Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR ANIMAL REMEDIES• 109Lachesis muta syn. Trigonocephalus lachesisLACHESISKEY SYMPTOMS zealous temperament • loquacity• conditions that generally appear on the left side• person feels better for expelling dischargesKnown as “surucucu” by indigenous South American peoples, thebushmaster is a highly poisonous snake whose venom inhibits nerve impulsesin the heart, destroys red blood cells, and interferes with clotting. One bite directlyinto a vein can cause almost instant death. The remedy, proved by Dr. ConstantineHering in 1828, is given mainly for vascular and circulatory conditions.BUSHMASTER SNAKE Unusually, this member ofthe rattlesnake family is an aggressive hunter, withan extremely loud rattle and highly lethal venom.SOURCE DETAILSREMEDY PROFILEThose most responsive to this remedy tend tobe ambitious, creative, perceptive, talkativepeople who live life to the fullest. If theybelieve in an ideology, they have a tendency tofollow it dogmatically. Their intensity maycause them to become fanatical about religionor sex. Being confined in any way isanathema to them, whether physically bytight, restrictive clothing, or emotionallyby commitment in a relationship.A tendency to become overstimulated bytheir intense lifestyle may lead to physicaland mental “congestion” that makes it hard tocontrol their emotions. Egocentric, cruel,and wildly jealous behavior may result.They also slip easily into depression andextreme loquacity.Conditions treated by this remedy usuallyappear on the left side. The symptoms tend todevelop or worsen during sleep. Energy levelsfluctuate. Physical symptoms are eased byexpelling natural discharges such as menstrualblood or gas (while suppressing them cancause discomfort or pain). Similarly, releasing“emotional discharges” brings relief.Lachesis is often used for hot flashes thatoccur during menopause, premenstrualsyndrome, and certain nervous disorders. Theremedy is also prescribed for a sore throat,poor circulation, varicose veins, and certainvascular conditions such as angina.Women’s healthSYMPTOMS Menopausal hot flashes, perhaps withfainting spells, palpitations, and hot sweats.Lachesis is also used for painful menstruation orpremenstrual syndrome with hot flashes, a leftsidedheadache, and violent mood swings.The symptoms may disrupt sleep and improvewith the onset of menstruation.Symptoms better For fresh air; formenstruating; for expelling natural discharges;for eating.Symptoms worse For heat; for sleep; uponwaking; for touch; for the pressure of tight clothes.Spasms & tremorsSYMPTOMS Muscle spasms, tremors, andweakness in the limbs. Spasms may betriggered by the slightest touch, and may beaccompanied by fainting or convulsions.These symptoms may be linked to alcoholism,fever, multiple sclerosis, petit mal epilepsy, oreven brain damage following a stroke.Symptoms better For fresh air; for expellingnatural discharges; for movement; for cold drinks.Symptoms worse For heat; for sleep; for touch;on the left side; for the menopause; for alcoholor hot drinks.Poor circulation & varicoseveinsSYMPTOMS Poor circulation that turns the face,ears, and extremities blue or purple. Anywounds bleed very easily, with even a pinprickoozing great drops of blood. Lachesismay also be used for varicose veins that areengorged and bluish-purple in color.Symptoms better For fresh air; for expellingnatural discharges; for eating.Symptoms worse For lying on the left side; fortouch; for the pressure of tight clothes.Sore throatSYMPTOMS Swollen, dark purple throat,predominantly on the left side, with splinterlikepain that may spread to the ears. Air or liquidsseem more painful to swallow than solids.ORIGINA deadly member of the rattlesnake family.Native territory is South America, andpreferred habitat tends to be the woodedareas of tropical regions.BACKGROUND“Milked” from the live snake, thebushmaster’s venom is used to makean antivenin for people bitten by it. Theantivenin helps counteract the effectsof the bite.PREPARATIONVenom is “milked” from the bushmastersnake before being dissolved in alcohol.The mixture is then repeatedly dilutedand succussed.COMMON NAMESBushmaster snake, surucucu.Symptoms better For fresh air; for expellingnatural discharges; for loosening clothes.Symptoms worse For heat; for sleep; uponwaking; for constriction around the neck; forswallowing fluids.Heart disordersSYMPTOMS Cramping pains in the chest, with arapid, irregular, weak pulse and possiblepalpitations. There may be a strange sensationas though the heart has swollen and becometoo large for the body. Further accompanyingsymptoms typically include anxiety andcyanosis (bluish lips, tongue, and extremities).Symptoms better For fresh air; for expellingnatural discharges; for eating.Symptoms worse For heat; for lying on the leftside; for sleep; for any constriction around thethroat or chest; for touch.See also Multiple sclerosis, page 179; Palpitations, page 186; Rosacea, page 193; Reproduction, page 198, 258; Emotions, page 210