Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

62 •MAJOR PLANT REMEDIESSolanum dulcamaraDULCAMARAKEY SYMPTOMS conditions that are affected by weather changes fromhot to cold • domineering nature • sensitivity to cold and damp• asthma • urticaria in humid conditionsSince the time of ancient Rome, nightshade has beenused to treat a wide range of ailments. One suchailment, abscesses called “felons” on the fingertips,inspired one of the plant’s common names, felonwort. The18th-century Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus prescribed theplant to treat fever and inflammatory infections. The homeopathicremedy, proved in 1811 by Hahnemann, is traditionally associatedwith people who are highly susceptible to damp and chills.REMEDY PROFILEDulcamara is typically given to people who aresensitive to cold and damp, with symptomscaused by rapid temperature changes or cold,wet weather.In the symptom picture for Dulcamara,these physical factors outweigh psychologicaltraits, but some confusion, irritability,impatience, and restlessness may be evident,possibly with a domineering attitude, notablytoward family members.Susceptibility to respiratory infectionscausing thick, yellow mucus is typical. Hayfever and other allergic reactions are alsocommon, as are head and joint pain, eczema,and diarrhea.allergens may aggravate the severityof symptoms.Symptoms better For warmth; for dry,settled weather; for movement.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather;at night.Head & facial painSYMPTOMS Pain in a specific part of the head,or with a sensation of heaviness, nausea, orconfusion. Neuralgic face pain, perhapscaused by Bell’s palsy, may be treated, orpain due to sinusitis (see left).Symptoms better For dry, fine weather;for keeping still; for expelling catarrh.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather;in winter.SOURCE DETAILSLeaves and twigs areused herbally to treatskin problemsNIGHTSHADE A stimulant, diuretic, andLeaves and unripeberries are mosttoxic parts of plantantirheumatic plant, nightshade is highly toxic andtherefore generally used only by trained herbalists.ORIGINNative to north Africa, Europe, and northernAsia, and naturalized in North America.Grows in moist, shady soil.BACKGROUNDHas a long history of use as an antiinflammatoryand a liver tonic. Stem extractshave been used for warts and eczema.Colds & coughsSYMPTOMS Sore throat, with a thick, yellowdischarge from the nose and the eyes. Thickmucus may be due to sinusitis, as maypainful pressure and congestion in the head.A stiff neck is common, perhaps with backand limb pain. There may also beconjunctivitis, a rattling cough, bronchitis,or even pneumonia.Symptoms better For warmth; for dry, settledweather; for movement.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather;at night.Hay fever & asthmaSYMPTOMS Nasal congestion, with profuse,watery discharge from the eyes andconstricted breathing. Exposure to animalfur, grass pollen, dust mites, and otherSkin conditionsSYMPTOMS Thickened, crusty, itchy skin,notably on the scalp, which bleeds whenscratched. Dulcamara is also used to treaturticaria (hives) brought on by sweating inhumid conditions; large, flat, smooth warts,especially on the palms of the hands;and ringworm, often found on the scalpsof children.Symptoms better For warmth; for dry weather.Symptoms worse For cold, damp weather;before menstruation.DiarrheaSYMPTOMS Slimy, yellow or green stools,maybe with traces of blood. There may benausea, and pain before passing stools.In children, symptoms may be triggeredduring teething.PREPARATIONFresh green stems and leaves are pickedjust before the plant flowers, then finelychopped and macerated in alcohol.COMMON NAMESNightshade, woody nightshade, bitternightshade, felonwort.Symptoms better For warmth; for movement.Symptoms worse For cold; for damp; for rest.Joint painSYMPTOMS Stiffness and pain in joints,aggravated by damp.Symptoms better For warmth; for movement.Symptoms worse For cold; for damp; forextremes of temperature; for inactivity.See also Severe eczema, page 194; Sore throat, page 226