Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MINOR REMEDIES• 173medicine and is currently being researched as atreatment for cancer.PREPARATION The fresh, leafy shoots and berriesare harvested in fall, chopped finely, andmacerated in alcohol.Remedy profileFear and detachment from others is typicalin those for whom Viscum alb. is mostappropriate. They seem to dream constantly,both when awake and asleep, and may talkincoherently. They may be alternately coldand hot.The classic symptom picture for Viscumalb. is of seizures, tremors, or epilepsy,tearing joint and neuralgic pains, andasthma. It is prescribed for generalizedtremors, uncontrollable jerking after afright, seizures, including “absences,” petitmal, chorea, and epilepsy that begins as aglow radiating from the head to the feet.Attacks may beaccompanied bybreathing difficulties orasthma, and followed bypersistent dizziness and by twitching of thebody that causes insomnia.Neuralgic pains usually treated with Viscumalb. include headaches with a numb, tighteningsensation and throbbing in the top of the head,as though the skull is being lifted off the body.Headaches are sometimes accompanied by eyepains, difficulty in opening the eyelids, andcrackling noises or deafness in the ears.Symptoms better None known.Symptoms worse For winter; for cold, stormyweather; for becoming chilled when hot;for movement.Vitex agnus-castusAGNUS CASTUSVISCUM ALBUM(Mistletoe)COMMON NAMES Agnus castus, chaste tree,monk’s pepper, wild lavender.ORIGIN Native to the Mediterranean regionand western Asia.BACKGROUND As the name “chaste tree”suggests, this plant was once thought to lowerthe libido. It was often chewed by monks, andin Italy blossoms are still strewn in the pathof novices entering a convent.PREPARATION The dried, ripe berries aremacerated in alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who respond well to this remedymay be anxious about their health, especiallytheir sexual health, and may have a strongpresentiment of their own death.Agnus castus is given chiefly to peoplewith low energy levels, depression, poorsexual vitality, and a low libido. It is helpfulfor fatigue due to menopause, or caused byalcohol or drug abuse, or followingexcessive amounts of sexual intercourse.In men, the remedy is generally prescribedfor sexual conditions such as impotence,premature ejaculation with sexual arousal,or disinterest, particularly in men whoformerly had a high libido. In women,Agnus castus may help where there is a lossof libido, especially during menopause,scanty or excessively heavy menstruation,or an enlarged uterus, possibly with astaining vaginal discharge. Postpartumdepression and a lack of breast milkfollowing childbirth may also be helpedby the remedy.Symptoms better For scratching or pressing onthe affected area.Symptoms worse For sexual excess;for ejaculating.See also Erectiledysfunction, page 264VITEXAGNUS-CASTUS(Agnus castus)Wyethia helenoides syn. Alarconia helenoidesWYETHIACOMMON NAMES Poison weed, Californiacompass plant.ORIGIN Native to North America.BACKGROUND This plant takes its Latin namefrom N. B. Wyeth, the naturalist who firstdiscovered it in the mountains of North America.PREPARATION The fresh root is steeped in alcohol,diluted, and succussed.Remedy profileUneasy, nervous behavior is typical of peoplewho respond best to Wyethia. They may expecta calamity to befall them.The classic symptom picture for Wyethia isof hay fever with violent sneezing, dryness, anditching in the ears, palate, and the back of thenose, and a scalding sensation in the mouth.There is often a great urge to rub the palate withthe tongue to relieve the itching.Symptoms better None known.Symptoms worse In the afternoon; formovement; for exercise that raises a sweat;for eating.See also Allergies, page 206Zingiber officinaleZINGIBERCOMMON NAME Ginger.ORIGIN Native to southern Asia and grownthroughout the tropics.BACKGROUND Ginger has played a majormedicinal and culinary role in manycultures for millennia, and is highly valued,especially for relieving indigestion andnausea and stimulating the circulation.PREPARATION The rhizome is dried and strippedof its outer layer, before being maceratedin alcohol.Remedy profilePeople who benefit most from Zingiber arecheerful even when in great pain. They arenervous and fidgety, and often restless atnight, despite being sleepy.Digestive disorders are chiefly associatedwith Zingiber. Typical symptoms treatedinclude nausea, vomiting, and colicky painin the abdomen, with chronic excess mucusproduction in the intestine. The remedyis also prescribed for asthma that ismarked by a total absence of anyaccompanying anxiety.Symptoms better None known.Symptoms worse For cold air; for uncovering thebody; for touch; for lying; for movement; forbread; for melons.