Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR PLANT REMEDIES• 53Datura stramoniumSTRAMONIUMKEY SYMPTOMS anger accompanied by fear• fear of the dark • fear of water• stammering • trembling and convulsionsA strong hallucinogen, thorn apple was used in thesalves of medieval folk healers and in American Indianshamanistic rites. It relaxes the muscles of the bronchialtubes and digestive and urinary tracts, and reduces mucussecretions. Stramonium, proved by Hahnemann andpublished in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34), is usedfor violent brain activity, often due to nervous disorders.Leaves can beburned and inhaledto relieve asthmaFLOWERINGSTEMSeeds arecontained in spinyfruit capsulesFunnel-shaped whiteor violet flowersappear in summerREMEDY PROFILEPeople who respond best to Stramoniummay experience rage and violence,particularly sudden outbursts accompaniedby strong fears. The anger may be rooted inprofound fear, following abuse or anaccident. The fear may take the form ofterror of the dark or of water. Those affectedmay also manifest hyperactive or overtsexuality. They are prone to stammering,and may have religious delusions, prayingand proselytizing incessantly. Sleep mayexacerbate symptoms.Stramonium is prescribed for fevers andchest complaints accompanied by the typicalrages and terrors. It is also used, if thecharacteristic traits are evident, for delirium,tics, convulsions, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy,and other nervous-system disorders.The remedy is sometimes prescribed to treatchorea and for some serious psychologicalproblems, such as mania, manic depression,and schizophrenia, particularly if they areaccompanied by hallucinations or violence.FeverSYMPTOMS High fever with a burning thirst.There may be night terrors, fear of the dark,hallucinations, delirium, or febrileconvulsions. The limbs may twitchinvoluntarily, and the heart and pulse maybe “in turmoil.”Symptoms better For warmth; for light;for company.Symptoms worse For cloudy weather; for sleep;for darkness; for being left alone; for looking atshiny, reflective surfaces; for swallowing.Violence & maniaSYMPTOMS Excitability with disorientation,confusion, a tendency to violence, and fearof the dark. Writhing, bouts of garrulousness,and incoherent muttering are common, andthere may be hallucinations, visions, andimaginary voices. Symptoms may be triggeredby the trauma of childbirth, by alcoholism ordrug addiction, or by more serious conditionssuch as schizophrenia.Symptoms better For warmth; for light;for company.Symptoms worse For touch; for darkness; forlooking at shiny, reflective objects; for lookingat dark water.ChoreaSYMPTOMS Involuntary, jerky, twitchesof the face, limbs, or trunk, often withstuttering. Symptoms may be caused byextreme fright, a head injury, a bad reactionto vaccination, or meningitis. In extremecases there may be facial grimacing,convulsions, or epilepsy.Symptoms better For warmth; for light;for company.Symptoms worse For windy weather; for touch;for looking at shiny, reflective objects; forlooking at dark water.AsthmaSYMPTOMS Breathlessness, tightness in thechest, or a dry, wheezy cough. Attacks occurwith, or after, fits of intense rage or fear.Symptoms better For warmth; for light;for company.Symptoms worse For darkness; in the morning;in the evening; for looking at dark water.THORN APPLE Thealkaloids in thorn appleare poisonous and evendeadly if taken insufficient dosage.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINThought to be native to both South Americaand western Asia, but now found growing inmany temperate areas, often on wasteland.BACKGROUNDIntroduced to Europe in the 16th century,and traditionally used as a narcotic,a painkiller, an anti-inflammatory, andto treat convulsions.PREPARATIONThe fresh leaves and flowers, or theseeds, are chopped and macerated inalcohol, before being filtered, diluted,and succussed.SEEDSCOMMON NAMESThorn apple, devil’s apple, stinkweed, falsecastor oil.BronchitisSYMPTOMS Wheezing that is associated withshortness of breath, or a cough that generatesyellow or green phlegm. Strong fear or angermay trigger or exacerbate the symptoms.Symptoms better For warmth; for light;for company.Symptoms worse For darkness; in the morning;in the evening; for looking at dark water.See also Irritable bowel syndrome, page 189; Phobias, page 211