Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MINOR REMEDIES• 171Valeriana officinalisVALERIANACOMMON NAME Common valerian.ORIGIN Native to Europe and northern Asia,and cultivated in central Europe.BACKGROUND Once known as “all-heal,”valerian has been used since the timeof ancient Rome for anxiety, insomnia,and high blood pressure. In WorldWar I the tincture was widely usedfor shell shock.PREPARATION The fresh root is unearthed andmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileThose with a nervous, irritable, restless,and mentally or emotionally unstable stateof mind respond best to Valeriana. It isused for an extreme nervous state possiblycharacterized by hysteria, raving, swearing,and madness, accompanied by a sensationof dreaming or floating. Fluctuating moodswings that alternate between extreme joyand deepest grief are typically linkedto this remedy.Physically, Valeriana is associated withneuralgic pains, a rapid pulse, and bloodcongestion in the head. Pains tend to bedarting and tearing, alternating betweenthe upper and lower limbs. The limbs feelpainful, heavy, and difficult to move, andmay jerk on resting. Headaches tend todevelop slowly, in spurts, or suddenly,as if caused by a blow to the head.Symptoms better For changing position;for walking around; for sleep; for sweating.Symptoms worse In the early afternoon;in the late evening; at rest; for standingor sitting still; for excitement; for fasting.Veratrum virideVERATRUM VIR.COMMON NAME American white hellebore.ORIGIN Found throughout northwesternNorth America.BACKGROUND Although once used as a herbalremedy by the Iroquois and CherokeeIndians, this highly toxic plant is now littleused in herbal medicine.PREPARATION The fresh root is gathered in falland macerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond best to this remedyare often restless, quarrelsome, and proneto complaining.Veratrum vir. has a strong affinity with lungconditions such as asthma, pleurisy, andpneumonia. Symptoms appear rapidly,including a strong or slow pulse, high fever,anxiety, and vomiting. There may be a redstreak in the center of the tongue.Another rapid-onset condition for whichVeratrum vir. is given is intense fever withtwitching, especially during sleep, spasms,delirium, chorea (involuntary, random, jerkymovements), or even manic behavior orpuerperal fever (infection in the genital tractafter miscarriage, an abortion, or childbirth).Violent, rapidly appearing headachesmay occur, with a bursting,congested sensation in the head,as if it contains too much blood.Symptoms better For rubbing the affectedarea; for lying with the head held low; for hot,strong coffee.Symptoms worse For cold; for the heat ofthe sun; for rising; for movement; for lyingon the back; after childbirth; for suppressedmenstruation, possibly caused by jet lag.Verbascum thapsiformeVERBASCUMCOMMON NAMES Great mullein, Aaron’s rod.ORIGIN Native to central and southern Europeand western Asia.BACKGROUND Greek mythology relates thatOdysseus used great mullein to protecthimself from Circe, and in the Middle Agesit was thought to be magical. Today it isgenerally used in herbalism for coughs.PREPARATION The fresh aerial parts in flower,excluding the woody parts, are finelychopped and steeped in alcohol.Remedy profileVerbascum is of most benefit to those whoare apathetic, lazy, and easily distracted bythe varied thoughts that crowd upon them.The symptoms treated by Verbascum areoften associated with painful neuralgicconditions, particularly of the facial area.Typical symptoms include neuralgic pains inthe face and teeth, especially on the left side,with severe pain in the cheekbones.Irritation and inflammation of the bladder,ears, or respiratory tract may also be easedby the remedy.In addition, Verbascum is given for painfulcolds with profuse discharge, watery eyes,and a sensation of the ears having beenblocked up. The chest may be congestedwith catarrh, and the voice may be deep andhoarse. Coughs tend to sound hollow, deep,and hoarse, and occur mainly at night. Anintake of breath may cause the coughing todie down.Symptoms better For rising from sitting; fortaking a deep breath.Symptoms worse For drafts; for changes intemperature; for touch; for talking or readingaloud; for biting hard.See also Neuralgia, page 268Vespa crabroVESPAVESPA CRABRO(European hornet)COMMON NAME European hornet.ORIGIN Native to Europe.BACKGROUND The female hornet has a severesting, but it is rarely fatal.PREPARATION The whole, live insect is steepedin alcohol, diluted, and succussed.Remedy profilePeople for whom Vespa is best suitedare prone to insomnia, often due toanxiety. Their nerves and musclesare often sensitive.Red, swollen skin complaints anddisorders of the female reproductive organsare usually treated with Vespa. Typical skinsymptoms include sore, stinging boils,raised, itchy bumps and weals, and itchy,lentil-shaped spots. Stinging, burningpains, as if the body is being pierced bysomething sharp, are another symptomassociated with this remedy.Vespa is also used for mucousmembrane problems and complaintsassociated with menstruation, suchas premenstrual depression, pain,and constipation.Symptoms better For washing the hands incold water; for bathing the affected areawith vinegar.Symptoms worse For closed, stuffysurroundings; for being by a source ofdirect heat.