Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MINOR REMEDIES• 151Symptoms better For open air; for cold air;for walking; for fasting.Symptoms worse For warm air; for warm,stuffy rooms; in the evening; for noise; forsympathy; for eggs.Kalmia latifoliaKALMIACOMMON NAMES Mountain laurel, calico bush,ivy bush, lambkill.ORIGIN Native to eastern North America.BACKGROUND This plant is notoriouslypoisonous: grazing on the leaves can kill cattleand sheep and cause the meat from the animalsto become too toxic to eat.PREPARATION The fresh leaves of the plant inflower are chopped and macerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople for whom Kalmia is most suitable feelfine when lying down, but become dizzy anddisoriented on trying to move.The remedy is usually given for severe, sharpneuralgic pains in the muscles and joints, andfor general muscle pain. The pains are sharpand darting, and generally radiate downward.They are frequently accompanied by greatweakness, stiffness, numbness, trembling, anda tingling sensation. Heart disease, especially ifit develops after a history of neuralgic pain andstiffness, may also be treated with Kalmia.Symptoms better For eating; for remaining still.Symptoms worse For becoming cold; formovement; from sunrise to sunset.KreosotumKREOSOTUMCOMMON NAME Creosote.ORIGIN Distilled from beechwood tar.BACKGROUND Creosote has long been used asa wood preservative, and its name derivesfrom the Greek kreas, or “flesh,” and soter,or “preserver.” A Moravian chemist,Reichenbach, introduced it to medicine in the19th century, but it fell out of favor with allexcept homeopaths.PREPARATION Creosote is dissolved in alcohol,diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileA temperamental state is typical of people whorespond best to Kreosotum. They may also beforgetful, peevish, sensitive to music, andrestless at night. A tendency to dwell on thepast is characteristic, as are dreams of sexualintercourse and a fear of being raped.The classic symptom picture associatedwith Kreosotum is of mucous membranes thatbecome inflamed, suppurate, and then breakdown and bleed, particularly in the vagina, thecervix, and the uterus. The remedy is given foroffensive-smelling discharges from the mucousmembranes that burn the skin and causeitching and swelling, and it may help whenurine burns the skin on contact. It may beprescribed for particular problems before andafter menstruation, such as bleeding betweencycles and heavy,offensive-smellingmenstrual flow thatburns the skin oncontact. Candidiasismay also respond tothe remedy, as mayenuresis (bed-wetting).Symptoms better Forwarmth; after sleep; formovement; for pressureon the affected area;for hot foods.Symptoms worse Forcold; for bathing in coldKREOSOTUM (Creosote)water; for rest;during pregnancy.See also Candidiasis, page 200Lac vaccinum defloratumLAC DEFL.COMMON NAME Skimmed cow’s milk.ORIGIN Skimmed cow’s milk.BACKGROUND Milk has had a checkered historyof favor. It has been lauded as being full ofhealthy vitamins and minerals, yet is also linkedto catarrhal conditions, tuberculosis, andCrohn’s disease.PREPARATION The milk is dissolved in purifiedwater, diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileLac defl. is most effective for people who areclaustrophobic, chilly, listless, and forgetful.They often have either an aversion to milk,or a tendency to drink large amounts, butshow signs of lactose intolerance, whichaffects their nutrition and tends to makethem thin or obese.Key symptoms associated with Lac defl.are weakness and anemia after chronicdisease. Diabetes, water retention related toheart disease, and chronic liver disease mayrespond to the remedy, and it may also helpheadaches, particularly those associatedwith menstruation.Symptoms better For rest; for profuse urine flow.Symptoms worse For cold; for the slightestdraft; during menstruation and pregnancy;for milk.Lachnanthes tinctoriaLACHNANTHESCOMMON NAMES Red root, spirit weed.ORIGIN Native to eastern North America.BACKGROUND A red dye is derived from theplant’s root, hence one of its common names.When eaten, the root causes cerebralstimulation or narcosis.PREPARATION The whole, fresh, flowering plant,with the root, is steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileLachnanthes is most appropriate for those whoare prone to hilarious, overexcited, talkativebehavior followed by stupid, irritable moods.They are restless both night and day, and sleepy,although they often have difficulty falling asleepand may experience distressing dreams.The main focus of the remedy rests on thecirculation, especially in relation to the headand chest. There is typically a sensation of heatbubbling and boiling up from the heart andchest to the head. Right-sided headachesaccompanied by great chilliness may also betreated with this remedy, as may tuberculosis.Symptoms better For being in bed; forbeing warmed.Symptoms worse On the right side; for noise;on waking during the night.Lathyrus sativusLATHYRUSCOMMON NAME Chickpea.ORIGIN Found in the Mediterranean area, Africa,and central Asia.BACKGROUND These edible, pealike seeds havelong been used in cooking, although there islittle tradition of medicinal use.PREPARATION The dried, green seed pods aremacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileThis remedy focuses predominantly on thespine and lower limbs. Characteristic symptomstreated include pain in the lower back, urinaryincontinence, tremors, and total loss of sexualfunction. Sharpened reflexes are furtherpossible symptoms, as are burning heat in thelegs and icy cold feet. Lathyrus has also beenused for weakness and heaviness in theaftermath of influenza and other viral illnesses,and for multiple sclerosis. Symptoms mayworsen rapidly following exposure to cold,damp night air.Symptoms better For undressing.Symptoms worse For damp, cold weather atnight; for touch.See also Multiple sclerosis, page 179