Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

162 • MINOR REMEDIESRaphanus sativus var. nigerRAPHANUSCOMMON NAME Black radish.ORIGIN Native to southern Asia, but now widelycultivated worldwide.BACKGROUND The ancient Romans used radishoil for skin diseases, and radish was a noteddigestive stimulant in Chinese medicineby CE 659.PREPARATION The fresh roots, dug up in springbefore flowering, are finely chopped andsteeped in alcohol.Remedy profileThose who benefit most from Raphanus may feel“collapsed” and lacking in spirit. The remedyhas a strong affinity with the digestive tract, andis given for extreme abdominal distension. Aclassic use of Raphanus is for postoperative paindue to trapped gas, with gurgling and greatswelling in the abdomen.Symptoms better For walking in theopen air.Symptoms worse At night; for jarring; forcoughing; for touch, even of the clothes;for laughing.Resina piceaeABIES NIG.COMMON NAME Pine resin.ORIGIN Resin from the black spruce (Piceamariana), found in northern North America,from Alaska to Newfoundland.BACKGROUND The oil distilled from the wood ofthis tree is used largely in the manufactureof paints.PREPARATION The resin from the tree is driedand macerated in alcohol.Remedy profileLow-spirited, nervous people who are unable toconcentrate or settle are best suited to Abies nig.They are lethargic and dull by day, yet cannotsleep at night. Abies nig. is mainly associatedwith a sense of “blockage.” It is often used forindigestion with a knotted sensation, as if an eggor stone is lodged in the stomach. The stomachpain always develops after eating and, in anattempt to relieve the discomfort, there may befrequent belching, possibly with constipation,foul-smelling breath, and mild fever withalternating chills and fever. Tea and tobacco areoften causative factors behind the Abies nig.symptom picture.Symptoms better For movement;for walking.Symptoms worse For tobacco; for tea;for eating.Rheum officinale or R. palmatumRHEUMCOMMON NAME Rhubarb or Chinese rhubarb.ORIGIN Both species are native to China andTibet, but are now grown worldwide.BACKGROUND Long used in Chinese medicine,notably as a laxative, these non-culinary typesof rhubarb were adopted by European doctorsin the 18th century.PREPARATION The root of either species is driedand macerated in alcohol.Remedy profileRheum is most suitable for those with sourmoods who tend to be undemanding andwithdrawn, yet restless and “quarrelsome insleep.” Children who respond to Rheum are fullof fears, crying and restless at night. Both adultsand children may tire rapidly.Chronic, sour-smelling diarrhea is a keycondition linked with Rheum. The stools aresour-smelling, and may be yellow or green,frothy, or fermented. Further typical symptomsinclude sour-smelling breath and a sour taste toall foods, causing a loss of appetite. The remedymay also be used for nausea or colicky pain thatfeels worse for standing and is often accompaniedby shivering and an urge to pass stools.Symptoms better For wrapping up; for warmth;for doubling over on lying down.Symptoms worse For hot weather; for teething;before, during, and after passing stools; foreating sour fruits in the summer.Rhododendron chrysanthumRHODODENDRONCOMMON NAMES Siberian rhododendron,yellow snow rose.ORIGIN Found mainly in alpine areas of Siberia,but also in mountainous regions of Asiaand Europe.BACKGROUND An infusion of this plant isa traditional Mongolian drink used by huntersto ease weary, painful limbs and for gout andrheumatic pains.RHODODENDRONCHRYSANTHUM(Siberian rhododendron)PREPARATION The leafy shoots are dried andmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileRhododendron is most suited to nervous,overly sensitive people who are deeplyaffected by the weather. Prior to a storm, theymay feel confused, excited, and faint, alternatingfeverish excitement with chaotic behavior.The symptom picture for this remedy focusesprimarily on joint problems such as gout,arthritis, or rheumatic pain. Symptoms mayaffect the fibrous tissues, small joints, bones,and nerves, often resulting in swollen joints,with tearing, wrenching pain that causesrestlessness, weakness, and stiffness in thelimbs. Joint pains may move around the body.The remedy may also be used to ease swellingin the scrotum (hydrocele).Symptoms better For warmth; for the heat of thesun; after a storm breaks; for wrapping up thehead; for lying in bed with the limbs drawn up;for movement.Symptoms worse For rough or windy weather;for getting wet or catching cold; before storms;for changes in temperature; for rest; on beginningto move.See also Hydrocele, page 264Rhus toxicodendronRHUS TOX.COMMON NAMES Poison ivy, poison oak.ORIGIN Found widely in North America.BACKGROUND Native Americans used this plantto treat skin eruptions and nervous paralysis.Contact with its leaves produces redness,swelling, and blistering.PREPARATION The fresh leaves, gathered at sunsetjust before the plant comes into flower, aremacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileRhus tox. is particularly beneficial to people whoare usually lively but shy, but restless andagitated when ill. Children who respond to theremedy tend to be overactive, restless, irritable,and malicious. If illness becomes chronic inthese people, they may become fixed in theirways. Rhus tox. is known primarily as a remedyfor skin and joint disorders. It may be helpfulfor skin eruptions with blisters, followed byburning, red, swollen skin that tends to scaleand flake off. Skin conditions such as chickenpox, shingles, herpes, eczema, rosacea, anddiaper rash may all respond to the remedy.Musculoskeletal problems are another focusof Rhus tox. It is used for acute rheumatic orarthritic pain, sciatica, restless legs, cramps,sprains, and strains.