Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

170 • MINOR REMEDIESTrinitrum syn. NitroglycerinumGLONOINUMCOMMON NAMES Nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerine,glyceryl trinitrate.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND An Italian chemist, AscanioSobreoro, created nitroglycerine in 1846, and20 years later the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobelused it to develop dynamite.PREPARATION Nitroglycerine is dissolved inpurified water, diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileSymptoms that are treated with Glonoinumfocus on the regulation of the circulationbetween the head and the heart. The remedyis used when an increase in blood supplycauses hot flashes, similar to thoseexperienced during heatstroke, which surgeup to the brain in waves, resulting in severeheadaches. There is typically a bursting, “full”sensation in the head, with great confusion anda compulsion to hold the head and squeeze it.Glonoinum is also used for high blood pressure,particularly in the elderly, for heat exhaustion,and for menopausal hot flashes.Symptoms better For fresh air.Symptoms worse For heat, especially that of thesun; for movement such as shaking the head.Uranium nitricumURANIUM NIT.COMMON NAME Uranium nitrate.ORIGIN Chemically prepared.BACKGROUND This is a compound of theradioactive metal uranium, which was named in1789 by Klaproth after the planet Uranus, sincethe element was first located soon after theplanet’s discovery.PREPARATION Uranium nitrate is triturated withlactose sugar.Remedy profileThere is no well-defined picture for people whorespond best to Uranium nit., althoughirritability and depression may be evident.Diabetes, kidney inflammation, high bloodpressure, and liver problems can all respond toUranium nit. It has an affinity with the digestivesystem and may be used for indigestion,bloating, and abdominal gas. Diabetes withwater retention and increased urination mayalso be treated with this remedy.Symptoms better For open air; for rapidmovement; for bathing in cold water.Symptoms worse For heat; for rest; for sourfoods; for wine.See also Diabetes, page 191Urginea maritima var. rubra syn. Drimiamaritima var. rubraSQUILLACOMMON NAMES Sea onion, sea squill.ORIGIN Native to the shores of theMediterranean region.BACKGROUND The bulb of this plant is cultivatedfor the drug industry, since it contains scillarin,which affects the heart. Highly toxic, it has alsobeen used in the manufacture of rat poison.PREPARATION The fresh bulb is steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileSquilla is most appropriate for people who areirritable, weak, and weary. They tend to sleepbadly, and definitely prefer to sit up rather thanlie down.This is a slow-acting remedy, used forconditions that take several days to develop. Itcan be used for chronic bronchitis in the elderly,or for childhood measles, but its primary use isfor chronic respiratory conditions, includingbronchitis, pleurisy, coughs, and asthma withpanting. Squilla is typically prescribed forsymptoms such as a dry, loose, short, violentcough that comes from deep in the lungs, sharppain in the lower left side of the chest, andinvoluntary passing of urine.Symptoms better For rest; for sitting up; forcoughing up even a small quantity of mucus.Symptoms worse In the early morning;for movement.Urtica urensURTICA URENSCOMMON NAME Annual nettle.ORIGIN Found wild in temperate regionsthroughout the world.BACKGROUND In the 1st century CE the ancientGreek physician Dioscorides advocated thisnettle and its relative, Urtica dioica, as atreatment for festering wounds, nosebleeds,and delayed menstruation. The plant has a longtradition of use for many ailments in Westernherbalism, and is still highly valued today.PREPARATION The whole flowering plant,including the root, is steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileAppropriately, urticaria (nettle rash or hives) isa key condition treated by Urtica urens. It isgiven for red, burning, stinging skin eruptionsthat may be swollen or itchy. Symptoms areoften aggravated by warmth, bathing, andvigorous exercise. Itching tends to be worse onrising in the morning, perhaps causing a fear ofgoing to bed at night. Urtica urens is also usedfor actual burns or scalds with classic rednessand blistering, and for blistering, burning,stinging, red, allergic rashes caused by insectbites, stings, shellfish, and plants.Symptoms better For rubbing the affected area;for lying down.Symptoms worse For warmth; during a snowfall;for bathing in cold water; at the same time eachyear; for touch; after childbirth.See also Urticaria (hives), page 242Ustilago zeaeUSTILAGOCOMMON NAME Corn smut.ORIGIN Found as a fungus on corn, especially inCentral and South America.BACKGROUND The Zuni Indians of New Mexicotraditionally used corn smut to hasten labor andprevent uterine bleeding.PREPARATION The ripe, fresh fungus is maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profileThis remedy is best suited to people who tendto be irritable and sad. It is used for women’sproblems such as uterine fibroids, orhemorrhaging that develops followingmiscarriage or labor. The characteristic symptompicture is of slow, congestive bleeding, with clotsthat sometimes form long strings. Ovarian andpelvic pain is often on the left side.Symptoms better For rest.Symptoms worse For touch; for movement; formenopause.URTICA URENS(Annual nettle)