Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Viola tricol- or L., which occurs throughout Europe and the Balkans. N.O. Violaceae.

The main indications are:

Cradle-cap. Other kinds of skin eruption. Eczema, dermatitis. Acne vulgaris. Der- matitis exfoliativa neonatorum. Vicariations with bronchial asthma (Sulphur as sup- porting remedy).

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Viola tricolor, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for viola tricolor: eczema; inflammation of the urinary passages.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves of the plant Vincetoxicum hirundinaria Medik. (syn.: Cyanchum vincetoxium Pers.), which grows wild at the wayside in Europe. N.O. Asclepiadaceae.

The main indications are:

Acute febrile reaction phases. Mononucleosis (glandular fever). Lymphadenitis. Viral diseases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for vincetoxicum: virus infections.

The mother tincture is prepared from the aerial parts in flower with attached fi- brous roots, of Vinca minor L., a native of Europe and the Caucasus. N.O. Apocy- naceae.

The main indications are:

Crusty, moist eruptions of the scalp. Plica polonica. Stomatitis. Glossitis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Vinca minor, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for vinca minor: weeping inflammations of the upper respiratory passages; nasal polyps; eczema; mucosal haemorrhages.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh bark of the twigs and young trunks of Viburnum opulus L., a native of Europe and Asia. N.O. Caprifoliaceae.

The main indications are:

Dysmenorrhoea. Threatened miscarriage. Ovarian pain. False contractions.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Viburnum opulus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for viburnum opulus: painful menstruation (dysmenorrhoea).

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

The main indications are:

Disorders of renal excretion. Oxaluria. Uraemia. Nephrolithiasis. Pyelonephritis. Hydronephrosis. Glomerulonephritis and nephrosis. Papilloma in the bladder. Tenes- mus of the bladder. Hypertrophy of the prostate. Has a channeling and stimulating action on the renal excretion and the whole cleansing of toxins from the body; thus it should be interpolated in numerous chronic diseases (along with Colon, Hepar, Vesi- ca Fellea).

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the gall-bladder removed from healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Disorders of liver function. Chronic cholangitis and cholecystitis. Should be inter- polated in numerous cases of toxic overloading; also in cirrhosis of the liver, uraemia, lupus erythematosis, etc.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Veronica of- ficinalis L.. N.O. Scrophulariaceae.

Veronica contains a glycoside, aucubin, and essential oil, tannins and bitter princi- ples and is used mainly as a mild expectorant in chronic and acute bronchial catarrhs with coughing, and especially in catarrhs of a tubercular aetiology, such as those which accompany enlargement of the hilar glands.

In tubercular children, skin conditions such as chronic eczema and dermatoses are often found, and Veronica is also a remedy for these. Such children also fre- quently suffer from intercurrent coryza (running nose), which should be regarded as

excretion of homotoxins and must not be suppressed under any circumstances. This serous rhinitis also responds to Veronica.

Thus Veronica is found mostly in combination-remedies which are aimed at the symptoms of tuberculosis and glandular swelling, and at catarrhal conditions.

A proving of this substance was conducted in the fall and winter of 1993 by     Dr. David Riley.

Congruent symptoms with Dr. Reckeweg:

• persistent bronchial coughing
• coryza

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

Essential Characteristics

Increased physical energy is a prominent feature of this remedy in association with a notable increase of mental clarity. As well, there is an increased of mental anxiety. Irritability is also strong. Sore throat and a persistant bronchial cough were noted.

Delusions. Irritability. Numbness in the gums as from anesthesia. Sore throat pain. Urgency to evacuate bowels followed by loose stool. Persistant bronchial cough. Stiffness especially in the low back and hips. Intense, vivid dreams. Sweating worse at night. Intensely itchy, red skin eruptions.

Mind

Affectionate. ANXIETY. Delusions body vibrating or that he has been smoking mar- ijuana. Sense of exaggeration of distances. Dreams of horses, smoking cigarettes, snakes. VIVID DREAMS. Mental dullness. Ecstatic. Fear. Homesickness. Indifferent. IR- RITABILITY. Alternating moods. Sense of overwhelm. Desire to play. Clarity of thoughts.

Generalities

Increased appetite. INCREASED ENERGY and feeling speedy. Aggravation from a delay in eating. Desires sweets. Sensation of heat. Itching. Lassitude, fatigue and lethargy. Restless in the afternoon. Tingling. Right sidedness.

Vertigo

Dizziness and lightheadedness.

Head

Dull right sided head pain. Forehead pain extending to the temples. Sore head pain.

Eye

Heaviness of the eyelids. Sore eye pain on the outer right eye lid aggravated from touch.

Ear

Ringing noises in the ear. Painful sensation as if the ear is plugged and then opens on blowing the nose. EAR PAIN that is right sided and sharp and sudden.

Nose

Nasal congestion but with increased irritation. Frontal sinuses are clear in con- junction with a cold, cough, and sore throat. Violent sneezing. A rush of tingling in the sinuses beginning in the throat.

Face

Eruptions of pimples on the lower lip. Sore pain. Pale face.

Mouth

Sensation of dryness in the mouth as if it were full of cotton. Numbness in the mouth, particularly in the gums, as if he had received anesthesia. Vesicular eruption (“bump”) in the mouth on the left side of the tongue.

Teeth

Stitching pain in the teeth.

Throat

Sensitivity like a pressure on the thyroid. Irritation. Pain that is sore or raw. Sen- sation of pinpricks the length of the throat. Tingling sensation.

Stomach

Appetite increased or decreased. Nausea. Burning pain on beginning to eat that are better from eructations. Increased thirst.

Abdomen

Abdominal distension. Cramping pain better from rubbing. Sharp pain.

Rectum

Constipation. Diarrhea. Offensive odor like spoiled eggs. Urging that is sudden or occurs after eating.

Stool

LOOSE STOOL. Offensive odor.

Bladder

Urinary stream is forked.

Genitalia, Female

Brown, mucous-like discharge at the time of ovulation. Copious or scanty menses. Sexual desire increased and decreased in women.

Larynx & Trachea

Fleeing, prickling sensation in the trachea.

Respiration

Difficult respiration with or after exertion.

Cough

COUGH. Cough from irritation in the bronchi.

Chest

Chest tightness. Burning pain dreaming of smoking cigarettes. Palpitations with a pounding sensation.

Back

BACK PAIN. Pain in the cervical region aggravated by cold. Pain in the thoracic re- gion, and the sacroiliac as if sciatica. Stiffness that is painful. Pain on standing.

Extremities

Perspiration in the palms. Hip pain that is left sided while the normal right sided pain is gone. Stitching pain in the inguinal area when walking.

Sleep

Sleeping on the right side. Refreshing sleep. Sleepiness. Sleeplessness.

Chill

Chill from uncovering and after awaking in sweat.

Perspiration

PERSPIRATION AT NIGHT. Perspiration was followed by chills and cold sweats after uncovering.

Skin

Dry skin. ITCHING SKIN ERUPTIONS in the groin, or upper or lower extremities. RED ERUPTIONS that are raised. Eruptions worse damp or in the evening.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower without ligni- fied stalks, of Verbascum thapsiforme Schrad., syn. Verbascum densiflorum Bertol., which occurs commonly on sandy soil in Central and Southern Europe. N.O. Scro- phulariaceae.

The main indications are:

Infra-orbital neuralgia, as if squeezed with tongs. Deep, hollow cough (basso pro- fundo). Hoarseness.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Verbascum thapsiforme, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for verbascum: inflammations of the upper respiratory passages and of the paranasal sinus cavities; neuralgia in cranial and thoracic areas.

The mother tincture is prepared from the carefully dried rootstock of the plant Vera- trum album L., a native of Central and Southern Europe and Northern Asia.

N.O. Liliaceae.

White Hellebore (Veratrum album) contains poisonous alkaloids, of which the most important are germerine, jervine, rubijervine and protoveratrine, whose action covers principally the peripheral nerve-endings, the striated muscles, the vascular system and the heart.

In poisonings with Veratrum, initial excitement gives way to paralysis. There are violent attacks of colic with vomiting and watery diarrhoea, soon followed by col- lapse, which is typical of Veratrum Album. There is weakness and unsteadiness with coldness, pallor or cyanosis and anxiety-states. Especially typical is cold sweat on the forehead, and general cold sweating.

These poisoning symptoms may occur in asthma and other chronic diseases, espe- cially in vascular and heart disease, but may also dominate the picture in acute shock, poisonings, myocardial infarction or stroke. In every case where there is cold sweating, Veratrum Album is strictly indicated.

Nash makes reference to the fact that Veratrum Album is one of Hahnemann’s three remedies for cholera, the others being Camphora and Cuprum Metallicum. Ve- ratrum should also be thought of first of all in typhus fever, pneumonia, cholera in- fantum, or in constipation when toxic symptoms appear and there is cold sweat on the forehead; likewise in states of collapse and syncope. The dehydration resulting from copious diarrhoea like rice-water, with extremely violent cutting pains, leads to muscle-cramps, particularly in the calf-muscles, and complete exhaustion after vom- iting and purging.

In many cases Veratrum Album can also bring about a surprising improvement in aphthous ulcers of the tongue in stomatitis or glossitis, especially when there is burning, salivation and a bitter taste as of bile.

All complaints are aggravated at night in the warmth of the bed, and also by cold food and drink and in damp weather. There is also a back-lash aggravation, e.g. in puerperal mania or hystero-epilepsy when the menses cease or sweating is sup- pressed, or also as a consequence of fright, fear, anger and vexation. However, there is an amelioration from walking about and from getting up.

The mental and emotional symptoms are also characteristic. There is mania, in- cluding nymphomania and puerperal mania, or melancholia with excitement or with outbursts of temper and rage, alternating with sadness, lack of courage, despondency and silence, or else with cheerful, happy liveliness and erotic phantasies. In states of excitement there may be an irresistible urge to cut up or tear up various objects, e.g. paper or clothing, and this may be accompanied by lascivious or frivolous remarks, dirty jokes and a crude turn of phrase. This great intensity and loquacity, the patient possibly talking to him/herself incessantly but falling silent if anyone else enters the room, is characteristic of Veratrum Album and is seen, e.g., in delirium tremens or Korsakov’s psychosis.

There may also be delirium linked with delusions of grandeur and apprehension, as though something terrible lay ahead, possibly with loss of memory and a sensa- tion as though everything were a dream.

Veratrum Album is indicated for a whole series of other symptoms, e.g. sneezing and hallucinations of smell with dry, sore nasal mucosa, shivering, heat and out- bursts of sweating in succession, chill while sweating, intermittent fever with col- lapse, palpitations with fear, cardiac collapse and fainting attacks, thready pulse, and asthmatic constriction of the chest.

On the skin there is itching, formication and herpes. Pustules and eruptions like urticaria may also be present.

As in Sanguinaria the mucosa of eyes, nose, mouth, pharynx and stomach may be red and dry with a violent burning sensation and possible occurrence of haemor- rhages.

In rheumatic pain Veratrum Album, like Valeriana, can have a beneficial effect.

Generally low potencies (4X to 6X) are used, and particularly in states of collapse these have an excellent effect, although higher potencies (30X and above) likewise act well in particular cases.

If the symptoms are summed up, the following are the main features of the reme- dy-picture of Veratrum Album:

1. Cold sweating, especially on the forehead, but also occurring on the body. States of collapse in asthma, circulatory and heart-disease, apoplexy, after accidents (traumatic shock), in gastrointestinal illnesses and colic, myocardial infarction.
2. Aphthous stomatitis. Cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea, acute gastroenteritis.
3. Muscular cramps, particularly in the calves, may occur at night or following se- vere diarrhoea (cholera), or in consequence of fright, fear, vexation or anger.
4. Back-lash effects of suppressed menstruation, lochia etc. in the form of excited states with mania, hystero-epilepsy, nymphomania. Korsakov’s psychosis. Ten- dency to tear up and destroy paper, clothes and other objects. Violence. Episodes

of rage. Lascivious talk. Sexual excitement. Religious mania. Talking to oneself. Otherwise silent.

• All kinds of colic with cold sweat in pearls on the forehead, with internal burning and thirst for large quantities of cold water.
• Aggravation in damp weather, at rest and in the warmth of the bed; amelioration when up and moving about.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Veratrum album, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for veratrum: threatening circulatory failure associated with infectious diseases; diar- rhoea; neuralgia; emotional distress associated with an increase in drive.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the stomach wall of healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Gastric achylia. Pernicious anaemia. Post-infectious anaemia. Pre-cancerous state of the stomach. Chronic stomach ulceration. Heartburn.

See also: Curvatura Major Ventriculi, Curvatura Minor Ventriculi, Cardia Ventri- culi and Pylorus.