Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

156 • MINOR REMEDIESMygale lasiodora syn. M. avicularis,Aranea avicularisMYGALE LAS.COMMON NAMES Mygale, Cuban spider.ORIGIN Found mainly in South America.BACKGROUND This hairy, bird-catching spiderweaves tube-shaped nets between tree leavesto capture its prey.PREPARATION The whole, live spider is steepedin alcohol, diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileMygale las. is best suited to people who arerestless, anxious, fearful, and delirious. Theymay talk deliriously about work, fear death,and have a high sex drive.The remedy is generally prescribed fortwitching, convulsive movements, possiblyaccompanied by nausea, dimmed vision, andheart palpitations. It is also used for chorea,especially when this affects the muscles of theupper body, including the face. The tongue is sodry that words may seem to be “jerked” out onspeaking. During sleep there may be restlessness,ridiculous dreams, and grinding of teeth.Symptoms better During sleep.Symptoms worse In the morning; for sitting;for eating.Myristica fragrans syn. Nux moschataNUX MOSCH.COMMON NAME Nutmeg.MYRISTICAORIGIN Native to the Molucca FRAGRANS(Nutmeg)Islands of Indonesia, butnow widely cultivated.BACKGROUND Althoughbest known now as aculinary spice, nutmeg haslong been used medicinally by severalcultures, although only in low doses.PREPARATION The whole, fresh or driednutmegs are treated with lime before beingmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileOverexcited, exaggerated senses are typical inthose who respond best to Nux mosch., as arerapidly alternating emotions, such as laughingand crying in turn. They may feel as if theyhave two heads, or as if one part of them isable to watch another part. These people havea sense of detachment from ordinary life,feeling as if they are wrapped in cotton wool.The classic symptom picture for Nux mosch.is of confusion, dizziness, fainting, loss ofcoordination, and great, even overwhelming,drowsiness. Extreme “dryness” in thedigestive system may be treated by theremedy, especially if there is the classicdrowsiness. Symptoms typically includechronic constipation with fullness andbloating in the abdomen, and a tongue sodry that it sticks to the roof of the mouth.Symptoms better For warmth and heat; foropen air.Symptoms worse For cold weather; foremotional stress and shock; for pregnancy.Naja naja syn. N. tripudiansNAJACOMMON NAME Indian cobra.ORIGIN Native to India, although now foundin Asia and tropical Africa.BACKGROUND Indian Ayurvedic doctors havelong used the poisonous venom of this snakefor nervous and blood disorders.PREPARATION The venom is dried andtriturated with lactose sugar.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to Naja feelunfortunate and deeply wronged, but tendto exaggerate or take their problems outof context. They often feel confused, witha sensation of duality, forgetful, sad,tremulous, weak, and chilly.Naja is prescribed chiefly for heartsymptoms, particularly those affecting thevalves. Symptoms typically include heartmurmurs, a slow or racing pulse, violentpalpitations with choking and an inabilityto speak, a valvular lesion (abnormality of thestructure or function of the valve), and anginawith pain extending down the left arm andup to the throat and neck. Naja may be usedfor a heart that has become enlarged due tobeing forced to work harder in order to pushblood through damaged valves. The internalorgans feel as if they are drawn together orscrewed up. Sleep may be restless or inhibitedby a sense of suffocation at night.Symptoms better For driving in the open air;for lying on the right side.Symptoms worse For cold air; for the pressureof clothes, especially collars; for stimulants; forlying on the left side.Natrum arsenicumNAT. ARS.COMMON NAME Sodium arsenate.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND These colorless, transparentprismatic crystals are used medicinally onlyin homeopathy.PREPARATION The compound is triturated withlactose sugar.Remedy profileA history of grief and suppressed emotionsis typical in people for whom Nat. ars. isbest suited. Despite being high achieversand ambitious perfectionists, they are proneto forgetfulness and poor concentration.Often suspicious, they tend to bottle uptheir emotions, and are easily frightenedor startled. Their sleep may be restlessor heavy, and they may wake as iffrom fright.The key affinity for Nat. ars. is with thechest, which generally feels dry, tight, andoppressed. There may be breathlessness ora dry, hacking cough, great sensitivity tosmoke or dust, restlessness, and chillinesswith a preference for wrapping up warmlyand sitting by a fire.Symptoms better For bending forward.Symptoms worse On waking in the morning; forthe slightest exertion; for jarring; for pressureon the affected area.Natrum fluoricumNAT. FLUOR.COMMON NAME Sodium fluoride.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND In some countries, sodiumfluoride is added in minute quantities tothe water supply to reduce dental decay.PREPARATION Sodium fluoride is trituratedwith lactose sugar.Remedy profileNat. fluor. is typically given to those whoare deeply insecure, needing contact withmany different people in order to feel thatthey “belong.” They tend to be highlysensitive, easily hurt, and feel that theydo not fit in. Prone to impulsive sexualrelationships, they may also developlong-standing, passionate liaisons.Any physical symptoms typically occur onthe right side, and sleeping on the left side ispreferred. Symptoms may include cold sweatsin the armpits, an aversion to sour-tastingthings, and a desire for alcohol.Symptoms better For being outside; forviolent movement.Symptoms worse For heat; for sun; for warmth;between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.Natrum phosphoricumNAT. PHOS.COMMON NAME Sodium phosphate.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND These crystals were used in the18th and 19th centuries for intestinal worms,