Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR PLANT REMEDIES• 47Chelidonium majusCHELIDONIUMKEY SYMPTOMS right-sided complaints • practical,dominant nature • pain in the right shoulder blade• liver and gallbladder problems • personfeels better for hot drinks and eatingYellow flowers resemblepoppies, which belong to sameplant familyBecause this plant flowers as the swallowsare migrating, Dioscorides, the famousGreek physician of the 1st century CE, named it afterthe Greek khelidon, or “swallow.” In traditional medicine itsjuice was used for skin, liver, and gallbladder disorders. Thehomeopathic remedy was proved by Hahnemann and published in hisMateria Medica Pura (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILEAn aggressive, domineering personality istypically linked with Chelidonium. Thosewho respond well to the remedy tend alsoto be practical rather than intellectual peoplewho do not like to “waste time” analyzingtheir emotions.Typical physical symptoms includecravings for hot drinks and cheese. Thereis a feeling of heaviness, with symptomstending to be right-sided.Chelidonium is used mainly for liverconditions, or spleen, kidney, gallbladder,intestine, and lung complaints. It may alsobe given prior to surgery linked to hepatitisor gallstones.HepatitisSYMPTOMS An enlarged liver, with painextending to the back and right shoulderblade, and jaundiced, yellow skin. Theabdomen feels distended and tight, as ifbound. There may be a strong craving for,or aversion to, cheese.Symptoms better For a hot bath; for passingstools; for pressure on the affected area; forhot foods and drinks, such as hot milk.Symptoms worse For lying on the right side;around 4 a.m. or 4 p.m.GallstonesSYMPTOMS A sharp, constant pain on theupper right side of the abdomen, behind theribs, possibly due to a gallstone trapped ina bile duct. The pain may resemble that ofhepatitis (see above). It is often exacerbatedby fatty foods, and may extend to theback and right shoulder blade (see below).There may be nausea and vomiting, andinflammation of the bile duct that maylead to jaundice or inflammation ofthe gallbladder.Symptoms better For a hot bath; for passingstools; for pressure on the affected area; forhot foods and drinks, such as hot milk.Symptoms worse For lying on the right side;around 4 a.m. and 4 p.m.; for fatty foods.HeadachesSYMPTOMS A sensation of heaviness onthe right side of the head. There may alsobe facial numbness and neuralgia (especiallyabove the eye), and a yellow-coated tonguethat retains teethmarks. These symptomsmay be linked to an existing liver disorder(see left).Symptoms better For a hot bath; for bendingbackward; for pressure on the affected area;for hot foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For lying on the right side;for movement; around 4 a.m. and 4 p.m.Shoulder painSYMPTOMS Shoulder pain with icy coldnessin the fingertips and muscles that feel soreto the touch. There may be associatednausea and perspiration.Symptoms better For having a hot bath;for pressure on the affected area; forbending backward.Symptoms worse For lying on the right side;for movement; for coughing; around 4 a.m.and 4 p.m.GREATER CELANDINE The freshly crushed plantexudes a sticky, orange sap, which herbalists useto treat warts and corns.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINNative to Europe, north Africa, and westernAsia, and now naturalized in North America.Grows on banks and in hedgerows.BACKGROUNDUsed in Western and Chinese herbalism asa muscle relaxant and antispasmodic, andto clear cataracts.PREPARATIONThe whole flowering plant, or the root, ischopped, pulped, and macerated in alcoholfor at least ten days.COMMON NAMESGreater celandine, wartweed, swallow wort.PneumoniaSYMPTOMS Breathlessness and pain oncoughing or breathing deeply, withpneumonia that chiefly affects the rightlung and, possibly, liver problems.Symptoms better For hot foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For warmth; for lying on theright side; for movement; for coughing; around4 a.m. and 4 p.m.See also Cancer, page 208