends.
Varicella 30c, once
daily for 7 days.
For the fever, in
the initial stages, and to abort the illness.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 2-3 hours.
If the fever is
accompanied by anxiety and restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Fever with
flushed face, enlarged pupils, glassy eyes and restless delirium.
Belladonna 6c, every 2-3
hours.
When the rash appears
Clear vesicles
with a dry and itchy base, aggravated by scratching.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4
hours, is often the only remedy needed.
Scaly, pustular
burning and itching eruption, worse at night.
Ant crud 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vesicles with
white pus.
Kali mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
For lesions that
are very large, with drowsiness and sweat.
Ant tart 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vesicles with
yellow pus and dry, scaly skin.
Kali sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
During
convalescence, to assist recovery.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Croup
Croup usually
starts as a mild respiratory disorder, with some hoarseness. It develops
quickly, typically at night, with a sensation of suffocation, a husky voice,
and the characteristic crowing, barking cough. It is often
difficult to breathe in, resulting in substantial anxiety and fear. The attack
can last from a few minutes to a few hours, and may recur for a few nights.
Treatment
Treatment should
begin with using a steadily steaming kettle to humidify the room (you can use
an electric frypan, or even turn on all the hot faucets in the bathroom to fill
the room with steam), and the concurrent use of homeopathic remedies usually
affords a rapid resolution.
Anxious
suffocative attacks, with dry cough and restlessness. Head is hot, body is
cold.
Aconite 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Deep, dull and
whistling cough, or loose, thick, wheezing and rattling, with feeling of
needles in the throat, better from humid air.
Hepar sulph 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Deep, dry, hollow
barking, with construction and painful soreness and burning of the chest.
Spongia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
In desperate
cases.
Lachesis 30c, one dose.
Earache
Ears should always
be treated with care, and should not be poked. Any wax in the ear can be
cleared by running warmed olive oil gently into the canal, until it is full.
The oil should be kept in the ear for about ten minutes, then allowed to run
out. Insects and other objects may also be cleared using this method. Do not
attempt to clear wax during an infection.
Home homeopathic
treatment of earache should be approached with caution, as infection can cause
scarring and serious damage to the hearing if left untreated. As a general
rule, homeopathic treatment should only be used in uncomplicated earache, when
there is inflammation but no evidence of discharge. In these cases, or when the
earache is recurrent, these remedies can be used while professional advice is
being sought. About one-third of earaches in children are due to teething.
Treatment
The child is
irritable, anxious and restless, with burning pain.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Earache with fever,
red ear, heat and throbbing. Child is restless, flushed, and sensitive to
noise, movement and touch.
Belladonna 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Child is
restless, irritable and thirsty, wanting to be held constantly. Pain is worse
between 9 p.m. and midnight.
Chamomilla 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Fever, pain and
congested face, or flushing, with alternate pallor and redness, occasionally
with nosebleed.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 30-60 minutes.
Earache with
sharp neuralgic pains in or around the ear.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Child is
irritable, changeable and restless, demands company and prefers open air.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Earache with
swelling of the glands and tongue coated white.
Kali tour 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Earache with
yellow catarrh of the ear and yellow tongue.
Kali sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Child is tearful
and seeks comfort, but not irritable. Pain centers behind the ear, is sensitive to
touch, shooting and burning, and is made better by hot applications.
Capsicum 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Pains are burning
and worse between midnight and 3 a.m., better by hot applications.
Arsenicum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Shooting pains in
the ears.
Hypericum 6c, every 30-60
minutes.
Pain is stinging and
burning, better by cold applications.
Apis 6c every
30-60 minutes.
Deafness, with
noises in the ear, from nervous weakness or exhaustion.
Kali phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Glue Ear
Glue ear is the
name given to an accumulation of thick waxy exudate in the middle ear, common
in children. It reduces hearing ability, and may often make the voice
reverberate. There is usually no pain and no infection. While the wax may be
cleared using warm olive oil, it is important that the cause is treated, as it
can make ear infections more likely. Food allergies are often the primary
cause, and should be investigated to resolve the problem. Surgery to insert
grommets can usually be avoided.
Treatment
Intermittent
deafness, mouth breathing, yellow-green mucus from the nose. Child complains
wants comfort and consolation, is very changeable.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Enlarged glands
with catarrhal discharges in sweaty. children, with cracking noises.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Deafness, caused
by swelling of the eustachian tubes or catarrhal accumulation.
Kali mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Thick, smelly,
discharge from outer ear, with copious production of saliva during sleep.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Fever
Fever is not an
enemy to be suppressed, but a signal that the body is working properly in an
attempt to ward off an invader. Fevers are generally preceded by chilliness,
and there may be headache and a feeling of weakness in the limbs. There is
usually a hot stage, where the skin feels dry; there is an increase in pulse
rate, excessive thirst and no appetite.
Mild fevers are
generally regarded as above the normal body temperature of 98.6°F (36-37°C) but
below 100°F (38°C), moderate fevers as 100°-103°F (38-39.5°C) and high fevers
as over 104°F (40°C). Dosing with paracetamol or aspirin may bring the
temperature down for a while,
but will not
assist the germ-fighting process, and may even lead to complications. If
treated early using homeopathic medicines, fevers usually improve and rarely
worsen. However any fever over 104°F (40°C), or showing symptoms of breathing
difficulties, convulsions, turning blue around the lips or vomiting, is to be
regarded seriously and allopathic advice should be sought.
Fever can take
one of two forms homeopathically, depending on the speed of onset, gradual or
sudden.
Treatment
A fever of sudden onset
Early stages of
any fever, with excessive thirst not relieved by drinking, and dry skin.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sudden fever,
often around midnight or after cold, dry weather, with pale face, anxiety and
thirst.
Aconite 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Sudden rise in
temperature with red, congested face, pounding pulse, staring eyes,
restlessness and delirium.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Fever with
swelling of the throat. Sharp, stinging pains. Feels chilly despite fever, has no thirst,
feels worse in hot rooms.
Apis 6c, every 1-2
hours.
A fever of gradual onset
Face alternately
red and pale, feels shivery in spite of frequent sweats, throbbing headache
improved by cool applications. Skin is moist, tongue red and shiny.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
Second stage of
any fever, with gray-white coating on the tongue.
Kali tour 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
Feverish,
irritable and restless, craves heat. Thirsty, but drinking cold
water brings on chills.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
High fever with
aching muscles, weakness, heaviness and trembling of the limbs. Looks sleepy,
has no thirst.
Gelsemium 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Feverish,
irritable and sweating, dry mouth, with great thirst at long intervals, wants
to lie still and be left alone.
Bryonia 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Fever worse
between midnight and 3 a.m., child restless, anxious and exhausted, chilly, thirsty
for small sips of water, with burning pains better by heat.
Arsenicum alb 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Feels worse for
changes in temperature; breath is offensive, body has fetid odor and greasy
sweat. Moist mouth yet intense thirst.
Mercurius 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Exhausted and
restless, shivers and sweats profusely.
Rhus tox 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Child craves cold
drinks, which are vomited as soon as taken.
Phosphorus 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Fever that comes
on in the evening, with hot, dry skin.
Kali sulph 6c, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
German Measles
German measles,
otherwise known as rubella, is a mild but very infectious vital disease, with
an incubation period of about 18 days. It is contagious from the first
appearance of symptoms until the rash disappears, usually three or four days.
It is similar to measles but is more trivial. One attack usually confers
immunity for life. The lesions are paler, completely flat, and do not usually
run together. The first symptoms are a slight cold, some fever and a sore
throat.
The lymph nodes behind the ears and at the back of the neck may swell. The rash
is orange-red, appears first on the face and scalp, and spreads to the body and
arms the same day. The rash fades after two or three days.
Complications are
rare in children, but dangerous in pregnant women, as they can cause heart
defect, cataract, mental retardation and deafness in the fetus.
Treatment
To treat the
illness in the fever stage, to limit the course of the disease, see Fever. Here
are some common remedies for fever.
As a prophylactic
to reduce duration and severity, for family and friends.
Rubella 30c, once
daily for 7 days.
Sudden fever
often around midnight or after cold, dry weather, with pale face, anxiety and
thirst.
Aconite 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Page 154
Face alternately
red and pale, feels shivery in spite of frequent sweats, throbbing headache
improved by cool applications. Skin is moist, tongue red and shiny.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
Sudden rise in
temperature with red, congested face, pounding pulse, staring eyes,
restlessness and delirium.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
When the rash appears
Measles-like
eruptions, changeable, tearful, restless and irritable, wanting to be held.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
If the spots
coalesce, producing a scarlatina-type appearance.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Swollen glands,
ear pains on swallowing, symptoms alleviated by cold drinks.
Phytolacca 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Impetigo
Impetigo is
otherwise known as school sores, and is an infectious skin eruption with
pustules and crusts, usually around the mouth and the lower half of the face.
It is most common in children, although adults can contract it also.
It begins as
clear vesicles, which soon become cloudy, rupture and spread, and begin to
crust over. Bacteria are spread by touching the blisters, then touching another
part of the body, or by using contaminated towels or linen. It is most serious
in newborn babies, where the bacteria may spread to the kidneys: failure to
resolve in the newborn warrants immediate allopathic treatment.
Treatment
Bathe the
affected areas morning and evening with Hypercal (equal parts of Calendula
tincture and Hypericum tincture), diluted 1 in 10. When dry apply Solanum
nigrum ointment to the lesions.
Page 155
As a prophylactic
to reduce duration and severity, for family and friends.
Strep/Staph 30c, once
daily for 7 days
Lesions with
splinter-like pains, very sensitive to draughts and even the slightest touch.
Hepar sulph 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Thick, yellow,
spreading crusts, with white-coated tongue and blisters around the nostrils and mouth.
Ant crud 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Pustules on an
inflamed base, itching, stinging and oozing pus. Scrotum most affected.
Croton tig 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Eruptions in
clusters, with violent burning and itching, stinging and tingling.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Eruptions
ulcerate and form thick suppurating crusts, especially on the scalp, oozing pus that
irritates surrounding skin.
Mezereum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Humid eruptions
turning into thick, yellow-brown crusts, itching and bleeding when scratched.
Dulcamara 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Yellowish-brown
crusts, itching from the warmth of the bed, with offensive breath, oily sweat.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Entrenched cases,
with much pus and failure to heal.
Calc sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Irritability
Like crying in
babies, it is unlikely that irritability in small children occurs without a
reason, but its cause may be obscure. A few minutes of close attention and
communication may do more than any remedy, but a number have had good results.
Treatment
Irritable and
changeable, always better from being carried or held.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Complaining
child, worse from comfort, often with white tongue.
Ant crud 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 156
Crying or whining
without apparent cause. Hard to please: wants this and that, which is then
refused. Restless, thirsty, wants to be carried out, but no better from it.
Chamomilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Irritability with
anger, worse in mornings, better from warmth. May have constipation or
diarrhea.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Child is anxious
in sleep, restless dreams with half-opened eyes, irritable on waking.
Chamomilla 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Irritability with
anger. Spiteful, does not invite comfort. Particularly during teething, or if
there is a history of boils or styes.
Staphysagria 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Wants things, but
rejects when offered, with irritability. Appetite can be variable, or always
hungry.
Cina 6c, every 3-4
hours.
As a result of
fussing.
Hepar sulph 6c, every 3-4
hours.
After rich food.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Measles
Measles,
otherwise known as morbillis, is a highly infectious viral disease. It has an
incubation period of 7-14 days, average about 11. It is contagious for four
days before the appearance of the rash, and until it fades. In the early stages
it has the symptoms of influenza: there is inflammation and fever accompanied
by sneezing, drowsiness, lassitude, irritability, aching in the back and limbs,
shivering and thirst. There is a peculiar, hoarse, dry cough.
The measles
eruption appears generally on the fourth day, with small red spots like
fleabites joining together into irregular circles as horseshoes. The spots are
elevated, and may take 1-2 days to mature; they are usually first seen at the
back of the ears and frontal hairline. At this stage the fever and respiratory
symptoms will be at their height.
At 7-8 days from
the onset, the illness subsides and the eruption fades, replaced by small
bran-like scales, lasting about a further week. During this period, it is
important that there is no exposure to chill or cold, and that exposure to
bright light is minimised.
Page 157
Most cases are
uncomplicated, the most common complication being convulsion in young children
when the rash is appearing. Conjunctivitis, ear inflammation, bronchitis,
pneumonia, gastroenteritis, appendicitis and encephalomyelitis may also occur.
Measles is more serious in adults than in children, although one infection
usually confers life immunity.
Treatment in the
early stages is the same as for fever and influenza, and well-chosen remedies
can abort the progress of the illness at this early stage. In the later stages
the following remedies are valuable. If complications develop in spite of the
use of well-chosen remedies, particularly earache, or if fever persists after
the rash begins to fade, allopathic advice should be sought.
Treatment
As general
protection for family and friends.
Morbillinum 30c, once
daily for 7 days
To treat the
illness in the fever stage and to limit the course of the disease, see Fever.
Here are some common remedies for fever.
Sudden fever, often
around midnight or after cold dry weather, with pale face, anxiety and thirst.
Aconite 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Sudden rise in
temperature with red, congested face, pounding pulse, staring eyes,
restlessness and delirium.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Face alternately
red and pale, feels shivery in spite of frequent sweats, throbbing headache
improved by cool applications. Skin is moist, tongue red and shiny.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
When the rash
has appeared
Child restless,
peevish and seeking comfort, with large pustules.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Rash with hard,
dry and painful cough, always worse from movement.
Bryonia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Itchy rash and
peeling of the skin in fine, dry scales.
Kali sulph 6x, a tissue salt,
every 3-4 hours.
Tight, dry cough,
with thirst for cold drinks and perhaps vomiting.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 158
In the later
stages, with headache,
eyes red and streaming, nose watering.
Euphrasia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Measles with
purplish appearance. Convalescence slow, and patient weak and prostrate.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
To strengthen the
constitution during convalescence.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Mumps
Mumps is
otherwise known as parotiditis. This common childhood viral disease has
swelling of the glands instead of a rash. The incubation period is usually 18
days, although it may vary from 12 to 26. The disease is contagious in the
infected person from 1-2 days before symptoms appear until 1-2 days after they
disappear.
Often the first
noticeable symptom is a painful swelling of the parotid glands on the side of
the neck. Either or both sides can be affected. The swelling increases for 2-3
days, accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, headache and back pain, and
subsides within 10 days.
Complications are
rare, and include inflammation of the testicle in the male, and ovarian and
breast involvement in the female. Inflammation of the brain is an occasional
complication, with dizziness, vomiting and headache.
Pancreas
inflammation may also occur. If the child develops severe headache, shrinks
away from bright light, or is stupid or drowsy, allopathic advice should be
sought.
Treatment
As general
protection for family and friends.
Parotidinum 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Child flushed,
eyes staring and glassy. The glands are swollen, hot, red and sensitive to
pressure. The pains are shooting, extending to the ear.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 159
Swollen glands,
offensive salivation, foul tongue and offensive sweat.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Glands highly
inflamed and enlarged, with restlessness.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Glands swollen and stony hard, with ear pains on swallowing.
Phytolacca 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For glandular swelling,
pain on swallowing and a white-coated tongue.
Kali mur 6c, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Face is pale and
cold, but the Patient craves fresh air.
Carbo veg 6c, every 3-4
hours.
If the swelling
subsides, to be followed by throbbing headache.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Severe headache,
in the established stage. Saliva thick and sticky.
Pilocarpine mur
6c,
every 3-4 hours.
If the breasts or
testicles become involved.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Pale, cold face,
and involvement of breasts or testes.
Carbo veg 6c, every 3-4
hours.
If the patient
gets a cold, with yellow discharge.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
In cases of
complication, with pancreas inflammation.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
During
convalescence, to restore strength and vitality.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Nosebleeds
The immediate
treatment for a nosebleed is to sit the patient upright, and apply cold water
or ice to the root of the nose to stop bleeding. The nose should not be blown,
and can be pinched at the soft part near the root to constrict the blood
vessels. Excessive bleeding after a blow, or bleeding that does not cease,
should receive allopathic examination.
Treatment
As a local
application, on small plugs of cotton wool inserted into the nostrils to arrest
bleeding.
Hamamelis
tincture.
Red face, nose
red and swollen, with throbbing.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Page 160
Small amounts of
bright blood whenever nose is blown.
Phosphorus 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Simple nosebleeds,
with profuse red blood, with pain from eyes to root of the nose.
Millefolium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Recurrent
bleeding without obvious cause, especially in pale, sensitive children.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 1-2 hours.
Scarlet Fever
Scarlet fever is
otherwise known as scarlatina. It is a bacterial (streptococcal) disease and it
has an incubation period of 1-7 days, average 2-5. The active stage is over as
soon as the fever is goneusually about seven days. The disease is most common in
late winter and early spring.
Symptoms vary a
great deal, from nothing but a sore throat and swelling of the lymph nodes of
the neck, to fever with purulent exudation from the tonsils, nausea, vomiting
and headache. The bright red rash usually appears on the second day, first
behind the ears, and rapidly spreads, being most intense in the folds of the
arms and legs. The face is not affected by the rash, although it is usually
flushed, and the region around the mouth is pale. The tongue
shows a
characteristic strawberry appearance, usually furred. The rash usually fades
after 7 days, and the skin peels, especially on the palms and soles.
Complications are rare, but include suppurative earache, sinusitis and
suppuration of the lymph glands of the neck.
Treatment
As a prophylactic
to reduce duration and severity, for family and friends.
Scarlatinum 30c, one dose per
day for 7 days, or Streptococcin 30c, one dose per day during the
outbreak.
Face is flushed and
feverish, with pallor around the mouth. Belladonna is often the only remedy
needed.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 161
Profuse
salivation, with offensive mouth and sore throat. Chills alternate with fever.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For suppuration
afterwards.
Mercurius 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Skin comes off in
fine powdery scales.
Arsenicum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Sleep Problems
Disturbed sleep
in small children is often the result of another ailment teething or a cold
virus, for instance. Some children, however, seem to have permanently poor
sleeping habits, and the following remedies may be of use in such cases.
Treatment
Sleepy but cannot
get to sleep.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Child sleeps on stomach,
grinds teeth and jerks violently during sleep, wakes in a fright, may suffer
from worms.
Cina 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Child sleeps with
eyes open, moans during sleep, irritable and impossible to please when awake.
Chamomilla 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Child sleeps
lightly, jerks in sleep. Disturbed sleep after emotional upsets.
Ignatia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Child starts and
cries out in anxiety during sleep, has head sweats.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Child sleeps for
short periods only, moans during sleep.
Ant tart 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Sleepwalking, in thin children with large heads.
Silicea 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Nightmares in
sensitive child, weeps and screams, or fear of dark.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Night terrors in
children, sleepwalking, fidgety hands.
Kali brom 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 162
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough is
a highly infectious disease, serious in very young children, and occasionally fatal
in babies. The incubation period for whooping cough is 1-2 weeks, and the
disorder is infectious for up to three weeks after the onset. It can last for
anything from 2-10 weeks. It starts like a cold, with a mild fever and runny
nose, but the harsh, dry coughs become grouped together progressively into
spasms of coughing. A whoop develops at the end of a coughing spasm, as the
child fights to regain breath. Coughing may be violent enough to cause blue
face, nosebleeds and vomiting. Complications include pneumonia and brain damage
due to burst blood vessels in the
brain.
Homeopathic treatment of whooping cough is effective, and especially so if
treated early. If the cough continues in spite of well-indicated remedies,
allopathic advice should be sought, especially in infants.
Treatment
The remedies
should be given sparingly, to reduce the chance of aggravation. If aggravation
occurs, stop the remedy and wait for improvement to follow. If improvement
occurs, stop dosage and repeat only when improvement stops.
As a prophylactic
to reduce duration and severity, for family and friends.
Pertussin 30c or
200c, one dose per day for 3-5 days.
Early stages
Hoarse, dry,
choking, convulsive cough, coming on suddenly. Worse at night and by lying
down, with anxiety, restlessness and thirst.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60
minutes in the acute stage.
Raucous, dry and
spasmodic cough, beginning with a runny cold with sneezing, and a watery, nasal discharge
irritating the upper lip.
Allium cepa 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Dry, noisy, violent,
repetitive cough, especially at night, with restlessness, hot, red face,
covered with sweat, and bursting feeling in the head. Better from bringing up
mucus.
Belladonna 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Page 163
Established stage
Spasmodic cough
from a constant tickle in the throat, with suffocative spells and blueness of
the face, may go quite stiff or bleed from the nose. Wheezing and rattling in
the chest, with gagging and vomiting of mucus, but not improved by it.
Ipecac 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Dry, frequent, noisy
and spasmodic cough, can scarcely breathe between coughs, may retch and gag,
cough comes in bouts as if the throat were being tickled. The cough is painful,
worse after midnight to around 2 a.m., and better by holding the chest.
Drosera 6c, every 1-3
hours.
Violent,
explosive, spasmodic cough, cannot be stopped, worse from breathing cold air
and followed by profuse vomiting of mucus.
Corallium rubrum
6c,
every 1-2 hours.
Bouts of coughing
bringing up sticky mucus, sometimes with vomiting, worse from 11 p.m. to
midnight and in the morning on waking, better from drinking cold water.
Coccus cacti 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Spasmodic, dry
cough with suffocative bouts and blueness of the
face. There may be spasms of the throat and fits of sobbing. The fists
may be tightly closed with thumbs tucked in. Symptoms are improved by drinking
cold water.
Cuprum met 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Cough is mainly
dry with little mucus expelled, but is suffocating and blocks expiration.
Mephitis 6c, every 1-2
hours.
Vaccination
One of the great
strides in allopathic medicine has been the considerable increase in life
expectancy now enjoyed by the population; but this figure is a matter of
statistics. The truth is that a person of 40 now will live only two or three
years longer than a person of 40 did in 1900. The apparently greater rise in
life expectancy has been achieved by reductions in the infant mortality rate,
that is, the chances of survival are now better for babies and young
children. This
improvement has been attributed to two main factors: the increased standards of
hygiene and sanitation now existing in our communities, and vaccination.
Page 164
There is no
question that increased hygiene has contributed to the decreased infantile
mortality rate, but this is as much due to increases in general living
standards, such as better sewerage and septic tank use, as it is to advances in
medicine.
One of the
strongest arguments in favor of vaccination is that the chance of complications
in infectious diseases is reduced. While vaccination has been of great benefit
in underdevelopted countries in controlling infections like polio, diphtheria
and measles, and reducing the rate of complication, a deeper problem exists in
the bulk of these countries: malnutrition. It is this malnutrition that lowers
immune resistance in the first place and sets the stage for
the
life-threatening complications of infectious diseases common in these
countries, especially in the children.
In developed
countries the situation is very different, as standards of nutrition and
hygiene are much higher. Even so, vaccination is recommended by government.
This solution is not a total one, however, as vaccination always has a failure
rate (that is, it may not ensure immunity from the disease), which may be 25
per cent or higher. In addition, the incidence of bad reactions to vaccinations
is now being examined for the first time, and there is evidence that adverse
reactions to vaccinations have been under-reported. So in the end, the
advantages vaccination
may offer in reducing
complications in a disease like measles may be offset by the chance of failure
in the vaccination and the possibility of a bad reaction to the vaccine.
The treatment of
these infectious disorders by homeopathic medicine is regarded by the
profession as largely successful, and the incidence of complications is rare in
clinical experience. Furthermore, homeopaths believe that it is important for
children to contract these diseases naturally, as it strengthens their immune
system and reduces the risk of more serious diseases later in life.
Countering Ill
Effects Of Vaccination
If you do plan to
vaccinate your child, you may also consider using the remedies below to counter
any ill-effects and assist in the removal of residual toxins.
Page 165
To counter general
ill effects.
Vitamin C
(calcium ascorbate) dose according to age, for 1 week before and after
vaccination. Mix dose in a little water, fruit juice or cordial. The dose
should be reduced if the child complains of digestive discomfort or has loose
stools.
Infants up to age
2:100-250 mg per day.
Children aged
3-5: 250-500 mg per day.
Children over 5:500 mg-1 g
per day.
Homeopathic
remedies
To counter ill effects.
Thuja 30c, 1 dose per
day for 7 days after vaccination.
To reduce pain, swelling
and inflammation.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
General Protection
If you decide not
to vaccinate your child, you need to be aware that you are taking greater
responsibility for your child's health, and will need to learn more about
medicine. Reading and using this book will help educate you in these areas, as
will a regular contact with a local homeopathic practitioner.
The remedies
below may be used as a general protection for epidemic diseases whenever they
are reported currently in the community. These remedies are not vaccines, and
will not prevent the child from getting the illness, as homeopaths believe that
it is important for the child to contract the disease naturally and so gain a
proper natural immunity. However, the clinical experience of the profession
shows that children using these remedies contract the illness in a much milder
form, the course of the disease is shortened and the incidence of complications
reduced. As a result, the remedies are not true vaccines and are more correctly
called prophylactics.
It is important
to realize, however, that these remedies have no protective action after the
illness has been acquired.
Once a child
shows a specific illness, such as measles, the remedies in that section should
be checked to treat the illness more specifically.
The following
remedies are known as nosodes, and are available from homeopathic
practitioners. They can be given in any order, but generally
Page 166
only one each
month. Initially give one remedy each month until all have been given: for
example, in January give Pertussin, in February give Diptherinum, and so on.
Each year after,
you can repeat the process as a booster, but you need to give one dose only of
each remedy.
Nosodes can also
be given as boosters at any time; if you hear of an epidemic of measles in your
community, for example, you can give one dose of the measles nosode Morbillinum
every day for three days to give your child additional resistance.
Treatment
Whooping cough.
Pertussin 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Diptheria.
Diphtherinum 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Polio.
Polio mix 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
German measles.
Rubella 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Measles.
Morbillinum 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Mumps.
Parotidinum 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Chickenpox.
Varicella 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Scarlet fever.
Scarlatinum 30c, once daily
for 7 days.
Influenza.
Oscillococcinum
200c, one dose per day for 7 days.
Glandular fever.
Glandular fever
nosode 30c, once daily for 7 days.
Page 167
7
The Treatment of
Mothers
Pregnancy
As we have
learned from tragic experience, the fewer drugs a pregnant woman takes the
better. Homeopathic remedies carry no such risk of toxicity, and there is no
danger of side effects. They are useful in the treatment of many of the minor
problems associated with pregnancy, such as backache, incontinence of urine and
tired legs.
They have
considerable value in morning sickness. They have also found good use in the
daily work of many midwives, who consider them to be valuable adjuncts to their
birth care.
As a preparation
Preparation for childbirth, in the third trimester.
Caulophyllum 6c, once daily,
or Caulophyllum 30, once a week.
Page 168
Cramps During Pregnancy
Cramp in the
calves is common during pregnancy and can be very exhausting. It may be due to
a mineral deficiency in the mother caused by the nutrient demands of the
growing child, so it is important that the mother has a diet with sufficient
calcium and magnesium, and adequate salt.
Treatment
The principal remedy
when the pain is relieved by pressure, massage and hot applications.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cramps with
sensation; the parts are
asleep, feel numb, cold.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Cramps with racing
mind, tosses at night unable to sleep.
Coffea cruda 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Weary feeling in
the legs, cramps in the calves and the soles.
Cuprum met 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cramp in the
calves and the soles of the feet, with numbness and tingling in the arms and
hands, worse by cold.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cramp worse in
the calves, but relieved by warmth and walking.
Veratrum alb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cramps mainly in
the left leg, better by very hard pressure.
Colocynthis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Legs feel cold
and numb, and are better by cold applications.
Ledum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings During
Pregnancy
Cravings can be
viewed without much concern. If the cravings become excessive, the following
remedies can be used until they stop.
Treatment
Craving for
pickles, vinegar, sour food and drink.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings for
savory foods.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings are
unusual and changeable, often seemingly indigestible, but woman feels better
for eating them.
Ignatia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 169
Cravings for
sweets, sugar, fat and butter.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Craves sugar and
sweet foods, has rumbling wind.
Lycopodium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Craves salty
foods and extra salt.
Carbo veg 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings for
chalk.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings for wood
or ashes.
Carbo veg 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cravings for
dry food, e.g., oatmeal.
Alumina 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
Genital herpes in
the mother can be passed on to the child, with risk of localisation in the
nervous system and the possibility of complications such as meningitis or
encephalitis.
Infection can be
fatal to babies, so if the herpes virus is active in the mother's birth canal
at the time of birth the baby will have to be delivered by cesarean section. As
a result, stress during the last weeks of pregnancy should be avoided, and the
dietary intake of grains and nuts reduced if there is the chance or a history
of herpes. Great care has to be taken with the newborn to avoid passing on the
infection through casual contact or kissing.
Treatment
As a general
preventative, in susceptible mothers, in the last weeks of pregnancy.
Herpes
progenitalis nosode 30c, 1 dose daily for 1 week.
As a general
treatment, as soon as irritation is suspected.
Borax 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Itching lesions
forming thick, yellow crusts.
Petroleum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Moods During
Pregnancy
The changeable
moods during pregnancy are often associated with hormonal changes, and the need
for emotional security and reassurance. The following remedies can be used if
the moods become marked.
Page 170
Treatment
Mild, gentle and
yielding disposition, changeable moods, sad and crying often, wanting comfort
and consolation.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Irritable,
depressed, fears evil.
Cimicifuga 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Irritable and
wants to be held, but not improved by it.
Chamomilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Irritable and
wants to be alone, worse by consolation.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Depressed, anxious
and worried, seeking solitude, worse by consolation.
Nat mur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Fatigue, with
yellowness of the face, pigmentation spots on skin and falling hair.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Morning Sickness
Nausea and
vomiting are the most common and distressing disorders of pregnancy. The
symptoms usually appear immediately on rising from bed in the morning, and may
continue for any length of time during the day. Morning sickness usually
continues until about the sixteenth week, but it may also continue for the
duration of the pregnancy.
Excessive
vomiting in pregnancy should always be viewed cautiously, if for no other
reason than it drastically reduces the nourishment of the mother, and can
seriously deplete her reserves. The usual treatment is bed rest, and a light,
bland and easily digestible diet. In the main, homeopathic medicines are
effective treating this condition, especially if given early. Intractable cases
require professional advice. Watch for signs of miscarriage.
Treatment
Vomiting often
3-5 p.m., with ''gone'' feeling. Emptiness in stomach with appetite, but averse
to thought of food. Sensitive to smell of partner.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting, nausea
worse lying down, but after vomiting feels no better. Profuse saliva, with
vomiting of bile or diarrhea.
Ipecac 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 171
Inclination to
vomit, with sick headache. Great weakness, hollow "gone" feeling.
Nausea at the sight, smell or thought of food.
Cocculus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Constant nausea
and vomiting in the first trimester. Everything swallowed is vomited, nausea is
made worse by eating. Very sensitive, fidgety, restless.
Asarum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
vomiting worse in the morning, with irritability. Wants to be warm and
indoors, very sensitive. May have insomnia and constipation.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Incessant nausea,
day and night, without vomiting.
Tabacum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Faint feeling, as
if must eat, but the thought and smell of food disgusts. Eating followed by
nausea and vomiting.
Dry retching and
nausea predominate, often with only saliva and watery fluid being expelled.
Colchicum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
giddiness, with cold sweat and death like pallor, better
in fresh cold air. Violent vomiting with cold sweat, on moving.
Tabacum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting many
times each day, with pain, retching and cramps.
Cuprum acet 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea and
vomiting, with sweat, prostration and shortness of breath. Profuse, watery
saliva. Worse from tobacco, slightest motion.
Lobelia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Incessant nausea,
with or without vomiting, with accumulation of
water in the mouth. Worse from passive motion, from light, noise or attempting to
sit up.
Petroleum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting of any
food almost as soon as it is swallowed, with thirst for long, cold drinks.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Intense but not
persistent nausea, with thirst for cold water, little and often, and relief
after vomiting.
Ant tart 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nausea throughout
pregnancy, but little vomiting. Often worse before midday, avoids the hot sun,
and made worse by the heat of the bed.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Vomiting all food
throughout whole of pregnancy, leading to exhaustion. Warm water relieves for a
while, then nausea returns. Burning belches. Averse to the thought and smell of
food.
Arsenicum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Exhaustion after
loss of fluids from persistent vomiting.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 172
Obstinate cases,
with loss of appetite and taste, constant flow of water from mouth.
Nat mur 6c, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Deathly nausea
with continuous vomiting, violent retching, worse from motion. When other
remedies fail.
Symphoricarpus
racemosa 30c, l dose per day.
Physical Problems
The physical
problems of pregnancy are associated with the structural changes occurring
within the body as the baby grows and the mother's body adjusts to the strain.
The following remedies can give great relief in the last two months.
Treatment
Backache with
sense of weakness and dragging down.
Kali carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Sore, bruised
feeling in abdomen, from pressure of the baby.
Bellis perennis
6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Backache with lameness,
bruised sensation, and difficulty in walking.
Bellis perennis
6c,
alternating with Arnica 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Hemorrhoids
during pregnancy and after birth. Feel bruised and swollen.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Hemorrhoids
during pregnancy and after birth, with stinging.
Apis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Varicose veins
during pregnancy.
Externally,
tincture of Hamamelis 6c, alternating with Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Internally,
Hamamelis 6c, alternating with Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Urine burning and
scalding, coming only in drops.
Cantharis0 12c, every 3-4
hours.
Incontinence of urine,
expelled by coughing or sneezing.
Causticum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Constipation,
with irritability and frequent ineffectual desire.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Diarrhea, with
violent colic, yellow-greenish stools and irritability.
Chamomilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Diarrhea, with
colic; watery, slimy, greenish stools always different, bitter taste in mouth.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Frequent urge to
stool or urinate.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Diarrhea, from
cold or getting wet.
Dulcamara 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 173
Restless Legs
Tickling, burning
or pricking sensations in the lower legs causing involuntary movement,
twitching or jerking are fairly common during pregnancy. The cause is unknown,
although it is often associated with a deficiency of iron or vitamin B.
Treatment
Restlessness
caused by stiffness and cramping, must constantly move to seek relief.
Rhus tox 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Legs twitching and
jerking, with an irresistible urge to move them constantly.
Tarentula 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Trembling,
twitching and restless legs, even when asleep.
Zincum met 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Restlessness from
anxiety, with legs constantly moving even though exhausted, worse around
midnight.
Arsenicum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Miscarriage
Miscarriage is
the loss of the fetus from the womb before the sixth month; after this time it
is called premature labor. Miscarriage can occur at any period of the
pregnancy, but most frequently at the third or fourth month.
Miscarriage in
the first two months is not particularly serious physically, but the flooding
that accompanies miscarriage increases as the pregnancy advances. Miscarriages
ocurring later than the fourth month are more serious, and often dangerous.
The loss of blood
in repeated miscarriage may impair the constitution and lead to more chronic
trouble later on, particularly in women already worn down from childbearing and
fatigue. Women who miscarry once are likely to miscarry again at about the same
time, particularly at the time when the menstrual period would have been due.
The use of the
homeopathic remedies given here can do much to sustain the pregnancy at these
times.
It should be
borne in mind that failure of the fetus to thrive is always a possible reason
for a miscarriage, and so a miscarriage should not be viewed as totally without
purpose in normal body function.
Page 174
Treatment
In history of
miscarriage
Tendency to
miscarry in the earlier half of pregnancy.
Sabina 200c, 1 dose per
week from the beginning of pregnancy, or l dose in the evening for a few days
around the time of the previous miscarriage.
Tendency to abort
at the third month, with pains flying across abdomen, forcing to
double up.
Cimificuga 200c, 1 dose per
week from the second to the fifth month.
For women who
miscarry easily at about the third month, especially when overtired, with
persistent backache and low uterus..
Kali carb 200c, 1 dose per
week from the second to the fifth month.
Threatened
miscarriage around the fifth to seventh month, with chronic heaviness and
dragging in the pelvis.
Sepia 200c, 1 dose per
week, starting at about the fourth month.
For women with
delicate and sensitive skin, yellow or brown pigmentation spots, hair falling
out and great fatigue.
As a
constitutional treatment.
Sepia 200c, 1 dose per
week, for a few doses, every 3 months.
Threatened
miscarriage at about the third month, with pains from the small of the back
around to the abdomen, ending in crampy, squeezing, bearing-down pressure,
tearing down the thighs.
Viburnum op 200c, 1 dose per
week from the second to the fifth month.
For women of
mild, gentle disposition, changeable moods and crying readily, seeking comfort and
consolation. As a constitutional treatment.
Pulsatilla 200c, 1 dose per
week for a few weeks, every 3 months.
Threatened miscarriage
The following
symptoms generally precede a threatened miscarriage:
chilliness
followed by more or less fever and bearing-down pains severe pains in the
abdomen, or cutting pains in the loins, resembling labor pains; often the pains
come from a
point between the
spine and the uterus, and come forward to the pubis discharge of mucus and
blood, sometimes bright red, at other times dark and clotted, followed by a
flow of thin,
watery blood.
Page 175
In cases of
threatened miscarriage, the patient should immediately lie down, and remain
there until the danger has passed. Threatened miscarriage with fever and
sweating may indicate a septic condition, and should receive allopathic
treatment immediately. The following remedies can be used while allopathic
advice is being sought.
Threatened
miscarriage after a shock or fright, with restlessness and thirst, dry skin and
great anxiety.
Aconite 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Threatened
miscarriage after blow, fall, overexertion, or accident.
Arnica 6c, every 30
minutes, or Arnica 200c, 1 dose every 4 hours for a few doses.
Threatened
miscarriage from heavy lifting, resulting in dragging pain, tenderness and
restlessness, with pressure in the abdomen arid some blood.
Cinnamon 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Great pains in
the abdomen and loins, with pain in the back as if broken, and bearing down as if
the intestines would be pressed out, and a discharge of blood.
Belladonna 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Threatened
miscarriage after emotional shock, with hysteria, restlessness and weeping,
rapid change of emotions, and irregular, spasmodic uterine pain.
Ignatia 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Severe pain in
the back and loins, with a discharge of dark-colored blood.
Chamomilla 6c, every 15-30
minutes until improved.
Pains from the
small of the back around to the abdomen, ending in crampy, squeezing,
bearing-down pressure, tearing down the thighs. Irritable, wants to be alone.
Viburnum op 6c, every 15-30
minutes until improved.
Sense of heat and
soreness in the womb, especially at the third or fourth month. Pains from small
of back to pubis, with cramping and bleeding, worse from any movement.
Sabina 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Threatened
miscarriage around the seventh month, with bearing-down sensations and urgent
desire for stool, as if all organs would escape.
Lilum tig 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Pains flying
across abdomen, forcing to double up, with chills and pricking in the breasts.
Crimificuga 200c, 1 dose per
day for a few days.
Page 176
Discharge of dark
clotted blood, with a sensation of moving or fluttering in the abdomen, and
increased flow of blood on the slightest movement.
Crocus 6c, every 30
minutes until improved
Irregular,
feeble, tormenting pains, with scanty or long continued flow, passive oozing,
backache, weakness and internal trembling.
Caulophyllum 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Bleeding comes
and goes, with spasmodic pains, exciting suffocation or fainting, and craving
fresh air.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved.
Severe, forcing,
bearing-down pains, with anxiety and debility. Flow of dark blood, with
numbness and tingling of extremities.
Secale 6c, every 30-60
minutes until improved
For restoring
energy, in exhaustion after loss of blood.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
True miscarriage
If miscarriage
does occur, the patient should remain lying, and the appropriate remedies given
below can be used while immediate allopathic advice is being sought.
Acute hemorrhage,
with continuous flow of bright red blood, nausea, weakness, pale face, even
convulsion without loss of consciousness.
Ipecac 6c, every 10-15
minutes, until improvement begins.
Discharge of
blood that is partly liquid, partly clotted, with sudden collapse. Gushes of
blood, worse from the least motion. Pains from small of back to pubis.
Sabina 6c, 1 dose every
30 minutes for a few doses. Repeat if necessary.
Blood light,
fluid painless.
Millefolium 6c, every 15
minutes until improved.
Persistent
hemorrhage.
Thlapsi 6c, every 15
minutes until improved.
As a restorative
after miscarriage, in women with sensation of weakness, dragging and
weight in the pelvis, with sore and tender uterus, great languor and prostration,
excessive secretion of saliva.
Helonias 200c, l dose per
week for several months.
For restoring
energy, in exhaustion after loss of blood.
China 200c, 1 dose per
day for 3 days.
Page 177
Labor
Childbirth is a
natural process and, unless complications develop, allopathic intervention is
seldom needed. A growing number of couples now accept this view, and
homeopathic remedies are finding an increasingly useful place in the medicine
kits of those who prefer home births and in the dispensaries of midwives. If
complications arise, the accompanying remedies should be used while allopathic
advice is being sought.
Treatment
As a preparation
for labor
Labor is usually
preceded by pains that commence in the back and run to the loins, or begin in the
lower front of the abdomen and run to the back. They may be spaced apart from
30 minutes to several hours.
For easing of labor, and to improve uterine muscle tone.
Caulophyllum 30c, 1 dose daily
for the last 3 weeks of pregnancy.
Fetus positioned
poorly, in gentle changeable types, seeking comfort.
Pulsatilla 200c, one dose
every 5 days until correction occurs.
To reduce
bruising, bleeding.
Arnica 200c, 1 dose
before labour.
As a general
regulator when labor commences, in the absence of unusual symptoms, and to
increase the strength of the contractions.
Pulsatilla 6c, 1
dose every hour.
As a preventative
against sepsis.
Pyrogen 30c, 1 dose on
commencement of labor, and then every morning for 10 day.
False labor pains
False labor pains
differ from true labor pains in that they are irregular, colicky, not
increasing in intensity and principally confined to the abdomen. The abdomen is
sensitive to pressure and movement.
False pains,
irregular, sharp and colicky, from small of back around to abdomen.
Cimicifuga 6c, 1 dose per
hour for a few hours.
Irregular,
feeble, tormenting pains, with backache, weakness and internal trembling.
Caulophyllum 6c, 1 dose per
hour for a few hours.
Page 178
To assist labor and shorten its duration
Labor is often
protracted and accompanied by considerable distress. The remedies here will do
much to shorten the duration and reduce the pain.
Pains sharp and
rapid, with anxiety, restlessness, fear of death.
Aconite 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
Pains in quick
succession, ineffectual and violent, with great agitation and tossing about.
Coffea 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
Mother seems
oversensitive to pain, or suffering out of proportion to pain, restless and
greatly anguished. Irritable with pain, cannot bear it.
Chamomilla 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
Slow labor in
mild, tearful types, with distress and suffocation at each contraction, craving
fresh air.
Pulsatilla 6c, 1 dose per
hour.
Labor protracted, with indefinite pains at long intervals,
running to exhaustion.
Caulophyllum 6c, every
30 minutes for a few hours.
Stitching pains
in the uterus with each contraction, impeding progress, often with backache,
weariness and faintness.
Sepia 6c, 1 dose every
hour for a few hours
Labor protracted,
with irregular and insufficient pains, constant desire to evacuate bladder and
rectum.
Nux vomica 6c, every 30
minutes.
Strong
contraction followed by several weak. ones, with no progress, accompanied by
headache and numbness in the legs.
Cocculus 6c, 1 dose every
30 minutes.
Labor protracted,
with intermittent and painless contractions, and intense weariness out of
proportion to the suffering.
Gossypium 6c, 1 dose per
hour.
Contraction is
followed by violent pain in lower back, as if it would split open, running down
into the hips or buttocks. Often with digestive wind, needing belching to
relieve.
Kali carb 6c, 1 dose every
30 minutes.
Labor pains
attended by spasm of the stomach and vomiting, or with feeble contractions,
great fatigue, burning heat and exhaustion.
Secale 6c, 1 dose every
30 minutes.
Retained
placenta, with pains from sacrum to pubis, or with pains shooting up the
vagina.
Sabina 6c, 1 dose per
hour.
Page 179
Preventative care
against sepsis
The routine use
of homeopathic remedies after labor has led to those obstetricians involved
rarely seeing the septic or circulatory complications that are otherwise
common.
As a preventative
against sepis.
Pyrogen 30c, 1 dose on
commencement of labor, and then every morning for 10 days.
Relief and comfort after labor
As an antiseptic
application to the vagina after birth, and for pain or tearing.
Hypericum and calendula tinctures
combined (Hypercal), diluted l in 5, and applied locally and renewed
daily for 7 days.
After long labor,
mother strained and chilled.
Rhus tox 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Stretched pains
after birth.
Staphysagria 6c, every 2-3
hours.
For slicing,
stinging pain after laceration or episiotomy.
Staphysagria 6c, every time
pain returns.
Sharp, shooting
pain after laceration or episiotomy.
Hypericum 6c, every time
pain returns..
For shock and
excitement following labor, cannot sleep or pass urine.
Aconite 6c, every 3-4
hours.
For relief and
comfort afterwards from bruised pain.
Arnica 200c, 1 dose per
day for 3 days.
For violent
afterpains.
Arnica 6c, every 2-3
hours.
Post Partum
The use of
homeopathic remedies in post-partum treatment has the advantage of being
completely non-toxic, and with no ill effects on the baby, the mother, or the
milk.
Page 180
Depression
Treatment
No confidence in
caring for baby, seems possessed of two wills. Discouraged and untrusting,
blames others.
Anacardium 30c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days.
Overwhelmed by depression and
gloom,
wants never to be pregnant again because of the pain, loss of will to live.
Aurum met 30c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days.
Indifference to
husband and children, with desire for solitude.
Sepia 30c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days.
Indifference,
with love of sympathy, touch and massage.
Phosphorus 30c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days.
Changeable moods,
tearful, seeks company and consolation.
Pulsatilla 30c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days.
Flooding
Treatment
Flooding, with
cutting pains around the navel, much nausea and coldness.
Ipecac 6c, every 15-30
minutes.
Discharge of blood,
partly liquid, partly clotted, worse from the least motion. Pains from small of
back to pubis.
Sabina 6c, one dose
every 30 minutes for a few doses. Repeat if necessary.
Blood excessive,
light, fluid and painless.
Millefolium 6c, every 15
minutes.
Flooding with
pressure in genitals as if everything would fall out, heat in head, and
palpitations.
Belladonna 6c, every 15
minutes for a few doses.
Flooding with
dizziness or loss of consciousness, with twitch or convulsion.
China 6c, every 15
minutes for a few doses. See a doctor f China does not resolve.
Persistent hemorrhage.
Thlapsi 6c, every 15
minutes.
Page 181
Hair Loss
Treatment
Hair loss after
childbirth, with premature graying.
Lycopodium 6c, every 3-4
hours for 2 weeks, then wait.
Hair falls out in
handfuls.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours for 2 weeks, then wait.
Hair loss after
childbirth, with irritability and indifference to loved ones.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours for two weeks, then wait.
Restoration Of Energy
Treatment
For restoring
energy, in exhaustion after loss of blood.
China 200c, 1 dose a day
for 3 days. It may be repeated every week or so as desired during lactation.
Exhaustion with
nausea and headache, weak empty feeling, especially after loss of sleep.
Cocculus 6c, 2 doses a
day for a few days.
Breastfeeding
The problems of
breastfeeding center around problems with milk supply, weakness during
lactation, and painful breasts and nipples. Homeopathic remedies are of great
use here, and rarely fail when well prescribed.
Treatment
Local treatment
As a local
application for sore and swollen breasts.
Fenugreek seeds, powdered in a
coffee grinder, mixed with hot water to a thick paste and applied on gauze when
warm.
As a local
application, when milk flow is poor.
Castor oil, applied on
some gauze to the breast when not feeding.
Page 182
Milk problems
Too little milk
or milk watery and thin, in mild, tearful types.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Milk watery and
thin, in fearful types.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Not enough milk, or
milk of poor quality.
Ricinis corn 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Flow too copious.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Milk continues to
be secreted after feeding.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Loss of milk;
breasts decrease in size. Mother thirsty and depressed.
Lac defloratum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Child averse to
mother's milk, from poor quality.
Silicea 6c, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Painful breasts
and nipples
Nipples burning
or smarting after nursing.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Mother weeps when
nursing, from the pain.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nipples chap
badly.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Cracked, sore
nipples, excessively tender. Swelling of the breasts, with violent itching.
Castor equi 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nipple cracks,
deep and sore.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nipple cracks
across the crown.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Nipples drawn in.
Silicea 6c, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Nipples inflamed,
extremely tender and sensitive.
Chamomilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts hot, red,
swollen, very painful and tender.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts swollen
after weaning, intensely sore.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts engorged
after weaning, with pain on moving.
Bryonia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Mastitis from
blow or injury.
Arnica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts hard and
painful, worse from slightest movement.
Bryonia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Pain in nipple
while nursing.
Phellandrium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Sharp pain in
breast while nursing.
Silicea 6c, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain shoots
through to shoulder blade while nursing.
Croton rig 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 183
Abscess, with
pain and hardness, worse with movement.
Bryonia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Suppuration from
the nipple, with burning, watery, offensive discharge.
Phosphorus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts swollen,
hard and thickened, nipples sore, cracked and blistered.
Graphites 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts red,
throbbing and heavy, worse from lying down.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Breasts large and
painful because of fluid retention.
Nat tour 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Enlargement with
pain and tenderness.
Conium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Enlarged breasts
with darting pains.
Carbo animalis 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Weakness during
breastfeeding
Weakness from
loss of vital fluids, during delivery and from breastfeeding. Lethargic, with
poor digestion.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Weakness, loss of
weight, no energy, susceptible to cold, with pain in the back during
breastfeeding.
Silicea 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours
Page 184
8
The Treatment of
Women
Absent Periods
Lessening of the
menstrual flow may occur in varying degrees. It may accompany anorexia, extreme
weight loss and excessive exercise. It most commonly comes on suddenly, often
after emotional shock, exposure to cold or damp weather, or getting the feet
wet and cold close to menstruation. In rare cases, it may be due to a
displacement of the uterus, although this can often be corrected by special
exercises.
Treatment
Suppression of
flow with depressed spirits, lassitude and debility. Constant dull headache,
fidgety, cross and irritable.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, 3 times a day for 1 month.
Periods absent in
nervy, chilly, tired, overweight women. Breasts swollen and painful, legs heavy.
Calc carb 6c, 3 times a
day for 1 month.
Scanty or
suppressed periods, with weight and fullness of the abdomen.
Kali sulph 6x, a tissue
salt, 3 times a day for l month.
Periods stop
suddenly due to emotional shock or exposure to dry cold.
Aconite 6c, 3 times a day
for l month.
Page 185
No periods in
anemic types.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, 3 times a day for l month.
In young girls
when menses do not appear, or when scanty and at long intervals.
Nat mur 6x, a tissue
salt, 3 times a day for l month.
Periods stop from
chill after exercise.
Dulcamara 6c, 3 times a
day for l month.
Periods stop
after grief or shock.
Ignatia 6c, 3 times a
day for 1 month.
Periods absent,
with headaches, constipation, irritability.
Nat tour 6x, a tissue
salt, 3 times a day for l month.
Periods absent,
with tearfulness and irritability, loss of sex drive and fear of losing
control.
Sepia 6c, 3 times a
day for 1 month.
Weakness and
weariness, face pale but flushes easily, wants to sit down often.
Ferrum met 6c, 3 times a
day for l month.
Breast Lumps and Congestion
Any lump should
receive professional assessment, but particularly any that are generally
painless, more or less constant in size, and especially if the nipple is drawn
in. Cancer especially requires allopathic advice.
Homeopathic
remedies cannot treat all the minor disorders of breasts, and if there is no
clear-cut improvement after 1-2 months professional advice should be sought.
But there are a number of remedies that have a selective action on the breasts,
and are particularly useful in premenstrual congestion there, and in the case
of benign tumors.
Treatment
Premenstrual
congestion of the breasts, during the whole or second part of the menstrual
cycle.
Lac caninum 12c, morning and
evening from day 14 to the start of the next period.
Page 186
Premenstrual
congestion of the breasts, pain worse from the slightest movement.
Bryonia 12c, every 3-4
hours.
Premenstrual
congestion in women with very large breasts.
Calc carb 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Premenstrual
breast congestion in women with abundant periods, weight gain and nervousness
before the period.
Folliculinum 9c, 1 dose on
day 7 of the cycle, and 1 dose on day 21.
Cyst in the
breast, hard and painful but, itchy, with stitching pains in the nipple.
Discomfort worse just before and after the period; woman wants to press breasts
hard with hand.
Conium 6c, 2 doses a
day for several months.
Bluish-red lumps
in the breast, with gradual loss of fatty tissue, and tendency to feel hot all
the time.
Iodum 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Cyst in the
breast, with purplish tinge to the tissue, tender before and during the period.
Worse from chill, damp weather and emotional strain.
Phytolacca 6c, 2 doses a
day for several months.
Firm lumps of the
breast with pain before or during the periods.
Phytolacca 12c, 2 doses a
day for several months.
Breast lumps
after a blow.
Conium 6c, 2 doses a
day for several months.
Delayed Periods
The menstrual
cycle is longer in some women than others, and a longer or shorter cycle should
not be viewed as cause for concern. Delayed periods may occur from emotional
upset, pregnancy, as an after-effect of the contraceptive pill and during the
onset of menopause.
Treatment
Periods absent
after flight or sudden exposure to cold.
Aconite 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods absent
after flight, with changeable moods.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods absent
after weaning.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods delayed,
with hot, flushing skin, faintness in the late morning.
Sulphur 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 187
Heavy Periods and Flooding
Heavy bleeding
should always be viewed with caution, for even if painless can be due to a
variety of underlying disorders, including fibroids, polyps, cysts, tumors and
hormonal imbalance. Failure to respond to homeopathic medicines indicates the
need for professional treatment.
Treatment
Periods too
frequent and too profuse and painful, with congestion and bright-red blood.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Periods
intermittent, with cramping and faintness, passing dark clots.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods too
early, heavy and prolonged, may gush on each movement, with sharp pains from
the back to abdomen or upwards from the vagina.
Sabina 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods are heavy
and prolonged, coming on every IS days, with pain in the lower back and a
tendency to faint.
Trillium 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Painful cramps,
with throbbing, dragging pains and hot, bright-red blood.
Belladonna 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Flooding with
clots of blackish blood, sensation of movement in the abdomen.
Crocus 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods too early
and lasting too long, with irritability.
Nux vomica 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods irregular
and profuse, with bloating, moodiness and irritability.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods profuse,
with dark clotted blood, almost black.
Kali mur 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Profuse periods
with bearing-down pains.
Calc fluor 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Profuse bleeding
with nausea, cramps down into the thighs, worse during the first few days of
the period and at night. Muffled buzzing in the ears.
Borax 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods profuse
and changeable, no two alike, with intermittent bleeding.
Pulsatilla 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Periods profuse,
with Cramping pains, must cross legs.
Sepia 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 188
Periods painless
and heavy, with exhaustion.
China 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Heavy periods
with nausea and bright-red blood. Bright-red blood breaking through between
periods.
Ipecac 6c, every 3-4 hours.
Flooding with
dark and watery blood, face pale, occasional flushing, better from gentle
movement.
Ferrum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Menopause
Menopausal
problems are commonly associated with hormonal imbalance. They include flushing,
irregular periods, flooding and emotional instability. A great many women
endure upsetting symptoms of menopause, believing that nothing can be done.
Homeopathic medicines have achieved many dramatic cures here. Dosage is
generally the 6c potency for 2 weeks, but professional advice should be sought
in resistant cases.
Treatment
Hot flashes with
red face, alternating with pale face.
Ferrum phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Flushing in to
the head and face, starting and stopping suddenly, with sweat, redness,
throbbing and congestion.
Belladonna 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flushing in
the face and neck, with circular redness of the cheeks and burning in the ears.
Sanguinaria 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Hot flashes with
redness, congestion, and pounding heart.
Glonoine 6c, morning and
evening.
Flashes of heat,
with flooding, irritability, hysteria, and rejection of loved ones.
Sepia 6c, morning and
evening.
Changeable
periods and moods, with tearful episodes, seeking comfort and consolation,
preferring the open air.
Pulsatilla 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flashes with
palpitations, loss of appetite, backache, feelings of tautness and nervousness,
worse around 3 a.m.
Kali carb 6c, morning and
evening.
Page 189
Flashes of heat,
always worse after sleep, person very talkative, with strong and fixed ideas.
Lachesis 12c, morning and
evening.
Flushes
especially on the face, with nosebleeds, weight gain, scanty periods, cutting
pains in the lower abdomen.
Graphites 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flashes
coming on suddenly.
Amyl nit 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flashes worse
in evening and after exercise, great weariness.
phlph ac 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flashes with
nervousness, mental depression, irritability, anxiety, fainting spells.
Kali phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Dryness and
thinning of the walls of the vagina, constipation with burned or
blackish-looking stools.
Bryonia 6c, morning and
evening.
Hot flashes with
nervousness, palpitations and tendency to cramps.
Mag phos 6x, a tissue salt,
every 3-4 hours.
Hot flashes with
weak, run-down condition, anemia, loss of weight.
Calc phos 6x, a tissue
salt, every 3-4 hours.
Ovarian Cysts
Cysts are
fluid-filled tissues that can develop anywhere. When they occur on the ovaries
they often show no symptoms unless they are large enough to press on the
bladder, give pain on intercourse, or cause visible swelling in the lower
abdomen. Menstrual bleeding may be altered if production of ovarian hormones is
affected, and sometimes the menstrual cycle can be irregular. If there is
sudden, severe abdominal pain with fever and nausea, the cysts may have burst:
seek urgent allopathic treatment.
Treatment
Left ovary
affected, local pain that is worse in the morning but wears off during the
period.
Lachesis 12c, every 3-4
hours.
Pain in the lower
abdomen, like a wedge being driven through the ovary and uterus.
Iodum 6c, every 3-4
hours.
Page 190
Sore, stinging pains in the right
ovary, with painful periods and local tenderness.
Apis 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pains seeming to
bore through the lower abdomen, forcing to bend double and to press fists into
abdomen for relief.
Colocynth 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Period Pain
In spite of its
widespread occurrence, period pain is not normal, and rarely need be endured.
The pain can occur before, during or after the onset of the period, and may be
accompanied by headache, irritability and depression.
The pain can take
a number of forms, including cramping, shooting and pressing. The following
remedies can be taken for a few days before the period, and if pain persists.
Treatment
Cramping,
labor-like, bearing-down pains, coming in spasms. Sharp and cutting pains,
relieved by heat and pressure. Membranes sometimes present in the flow.
Mag phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours. Often the only remedy needed.
Strong
contractions of the uterus like labor pains, with headaches for a few days before the flow.
Cimicifuga 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain extends down
into the thighs, with nausea and muffled buzzing in the ears.
Borax 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Sudden severe
pain, with anxiety and restlessness.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Cutting, dragging
pains just before the period, with profuse bright-red blood, worse from lying
down, better by moving about.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Painful
menstruation with bright-red flow, flushed face and quickened pulse. Vomiting
of undigested food.
Congestion of the
pelvic organs. Abdomen feels full and heavy, beginning several days before the
flow.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours. Often taken in alternation with Mag phos
Page 191
Patient
intolerant of pain cannot bear it. Pains often down the thighs, with brown
blood.
Chamomilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Painful
menstruation with great restlessness, tossing around in all directions.
Tearful, and woman always feels better in open air.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Menstrual colic
in pale, tearful, irritable, sensitive women, with weakness of the nervous
system. Flow deep, dark red.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Periods painful
and changeable, no two the same.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Sensation of
bearing down and heaviness in pelvic region, dragging pains from sacrum. Great
irritability.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Spotting between
periods. Periods too early, light, but last too long.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
In anemic girls,
at puberty, with scanty flow.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Period pain after
taking cold, blood dark or blackish-red.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Periods late and
shorter than usual, with weepiness.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pains labor-like,
can be sharp and constricting, extending into the back, and soothed by heat.
Gelsemium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pains run down
the thighs.
chamomilla 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pains worse on
any movement, must lie still and hold abdomen.
Bryonia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Periods late and
scanty, often with membranes. The pain begins in the back, goes around to the
uterus, ends up in cramps there, may spread to the thighs. Tendency to faint.
Viburnum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Prolonged periods
that arrive early, with chilliness, constipation, exhaustion and irritability.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Heavy, pressing-down
feeling, with severe pain in the back, down the thighs and through the
hips.
Cimicifuga 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Pain from back to
pubic bone. Blood is dark, clots easily.
Sabina 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Great weakness
and languor with melancholia, dragging and weight in sacrum and pelvis.
Helonias 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 192
Flow is
irritating, dark and scanty, with mental depression. Back pains, relieved by
lying on back. Often with throbbing headache and soreness of the eyes.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Icy coldness of
the whole body before and during the flow, with constipation and sweating of
the feet.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Period Problems
in Adolescents
The appearance of
menstruation varies, from ages 9 to 18, but is most common between the ages of
12 and 14. In adolescence the treatment of period problems is usually fast and
effective. The most common problems are delayed onset, mood changes, heavy or
irregular periods, period pain, headaches, and dizziness.
Treatment
First period
delayed, in adolescent girls.
Pulsatilla 6c,
morning and evening for several months.
Periods too early
and excessive, with headache.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, morning and evening for several months.
Periods in the
daytime only.
Pulsatilla 6c,
morning and evening for several months.
Periods
irregular, with bloating, moodiness, and irritability.
Sepia 6c, morning
and evening for several months.
Periods
changeable, no two alike.
Pulsatilla 6c,
morning and evening for several months.
Periods absent,
with bleeding from nose instead.
Phosphorus 6c,
morning and evening for several months.
Periods with
intermittent bleeding; stops and starts.
Pulsatilla 6c,
morning and evening for several months.
Periods too early
in young girls, with flooding.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, morning and evening for several months.
Page 193
Premenstrual Tension
Premenstrual
tension is often signalled by appetite cravings, tenderness of the breasts,
bloating and tenderness of the abdomen, fluid retention, and mood changes such
as irritability or tearfulness. Often nutritional deficiency is involved,
particularly of vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids. Hormonal imbalances are
commonly a cause.
Evening primrose
oil is often useful as a supplement.
Treatment
Premenstrual
tension in women with abundant periods, breasts feel full, hot, heavy, tense or
painful, with weight gain and nervousness before the period.
Folliculinum 9c, l dose on
day 7 of the cycle and l dose on day 21.
Tender breasts,
fatigue, irritability, senstivity to odors, loss of sex drive and bearing-down
sensations with the flow.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
With angry
outbursts and rejection of those most loved.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Tearful and
changeable, craves company and consolation, always feels better outdoors.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Moody, depressed
and irritable, seeking solitude, with strong cravings.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Intense
irritability that is worse in morning, with craving for sweet or fatty foods,
constipation.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Scanty Periods
Light periods are
not necessarily a disorder, and may come at times of change, such as during
adolescence, in a time of general ill health, at the onset of menopause, after
using the contraceptive pill and after pregnancy. In most cases the flow will
re-establish itself without intervention. In cases where the patient feels
unwell, the following remedies are of great use.
Page 194
Treatment
Much lighter
after chill, emotional distress, or shock.
Aconite 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Periods generally
light but changeable, in gentle, tearful types.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Periods too late,
scanty, and last too long.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Light and spotty,
in thin, artistic, sensitive women.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Watery periods,
in depressed, worrying types who seek solitude.
Nat mur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
With bearing-down
pains, irritability and desire for solitude.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Uterine
Fibroids
Fibroids are
nonmalignant growths in or on the uterus, especially common in women aged
35-40. They vary in size from a pea to a small apple. They may take years to
develop and tend to occur a few at a time. Small fibroids often show no
symptoms, but large ones can give rise to heavy periods, painful intercourse,
infertility and increases in urinary frequency. The cause is unknown, although
estrogens in oral contraceptives may encourage them.
Troublesome
fibroids must be removed surgically, although homeopathic remedies have
produced some remarkable cures. Severe hemorrhage should receive allopathic
attention.
Treatment
Fibroids with
short periods as menopause approaches, great pain eased by scanty flow, abdomen
sensitive to tight clothing.
Lachesis 12c,
every, 4 hours.
Menstrual flow
heavier than usual, body feels icy cold, with bleeding between periods.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 195
Uterus feels
swollen and painful, with spasmodic contractions of the vagina.
Aurum mur 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Firm or hard
fibroids in older women, often with nodular breasts and a history of celibacy.
Conium 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Fibroids with a
tendency to hemorrhage.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Small fibroids,
with profuse, yellow discharge.
Calc iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Fibroids of an
elastic consistency.
Lapis albus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Continuous
bleeding.
Thlapsi 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Uterus feels as
if it is being squeezed during periods.
Kali iod 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Swollen uterus,
with urge to bear down and watery, brown discharge from the vagina between the
periods. Painful cramps during the periods.
Fraxinus 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Uterine Prolapse
Prolapse occurs
when the ligaments and muscles that hold the uterus in place become weak or
stretch, allowing the uterus to protrude into the vagina or press on the
bladder or rectum. This can cause a heavy pressure in the abdomen, incontinence
or urinary difficulty, and discomfort when passing stool. If symptoms are not
too severe, the remedies below will benefit in the first month. If symptoms
persist, seek professional advice.
Treatment
Downward pressure
in lower abdomen and back pain; tearful types, with nausea and heat. Worse from
menstruation.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Spasms of pain
downwards, with irritability and constant urge to pass urine or stool.
Nux vomica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Heaviness and
dragging in the lower abdomen, worse by bending or lifting and before period,
when it feels as if woman must sit down to contain the parts. Depression,
irritability and pain on intercourse.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Page 196
Pain in lower
back; heavy feeling in abdomen and just below ribs, as if abdomen and contents
will drop out. Vagina hot, dry.
Belladonna 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stretching and
pulling sensations in lower abdomen, with heaviness.
Calc fluor, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Pain and
tenderness in lower abdomen, with nervousness and irritability. Urgent desire
to pass urine and stool; vulva itchy, feels as if external support is needed.
Better by rest.
Lilium 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Vaginal Discharge
Unusual vaginal
discharge is otherwise known as leucorrhea. It is the secretion of an abnormal
quantity of mucus from the mucous membrane that lines the vagina and uterus.
This mucus may vary in color from a thin, clear fluid to a thick, white or yellow
discharge, and may sometimes be tinged with blood. Causes vary, from hormonal
imbalances in adolescents, women after childbirth, and older women after
menopause, to nervous strain and local infection.
Treatment
Wear cotton
underwear, changing it daily. Avoid vaginal deodorants, perfumed bath salts and
talcum powder.
Douche twice
daily with 250 ml of warm water to which a teaspoon of tea tree oil has been
added. At night apply yogurt on a tampon before retiring. Remedies below should
be taken for 1 month.
Watery, scalding,
irritating discharge, smarting after or between the periods.
Nat tour 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 >hours.
Discharge clear
and very irritating, with scalded feeling on the inside of the thighs.
Borax 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Discharge of
albuminous mucus, like the white of an egg, worse after menstruation.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Discharge of
milky-white mucus, non-irritating and profuse.
Kali mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 197
Watery, cloudy
discharge, causing smarting and soreness, worse before and after periods, and
when lying down.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itchy, milky
discharge, smelling like rye bread, preceded by great weakness, flushed face
and pains in the small of the back.
Kreosotum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Milky discharge,
causing itching that is worse after passing urine and before menstruation.
Calc carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Copious,
straw-colored discharge, itching and smarting. Itching relieved by cold water.
Alumina 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Yellowish,
smarting discharge, sharp and itching, with distended abdomen, that is worse
during the day.
Sepia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Discharge creamy
or honey-colored, acrid and sour-smelling.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Scalding, acrid
discharge, yellow and irritating.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Greenish
discharge that smarts and stings, from suspected Trichomonas infection.
Bovista 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stinging discharge
with foul smell, containing some solid matter, woman feels chilly and sweaty by
turns, from suspected Trichomonas infection.
Mercurius 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stringy mucus
that is greenish and pinkish, more copious after the period, from suspected Trichomonas
infection.
Nitric acid 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Corrosive
greenish discharge, especially before the period, from suspected Trichomonas
infection.
Carbo veg 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
White or yellowish
discharge that burns and stings, with cramping pains in the abdomen and
pinching pains around the navel, worse before the period.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Discharge of
yellow or greenish secretion, watery or slimy.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 198
Vaginal Itching
Itching of the
vagina and the external vulva can be intense and distressing. It can be due to
skin problems, hormonal imbalances, the use of tampons, irritants in hygienic
products, lack of vitamin B in the diet or poor hygiene.
Treatment
Itch with sweaty
and smelly groin, worse by heat and washing.
Sulphur 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Creeping
sensation in vagina that is worse on moving and at night, sex drive increased.
Caladium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching with
labia swollen and local veins distended.
Carbo veg 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Skin very red,
with itching relieved by heat.
Rhus tox 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching
aggravated by frequent sex or suppressed desire.
Conjure 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Itching worse
before and after period in overweight women, chilly and sweaty.
Calc carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Itching worse in
the morning, soothed by hot baths and by moving around in the open air.
Radium brom 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 199
9
The Treatment of
Men
Gout
Although not entirely
a male disorder, gout has a tendency to be hereditary and afflict men more than
women.
Gout is more
common in mature age, and in those who lead a sedentary life with indulgence in
rich food and liquor. In a typical attack there is a severe pain in a joint,
usually the big toe. The joint swells and becomes hot, and any jarring causes
intense pain. In chronic gout the joint becomes permanently enlarged, and
remains tender and sensitive at all times. The diet must be changed to
eliminate foods rich in purines, which include liver, sardines, oysters and
anchovies. The following remedies may be used during acute attacks.
Treatment
Acute attacks,
with fever, inflammation and pain.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Gout with
swollen, red joints and pains that move from joint to joint.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 200
Affected joint
hot, red, swollen and stiff, excruciatingly painful, with shooting and tearing
pains, especially at night or on moving. Cannot bear even slightest touch.
Colchicum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Gout with
strong-smelling urine.
Benzoic acid 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Gout due to
over-indulgence in rich foods, or where bilious symptoms predominate. The
tongue has a green-gray coating at the back, or may be clear.
Nat sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Gout with one
foot hot, the other cold, and worse 4-8 p.m.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Joints are
swollen, purple and puffy, but cold, and improved by cold applications.
Ledum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
In chronic gout,
with sour sweat and a creamy tongue at the back.
Nat phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Gout with joints
which itch and burn.
Urtica 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is
sometimes caused by nutritional deficiency, particularly by a lack of zinc, B
vitamins and silica in the diet, but is more often caused by many factors
combined. Chief amongst these is genetic inheritance, as baldness tends to run
in families. Stress also accelerates hair loss, due to constriction of the
blood vessels in the scalp which feed the hair follicles; relaxation and daily
scalp massage can do much here to slow down the hair loss.
Homeopathic
treatment is generally constitutional, but the following remedies taken for several
weeks and then repeated periodically have had some clinical effect in slowing
hair loss. Success should be followed by deeper homeopathic treatment.
Treatment
Falling out of
hair, with bald spots. Much scaling of the scalp, moist and sticky. Dandruff.
Kali sulph 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hair is brittle
and falls out in small tufts.
Fluoric ac 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 201
Impoverished
condition of the hair, with a notable lack of luster.
Silicea 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hair loss with
boils on scalp, headaches that worsen at night.
Aurum met 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Loss of hair over
body as well as the scalp, scalp feels painful when touched.
Selenium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Loss of hair from
nervous stress and exhaustion.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Hair loss and
greasy hair after grief or exhaustion, often going gray, with apathy and
indifference.
Phos ac 6c, every
3-4 hours for several weeks.
Hair loss with
dryness of the hair and scalp.
Kali carb 6c,
every 3-4 hours for several weeks.
Hair loss with
dandruff, especially greasy at hairline.
Nat mur 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours for several weeks.
Loss of hair
after severe injury.
Arnica 6c, every
3-4 hours for several weeks.
Hair falls out in
handfuls.
Phosphorus 6c,
every 3-4 hours for several weeks.
Hair loss due to
bad nutrition.
Calc phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours for several weeks.
Hair loss with
premature baldness and graying, often with eczema behind the ears.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours for several weeks.
Impotence
Impotence is the
partial or complete inability for a man to achieve an erection, have
intercourse or reach orgasm. It is a complex condition, and most often has a psychological
component. Stress is commonly involved, along with fatigue, performance
anxiety, identity problems and depression. Treatment involves avoidance of
alcohol and stimulants, reducing stress, and being able to relax in a
sympathetic, undemanding environment. It is important that once improvement
occurs, frequency of intercourse is not increased to excessive levels.
Page 202
Treatment
Lost desire, poor
erections, after stress, overwork, illness or excessive intercourse, with
apathy.
Phos ac 6c, morning
and evening.
Loss of sex drive
or aversion to sex, with ejaculation premature or absent.
Graphites 6c,
morning and evening.
Anxiety about
intercourse with lack of confidence and fear of failure. Erections poor, even
though desire is high.
Premature ejaculation
may occur.
Lycopodium 6c,
morning and evening.
Failure to
achieve erection or premature ejaculation, from overuse of stimulants in
stressed persons, easily irritable.
Nux vomica 6c,
morning and evening.
Erections poor
with general weakness, especially if intercourse has been very frequent.
Agnus castus 6c,
morning and evening.
Poor erections
after frequent intercourse or debilitating weakness.
China 6c, morning
and evening.
Poor erections
even though desire is high, loses semen during sleep.
Selenium 6c,
morning and evening.
Intense desire
but poor erections, often after long periods of abstinence.
Conium 6c,
morning and evening.
Strong desire but
erection is lost. Erections while asleep, but disappear on waking.
Caladium 6c,
morning and evening.
Loss of potency,
with shrunken testes and enlarged prostate.
Iodum 6c, morning
and evening.
Impotence through
failure of erection on penetration, or through lack of desire for sex.
Arg nit 6c,
morning and evening.
Premature
impotence with easy exhaustion and enlarged glands. Looks old
before his years.
Baryta carb 6c,
morning and evening.
Difficulties
caused by grief or disappointment in a previous relationship.
Ignatia 6c,
morning and evening.
Prostate
Enlargement
The prostate gland
lies at the neck of the bladder, and surrounds part of the urethra, which
carries the urine from the bladder. Enlargement of the prostate is common in
men over 45, and results in a weak stream of urine, incomplete emptying of the
bladder and the need for frequent
Page 203
urination at
night. Although surgery is commonly recommended, homeopathic remedies have had
some excellent results. Coffee and alcohol should be avoided, and an active
lifestyle encouraged. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.
Treatment
Acute prostatic
congestion, with retention of urine, or difficult urination.
Ferrum phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Constant desire
to pass urine, which is difficult to start and passed only in small quantities.
Sharp pains when urinating running from the bladder to the end of the urethra,
frequent urge to urinate at night. May be able to pass urine only when standing
with legs wide apart and body bending forward.
Chimaphilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Urination is
intermittent, must wait a long time before urine finally passes, and stream is
weak. May come initially in drops with burning pain, then flows freely and more
painlessly, with dribbling after.
Clematis 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Frequent urgent
desire to pass urine with burning or cutting sensation at the neck of the
bladder.
Thuja 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Intermittent
stream, with difficulty in completely evacuating the bladder, especially in
those affected by excessive intercourse or long abstinence.
Conium 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Frequent urge to
urinate, with difficult or painful urination, and spasms of the bladder or
urethra.
Sabal 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Pains on passing
urine and at the end of urination, with a heavy sensation in the bladder, not
helped by urination.
Equisetum 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Prostate
enlargement with yellow, turbid urine. Flow is changeable, sometimes free and
sometimes restricted.
Pulsatilla 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Urination drop by
drop, with pain from the kidneys down to the thighs.
Pareira brav 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Frequent urination
at night, with smarting of the neck of the bladder and pressure on the rectum.
Ferrum pic 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Page 204
Enlargement of
the prostate with urging to urinate, but urine is painful.
Populus trem 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Enlargement of the
prostate, stony hard.
Calc fluor 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Loss of potency,
with hard prostate and shrunken testes.
Iodum 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stress and Nervous
Tension
Although women
suffer from stress as well as men, men are currently more likely to suffer from
it.
Treatment
Nervous system
overactive due to overwork: person finds it hard to let go and relax, even in
bed.
Tarentula 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Oversensitive to
many influences, with anxiety, repeated sighing, insomnia, palpitations, loss
of appetite, better when the mind is occupied. Often after emotional shock.
Ignatia 6c, every
3-4 hours.
Stress in tense
intellectual types, irritable and touchy, lacking confidence and intolerant of
contradiction. Anxiety before any ordeal, such as giving a presentation in
front of an audience.
Lycopodium 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stress in active,
zealous types, inclined to late nights and rich spicy food, difficulty in
sleeping, and desire for stimulants.
Nux ovmica 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Harassed executives,
nervous, agitated and restless, never enough time. Anxiety before meetings; torments from
anticipation. Digestive disturbances, seek sweet things, but worse from them.
Argentum nit 6c,
every 3-4 hours.
Stress in
overworked students and professionals, with exhaustion and irritability.
Insomnia, sensitive to the slightest noise.
Kali phos 6x, a
tissue salt, every 3-4 hours.
Page 205
10
The Bach Flower
Remedies: Medicine for the Mind and Emotions
The Bach Flower
Remedies were developed earlier this century by Dr Edward Bach, MB, BS, MRCS,
LRCP,
DPH, a physician
and homeopath, who spent his life searching for the purest methods of healing.
Prepared from
non-poisonous
wild flowers, the purpose of the Bach Flower Remedies is to achieve a balance
between the mind,
body and spirit,
gently correcting the emotional upsets that give rise to physical symptoms or
delay recovery from
an illness.
Edward Bach was a
physician well ahead of his time. In his short career he moved from orthodox
medicine into
developing a natural
form of medicine to treat emotional and spiritual health, very much in tune
with the trends in
natural medicine
in the 1990s. Bach wrote:
Disease of the
body itself is nothing but the result of the disharmony between soul and mind.
It is only a
symptom of the
cause, and it is our fears, our cares, our anxieties and such like that open
the path to the
invasion of
illness. Remove the disharmony, the fear, the terror or the indecision, and we
regain harmony
between soul and
mind, and the body is once more perfect in all its parts.
From an early
age, Bach had been aware that people's personality and attitudes have a bearing
on their state of
health. As a
student
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Page 206
on hospital wards
Bach took an interest in patients as people rather than cases, and early on
came to the conclusion
that, in illness,
personality is more important than symptoms and should be taken into account in
medical treatment.
Bach's early
medical career was both conventional and successful. In 1912 he qualified at
University College
Hospital, London,
where he became Casualty Medical Officer and later Casualty House Surgeon at
the National
Temperance
Hospital. He also developed a very busy practice close to Harley Street in
London.
From 1919 to 1922
Dr Bach worked as a pathologist and bacteriologist at the London Homoeopathic
Hospital.
There, he learned
that Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, had recognised the importance
of
personality in
disease 150 years before. Combining these principles with his knowledge of
orthodox medicine,
Bach developed
seven oral vaccines based on intestinal bacteria which purified the intestinal
tract. Bach then made
a most important
and significant discovery: all the patients suffering from the same emotional
difficulties needed
the same vaccine,
irrespective of the type of disease. From then onwards he prescribed these
vaccines according to
his patients'
temperamental difficulties only. The results were excellent, and these seven
vaccines are still used by
homeopaths today
with great success.
Although the
medical profession adopted his vaccines, Bach disliked the fact that they were
based on bacteria, and
was anxious to
replace these with gentler methods, possibly based on plants. He was
increasingly dissatisfied with
the limitations
of orthodox medicine, especially its focus on curing symptoms. Bach closed his
laboratory and his
lucrative
practice and went to Wales to seek further knowledge in nature. Walking through
a dew-laden field early
one morning, it
struck him that each dewdrop, heated by the sun, would be imbued with the
healing properties of
the plant it lay
on. This was the basis of the development of the flower essences.
As he continued
his work, his intuition became so sensitive that, by holding a flower or
tasting a petal, he could
immediately sense
what its healing effects would be. He would suffer the states of mind and body
for which the
flower was
neededa painful and exhausting method of research, but one that gave him a
great understanding of his
patients. Bach
then moved to Cromer, on the Norfolk coast, finding and preparing further
flower essences and
successfully
treating patients with them.
Page 207
Bach intended the
use of the remedies to be straightforward and simple enough for all to
understand. The 38
remedies
constitute a complete system of healing, each plant having been specifically
chosen for its primary
functionthe
ability to treat the mind and restore balance.
Bach placed the
Bach Flower Remedies in seven groups, or seven negative mood states which he
believed
prevented us from
being true to ourselves. These cover the entire range of human negative mood
states, but each
also has a
corresponding positive expression.
FEAR: Rock rose,
Mimulus, Cherry plum, Aspen, Red chestnut.
UNCERTAINTY:
Cerato, Scleranthus, Gentian, Gorse, Hornbeam, Wild oat.
INSUFFICIENT
INTEREST IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES: Clematis, Honeysuckle, Wild rose, Olive,
White
chestnut,
Mustard, Chestnut bud.
LONELINESS: Water
violet, Impatiens, Heather.
OVER-SENSITIVITY
TO INFLUENCES AND IDEAS: Agrimony, Centaury, Walnut, Holly.
DESPONDENCY OR
DESPAIR: Latch, Pine, Elm, Sweet chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, Oak, Crab
apple.
OVER-CARE FOR THE
WELFARE OF OTHERS: Chicory, Vervain, Vine, Beech, Rock water.
Bach Flower
Remedies
Here are all the
remedies and a brief description of the emotional types they are effective in
helping.
1 Agrimony
Those who suffer
considerable inner torture which they try to hide behind a facade of cheerfulness.
They wear a
social mask, with
repression of sadness.
Positive
expression Honest expression of feelings, genuine optimists. Communicate real
feelings openly, selfacceptance.
2 Aspen
Have anxiety, apprehension,
fear and foreboding of unknown things. Nameless dread.
Positive
expression Security and inner protection, become participants in true joy.
Inner confidence and
fearlessness.
Page 208
3 Beech
Intolerant of
others. Constantly making criticisms. Judgmental. Arrogant. Rigid attitudes.
Positive
expression Not affected by others' differences, see good in others despite
imperfections. Have desire to be
more tolerant,
high ideals.
4 Centaury
Weakness of will.
Those who let themselves be exploited or imposed upon, and become subservient.
Have
difficulty in
saying ''no.'' Anxious to please.
Positive
expression See service as a mutual exchange, are able to express, support and
defend own opinions. Serve
willingly without
denying own needs.
5 Cerato
Those who doubt
their own judgment, seek advice from others. Often influenced and misguided.
Positive
expression Contact with inner guidance, hold definite opinions, will stick to a
decision once arrived at.
Quietly
self-assured.
6 Cherry plum
Fear of mental
collapse. Desperation. Fear of loss of control, of causing harm. Violent
impulses.
Positive
expression Trust and calm under stress. Quiet courage and inner strength.
7 Chestnut bud
Fail to learn by
experience. Continually repeating the same mistakes.
Positive
expression Mistakes used as learning experiences, learn from others.
8 Chicory
The
over-possessive, demanding respect or attention. Like others to conform to
their standards. Control and
manipulate loved
ones. Make martyrs of themselves. Critical, interfering and nagging.
Page 209
Positive
expression Unconditional love. Able to care for others unselfishly. Sense of
their innate capacities. Give
without expecting
something back.
9 Clematis
Indifferent, inattentive,
dreamy, absent-minded and disoriented. Have difficult in concentrating. Mental
escapists
from reality. No
interest in the real world.
Positive
expression Thoughts convert to action, purposeful, realistic. Lively interest
in the world. Fulfill their
creative
potential.
10 Crab apple
The great
cleansing remedy.
Feel unclean or
ashamed of ailments. Self-disgust, hatred. House-proud, have mental obsession
with trivialities.
Positive
expression Sense of proportion about problems, become acceptable to themselves
again. Control thoughts
and deal with
difficulties, maintain inner harmony.
11 Elm
Have temporary
feelings of inadequacy. Overwhelmed by responsibilities, are over-committed.
Feel inadequate to
cope. Depressed
and exhausted.
Positive expression
Self-assured competence, sense of responsibility to self. Problems are seen in
perspective.
12 Gentian
Easily
discouraged. Pessimistic and have negative outlook. Disappointed and depressed
from identifiable causes.
Depression from
long-term difficult situation, e.g., unemployment, bereavement.
Positive
expression Resilient in the face of setbacks, have great conviction. Face
life's challenges with courage.
13 Gorse
Despair and
hopelessness. Utter despondency"What's the use?" Feel condemned to
pain and suffering.
Positive
expression Sense of faith and hope, see light at the end of the tunnel. Will to
recover.
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14 Heather
People who are
obsessed with own troubles and experiences, self-preoccupation. Make mountains
out of molehills.
Compulsive
talkers, poor listeners.
Positive
expression Empathy with others, understanding people. Good listeners. Radiate
strength and confidence.
15 Holly
For those who are
jealous, envious, revengeful and suspicious. For those who hate, are aggressive,
bad-tempered.
Positive
expression Open-hearted, understanding, tolerant, generous minds,
compassionate. Willing to share.
16 Honeysuckle
For those who
dwell in the past, with over-attachment to memories. Homesick and nostalgic.
Positive expression
Open to present and future. No longer experiencing the past as overpowering,
but as a valuable
experience.
17 Hornbeam
"Monday
morning" feeling, but once started their tasks are usually fulfilled.
Procrastinators. Mental weariness,
doubt ability to
cope.
Positive
expression Freshness, strength and enthusiasm. Lively minds, vitality and
spontaneity restored.
18 Jmpatiens
Impatient,
irritable, nervous. Want everything done instantly. Energetic but tense.
Frustrated by slow workers.
Independent.
Positive expression
Relaxed, process-oriented, accept differences in pace and style. Cope calmly
and
diplomatically.
19 Larch
Lack
self-confidence. Despondent due to this lack of self-confidence, have
expectation of failure so fail to make
any attempt. Feel
inferior though have ability.
Positive
expression Try for personal best, are determined, capable. Aware of own
potential with a realistic sense of
self-esteem.
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20 Mimulus
Fear known
things, e.g., illness, pain, accidents, dark, thunder, other people, spiders.
Shy, timid.
Positive
expression Have no irrational fears, accept life's inherent risk. Anxieties
overcome with realism and
humor. Quiet
courage and confidence.
21 Mustard
Sudden
depression: deep gloom that descends for no known cause and lifts just as
suddenly. Melancholy.
Positive
expression Inner serenity, stability, peace that cannot be shaken.
22 Oak
Brave, strong,
determined types whose inner strength wanes; are fatigued. Struggle against
adversity despite
setbacks. Strong
sense of duty.
Positive
expression Are stable, strong, patient, full of common sense. Have ability to
take it easy sometimes.
23 Olive
Complete
exhaustion and utter weariness. Tiredness both mental and physical. All
reserves of strength and energy
have run out.
Lack zest.
Positive
expression Restored strength, vitality. Energised.
24 Pine
Self-reproach.
Feelings of guilt. Blame selves for mistake of others. Feel undeserving and
unworthy.
Overconscientious.
Never satisfied with their achievements.
Positive
expression Self-forgiving, balanced attitude. Renewed energy, vitality and
pleasure in living.
Responsibility
accepted realistically. Accept and respect themselves.
25 Red chestnut
Excessive fear or
anxiety for others, especially those held dear. Over-concern for others. Worry
about other
people's
problems.
Positive
expression Objective about the welfare of others, calm. Ability to care without
anxiety. Radiate thoughts
of health and
courage.
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26 Rock rose
Terror, extreme
fear of panic; frozen fear and helplessness; panic after nightmares.
Positive
expression Have great courage; are confident, calm. Have strong will and
character.
27 Rock water
For those who are
hard on themselves, often overworked. Are self-denying; over-concentrated on
self. Rigidminded,
their thinking ruled
by fixed ideas.
Positive
expression Flexible, adaptable. Open to inner truth and willing to change their
minds.
28 Scleranthus
Uncertain;
indecisive, vacillate between possibilities. Fluctuating moods.
Positive expression
Calm, determined, have clear feeling for the right decision. Have poise and
balance. Are able to
make quick
decisions.
29 Star of
Bethlehem
After-effects of
shocks, mental or physical, as a result of accidents, bad news, deaths, etc.
Positive expression
The effects of shock are neutralized. The nervous system is revitalised. Body
and soul work
together for
healing.
30 Sweet chestnut
Agonising mental
anguish. Despairing types who have reached the limits of enduranceonly oblivion
left. Suffer
total exhaustion
and loneliness.
Positive
expression Liberation from despair and depression. Strong characters,
resilient, in control of emotions.
Have sense of
inner support.
31 Vervain
Tense and
hyperactive. Over-enthusiastic, put in over-effort, strain. Fanatical and
highly strung. Minds race. Desire
to convert
others. Are incensed by injustices.
Positive
expression Calm, tolerant, have ability to relax. Take a broad view of life and
events.
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32 Vine
Dominating,
inflexible, ambitious, tyrannical. Love power. Are aggressive and proud. Have
rigid attitudes.
Positive
expression Determined without dominating. Have will to cooperate. See good in
others and guide without
controlling them.
Have confidence and certainty.
33 Walnut
Protection remedy
from powerful influences, ideas or atmospheres.
Need help in
adjusting to any transition or change, i.e., puberty, menopause, divorce,
giving up smoking, new
home, etc.
Positive
expression Have ability to move forward, free of the past; inner knowledge of
next step in life.
34 Water violet
Aloof, proud,
reserved, sedate types. Have a tendency to withdraw, appearing anti-social and
cold. Little emotional
involvement. Keep
a stiff upper lip.
Positive
expression Have independent, comfortable and warm connection with others. Are
calm, serene,
understanding.
Use their talents in the service of others.
35. White
chestnut
Have persistent,
unwanted thoughts, preoccupation with some worry or episode. Mental arguments
go round and
round like a broken
record. Relive mentally unhappy events or arguments.
Positive
expression Have peace of mind, feel calm, constructive. Can let go of worries
and unhappy memories and
live in the
present. Heads are clear.
36 Wild oat
Unable to choose
one of many paths, dissatisfied, frustrated. Lack clear direction. Need help in
making important
decisions.
Positive
expression Have knowledge of their intended path in life. Definite character.
Clear ideas and ambitions.
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37 Wild rose
Resigned,
apathetic. Make no effort to change circumstances. Drifters who accept their
lot, making little effort for
improvement, lack
ambition.
Positive
expression Passionate, purposeful, lively interest. Their resignation gives way
to ambition and sense of
purpose. Use
initiative to make changes.
38 Willow
Self-pitying,
resentful and bitter, with "not fair," and "poor me"
attitude. Begrudge others' good fortune. Sulky and
irritable,
critical. Take without giving.
Positive
expression Optimistic, have faith. Responsible for own reality. No longer
victims, able to control destiny.
39 Rescue Remedy
A combination of
Cherry plum, Clematis, Impatiens, Rock rose and Star of Bethlehem. It is an
all-purpose,
emergency
composite for shock, terror, panic, emotional upsets, stage fright, bereavement,
examinations, hospital
or dentist visit,
etc. Can also be externally applied to burns, bites and sprains. An immediate
dose of Rescue
Remedy after an
emergency can contribute greatly to counteracting its effects and helping the
natural process to
take its course.
Prescribing Bach
Remedies
The purpose of
the Bach Remedies is to support the fight against illness by relieving
depression, anxiety, trauma
and other
emotional factors that impede healing. They can also be used preventatively at
times of high anxiety and
stress, and are
particularly helpful for those generally unwell and tired, but without any
specific medical diagnosis.
They take effect
through treating the individual, not disease or symptoms of disease. They work
specifically on the
emotional and
spiritual condition of the person concerned. The remedies are intended
primarily as a means of selfhelp,
and so
self-diagnosis is not difficult.
The descriptions
of the states for which the remedies are recommended are not always flattering,
and it may be
hard to recognize
personal traits in them. Bear in mind these are descriptions of extreme states
only. All the
remedies describe
human emotions, common to all, so there is no
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need to feel
ashamed. The fact that they have been recognized is the first step to inner
healing. The corresponding
positive states
will help identify and clarify the correct remedy. As Bach said, "There
are seven beautiful stages in
the healing of
disease, Peace, Hope, Joy, Faith, Certainty, Wisdom, and Love."
The type remedy
In selecting the
correct remedy for each person, it is important to choose according to the
personality as a whole,
so the remedy can
be based on a complete picture. The descriptions, both positive and negative,
will give important
clues in helping
determine the particular type remedy for each person. This remedy should be
used in all
prescriptions.
The treatment
period of Bach Flower Remedies must be decided on an individual basis, as each
person is different
and every
situation is unique. Generally, however, moods and emotions that have developed
suddenly or recently
will not take
long to correct. Perhaps only a few doses will be required. But for problems
that have become deeprooted
and firmly
established, perhaps over a period of months or even years, healing will be a
much more gradual
process and will
naturally take longer.
It does help the
healing process if it is approached with positive thought, and although this
may be difficult in the
beginning, the
remedies do help the taker to feel more optimistic and thus give hope and lift
their spirits. The
positive aspect
which is strived forthe confidence, courageis already within us and is
re-awakened with Bach
Flower Remedies.
The remedies do not change the person into someone different, just into
themselves again.
Extra remedies in
a prescription
When dealing with
a particular life problem, emotional states other than those in the -type
remedy will appear. So
at any time the
person may have a variety of emotional states operating. These can be
prescribed for concurrently,
and up to three
extra remedies can be included with the type remedy in a particular
prescription. When prescribing,
it always helps
to look for the root cause of the particular problem.
How much to take
Bach Remedies are
taken orally, either 2 drops directly on the tongue or 4 drops in a small
amount of water which
is sipped slowly.
The ideal
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frequency of dose
is 4 times daily. In acute cases, such as after an accident or other trauma,
the remedies may be
taken as often as
every 10 minutes.
When to take Bach
Remedies
People are most
susceptible to the healing influence of Bach Flowers at bedtime and on risingat
these times we are
usually most
relaxed, and so most receptive. During sleep we also process much of the day's
stress, and receive
insights from the
unconscious. The two remaining doses should be taken as evenly apart across the
day as possible,
for instance,
just before lunch and just before the evening meal. Other times ideal for
taking the Bach Remedies
are: while having
a bath (they may also be put in the bathwater); after meditation and relaxation
practices; during
therapy; or any
other relaxed, secure and open time.
Babies and
children
Babies and
children can be given Bach Remedies with complete safety and very good results.
Children and babies
suffer from many
emotions and go through times of stress and unhappiness; dealing with these in
childhood can
help them grow up
happily and healthily. The remedies should be chosen in exactly the same way as
for adults,
whether the child
is suffering from a physical illness or is fretful, unhappy or difficult for no
obvious reason. The
child's
personality and current characteristics are the guide to the reduired remedy or
combination of remedies.
Animals
As with children,
animals respond well to Bach Remedies. To prescribe, once again, the
temperament of the animal
concerned needs
to be considered, together with its mood and nature generally. Drops of the
remedy can be given
on food or in
drinking water: 4 drops for birds and small animals, 10 drops for larger
animals.
Plants
Plants can benefit
from the gentle healing properties of the Bach Flowers at watering time,
however eccentric it
may appear. As
plants do not express their feelings or answer questions, their outlook is
displayed through their
appearance and it
is on this expression of need that the remedy is chosen.
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Safety
The Flower
Remedies are completely safe, have no unwanted side-effects and are
non-addictive. They are gentle in
action and can be
safely taken by people of all ages, from newborn babies to the aged. If a
remedy is picked that is
inappropriate,
there is no threat of harm; rather, the remedy will simply have no effect.
Rescue Remedy
The most famous
of all Bach Flower Remedies is the appropriately named Rescue Remedy. As
described above,
Rescue Remedy is
a composite of five Bach remedies. It is a calming panacea that settles nerves,
dispels negative
thoughts,
relieves apprehension and restores balance and confidence. It is ideal for any emergency
situation as well
as ongoing
stressful situations. For example, Rescue Remedy is excellent for shocks,
accidents, interviews, exams,
speeches, child
tantrums, bereavement, dentist or hospital visits, panic situations and mental
tensionall common
stressors that
affect everyone in our society. Rescue Remedy is also ideal for the treatment
of hurt animals as often
shock and terror
is a major cause of their trouble. When transplanting plants, giving Rescue
Remedy afterwards
reduces the
effects of the trauma and helps them to take root again.
Healing the Mind
At the end of
1936, Edward Bach died in his sleep, content that his mission was complete. He
provided the world
with a legacy of
remedies to help us if we lose our way, or find ourselves turning back, or if
we are uncertain and
feel afraid about
taking the next step. They help and guide us, but true progressour real
healingcomes from within.
Dr Bach's most
famous quote probably sums it all up best: "There is no true healing
unless there is a change in
outlook, peace of
mind and inner happiness."
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PART THREE
A MATERIA MEDICA
OF COMMON REMEDIES
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11
Materia Medica of
the Tissue Salts
A materia medica
is the term used by homeopaths for a collection and description of remedies and
how they are
used. The
remedies listed in the next two chapters have been chosen for several reasons:
they are well suited to the
sorts of diseases
found in the average home, they are safe and easy to use, and they have
clear-cut symptoms. Most
of the remedies
mentioned in the text are included here. The materia medica is divided into
two. The first chapter is
a materia medica
of the tissue salts, which can easily be obtained from most health-food stores.
The following
chapter lists
more mainstream homeopathic remedies.
Homeopathic
medicines, including tissue salts, treat the patient as an individual and the
body as a whole. Each
remedy in this
materia medica is summarized, showing the main pattern of symptoms it is used
to treat. Often
mental symptoms
are included, and also the influences that make the symptoms worse or better,
otherwise known
as the
modalities. All these combined make up what homeopaths call the symptom picture
of the remedy.
Remembering this
pattern of symptoms for the remedy is the key to prescribing. The remedy that
has the symptom
picture most
closely matching the symptoms of the patient is known in homeopathy as the
similimum, the most
similar remedy,
and is the one to prescribe.
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In choosing a
remedy, there are three main areas for attention:
the physical
symptoms;
the mental and
emotional symptoms;
the influences
that make the symptoms better or worse.
On the other
hand, not every symptom covered in the remedy picture needs to be seen in the
patient. As a general
rule, three good
symptoms, characteristic of the remedy and strong in the patient, are enough to
indicate the
remedy.
Choosing a remedy
on just a few physical symptoms alone is the system most prone to error, and
often results in
the remedy failing
in its action. For the best result, the mental and emotional symptoms, such as
irritability or
tearfulness,
should be included as part of the symptom picture, and the choice of remedy
reviewed. If, as well, you
can include some
of the modalities, the influences which make the symptoms better or worse, then
you are very
close to the
similimum, or most similar remedy.
Clearly, to
choose a remedy well, the prescriber must be attentive to many small details of
the patient's condition
which are of no
interest to allopathic medicine, with its emphasis on medical tests. In this
way homeopathic
medicine is
perhaps a superior medicine because it is more subtle, treating the person at a
deeper level; but it is also
more demanding of
the prescriber. Small details of the patient's behaviorsuch as the color of the
face, the mode of
dress, the way of
moving, sitting and lyingcan all be symptoms of pure gold to the homeopath.
Since there are
many remedies and many symptoms, the ability to know and match symptom pictures
is vital, and
is probably the
greatest challenge of homeopathy. For the beginner, keywords are useful, to
draw the strands of a
remedy together.
These are given at the end of the remedy's description and help as quick
summaries of symptom
pictures. They
are especially useful when a remedy must be chosen quickly.
A more detailed
symptom picture of a remedy is also given in the materia medica, and is suited
to more
experienced
prescribers, who are comfortable with remembering symptom pictures.
The ability to
remember whole symptom pictures is a highly developed skill. It requires the
ability to pay attention
to minute detail,
but also to
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recall whole
patterns of information, and not everyone has the patience or the will to
learn. It is undoubtedly a
challenging
system of medicine for a prescriber, but if you are interested in the treatment
of illness, any effort is
well repaid.
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Calcarea Fluorica
Calc Fluor;
Calcium Fluoride; Fluorspar
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type is of medium to small build. Teeth are small and irregular, with
poor enamel. The skin
is hard, especially over the palms of the hands, where cracks
and fissures are
common. Tongue is cracked.
Symptom Picture
Methodical and
tenacious, with well-organized memory, but easily worried, and preoccupied with
money. If a
child, is often
unstable at school, with poor attention; agitated, undisciplined, a show-off.
Hardening and
thickening of tissue, giving rise to cysts, cystic tumors, ganglions. Hardened
lymph nodes and
lumps in the
breast, hard like stones. Cataract.
Laxness of
ligaments and connective tissue. Visceral and uterine prolapse. Varicose veins.
Hemorrhoids, bleeding,
itching and
protruding.
The bones may be
deformed and tender. Scoliosis and sprains are common. Rickets in infants.
Callus growths,
chaps and
fissures of the skin.
Worse Beginning
of movement. Rest. Damp weather.
Better Continued
movement. Warmth and hot applications.
Keywords
Lumps
Cracks
Loosens
Sags
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Calcarea
Phosphorica
Calc Phos; Calcium
Phosphate
APPEARANCE
Tall and thin,
with tapering hands. Usually dark, with rosy complexion, silky hair and
long eyelashes.
Skin may be greasy. Teeth are long narrow and a little yellowish.
Symptom Picture
Easily fatigued, especially
by mental work; is hard to finish a long task, even though intelligent.
Nervous, agitated
and fearful.
Memory poor. Sensitive and sentimental; prefers solitude. A good remedy in
convalescence.
Slow development
in children. Late closure of fontanels. Growing pains, at the end of long bones
and the dorsal
spine. Rickets.
Slow-healing fractures.
Glandular
enlargements and chronic catarrh. Tickly cough, with yellow, offensive sputum,
worse in cold weather.
Colic in infants:
vomiting of undigested milk. Severe stomach pains after eating in adolescents.
Loss of weight,
though eating
well. Craving for salt or smoked meat, salt fish. Calc phos improves absorption
of other nutrients.
Worse Mental
effort. Humidity. Thinking about illness.
Better Warm, dry
weather.
Keywords
Tired
Thin
Glandular
Growing
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Calcarea
Sulphurica
Calc Sulph;
Calcium Sulfate; Plaster of Paris
APPEARANCE
Warm-blooded;
wants to uncover and be in open air. Tongue has yellow, claycolored
coating,
especially at the base.
Symptom Picture
Absent-minded,
irritable, easily angered. Desires the open air, is sensitive to draughts,
takes cold easily.
Torpid glandular
swellings. Tonsillitis, suppurative stage.
Discharges from
any mucous membrane; yellow, thick and lumpy, often tinged with blood. Eye
inflammation of
the newborn.
Easy suppuration;
cuts and wounds do not heal readily. Tendency to boils, abscesses and ulcers,
anywhere in the
body. Presence of
pus, with a vent. Impetigo.
Worse Wet, cold
weather. Draughts. Warmth of the bed. Exertion.
Better Open air.
Keywords
Thick
Yellow
Lumpy
Suppurating
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Jerrum
Phosphoricum
Ferrum Phos; Iron
Phosphate
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type is usually tired, pale and anemic. Face alternates between
redness and
pallor.
Symptom Picture
A remedy for the
first stage of inflammatory disease, with fever but minimal exudation. Mild
fever less than 102°F
(39°C), from
congestion, heat of the sun or mechanical injuries. Pulse rapid, but weak and
soft.
Easy hemorrhages,
particularly nosebleeds. Bright blood from any outlet.
Dry spasmodic
cough, with lancing pains in the chest, worse from cold and lying down. Sputum
clear to yellow,
often
blood-streaked.
Earache, with
heat, congestion and acute pain.
Worse Cold air.
Exertion. Night. 4-6 a.m.
Better Gentle
exercise. Warmth. Pressure.
Keywords
Feverish
Anemic
Bleeding
Pale
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Kali Muriaticum
Kali Mur;
Potassium Chloride
APPEARANCE
A remedy for the
second stage of inflammation, with thick white discharges from both
mucous and serous
membranes. The tongue is coated white or gray.
Symptom Picture
Acute diseases at
the white exudative stage. Catarrhal conditions of the eyes, ears and throat.
Tonsils inflamed,
swollen and
edematous, with gray pockets. Mumps.
Chronic catarrh
of the middle ear, with blocking of the eustachian tube. Glands swollen.
Deafness, crackling in ears
on swallowing or
blowing the nose.
Thrush and ulcers
of the mouth, with gray-white false membranes, edema and viscous thick saliva.
Bitter taste.
Indigestion from
rich or fatty food.
Rheumatic pains
with small effusions in the joints, worse by movement and the heat of the bed.
Worse Warmth.
Night. Motion. Open air.
Better Cold
drinks.
Keywords
White or gray
discharges
Chronic catarrh
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Kali Phosphoricum
Kali Phos;
Potassium Phosphate Dibasic
APPEARANCE
Tired, weak and
hypersensitive, with want of nerve power. Tongue clear or coated
brownish, like
mustard. The eyelids may droop, especially the left.
Symptom Picture
Excitable, easily
angered and obstinate. Nervous exhaustion, with dread and depression,
especially after protracted
illness,
emotional upsets or sexual excess. Fears the night, falling, people and death.
Cerebral fatigue
and headaches, especially in school children, after overwork or mental effort.
Loss of memory.
Humming in the
ears. Vertigo.
Irritability and
hysteria, with alternating moods. Normally hypersensitive to stimuli, but may
show little response
when exhausted.
Insomnia. Sleepwalking and nightmares.
Putrid discharges,
from skin or any membrane, with depression and exhaustion. Foul ulcers.
Worse Cold.
Excitement. Worry. Mental exertion.
Better Rest. Open
air. Gentle motion. Nourishment.
Keywords
Exhausted
Irritable
Sensitive
Depressed
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Kali Sulphuricum
Kali Sulph;
Potassium Sulfate
APPEARANCE
Third stage of
inflammation, with yellow discharges. Tongue coated; yellow and
slimy.
Symptom Picture
Irritable,
obstinate and ill-tempered. Seeks open air, even though chilly.
Profuse, yellow
or yellow-green discharges, thin or sticky, from any membrane: may be
intermittent and change
location.
Nasal discharge,
yellow, thick and profuse. Loss of smell. Coarse sounds when breathing, with
rattling of mucus in
the chest, and
yellow expectoration.
Scaly skin
eruptions, flaking easily, leaving a moist and sticky surface. Suppuration,
with yellow or yellow-green
discharge.
Impetigo.
Worse Heat. Warm
room. Night. Rest.
Better Cold fresh
air. Movement.
Keywords
Thick
Yellow
Suppurating
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Magnesium
Phosphoricum
Mag Phos;
Magnesium Hydrogen Phosphate
APPEARANCE
Appears tired anti
exhausted. May be nervous and thin or emaciated, with rigid
muscular fiber.
In the acute case will be doubled up, or pacing with pain. Chilly
types.
Symptom Picture
Listless, languid
and drowsy; averse to mental effort. Forgetful, unable to think clearly. May
stammer and yawn
excessively.
A great remedy
for muscular spasm, often with a sensation of constriction. Spasmodic pains,
sudden and severe,
either cramping
or shooting. May change location, be felt anywhere. May be severe enough to
cause retching.
Menstrual
cramping that is better after the flow begins.
Abdominal colic,
flatulent and rumbling, no relief from belching, patient must bend double or
apply pressure.
Renal and hepatic
colic. Craves sugar; averse to coffee. May have a thirst for very cold drinks.
Worse Cold. Right
side. Night.
Better Heat.
Doubling up. Pressure and massage. Bending forward.
Keywords
Sudden
Spasmodic
Better by heat
and pressure
Page 232
Natrum Muriaticum
Nat Mur; Sodium
Chloride; Common Salt
APPEARANCE
The typical patient is pale and thin,
particularly around the neck and chest. The
forehead may be oily, with eruptions there,
around the hairline, and on the sides of
the nose. Skin dry and may be cracked,
especially the lips and around the nails. Cold
sores are common.
Symptom Picture
Tired, depressed
and pessimistic. Worries and broods; harbors resentment. Unstable moods,
difficult to fix and maintain attention. Easily upset, but seeks solitude then,
and is made worse by consolation.
Takes cold
easily, preceded by sneezing. Mucous membranes may be cracked and dry, or
discharging. Discharges watery, copious, often frothy, and rarely irritating,
may be also thick and white.
Eczema or acne on
the forehead, along the edge of the scalp, or in the creases of the joints.
Cold sores around the lips or anus. Warts on the forehead, the palms of the
hands or creases of the fingers. Hangnails.
Craving for salt,
or aversion to it. Excessive thirst, or no thirst at all. Averse to bread, fat,
rich food, meat and coffee.
Worse Heat.
Closed rooms. Consolation. 10-11 a.m. Thunder.
Better Fresh air.
Cold bathing. Fasting.
Keywords
Depressed
Thirsty
Worries
Seeks solitude
Natrum Phosphoricum
Nat Phos; Sodium
Phosphate
APPEARANCE
May the jaundiced. The tongue is creamy or
yellow at the back.
Symptom Picture
A remedy
characterised by sourness and acidity. Debility; averse to open air, bathing
and company. Catarrh of nose and eyes, with thick, yellow, purulent discharge.
Ailments with an excess
of acidity. Gout and rheumatism, with cracking of the joints. Itching of
ankles. Hives.
Flatulence, with
sour risings and sour vomiting. Jaundice. Worms; child picks nose and grinds teeth. Greenish
diarrhea. Craves alcohol, eggs, fish, pungent foods. Avoids far, milk, butter,
sour and acid foods.
Worse Mental and
physical exertion. Changes in weather.
Better Cold.
Settled weather.
Keywords
Sour
Acid
Tongue creamy at the back
Page 234
Natrum Sulphuricum
Nat Sulph; Sodium
Sulfate; Glauber's Salts
APPEARANCE
Often large and fat, particularly over the
abdomen, thighs and buttocks, causing the
skin to pucker. Skin is jaundiced and
dirty-looking. Edema is common. Dirty yellow
coating on tongue.
Symptom Picture
Weary, sad and
depressed, tired of life, worse at night and in morning on waking. Great
sensitivity to noise: music may bring irritation or tears. Fears of people,
crowds and the future. Results of head injuries, may be recent or remote,
especially loss of memory and head pain.
Catarrhal
inflammation of any mucous membrane, with discharge either yellow and watery or
green and thick, but usually irritating, and always worse from humidity.
Painful cough, often at the base of the left lung; holds chest with hands.
Asthma, worse from damp and 4-5 a.m.
Pain in joints,
especially the lower spine, knees, right hip and ankles, causing restlessness,
and often helped by slow and progressive movement. Warty growths on skin and
mucous membranes. Skin is cracked and fragile, sheds fine yellow crusts;
itching while undressing.
Liver painful and
congested; cannot bear pressure or constriction. Appetite poor; averse to meat
and bread; intolerant of fruit, vegetables, pastry, cold dishes. Thirst for
cold drinks, even though they disagree.
Worse Damp and
humidity. Cold. Near water. 2-5 a.m.
Better Dry
weather. Open air. Change of position. Pressure.
Keywords
Depressed
Catarrhal
Edematous
Worse from damp
Page 235
Silicea
Silicon Dioxide
APPEARANCE
Small, thin and neat, though poorly nourished,
with clear skin and a good color The
lips crack easily, especially at the corners.
Hands are cold and clammy. Children
have a big head and small body.
Symptom Picture
Shy, gentle,
yielding and polite; if pressed will become annoyed, irritable and stubborn.
Conscientious in tasks, but with lack of energy and initiative. Tired all the
time, with inability to fix attention, even though bright. Lack of confidence
and dread of failure, with anxiety before any ordeal, but gets through by force
of will.
Hypersensitive,
both mentally and physically, especially to noise. Chilly, and sensitive to
cold and draughts, even when exercising.
Poor resistance
to infection, with frequent colds. Skin is dry and fragile; suppuration and
abscesses are common.
Fingertips are
rough; nails are often deformed and brittle, surrounded by septic cracks.
Sweats easily from the head and feet; foot sweat is profuse, irritating and
offensive.
Malabsorption and
malnutrition, yet appetite is usually poor or absent Excessive thirst is the
rule, with desire for cold drink and cold food. Averse to hot foods and meat.
Worse Cold. Damp.
Drafts. New moon.
Better Heat. Dry
weather. Rest. Warm clothes.
Keywords
Tired
Sensitive
Sweaty
Suppurating
Stubborn
Homeopathic Materia
Medica
Here are more
than ninety homeopathic remedies. Some of these can be obtained from
health-food stores, many from homeopathic pharmacies, and all from homeopathic
practitioners. Please consult the Resource Guide at the end of this book.
Aconitum Napellus
Aconite
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type is robust and vigorous,
with an active mind. Often a child.
Symptom Picture
Fever,
inflammation and pain, often coming suddenly after exposure to cold or heat,
and especially to dry, cold wind. After-effects of shock.
Anxiety,
agitation and restlessness, tossing about, with greater fear, often fear of
death. Intolerance of pain.
Hot, dry,
congested skin, without perspiration; but may sweat on covered parts, and on
the palms. Great thirst for large quantities of cold water.
Hoarse, dry, convulsive
cough is often present.
Worse Towards
midnight. Extremes of temperature. Least touch.
Better Appearance
of sweat. Open air.
Keywords
Sudden
Restless
Anxious
Feverish
Dry
Thirsty
Page 238
Allium Cepa
Onion
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Symptom Picture
Watery discharge
from the nose, irritating the upper lip, acrid and profuse. Often begins with
sneezing.
Eyes red and
burning, but producing bland tears.
Irritation
spreads downwards to the larynx, and produces a rasping, tearing cough, often
called singer's cough.
Flatulent colic,
with rumbling, offensive wind.
Worse Heat.
Closed, warm room. Evening.
Better Open air.
Cold room.
Keywords
Nose irritated
Eyes bland
Better open air
Page 239
Aloe
Aloes
APPEARANCE
Full-blooded, sedentary people with local
congestions. Often women near
menopause. May like to eat a lot and drink a
lot, especially beer.
Symptom Picture
Flatulent
diarrhea, immediately after eating or drinking, or driving out of bed in the
early morning.
Sensation of heat
or fullness in the lower abdomen, with constant desire to defecate. Lack of
confidence in the anal sphincter.
Incontinence of
feces, on trying to pass wind or urinate. Feces may be solid or gelatinous.
Painful
hemorrhoids, standing out like a bunch of grapes.
Worse Eating or
drinking. Early morning. Beer. Oysters.
Better Cold
applications. Passing wind or feces.
Keywords
Flatulent
Involuntary
Drives out of bed
Page 240
Alumina
Aluminium Oxide
APPEARANCE
Pale, dry and thin, tired and withered, and
appearing older than the years would
indicate. There may be tremors of the head and
limbs. The nose may be sore and
cracked at the tip. The eyelids may droop.
Symptom Picture
Great fatigue,
mentally and physically. Strong desire to lie down, but worse from doing so.
Staggers easily, with weakness and heaviness of the lower limbs. Mentally dull
in the mornings, brighter in the evenings, although fearful and apprehensive
then.
Inactivity of the
rectum, with no desire or power: even soft stool requires great straining.
Intense dryness
of skin and mucous membranes. Skin does not perspire, has a tendency to crack,
itch and burn, worse from the heat of the bed.
Appetite is
capricious. May have no appetite, or may crave indigestible things. Aversion to
potatoes, beer, condiments, onions and meat. Intoxicated by the least amount of
alcohol.
Worse Mornings,
on waking. Dry, cold weather. New and full moon.
Better Warmth.
Warm, wet weather. Eating. Open air, even though chilly.
Keywords
Dry
Heavy
Exhausted
Constipated
Page 241
Ammonium Carbonicum
Ammonium
Carbonate; A Constituent of Smelling Salts
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type of fleshy, chilly,
indolent and sedentary. Face puffy, skin mottled,
pallid. or flushed. Looks tired.
Symptom Picture
Depressed,
prostrated and weak. Ill-humored and easily upset, especially in humid or
stormy weather. Faints easily.
Sensation of
heaviness.
Obstruction of
the nose at night, must breathe through mouth. Wheezing. Irritating, incessant,
exhausting cough about 3 a.m., with sputum difficult to cough up.
Nosebleeds, when
washing face or hands, or after eating. Blood does not clot easily.
Palpitations.
Gums are swollen,
tend to bleed easily. Teeth painful.
Worse Cold or humid
weather. 3 a.m. Menstruation. Water. Ascending stairs.
Better Dry and
warm weather. Lying down.
Keywords
Depressed
Heavy
Weak
Bleeding
Cough at 3 a.m.
Page 242
Ammonium Muriaticum
Ammonium Chloride
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type is soft, fleshy and indolent,
lacking in reaction. The abdomen is
large, the limbs thin.
Symptom Picture
Prostration, with
anxiety and irritability. Desire to cry, but cannot.
Hot, watery,
corrosive discharge from the nose, irritating the upper lip. Nose feels
blocked. Loss of sense of smell.
Constipation,
with excessive wind and hard, fragmenting stool. Stinging around the anus
during and after passage.
Sensation of
contraction of muscles and tendons, better from exercise. Sciatic pain, worse
while sitting.
Worse Cold. While
sitting.
Better Open air.
Keywords
Corrosive
Constipated
Contracted
Page 243
Anacardium
Orientale
Semecarpus
Anacardium, Marking Nut
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type looks tired, with
paleface and dark areas under the eyes.
Movements tend to be clumsy. Sedentary types.
Symptom Picture
Absent-minded.
Sudden loss of memory, even for recent events. Lacks self-confidence.
Apprehension before any ordeal, with indecision. Derangements of hearing, smell
and taste.
Gastric discomfort,
improved by eating; returns 2 or 3 hours later. Tends to gobble food. Food may
taste offensive.
Ineffectual
urging to stool.
Skin pustules or
vesicles, with excessive itching and burning. Warts, especially on the palms.
Sensations of a
plug or a band, may be anywhere in the body.
Worse Empty
stomach. Cold and-damp. Mental effort.
Better After
eating. At rest. Evenings.
Keywords
Apprehensive
Forgetful
Better from eating
Page 244
Antimonium Crudum
Ant Crud Antimony
Trisulphide
APPEARANCE
Tend to be stout, and may be edematous. There
may be cracks at the corners of the
mouth and nose. The tongue is often coated
white. Patient is chilly.
Symptom Picture
Great sadness,
with frequent tears and absence of desire to live. Impulses to suicide. Sulky,
cross, complaining and disagreeable, even when kindness is offered. Complaints
from disappointed affection.
Burping and
regurgitation of undigested food, not helped by vomiting. Watery diarrhea mixed
with semi-formed stool. May crave acid foods and pickles, meat and bread, which
all disagree.
Eruptions with
vesicles or pustules, especially on the face. Crusts, cracks and ulcers about
the mouth and nostrils.
Thickening of the
skin: tendency to corns, warts and calluses, particularly on the soles of the feet.
Thick and deformed nails, splitting easily.
Worse Heat and
cold. Overeating. Night. Moonlight.
Better Rest.
Keywords
Sad
Sulky
Thickens
Cracks
Ulcerates
Page 245
Antimonium
Tartaricum
Ant Tart;
Antimony Potassium Tartrate
APPEARANCE
No well-defined susceptible type. Generally
characterised by prostration, pallor and
drowsiness. Sometimes skin has blue tinge
around the lips and eyes.
Symptom Picure
Persistent,
irreconcilable ill-humor, worse from consolation. Prostration, with pale face
and cold sweat. Great drowsiness; especially after a bout of vomiting.
Difficult and
noisy breathing, with fine or coarse wheezes. Abundant, ropy, white, sticky,
rattling mucus that is difficult to expectorate. Suffocative attacks, turning
patient blue.
Nausea may be
severe and persistent, relieved by vomiting. Craving for apples and acid
drinks, which disagree.
Aversion to milk.
Salivation is common. Thirst may be absent or intense.
Pustular
eruptions, leaving a blue-red scar.
Worse Damp, cold
weather. Lying down. Evenings. Vexation. Cough worse 3-4 a.m.
Better Cool,
fresh air. Sitting erect.
Keywords
Drowsiness
Debility
Sweat
Suffocative
Rattling
Page 246
Apis Mellifica
Bee
APPEARANCE
Face is red, of a
rosy or livid hue. Puffy, especially around the eyes. Irregular raised
patches and weals
in the skin, either red or pale. Patient is restless and fidgety.
Symptom Picture
Tearful, fearful,
fidgety, suspicious and jealous, often after emotional upset or stress. Desires
company but not
affection. Emotionally
unstable and unpredictable, will flit from one idea to another.
Edematous
swellings, red or pale, may be local or general, and may reach both mucous and
serous membranes.
Burning pricking
pains with the edema, better by cold and aggravated by heat. Soreness of whole
body, sensitive to
least touch and
pressure. Restlessness, not relieved by motion.
Thirst is absent
in edema and in the hot stage of fevers, but present in the cold stages of
fever. Chill is prominent
about 3 p.m.
Worse Heat. Touch
or pressure. Right side, spreading to left.
Better Cold. Cool
open air.
Keywords
Burns
Stings
Swells
Worse by touch
Page 247
Argentum
Metallicum
Silver
APPEARANCE
Tall, thin and
irritable. Anxious and apprehensive about their health.
Symptom Picture
Trembling;
anxious about health. Ailments from anger, fear and fright. Broken-down
constitution; loss of muscular
power. Failing
brain power.
Painful
hoarseness of singers and speakers. Total loss of voice. Raw spot over
bifurcation of trachea. Cough with
easy expectoration
of gray, viscid mucus, looking like boiled starch. Laughter brings on cough.
Rheumatic
inflammations of joints, especially elbow and knee, after cold, damp weather.
Involuntary contraction
of fingers and
paralysis of forearm.
Crushed pain in testicle,
especially the right. Ovarian cysts and tumors, especially the left.
Worse Using
voice. Touch. 3-5 a.m.
Better Open air,
even though chilly, Warmth.
Keywords
Weak
Trembling
Hoarse
Depleted
Page 248
Argentum Nitricum
Silver Nitrate
APPEARANCE
Withered and
old-looking. Emaciation, most marked in lower extremities. Skin may
show a blue, gray
or brown discoloration.
Symptom Picture
Nervous,
agitated, hurried and restless. Lacks self-confidence. Trembles easily. Anxiety
before an ordeal. Memory
poor.
Vertigo of
heights. Phobias, especially of enclosed places and public gatherings.
Sensation of
splinters or prickles in mucous membrane, with catarrhal discharge. Ulceration
is common.
Much flatulence,
with violent, difficult belchings. Craving for sweets, which aggravate. Also
craves salt, and may
crave ice cream
and cold drinks. Often thirsty.
Worse Warmth.
Sweets. Mental work. Stuffy rooms.
Better Cold.
Cool, fresh air. Wind.
Keywords
Agitated
Ulcerated
Inflamed
Craves sweets
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Page 249
Arnica Montana
Arnica
APPEARANCE
Red face and
lively expression, or pale and apathetic. Mottled, bruised-like areas
may be observed
on the body.
Symptom Picture
Irritable and morose,
does not want to be touched. Forgetful and absent-minded, especially after a
blow. Great
weakness and
weariness. A remedy for shock and concussion.
Aches, pains and
stiffness, as if bruised and beaten, after too much exercise, surgery,
childbirth, or any form of
trauma.
Restless, briefly
improved by change in position. Sensation that the bed is hard and full of
lumps, will groan, toss
and turn.
Skin may show
spontaneous bruising, severe irritation, or eruptions that are mottled,
vesicular or pustular. Often
symmetrical.
Hemorrhage may occur, with dark, venous blood.
Worse Touch.
Sudden movement or jolt. Damp, cold weather. Heat of the sun.
Better Rest.
Lying with head low.
Keywords
Bruises
Blows
Stiffness
Soreness
Weariness
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Page 250
Arsenic Trioxide
Arsenicum Album
APPEARANCE
Thin, stylish,
neat and well groomed. Meticulous and orderly. Conscious of their
elegance, but fragile,
lined and drawn. May have a sallow complexion, or be pale.
The lower eyelid
may be puffy.
Symptom Picture
Fussy, fastidious
and critical, easily irritable and peevish. Oversensitive to smell, touch and
light. Fearful of many
things; full of
apprehension and dread, especially when alone. Insomnia is common.
Weakness and
prostration, yet marked agitation and anxiety between midnight and 3 a.m.;
drives from bed to
wander
restlessly, even though exhausted.
Burning pains,
like fire, anywhere in the body, but often in the mucous membranes and skin,
and improved by heat.
Seeks warmth, and
improved by it.
Marked thirst for
small quantities of liquid, taken frequently. Keeps water by the bedside, but
prefers warm or hot
drinks.
Worse Midnight-3
a.m. Cold and damp. I-2 p.m.
Better Heat,
except around the head.
Keywords
Burning
Acrid
Restless
Worse around
midnight
Page 251
Arum Jryphyllum
Arisaema
Atrorubens; Indian Turnip
APPEARANCE
Lips dry and cracked,
scabs around the nostrils. Patient is restless and irritable, may
be prostrated.
Symptom Picture
Stinging and
burning of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or throat. May bleed and
ulcerate.
Raw, sore throat
of speakers and singers, worse when swallowing. Painful hoarseness, with lack
of control: voice
continually
changing, or completely lost.
Clear discharge,
irritating the nostrils and upper lip. Dry lips: patient may chew or scratch
until they bleed.
Patchy redness or
raw hemorrhagic areas may be present on the skin. Lymph nodes may be swollen.
Worse Heat. Lying
down. Cold winds.
Better Nil.
Keywords
Stings
Burns
Ulcerates
Loses voice
Page 252
Aurum
Metallicum
Gold
APPEARANCE
Face is ruddy
with a puffy, shiny appearance, hair is dark, and so are the eyes. Nose
is knobby and
red, with prominent veins. The breath may be fetid.
Symptom Picture
Irritable and
easily angered, intolerant of contradiction. Hypersensitive to smell, taste,
hearing, touch, and especially to pain and cold. Critical of self and others.
Suicidal depression, with lack of self-confidence, particularly for grief or
emotional stress. Craves sunshine; finds cloudy days unbearable.
Violent
palpitations, with flushing or congestion in head and chest. Sensation as if
the heart missed a beat.
Hypertension.
Boring, tearing
pains in bones and joints, unbearable at night. Ulceration of bones and skin.
Hardening of glands, especially testicle, with pain and swelling. Uterine
prolapse.
Increased thirst
and appetite, tends to gobble food and crave cold drinks. Desire for coffee.
Craving for alcohol, and better for it.
Worse Night and
on waking. Noise, Menstruation.
Better Summer.
Fresh air and cool applications, even though chilly.
Keywords
Depressed
Sensitive
Critical
Flushed
Craves alcohol
Baptisia Jinctoria
Wild Indigo
APPEARANCE
The patient is dull and looks drugged, with
dusky, mottled face and dark-red mucous
surfaces. There may be an anxious, frightened
look and facial sweat.
Symptom Picture
Great prostration,
with fever and mental confusion, may be delirious. Concentration difficult,
with drowsiness and languor; falls asleep easily.
Severe aching
pain and muscular stiffness. Restless; bed feels too hard.
All discharges
and secretionssweat, breath, urine, stool, etc.are fetid. Abdominal distension.
Offensive, debilitating diarrhea.
Parched red
tongue, swollen and stiff. Constant craving for cold water.
Worse. After
sleep. Movement. Pressure. II a.m.
Better Nil.
Keywords
Feverish
Fetid
Restless
Thirsty
Baryta Carbonica
Barium Carbonate
APPEARANCE
Both adults and children look prematurely old
and withered, with a dried-up, sickly
appearance. Children have large abdomens,
glandular swellings. Adults tend to
obesity.
Symptom Picture
Slow to memorize
or comprehend. Vague fears. Easy exhaustion. Childlike behavior in adults. May
be physically and intellectually backward. Children slow to walk; timid, easily
upset by strangers.
·Enlarged glands,
especially the tonsils and prostate. Susceptible to infection, recurrent colds
and tonsillitis.
Degeneration of
the arterial walls. Hypertension from atherosclerosis. Offensive foot sweats.
Constant thirst.
Avoids cold foods and fruit, especially plums.
Worse Cold, from
least exposure. Heat of sun. Changes in weather.
Better Warmth.
Open air, even though chilly.
Keywords
Weak
Slow
Enlarged
Degenerated
Worse from cold
Belladonna
Aropa Belladonna;
Deadly Nightshade
APPEARANCE
In acute cases the face is hot and flushed,
the pulse full and bounding. Eyes tend to
be glassy, pupils dilated. Patient is
restless; there may be a furious delirium.
Symptom Picture
Sudden, violent
onset of symptoms, with restless delirium. Acuteness of senses: may start at
the least noise or touch. There may be hallucination and convulsion.
Intense,
throbbing pain and local congestion. Cramping pains, beginning and ending
suddenly.
Fever with
intensely hot, burning skin. Hot sweats, especially on the face. Redness of the
skin, either in patches or widespread. Measles-like rash, or blister formation.
Thirst is not
marked, but there may be a craving for lemons and lemon drinks, or a desire to
moisten a dry mouth and throat.
Worse Light.
Noise. Jar or sudden movement. Cold air.
Better Warmth.
Rest.
Keywords
Hot
Red
Throbbing
Burning
Congested
Sudden
Berberis Vulgaris
Barberry
APPEARANCE
Sickly appearance, with poor color, sunken
cheeks and a bluish discoloration around
the eyes. The inner part of the lower lip may be
livid red, with bluish-red spots at the
corners of the mouth. May sit with both hands
clasping the head.
Symptom Picture
Inert, listless,
lethargic, with poor memory, and incapable of sustained mental effort. Nervous
at dusk.
Prickling,
burning, radiating pains, can be anywhere, but often emanating from the small
of the back, deeply placed and worse from standing upright or movement. Cutting
pains in the kidney region, especially the left, following the course of the
ureter into the bladder and urethra. Urging to urinate, with pain and burning.
Renal colic, with passage of kidney stones or gravel.
Eczema and
itching eruptions, especially when circular, burning and smarting, and worse by
scratching. Lesions heal from the center outwards. Flat warts.
Acute stitching
pain in the liver, sudden and intense. Hepatic colic, with passage of
gallstones. Appetite is variable, with hunger alternating with anorexia, and
thirst alternating with thirstlessness.
Worse Movement.
Standing upright. Left side.
Better Rest.
Keywords
Burning
Shooting pain
Worse standing or moving
Borax
Borax; Sodium
Borate
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Symptom Picture
Fear of bending
forwards, or downward motion. Airsickness. Hypersensitive to sharp and sudden
noise.
Ulceration of the
mouth and tongue, may begin as small red vesicles. Worse from touch and salty
or acid food.
Thrush and mouth
ulcers. Baby cannot feed.
Inflammation of
eyelids; margin of lid very sore. Lids stuck together after sleep. Wild hairs; lashes
turn inwards and become irritated.
Unhealthy skin;
every injury suppurates. Vesicles can turn white and coalesce, with a red
boundary. Genital herpes.
Worse Noise.
Downward motion.
Better Pressure.
Keywords
Hypersensitive
Inflamed
Ulcerated
Herpes
Bryonia
Bryonia Alba;
White Bryony
APPEARANCE
The susceptible patient is usually, dark,
robust, well-built and well-fed. Face may be
puffed and purplish, or jaundiced. Averse to
effort, even thought or conversation.
Symptom Picture
Dry, reliable and
tenacious. Methodical and fastidious. Fits of anger and irritability. Fearful,
especially about money and the future. Complaints resulting from anger.
Acute, stitching,
piercing pains, worse by the least movement, can be anywhere. Wants to lie
still and undisturbed, with pressure on the affected part.
Dryness of all
membranes, both serous and mucous. Dry mouth and white tongue. Profuse sweats,
especially about 2-3 a.m.
Pain and
discomfort in the liver region. Great thirst for large amounts of water, at
fairly long intervals.
Worse Movement.
Heat. Warm weather. The least touch. 3 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Better Rest.
Pressure. Sweat. Cold.
Keywords
Stiff
Dry
Irritable
Stitching
Worse by motion
Cactus Grandiflorus
Cereus
Grandiflorus; Night Blooming Cereus
APPEARANCE
Face may be red
and bloated, pale when prostrate.
Symptom Picture
Usually sad,
taciturn, desiring solitude and made worse by consolation. There may be fear of
death and despair of recovery. Tears may be profuse.
Sensation of
constriction, as if by wires or a band, alternately squeezing tighter and
tighter, then released; can be anywhere in the body. Pains can be shooting,
darting or squeezing.
Constriction of
the heart, with pain down the left arm. Palpitations, day and night.
Hemorrhages from the nose, lungs, stomach, uterus, bladder. Dark blood,
coagulating quickly.
Hot head with
cold extremities. Sudden flushes of heat. Profuse sweats in feverish states.
Worse Heat.
Direct sun. After meals. Lying on left side. Climbing stairs. II a.m. II p.m.
Better Open air.
Keywords
Constricting
Palpitating
Bleeding
Calcarea Carbonica
Calc Carb; Oyster
Shell
APPEARANCE
Often overweight, with soft, pale complexion
and lethargic manner. Hands often feel
lifeless, lacking grip. Children fair, with
large heads. There is often a sour odor to
the body.
Symptom Picture
Well-organized,
methodical and economical in effort when well, but dull, uninterested and
easily tired when ill.
Easily
discouraged, quickly depressed. Memory poor. Worries easily, with many fears.
Over-concerned for others.
Tendency to catch
cold easily. Chronic catarrh; enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
Excessively
chilly, with great sensitivity to cold. Easy sweating of the head; child soaks
the pillow when asleep.
Foot sweat, easy
and offensive.
Digestion weak. Often
constipated. Averse to meat. Craving for eggs, ice cream and sweets. May crave
milk which disagrees. Desire for earth, sand, chalk and uncooked food, in
children and pregnant women.
Worse Cold.
Draughts. Wet weather. 2-3 a.m. Exertion.
Better Warm, dry
weather. When constipated.
Keywords
Cold
Sluggish
Fair
Fat
Flabby
Faint
Fearful
Calendula
Calendula
Officinalis; Marigold
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Symptom Picture
A remedy with its
best action as an antiseptic wound healer.
The time-honored
homeopathic treatment for cuts and lacerations, with a particular use in
superficial vaginal tearing after childbirth.
Also useful as a
local application to diaper rash, sore nipples, bums and scalds, ulcers and
infected wounds.
It can be applied
as the mother tincture in full strength, or diluted I part calendula in 9 parts
water without loss of efficacy. It may also be combined with hypericum tincture
to form Hypercal.
Worse Not
defined.
Better Not
defined.
Keywords
Cuts
Wounds
Rashes
Ulcers
Burns
Scalds
Camphora
Laurus Camphora;
Camphor
APPEARANCE
Pale cold face, with bluish lips and anxious
expression. May be prostrate.
Symptom Picture
A useful remedy
for the first stages of a cold, with restlessness, chilliness and sneezing.
Sudden collapse,
or sudden sinking of strength, with icy coldness of the whole body. Cannot bear
to be covered, even though chilly, will throw off blankets.
Sudden shock with
collapse. Insect bites, with severe allergic reaction.
Collapse with
profuse diarrhea. A good traveller's remedy for cholera.
Worse Cold, yet
will not be covered. Motion.
Better Drinking
cold water. Warmth.
Keywords
Collapsed
Cold
Will not be covered
Cantharis
Cantharides;
Spanish Fly
APPEARANCE
The acute case may have a red, flaming hot
face with staring eyes, or later pallor
with a sunken, collapsed appearance. May be
restless.
Symptom Picture
Intense
irritation, both mental and physical. Confusion, frenzy or delerium, worse by
looking at bright objects.
Sexual frenzy.
Severe piercing,
burning pain in the bladder and urethra, with frequency and urging to
urination. Pains before, during and after urinating. Urine passes only in
drops, tinged with blood. Pains in the kidney region, radiating along the
ureters. Urine retention.
Sexual
excitation, often accompanied by increased desire.
Extreme
sensitivity of skin and mucous membrane with eruption of burning, itching
vesicles, better by cold applications. Burns, cold sores and sunburn.
Worse On
urinating. Movement. Touch. Drinking fluids, especially coffee.
Better Warmth. Warm
applications. Lying down. Night.
Keywords
Burns
Bleeds
Blisters
Urges
Capsicum
Capsicum Annuum;
Chilli Pepper
APPEARANCE
Sluggish and cold, with diminished vital heat,
although the face may be red. Looks
overweight, bleary-eyed and exhausted. Avoids drafts
and open air.
Symptom Picture
A remedy
characterised by inflammation and irritation of mucous membranes, with an
intense burning sensation as if a hot pepper had been placed on the affected
part.
It has a
particular affinity with the ear, and is a very useful remedy for simple
earache in children, when the whole ear is tender and sore to touch.
Sore throat of
smokers, with pain and dryness extending into the ears. Great thirst, but
drinking can cause shivering.
Burning in all
orifices. Bleeding hemorrhoids, sore and stinging.
Worse Cold.
Drafts. Open air.
Better Heat.
While eating.
Keywords
Burning
Sore
Stinging
Carbo Vegetabilis
Carbo Veg;
Charcoal
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type is sluggish, pale and puffy,
and worn down by debilitating illness. There is a dislike of warmth and a
craving for fresh air.
Symptom Picture
Slow, sluggish
and indifferent. Low vitality, weakened by illness, loss of body fluids or
injury.
Tendency to
collapse from least exertion, with coldness, sweating, pale face, wants fresh
air or to be fanned.
Varicose veins.
Puffy hands and feet.
Weak digestion,
even the simplest food disagrees. Great flatulence, better by passing wind up
or down, worse by lying down. Craves coffee, acid foods, sweet things and salt.
Averse to fatty foods, meat and milk. Intolerant of alcohol.
Spasmodic cough,
with cold sweat and cold face. Difficulty breathing, with blue-purple tinge to
skin, craves air.
Worse Heat. Being
covered. Alcohol.
Better Fresh air.
Keywords
Weak
Collapsed
Cold
Flatulent
Craves air
Caulophyllum
Jhalictroides
Blue Cohosh
APPEARANCE
Females with
patchy pigmentationmoth patcheson the forehead. The upper eyelids
may droop?.
Symptom Picture
Chilly, nervous women,
especially during pregnancy, labor and lactation.
Period pain,
irregular and spasmodic, especially left ovarian region, with bearing down.
Thrush, locally and internally.
Labor pains
spasmodic, irregular and ineffectual. Retained placenta. Intense afterpains.
Passive bleeding, dark and
liquid, after
childbirth. Habitual abortion, in the early months, from uterine debility.
Rheumatism of the
small joints, especially the wrist and fingers. Pains are intermittent and
erratic, change place
every few minutes.
Worse Pregnancy.
Menstruation. Open air. Evening.
Better Nil.
Keywords
Spasmodic
Erratic
Irregular
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Page 267
Causticum
A Preparation of
Calcium, Potassium and Sulphur
APPEARANCE
Usually thin,
elderly and tired, with fine, delicate features, grayish pallor. Yellow
pigmentation over
temples. Eyelids may droop. Trembling may be evident.
Symptom Picture
Sad, anxious,
easily discouraged and depressed, with a peevish and distrustful nature.
Intense need for sympathy.
Compassionate:
anxious about friends and others. Ailments from grief, fear, loss of sleep.
Paralysis,
especially of face, tongue, throat or limbs. Poor muscle tone of the
sphincters: swallowing difficult,
urinary retention
or incontinence on sneezing or coughing; constipation with ineffective urging,
or complete lack of
desire.
Hoarseness and loss of voice.
Drawing, tearing
pains in limbs, with sensation of contraction of tendons, especially on
beginning to move. Warts,
may be anywhere
but especially on face, nose and eyelids, hands, tips of fingers, under nails.
Appetite
disappears at mealtime; sits down hungry, but smell of food upsets. Craving for
smoked and salted meats,
beer. Averse to
sweets.
Worse Dry cold.
Cold wind and draughts. Twilight. 3-4 a.m. Thinking about problems.
Better Warm and
moist. Cold drink improves cough.
Keywords
Raw
Sore
Burning
Contracted
Weak
Trembling
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Page 268
Chamomilla
Matricaria
Recutita; German Chamomile
APPEARANCE
Susceptible types
often have light brown hair and a fair complexion. There may be
crack in the
center of the lower lip. Babies who are teething, with one cheek red, the
other pale.
Symptom Picture
Children are
irritable, peevish and fretful, quiet only when carried; want things, but
reject them when offered.
Adults cannot
endure anyone near; are cross, oversensitive, averse to talking. Disorders
arising from anger,
contradiction or
interference.
Oversensitive to
light, noise, smell, and especially to pain; or suffering appears out of
proportion to the disorder.
Insomnia.
Rheumatic pain may drive out of bed at night, to pace restlessly.
Colic with
distension; not relieved by wind. Diarrhea of children especially during
teething; stool green, watery and
offensive.
Usually thirsty.
Averse to coffee, or intense desire for it.
Worse Anger.
Heat. Coffee. Drafts. a.m. and 9 p.m.
Better Being
carried. Warm, moist, humid weather.
Keywords
Sensitive
Irritable
Restless
Hot
Thirsty
China see Cinchona
officinalis
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Page 269
Cicuta Virosa
Water Hemlock
APPEARANCE
Face may be pale,
with sunken eyes surrounded by a livid ring. When excited the face
may be red and
covered in sweat. There may be a squint or a staring gaze.
Symptom Picture
A remedy for
epilepsy and tetanus. Usually of a mild, gentle and placid disposition, may
become agitated,
suspicious and
fearful. Mind may be blank for days.
Violent and
intense convulsions, starting from the head or the face and spreading
downwards; after meningitis,
trauma or labor.
Involuntary urination. Spasms of children, from teething or worms, with
distortion of limbs.
Before an attack,
the child may be excited, singing and dancing.
Yellow pustules,
with honey-colored crusts, especially on the head and face. Eruptions may join
together but do
not itch.
Abnormal appetite
for charcoal, chalk, raw potatoes and indigestible things. There may be a
burning thirst and
grinding of the
teeth.
Worse Cold. Jar
or jolt. Trauma.
Better Warmth.
Eating.
Keywords
Spasms
Convulsions
Pustules
Abnormal appetite
Page 270
Cimifuga Racemosa
Black Cohosh;
Actea Racepiosa
APPEARANCE
Face pale or bluish,
eyes sunken and surrounded by dark rings. Scared, wild
expression.
Symptom Picture
Restless in mind
and body, can become almost frantic. Cannot sit long in one spot. Loquacious;
moves rapidly
from one subject
to another. Fear of imminent disaster, of death, and of going crazy.
Complaints
initiated by emotional stress, disappointed affection or repressed anger.
Sudden faintness, with ashenwhite
face and cold
sweat on the palms. Habitual abortion at the third month.
Pains like
electric shocks, darting, shooting and changeable. Cramping pains in muscles,
constantly changing, with
pain and
twitching, especially in the nape of the neck, shoulders and achilles tendon.
Menstrual pain in
proportion to the discharge; the more blood the greater the suffering. Bearing-down
pains, from
one side of the
abdomen to the other, causing doubling up, and running along the front of the
thighs.
Worse
Menstruation. Cold and damp. Movement after rest.
Better Heat. Open
air. Eating.
Keywords
Restless
Changeable
Loquacious
Cramping
Shooting
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Page 271
Cina
Artemesia
Maritima; Wormseed
APPEARANCE
Often a child.
Pale and sickly, with dark rings around the eyes and pale around the
mouth. The pupils
may be dilated. There may be twitching facial muscles and eyelids.
May yawn
frequently.
Symptom Picture
Sullen,
complaining, disagreeable and irritable. Adults are touchy, obstinate, no sense
of humor. Child is averse to
being touched,
caressed or even looked at; turns away when approached. May demand things and
then throw them
away when
brought. Infants want to be carried, or jigged and rocked. Chilly and sensitive
to draughts.
Bores finger into
nose and picks at nostrils until they bleed. Sleep is restless, with jerking
and grinding of teeth.
Tendency to night
terrors and urinary incontinence.
Convulsions, with
urinary incontinence. Teething, chorea (uncontrollable jerkiness), whooping
cough and
spasmodic
affections from intestinal irritation. A remedy for round or thread worms.
Intense itching
at the anus, abdominal pains around the navel. Appetite may be ravenous and
insatiable, with
hunger returning
soon after a meal. Fussy about food, with many desires. Craves sweet things.
Foul breath. Infant
may refuse
mother's milk.
Worse Least
touch. New moon. Night. Heat. Full moon.
Better Movement.
Lying on stomach.
Keywords
Worms
Irritable
Disagreeable
Ravenous
Grinds teeth
Page 272
Cinchona
Officinalis
China; Cinchona
Bark
APPEARANCE
Pallor, with sunken
eyes, a dull expression and sickly appearance. The face may be
puffy, earthy or
yellowish.
Symptom Picture
Exhaustion,
weakness and irritability from debilitating discharges or loss of vital fluids.
Averse to company and mental effort; seeks solitude. Anxious and fearful.
Intolerant of noise.
Great flatulence,
distending the abdomen, not helped by belching, wind or stool. Painless, watery, undigested diarrhea, with marked exhaustion.
Ringing in the ears.
Hemorrhage, from any outlet, especially with buzzing or ringing in the ears,
blurred vision, oppression or general weakness.
Bitter, salty
taste in the mouth. Tongue flabby, coated yellowish-white. Intolerance of acids
and fruits, milk and butter, wine and sour things.
Worse Cold air
and drafts. After eating. Touch. Around midnight.
Better Heat.
Rest. Firm pressure.
Keywords
Exhausted
Drained
Flatulent
Bleeding
Page 273
Cocculus Jndicus
Anamirta Coculus;
Indian Cockle
APPEARANCE
Fair women and
children, of weak and nervous temperament, with weakness, nausea
and vertigo.
Speech is difficult, and may be slurred. Gait may be unsteady.
Symptom Picture
Exhaustion, with
hollow, ''all-gone'' feeling. Slow in comprehension, seems stupid, or may be
very talkative. Bad
effects of loss
of sleep, emotional trauma, continued worry, overwork, excessive study.
Hypersensitive to
pain, movement, noise and the sight or smell of food. Cannot sleep, even though
exhausted.
Vertigo, with
nausea and lassitude.
Heaviness, stiffness
and lameness in muscles, with numbness and tendency to tremble. May stagger on
walking.
Nausea and
vomiting, with distension and salivation, especially from motion or pregnancy.
Aversion to food: may
gag when eating,
or even at the thought of it. Thirst for beer and cold drinks. May crave
mustard.
Worse Travel and
passive motion. Tobacco smoke. Loss of sleep. Cold air. Pregnancy.
Better Heat.
Rest.
Keywords
Exhausted
Sensitive
Dizzy
Nauseous
Trembling
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Page 274
Coffea Cruda
Unroasted Coffee
Bean
APPEARANCE
Face tends to be
flushed, hot and dry. Excited and talkative, quick movements, or
exhausted and
unwilling to talk.
Symptom Picture
Nervous,
intelligent and hyperactive. Increased mental activity, optimism and euphoria.
Easily agitated, may
tremble. Rapid
changes of mood; can pass quickly from tears to laughter.
Hypersensitive;
vision, hearing, touch and smell are sharper. Oversensitive to pain, tosses
about in anguish. Violent
palpitations,
with nervous excitement.
Sleepless though
tired: ideas crowd into mind.
Nervous
indigestion, with bloating. Hunger is often excessive.
Worse Sudden
emotions. Stimulants. Cold. Noise.
Better Heat.
Keywords
Agitated
Painful
Sleepless
Sensitive
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Page 275
Colchicum
Autumnale
Autumn Crocus
APPEARANCE
Exhausted and
trembling, with a waxy pallor. Sits or lies still, to avoid movement.
Symptom Picture
Great exhaustion;
can be too weak to raise head from pillow. Oversensitive to all impressions: to
light, noise,
smells and the
slightest movement. Excessive irritability; the least thing annoys. May be
absent-minded, forgetful
and confused.
Swelling of the
joints, with intolerable tearing pains shifting from joint to joint. Acute
pains in the big toe; fears
contact or the
least movement. Gout and gouty arthritis.
Very chilly;
feels cold even when close to the fire. Sweating is prominent; may be cold and
clammy.
Intense nausea
from the sight or smell of food; may vomit or even faint. Thirst may be
excessive, or entirely
absent. Abdominal
distension with diarrhea and flatulence.
Worse Movement.
Cold. Touch. Nightfall.
Better Heat.
Keywords
Sensitive
Chilly
Nauseous from
sight or smell of food
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Page 276
Colocynthis
Colocynth; Bitter
Cucumber
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type is extremely irritable. In the acute case, the face tends to be
dark red, and
distorted with pain. Patient may scream, writhe in agony, or double up.
May press a hard
object into abdomen in search of relief
Symptom Picture
Extreme
irritability and impatience, easily upset by trifles. Disinclined to talk;
wants to be left alone. Complaints
from grief,
anger, and resentment. Vertigo, with faintness and weakness; may be too weak to
talk.
Flatulent
distension in the abdomen, with violent and spasmodic pain, coming in waves of
agony, improved by
hard pressure and
bending double. Vomiting from the pain. Colic: digestive, uterine and renal.
Neuralgia,
especially of the larger nerves, tearing and violent, compelling the patient to
keep moving.
Bitter taste in
the mouth, with sore, red tongue. Constant desire to drink fluids. Averse to
all foods. Potatoes and
cereals are
poorly digested.
Worse Food and
drink. Rest. Anger or irritability.
Better Firm
pressure. Doubling up. Heat. Passing stool or wind.
Keywords
Irritable
Violent
Spasmodic
Better pressure
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Page 277
Conium Maculatum
Hemlock
APPEARANCE
Usually elderly
and chilly. The face may be flushed, with droopy eyelids. May
stagger, tremble
or twitch.
Symptom Picture
Lively
disposition, but unable to concentrate or sustain mental effort, moving toward
imbecility. Avoids society,
yet dreads to be
alone. Debility after sexual abstinence or excess. Old injuries: never well
since.
Slowly ascending
paralysis: movements may be clumsy; walking is difficult, with pain in the legs
and loss of
strength.
Intermittent urination and ineffectual straining at stool.
Intense sexual
desire, unable to be satisfied, or impotence. Often glandular inflammations:
enlarged prostate or
ovaries,
hardening of testicles, breasts lumpy or painful, particularly the rightoften
after a blow.
Insatiable
craving for salt; great thirst, and desire for coffee and sour foods. Averse to
milk and bread.
Worse Alcohol. At
rest. Touch or jolt. Cold.
Better Warmth.
Motion.
Keywords
Trembling
Paralysed
Dull
Strong desire
Craves salt
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Page 278
Cuprum Metallicum
Copper
APPEARANCE
Face reddish, or
red and white in patches. Speech may be impaired. Eyelids may
twitch. The limbs
may jerk. In acute attacks, the facial skin may be bluish, with blue
lips.
Symptom Picture
Prostration with
nervous trembling, after mental strain or loss of sleep. Irritable and
emotionally unstable, easily
upset. Moods
variable; can be depressed or talkative, malicious, fearful.
Spasmodic
disorders, varying from twitches, hiccup and muscular cramps to violent
convulsion. Spasms often
begin in fingers
and toes. Epilepsy, without clear symptoms, or aura begins in knees and
ascends.
Violent cramps in
calves and feet, especially at night, and in the elderly. Dry, spasmodic cough,
like whooping
cough, with
suffocation and palpitation, often worse around midnight. Spasmodic asthma.
Metallic taste.
Desires cold foods. Eats quickly, with tendency to choke. Violent diarrhea,
with cramp-like pains.
Worse Cold air.
At night. Touch and pressure. Menstruation.
Better Cold
drinks.
Keywords
Violent
Spasmodic
Cramping
Better cold
drinks
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Page 279
Dioscorea Villosa
Wild Yam
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Symptom Picture
A remedy for
pain, especially in those of feeble digestive powers, with much flatulence.
Severe, acute,
colicky pains that come in waves, twisting and crushing.
Griping pains in
the abdomen, radiating to back, chest and arms. Sharp pains from liver.
Gallstone colic. Renal
colic.
Mouth dry and
bitter in morning, no thirst.
Worse Bending
double. Lying down.
Better Standing
upright or leaning backwards. Belching. Motion.
Keywords
Severe
Acute
Colicky
Worse bending
double
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Page 280
Drosera
Rotundifolia
Sundew
APPEARANCE
In the acute
case, there is stiffness, lameness and reluctance to move. Pallor and
emaciation may be
present.
Symptom Picture
Restless and
uneasy when lying down, even though exhausted easily. Sensation of bruised
soreness all over, with
great
sensitivity. Irritated over trifles. Fear of solitude, dreads the night.
Dry, tickling,
barking cough, coming in suffocative bouts; often as soon as the head touches
the pillow. Face may
become purple;
cough often ends in retching, sometimes with nosebleed. Holds chest with hands
while coughing.
Measles, with
hoarse cough. Whooping cough.
Muscle pain, with
stiffness and shivering when at rest. Gnawing or stinging pain in the long
bones. Always too
cold; chilly even
in bed. Perspires profusely, especially at night.
Hiccups,
cramping, gagging and vomiting characterize the remedy. Averse to acid foods and
pork. Food tastes
bitter,
especially bread. High thirst in fever.
Worse Lying down.
Evening, after midnight. Warmth of the bed. Talking.
Better Pressure
of hands. Sitting up. Movement.
Keywords
Restless
Coughs
Tickles
Gags
Worse lying down
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Page 281
Dulcamara
Solanum
Dulcamara; Bittersweet
APPEARANCE
The skin tends to
be dry and delicate, and may show a sickly pallor or a dusky,
purplish hue.
There may be emaciation, or a puffy swelling of the limbs.
Symptom Picture
Restless and
irritable, often with difficulty finding the right word when speaking, and a
desire to keep constantly
on the move.
Catarrhal
discharges from mucous membranes, especially respiratory, often thick and yellow
in the mornings,
worse in a cold
room or out of doors.
Tearing, shooting
or drawing pains, often coming on during damp cold weather, or after exposure
to wet cold,
better by
movement and change of position.
Large, soft,
smooth, translucent warts, usually on the face, the backs of the hands, and the
back, where the skin in
thin. Sweat is
often excessive and offensive.
Worse Damp, cold,
rainy weather. Changes in weather. Rest. Night.
Better Dry,
settled weather. Change of position. Warmth.
Keywords
Restless
Rheumatic
Catarrhal
Worse from damp
cold
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Page 282
Eupatorium
Perfoliatum
Boneset
APPEARANCE
In the acute
phase, the patient is restless and agitated, and groans loudly with the
pain. May be
jaundiced.
Symptom Picture
Adapted to
worn-out constitutions, and the diseases of the elderly. Agitation, not helped
by movement.
Great soreness
and stiffness of the body, with intense aching pain in the bones, as if broken.
A good remedy for
influenza.
Coryza (cold
virus), with sneezing and aching of the bones of the face. Painful soreness of
the eyeballs. Cough
with sore chest;
must support it with the hands.
Insatiable thirst
before and during chill and fever. Knows chill is coming because he or she
cannot drink enough.
Worse Movement,
even though agitated. Cold air. Chill 7-9 a.m.
Better Lying on
hands and knees.
Keywords
Stiff
Sore
Aching
Worse from
movement
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Page 283
Euphrasia
Officinalis
Eyebright
APPEARANCE
Red eyes and
streaming nose in the acute phase.
Symptom Picture
Acute catarrhal affections
of the eyes and nose. Eye disorders, after falls, contusions or mechanical
injury. A good
remedy for hay
fever and sinusitis.
Inflammatory
redness of the conjunctiva, with a sensation of burning. Eyes water constantly.
Irritating tears,
profuse and
prickling. Eyelids red, swollen and burning, may be ulcerated.
Abundant
discharge from the nose, watery and non-irritating.
Hacking cough,
with free expectoration.
Worse Heat. Wind.
Evenings, in bed.
Better In the
dark.
Keywords
Red eyes
Irritating tears
Bland nasal
discharge
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Page 284
Jerrum Metallicum
Iron
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type is often obese, with a clear waxy skin. Good color over the
cheekbones, but
mucous membranes are pale. Unstable circulation, pales or blushes
easily.
Symptom Picture
Gentle, pleasant
types, but weak and unstable. Easily depressed, anxious and weepy, yet
irritable when
contradicted.
Quickly exhausted; feel faint on exertion. Intolerant of crowds, pain and
noise; seek solitude.
Circulatory
congestion. Easy flushing, frequent nosebleeds. Very chilly, feel the cold
intensely. Menses pale and
watery, with
flushes of heat.
Muscles weak,
flabby and relaxed: easy prolapse of the rectum, vagina and bladder.
Involuntary dribbles of urine
on coughing or
sneezing.
Craving for
sweets, bread and butter; also raw tomatoes and sour foods, even though they
disagree. Averse to meat,
eggs and dry
wine, although sweet wine is well tolerated.
Worse Exertion. Cold.
Night. Heat. Loss of vital fluids.
Better Gentle
exercise. Warmth.
Keywords
Weak
Unstable
Relaxed
Blushes
Bleeds
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Page 285
Jelsemium
Sempervirens
Yellow Jasmine
APPEARANCE
The face is
congested, with drooping eyelids giving a drowsy look. Eyes may be
glassy, with
enlarged pupils. The hands, tongue and eyelids may tremble. Lips tend to
be dry and
cracked. The tongue is coated yellow-white.
Symptom Picture
Prostration.
Emotional depression and apathy, wish to be left alone, but afraid of solitude.
Averse to noise and
bright light, but
afraid of the dark. Jittery and anxious before any ordeal, averse to new
undertakings and
responsibilities.
First stage of
fevers, of gradual onset, with complete relaxation and lack of coordination of
whole muscular system.
Thirstless, dull,
drowsy and dizzy. Stiffness, trembling and twitching in groups of muscles.
Influenza.
Headaches, with
disorders of vision, heaviness of the lids and pains in the eyeballs. Pains
often located at back of
skull, or begin
there and spread over the crown of the head to the eyes.
Acute catarrhal
conditions with watery discharges and much sneezing. Sore throat, puffy, red
and congested.
Swallowing is
painful, with sensation of a lump, or pain shoots from the tonsil to the ear.
Worse Heat or
warmth. Emotional upsets. 10 a.m.
Better Open air.
Sweating. Movement.
Keywords
Dizzy
Drowsy
Dull
Trembling
Relaxed
Anxious
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Page 286
Jraphites
Graphite
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type is fat, with a pale, puffy face and heavy features. Lips are pale,
and also the
hands; skin tends to be harsh and dry. Blushing is common.
Symptom Picture
Sensitive, tearful
and impressionable, full of forebodings. Indecisive: dreads effort, both mental
and physical.
Variable moods:
cheerful in mornings, agitated and irritable in evenings. Seeks solitude, but
easily consoled.
Sleepless,
especially in the first part of the night.
Circulation poor,
with pallor and chilliness, sensitive to the least draft of cold air, yet
averse to warm rooms and
craves open air.
Enlarged glands and lymph nodes.
The skin is
unhealthy, thick and dry; especially at the fingertips, the orifices, genitals,
bends of the limbs, behind
ears, on the face
and scalp. Lesions ooze honey-like exudate; may crack, itch and bleed. Sweats
are easy and
profuse. Foot
sweats and all discharges are offensive.
Sluggish
digestion, with stomach pain and flatulence, relieved by eating. Often has
constant urge to eat.
Constipation,
with absence of desire. Craves beer, acid drinks, and cold fluids, which may
disagree. Avoids fat,
meat, salt, fish,
cooked foods. Sweets may cause nausea.
Worse Cold,
except the skin. Cold drinks. Damp. Heat of the bed. Night. Skin is worse from
warmth, heat of the
bed, and washing.
Better Open air,
even though chilly. Wrapping up. Rest. Skin is better by cold applications.
Keywords
Fat
Sensitive
Chilly
Constipated
Cracked
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Page 287
Hamamelis
Hamamelis
Virginica; Witch Hazel
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Symptom Picture
A remedy with a
great affinity for the veins. Whereas Arnica is a remedy for injuries where the
skin is unbroken,
Hamamelis is the
remedy for blows and bruises when the skin has been broken. It particularly
governs wounds
when the blood is
dark and oozing, unlike the fresh bright bleeding of Calendula.
It has a
particular use in dilated, sensitive and painful veins, with a sensation of
bruised soreness and fullness as if
they may burst.
Hence it has great use in varicose veins in the legs, particularly during
pregnancy, after childbirth,
or after standing
for long periods.
Hemorrhoids, sore
and bruised, after pregnancy or childbirth.
Nosebleed,
especially in the morning, with thin, dark blood.
Worse Cold.
Drafts. Open air.
Better Heat.
While eating.
Keywords
Bruised and
bleeding
Sore and full
Thin, dark blood
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Page 288
Hepar Sulphuris
Calcareum
Hepar Sulph;
Hahnemann's Calcium Sulphide
APPEARANCE
Fair, scrawny and
torpid, sensitive to cold. Face often has a yellow tinge. The lower
lip may be
cracked. Skin has an unhealthy look.
Symptom Picture
Oversensitive to
all impressions, especially pain and cold. Quarrelsome and easily angered,
irritable from the
slightest cause,
intolerant of contradiction. Memory is poor. Speaks quickly, dislikes fuss, and
prefers solitude.
Easy infections of
all respiratory membranes. Laryngitis, with loose, raucous, noisy cough, worse
from cold air.
Croup. Chronic
enlargement of the tonsils, with easy infection. Painful sensation in the
throat, as if a splinter or
needle is stuck there.
Sneezing and blocked nose in open air.
Skin easily
cracks and chaps, and shows eruptions, cold sores, boils and ulcers. Even small
injuries suppurate,
become septic
arid offensive, hypersensitive to pain, touch and cold air; contact with
clothing is painful, and the
slightest draft
is not tolerated. Sweat tends to be easy and profuse, especially at night;
often sour and offensive, and
does not relieve.
Craving for
vinegar, pickles, alcohol, condiments. Averse to fat foods. Faint feeling with
hunger occurs midmorning.
There may be
excessive thirst.
Worse Cold. Cold
wind and drafts. Touch.
Better Warmth.
Damp weather.
Keywords
Sensitive
Suppurates
Splinters
Cracks
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Page 289
Hypericum
Perforatum
St John's Wort
APPEARANCE
The expression
may be one of suffering due to severe pain at the time of injury, or
persisting after
it.
Symptom Picture
Severe depression
following injury, involving either peripheral or nervous tissue. Consequences
of fright and
shock. Impairment
of memory, and tendency to make mistakes in writing. Drowsiness may be marked.
Trauma to nerve
endings, from crushing, laceration, puncture or bruising, and especially after
dental extraction,
surgery or
amputation. Excessive soreness and tenderness of injured parts, with shooting,
tingling or burning,
lightning-like
pains that come and go and may be accompanied by numbness.
Spinal disorders
with extreme sensitivity of vertebrae. Twitching of the muscles. Following blows
to the coccyx.
Brain and spinal
concussion.
There may be a
craving for wine. Desire for warm drinks is recorded, also intense thirst in
association with
trembling.
Worse Cold and
damp. Touch. Jar. Motion.
Better Rest.
Bending head backwards.
Keywords
Crushed
Punctured
Nervous
Shooting
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Page 290
Jgnatia Armara
Strychnos
Ignatii; St Ignatius Bean
APPEARANCE
Often female.
Face changes color frequently, from pale to flushed at the least
emotion. Sighs,
twitches and yawns.
Symptom Picture
Sensitive,
refined 'dispositions, quick to perceive, rapid in execution. May be physically
exhausted from longendured
grief, anxiety or
emotional shock. Grieves silently and seeks solitude.
Unstable mental
and emotional states, rapidly alternating, contradictory and extreme. High
emotional tension. Sighs
or yawns often,
or shows spasmodic affections such as spasms, cramps, twitches, tics or
hiccups.
Oversensitive:
emotionally, mentally and physically. Cannot endure strong smells, especially
coffee and tobacco.
Hypersensitive to
pain.
Contradictory in
appetite: averse to ordinary diet, warm food and meat, but may crave
indigestible or exotic foods.
Empty feeling in
stomach, not relieved by taking food. Sore throat not worse by swallowing
solids.
Worse Grief,
worry and guilt. Stimulants. Strong odors.
Better When the
mind is occupied. Warmth.
Keywords
Sensitive
Sad
Spasmodic
Changeable
Contradictory
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Page 291
Jodum
Iodine
APPEARANCE
Often dark-haired
and swarthy, usually thin. The face tends to be flushed, the
expression
anxious and excited. The speech is careful, with attention to detail. Lymph
nodes and thyroid
may be enlarged.
Symptom Picture
Extreme weakness,
with palpitation, hot flushes and trembling. Anxious, apprehensive and
impulsive. Zealous,
intense types,
never still, must always be doing something. Uneasy sleep.
Glands enlarged
or atrophied, especially thyroid, testes and breasts. Intolerant of heat, with
sensation of always
being too hot;
constantly seek cooler surroundings. Sudden, profuse hot sweats; acrid foot
sweats.
Catarrhal
affections of all mucous membranes, expecially mouth and throat. Mouth ulcers.
Laryngitis, with
wheezing cough,
dry, suffocating and croup-like.
Ravenous hunger
every few hours, or loss of appetite, but remain thin and debilitated even
though eating well.
Abdominal
distension with loud belching and gurgling. Excessive salivation, with soapy or
salty taste. Crave meat
and alcohol.
Intolerance of milk.
Worse Heat.
Humidity. Exertion. 3-4 a.m.
Better Eating.
Open air. Fully occupied.
Keywords
Hot
Weak
Hungry
Anxious
Restless
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Page 292
Specacuanha
Ipecac; Cephaelis
Ipecacuanha
APPEARANCE
In the acute case
the face is pale, drawn and nauseated, with dark rings around the
eyes. The tongue
is clean, or only slightly coated. Shuddering may be prominent.
Symptom Picture
Extreme impatience,
with morose irritability and discontent. Children wail and scream continuously;
adults are
sulky and
ill-humored. There is a great sensitivity to noise. Excessive chilliness; the
slightest cold is unbearable.
May be called for
in complaints arising from vexation.
Sudden, violent
and persistent nausea, not improved by vomiting, accompanies many complaints.
Salivation is
excessive.
Hemorrhage may be present. The vomit is tenacious, white, abundant, may be
bloody, accompanied by
rapid exhaustion,
yawning and shuddering.
Wheezing,
spasmodic, suffocative cough, accompanied by nausea and sometimes the vomiting
of phlegm.
Accumulation of
rattling mucus in the bronchi, yet nothing can be brought up. Nosebleeds are
common.
Lack of appetite
and thirst, and aversion to all food, especially veal or pork. Dysentery-like
stools, may be viscous,
watery and
bloody, with nausea and ineffectual urging.
Worse Cold. Heat.
Food.
Better Firm
pressure. At rest, with eyes closed. Warmth.
Keywords
Nausea not
relieved by vomiting
Excess salivation
Kali Bichromicum
Kali Bich
Potassium Bichromate
APPEARANCE
Fat, chilly and blond, predisposed to catarrh.
The complexion may be sallow or
florid. Chronic cases may be emaciated. Tongue
is yellow and coated at the base, or
glazed, red and cracked.
Symptom Picture
Drowsiness, with
prostration. Ill-tempered, low-spirited and listless. Averse to effort and to
meeting strangers.
Memory is poor,
with a tendency for thoughts to vanish. Chilly, and likes to be well wrapped
up.
Tenacious, yellow
or yellowgreen discharges from any mucous membrane, may be ropy or jellylike.
Nasal discharge forms crusts. Chronic sinusitis. Ulceration of mouth, inside
nose, throat, stomach and skin, with sharp, burning pain.
Rheumatic pains,
shifting from joint to joint. Sciatic pains that come and go suddenly, and
shoot down the limb,
made better by
movement. Pains in the soles of the feet, and especially the heels.
Pain, wind and
burning in the gastric region from inflammation or ulceration. Nausea and vomiting
after meals,
sudden, yellow
and bitter. Aversion to water, potatoes and coffee. Desire for beer and acid
drinks even though
poorly tolerated.
Worse Cold. Cold
winds. Undressing. 2-4 a.m.
Better Warmth.
Movement. Firm pressure.
Keywords
Thick
Yellow and
tenacious
Plugs
Ulcerates
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Page 294
Kali Carbonicum
Potassium
Carbonate
APPEARANCE
Face pale or
jaundiced: soft, swollen and flabby looking, with red nose. Bag-like
swelling between
eyebrows and lids, with edema of the internal angle. May be obese.
Symptom Picture
Anxious, nervous,
fearful and hypersensitive, starting at the least noise and the least touch.
Excessively ticklish.
Easily discouraged,
may weep when telling symptoms, and tends to exaggerate them. Averse to
solitude, wants
company but not
sympathy.
Great debility
with profuse sweats on slightest exertion, often with constant, weary backache.
Chilly, with feeble
circulation: shivers
often; takes cold easily. Asthmatic attacks 2-4 a.m., better by bending
forwards; coughing up of
small gray lumps.
Stabbing pains,
cutting and burning, coming at any time and can be anywhere, worse by pressure,
and independent
of movement; may
cry out suddenly.
Impaired
digestion, with excessive flatulence and colic, especially after eating, even
when meals are light.
Abdomen sensitive
to touch. Intense desire for sweet or sour foods. Averse to cabbage, hot food
and milk.
Worse Cold. 2-4
a.m. Right side. Touch and pressure. Outdoors.
Better Warm room.
Warm, moist weather. Daytime.
Keywords
Anxious
Nervous
Fearful
Sensitive
Sudden pains
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Page 295
Rachesis Mutus
Venom From The
Bushmaster Snake
APPEARANCE
The susceptible
type has a bluish, congested appearance to the nose, cheeks and
ears; a network
of small veins may be visible there. Hair may be reddish brown.
Expression is
anxious, suspicious, even furtive.
Symptom Picture
Periods of
despondency, with depression and anxiety, alternating with excitement. Very
talkative, wanders easily
from the point.
Can be suspicious, jealous and obsessive, proud and vindictive.
Great sensitivity
of all senses to stimuli, but particularly touch and noise. Fears constriction,
even of clothing,
especially about
the throat and waist. Always better from the appearance of discharges.
Unstable
circulation. Hot flushes, particularly around menopause. Spontaneous bruising
after the smallest trauma.
Tongue trembles,
is difficult to protrude. Thirst may be insatiable. Desire for alcohol, milk
and oysters. Averse to
bread and hot
drinks.
Worse Tight
clothing. Before discharges. During and after sleep. Heat. Left side. Night.
Better Appearance
of discharges. Mild temperature. Open air.
Keywords
Fears
constriction
Sleeps into
aggravation
Better from
discharges
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Page 296
Redum Palustre
Labrador Tea
APPEARANCE
Robust, florid,
gouty individuals. Congested face, with red spots on the cheeks and
forehead. Pupils
may be dilated. May be alcoholic.
Symptom Picture
Cross and
peevish, discontented with everybody. Everything is disagreeable. Chilly, but
wants cold for relief.
Restless and
sweaty at night, finds heat of the bed intolerable, throws off the covers.
Injuries due to
sharp instruments, or puncture wounds that do not bleed, such as insect bites.
The skin is swollen,
pale and mottled,
and the pain is local.
Painful swellings
of the joints, hot but pale, and better by cold applications. May start in the
feet and spread
upwards. Pain is
tearing, pulling or stabbing, may shift rapidly. Gouty swelling of the big toe.
Bruises, especially
when burning black. Black eyes. Hemorrhages; may be bright red, but often dark.
Worse Movement.
Warmth. Pressure. Night.
Better Cold.
Cold, applications. Rest.
Keywords
Hot
Pale and swollen
Better by cold
Black and bruised
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Page 297
Rilium Jigrinum
Tiger Lily
APPEARANCE
Usually nervous,
fair and fat, with poor color and a wild look in the eye. Listless and
inert, yet cannot
keep still Tongue may be coated yellow-white in patches.
Symptom Picture
Depressed,
hurried and worried, with easy crying and desperation. Exacting, irritable and
hypercritical: almost
impossible to
please. Many fears, including solitude, but made worse by consolation.
Intense pressing
down in vagina, bladder and rectum, as if the pelvic organs were heavy and
could fall out, worse
before menses;
must sit down, wants support. Pressure in the rectum: constant desire for stool
and urination.
Menstrual flow
only when moving about, and in the daytime. Increased libido, especially before
menses.
Sensation of
constriction of the heart, as-if grasped by a hand, with palpitation and
radiation down the right arm,
helped by lying
on the left side.
May remain
hungry, in spite of having a good meal. Thirst may be excessive. May crave or
be averse to meat; also
may be averse to
bread, coffee and smoking. Cannot stand a belt about the waist.
Worse Heat.
Standing. Closed rooms. Consolation.
Better Cool. Open
air.
Keywords
Depressed
Hurried
Worried
Bearing down
Worse heat
Page 298
Lycopodium
Spores of The
Club Moss; Lycopodium Clavatum
APPEARANCE
Often professional
types. Face is intelligent but sallow and lined, with a worried
expression; there
may be a marked vertical frown above the root of the nose. Dark
hair graying early;
looks older than really is. Body may be thin and poorly
developed; may
stoop.
Symptom Picture
Intellectually
keen but physically weak. Anxious, irritable and difficult. Authoritarian and
reserved, dislikes contradiction. Lacks self-confidence: averse to starting new
undertakings, apprehensive before any ordeal. Many fears: of crowds, dark,
death, strangers. Likes solitude but dislikes being entirely alone. Sensitive
to cold, smells and noise.
Disorders of
mucous membranes everywhere, especially throat, lung and genito-urinary. Gets
colds and sore throats easily. Right-sided symptoms, or symptoms go from right
to left.
Appetite moderate
or ravenous, but may be satiated after only a few mouthfuls. Flatulent
dyspepsia and bloating after meals must loosen waist band and are not helped by
belching or passing wind. Constipation without desire, from disorganization of
the sphincters.
Craves sweet
foods and hot drinks. Averse to cold food, onions, meat, coffee, cabbage, beans
and starchy foods. Oysters disagree.
Worse 4-8 p.m.
Cold. On waking in morning. Right side. Contradiction.
Better Fresh air.
Movement. Hot food and drink.
Keywords
Intellectual
Fearful
Flatulent
Bloated
Craves sweets
Page 299
Mercuricus
Solubilis
Hahnemann's
Soluble Mercury
APPEARANCE
Flabby with
sickly complexion. The tongue is moist and flabby, coated yellow or
white, and shows
the imprint of the teeth. Offensive breath may be obvious.
Symptom Picture
Great debility,
of mind and body. Easily exhausted, yet is restless, agitated and anguished,
especially at night.
Memory and will
power are impaired. Chilly and sensitive to changes of temperature, but worse
by both heat and
cold.
Discharges from
any mucous membrane, yellowgreen, irritating and offensive, especially eye,
nose, throat, lung
and genitals,
leaving skin raw and irritated. Membranes may ulcerate, especially the mouth
and throat.
Offensive sweat,
greasy or abundant, especially at night, without relief.
Foulness of the
mouth, with offensive breath. Excessive salivation, with marked thirst, may wet
the pillow during
sleep. Craves
stimulants; averse to meat, fat and butter.
Worse Night.
Heat. Heat of the bed. Cold. Wet and damp. Drafts.
Better Rest. High
altitude.
Keywords
Stinks
Sweats
Salivates
Ulcerates
Worse at night
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Page 300
Mezereum
Daphne Mezereum;
Spurge Olive
APPEARANCE
Light-haired with
gray, earthy pallor, brown rings around eyes, blue tint to nails.
Red, inflamed-looking
patches on the cheeks. In pain, lies perfectly still, although
trembling or
shuddering may be noticeable.
Symptom Picutre
Irritable over
trifles, averse to everything. Takes no pleasure in anything. Forgetful while
speaking, may lose the
thread. Drowsy
during the day, sleep at night is restless and broken. Chilly, with cold hands
and feet, even in a
warm room.
Burning pains in
the bones of the nose and face; mucous membranes may ulcerate. Sinuses painful.
Sneezing, with
yellow discharge
that may be streaked with blood. Sudden edema. There may be loss of smell,
deafness and
tinnitus.
Violent itching
of skin, even without lesions, changing location and made worse from scratching
and the heat of
the bed.
Intolerably itchy, burning vesicles, cloudy or purulent, with severe neuralgia
in affected area. Lesions
mature into
ulcers with yellow pus, covered by a thick white crust. Impetigo, eczema,
herpes and shingles.
Intense burning
in mouth, throat and stomach, relieved temporarily by food or milk. May crave
fat, especially ham.
Flatulent colic.
Digestive mucosa may ulcerate.
Worse Cold. Damp.
Humidity. Touch. Night. Heat of bed.
Better Open air.
Keywords
Violent
Burning
Itching
Painful
Erupting
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Page 301
Natrum Carbonicum
Nat Carb; Sodium
Carbonate Decahydrate
APPEARANCE
Anemic, emaciated
type, with pale face and blue-ringed eyes.
Symptom Picture
Great debility;
cannot think or exert easily. Depressed, irritable, melancholic and
apprehensive, seeks solitude.
Hypersensitive to
noise and music. Body and limbs sensitive to cold; head sensitive to warmth and
the heat of the
sun, will bring
headaches.
Visceral
prolapse. Menstrual bearing down, as if everything would come out. Joints weak
and delicate; turn and
sprain easily.
Chronic catarrhal
conditions of all mucous membranes, with copious yellowgreen mucus, thick and
often offensive.
Worse in the day
and from drafts, better from sweating. Cough sore, loose and chronic; supports
chest with hands.
Gastric
discomfort, with frequent belching, great acidity and large appetite, worse 10
or 11 a.m. Loves sweets and
nibbling.
Diarrhea, with urgent desire, yellow like pulp of an orange. Averse to
vegetable diet and starchy foods.
Averse to milk;
causes diarrhea.
Worse Warm
weather. Heat. Cold. Music. Mental work. Storms.
Better Eating.
Movement.
Keywords
Weak and
debilitated
Body fears cold
Head fears heat
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Page 302
Nitricum Acidum
Nitric Acid
APPEARANCE
The typical
patient usually has dark hair and eyes, and a pale or sallow complexion.
The face is often
deeply lined; eyes may be dull, with large pupils. Likely to be thin
or emaciated.
Tongue may be mapped, like ringworm on sides.
Symptom Picture
Great debility
with lack of stamina, but can be very obstinate. Depressed and anxious,
especially in the evening.
Oversensitive to
noise, pain, touch or jar. Easily irritated, can be vindictive. Indifferent,
and intolerant of sympathy.
Pricking,
sticking pains as if from splinters, can be anywhere, but mostly in bone,
throat, nose and anus, worse
from contact,
movement, or swallowing. Profuse and offensive discharges from skin and mucous
membranes, thin
and stinging, perhaps
dirty yellowgreen.
Cracks, fissures,
warts and ulcerations on the orifices: skin may be yellow there. Sweats easily
from hands and feet
even though
chilly, and especially after midnight.
Craving for fats
and fatty foods, which will often aggravate. Often a craving for salt, chalk,
lime and earth. Bread
may disagree.
Worse Cold. Wet.
Wind. Thunder. Fats, even though often craved.
Better Smooth
motion, such as riding in a car.
Keywords
Depressed
Debilitated
Ulcerated
Cracks
Prickles
Nux Vomica
Strychnos
nux-vomica; Poison Nut
APPEARANCE
Generally lean and active, hearty and full of
life. Sallow complexion, lined face and
dark shadows under the eyes. Often business
types and sedentary brain workers,
overloaded with work and responsibility.
Usually male.
Symptom Picture
Irritable,
nervous and chilly. Oversensitive to noise, light, smells, and cannot bear
contradiction. Fastidious and methodical. Active and sociable in the evening,
seeks strong enjoyments and late hours. In morning wakes tired and irritable;
seeks stimulants to start the day. Overwork, with depression and suicidal
tendencies. A remedy for hangovers.
Insomnia around
3-4 a.m. May sleep again just before dawn; wakes tired and unrefreshed.
Habitual
constipation, frequent but inefectual desire for stool, passes but a little at
each attempt. Hemorrhoids are common, helped by cold applications.
Gastric
discomfort 1-2 hours after a meal, must loosen clothes. Sleepy after meals,
cannot work then; a short nap improves. Craves alcohol, rich or spicy foods and
coffee. Averse to meat, milk, bread and cold food.
Worse In morning
on waking. 3-4 a.m. Mental effort. Cold.
Better Warmth.
Rest. Damp weather.
Keywords
Irritable
Sensitive
Craves stimulants
Worse mornings
Petroleum
Coal Oil
APPEARANCE
Thin, fair, cold
sensitive, and nervous, with a dry and dirty skin.
Symptom Picture
Irritable and
quarrelsome; trifles offend. Vivid imagination.
Motion sickness,
with nausea and vertigo, better by closing the eyes. Nausea in the morning,
with accumulation of water in the mouth.
Skin is dry,
thick, rough, cracked, sore and bleeding; easily infected, and worse in winter
and after washing.
Fingertips chap
and crack easily in winter. Sweats are foul. Heat and burning of the soles and
palms.
Gnawing sensation
in stomach, better by constant eating. Intense hunger and thirst, but does not
gain weight.
Craves beer.
Cannot eat cabbage or sauerkraut.
Worse Winter.
Cold. Motion. Storms.
Better Summer.
Heat.
Keywords
Nauseous
Skin dry and cracked
Worse motion and winter
Phosphoricum Acidum
Phosphoric Acid
APPEARANCE
Haggard and worn
out. May be young, tall and thin, growing fast. The face is pale
and pinched, with
blue rings around the eyes. The pupils may be unequal and the
eyes have a glassy
look. The hair may be prematurely gray and sparse.
Symptom Picture
Exhaustion with
apathy, after loss of vital fluids, severe emotional upsets, stress or
overwork. Listless, chilly and indifferent, although oversensitive to music and
odors. Premature hair loss with mental depression and muscular weakness.
Weakness of
memory; cannot think, connect ideas or find the right words. Tired during the
day, sleepless at night.
Headaches with
pressure on the crown of the head, often after intellectual work in students,
eyestrain or sexual intercourse.
Abundant urine,
may be clear or milky, especially at night.
Acute or chronic
diarrhea abundant, watery, painless and odorlesswhich is not exhausting, and
may improve other symptoms. Great thirst for cold milk and beer. Averse to
bread and coffee.
Worse Physical or
mental effort. Sexual excess. Least draft. Cold.
Better Warmth.
Sleep. Walking.
Keywords
Exhausted
Apathetic
Excessive urine and diarrhea
Phosphorus
Phosphorus, The
Element
APPEARANCE
Tall and slender, with a narrow chest. May
have either dark hair, brown eyes and
long eyelashes, or fair skin, freckles and
fine hair either blond or red. Often blue
rings and much puffiness around the eyes, and
a general sickly, waxy appearance.
Restless, with fidgety hands.
Symptom Picture
Artistic,
imaginative, sensitive and creative. Anxious, especially around sunset, and
full of fears. Easily exhausted by stimuli: alternates between excitement and
depression. Craves company, attention and affection; may be lively and
talkative, or silent and indifferent.
Chilly, but with
sensations of burning in spots, particularly between the shoulders, but can be
anywhere. Heat may run up the spine into the head. Profuse sweats on exertion, or in bed.
Easy bleeding,
frequent and abundant from any mucous membrane. Ulceration is common. Hard,
dry, tight cough, with bloody sputum. Easy flushing.
Craves cold food
and drink, salt, sour and spicy food. Averse to sweet foods, milk, tea, meat,
salt fish and oysters.
Hunger around 3
a.m., may drive from bed to eat. Great thirst for cold water.
Worse Cold,
except head and stomach. Storms. Twilight. Lying on the left side. Damp and
humidity.
Better Warmth.
Sleep, even a short nap. On eating. Massage.
Keywords
Burns
Bleeds
Exhausted
Ulcerates
Fidgets
Phytolacca Decandra
Pokeroot
APPEARANCE
Pale face,
becoming flushed after eating. Skin is dry, and may have a leaden hue.
Symptom Picture
Gloomy, with fear
of death. Shamelessness and lack of delicacy may be apparent.
Dark red, painful
swelling of the throat, and sensation of foreign body that cannot be swallowed.
Pain from the root of the tongue to the ears, worse from heat and swallowing. Uvula (flap of skin at back of throat) may be swollen and
transparent.
Congestions of
the breasts, with stony hard, painful nodules. Mastitis. Nipples may inflame
and crack; pain radiates to whole of the body.
Sensations of
stiffness, soreness and bruising all over body; desires to move but aggravated
by it. Rheumatic and neuralgic pains in bones and fibrous tissue, burning and
shooting, may shift rapidly, or come and go suddenly. The neck is particularly liable to be affected.
Worse Cold,
especially damp cold. Night. Movement, despite restlessness.
Better Dry
weather. Warmth. Rest.
Keywords
Stiff
Sore
Bruised
Restless
Worse motion
Psorinum
Nosode From
Scabies Lesion
APPEARANCE
The susceptible type is thin to the point of
emaciation, with a pale, ill appearance, a
sharp, long nose, a long upper lip and large
ears. Usually well wrapped up. Skin is
dirty-looking, dry or greasy, with a mousy
odor. Hair is unkempt, despite combing.
SymptomPicture
Depressed
metabolism, with weakness and lowered vitality. Depressed mentality;
pessimistic and introverted, cannot stand noise, seeks solitude. Anxious, with many
fears: of the future, poverty, fire, incurable illness.
Extremely chilly;
very sensitive to drafts and cold air, may wrap up even in summer. Catches cold
easily, especially in winter: ear discharges, cold sores and lymphatic
enlargements are common.
Skin unhealthy;
may crack, peel and bleed, particularly around the fingers. Sweats profusely,
especially hands and feet. Many eruptions: pimples, vesicles, crusts, boils.
Pronounced tendency to itch, better from cool air, and aggravated by washing,
contact with wool, at night and the warmth of the bed; may scratch until it
bleeds.
Poor assimilation
of food. Loss of weight despite good appetite. Voracious hunger, especially at
night, but may feel full after a few mouthfuls. Avoids fat, sugar, meat and
coffee; loathes pork. Thirsty, especially for beer and acid drinks.
Worse Cold.
Outdoors. Drafts. Changes in weather. Storms. Menses.
Better Warmth,
except the skin itch. Wrapping up. Eating. Lying down.
Keywords
Depressed
Thin
Chilly
Skin worse heat and washing
Pulsatilla
Anemone
Pulsatilla; Wind Flower
APPEARANCE
Often female. Light hair, blue eyes and a
freckled face, tending to congestion and
puffiness. Obesity and edema of the ankles are
common. Movement may be clumsy;
may stumble when walking. Tongue may be coated
thickly white. Skin may be
mottled.
Symptom Picture
Mild, gentle,
yielding disposition, shy and easily hurt, crying readily. May weep when
telling symptoms. Seeks sympathy and consolation, averse to solitude. All
symptoms are changeable; moods alter often, pains shift from place to place,
menses are intermittent.
Catarrhal
discharge, from any mucous membrane, yellow or greenish yellow, sticky and
usually bland. Nasal discharge may alternate sides, is freer outdoors, and
becomes blocked at night and in a warm room. Seeks open air, even though
chilly. There may be loss of smell and taste.
Periods irregular
or intermittent, with cramping and bearing down. Thick yellowish leucorrhea,
slightly irritant.
Often has no
thirst. May crave pastries, fat, ice cream and rich foods, which all disagree,
or may avoid them completely. Cream in particular may upset. Prefers cool food
and drink.
Worse Heat. Warm
rooms. Rest. Evenings.
Better
Consolation. Cool, open air. Gentle movement. Cold applications.
Keywords
Changeable
Tearful
Better company and consolation
Ranunculus Bulbosus
Bulbous Buttercup
APPEARANCE
Red cheeks, and a preference for stillness,
because any movement will increase
suffering.
Symptom Picture
Overexcitable and
oversensitive in the mornings, easily irritable and quarrelsome. Great
sensitivity to touch, cold and drafts. Depression, with desire to die. Bad
effects of alcoholism.
Eruption of
vesicles with intense itching, stinging and burning, worse by cold and touch,
even pressure of the clothes. A remedy for shingles.
Acute shooting
pains in chest wall and between ribs, worse by touch and movement. Pleurisy.
Intercostal neuralgia.
Hay fever, with
smarting and burning in the eyes. Constant tingling and crawling sensation in
the nose or nasopharynx, with ineffectual hawking to gain relief.
Worse Movement.
Touch. Wet, cold weather. Changes in weather.
Better Sitting
down. Leaning forward.
Keywords
Sensitive
Itching
Stinging
Shooting
Rhododendron
Ferrugineum
Alpine Rose
APPEARANCE
There may be
unequal pupils and rheumatic nodules. The tongue may be coated and
greenish.
Sympton Picture
Anxious,
depressed and nervous, with a sensitivity to storms and a fear of thunder.
Apathetic; averse to effort of
any kind. Memory impaired;
loses the thread when talking, and omits words when writing. Vertigo.
Pains tearing,
aching and jerking; can be anywhere, but always worse before a storm and
immediately relieved by
movement. Pains
come and go, and shift from one place to another; may drive from bed at night.
Stiffness and
swelling often in
forearms, fingers, legs and toes. Wrists feel as if sprained. Gout.
Coldness of the
extremities, even in a warm room; hands may feel hot but are cold to touch.
Sweats, profuse and
debilitating,
with itching and tingling.
Testicles
retracted, swollen and painful, even without infection.
Worse Before
storms. Cold, wet and windy weather. Night. Rest.
Better Motion.
Warmth. After storms.
Keywords
Stiff
Sore and swollen
Worse before
storms
Rhu Toxicodendron
Rhus Tox; Poison
Ivy
APPEARANCE
Face may be suffused, with a red flush and a
flaming red nose, or pale and sickly,
with sunken eyes surrounded by blue rings.
Restless; cannot sit or lie still for long.
The tongue may have a triangular red tip.
Sympton Picture
Restlessness of
mind, with depression, sadness and apprehension about the future. Desire for
solitude. May weep without knowing why. Chilly, with great sensitivity to open
air or uncovering.
Painful stiffness
in bone, muscle or connective tissue, often after overstrain or getting wet
while hot. Great restlessness of body, even when exhausted. Pains worse in bed
at night, and on beginning to move, but better on continued motion.
Eruptions, may be
vesicular or crusty, burning and itching, especially around the scalp, face and
genitals. Edema is common. Sweats may be persistent and offensive.
Great thirst for
cold drinks, especially milk at night, with dryness of mouth, throat and
tongue. Dislike of milk and bread.
Worse Damp cold.
At the beginning of movement. Humidity. Rest.
Better Heat.
Continued, slow movement. Changes in position.
Keywords
Restless
Stiff and painful
Worse still
Better moving
Ruta Graveolens
Ruta Grav; Rue
APPEARANCE
The eyes may look tired, red and watery. There
may be a red rash on the forehead or
pimples on the lips. Yawning is frequent.
Restlessness may be obvious. The gait may
be unsteady anti staggering.
Sympton Picture
Restlessness of
mind, with anxiety, as if from a troubled conscience. Peevish, may be quarrelsome.
Depressed at sundown. Chilly, and prefers indoors.
Stiffness and
pain in the limbs and joints, as if after a fall, with bruised weakness and
weariness. Tenderness and pain in muscles, or at the insertion of ligament and
tendon into membrane covering bone. Restlessness and uneasiness of the limbs,
especially the legs; does not know where to put them for relief. Lameness after
sprains.
Eyestrain and eye
fatigue, particularly after fine work, with redness, blurred vision, heat and
burning.
Poor appetite,
with easy satiety. Insatiable thirst for cold water. Meat and milk disagree.
Worse Cold and
wet. Rest. Lying on the painful part. Walking outdoors.
Better Movement.
Warmth.
Keywords
Weak
Bruised
Stiff
Strained
Sabadilla
Schoenocaulon
Officinale
APPEARANCE
Chilly and well
wrapped up.
Symptom Picture
Tendency to
illusions and imaginary problems: Imagines that limbs are twisted, or that skin
is wrinkled.
Hypersensitive to
the smell of garlic and flowers. Chilly; very sensitive to cold rooms, cold drinks
and cold foods.
Tonsillitis on
left side, or beginning on the left and spreading to the right, helped by hot
drinks. Itching of the
throat; tries to
touch the throat with his or her tongue.
Hay fever,
especially from flowers, with tickling in the throat. Fits of sneezing, with
copious watery nasal
discharge.
Sensation of burning, itching or blockage in the nose, helped by hot air.
Streaming eyes, red and
burning.
Loathing for food
and no thirst, but craves sweets. Itching of the anus, alternating with itching
of the nose and ears.
A remedy for
pinworms, roundworms and tapeworms.
Worse Cold. Full
moon.
Better Heat. Hot
drinks. Hot food.
Keywords
Chilly
Sneezing
Throat sore
Itching
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Sabina
Juniperus Sabina;
Savine
APPEARANCE
Often female.
Sympton Picture
Irritable and
hypochondriacal. Cannot stand music: sets the nerves on edge. Hot flushes, with
desire for open
windows.
Periods early,
heavy and prolonged, with violent and piercing pains moving from sacrum to
pubis and the upper
thighs, or
cutting upwards into the vagina. Discharge of bright red blood, mixed with
clots, gushes on the least
movement. A
remedy for threatened miscarriage at the third month.
Warts and overgrowths,
can be anywhere, but especially in the anal and genital area. Warts itch and
burn, and
bleed easily.
Appetite is poor.
There is a desire for juicy things, especially lemonade, and for sour things.
Worse Heat.
Movement. Night. Bending forward.
Better Cold open
air. Lying on back.
Keywords
Warts
Bleeds
Pains violent and
piercing
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Sanguinaria
Canadensis
Blood Root
APPEARANCE
Often young
people, or women at menopause. Red cheeks and red ears; dilated veins
in the temples.
Palms and soles appear dry and wrinkled. The breath may be
offensive.
Symptom Picture
Languor and
torpor, with no motivation for effort of any kind. The mood varies: is often
anxious, but can be
morose,
irritable, peevish or excited.
Congestive
headache and periodic migraine, with throbbing pains, usually on the right
side. Hot flushes over the
face, with
redness of the ears, especially at menopause. Intense burning of the palms and
soles; puts feet out of bed.
Prone to catching
cold. Hay fever, with burning dryness of the nose and throat, changing to
sneezing with profuse
burning
secretion. There may be increased sensitivity to smells, or complete loss of
smell and taste.
Digestive
disturbance with burning often accompanies other symptoms; often must belch or
pass wind for relief.
Sinking,
''all-gone'' sensation in stomach, without desire for food, especially in the
morning. Unquenchable thirst,
with desire for
acid and spicy things. Averse to butter and sweets.
Worse Cold and
damp. Touch or jar. Periodically, every day, second day or week. Right side.
Better Lying on
left side. Sleep. Belching. Passing wind.
Keywords
Burning
Thirsty
Flushing
Acrid
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Page 317
Sepia
Ink From the
Cuttlefish
APPEARANCE
Often female;
thin, worn-out and sad. The face has a doughy, freckled, yellowish
look, with no
sharp lines or angles. There may be a brown discoloration across the
bridge of the
nose and dark circles under the eyes; the eyelids may droop. The lip
may be cracked in
the middle.
Symptom Picture
Tired, worn-out,
pessimistic and indifferent. Easily moved to tears; may weep when telling
symptoms. Hysterical,
irritable and
quarrelsome, with fear of not coping and losing control. Indifferent to family:
can reject those most
loved. Averse to
consolation. Seeks solitude, yet fears it.
Premenstrual
tension. Menstruation with sensation of heaviness and dragging down, especially
in the uterus; may
want to sit down
and cross legs. Leucorrhea yellow-green, offensive and irritant, making the
vagina dry and
painful during
intercourse. Often averse to sex.
Usually chilly,
but sweats easily in armpits, back and genitals. Hot flushes, especially at
menopause, without much
redness, but with
sweating and fainting. Better from vigorous exercise, especially dancing.
Appetite varies;
may have ravenous hunger or anorexia. Sinking feeling about II a.m. May crave
vinegar, pickles
and acid foods.
May be averse to meat, milk and fat. In pregnancy, nausea at the sight or smell
of food.
Worse
Consolation. Cold. Standing still. Menstruation, pregnancy and lactation.
Forenoon and evening.
Better Vigorous
exercise. Open air and wind. Warmth of bed.
Keywords
Weary
Heavy
Indifferent
Sad
Chilly
Irritable
Spongia Josta
Roasted Sea
Sponge
APPEARANCE
Fair, with
light-colored hair and blue eyes. Timid and sensitive children. There may
be a flushed face
and restricted breathing.
Sympton Picture
Marked anxiety,
even terror in most complaints, and generally associated with suffocative
attacks. Extreme
exhaustion and
heaviness of the body after even slight exhaustion. Chilly, especially in the
back.
Raucous, dry,
barking cough, like a saw through wood, with suffocative attacks. Anxious
wheezing, with
constriction and
burning, worse during inspiration. Croup. Whooping cough. Asthma.
Cardiac
disturbance, with palpitations, suffocation and anxiety. Angina, worse from
motion, ascending and at
night.
Enlargement and
induration of the thyroid, with palpitations, suffocative attacks on exertion
and at night.
Enlargement of
lymph nodes and salivary glands.
Worse Around
midnight. Lying with the head down. Cold drinks.
Better Hot
drinks. Lying with the head up. Sitting up and bending forward.
Keywords
Anxious
Suffocative
Dry
Barking
Croupy
Staphysagria
Delphinium
Staphisagria; Stavesacre
APPEARANCE
May have a sickly
look, with sunken, blue-ringed eyes. Children have a scrawny, potbellied
appearance.
Sympton Picture
Cultivated and polite,
controlling feelings at any price, but easily offended and silently brooding
over wrongs,
either real or
imaginary. Suppressed anger and indignation, resulting in resentment,
indifference, poor memory and
insomnia. Child
is cross and demanding but refuses things when offered, pushes them away.
Great sensitivity
to noise, tastes and odors, but particularly to pain, with burning and
prickling pains in any organ,
aggravated by
touch. A remedy for surgical wounds or cuts, and for decaying teeth.
Frequent
urination, with burning pains when not urinating. Dwells on sexual matters; may
be impotent. Exhausted
by sexual excess
and masturbation. Genital warts.
Eczema of face,
scalp and eyelids, with thick crusts and irritating, weeping lesions, forming
new vesicles on
contact. Styes
and cysts of the eyelids. Pedunculated warts, may be either dry or moist.
Worse Anger,
indignation and disappointment. Sexual excess. Cold. Least touch.
Better Warmth.
Rest. After a meal.
Keywords
Sensitive
Suppressed
Resentful
Burning
Prickling
Sulphur
SulfurSublimed
APPEARANCE
May be lean and hungry looking, or fat and
rotund. Red rice, red ears, freckles and a
red tip on the nose are common. The skin is
dry, rough and scaly. Hair tends to be
coarse and lusterless. Hands are hot and
sweaty.
Symptom Picture
Hale, hearty and
self-confident when well; becomes selfish, stubborn, irritable and critical
when ill. Absentminded; poor memory for names and recent events, but enjoys philosophy,
anecdote or argument. Intelligent with periods of brilliance, but lack of
staying power. Tendency to bluff.
Heat and burning
in any part of the body, but especially in the crown of the skull, palms and
soles, with redness of body orifices and intolerance of heat. Hot flushes,
especially at menopause.
Rough, dry, scaly
skin, itches and burns, worse from heat and bathing. Uncontrollable desire to
scratch, which improves for a while, then worsens. Secretions are burning,
irritating and offensive. Usually a lack of sweat.
Notable hunger
except in morning. Thirst for large amounts of water. Sinking feeling around 11
a.m. Craving for sweets, spices, fats, salt, pickles and alcohol, but can be
averse to them. Averse to eggs and milk.
Worse Heat.
Standing. Water. Night. 11 a.m. Drafts. After sleep.
Better Warm, dry
weather. Free elimination. Movement. Cool, fresh air.
Keywords
Hot
Burning
Forgetful
Worse heat
Tabacum
Tobacco Leaf
APPEARANCE
Face pale, blue
and pinched. There may be a cold sweat.
Sympton Picture
Deathly nausea
and vomiting, with pale face, salivation, cold sweat and complete prostration,
worse by motion and
heat, and better
by fresh air and closing the eyes. A remedy for travel sickness and morning
sickness.
Vertigo, with
death-like pallor, increasing to loss of consciousness, relieved in open air or
by vomiting. Headache,
beginning in the
morning and intolerable by noon, with nausea and violent vomiting.
Cardiac
disturbances. Violent palpitations. Angina, with pale face, cold sweat, nausea
and vomiting.
Diarrhea, sudden
and urgent, with nausea, vomiting and prostration. Constipation, with inactive
bowel and spasms
of the sphincter.
Worse Motion.
Heat.
Better Fresh air.
Rest. Closing eyes.
Keywords
Pale
Cold
Sweating
Salivating
Nauseous
Prostrated
Thuja Occidentalis
White Cedar
APPEARANCE
Excessive hairiness and obesity, with heavy
trunk, short neck, thin limbs, waxy, greasy skin and irregular teeth, but the
skin and hair may also be fine and the features delicate. There may be a red
capillary network on the sides of the nose, and ridges or streaks on the nails.
Sympton Picture
Easy exhaustion,
with anxiety. Truthful and scrupulous; often very polite in public, but
obsessive, depressed, impatient and irritable in private. Affectionate, but
averse to touch; dislike of strangers. Fixed ideas.
Disorders of
mucous membranes, especially urinary tract, genitals and lung. Chronic catarrh,
irritating and profuse, a yellow-green discharge, with odor often suggestive of
fish-brine, garlic or honey. Asthma, around 3 a.m.
Moles, warts,
polyps, scaly eruptions and other overgrowths of the skin. Chilly, and
sensitive to damp, with tearing pains in the muscles and joints, and deposits
in the joints. Profuse sweat on uncovered parts, with foul or sweetish smell.
Appetite is poor,
with easy satiety after a few mouthfuls; often no desire for breakfast. Prefers
cold food and craves salt. Averse to onions. Thirst is not marked, but may have
to drink with meals to facilitate swallowing.
Worse Damp and
humidity. Cold. 3 a.m. and 3 p.m. Heat of the bed. Morning.
Better Heat.
Sweating.
Keywords
Chilly
Anxious
Irritable
Stiff
Warty
Worse from damp
Urtica
Urtica Urens;
Nettle
APPEARANCE
Not defined.
Sympton Picture
A remedy with its
best use in burning, stinging, blotchy rashes, often with severe itching. Hence
it covers hives, nettle rash, prickly heat and some insect bites. It is often
the remedy to antidote an allergic reaction to eating shellfish.
Minor bums, with
burning, stinging pains afterwards.
Rheumatic pains
in the joints, swollen, burning and stinging, with constant desire to rub the
skin. Gout.
A useful remedy
for breastfeeding mothers, when the milk supply is low or overabundant. It will
act as a normaliser, and will also assist in arresting the flow of milk after
weaning.
Worse Cold
applications. Bathing Washing.
Better Rubbing.
Keywords
Rashes
Bites
Burns
Burning
Itching and stinging
Veratrum Album
White Hellebore
APPEARANCE
In the acute case the face is pale or bluish,
eyes sunken, features drawn, and has an
expression of anguish or fear. The facial
muscles may jerk or twitch. The body is cold
to touch, with cold sweat apparent on the face.
Symptom Picture
Restless
activity, must be constantly occupied. Fits of mania, with hysteria, loquacity
and muttering; may become obscene. Inconsolable, yet fears solitude. May come
as the result of fright, emotional trauma, shock or injury, even from
resentment. Delirium and hallucinations. Neuralgic pains, can be anywhere,
driving frantic.
Collapse with
coldness and blueness, with cold sweat, especially on the forehead, and deathly
pallor. In less severe cases, fainting may occur from emotional stress or
exertion.
Profuse discharges
with rapid exhaustion and prostration. Acute, violent vomiting or purging.
Copious sweat, urine and saliva. Period pain, with vomiting and purging.
Intense thirst,
with desire for large quantities of cold drinks, or ice to suck. Violent
hunger, with craving for cold food and aversion to hot food. Intolerance of
fruit.
Worse Heat. Damp
cold weather. Movement. Pressure.
Better Rest.
Coolness.
Keywords
Cold
Blue
Sweating
Vomiting
Purging
Zincum Metallicum
Zinc
APPEARANCE
Pale, weak and tired, slow to understand and
speak because of exhaustion. There
may be fine twitching of the muscles. The feet
may move continually when sitting, or
the head when lying down.
Symptom Picture
Slowness and
exhaustion arising from illness, overwork and overstress, drunkenness, insomnia
or flight.
Oversensitive,
nervous and excitable; can jump at the least noise, and easily irritated by
trifles. Unable to relax, with trembling, jerking and twitching of muscles.
Ailments from
inability to initiate a discharge, but improved when it appears. Discharges can
be anywhere:
teething, menses,
skin eruptions, urine, expectoration. Ailments from suppressed discharges.
Chilly,
especially when outdoors, yet sweats easily on the slightest exertion. Night sweats,
can be profuse and continuous.
Weak,
"all-gone" feeling about 11 a.m., often provokes ravenous hunger.
Averse to sugar, milk, meat and fish. The least amount of wine may cause
headache or flushing. Thirst may be extreme, especially in the afternoon.
Worse Exertion.
Noise. Wine and stimulants. 11 a.m. to noon. Before discharge, eruption or
elimination.
Better Appearance
of discharge.
Keywords
Restless
Tired and twitching
Worse before discharges
A Home Medicine
Kit
Here is a list of
commonly used remedies. You will be able to obtain most of them from health
food shops, but major suppliers are listed.
REMEDYCOMMON
SYMPTOMS
Aconite Fever and
inflammation. Cough. Earache. Croup.
Apis Sore
throats. Insect bites and stings. Itching, burning skin.
Arnica Bruises, bumps
and thumps. Muscular aches and overstrains.
Arsenicum Inflammation and pain
with burning, worse around midnight.
Belladonna Fever. Earache. Sore
throat. Scarlet fever. Mumps.
Bryonia
Sore throat.
Fever. Coughs and colds. Influenza.
Calc
fluor A
tissue salt for bones, teeth and skin, varicose veins and piles.
Calc
phos A
tissue salt for growth, bones and teeth, and cramps.
Calc
sulp A
tissue salt for skin suppuration, wounds, yellow discharges.
Calendula Cuts and septic wounds,
with bright blood.
Camphor Sensation of icy cold.
Collapse.
Capsicum Inflammation of the
throat, nose and ear.
Carbo
veg Digestive
bloating and flatulence. Collapse. Craving for fresh air.
Chamomilla Irritability, teething,
colic, insomnia. Digestive upsets.
China Exhaustion,
digestive disorders.
Cocculus Exhaustion, nausea,
travel sickness. Collapse.
Coffea Insomnia, with
great mental activity.
Eupatorium Influenza with bone
pain.
Ferrum
phos A tissue salt for
fever and inflammation.
Gelsemium Influenza and sore
throats, developing slowly. Jet lag.
Hamamelis Bruising, with dark
blood.
Hepar
sulph Sore
throat. Coughs and colds. Croup. Septic wounds.
Hypericum Jammed fingers. Sprains.
Puncture wounds.
Ignatia Emotional upsets.
Spasms, cramps and twitches. Insomnia.
Kali
mur A
tissue salt for coughs and colds with white discharges.
Kali
phos A
tissue salt for exhaustion, stress, irritability and insomnia.
Kali
sulph A
tissue salt for yellow discharges, coughs and skin problems.
Ledum Puncture wounds.
Insect bites and stings.
Mag
phos A
tissue salt for muscular cramps, spasms and pain.
Mercurius Influenza, sore throat.
Mumps.
Nat
mur A
tissue salt for colds, cold sores and fluid imbalance.
Nat
phos A
tissue salt for acid conditions and creamy discharges.
Nat
sulph A
tissue salt for bilious conditions and fluid retention.
Nux
vomica Irritability,
stress and insomnia. Constipation. Hangovers.
Pulsatilla Earache. Measles. Cough.
PMS. Emotional upsets.
Rhus
tox Influenza.
Chickenpox. Muscular pain better by motion.
Ruta
grav Strains
and sprains. Repetitive strain injury.
Sepia PMS. Menstrual
discomfort. Emotional upsets. Exhaustion.
Silicea A
tissue salt for fatigue, and for poor skin, hair and nails.
Spongia Cough.
Croup.
Staphysagria Excessive irritability.
Styes. Stinging wounds.
Veratrum
album Collapse.
Vomiting, diarrhea, prostration.
TINCTURESCOMMON
SYMPTOMS
Arnica Bruises and
sprains when the skin is unbroken.
Calendula Lacerated tissue, septic
wounds.
Hamamelis Bruises and sprains when
the skin is broken.
Hypericum Cuts and septic wounds.
Jammed fingers.
Ledum Puncture wounds,
insect bites.
UrticaBurns. Stings. Rashes. Hives.
RESOURCE GUIDE
OF SUPPLIERS
Retail Outlets
Most health food stores
and chains, and many pharmacies, carry more or less comprehensive selections of
homeopathic
remedies. Some firms offer homeopathic products from a variety of manufacturers
by mail order (as
well, often, as
in a store). Here is a brief list of some such firms.
L&H Vitamins,
Inc.,
32-33 47th Avenue
Long Island City,
NY 1110
1-800-221-1152
Penn Herb Co.
603 North 2nd
Street
Philadelphia, PA
19123
215 925-3336
(also a
manufacturer)
National
Homeopathic Products
518 Tasman
Street, Suite B
Madison, WI 53714
1-800-888-4066
(also a
manufacturer)
Santa Monica
Homeopathic Pharmacy
629 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA
90401
310 395-1131
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Page 332
Vitamin Power
39 St. Mary's
Place
Freeport, NY 11520
1-800-645-6587
Willner Chemists
330 Lexington
Avenue
New York, NY
10016
212 685-0448
1-800-633-1106
Vitamin Shoppe
4700 Westside
Avenue
North Bergen, NJ
07407
1-800-223-1216
Manufacturers
There are more than
50 manufacturers of homeopathic remedies in the United States; here is a brief
listing of some
of the
better-known ones. Most manufacturers will provide information about their
products and where they can be
purchased, but do
not handle retail sales, though some will.
Boericke &
Tafel
2381 Circadian
Way
Santa Rosa, CA
95407-5439
707 571-8202
1-800-876-9505
Enzymatic Therapy
825 Challenger
Drive
Green Bay, WI
54311-8328
414 469-1313
Boiron
6 Campus
Boulevard, Building A
Newton Square, PA
19073-3200
610 325-746
Nature's Way
PO Box 4000
Springville, UT
84663-9007
801 489-1500
Ellon USA, Inc.
644 Merrick Road
Lynbrook, NY
11563-2332
516 593-2206
1-800-423-2556
Nelson Bach USA
Ltd
1007 West Upsal
Street
Philadelphia, PA
19119-3716
215 844-2224
1-800-314-BACH
Dolisos America
Homeopathy
3014 Rigel Avenue
Las Vegas, NV
89102-0718
702 871-7153
1-800-365-4767
Sunsource Health
Products, Inc.
535 Lipoa
Parkway, Suite 110
Kihei, HI
96753-6902
808 879-6864
1-800-446-7262
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Page 333
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Jam happy to
acknowledge my indebtedness to the following authors for their works, which
have been used as
general
references in the compilation of this book.
Homeopathic
Remecies
Boericke,
William, Materia Medica with Repertory, B. Jain publishers, New Delhi,
1988
Boger, C.M,
Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica, B. Jain publishers, New Delhi, 1931
Borland, Douglas,
Homoeopathy in Practice, Beaconsfield publishers, Beaconsfield,
Hampshire UK, 1982
Boyd, Hamish, Introduction
to Homoepathic Medicine, Beaconsfield publishers, Beaconsfield, Hampshire,
UK,
1979
Darragh, Frances
and Louise, Healing Your Child, New Women's press, Auckland, 1989
Gemmell, David, Everyday
Homoeopath, Beaconsfield publishers, Beaconsfield, Hampshire, UK, 1987
Gibson, Douglas, Studies
of Homoeopathic Remedies, Beaconsfield publishers, Beaconsfield, Hampshire,
UK,
1987
< previous page page_333 next page >
< previous page page_334 next page >
Page 334
Golden, Isaac, Australian
Homoeopathic Home Prescriber, Martin and Pleasance, Richmond, Victoria,
1993
Jouanny, Jacques,
The Essentials of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica, Laboratoires Boiron,
Bordeaux, 1980
King, Ken, Lectures
on Homoeopathic Miasms, unpublished material
Lockie, The
Family Guide to Homoeopathy, Book Club Associates, 1991
Mathur, Kailash, Systematic
Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Remedies, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi,
1979
Tyler, M.L., Pointers
to the Common Remedies, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi, 1980
Tissue Salts
Martin and
Pleasance, Handbook of the Biochemic Tissue Salts, Desktop Publishing,
Richmond, Victoria 1991
Schuessler,
William, Blochemit Handbook, New Era Laboratories, London, 1975
Bach Flower
Remedies
Bach, Edward, Heal
Thyself, C.W. Daniel, Saffron Waldon, Essex, 1931
The Twelve
Healers, C.W. Daniel, Saffron Waldon, Essex, 1933
Chancellor,
Phillip, Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies, C.W. Daniel,
Saffron Waldon, Essex,
1971
Wells, Mark, The
Bach Flower Remedies Today, Autonomy Australia, Melbourne, 1993
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Page 335
INDEX
NOTE: For
illnesses, primary listing is differentiated from secondary mentions by
boldface
A
abdominal pain,
65-66, 134-35, 197, 225, 231, 271, 279
abrasions, 33-34
abscesses, 55-56,
226, 235
acne, 46-47, 232
acne rosacea,
47-48
Aconite, 35, 36,
38, 39, 44, 50, 53, 57, 63, 67, 70, 78, 89, 94, 95, 101, 103, 106, 107, 109,
113, 120, 126, 136, 138,
139, 142, 148,
149, 150, 152, 153, 157, 162, 175, 178, 179, 184, 186, 190, 237, 327
adenoids, 146
Aesculus, 85, 129
Aethusa, 136,
139, 144, 145
Agnus castus, 202
Ailanthus, 85
allergy, 53, 79,
86, 262
Allium cepa, 63,
87, 162, 238
Aloes, 76, 85,
239
Alumina, 69, 80,
97, 169, 197, 240
Ammonium carb,
54, 241
Ammonium mur, 87,
114, 242
Amyl nit, 189
Anacardium, 99,
180, 243
Anagallis
arvensis, 116, 142
anemia, 48-49,
189, 227
haemolytic, 104,
105
angina, 92-93,
259, 297, 318, 321
Ant crud, 66, 77,
96, 99, 132, 138, 148, 155, 244
Ant tart, 47, 54,
72, 131, 138, 148, 161, 171, 245
anxiety, 49-50,
237, 242, 248
Apis, 34, 35, 38,
56, 61, 67, 74, 79, 86, 90, 95, 107, 115, 121, 124, 127, 150, 152, 172, 190,
246, 327
appetite
problems, 50-51, 240
Aralia racemosa,
54
Argentum met, 97,
247
Argentum nit, 50,
67, 100, 130, 202, 204, 248
Arndt-Schulz Law,
12, 13, 14, 15
Arnica, 37, 38,
39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 48, 52, 61, 75, 83, 86, 91, 92, 96, 104, 106, 107, 113,
123, 126, 129, 138, 165,
172, 175, 177,
179, 182, 201, 249, 327, 329
Arsenicum, 54,
64, 76, 80, 104, 111, 114, 115, 150, 161, 171, 173, 327
Page 336
Arsenicum album,
39, 48, 50, 66, 67, 81, 88, 100, 102, 109, 153, 250
Arsenicum iod, 59
arthritis, 9-10,
51-52, 56, 275
Arum triphyllum,
88, 97, 121, 251
Asarum, 171
asthma, 53-54,
234, 278, 294, 318, 322
Aurum, 93
Aurum met, 180,
201, 252
Aurum mur, 195
Avogadro limit,
6-7
B
Bach flower
remedies, xviii, 205-217
backache, 82,
106, 167, 172, 188, 192, 256, 294
bad breath, 54
Badiaga, 88
Baptisia
tinctoria, 253
Baryta carb, 82,
97, 126, 202, 254
Baryta mur, 122
bed wetting, 147
Belladonna, 38,
43, 44, 48, 56, 58, 61, 63, 67, 70, 75, 78, 89, 92, 94, 95, 101, 107, 120, 123,
124, 126, 127, 129,
135, 136, 143, 147,
148, 150, 152, 154, 157, 158, 159, 160, 162, 175, 180, 182, 183, 187, 188, 190,
196, 255, 327
Bellis, 37, 172
Benzoic acid, 200
Berberis, 74, 256
biliousness, 55,
105, 328
biophysics,
xviii, 16-17
bites, anima,l
35-36;
insect, 34-35,
95, 262, 296, 323, 327, 328, 329;
snake, 38-36;
spider, 35-36;
tick, 36
black eye, 37,
296
Blatta, 53
boils, 55-56,
226, 288, 308
bone pain, 41,
56-57, 102, 225, 252, 282, 302, 328
Borax, 84, 108,
128, 130, 144, 169, 187, 190, 196, 257
Bovista, 197
breast congestion
and lumps, 185-86, 224, 277, 307
breastfeeding,
181-83, 323
bronchitis, 57-58
bruises, 36-37,
249, 287, 296, 327, 328, 329
Bryonia, 52, 57,
58, 63, 69, 70, 83, 91, 94, 100, 102, 105, 106, 107, 112, 121, 123, 127, 134,
135, 140, 152, 157,
182, 183, 186,
189, 191, 258, 327
Bufo, 43
burns, 38-39,
261, 263, 323, 329
C
Cactus grand, 93,
259
Caladium, 198,
202
Calc carb, 50,
69, 110, 132, 135, 137, 139, 142, 143, 145, 146, 151, 161, 169, 182, 184, 186,
197, 198, 260
Calc fluor, 57, 59,
69, 86, 106, 112, 118, 122, 124, 126, 129, 187, 196, 204, 224, 327
Calc iod, 195
Calc phos, 41,
49, 52, 57, 58, 61, 63, 73, 82, 91, 97, 101, 103, 106, 109, 112, 119, 134, 136,
143, 146, 147, 148,
158, 159, 168,
185, 189, 191, 192, 196, 201, 225, 327
Calc pic, 47
Calc sulph, 47,
56, 60, 65, 72, 120, 122, 126, 155, 226, 328
Calendula, 34,
35, 38, 41, 56, 80, 179, 261, 328, 329
Camphor, 37, 39,
45, 63, 96, 136, 262, 328
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Cantharis, 39,
43, 61. 74, 115, 172, 263
Capsicum, 62, 75,
79, 84, 100, 122, 150, 264, 328
Carbo animalis,
48, 183
Carbo veg, 36,
37, 39, 81, 99, 100, 138, 159, 169, 197, 198, 265, 328
Carbolic acid, 35
Carbon sulph, 114
Castor equi, 182.
Castor oil, 181
catarrh, 58-60,
65, 225, 228, 233, 234, 248, 260, 281, 283, 285, 291, 301, 309, 322
Caulophyllum,
167, 176, 177, 178, 266
Causticum, 39,
52, 82, 83, 96, 98, 112, 132, 147, 172, 267
Chamomilla, 70,
73, 77, 78, 99, 104, 105, 124, 126, 127, 134, 136, 138, 140, 141, 142, 143,
145, 150, 156, 161, 170,
172, 175, 178,
182, 191, 268, 328
Chelidonium, 55,
105, 131
chickenpox,
147-48, 329
Chickweed, 80
chilblains, 60-61
Chimaphilla, 203
China, 49, 66, 76,
77, 81, 99, 100, 105, 131, 135, 140, 141, 171, 176, 180, 181, 183, 187, 188,
202, 268, 272, 328
Chionanthus, 105
cholera, 8-9, 262
Cicuta, 73, 136,
144, 269
Cimicifuga, 170,
174, 175, 177, 190, 191, 270
Cina, 51, 136,
156, 161, 271
Cinchona
officinalis. See China.
Cinnabaris, 117,
132
Cinnamon, 175
circulation,
poor, 60, 286
Cistus
canadensis, 85
Clematis, 203
Cocculus, 39,
128, 130, 131, 171, 178, 181, 273, 328
Coccus cacti, 163
Coffea cruda,
103, 168, 178, 274, 328
Colchicum, 171,
200, 275
cold sores,
61-62, 64, 65, 232, 263, 288, 308, 328
colds, 62-65,
232, 235, 254, 260, 262, 282, 327, 328
colic, 134-35,
225, 238, 268, 276, 279, 294, 300, 328;
renal, 256, 276,
279
colitis, 65-66,
76
collapse, 39,
262, 265, 324, 328, 329
Collmsonia, 86
Colocynthis, 66,
73, 76, 109, 114, 134, 168, 190, 276
concussion, 40,
249, 289
Conium, 75, 130,
183, 186, 195, 198, 202, 203, 277
conjunctivitis,
63, 66-67, 103, 283
constipation, 65,
68-69, 89, 90, 105, 135, 242, 260, 267, 286, 298, 321, 329
convulsions, 136,
144, 152, 176, 180, 255, 269, 278
Corallium rubrum,
163
cough, 63, 70-72,
81, 102, 147-48, 225, 227, 234, 237, 238, 241, 247, 265, 278, 280, 282, 288,
291, 292, 301, 306,
318, 327, 328,
329. See also whooping cough
cradle cap, 137
cramps,
abdominal, 73, 255;
muscle, 73, 81,
94, 168, 231, 270, 278, 327, 328;
menstrual,
190-92, 231, 266, 270
cravings,
abnormal, 168-69, 269, 302
Crocus, 176, 187
Crotalus, 105,
141
Croton tig, 77,
155, 182
croup, 70, 97,
148-49, 288, 318, 327, 328, 329
Cupram acet, 171
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Cuprum met, 53,
71, 94, 163, 168, 278
cuts and
scratches, 40, 261, 328, 329
cystitis, 73-75
cysts, ovarian,
189-90, 247
D
delirium, 255,
324
depression, 82,
93, 170, 180, 189, 192, 193, 195, 229, 232, 234, 241, 252
diarrhea, 65-66,
68, 69, 75-77, 131, 139-40, 172, 239, 244, 253, 262, 268, 272, 275, 278, 301,
305, 321, 329
dilutions. See
potentization
Dioscorea, 73,
134, 140, 279
Diphtherinum, 166
dizziness. See
vertigo
dose-response curve,
11, 14
Drosera, 71, 97,
163, 280
Dulcamara, 52,
88, 106, 112, 113, 122, 132, 155, 172, 185, 281
E
earache, 77-79,
149-50, 227, 264, 327, 329
ears, noises in,
79, 150, 228, 272, 300
eczema, 79-80,
232, 256, 300, 319
edema, 246, 300,
312
electronic excitation,
17, 18
energy, storage
of, 17, 19
epilepsy, 269,
278. See also convulsions
Equisetum, 74,
147, 203
Eugenia jambosa,
46
Eupatorium, 41,
57, 102, 282, 328
Euphrasia, 63,
67, 88, 91, 158, 283
exhaustion,
80-82, 328, 329
eyes, burning,
62, 63, 66-67, 88, 238, 283, 313, 314
F
fainting, 39,
241, 275, 324. See also collapse
fatigue, 80-82,
240, 329
Fenugreek seeds,
181
Ferrum met, 49,
185, 284
Ferrum phos, 43,
44, 49, 50, 51, 56, 57, 59, 63, 67, 68, 70, 72, 74, 78, 82, 86, 89, 95, 96, 98,
101, 104, 105, 106,
109, 112, 113,
116, 120, 123, 124, 126, 129, 148, 150, 152, 154, 157, 160, 184, 187, 188, 190,
199, 203, 327, 328
Ferrum pic, 203
fever, 151-53,
227, 237, 253, 255, 285, 327, 328
fibrositis, 82-83
flatulence, 99,
100, 233, 238, 239, 248, 265, 272, 275, 276, 279, 286, 294, 300, 328
Fluoric ac, 110,
200
Folliculinum,
186, 193
Formica rufa, 35
fractures, 41,
225
Fraxinum, 195
G
Gelsemium, 44,
81, 88, 90, 94, 97, 98, 102, 121, 130, 152, 191, 285, 328
glandular fever,
84-85
Glonoine, 44, 89,
93, 94, 188
glue ear, 151
Gnaphalium, 114
Gossypium, 178
gout, 199-200,
233, 275, 296, 311, 323
Graphites, 47,
59, 66, 80, 86, 100, 110, 111, 119, 132, 137, 183, 189, 202, 286
H
hair loss, 118,
181, 200-201
Hamamelis, 34,
37, 85, 86, 129, 159, 172, 287, 328, 329
hangover, 329
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hay fever, 5, 10,
63, 86-89, 283, 310, 314, 316
headache, 44, 45,
69, 82, 89-92, 94-95, 101, 107, 117, 118, 128, 152, 158, 160, 181, 184, 185,
192, 201, 229, 285,
301, 305, 316,
321
heart pain. See
angina
heartburn, 98-101
heat exhaustion,
44, 94-95
Helonius, 82,
176, 191
hemorrhoids, 68,
69, 85-86, 224, 239, 264, 287, 303, 327
Hepar sulph, 34,
41, 47, 56, 58, 60, 65, 70, 72, 78, 117, 120, 121, 123, 125, 127, 135, 149,
155, 156, 288, 328
herpes, genital,
83-84, 169, 257, 300
Herpes
progenitalis nosode, 169
Herpes simplex
nosode, 61
hiccups, 140,
278, 280, 290
hives, 95-96,
233, 323, 329
hoarsehess, 96-97
homeopathy,
history of, xiii-xiv, 4, 8-9
hormesis, 14-15
hot flashes,
188-89, 284, 295, 315, 316, 317, 320
Hydrastis, 59,
65, 69, 108, 117
Hypercal, 41, 56,
179
Hypericum, 34,
35, 37, 41, 42, 79, 92, 126, 150, 179, 289, 328, 329
I
Ignatia, 49, 66,
77, 97, 103, 122, 161, 168, 175, 185, 202, 204, 290, 328
impetigo, 154-55,
226, 230, 300
impotence,
201-202, 277, 319
incontinence,
97-98, 167, 239, 267, 271, 284. See also bed wetting
indigestion,
98-101, 228, 274, 298, 328
influenza,
101-103, 282, 285, 327, 328, 329
insect bites and
stings. See bites
insomnia, 103-104,
229, 250, 268, 273, 274, 303, 328, 329
Iodum, 186, 189,
202, 204, 291
Ipecac, 53, 71,
77, 131, 140, 145, 163, 170, 176, 180, 188, 292
Iris vers, 90,
131
irritability and
crying, 137-38, 155-56, 328, 329
J
jaundice,
104-105, 141, 233
jet lag, 328
Juglans regia,
142
K
Kali bich, 9, 39,
59, 65, 91, 108, 117, 293
Kali brom, 47,
161
Kali carb, 54,
86, 93, 114, 130, 172, 174, 178, 188, 201, 294
Kali iod, 116,
195
Kali tour, 53,
55, 56, 58, 59, 64, 67, 69, 71, 75, 79, 90, 97, 99, 102, 105, 108, 112, 116, 119,
122, 125, 148, 150,
151, 152, 159,
187, 191, 196, 228, 328
Kali phos, 49,
53, 67, 75, 79, 81, 90, 98, 99, 103, 108, 109, 114, 119, 127, 130, 147, 150,
189, 191, 197, 201, 204,
229, 328
Kali sulph, 58,
59, 61, 64, 72, 79, 96, 100, 102, 117, 118, 119, 148, 150, 153, 157, 184, 197,
200, 230, 328
Kreosotum, 127,
147, 197
L
labor, 177-79,
266
Lac caninum, 91,
122, 125, 145, 185
Lac defloratum,
91, 182
lacerations,
33-34, 261, 329
Lachesis, 35, 48,
54, 118, 125, 149, 189, 194, 295
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Lapis albus, 195
Lathyrus, 36
Latrodectus, 93
Law of the
Minimal Dose, 6
Law of Similars,
4
Law of the Single
Remedy, 5
Ledum, 34, 35,
36, 37, 42, 46, 83, 168, 200, 296, 328, 329
Lilium, 93, 196
Lilium tig, 175,
297
Lobelia, 131, 171
lumbago, 106. See
also backache
Lycopodium, 50,
68, 69, 72, 75, 92, 99, 100, 114, 137, 147, 169, 181, 200, 201, 202, 204, 298
M
Mag carb, 140,
145
Mag mur, 68
Mag phos, 53, 71,
73, 75, 78, 81, 83, 90, 98, 103, 109, 112, 114, 127, 129, 130, 134, 136, 140,
145, 150, 168, 189,
190, 231, 328
measles, 156-58,
280, 329;
German, 153-54
Medorrbinum, 139
Melilotus, 89, 95
meningitis, 197,
238, 269
menopause, 188-89
menstruation,
absence of, 184-85;
adolescent, 192;
delayed, 186,
325;
heavy, 180,
187-88, 315;
irregular, 309;
pain during,
190-92, 266, 270, 329;
scanty, 193-94
Mephitis, 163
Merc bin iod,
121, 125
Merc iod flay,
121
Merc sol, 60
Mercurius, 52,
54, 64, 66, 6, 71, 74, 77, 91, 103, 105, 108, 110, 113, 121, 125, 127, 140,
141, 144, 145, 151, 153,
155, 159, 161,
197, 299, 328
Mezereum, 115,
117, 155, 300
migraine, 90, 91,
316. See also headache
milk crust,
141-42
Millefolium, 160,
176, 180
miscarriage,
173-76, 266, 315
mononucleosis,
84-85
Morbillinum, 157,
166
morning sickness,
170-72, 321
mother tinctures,
xv, 261
motion sickness. See
travel sickness
mouth ulcers,
107-108, 228, 244, 257, 291, 293, 299
mumps, 158-59,
228, 327, 328
Mur ac, 85
N
Naja, 93
Naphthalinum, 88
Nat carb, 132,
145, 301
Nat mur, 45, 49,
52, 54, 58, 59, 62, 63, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 75, 82, 84, 87, 90, 91, 95, 98,
102, 104, 106, 108, 109,
116, 118, 119,
121, 125, 137, 142, 147, 152, 170, 172, 183, 185, 192, 193, 194, 196, 201, 232,
328
Nat phos, 51, 67,
69, 91, 96, 99, 104, 106, 110, 112, 119, 122, 125, 134, 135, 197, 200, 233, 328
Nat sulph, 40,
54, 55, 60, 72, 90, 100, 104, 105, 109, 112, 130, 135, 200, 234, 328
neuralgia,
108-109, 115, 276, 310, 324
night terrors,
162, 229, 271
Nit ac, 69, 108, 132,
197, 302
nosebleeds,
159-60, 227, 241, 259, 284, 287, 292
nosodes, 165-66
Nux vomica, 51,
54, 55, 63, 68, 70, 85, 88, 90, 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 105, 134, 135, 136, 138,
140, 141, 143, 152,
156, 168, 171,
172, 178, 187, 191, 193, 195, 202, 204, 303, 329
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O
Oscillococcinum,
166
Oxalic acid, 97
P
Paeonia, 86
Pareira brav, 203
Parotidinum, 158,
166
perspiration,
offensive, 109-110
Pertussin, 162,
166
Petroleum, 84, 111,
118, 128, 131, 169, 171, 304
Phellandrium,
182.
Phosphoric acid,
75, 81, 90, 145, 201, 202, 305
Phosphorus, 50,
58, 66, 70, 77, 82, 97, 100, 104, 153, 157, 159, 160, 161, 171, 180, 181, 183,
191, 192, 194, 201,
306
Phytolacca, 52,
83, 113, 122, 125, 143, 154, 159, 186, 307
Picric acid, 49,
82
Pilewort
ointment, 85
Pilocarpine mur,
159
Plantago, 127,
147
Podophyllum, 76,
140, 143
Populus trem, 204
post partum
infant, 138;
mother, 179-81
potencies, xv,
xvi, 6, 7, 30
potentization,
xvi, xviii, 5-8
pregnancy,
167-73;
hemorrhoids
during, 86, 172;
varicose veins
during, 128, 129, 172
premenstrual
tension, 193, 317, 329
prickly heat,
142, 323
prostate gland,
97, 202-204, 277
Prunus spinosa,
115
psoriasis, 110-11
Psorinum, 80,
111, 119, 308
Pulsatilla, 52, 58,
59, 61, 64, 67, 72, 77, 78, 89, 91, 92, 99, 104, 112, 117, 123, 129, 135, 138,
143, 145, 146, 150,
151, 154, 155,
157, 159, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 182, 186, 187, 188, 191, 192,
193, 194, 195, 197,
199, 203, 309,
329
puncture wounds,
42, 296, 328, 329
Pyrogen, 117,
127, 177, 179
R
Radium brom, 198
Ranunculus, 109,
115, 310
rash, 79-80,
95-96, 323, 329;
diaper, 139, 261.
See also chickenpox, measles, scarlet fever, skin problems
reactions,
remedy, 31-32
rescue remedy,
Bach, 214, 217
restless legs,
173, 313
rheumatism,
111-113, 228, 233, 247, 266, 268, 293, 307, 323
Rhododendron, 52,
83, 106, 113, 311
Rhus tox, 9, 43,
48, 52, 62, 64, 80, 83, 84, 95, 96, 102, 106, 108, 112, 114, 115, 123, 142,
148, 153, 155, 159, 173,
179, 198, 312,
329
Rhus yen, 115
rhythmicity, 15
Ricinis com, 182
rickets, 224, 225
Rubella, 153, 166
Rumex, 71
Ruta grav, 41,
43, 52, 83, 91, 96, 113, 313, 329
S
Sabadilla, 87,
314
Sabal, 203
Sabina, 132, 174,
175, 176, 178, 180. 187, 191, 315
Sambucus, 53, 71,
143
Sanguinaria, 48,
87, 91, 188, 316
Sarsaparilla, 74
Scarlatinum, 160,
166
scarlet fever,
160-61, 327
sciatica, 113-14,
242, 293
Secale, 81, 176,
178
Selenium, 47,
201, 202
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Page 342
Sempirvivum, 62,
84
Sepia, 39, 60,
69, 100, 105, 131, 132, 168, 170, 174, 178, 180, 181, 182, 185, 186, 187, 188,
191, 192, 193, 194,
195, 197, 317,
329
shingles, 114-16,
300, 310
Silicea, 47, 50,
56, 57, 58, 60, 67, 68, 72, 82, 87, 91, 110, 118, 119, 120, 123, 124, 130, 146,
161, 182, 183, 192,
194, 201, 235,
329
similimum, 30,
221, 222
sinusitis,
116-18, 283, 293
skin problems,
118-20, 230, 234, 240, 243, 328. See also acne, acne rosacea, cradle
cap, impetigo, milk crust,
prickly heat,
rash
sleep problems, 161,
229. See also insomnia, night terrors
sneezing, 62-64,
87-88, 232, 238, 300, 314, 316
snuffles, 142-43
sore throat, 64,
65, 71, 85, 102, 120-22, 124-25, 251, 264, 285, 288, 307, 327, 328
Spigelia, 93, 109
Spongia, 70, 97,
149, 318, 329
sprains and strains,
42-43, 224, 327, 328, 329
Stannum, 81
Staphylococcinum,
115
Staphysagria, 41,
74, 123, 127, 138, 144, 156, 179, 319, 329
Sticta pul, 117
stiffness,
muscle, 43, 83, 112, 113, 253, 311, 312
stress,
emotional, 204, 270, 328, 329
styes, 123, 319,
329
succussion, xvi,
19, 20
Sulph ac, 82, 96,
108, 143, 189
Sulphur, 47, 60,
68, 69, 77, 80, 86, 92, 96, 101, 104, 111, 119, 123, 139, 142, 158, 169, 171,
182, 186, 197, 198, 320
Sulphur iod, 47
sunburn, 43, 263
sunstroke, 44-45
Symphoricarpus
racemosa, 172
Symphytum, 37,
41, 57
synovitis, 123-24
T
Tabacum, 128,
131, 171, 321
Tamus, tincture
of, 61
Tarentula, 36,
56, 173, 204
teething, 143-44,
268, 269, 271, 325, 328
Terebinth, 74
tetanus, 42, 269
Theridion, 130
Thlapsi, 176,
180, 195
thrush, 107, 144,
228, 257, 266
Thuja, 54, 75,
132, 165, 203, 322
tissue salts,
xvi, xviii
tonsillitis,
124-26, 226, 228, 254, 314
toothache, 126-27
travel sickness,
127-28, 131, 257, 273, 304, 321, 328
Trichomonas
infection, 197
Trillium, 187
Tuberculinurn,
126
U
Urtica, 35, 38, 80,
95, 200, 323, 329
urticaria, 95-96
uterine fibroids,
194-195
uterine prolapse,
195-96, 224, 252
V
vaccination,
163-66
vaginal
discharge, 196-97
vaginal itching,
198
Varicella, 148,
166
varicose veins,
128-29, 224, 265, 287, 327
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Page 343
Veratrum album,
37, 39, 69, 76, 168, 324, 329
vertigo, 129-30,
229, 248, 273, 376, 304, 311, 321
Vibernum, 73,
174, 175, 191
Vinca, 137
Viola, 137, 142
Vipera, 129
voice, loss of,
96-97, 247, 251, 267
vomiting, 40, 66,
71, 76, 77, 89, 90, 91, 98, 100, 105, 127, 128, 130-31, 140, 144-45, 148, 152,
153, 160, 163, 170-
71, 225, 233,
244, 245, 273, 275, 276, 280, 292, 293, 321, 324, 329
W
warts, 132, 232,
234, 243, 244, 256, 267, 281, 302, 315, 319, 322
whooping cough,
71, 162-63, 271, 280, 318
worms,
intestinal, 271, 314
Z
Zincum met, 81,
173, 325
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Page 345
Paul Callinan
began his career in science, taking his BSc in Physics, and then an MSc in
Physiology at the
University of
Melbourne. He subsequently became interested in alternative medicine and
trained as a homeopath,
naturopath and
chiropractor.
He now works as a
lecturer, writer and research consultant to the natural therapies professions.
He has been a
contributing
editor to Wellbeing magazine since its inception. He also runs his own
natural therapies practice in
Balgowlah, New
South Wales, Australia.
< previous page page_345