Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR ANIMAL REMEDIES• 105Cantharis vesicatoria syn. Lytta vesicatoriaCANTHARISKEY SYMPTOMS burning, cutting pains • urine that passes in drops • very high libidowith urinary problems • violent behavior • person feels worse for coffeeThe iridescent body of this beetle contains an irritant called cantharidine, whichhas a long, if dubious, reputation in traditional medicine, due in part to its allegedaphrodisiac properties. If taken in large doses, cantharidine is a powerful poisonthat attacks the urinary system. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, burning pain in thestomach and throat, and kidney damage, and can lead ultimately to death. Theremedy Cantharis, proved by Hahnemann in 1805, is given for complaintsaccompanied by burning pain.REMEDY PROFILEThose who benefit most from Cantharisusually have high sex drives, which maybecome uncontrollable during certainillnesses. They can be restless, querulous, anddifficult to get along with when ill. Irritabilityor insolence can even explode into paroxysmsof violence or rage. In extreme cases, this mayescalate into psychological problems such asintense mental confusion or mania.Cantharis is prescribed for conditions thatdeteriorate very rapidly. Typical symptoms areloss of appetite, burning pain in the throat orstomach, and raging thirst with an aversion todrinking, since even a small amount of watermakes the bladder pain worse.Burning cystitis and urinary tractinflammation are the main disorders forwhich Cantharis is used. Tenderness in thearea of the kidneys, renal colic, kidneyinflammation such as nephritis andpyelonephritis, and some other urinarydisorders may also be eased by the remedy.It is given for sunburn, scalds, and burns ifthe skin has blistered, and is also used forinsect bites and stings. Some digestive-tractdisorders, such as gastritis, severe diarrhea,or dysentery, may respond to the remedy, asmay an excessive libido.Severe cystitisSYMPTOMS Constant, urgent desire to urinate,with violent, spasmodic pains in the lowerabdomen. Urine is scanty, hot, and bloody,and is passed drop by drop, with violentburning or cutting pains in the bladder andurethra. After urinating there is a sensationthat the bladder is not actually empty. Theremay be long-term urine retention, whichresults in a loss of muscle tone in the bladder.Inflammation of the genital area may overlystimulate the libido (see below).Symptoms better For warmth; at night.Symptoms worse Before, during, and afterurination; for coffee; for cold drinks.Burns & scaldsSYMPTOMS Burns, sunburn, and scalding, if theskin blisters. Cantharis is also prescribed forblisters that resemble burns.Symptoms better For cold compresses on theaffected area.Symptoms worse For warmth; for touch.Insect bites & stingsSYMPTOMS Unusually sharp pain at the site ofa sting or bite, which has a black center.Anger, restlessness, excitability, or aggravationmay also be evident after the bite or sting.Symptoms better For cold compresses on theaffected area.Symptoms worse For warmth; for coffee.Gastritis, diarrhea &dysenterySYMPTOMS Violent, burning pain, distendedabdomen, and possibly diarrhea accompaniedby a scalding sensation. There may be an urgeto empty the bowels when urinating, a loss ofappetite, and irritability.Symptoms better For warmth; for doubling over;at night.Symptoms worse During urination; for drinking.Excessive libidoSYMPTOMS Uncontrollable, inappropriatesexual arousal. An inflamed genital area, dueSPANISH FLY As a form of defense, this beetlesecretes cantharidine if touched. This activechemical causes the skin to blister.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINFound in southern Europe, notably in Spainand southern France, as well as in westernAsia. Feeds on the leaves of white poplar,ash, privet, elder, and lilac trees.BACKGROUNDTraditionally used for warts, baldness,arousing the libido, and inducingmiscarriage. The Greek “father of medicine,”Hippocrates, advocated Spanish fly fordropsy in the 5th century BCE.PREPARATIONWhole, live beetles are killed by heating.They are then macerated in alcohol and leftto stand for five days, before being filtered,diluted, and succussed.COMMON NAMESSpanish fly, blister beetle.to urinary tract infection, may stimulate sexualactivity (see left). Sexual fantasies may bestrong enough to disturb sleep.Symptoms better For warmth; for rest; forrubbing the genitalia.Symptoms worse During urination; duringsexual intercourse.See also Irritable bowel syndrome, page 189; Ulcerative colitis, page 190; Cystitis, page 260