Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MINOR REMEDIES• 127PREPARATION The fresh flowers, young leaves,and shoots are steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileThose who respond best to Absinthium are proneto nervous overexcitement, experiencingterrifying, horrible dreams and dreadfulhallucinations. A kind of brutal stupor orstupidity may even be apparent in them.Absinthium is primarily associated with thenerves, and key symptoms include trembling,grimacing, and unsteadiness, possibly linkedto alcoholism. In children the remedy maybe given for terrible dreams, nervousness,insomnia, vertigo, fits or seizures, and epilepsy.Symptoms better For movement.Symptoms worse For rising from bed or froma seat; for staying still.Artemisia vulgarisARTEMISIAARTEMISIAABSINTHIUM(Commonwormwood)COMMON NAMES Mugwort, wormwood,sailor’s tobacco.ORIGIN Found in temperate regions of theNorthern Hemisphere.BACKGROUND Mugwort was traditionally kept inmedieval homes to ward off the devil. Chinesedoctors use the herb in moxibustion, atraditional treatment.PREPARATION The fresh root is dug up atthe beginning of winter, chopped, andmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileThe classic symptom picture for Artemisia isof nervous disorders, possibly triggered bybad news, grief, or a blow to the head.The nervous conditions for which thisremedy is used include sleepwalking, fitsor seizures, chorea (involuntary rapid,jerky body movements), and epilepsy.There may be absentmindedness andstupor. Seizures may be brought on bycooling after exertion, or by flickering lights.Children who benefit from Artemisia maytend to experience petit mal fits orabsences rather than full seizures,possibly during teething. They mayhave been born to mothers who felt great griefduring their pregnancy.Symptoms better At night; for rubbing the eyes;for deep breathing.Symptoms worse For fright; for grief; forhead injury; for menstrual problems; forprolonged dancing.Arum maculatumARUM MAC.COMMON NAMES Cuckoo-pint, lords and ladies.ORIGIN Native to central and western Europe,growing in woods and hedgerows.BACKGROUND The arrow-shaped leaves andbright red flowers of this plant are poisonous.Insects are trapped by the flowers anddigested by the plant.PREPARATION The fresh, finely chopped tuber ismacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileArum mac. is associated with severe, violentinflammation or irritation of the mucousmembranes, and is frequently used forrespiratory tract problems. Typical respiratorysymptoms treated by the remedy includeasthma, catarrh, nasal polyps, and constantswallowing. The gums may bleed, and thetongue and throat may be swollen and sore,so that swallowing becomes difficult. Theremay be tickling in the throat, hoarseness, anda desire to cough. The chest may feel tight,and there may be a violent cough and profuse,possibly blood-streaked catarrh.Symptoms better None known.Symptoms worse For pressure on the affectedarea; for stretching; on the left side of the body.Arundo mauritanicaARUNDOCOMMON NAMES Reed, cannizzola.ORIGIN Found in southern Europe, Africa,and Asia.BACKGROUND This genus is used in reeds forwind instruments, in wickerwork, and to makewindbreaks to control erosion.PREPARATION The root sprouts are maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profileThe mental state for which Arundo is mostappropriate is one in which laughter comeseasily, as do lascivious thoughts. Allergicproblems are the key symptoms treated bythis remedy. Typical problems include hayfever with sneezing, catarrhal inflammation,and extreme itching inside the nose,accompanied by excessive salivation.There may be a reduced sense of smell, anditching and burning in the back palate of themouth. Pain at the back of the head may extendto the right eye, with deep-seated pain on eitherside of the head. The hay fever symptoms mayextend to the eyes, causing prickling, itching,and burning of the conjunctiva. The remedymay be used to treat blepharitis (inflammationof the eyelids).Arundo may also be prescribed for a wetcough with breathlessness. Bluish-tingedmucus may be coughed up, with a sensationof bruising in the throat and burning painin the stomach.Symptoms better For open air.Symptoms worse For movement.See also Allergies, page 206Asarum europaeumASARUMCOMMON NAMES Hazelwort, European snakeroot,wild nard, public house plant.ORIGIN Native to woods and shady sites innorthern and eastern Europe.BACKGROUND Introduced medicinally by theancient Greek physician Dioscorides, thisplant was used chiefly as an emetic. Alsoa stimulant, it was once an ingredient oftobacconists’ “head-clearin’ snuff.”PREPARATION The fresh, finely choppedunderground parts are steeped in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to Asarum arenervous, excitable, and oversensitive. Theyare usually weak, often feel chilly, and areunable to live robust, ordinary lives. Oftenthey are overly ambitious and exhausted dueto a stressful occupation. Asarum is also givento recovering alcoholics.The classic symptom picture for thisremedy is of nervous hypersensitivity andedgy, hysterical behavior; even the soundof scratching on cloth becomes unbearable.Other symptoms commonly include nervousexhaustion, restlessness, hand-wringing,severe insomnia, and a sensation of floatingand dizziness. Noise may trigger pain in theears and teeth.Digestive problems with an aversion toeating, possibly associated with anorexia, mayaccompany this disturbed state. There is oftenalcoholism or a desire for alcohol, and anaversion to sexual intercourse.Symptoms better For damp weather;for bathing in cold water.Symptoms worse For cold, dry weather;for any noise or even the thought of noise;for penetrating sounds.