American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

headache, light and dull; restlessness, patient rolling and tossing until
worn out; a rambling mind with an occipital headache; mild ovaritis; mild
neuralgia with irritation of the brain; dragging headache frequently
occurring in women.
Pulsatilla is a remedy for nervous headaches, especially if of the anemic
variety, characterized by pallor of the countenance—the headaches of the
menstrual epoch, of pregnancy, and also those of gastric origin with this
specific character. It relieves the constipation, enuresis and dysuria of
hysteria and pregnancy. It is excellent for the urinary irregularities of the
pregnant condition, with ammoniacal urine, catarrh, pain, tenesmus,
burning or sharp shooting pains. Its influence in this is facilitated by
hydrangea, gelsemium or the benzoate or salicylate of lithium.
Where there are menstrual disorders of any kind, if there be loss of
strength, chilliness, headache, gastric derangements, sour stomach, and
melancholia, pulsatilla is directly indicated.
Leucorrheal discharges, attended with pain in the loins, weariness,
depression of spirits, loss of appetite and general derangement of the
nervous system, are also satisfactorily relieved by pulsatilla taken
internally in five-drop doses of the tincture three times a day, and
continued for a few weeks.
Pulsatilla has been frequently suggested in the treatment of phlebitis. Its
indications should be looked for. Dr. Halbert of Nashville gives pulsatilla
for the eye complications of diabetes. He finds it a reliable remedy
although he does not explain its action.
Our observers in many cases combine pulsatilla with heart remedies and
nux for heart trouble, and nervous weakness, especially if there be
despondency, or with the alkaline salts in acid stomach. The
combinations work very good results if correctly made.
Homeopathists advise pulsatilla in catarrh of the stomach where the
patient suffers most when the food is taken, or where the most benefit is
derived from taking the food cold. Dr. Huffman prescribed it for the
mental symptoms in a patient suffering from chronic catarrh of the
stomach. The tongue was heavily coated. It was dark-brown in the center.
The tip and edges were red; there was fullness and pain always after
eating. Sometimes there was vomiting of the meals. There was a large
quantity of mucus in the vomit. This was followed by a burning sensation
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 32