Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

148 •MINOR REMEDIESThe remedy isoften used forpeople susceptibleto cancerous andprecancerous states,notably those affectingthe liver, colon, orbreast. Hydrastis hasan especially strongaffinity with livercancer, and may betaken to reduce theneed for narcoticsand analgesics.Symptoms betterFor warmth; forcovering upwarmly; for dryweather; for rest;for pressure onthe affected area.Symptoms worseAt night; for openair; for bathing;during pregnancy;for the touch ofclothing; for alcohol and drug abuse.See also Catarrh, page 226Hypericum perforatumHYPERICUMHYDRASTISCANADENSIS(Goldenseal)COMMON NAME St. John’s-wort.ORIGIN Native to Europe and Asia, butnow found in temperate areas worldwide.BACKGROUND Renowned medicinally sinceclassical times, St. John’s-wort was longthought to have magical importance too.An extract of it is given for depression.PREPARATION The whole, fresh plant is finelychopped and macerated in alcohol.Remedy profileHypericum is prescribed for people who aredepressed, frightened, or shocked followingan injury or accident. They may be nervous,overexcited, constantly drowsy, talk whileasleep, and forgetful when speaking. Thesepeople may also experience a constantsensation of elevation or falling.Key physical symptoms associated with thisremedy are injuries or wounds that feel morepainful than they appear, with extremely sharppains, perhaps in nerve-rich areas such as thefingertips or the base of the spine. The remedymay be used to relieve pain followingoperations, accidents, puncture wounds,and animal bites, and is also given to helpprevent tetanus. Nervous pains in phantomlimbs after amputation, and toothaches ordiscomfort after dental treatment, may also behelped by the remedy.Symptoms better For lying quietly; for lyingface down; for bending the head backward;for rubbing the affected area.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather;for injury; for jarring; for shock.Iridium metallicumIRIDIUM MET.COMMON NAME Iridium.ORIGIN Obtained from osmiridium, an alloy ofiridium, osmium, and platinum.BACKGROUND This metal is named after theGreek goddess of the rainbow, Iris, due to itscolorful salts. It is used in fountain-pen nibsand hypodermic needles.PREPARATION Iridium is triturated withlactose sugar.Remedy profileThose who respond most effectively toIridium met. are generally well presentedand confident. If not successful in theirplans or projects, or if they become ill andexhausted, they may experience confusion,with poor concentration and the feelingthat their minds are empty.Classic physical symptoms linked toIridium met. include exhaustion andanemia following a bout of illness, andmuscle pain and stiffness with tender,swollen joints. There may be nervous,pinching pains in the wrists, fingers, andlimbs. In the hip joints there may bescraping, smarting pains and a crawlingsensation; sciatic nerve pain may radiatedown the legs. Neuralgic pains, perhaps inthe back of the head, may be treated withIridium met., as may lameness or partialparalysis, especially in the elderly. The remedyis also used to help prevent suppuratingabscesses in the armpits.Symptoms better For cold; for being indoors;for pressure on the affected area; for continuedmovement.Symptoms worse For talking; on the leftside of the body.Iris versicolorIRISCOMMON NAMES Blue flag, snake lily.ORIGIN Native to North America, and nowalso grown widely in Europe.BACKGROUND Native Americans used blue flagto treat stomach complaints, wounds andsores, colds, and earaches, and as a diuretic.Modern herbalists use the plant indetoxification treatments.PREPARATION The fresh root, dug up andchopped in summer, is steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileThe mood of people who respond best toIris is generally low. They often feel restlessand discouraged.Key symptoms related to the remedy areheadaches and migraines accompanied bydigestive disorders such as nausea, severediarrhea, or cholera. Warning signals thatprecede a migraine include great exhaustionand blurring or loss of vision. Migraines aretypically right-sided but may alternate fromside to side. They usually center in the templeor around the eyes, and involve throbbingpain, severe nausea, vomiting, and profusesalivation. The head pain is typicallyaggravated by vomiting and is typically weekly.Symptoms better For gentle movement.Symptoms worse For hot weather; at night;for mental exhaustion.Juniperus communisJUNIPERCOMMON NAME Juniper.ORIGIN Found in Europe and North America,and from southwest Asia to the Himalayas.BACKGROUND Juniper has been used sinceclassical times, both medicinally and incooking. Traditionally, sprigs were flung intofires to ward off evil spirits, and burned toprotect against the plague. The berries areused to flavor gin.PREPARATION Alcohol is added to the finelychopped, fresh, ripe berries.Remedy profileClassically this remedy has a reputation forincreasing urine production, and is used totreat water retention, possibly with advancedkidney disease. The urine may contain bloodand have a strange scent of violets, and there