Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR PLANT REMEDIES• 57Ignatia amara syn. Strychnos ignatiaIGNATIAKEY SYMPTOMS ailments triggered by grief • tendency to bottle upemotions • fear of birds • sensation as if there is a lump in the throatSt. Ignatius’s bean seeds were traditionally worn by natives ofthe Philippine Islands as amulets to prevent and cure allmanner of diseases. The Spanish Jesuits introduced the seedsinto Europe from East Asia in the 17th century. They containstrychnine, a powerful poison that acts on the nervous systemwhen ingested. The homeopathic remedy Ignatia was proved andpublished by Hahnemann in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILEIgnatia is best suited to people, especiallywomen, who are experiencing strongemotional problems, such as a brokenrelationship or acute grief after a death.They are frequently emotionally fragile,artistic, and hypersensitive. Prone to moodswings and feelings of self-pity, they mayhave a rather brittle air, often laughing andcrying at the same time. Suppressing theiremotions can lead to hysteria. Highexpectations of those close to them aretypical, and they find it hard to break thebond with their partner if disillusionedin love.Contradictory physical symptoms aretypically treated with Ignatia, such asindigestion that is relieved by eating, or asore throat that is better for swallowingsolid food. There is often great sensitivity topain, with a tendency to yawn and sighfrequently. There is also a dislike of crowds,and a fear of birds, especially chickens.Ignatia is used to treat illness that developsfrom emotional stress. Such conditionsinclude headaches, nervous tics and twitches,digestive disorders such as nausea andvomiting, and a sore throat.Grief & distressSYMPTOMS Fainting, crying and laughingsimultaneously, or hysterical behavior due toan inability to express emotions. There mayalso be insomnia.Symptoms better For breathing deeply;for eating.Symptoms worse For anxiety; for emotionalstress; for coffee; for tobacco.HeadachesSYMPTOMS Sharp, spasmodic pain, as if a nailis sticking into the side of the head, with ahot, heavy sensation in the head and possibledizziness, especially after emotional stress.Symptoms better For lying on the affectedside; for resting the head on a surface.Symptoms worse For loud talking; for stooping;for being in a smoky room.Nervous disordersSYMPTOMS Twitches, nervous tics, or numbnessin the face or limbs, possibly escalating tohysterical paralysis, convulsions, or chorea(random, jerky twitches of the face or limbs).Ignatia is used if symptoms are triggered byshock, grief (see left), or other strongemotions.Symptoms better For warmth; for changingposition; for firm pressure on the affected area;after eating.Symptoms worse For cold air; for touch; foremotional stress; for strong smells.Digestive disordersSYMPTOMS Nausea and vomiting that isalleviated by eating, typically with burping,hiccuping, and profuse, bitter-tasting saliva inthe mouth. There may be hunger unsated byeating. A prolapsed rectum with sharp,upward-shooting pain may be helped byIgnatia, as may diarrhea, constipation, orhemorrhoids that have been triggered byemotional stress.Symptoms better For lying or pressing on theaffected area; for changing position; forurinating; for eating.Symptoms worse For cold air; for touch; forstrong smells; for coffee; for tobacco.Pebblelike, heavy seed pods areembedded in bitter pulp of fruitST. IGNATIUS’S BEAN The seeds are very bitter,due to the poisonous strychnine they contain.SOURCE DETAILSORIGINNative to the East Indies, China, and thePhilippine Islands. This large tree bears a bitterfruit that contains the seeds within its pulp.BACKGROUNDIn the late 17th century, the Dutch usedthe seeds of St. Ignatius’s bean to treatconditions such as gout, cholera, asthma,and epilepsy.PREPARATIONThe dried seeds are powdered before beingsteeped in alcohol at least five days.This is followed by filtration, dilution,and succussion.COMMON NAMESt. Ignatius’s bean.Sore throatSYMPTOMS A constantly sore, tickly throat thatfeels as if there is a lump in it, yet seemsbetter for eating solids. There may also be aracking cough.Symptoms better For warmth; for changingposition; for eating.Symptoms worse For touch; for cold air; foremotional stress; for coffee; for tobacco.See also Grief, page 213; Hiccups, page 234; Insomnia, page 244; Absent periods, page 256