Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

160 • MINOR REMEDIESPiper cubebaCUBEBACOMMON NAMES Cubeb, tailed pepper.ORIGIN Native to Indonesia and widelycultivated in tropical Asia.BACKGROUND The antiseptic and diureticproperties of the cubeb fruits are used in herbalmedicine, and the oil may be used to flavortobacco, pickles, and sauces.PREPARATION The dried, unripe fruits aremacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileCubeba is best suited to people who arerestless and easily startled. They are oftenthirsty, and may crave nuts and delicacies.Their libidos may be very high.The remedy is typically used for mucousmembrane inflammation, especially in theurinary tract. The symptom picture is ofburning pain on urinating and profuse orfrequent urination, possibly due to anxiety.Discolored, smarting urine, possibly containingblood, and a feeling of fullness are furthertypical symptoms. Infections such as cystitis orprostatitis (inflammation of the prostate glands)may be treated with Cubeba, as may gonorrhea.Symptoms better For getting up andwalking around.Symptoms worse At night; in bed.Plantago majorPLANTAGOCOMMON NAME Greater plantain.ORIGIN Native to Europe and temperateregions of Asia, where it grows wild.BACKGROUND Greater plantain has antibacterialproperties and is sometimes usedherbally as a substitute for comfrey to stopbleeding and encourage tissue repair.PREPARATION The fresh root is finely choppedand macerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to Plantago are dull,irritable, and impatient. Mental activity exhaustsand flusters them, and this is made worse byphysical exertion.Key conditions for which this remedy maybe prescribed include earaches and toothaches.Aches are typically caused by sharp, neuralgicpains, often in the head and ears. Twingesof pain may move around the head from frontto back, or from ear to ear, and there may bea sensation in the head as if the brain hasturned over. Plantago is also given forbed-wetting problems.Symptoms better For sleep; for eating.Symptoms worse At night; for touch; forextremes of heat and cold.Podophyllum peltatumPODOPHYLLUMCOMMON NAMES May apple,American mandrake.ORIGIN Native to northeastern North America.BACKGROUND May apple was used by nativeAmericans and 19th-century settlers fromEurope as a purgative, but was later found tobe highly toxic to cells. It is being researchedfor treating certain cancers.PREPARATION The fresh rhizome is dug upwhen the fruits are fully ripe, finely chopped,and macerated in alcohol.Remedy profileThose who benefit most from Podophyllumtend to be forgetful, particularly of words,depressed, afraid that they may die, andunrefreshed by sleep, which is restless.Digestive tract disorders such asgastroenteritis are typically treated with thisremedy. Generally, the lower part of the digestivetract and the liver are most affected. Theappetite often wanes, perhaps becauseeverything suddenly tastes sour or putrid, orbecause the smell of food is loathsome. Sourbelching, vomiting, or diarrhea, particularlyafter eating or drinking, are typical of thissymptom picture. Podophyllum may easeabdominal cramps, or profuse, painlessdiarrhea, preceded by noisy gurgling.Diarrhea may be accompanied by asinking feeling, as if the pelvic contentsare going to prolapse.Symptoms better For warmth; in theevening; for rubbing or stroking theliver area; for bending forward;for lying on the abdomen; foryawning and stretching.Symptoms worse Forearly morning; in hotweather; for anymovement; whilebeing bathed orwashed; for eating.Polygala senegaSENEGACOMMON NAMES Seneca snake root,rattlesnake root.ORIGIN Native to North America andnow cultivated in western Canada.BACKGROUND The SenecaIndians of North Americavalued this plant as anantidote to snake bites, hence its commonname. It was used herbally by native Americansfor bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough.PREPARATION The root is unearthed infall and dried. It is then powderedand macerated in alcohol.Remedy profileSenega is most appropriate for people whosemood is dull and depressed. They havea tendency to fly into sudden rages.The remedy has a strong affinity with therespiratory tract, and is typically used for chestand catarrhal conditions such as coughs,bronchitis, and even tuberculosis, particularlyin the elderly. The classic symptom pictureincludes chest pain, thick profuse clear mucusthat is difficult to expel, and a sensation asthough the lungs are pushed back against thespine. The throat may be raw and sore. Theremay be mucus in the throat that causes ascraping sensation on talking. Breathingmay be short or hurried, with a painful,oppressed feeling in the lungs, as if they arebeing squeezed.Symptoms better For perspiring.Symptoms worse For windy weather; forwalking in and breathing in cold, openair; for touch and pressure on theaffected area.Punica granatumGRANATUMPUNICAGRANATUM(Pomegranate)COMMON NAME PomegranateORIGIN Native to southwest Asia,and naturalized in Europe.BACKGROUND An ancienttreatment for intestinalworms, the pomegranatewas cited in the Eberspapyrus, written in Egyptc. 1500 BCE. The fruits,juice, and seeds all haveculinary uses.PREPARATION The dried barkof the root and branchesis macerated in alcohol.