Blatta Orientalis – Indian Cockroach

The attenuations are prepared from the triturated whole cockroach, an insect oc- curring in the whole of Europe and North Africa. Blatta orientalis L. N.O. Blattidae.

The active ingredients of the cockroach were formerly known as Antihydropin. At that time a precise pharmacological and chemical analysis was not yet possible, but for generations it had been used in Russia as a folk-remedy for dropsy. In homoeo- pathic potency it has given good service in bronchial asthma.

According to Dr. Ray (Calcutta) it has a specific action on the vagus nerve, like other well-known asthma-remedies (Ipecacuanha, Cuprum Aceticum, Lobelia), by dissolving mucus and reducing attacks.

Blatta is said to be more suited to corpulent patients, and in cases which are ag- gravated in bad, rainy weather. In acute asthmatic attacks the lower potencies are to be preferred, and in chronic cases rather the higher ones.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Blatta orientalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for blatta orientalis: bronchitis; asthma.