Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh underground parts of the plant Fili- pendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., a native of Europe and North America. N.O. Rosaceae.

The main indications are:

Rheumatism which moves about. Epicondylitis (local infiltration). Profuse sweat- ing.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Filipendula ulmaria, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for spiraea ulmaria: rheumatism; mucosal inflammations.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried aerial parts of Spigelia anthelmia L., which occurs in Brazil, Java and the West Indies. N.O. Loganiaceae.

The tincture of Pink-root, Spigelia anthelmia, contains the alkaloid Spigelein and tannins.

Spigelia is a valuable remedy, effective not only in violent palpitations and turbu- lent cardiac activity, i.e. in violent episodes of palpitation, but also in valvular le- sions with murmur.

In such states the patient can often lie only on the right side, and desires to lie with the head very high. In addition to its action in cramping heart-complaints (similar to Cactus), Spigelia also acts well in stabbing pains of the heart, which one finds main- ly in acute endocarditis. At the same time there may be headaches, which begin on one side, usually the left, in the occiput, extend forwards and settle above the left eye. Like a migraine, these are aggravated by the least noise and by slight jarring, intensifying as the day goes on and decreasing again when the sun sets, the eye on the affected side frequently watering.

There is also aggravation from cold, damp, rainy weather, and from movement, noise and also especially light touch.

The pains need not be limited to the left eye and the heart, but may also extend to the limbs, especially the left arm, so that Spigelia also works beneficially in attacks of angina pectoris.

Eye problems of a rheumatic kind, particularly conjunctivitis with photophobia and possibly also ciliary neuralgia, are indications for Spigelia.

Nerve pains in various parts, rheumatic and gouty complaints, stopped coryza with an accumulation of mucus and swelling of the tonsils, and also worm com- plaints with frequent urging for urination can all respond well to Spigelia.

A prominent feature in the picture of Spigelia is particularly the vulnerability of the left side of the head, of the heart and of the left arm, including the shoulder-joint, from which rheumatic pains extend into the upper and lower arm, and fine pricking pains within various nerve pathways, e.g. in the brachial plexus. There may also be a clamping pain in the ball of the thumb and loss of sensation in the finger-tips, as well as a swelling of the hands and individual finger-joints.

A summing-up of Spigelia’s symptoms results in the following characteristic pic- ture of the remedy’s action:

1. Heart symptoms in the forefront. Visible and palpable pulsations of the heart with constriction of the chest and sensation of an oppressive load in the praecordium. Stabbing pains in the heart. Pains extending into the left arm. Acute endocarditis.
2. Violent headache in the temples and above the left eye, extending over from the occiput, increasing from morning to noon and then decreasing again towards the evening.
3. Tensive and stabbing pains in the eyeball. Conjunctivitis. Spasm of the eyelid.
4. Rheumatic pains in muscles and joints, especially in the left shoulder and left arm.

The therapeutic range of Spigelia is not particularly wide, but when properly indi- cated it seldom lets one down.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Spigelia anthelmia, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for spigelia: acute cardiac inflammation; angina pectoris; neuralgia; headaches; worm complaints.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh stripped-off flowers and leaves that get included in the process as well as young tips of shoots of the plant Cytisus sco- parius (L.) Link. N.O. Leguminosae.

The main indications are:

Heart-disturbance and fear, stabbing pains in the heart and palpitations at night, must get up and walk about. Aggravated by lying on the left side (cf. Phosphorus). Hypotension.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Cytisus scoparius, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for spartium scoparium: arrhythmia; cardiac insufficiency; inflammatory, eczematous skin diseases.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh inflorescenses of the plant Solidago virgaurea L., a native of Europe and Asia. N.O. Compositae.

The main indications are:

Dysuria. Albuminuria with dark-coloured, salty, mucous, bloody urine, smelling offensively. Hypertrophy of the prostate. Nephroses. Nephrolithiasis. Oedema.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Solidago virgaurea, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for solidago virgaurea: renal insufficiency; hepatic disorders.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant of Solanum nigrum L., gathered while in flower. N.O. Solanaceae.

The main indications are:

Cerebral irritation. Encephalomalacia. Epileptiform spasms. Disorientation.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Solanum nigrum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for solanum nigrum: conditions of cerebral and meningeal irritation.

The attenuations are prepared from Skatole, 3-methyl-1H-indole, C₉H₉N, MW: 131.2.

Factor in albumin decomposition in the intestine. Interpolate in severe toxicoses, typhus, cholera, poisoning, sepsis, pneumonia, etc.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Scatol, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for skatol: putrefactive dyspepsia.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from the sterilized mucous substance obtained by puncture from the inflamed sinus cavities of 5 to 10 adult patients be- tween 20 and 50 years of age, who suffer from acute sinusitis maxillaris and who have not received therapy with antibiotics.

This nosode is not only used in acute and chronic suppuration of the sinuses, ade- noid enlargement, lymphadenopathy, nasal ulcers, hay fever and asthma, but also in reflex-illnesses which may be influenced from the nasal mucosa, e.g. (experimental- ly) in duodenal and gastric ulcer, neuralgia, etc. It may be used in conjunction with Mucosa nasalis to treat nasal ulcers, and with Psorinum in enlargement of the ade- noids and nasal polypi, and with Duodenum in affections of the gastrointestinal tract.

A proving of this substance was conducted in the summer and fall of 1994 by  Dr. David Riley.

Congruent symptoms with Dr. Reckeweg:

• sinusitis
• nasal congestion and discharge
• gastritis

The most important symptoms from David Riley’s drug proving were:

Essential Characteristics

Irritability. Difficult concentration. Spacy feeling. Right sided symptoms. Fatigue and loss of energy. Sharp head pain. Nasal congestion, coryza, and catarrh. Sore throat pain. Decreased appetite.

Mind

Absent minded and forgetful. Angry. Anxiety and agitation in the wind. Desire for company and to be taken care of. DIFFICULT CONCENTRATION while working with num- bers. Spacy, confusion, and makes mental mistakes. Mental confusion. CONTENTED and tranquil like with gentle sedation. Delusions of seeing ghosts on waking from a dream. DREAMS: of being cut with a knife, dead bodies, urinating, and robbers. Nightmares. Elation and euphoria as from anesthesia. Fear of people. IRRITABILITY to the family or when questioned or in the wind. Weak memory. Quarrelsome. Sensi- tive. Time passes too slowly. Mental tranquillity with a heightened sense of alertness and well being. Delusions of spectres and ghosts.

Generalities

Decreased energy. Food desires of chocolate. Heat: flushes of heat, sensations of heat, or feeling chilly. Trembling with nervousness. WEARINESS as from low blood sugar. Agitation in the wind. Right sided symptoms.

Vertigo

DIZZINESS especially in the afternoon. Lightheaded.

Head

Tingling sensation all over the head. PAIN IN THE FOREHEAD especially right fore- head or in the forehead and temples or behind the left eye. Pressing pain in small spots.

Eye

Discharge from the eyes of mucous and pus. Eyes were stuck together in the morning. Dryness of the eyes. Heaviness of the right eye. Inflammation, irritation and pain in the eyes that is aggravated after exposure to warm air. Tearing. Pain that is sharp or burning, and associated with a sinus headache. Eyes feel hot are sensitive to warm air. Twitching of the lower lids especially the left.

Vision

Sees objects in the field of vision.

Ear

Stopped sensation after exercising. Ringing in the ear.

Nose

CATARRH especially left sided. Congestion worse on the left side. CORYZA that is fluent like a drop of water sliding down the nostril, or left sided. Bloody discharge.

Itching and tickling. Improvement of the internal sinuses. Obstruction. Sneezing. Tingling inside the right nostril.

Face

Small whitehead pimples on the chin. Right cheek has heat or numbness or hot tin- gling.

Mouth

Numbness. Sore, painful tongue when brushing the teeth. Sensation of swelling in the cheeks.

Teeth

Sharp pain in the teeth. Aching pain in the left upper teeth.

Throat

Constriction in the throat associated with lung and heart constriction. Dryness of the throat not ameliorated by liquids. Sensation as of hard pea in the throat that won’t go away. Mucus in the throat. SORE PAIN on the left side, and worse in the evening. Rough, scratchy throat associated with mucus.

Stomach

DECREASED APPETITE as if nothing appeals. Eructations like sulphur. Nausea worse at night. PAIN. Pain after eating. Sharp pain. Pain extending to the throat pit im- proves. Pain on bending double.

Abdomen

Sensation of internal coldness in the intestines. Abdominal distension during menses. Pain that is sore improves. Rumbling at night that prevents sleep or feels as if diarrhea will come on.

Rectum

CONSTIPATION or improvement of a 20 year history of constipation. DIARRHEA after midnight, or preceded by burps of sulphur, or the sensation as if diarrhea is coming on. Frequent or sudden urging to stool with only flatus. Flatus before passing stool. Anal itching especially after a bowel movement. Rumbling at night or as if diarrhea would come on.

Stools

FREQUENT STOOLS. Hard stools.

Bladder

Stitching pain in the bladder and a sudden urge to urinate. Urging at night.

Urine

Offensive odor to the urine like a skunk.

Genitalia, Female

Increased sexual desire. Painful menses and bloating.

Respiration

Difficult inspiration as if the chest is collapsed and the chest is unable to be ex- panded fully.

Cough

Dry cough associated with a sinus headache.

Expectoration

Phlegm in small pieces.

Chest

Sense of constriction or oppression in the chest like it is collapsed. Eruptions on the breasts that are slow to heal. Sore pain under the sternum. Swelling of the axil- lary glands.

Back

Neck stiffness worse on turning the head to the right.

Extremities

Coldness in the upper and lower extremities that warm only when immersed in hot water. Cramps in the calf, or leg at night. Itching of the toes better from a hot bath. Numbness of the fingers and hands that is painful. Tingling of the right little finger. Resurgence of warts on the fingers. Aching in the hand extends to the shoulder. Shooting pain in the arm and wrist. Sore pain in the hand and wrist or improvement of that condition.

Sleep

Waking from fright of a dream, after midnight, or difficult waking like in a fog. Falling asleep difficult. Deep sleep.

Perspiration

Offensive odor improves. Night sweating.

Skin

Skin eruptions on the hips in dry patches improves. Resurgence of warts on the left fingers. Cracking skin on the fingers an dorsal hand.

The attenuations are prepared from pure, precipitated, hydrated anhydrous silica, containing up to 90 per cent silicon dioxide, SiO₂, MW: 60.1.

Silicea is an important remedy for the connective tissue and is characteristically indicated in weakness of that tissue with giving-way of limbs, lack of strength and backbone, trembling of the limbs (especially the arms), stiffness of the back and

limbs, but also in numerous other symptoms of exhaustion and weakness, when in many cases the patient exhibits a lack of vital heat, even when he is moving about, and is sensitive to cold air, especially when the head is uncovered. However, there is relief from covering the head warmly, especially in neuralgias (left trigeminal neu- ralgia is typical in many cases). The whole nervous system seems to be in the grip of a certain weakness, with a nervous, irritated, timorous and undecided state of mind. Silicea is also frequently indicated in undernourished children, with a distended abdomen and emaciation of the extremities as a result of diseased mesenteric glands; the eyes are sunken and the face is typically lean, giving the child the appearance of an old man. The weakness is often so great that the children can hardly pass a stool; indeed, it emerges, but then slips back in again. On the other hand there may be in- transigent diarrhoea, especially during dentition or in the heat of summer, other remedies such as Veratrum, Pulsatilla, Mercurius etc. not acting, but in such cases of typical failure to thrive the only remedy, or the supreme remedy, is Silicea. Silicea has certain relationships to Calcium Carbonicum, since it can be used in a similar way to the latter in children with head-sweats and deficient assimilation. On the other hand it is also related to Hepar Sulph. and to Calcium Sulphuricum, being used in suppurations above all when the pus has discharged and the healing now needs to take place from within outwards. Thus Silicea is an important remedy in suppurative

fistulas.

Glandular swellings also call for Silicea, especially of the sub-mandibular glands and tonsils, and also in the axillae, neck, throat, ear and the inguinal area, if Calcium Carbonicum does not have the desired effect.

There may also be a general hyperaesthesia of the skin, associated with violent itching, scarcely relieved by scratching, and also itching on the scalp with falling out of the hair, and pustular eruptions on the forehead, back, chest and arms. As in Hepar Sulph., small skin wounds are slow to heal and they suppurate. Ganglia on the back of the hand are also an indication for Silicea.

A hypersensitivity of the sense of smell, associated with itching in the nose, in- flammations of the nasal mucosa, blowing out of bloody mucus and sinusitis can constitute an indication for Silicea, especially if Calcium Carbonicum or Hepar Sulph. has previously been given.

Silicea is eminently suited to so-called dyscrasias, such as are found in tuberculo- sis, gout, rickets and in pre-cancerous states, but a further therapeutic indication may be provided by pains in joints and muscles, neuralgia which is worse at night, twitching and trembling of the limbs with great weakness, chronically suppurating fistulae in the ears, chronic eye conditions with photophobia, stomatitis with ulcer- ated gums, tuberculosis of the mesenteric glands, swelling of the hilar glands, rectal fistulae and leucorrhoea. Silicea is therefore indicated in impregnation phases which attempt a regressive transformation into reaction phases.

Particular emphasis should also be given to the action of Silicea on offensive foot- sweat, in many cases accompanied by general heavy sweating of the whole body (smelling sour at night).

A further important symptom is bleeding from the nipple, also during breast-feed- ing.

Typical indications go to make up the following symptom-picture:

1. Weakness of connective tissue, rickets. Tuberculosis of the hilar and mesenteric glands.
   1. Disorders of nutrition with diarrhoea and failure to thrive. Painless glandular swellings on the neck, behind the ears, in the axillae and inguinal area.
   1. Thin, acrid discharges. Suppurative fistulae in otitis media, anal fistulae, in surgi- cal wounds etc., skin slow to heal.
   1. General chilliness and sensitivity to cold air, especially draughts, must cover the head warmly, above all in tendency towards headaches and neuralgia. (Left trigeminal nerve often affected.)
   1. Sour sweating of the head and feet with soreness between the toes (feet offen- sive). Silicea can cure complaints arising from suppressed sweat, or bring out the sweat again.
   1. Nervous irritation and timidity. Indecision, acquiescence, lack of courage.
   1. 7.   Bleeding from the nipple during breast-feeding (important symptom in any case, which cannot be cured by any other remedy).
   1. 8.   Pustular skin eruptions and urticaria. Acne vulgaris. Pruritus, scarcely relieved by scratching. Hyperaesthesia of the skin to touch.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Acidum silicium, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for silicea: chronic inflammations; suppuration and fistula development afflicting the skin, the lymph glands, the mucosae, the bones, and the joints; tissue weakness in the ligamentous apparatus of the bones and joints; proliferation of tissue (hyper- blastosis); mental exhaustion.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Thymus ser- pyllum L., which blossoms in sunny alpine meadows and pastures. N.O. Labiatae.

The action of thyme is based on its essential oil and the bitter principle, serpyllin, which it contains, among other things. Thyme is used not only in coughs and ca- tarrhal colds, acting as an expectorant and soothing the cough, including that of whooping cough, but it also has a particularly calming effect on nervous irritations, such as those which occur following worm-infestation.

Typical of the Thymus Serpyllum patient is the special effect on the sexual organs, with lascivious, fantastic dreams accompanying irritability, moodiness and a lack of energy. There is also a pain resulting from tiredness, felt in the loins and aggravated by mental or physical exertion, particularly after excessive nocturnal seminal emis- sions with lustful dreams and possibly priapism.

Also typical is a burning pain on urination, with subsequent dribbling of urine, also frequency of urination with urine which is high in urates and low in phosphates.

Generally speaking, Serpyllum is used primarily in combination remedies in order to strengthen the action of the other ingredients. (E. Bürgi’s synergistic principle.)

The attenuations are prepared from Serotonin, 3-(2-aminoethyl)-indol-5-ol, C₁₀H₁₂N₂O, MW: 176.2.

Serotonin is used within the context of anti-homotoxic methodology, in states of shock, states of cerebral excitement, acute mental confusion, organic nervous dis- eases, also experimentally in schizophrenia and possibly epilepsy, in order to stimu- late an arousal of the body’s own detoxifying mechanisms, within the context of the Law of Similars and the Reversal effect, possibly in alternation with other mediators such as Histamine, Adrenalin, Acetylcholine etc.