Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

166 • MINOR REMEDIESSerenoa repens syn. S. serrulataSABALCOMMON NAME Saw palmetto.ORIGIN Native to southeastern North America.BACKGROUND Native Americans valued this plantas a food source and for its sedative and tonicmedicinal properties.PREPARATION The fresh, ripe fruits are finelychopped and macerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who benefit most from Sabal tend tobrood on their symptoms, yet are often angeredby sympathy. They may be irritable, apathetic,introverted, depressed, and afraid to go to sleep.This remedy is given mainly for problems ofthe genitourinary organs. Typical symptomstreated include frequent urination, especiallywhen this occurs at night, which may be dueto cystitis. Urine retention due to prostateenlargement or gonorrhea may be helpedby Sabal, as may inflammation in the seminaltubes, heavy, aching pains or, occasionally,sharp pains in the bladder that extend to theabdomen or radiate down the thighs. Anothertypical symptom is a sensation of coldness inthe bladder, possibly extending to the externalgenitals. Sabal is also used for sexual orgeneral fatigue.Symptoms better After sleep.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather; beforemenstruating; for sympathy.See also Prostate problems, page 202Silybum marianum syn. Carduus marianusCARDUUSCOMMON NAMES St. Mary’s thistle, milk thistle.ORIGIN Native to the Mediterranean region andgrown throughout Europe.BACKGROUND The flowerheads were traditionallygrown to eat as a substitute for artichokes,and boiled as a spring tonic following thewinter months.PREPARATION The ripe, dried seeds are soaked inwater for one to two days and then maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profileCarduus is most suitable for people who arecompletely run down, with the kind of totalphysical and mental exhaustion, blankness, andindifference that may arise following a hard lifeof physical labor, or that may be causedby alcoholism.The classic symptom picture for Carduusis of acute or chronic liver problems andlung conditions such as asthma. Theremedy may be used for severe liver andabdominal pain that is most marked whenlying on the left side, or for gallbladderpain and gallstone colic. The stools aretypically discolored and pale due to livermalfunction, or they may be dark due tointernal bleeding in the digestive system.Symptoms better For sitting up in bed; aftera nosebleed.Symptoms worse For movement; for lying on theleft side; for alcohol.Simarouba cedron syn. Simaba cedron,Quassia cedronCEDRONCOMMON NAMES Cedron, rattlesnake beans.ORIGIN Found in Central America andnorthern Brazil.BACKGROUND Known in Panama as an antidotefor snakebite and insect stings if chewedimmediately after being bitten, cedron was alsoused for malaria or fever.PREPARATION Cotyledons (embryonic shoots)from the dried, ripe seeds are maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to Cedron tend to benervous, restless, and even hysterical, possiblyexperiencing depression following any nervousexcitement. They may dread going to bed andfear their friends.A characteristic of the complaintsassociated with Cedron is that they tend torecur at exactly the same hour each day.The remedy is used for recurrent fevers,such as those associated with malaria, andfor neuralgic pains and other nervoussystemconditions such as spasms or tics.Severe headaches or migraines, perhapswith nausea, fever, or cerebrospinalmeningitis, may also respond to Cedron.Symptoms better For standing erect.Symptoms worse For open air; at the sametime each day; after sleep.Smilax officinalis syn. S. ornata,S. regelii, S. medicaSARSAPARILLACOMMON NAMES Sarsaparilla, wild licorice.ORIGIN Native to Central and South Americaand Jamaica.BACKGROUND Long used medicinally byindigenous tribes in South America,sarsaparilla was introduced to Europe inthe 17th century as a cure-all. It was laterused to flavor root beer.PREPARATION The dried root is steeped in alcohol,diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileSarsaparilla is most effective for people whoare depressed and anxious, blaming their stateof mind on the pain they feel. They tend alsoto feel the cold.Sarsaparilla has a strong affinity with theurinary tract. It is prescribed for cystitischaracterized by a constant urge to urinate, painas urination ends, and possibly blood or a sandyor gravelly precipitate in the urine. There maybe involuntary dribbling of urine, especially onsitting down, and normal flow may only happenwhen in a standing position.Symptoms better For standing; for uncovering theneck and chest.Symptoms worse In the spring; for wet andcold weather; for movement; as urination ends;during menstruation.Solidago virgaureaSOLIDAGOCOMMON NAME Goldenrod.ORIGIN Native to Europe and Asia andnaturalized in North America.BACKGROUND This herb has traditionally beenused externally to heal wounds, thrush, ulcers,and insect bites, and internally for urinarytract infections.SOLIDAGOVIRGAUREA(Golden rod)