Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

64 •MAJOR PLANT REMEDIESThuja occidentalisTHUJAKEY SYMPTOMS warts and polyps • feeling of beingunlovable • complaints that develop after vaccination orgonorrhea • delusions • nail problems • catarrhArbor vitae was used by American Indians as a sourceof hard-wearing wood and of herbal medicine for fever,coughs, menstrual problems, headaches, and muscleand joint pain. European settlers later incorporated it intotheir herbal lore, and it has also become a popular ornamental treein European gardens. The remedy Thuja was proved by Hahnemann,and published in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34).REMEDY PROFILESerious, sensitive people who are easilyupset and feel that they are unlovablerespond best to Thuja. They may try topresent a pleasing image to the world but,if reactions are negative, they neglect theirappearance, becoming secretive anddepressed. Delusions about the body maybe evident, as may fanatical ideas orparanoia, with a feeling that others aretrying to manipulate them. They tend tosleep badly.Thuja is used for skin and urogenitaldisorders, headaches, and respiratory ormenstrual problems. Typically there islocalized pain, exhaustion, and rapid weightloss. Symptoms may be due to health changesfollowing a vaccination, or date back to a boutof gonorrhea.Skin conditionsSYMPTOMS Large, “cauliflower” warts, andwarts that weep, sting, or are on stalks.There may be scaly patches on coveredbody areas, itchy skin complaints, brown“age spots,” and ridged, weak, or deformednails. Thuja is widely used as an ointmentfor warts and verrucas.Symptoms better For free flow of dischargesand catarrh.Symptoms worse For cold and damp; aftergonorrhea; after a vaccination.Urogenital problemsSYMPTOMS Swollen, inflamed urethra, withurine stream split and weak, and frequentstrong urges to urinate, perhaps withtrickling incontinence. In men,urethral infection is common,usually with a discharge and possiblyaffecting the prostate gland. In women,there may be vaginal infection, often withprofuse discharge. Inflammation may spreadthrough the pelvic area. Genital warts andherpes may develop, as may ulcers anduterine polyps. Thuja may also be givento treat suppressed gonorrhea.Symptoms better For warm air; for drawingup the limbs.Symptoms worse For cold and damp; formovement; for urinating; for gonorrhea.HeadachesSYMPTOMS Piercing neuralgic pain due tostress, exhaustion, or overexcitement, orrelated to inflamed gums, tooth decay, orinfected sinuses.Symptoms better For tilting thehead backward.Symptoms worse For sexual excess; for tea.Catarrh & sinusitisSYMPTOMS Chronic sinus or respiratoryproblems, usually with foul-smelling, green oryellow-green catarrh. Asthma may respond toThuja, as may nasal polyps with thick, green,bloody mucus containing pus.Symptoms better For warm air; for expellingcatarrh.Symptoms worse For cold and damp; duringmenstruation; for tobacco.Menstrual problemsSYMPTOMS Early or scant menstrual periods.There may be menstrual pain that is localizedLeaves are toxicif ingestedARBOR VITAE American Indians burned arborvitae for its smoky scent, which was deemedto ward off evil spirits.SOURCE DETAILSTwigs are highlyfragrant whenbruised or cutORIGINNative to Canada and the eastern US, butnow also widely cultivated as an ornamentaltree. Prefers swamps and other wetlands.BACKGROUNDFeatured in the US Pharmacopoeiauntil 1894. Used in modern herbalismto treat warts, cancer, catarrh, andother conditions.PREPARATIONThe fresh leaves and twigs of the oneyear-oldplant are chopped finely andmacerated in alcohol, then filtered, diluted,and succussed.COMMON NAMESArbor vitae, tree of life, white cedar.over the left ovary. Ovarian cysts may alsorespond to Thuja.Symptoms better For drawing up the limbs;for lying on the affected side or on the back.Symptoms worse On the left side; duringmenstruation; after gonorrhea.See also Prostate problems, page 202; Depression, page 212; Warts, page 242