Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The attenuations are prepared from the dried secretion of the inkgland of the cuttle- fish, Sepia officinalis L., which inhabits the Mediterranean, the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. N.O. Sepiidae.

Sepia is one of the most frequently needed homoeopathic remedies, and is mainly suitable for the treatment of chronic or longer lasting conditions and also of dyscrasias (i.e. both cellular and also chronic humoral phases, e.g. chronic eczemas, chronic discharges such as leucorrhoea and post-gonorrhoeal). There is also a typical weakness and exhaustion running through the whole remedy.

Complaints are generally worse in the warmth, in rooms which are hot and crowd- ed, and in hot weather. An amelioration occurs in the course of the afternoon, whilst otherwise there are aggravations in the morning and evenings, making Sepia to some extent a combination of Nux Vomica (morning aggravation) and Pulsatilla (evening aggravation). The general state of the patient is better on motion (as in Pulsatilla), whilst certain complaints, such as headaches and lower abdominal complaints with the typical bearing-down sensation, are worse on motion.

A prominent symptom is the indifference towards business and family, as is also found in Sulphur; another symptom which it has in common with Sulphur is the sen- sation of weakness in the stomach, which is not relieved after eating.

In common with Pulsatilla, Sepia has a burning, throbbing pain in the stomach, and also the sensation as of a dumpling or stone in the stomach. Sepia frequently has a sensation of general heaviness, and that of a large lump, e.g. in the rectum, this symptom not being relieved after defaecation. In the uterus there is also a bearing- down sensation and feeling of heaviness, so that female patients feel the need to cross the legs, to prevent prolapse. In many cases there is a yellowish-green, foetid and excoriating leucorrhoea.

In the lower abdomen there may also be pains similar to labour-pains, with respi- ratory constriction and bearing-down, associated with erosions of the uterus. Gener- ally there appears to be congestion in the pelvic organs, which may find expression not only in uterine but also in rectal prolapse. This sensation of bearing-down and fullness may also be found in the urinary organs, with the symptom of pressure on the bladder and frequent passing of urine with flatulence in the lower abdomen. The urine contains a sediment like clay, and may also be very offensive. In enuresis, the bed-wetting which requires Sepia usually takes place during first sleep.

Although the characteristic Sepia sensations are of fullness or of a ball, the stom- ach pain may however also have an unpleasant sensation of emptiness, or a “gone” sensation, with faint weakness, the patient feeling deathly and wretched. Hypereme- sis gravidarum also frequently responds fabourably to Sepia if (as in Colchicum), even the smell of food causes nausea.

In constipation Sepia has a characteristic feeling as of a weight or a ball in the rec- tum. Often the stool cannot be passed without manual assistance. Nash describes as

a symptom a seeping of moisture from the anus, which is also covered by Antimoni- um Crudum.

Sepia also has a degree of aggravation from milk, e.g. when milk leads to vomit- ing with diarrhoea.

Worthy of particular note are the skin symptoms of Sepia, namely soreness, itch- ing which is frequently transformed into burning as a result of scratching (cf. Sul- phur), and above all, localisation in the creases of the knees. There may also be large, suppurating pustules, which repeatedly relapse, and also, particularly, brown patches, on the face, chest and abdomen, such as occur in chloasma gravidarum. However, other types of eruption also respond favourably to Sepia, such as vesicles and scabies-like conditions – particularly if Sulphur has previously been given and has not completed the cure. The skin symptoms do not need to be expressed solely in the form of pustules, eczema, neurodermitis or herpes, but may be of a weaker character, such as yellowish-brown scaly patches, or sloughing of the epidermis in round patches on the hands and fingers, possibly associated with painless ulcers.

As is obvious from the foregoing symptoms, Sepia is a gynaecological remedy, and also particularly indicated in the menopause. Hot flushes with sweating and weakness are characteristic of Sepia (likewise Sulphur and possibly Lachesis), the typical symptoms of pelvic congestion often being found in Sepia, while the hands and feet tend to be alternately hot and cold. Thus Sepia is one of the most important remedies for the complaints of the menopause, especially as further symptoms, such as the great exhaustion, are also typical of climacteric neuroses.

Sepia can also have a very favourable action on hemicrania and migraine-like states, e.g. also in cervical migraine, where the factor of exhaustion is also involved. Indifference towards business and family is chracteristic of Sepia, and is likewise often found in the menopause. There may also be a hypersensitivity in various parts of the body, with a tendency to strain oneself by lifting things awkwardly or to- wards sprains. This may result in avoidance of energetic movements or of physical and mental activity. Comparatively short walks may also result in severe exhaustion. In spite of the great sleepiness, especially during the daytime, so that the patient sometimes falls asleep while sitting up, at night there may be restless sleep with fre- quent waking, lively dreams and starting up in fright. Apart from angry irritability, there may possibly be deep despondency (especially in the evenings), with a depres- sive tendency and worried brooding over one’s own state of health. With all this there may also be unsociability, loss of interest, and indifference, and possibly also nervousness, intensity of feeling, and timidity with feelings of fear. In the mornings, when the patient wakes unrefreshed, the eyelids may be stiff and heavy and there may be ptosis.

Sepia has typically copious sweating, e.g. after the hot flushes, but also on the genitalia. Also characteristic of Sepia are acute and chronic catarrhs of the nose, pharynx and larynx with a violent tickling cough and possibly considerable dis- charge of mucus or else stopped coryza with a sensation of dryness in the nose.

If we sum up the main symptoms of Sepia, the result is the following remedy- picture:

1. Complaints aggravated in warmth and hot weather and in crowded rooms, also first thing in the morning and in the evening. Amelioration in the course of the af- ternoon and generally from motion (except complaints of head and lower ab- domen).
2. Menopausal complaints with hot flushes, emotional depression and irritability (alternating). Tearfulness, hypersensitivity, and indifference (to business and fam- ily). General weakness, every movement causing outbreaks of sweating. Feeling of faintness.
3. Sensitive skin with severe itching and eurptions, especially in the creases of the joints, dry or moist or herpetic eruptions. Skin of the hands is sloughed off in great patches. Brown patches. Chloasma gravidarum with yellow “saddle” across the nose. Pityriasis. Yellowish, wan, pale complexion with yellow patches and yellow discoloration of the sclera.
4. Offensive sweat on the genitalia with bearing-down in the lower abdomen (sensa- tion of a ball), must cross the legs to prevent protrusion. Uterine prolapse.
5. Yellowish-green leucorrhoea, offensive and excoriating in cervical erosion. Menses mostly late and scanty. Menopause.
6. Various types of catarrh with discharge of purulent and bloody, foul-smelling masses. Expectoration of salty-tasting mucus. Stopped coryza. Tickling cough in catarrhs of the nose, pharynx and larynx. Post-gonorrhoeal leucorrhoea.
7. Pulsating, bursting headaches, pains shooting upwards and from within outwards, possibly only in the occiput or above one eye. Migraine, worse from movement, bending down, noise and in the morning. A possible sensation of coldness on the vertex, and of dryness in the eyes (in the presence of other Sepia symptoms).
8. General exhaustion and weakness; restless limbs, never still, with neuralgic com- plaints. (Osteochondrosis.)
9. Nocturnal enuresis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Sepia officinalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for sepia: various skin diseases, especially of chronic nature; inflammations and other disorders of the digestive organs; an extensive variety of disturbances of the female reproductive organs; inflammations of the urinary organs; disorders in voiding from the urinary bladder; rheumatic diseases; varicose veins; headaches, insomnia; condi- tions of exhaustion, disorders of emotional or otherwise psychological nature; de- pressive emotional discord or upset.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Senecio memorensis ssp. fuchsii (C. C. Gmel.) Celak., which flowers in mountain woodlands of Europe. N.O. Compositae.

Senecio Fuchsii is used, as in folk-medicine, for various nervous complaints, and in particular for gynaecological problems and in the menopause. Its main area of in- dication covers amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, irregular menstruation with irritation of the bladder. All complaints are ameliorated by the onset of the period.

There is also a favourable action in leucorrhoea. Senecio Fuchsii is used mainly in combination with other homoeopathic remedies which have a similar action.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Senecio memorensis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for senecio fuchsii: haemorrhages.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves, gathered before flowering, of the plant Sempervivum tectorum L. ssp. tectorum, a native of Europe and Asia.

N.O. Crassulaceae.

The main indications are:

Pre-cancerous state. Neoplasm phases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Sempervivum tectorum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for sempervivum tectorum: nodular hardening in the skin, tongue, and breast; warts.

The attenuations are prepared from amorphous Selenium, Se, AW: 79.0.

Selenium has similar effects to those of Sulphur, but they are directed more to- wards the nervous system. There is characteristic general weakness, tiredness and exhaustion after physical and mental exertion, with drowsiness, but at night only light cat-naps, as in Sulphur. Hot weather is also debilitating. Sleep is not refreshing. Alcohol consumption is particularly likely to have ill-effects, especially wine. Sele- nium is also indicated for consequences of excessive tea-drinking.

Nervous exhaustion is characteristic, with forgetfulness and inability to cope with mental work, which produces fatigue. There may also be pains in all the limbs, with intolerance of draughts. Stabbing nervous headaches which increase with the heat of the sun, hypersensitivity to smells, complaints which recur every afternoon, episodes of vertigo and unsteadiness, possibly with symptoms of collapse, anxious sweating

and a pale, sunken face, nausea and vomiting, also after breakfeast and lunch; these all respond to Selenium.

There may also be an enlargement of the liver with loss of appetite and tongue coated white, also with itching in the region of the liver and in folds of the skin. Constipation can be so marked that the stool can scarcely be passed without assis- tance, blood and mucus possibly being passed with it.

Particlularly characteristic of Selenium are seminal emissions while the penis is relaxed, and also unconscious dribbling of semen during sleep, particularly when masturbation is practised. There may also be impotence and premature ejaculation with the penis relaxed, as well as prostatitis with the sensation of a foreign body in the anus and painful stinging deep in the urethra after micturition. There may be ca- tarrh of the bladder, with dribbling of urine after urination and involuntary passage of urine while walking.

Selenium has a characteristic emaciation of the face, hands and thighs. Walking may be difficult, with a certain lameness, and a fear of becoming completely paral- ysed.

Mention must also be made of the mucosal affections which are improved by Se- lenium, namely nervous coryza, coming and going as in Silicea, and possible loss of smell lasting for weeks with nasal congestion; likewise hoarseness of singers, oc- curring right at the beginning of the song, or also following over-use of the voice, possibly associated with blood-streaked expectoration.

Selenium patients have a desire for stimulants, and like to get drunk, which how- ever leads to a tremendous aggravation of their complaints. They wake at night with hunger.

On account of its particularly strong indications in the genito-urinary sphere, Se- lenium was formerly one of the chief remedies in chronic, post-gonorrhoeal urethri- tis, along with Sepia, Kali Iodatum and Sulphur.

Mention must also be made of the usefulness of Selenium in falling out of the hair, certain relationships becoming apparent here with Sulphur, and particularly with Thallium (Sulphuricum).

To sum up, we have the following main symptoms:

1. General weakness and lack of energy. Mental concentration impossible. Exhaus- tion after every physical and mental exertion.
2. Periodic headaches, especially above the left eye, possibly occurring after sleep (cf. Lachesis). Cat-naps (cf. Sulphur).
3. Emaciation of face, hands and thighs. Eruption in the liver-region and in creases of the hands (inter-digital).
4. Aggravation from consumption of tea and wine, also from sleeping and lying down, from hot weather, heat of the sun and draughts. Frequently ameliorated by polyuria.
5. Neurasthenia after exhausting illnesses (retoxic phases), after sexual excesses, masturbation with sexual excitement. Lack of energy withal. Impotence. Prostat- orrhoea. Prostatitis. Dribbling of urine while walking.
6. Hoarseness of singers and speakers. Laryngitis with blood-streaked sputum.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Selenium amorphum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for selenium: rashes; greasy skin; inflammations of the upper respiratory passages; digestive insufficiency; general weakness and debilitation.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Sedum acre L., a native of Europe, Asia and North America. N.O. Crassulaceae.

The main indications are:

Haemorrhoidal complaints. Anal fissure. Pre-cancerous state.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Sedum acre, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for sedum acre: rectal pain.

The mother tincture is prepared from carefully dried ergot, a poisonous fungus which is growing on rye throughout Europe: Claviceps purpurea (Fries) Tulasne.

N.O. Clavicipitaceae.

The tincture of ergot, gathered just before harvesting, contains as active ingredients several alkaloids, such as ergometrine, ergotamine, ergosine, agro- clavine, xanthone derivates, including, among others, secalonic acid, ergoflavin and

anthracene derivates e.g. clavorubine and endocrocine as well as amines, also fatty oil, phosphates, potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium.

The acute poisoning symptoms present as headache with enlargement of the pupils, abdominal pain, depressed pulse rate, nausea, retching, vomiting a sensation of increased warmth in the stomach, and salivation. Animal experiments produced negative results, however.

Typical of the longer-term action of Secale is the subcutaneous sensation of crawl- ing, ergotism, raphania, and also gangrene, “ergotismus gangrenosus”, in which there may be a preponderance of nervous symptoms such as lassitude, vertigo, crawling under the skin, formication and convulsive twitching alternating with spas- modic contractions of individual areas of muscle, and later possibly amaurosis, or else the tendency towards gangrene may predominate, primarily in the lower limbs, but also in the upper limbs and the nose. Glaucoma may also occur.

Apart from drowsiness with anxious dreams, there is usually a tendency towards despondency, depressive sadness, and melancholia with episodes of insanity and frenzy.

On the skin there are sensations of prickling and formication, with pains below the skin moving like lightning, the skin being withered, pale, cool and shrivelled, and possibly displaying anaesthesia when pricked, there being a certain emptiness of the capillaries. (Wounds do not bleed.) However, petechiae in the capillaries, ecchy- moses in the mucosa, cynaosis of various parts with purple eruptions and burn-blis- ters, and ulcers discharging pus may all be prominent.

The emotional and intellectual functions are particularly disordered. Predominant symptoms include difficulty in thinking and speaking, deficient understanding and comprehension, a certain dullness of intellect, great forgetfulness and weakness of reason with sensory delusions, even madness and delirium, which may reach the point of true insanity.

There is congestion of blood in the head with attacks of vertigo and a state as of intoxication or narcosis, with staggering and an inability to stand upright.

The head is heavy, with a pulsating sensation and a dull headache. The facial fea- tures are sunken, and show a pale, yellowish colouration, or else the face may be dark red with a sensation of heat, and possibly with lockjaw.

The eyelids may swell up, with either contraction or enlargement of the pupils (ac- cording to the dosage), and diplopia, strabismus, visual disturbance with sparks, spots or mistiness, or total paralysis of the sense of sight may occur.

In the ears there are roaring and rushing noises with hearing-impairment. Symp- toms of meningism may occur, with stiffness of the neck, muscular weakness and periodic muscular pain with spasm and heaviness of the limbs and with drawing and jerking pains. There may also be cramps, twitching and trembling of the limbs, or rigidity and stiffness of the limbs and joints, associated with anaesthesia and a sen- sation of numbness, crawling and formication, coldness and paralysis of the limbs, contractures with tetany of fingers and toes, cramps in the calf muscles, and also gangrene of the hands and feet.

There are spasmodic palpitations, possibly with initial hesitation in the heart-con- traction; the pulse is often small, frequent and misses beats, and there is burning in- ternal heat with great thirst and anxiety, general cold, sticky sweat, and also con- striction of the chest, air-hunger, and possibly haemoptysis or epistaxis.

In the digestive tract there is salivation, a creeping sensation of the tongue with burning and dryness in the gullet, an unaccustomed and scarcely quenchable thirst, possibly with extraordinary, ravenous hunger which, however, is impaired by eruc- tation of unpleasantly-smelling gas, by heartburn, disgust for food, nausea, vomiting of mucus, bile, worms or small quantities of food (without loss of appetite), by pressing, cramping pains in the stomach with flatulent abdominal distension. There may be tenesmus without evacuation, or else exhausting diarrhoea and involuntary passage of watery stools.

Also typical of Secale are difficulties in urination with burning in the urethra and urine passed seldom and drop by drop; also a sensation of spasmodic drawing in the spermatic cord, as if the testes were being drawn up towards the inguinal canal.

The menses may be absent, with violent contractions of the womb and intensified labour-pains.

The main action of Secale Cornutum affects the peripheral circulation where gan- grene may develop – the “St. Anthony’s Fire” of the Middle Ages, when rye-bread polluted with ergot was eaten.

A further characteristic of Secale is the impairment of the central emotional con- trol by the brain, distinguished by exaltation, dullness or insane excitement, corre- sponding somewhat to the motivation of the “children’s crusades” of the Middle Ages; or else the impairment of the autonomic central control, with spastic symp- toms developing in the whole abdomen and not least in the genitalia, particularly characterised by a tonifying action on the uterus, in which area Secale has earned a commanding position in post-partum haemorrhages.

If the main symptoms are summed up, the result is the following typical remedy- picture:

1. Tendency to ward petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis, pulmonary haemorrhages, uterine haemorrhages.
2. Sensation of numbness. Formication. Cramps and paralysis of the extremities. Gangrene, especially in adipose diabetics. Intermittent claudication (“Smoker’s leg”). Varicose ulcers.
3. States of cerebral excitement with Sydenham’s chorea, hysterical spasms with maniacal states of excitement.
4. Stomach cramps, colics, exhausting diarrhoea, paralysis of the anal sphincter. Greedy appetite with craving for sour food. Hiccoughs. Vomiting. Distension. Stools as in cholera with icy coldness. Cannot bear to be covered up. Involuntary stools with the anus remaining wide open. (Boericke).
5. Copious menses, also post-partum haemorrhage. Relaxation of the uterus. Seep- ing haemorrhage from insufficiently contracted uterus post partum. When giving doses of the fluid extract, observe Pagot’s rule, “So long as anything remains in the uterus: child, placenta, afterbirth, do not give Secale!” (Boericke).

• 6.   Secale has a typical craving for the cold, and great, sometimes unquenchable thirst. Nash also points out the important leading symptom: great objective cold- ness of the body-surface, but the patient cannot bear to be covered up. This is found in both cholera and gangrene, likewise the symptom: burning in all parts of the body, as if sparks had fallen on them.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Secale cornutum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for secale cornutum: spasmodic conditions of the uterus; muscular cramps; spasmodic conditions; paralysis; blood circulatory disorders associated with arterial diseases; tendency to haemorrhage.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts, gathered before flower- ing, of Scrophularia nodosa L., a native of Europe, Asia and North America.

N.O. Scrophulariaceae.

The main indications are:

Breast tumours. Tubercular eye problems. Eczema. Supporting remedy in neo- plasm phases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Scrophularia nodosa, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for scrophularia nodosa: general weakness and debilitation; hardening of the glands; rectal inflammation, crusta lactea.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh, flashy bulb scales of the red variety of the plant Urginea maritima (L.), which occurs in the Mediterranean countries. N.O. Liliaceae.

The main indications are:

Laryngeal and bronchial catarrhs with difficult expectoration. Pleurisy with effu- sion. Oedema in heart and kidney disease. Tenesmus of the bladder. Strangury.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Urginea maritima var. rubra, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Fed- eral Gazette) for scilla: cardiac insufficiency; disorders in voiding from the urinary bladder; common cold.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Saxifraga granulata L. N.O. Saxifragaceae.

The main indications are:

Problems arising from calculi. Left-sided renal calculi.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Saxifraga granulata, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for saxifraga: nephrolithiasis.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried root of the plants Smilax regelii Kill. et C. V. Morton and Smilax medica Schlechtend. et Cham. or other related species, all of which occur in Central America. N.O. Liliaceae.

The main indications are:

Finger-tips as if ulcerated. Urinary gravel. Dribbling of urine when sitting. An in- creasing pain on micturition (strangury), dying away as soon as the urine has been passed. (Opposite of Cantharis.)

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Smilax, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for sarsapa- rilla: pruritic skin diseases; inflammations and irritations of the urinary organs; rheumatism.