Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MINOR REMEDIES• 133Camellia sinensis syn. Thea sinensisTHEACOMMON NAME Tea.ORIGIN Native to China, although nowcultivated commercially, particularly in India,Sri Lanka, and China.BACKGROUND Long established in manycultures as a beverage, tea is also used inIndian Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic for thedigestive system and nerves.PREPARATION The leaves are dried, thensteeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileThea is associated chiefly with an overactivenervous system. Those who respond best to ittend to be in a rather overwrought frame ofmind, and are inclined to quarrel over theslightest things. Thea is given for extreme formsof behavior in children and adults, includingirritability, mental restlessness, violent impulses,and even psychiatric problems. Adults may havemurderous desires, perhaps toward their ownchildren, or they may feel suicidal, especially atnight when they are unable to sleep due to anoveractive mind.This overactivity of the nervous systemcauses physical symptoms such as insomnia,indigestion, and palpitations or other heartproblems, which may be helped by Thea.Symptoms better For warmth; for bathing inwarm water.Symptoms worse For walking in the open air;at night; after meals.Cannabis sativaCANNABIS SAT.COMMON NAMES Marijuana, European hemp,American hemp, pot, weed.ORIGIN Native to northern India, China, andIran, but now cultivated worldwide.BACKGROUND This plant is cultivatedfor its fiber and seeds and illegally as arecreational drug. It is closely related toCannabis sativa ‘Indica’ (see page 43).PREPARATION The tops of the male and femaleflowers are macerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople for whom Cannabis sat. is consideredmost suitable have a tendency to be ratherdreamy, absentminded, and detached. Theyoften have the feeling that everything isslightly unreal, and are easily debilitated.The remedy is prescribed primarily forproblems of the urinary and reproductivesystems. It may be used for urogenitalsymptoms such as infections in the urinarytract, and cystitis with severe, burning pains andspasms that interrupt the flow of urine. Typicalreproductive system disorders associated withthe remedy include discharges from ornarrowing of the urethra, inflammation of thepenis, and acute gonorrhea.Symptoms better For warmth; for rest.Symptoms worse For urinating; for beingapproached by anyone; for looking at brightobjects; for touch.Capsella bursa-pastoris syn. Thlaspibursa-pastorisTHLASPICOMMON NAME Shepherd’s purse.ORIGIN Native to Europe and Asia.BACKGROUND This plant’s common namederives from its seed pods, which resembleheart-shaped purses. It was used in WorldWar I to treat hemorrhaging.PREPARATION The aerial parts, dried whenin flower, are finely chopped and maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profilePredominantly a remedy given for problemsof the female reproductive system, Thlaspi isespecially associated with fibroids and withhemorrhaging, particularly during pregnancy.The hemorrhaging is characteristicallyaccompanied by great pain and violentcramping in the uterus. It may occur betweenmenstrual periods, during pregnancy,following labor, or after a miscarriage orabortion. Menstrual flow tends to beexcessively profuse and frequent, causinggreat exhaustion. Frequent nosebleeds arealso a possible symptom during pregnancy.Symptoms better For bending over.Symptoms worse None known.Capsicum annuum var. annuumCAPSICUMCOMMON NAMES Chili pepper, sweet pepper,bell pepper.ORIGIN Native to tropical America, andcultivated throughout Africa and India.BACKGROUND The dried pods have long beenused both as a hot spice in cooking, and asa stimulant and irritant in herbalism. Theindigenous tribes of tropical America alsoused it as a local painkiller.PREPARATION The dried pods are steeped inalcohol, then diluted and succussed.Remedy profileCapsicum is best suited to those who are“peppery,” discontented, and ratherpessimistic. Homesickness or nostalgiaoften prevents them from fullyengaging in their daily lives.The classic symptom picturefor this remedy is of lowvitality, perhaps in the elderly orthose debilitated by alcoholismor prostate conditions. Weaknessis usually accompanied by slowhealing processes, infections thattend to suppurate, and greatsensitivity to drafts. Further typicalsymptoms include a raw, red,burning throat that smarts,as if from eating the pepper itself.Symptoms better For heat; forcontinued movement; for eating.Symptoms worse For cold air;for the least draft; foruncovering the affectedarea; for drinking orbathing in cold water.See also Prostate problems,page 202Carbo animalisCARBO AN.CAPSICUMANNUUM(Chili pepper)COMMON NAME Animal charcoal.ORIGIN Charcoal made from oxhide.BACKGROUND To make animal charcoal,oxhide is heated until luminescent, thentransferred to an airtight environment.PREPARATION Charcoal ash is trituratedwith lactose sugar.Remedy profileCarbo an. is typically prescribed for elderlypeople with strong nostalgia for the past andan aversion to modern life. They tend to feelchilly, feeble, abandoned, and that “everythingwas better in the old days.”The remedy is mainly used for painful,slow-developing symptoms associated withold age, poor nutrition, and decay, such asswollen, painful veins, poor circulation withblue extremities, cancer, and great fatigue.Pains typically feel as if they are burning,cutting, or stabbing.Carbo an. is used particularly in thetreatment of cancer, especially cancers of theglands or the uterus, and for distension of theabdomen after abdominal surgery.Symptoms better For warm rooms; for rubbingthe eyes; for pressing the hand on theuncomfortable area.Symptoms worse For dry, cold air; aftermidnight; for shaving; for eating; for fattyfoods and milk.See also Cancer, page 208