Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

126 •MINOR REMEDIESARGENTUM METALLICUM(Silver)There may be bruising pains that bore intothe joints, or pulling, cramping pains in thelimbs and bones. Arthritis with paralytic painand weakness may be present. The remedymay also be prescribed to treat nervouscomplaints involving spasmodic movementsand convulsive shocks in the body.Disorders of the reproductive organs mayalso be treated by Argentum met., especially ifthey are accompanied by thick, profusesecretions of the related mucous membranes.In men, frequent seminal emissions withoutsexual excitement at night may be treated. Inwomen the remedy is given for ovarian pain,possibly due to cysts or tumors, and forbleeding between menstrual periods or heavyhemorrhaging during menopause. Argentummet. may also be helpful in treating throatinflammation and voice loss.Symptoms better For wrapping up; for movement.Symptoms worse For warmth; for sun; formental strain; for using the voice; for touch;in the morning.Arisaema triphyllum syn. A. atrorubens,Arum triphyllumARUM TRIPH.COMMON NAMES Jack-in-the-pulpit, Indianturnip, wild turnip.ORIGIN Found in North America.BACKGROUND Jack-in-the-pulpit was usedmedicinally by native Americans. The freshroot is a severe skin irritant, but when driedit was used for a variety of ailments,including headaches, chest problems, andrheumatoid arthritis.PREPARATION The fresh tuber is chopped andmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to Arum triph. tendto be excitable and nervous. They are oftenrestless and cross. Characteristically, theymay bore their heads into their pillows.Key conditions associated withArum triph. involve irritation andinflammation of the mucousmembranes and skin, such asallergic skin reactions, eczema,scarlet fever, or hay fever. Typicalsymptoms include raw, red, itchyskin, particularly on the face, anda raw, burning mouth and throat,with acute or chronic hoarseness.The lips may be chapped or cracked atthe corners. Picking the lips and the nose arefurther common symptoms, especially ifaccompanied by delirium.Symptoms better For warmth; for eatingbreakfast and dinner.Symptoms worse For cold and wet; for heat;for cold, northeasterly winds; for overusing thevoice; for lying down.See also Allergies, page 206Arsenicum iodatumARSEN. IOD.COMMON NAMES Arsenic iodide, iodideof arsenic.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND These orange-red crystals arehighly toxic and must be protected from lightto prevent the loss of iodine.PREPARATION Pure arsenic iodide crystals aredissolved in alcohol.Remedy profileThis remedy is most appropriate for peoplewho are irritable and restless. Excitable andimpatient, they may have sudden, violentimpulses. Their bodies are warm.The classic symptom picture for Arsen. iod.is of either great restlessness or totalexhaustion, possibly associated with chronicchest infection and burning discharges fromthe mucous membranes. There may be ahistory of allergic and respiratory conditions.Arsen. iod. is most often used for hay fever orinfluenza that is accompanied by the classicburning discharge, soreness of the mucousmembranes, and frequent sneezing. There maybe a loose, short, hacking cough or a burning,sore throat associated with inflammation. Theremedy may also be given for asthma andshortness of breath with rapid breathing thatgradually becomes a wheeze. It may also beused for hyperactivity in children.Symptoms better For open air; after eating.Symptoms worse For dry, windy, cold, or foggyweather; for the heat of the bed; for exertion;for tobacco smoke.See also Hay fever & allergic rhinitis, page 224Artemisia abrotanumABROTANUMCOMMON NAMES Southernwood, lady’s love,old man.ORIGIN Native to southern Europe.BACKGROUND Containing a strong, volatile oilthat repels insects, this plant’s leaves havelong been used as a moth repellent whenplaced among clothes.PREPARATION The fresh, finely chopped leavesand shoots are steeped in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople for whom Abrotanum is best suitedtend to be anxious and depressed. They mayfeel dull of mind and become easily fatiguedwhen speaking or studying. Alternatively, theycan be irritable, excited, and violent, and havean urge to shout.Key symptoms include emaciation anddebilitation of the lower limbs, possibly inchildren who fail to thrive, or due to polio.A classic feature of Abrotanum is that certainsymptoms die away rapidly and areimmediately replaced by other symptoms. Forexample, chest symptoms may develop afterskin eruptions have failed to come out, heartdisease develops following the suppression ofrheumatic symptoms, or mumps is transferredfrom the parotid glands to the testes.Symptoms better For passing loose stools;for movement.Symptoms worse For cold and damp air; ifsecretions are suppressed (for instance, bytaking drugs to suppress diarrhea).Artemisia absinthiumABSINTHIUMCOMMON NAMES Common wormwood,green ginger.ORIGIN Native to Europe, but now grows wildin central Asia and the eastern US, and iswidely cultivated in temperate areas.BACKGROUND Common wormwood wasoriginally a primary flavoring in vermouth,and the basis of absinthe, an addictive drinkpopular in 19th-century France but nowillegal in many countries.