Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried root of the plant Rauwolfia serpenti- na (L.) Benth. ex Kurz., which occurs in the Himalayan region. N.O. Apocynaceae.

The main indication is:

Hypertension.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Rauwolfia serpentina, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for rauwolfia: hypertension; emotional discord or upset.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant, gathered when in flower, of Ranunculus bulbosus L., which occurs in Europe and North America.

N.O. Ranunculaceae.

Ranunculus Bulbosus, the buttercup, a member of the Ranunculaceae family, is used to treat rheumatic and neuralgic symptoms, and likewise skin-eruptions, partic- ularly crops of vesicles which occur grouped closely together (herpes zoster with burning and itching).

Attacks of vertigo, swimming in the head and a sensation of heaviness may also be present, also stabbing, tearing headaches with congestion of blood, and burning and itching of the eyelids with redness. There may be earaches deep in the ear and in the area of the ear drum.

There are characteristic complaints in the chest muscles, with drawing pains in the nape of the neck and in the axilla, bruised, sore pain in the sacrum, and soreness in the right lower arm and small muscles of the hand, as well as a painful sensation of jerking and tearing. There may also be blisters on the fingers; and drawing pains in the hips and inner side of the knee and ankle, stabbing pulsations in the heel with a clamping pain in the calf muscles, weakness and giving-way of the legs, and pain in the heels as if from external pressure, which are all typical of Ranunculus.

There may also be coryza with a discharge of viscid mucus, and possibly ulcera- tion of the nasal mucosa with a painful red swelling of the tip of the nose, usually accompanied by the characteristic chest complaints with shortness of breath and a sense of construction, so that the patient has to hold the chest with his hands when coughing (cf. Bryonia). Thus Ranunculus is also a good remedy in adhesions fol- lowing pleurisy.

Typical of Ranunculus are burning, pressing pains, and a bruised soreness which is felt particularly in the left and right hypochondria. These may be accompanied by gastric symptoms with purging, eructations and nausea, burning in the stomach, ab- dominal rumbling and bleeding haemorrhoids, as well as erections and seminal emissions in the early hours of the morning.

Thus Ranunculus Bulbosus is chiefly indicated in illnesses of a neuralgic or rheu- matic kind with spasmodic and paralytic symptoms, in gouty complaints, but also in oozing eczemas and vesicular eruptions (as in herpes zoster, in pemphigus and par- ticularly in coryza with a red, swollen nose). Complaints are aggravated by change of temperature and by damp weather. The skin eruptions are frequently also present on the palms of the hands in the form of desquamating vesicular eruptions.

A summary provides us with the following remedy-picture:

1. Intercostal neuralgia and rheumatism of the chest muscles. Disc prolapse in the area of the dorsal spine, but also generally.
2. Pleurisy, dry or with serous effusion, consequent adhesions and pleuritic com- plaints.

• 3.   Skin eruptions of a vesicular nature, particularly herpes zoster and pemphigus (according to Dahlke, especially in children). Should also be tried as a supporting remedy in epithelioma and skin cancer. Vesicular eruptions on the palms of the hands.
• 4.   Chronic rheumatism of the joints, and gouty symptoms.
• Acute excoriating coryza, possibly lasting for weeks, with a red, inflamed nose.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Ranunculus bulbosus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for ranunculus bulbosus: virus diseases of the skin and the cornea; dis- eases of the parietal pleura; rheumatism in the thoracic region; neuralgia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried bark of trunks and twigs of Aspi- dosperma quebracho-blanco Schlecht., a native of South America. N.O. Apocy- naceae.

The main indications are:

Bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis with dyspnoea; also in emphysema and catarrh of smokers.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aspidosperma quebracho-blan- co, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for quebracho: chronic diseases of the respiratory passages, ac- companied by acute respiratory distress.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried wood of trunks and branches of Quassia amara L. or Picrasma excelsa [Sw.] Planch., a native of tropical America.

N.O. Simarubaceae.

The main indications are:

Liver and biliary remedy; also in cirrhosis of the liver with ascites.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Picrasma excelsa, Quassia amara, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (Ger- man Federal Gazette) for quassia amara: hepatic diseases; digestive insufficiency.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from the pus from septic skin lesions.

The main indications are:

Acute and chronic skin diseases, oozing eczema and boils. Acute acne vulgaris and cystic acne. Relapsing carbuncle. Illnesses occurring after retoxically treated skin eruptions, including asthma, neuralgias, liver damage etc. Otherwise should be used in a similar way to Psorinum and the Psoriasis Nosode. Works well in combi- nation with the Asthma Nosode.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the fresh renal pelvis removed from healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Hydronephrosis. Chronic pyelitis. Nephrolithiasis. Hypertrophy of the prostate. Cystitis with pyelitis. Nephrosis. Uraemia. Eclampsia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant, gathered while in flower, of Pulsatilla pratensis Miller, which occurs in the mountains of Europe and Russia.

N.O. Ranunculaceae.

The tincture prepared from the Wind Flower, Pulsatilla Pratensis, contains pro- toanemonin (an antibiotic substance), tannin, resin and saponin, and shows typical therapeutic indications, which cover both psychic and somatic symptoms. All com- plaints are aggravated by warmth in any form, and are ameliorated by coolness and moving about in the fresh air. The aggravation of the complaints tends to occur in the evening, both before and after the menses, all the symptoms being very change- able. Generally the mood is weepy, with a mild, shy nature, and there may be vertigo with a tendency to vomit and aggravation when lying down. The headache changes position rapidly and is better from pressure. The eyelids are often inflamed and itch- ing, with lachrymation. The external auditory canal may also be swollen and in- flamed, as may the nasal mucosa, with loss of the sense of smell. The lower lip is often cracked. Drawing and jerking is felt in the teeth, as if a nerve were being pulled and then let go again; this is especially bad at night and in a warm room, with pains extending to the ear, eye and temple.

There are also important symptoms with respect to the alimentary canal, begin- ning with loss of taste, or a putrid, slimy, rancid taste, or a taste of blood. The tongue is coated whitish, or with white mucus, the patient being thirsty but maintaining that he can discipline himself not to drink. Fatty and acid foods usually disagree, or are vomited hours after eating. There is a sensation of fullness, pressure and heavi- ness, as if there were a stone in the stomach, or as if an apple were lodged under- neath the sternum. The stools may be changeable, but are particularly thin and mu- cous, alternating between diarrhoea and constipation, and there is a pinching pain in the abdomen which persists after defaecation.

Pulsatilla is also indicated in many kinds of bladder problems, with tenesmus and burning during urination, and with involuntary passage of urine on coughing, in sleep or as a result of sudden shock. There is also an increase in libido, with erec- tions in the morning, and possibly pain and burning in the testes (e.g. also after re- covery from gonorrhoea).

The menses are usually scanty, arriving late or irregularly, the patients expressing the feeling long beforehand that the period is about to arrive. There is also dysmen- orrhoea with bearing down.

Coughing also has a place in the Pulsatilla picture; it is particularly bad in a warm room, hoarseness developing; it is loose in the morning with greenish-yellow expec- toration, and worse when lying down.

All of Pulsatilla’s complaints and pains with stabbing or pressure normally change their location rapidly. The venous constitution is predominant with swelling of the veins and a feeling of puffiness and heaviness all over the body. In the evening there is an amelioration of the general state of health, with the exception of certain com-

plaints, whilst in the mornings a sleepy, irritable mood is uppermost, as in Nux Vom- ica. In spite of the amelioration in fresh air, there is also a certain chilliness, espe- cially during pain.

There are typical partial sweats on one side of the body, the patients wishing to be lightly clothed in spite of the chilliness.

Pulsatilla patients often complain of a feeling as if pus were concealed beneath certain painful places. There are yellowish-green secretions – particularly in the mornings – whilst in the evenings in many cases the discharges are of a thin, runny consistency.

In the region of the heart there are frequent stabbing pains, associated with a sen- sation of narrow-chestedness and with suffocative attacks, and there may be prick- ling sensations all over the thorax.

Particularly in measles, for which Pulsatilla is one of the most important remedies, there is catarrh in the larynx and air-passages, with violent scraping and scratching, and coughing with tenacious mucus.

In general there are the following typical symptoms and indications:

1. Aggravation in a warm room and in hot weather; amelioration in fresh air and walking about gently. In spite of chilliness wishes to wear light clothing. Headache ameliorated in fresh air. Certain complaints are aggravated in the evening, also before and after the menses.
2. Gastric catarrh with white coating of the tongue and the sensation of a stone in the stomach, or as if an apple or crust of bread were lodged underneath the ster- num. Pappy or bloody taste in the mouth, especially in the morning. Measles, bronchitis and broncho-pneumonia. Intolerance of fatty food (and pork).
3. Venous constitution. Vicarious bleeding (from the nose, instead of the menses).
4. Rheumatic complaints and gouty diathesis with pains frequently changing loca- tion. Gout in the left big toe.
5. Urticaria. Consequences of suppressed gonorrhea, or of suppressed leucorrhoea, with orchitis or oophoritis. Chilblains.
6. Concomitant catarrh of the bladder with hypertrophy of the prostate.
7. Ophthalmia after measles, especially when granulations are present. Blepharitis and tendency to styes. Also otitis media with violent, stinging, pulsating pain.
8. Pulsatilla is usually indicated for female patients who are full of complaints and can take an hour or more telling the doctor all about their problems, although ob- jectively nothing can be found.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Pulsatilla pratensis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for pulsatilla: skin diseases; varicose veins; inflammations of the respira- tory passages; tendency for the common cold; inflammations and disorders of the di- gestive organs; digestive insufficiency; inflammations and disorders of the female reproductive organs; vaginitis accompanied by purulent discharge; paramenia of all types; disorders experienced during pregnancy and nursing; cystitis; disorders in voiding from the urinary bladder; rheumatic diseases; eye inflammations; otitits

media; measles; mumps; headaches; insomnia; disorders of emotional or otherwise psychological nature; nervous disorders; emotional discord or upset.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the pulpy part of a healthy pig’s teeth (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Problems with an apical focus. Bad dental development. Periodontitis. Caries.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the fresh lung obtained from healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Bronchial asthma. Bronchitis of smokers. Emphysema. Bronchiectasis. Use with care in tuberculosis, do not inject at the feverish stage. Allow time to work, i.e. only inject at fairly long intervals.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from the purulent serous content of scabious pustules obtained from human skin.

After a homoeopathic proving, the Psorinum nosode was introduced into the ho- moeopathic Materia Medica by Hering in 1833/34 – the first nosode to be so includ- ed.

Chronic and acute eczemas with violent itching, especially at night, are typical of Psorinum, the itching being relieved by scratching until it bleeds. Other skin dyscrasias also respond well to intercurrent doses of Psorinum.

A striking feature of the general symptomatology is the offensive exterior, and an unpleasant, musty, typical body-odour which reminds one of un-aired beds, as well as an abnormal sensitivity to cold, hypotension and a sad, desperate mental disposition.

Psorinum patients are usually lean or emaciated, have a wrinkled skin, always look dirty and are wary of water and draughts. In his lecture to the Homotoxicology Society (see “Homotoxin-Journal” 7, 138–139 [1968]), Dr. Julian characterised the illness of Marcel Proust, the well-known French writer, as a typical Psorinum state. Particularly prominent were the peevish, irritable nature, the hypersensitivity to noise, the search for solitude and the absolute pessimism with fear of the future.

The Psorinum patient shivers even in hot weather and wears several layers of woollens; he shivers at the slightest draught (cf. Silicea).

The memory is tremendously reduced, with fixed or bizarre ideas, considerable physical weakness with no energy to work, the Psorinum-type being characterised by offensive skin eruptions, profuse sweating and dry, dirty, wrinkled skin, general predominating despair of ever recovering from his illness; and then, shortly after- wards, like the manic-depressive, he may be bubbling over with gaiety.

The misanthropy with an inferiority complex is intensified by the sensitivity of the head to cold and the consequent occipital or frontal headache and migraines; these attacks are ameliorated by eating and keeping the head warm, and possibly also by epistaxis (like Melilotus). In the middle of the night the patient may have to get up owing to ravenous hunger, having been woken by fearful dreams of dangers. Anx- ious children may scream all through the night.

As with Medorrhinum, the picture may be complicated by chronic coryza with nasal congestion and post-nasal discharge, and also with anosmia and enlarged ade- noids; there may also be hay fever, and possibly asthma, in vicariation with eczema. The picture may also be complicated by expectoration of cheese-like masses of unpleasant taste and smell, sticky mucus on the palate, associated with a continual need to clear the throat, hypertrophy of the tonsils and ear-pains on swallowing; likewise a dry cough with laboured expectoration of yellowish-green mucus with a salty taste, mainly in the winter, dyspnoea with a sensation of ulceration behind the sternum and asthma which is worse in cold surrounding and in the winter (alternat-

ing with eczema).

The hypotension and weakness of the heart is also seen in the dyspnoea, which even occurs after a short walk, being better when lying horizontally and worse in a standing or sitting position. The pulse may be rapid and irregular.

Dr. Hoffmann (Stuttgart) has been able to confirm the favourable action of Psor- inum on the heart. (Homotoxin-Journal 4, 208–210 [1965].)

As in Medorrhinum, there is a tendeny to weep at every opportunity, and stomati- tis, aphthae with periodontitis, looseness of the teeth and swollen gums which bleed easily may also be present.

There is also a typical aversion to pork, and gastritis with sour eructations smelling of rotten eggs. There may be diarrhoea with violent urging. The stools are putrid, dark-coloured, spluttering and foetid. At night an involuntary stool may pass, and on the other hand even a soft stool may only be passed with the utmost effort.

In the genito-urinary system too the Psorinum picture contains similar symptoms to those of Medorrhinum. Incomplete emptying of the bladder with urine remaining is typical of Psorinum, as is a foetid discharge of prostatic fluid from the urethra, staining the underclothes yellow, and in women there is leucorrhoea with congealed lumps which smell rotten, accompanied by sacral pain and general weakness.

The bad body-odour is particularly marked on the genitalia, in spite of the utmost cleanliness. Arising from this, apart from an aversion to the opposite sex, there are often also frigidity, depression and apathy during the menses, and painful breasts with itching, irritated nipples.

As with Natrum Carbonicum, the joints may give way easily, and a tendency to sprains may also be characteristic of Psorinum, as may foot-sweat and shaking of the hands.

According to Julian, there is a wide variety of relationships with well known poly- chrests, such as:

Arsenicum Album (complaints and restlessness at night, fear of death, desquamat- ing skin eruptions);

Hepar Sulphuris (odour of old cheese, aggravation from cold. Suppurations, pee- vish, grumpy mood);

Petroleum (aggravation in winter and from travelling by car, ship, train, aeroplane etc., diarrhoea during the daytime, dry skin with cracks and oozing eruptions, moist genitalia with offensive sweat);

Silicea (hypersensitivity to cold, tendency to suppurations and asthenia, chronic headaches and foot-sweat);

Sulphur, which is the most closely related remedy as regards discharges, burning of the skin, eruptions, vicarious conditions and general chronicity.

There are relationships with Thuja by virtue of the bad mood, sadness, morning diarrhoea, general weakness of limbs, sticky sweat and offensive odour of the geni- talia.

There are relationships with Tuberculinum by virtue of the general irritability with changeable, variable pains which move about the body, morning diarrhoea and per- spiration on the least exertion.

According to Kent (quoted by Julian: “Materia Medica of the Nosodes”, Haug, Heidelberg), Tuberculinum or Bacillinum should be prescribed if Psorinum does not act.

If all the symptoms of Psorinum are summed up, the result is the following typical remedy-picture:

1. Chronic diseases and states placing a profound strain on the constitution.
2. Emotional lability. Depression. Catatonia and schizophrenia. Migraines and in- transigent neuralgias.
3. Blepharitis, conjunctivitis, chronic ophthalmia and chronic, foetid otorrhoea.
4. Chronic coryza. Hay fever. Adenoidal growths. Bronchial asthma. Bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis, especially in the winter.
5. Hypotension with weakness and a cyanotic face, irregular pulse, amelioration from lying down horizontally.

• Aphthous stomatitis. Pharyngitis. Periodontitis. Ravenous hunger. Diarrhoea. Atonic constipation.
• Nocturnal enuresis. Chronic urethritis. Urine remaining after urination in prostat- ic illness. Endometritis. Loss of libido and potency.
• Subluxations and sprains, with joints giving way easily. Chronic rheumatic ill- nesses.
• Chronic eczema, impetigo and all kinds of skin eruptions, asthma alternating with eczema, also psoriasis, boils, acne, seborrhoea, etc. Pruritus relieved by scratch- ing until it bleeds.

Julian quotes from Hahnemann’s “Chronic Diseases”, saying that, apart from a nosode, a whole series of remedies come into consideration in the treatment of psora, such as Nitricum Acidum, Ammonium Carbonicum, Baryta Carbonica, Cal- cium Carbonicum, Carbo Animalis, Carbo Vegetabilis, Causticum, Conium, Graphites, Iodum, Kali Carbonicum, Lycopodium, Magnesium, Magnesium Muri- aticum, Natrum Carbonicum, Natrum Muriaticum, Petroleum, Phosphorus, Sepia, Silicea, Sulphur and Zincum.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Psorinum-Nosode, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for psorinum: various chronic skin diseases; chronic mucosal inflamma- tions, especially of the respiratory organs; conditions of weakness, especially after severe diseases; headaches; emotional discord or upset.