Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

60 •MAJOR PLANT REMEDIESPapaver somniferumOPIUMKEY SYMPTOMS stupor • apathy • dulled sensitivity to pain• hyperactivity with difficulty in sleepingFlowers appear in latesummer and early fallA plant of extremes, this poppy is the source of both morphine, one of thestrongest painkillers, and heroin, one of the most addictive substances known.It has played a dramatic role in history, prompting wars and huge social problems.Opium and heroin, derived illicitly, have produced devastating drug problems,while morphine and codeine are produced legally to play a vital role in conventionalmedicine. The homeopathic remedy was proved in 1805 by Hahnemann.Seed pods containlatex used tomake opiumFLOWERINGSTEMREMEDY PROFILEOpium is given to people who exhibit either orboth of two opposite states. One is stupor,apathy, and dulled sensitivity to pain. Theother is hyperactivity and intense sensitivity,often with insomnia.If symptoms occur with one or both of thesestates, Opium is given for insomnia, sleepingdisorders, respiratory problems, constipation,and shock. It can also be used to help treatrecovery from stroke paralysis, brain injuries,delirium tremens, and alcohol withdrawal.Insomnia & narcolepsySYMPTOMS Insomnia, inability to sleep despitefatigue, or brief bouts of irresistible drowsiness.Sleep is either light, restless, and easilydisturbed, with hearing so acute that it seemsto detect even the faint sounds of insects’movements, or very heavy, with difficulty inwaking. Sleep may be so deep that breathingbecomes irregular or even stops momentarily.There may be talking during sleep.Symptoms better For a cool environment;for movement.Symptoms worse For warmth; for sleep;for shock.ConstipationSYMPTOMS Constipation with no urge to passstools for an extended length of time, whichmay result in fecal impaction. The digestion issluggish and weak, and there is no appetite.Stools tend to retreat into the rectum, and aredark, small, and very hard, like black balls.During the day there may be drowsiness.Diarrhea may alternate with constipation,notably after shock (see right). Newborn babiesmay be given Opium for constipation after theshock of childbirth.SEED PODSSymptoms better For activity.Symptoms worse For warmth; for sleep;for shock.Shock & injurySYMPTOMS Either emotional and sensoryshutdown, or overexcitement andhypersensitivity. Sluggishness and indifferencemay be evident, with dulled sensitivity to pain.Conversely, the person can be overwrought,possibly with insomnia (see left) or evenconvulsions. Either or both of these states mayoccur in response to shock, grief, or injury.Symptoms better For a cool environment;for movement.Symptoms worse For warmth; during andafter sleep.Post-stroke paralysisSYMPTOMS Paralysis of the limbs with dullnessand stupor resembling that experienced aftershock (see above). There may be blackouts,a blue-tinged face, and labored breathing.Symptoms better For a cool environment;for movement.Symptoms worse For warmth; during andafter sleep.Delirium tremensSYMPTOMS Extreme apathy or hypersensitivity,tremors, or even convulsions. There can beSOURCE DETAILSORIGINNative to western Asia, and introduced tosoutheast Europe 3,000 years ago. Nowgrown mostly in India, Iran, China,and Australia.BACKGROUNDDedicated by the ancient Greeks andRomans to the gods of night, dreams, anddeath. Opium has been used since antiquityas a sedative and analgesic, and has alsobeen used illicitly for many centuries as arecreational drug.PREPARATIONSticky latex (sap) from the unripe, greenseed pods is dried, dissolved in alcohol,and succussed.COMMON NAMESOpium poppy, big smoke.OPIUM POPPY This plantproduces seed pods that,when unripe, contain a whitelatex. Harvesting opiuminvolves cutting open theseed pods in summer,collecting the latex thatthey exude, and drying it.frightening visions, and possibly blackoutsafter alcohol binges.Symptoms better For a cool environment;for movement.Symptoms worse For warmth; for sleep;for alcohol.See also Stroke, page 187; Grief, page 213