Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant, gathered when coming into flower, of Menyanthes trifoliata L. N.O. Menyanthaceae.

The main indications are:

Neuralgias, relieved by firm bandaging. Nystagmus. Neuralgias of the spermatic cord.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Menyanthes trifoliata, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for menyanthes: intermittent episodes of fever; headaches; myalgia.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from surgically removed meningioma, a slowly growing tumour originating in the meninges.

The theraputic indications for this nosode are not only the actual meningioma and other tumours of the meninges, particularly of the inner membranes, but also of the dura matter as well as headaches following accidents, and concussion. Epileptiform attacks may also constitute an indication for this nosode.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves and young shoots of Melissa officinalis. (L.) collected before flowering period. N.O. Labiatae.

The main indications are:

Nerve remedy and tranquillizer.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Melissa officinalis, published

the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for melissa: paramenia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pallas without woody stems, collected during the flowering period, which grows widespread throughout the Northern hemisphere. N.O. Leguminosae.

Nash characterises Melilotus as a remedy of unquestionably great value, all the provers except one (Dr. Bowen) having had terrible headaches and haemorrhages.

The active ingredients are cumarin, volatile oil, resins and tannins, which bring about – as in Belladonna and Glonoinum – a characteristic surge of blood with in- tense flushing of the face and throbbing of the carotid arteries, associated with headaches, these complaints being ameliorated by profuse epistaxis.

Nash describes a case of religious mania, which he was able to cure with the 6th potency. In this case, which in view of the loquacity might otherwise have led one to think of Stramonium, Melilotus was suggested by the intensely flushed face, the first cause of these attacks having been overheating in the sun.

Nash also describes the symptom of the blood hanging out of the nose in clots like an icicle, and says that in these cases of striking congestion of blood in the head, fol- lowed by epistaxis, neither Belladonna nor Erigeron, nor any other remedy will help, Melilotus being the specific remedy for these cases.

Dewey points out the close relationship between Melilotus and Glonoinum, e.g. in congestive headaches with the sensation as if the head would burst in the frontal area, and also in migraine. A combination of Glonoin and Melilotus works well, es- pecially when there are consequences of sunstroke and overheating in the sun, since both have these symptoms in their picture.

A. von Fellenberg-Ziegler mentions the amelioration of the headache from vicari- ous discharges, not only epistaxis but also menstruation, and also that there can be pulmonary congestion with blood, ameliorated by haemoptysis; he also mentions that in violent headaches relief can often be obtained from repeated sniffing of Melilotus tincture, which has a powerful aroma of cumarin.

Through the whole remedy there runs the symptom of blood-congestion, not only of the brain, but also of the lungs and rectum, associated with epistaxis, haemoptysis and bleeding haemorrhoids, when there may also be mental and physical relaxation and weakness present. A discontented, impatient and angry mood, or even melan- cholia with religious mania, imaginary dangers, outbursts of crying, and great de- spondency is also characteristic. At night the sleep may alternate with wakefulness or be interrupted by unpleasant dreams, and a stream of varied thoughts passing through the mind prevents sleep.

During the violent headaches there is usually also pressure above the orbit. The hands and feet are cold, and black spots dance in front of the eyes (flickering sco- toma). There is also frequently a wave-like sensation in the brain, and retching and vomiting may follow, as in a migraine; epistaxis or the onset of the menses then pro- vides the elimination of homotoxins.

In the ear there may be a sensation, especially when swallowing, as if wind were blowing from the ears.

The nose is often obstructed with hard crusts, so that the patient must breathe through the mouth and suffers from a feeling of suffocation when walking quickly.

The digestive organs may also be affected with distension of the stomach and sour eructations, or abdominal distension with constipation and painful, difficult defaeca- tion.

There is also a characteristic sensation of constriction and pulsation in the anus.

In its symptomatology, Melilotus also has a characteristic action on the kidneys and to some extent opens the glomeruli for a more generous flow of blood. It has not yet been experimentally clarified whether the congestive increase in blood flow which runs through the whole symptomatology of the remedy might be due to spas- tic contractions of the arterioles. After Melilotus has been given the congestion usu- ally improves, so that Melilotus can also be of great help in chronic kidney condi- tions, e.g. in renal hypertension.

Thus congestive conditions in the female genitalia are also an indication for Melilotus, in other words scanty, intermittent menstruation with nausea and bearing- down in the lower abdomen, and also stabbing pains in the external genitalia, ovari- an neuralgias, and dysmenorrhoea.

If we sum up the main symptoms of Melilotus, we have the following characteris- tic remedy-picture:

1. 1.   Violent congestion of blood in the brain, lungs and rectum. Headache ameliorated by epistaxis, haemoptysis and bleeding of haemorrhoids, and by the onset of the menses.
2. General mental and physical relaxation and weakness with discontented, impa- tient and angry mood; melancholia and religious mania. Lachrymose tendency.
3. Chronic rhinitis with hard crusts and possible dyspnoea.
4. Renal hypertension.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Melilotus officinalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for melilotus officinalis: headaches; varicose veins.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from fresh spinal cord removed from healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Multiple sclerosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Tabes dorsalis. Pareses. Myelitis. Paraplegia. Sydenham’s chorea.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from fresh bone-marrow taken from healthy pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Anaemia. Leukaemia. Agranulocytosis and other iatrogenic conditions. Radiation damage. Hip disease. Chronic osteomyelitis. Exostoses. Deformative arthritis. Sudeck’s atrophy.

The drug picture of Medulla Ossis Suis was composed in March 1996 by David Riley, M.D., Santa Fe (New Mexico), USA.

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

Essential Characteristics

Improvement of normal prover symptoms of: nasal congestion and rectal flatus. Many dreams. Stomach pains. Lower leg.

Mind

DREAMS. Vivid dreams. Dreams remembered. Sexual, perverted, or violent dreams. Less inhibited and more joking. Less irritability with people at work. Agitated and nervous or excitable. Difficult concentration while working. Restless activity. Sadness.

Generalities

Energy is increased, or decreased in the morning. Fatigue. Cravings for spicy sauces, soda, cheese, chocolate, meat and peanut butter. Aversions to hot soups and drinks. Heat flushes of heat. Physical exercise aggravates normal stiffness.

Head

Flushes of heat in head and neck. Head pain behind left eye. Pressure on sides of head especially left side.

Eye

Pain that is burning or sore. Burning eyes. Eye dryness Muscle twitch on right eyelid. Soreness and swelling around right eye.

Nose

Congestion in the nose and sinuses improves. Sharp pain in the left nostril as if a nose bleed would appear.

Face

Oily skin. Heat in face and cheeks with flushing. Pain in the cheekbones associat- ed with headache.

Mouth

Sensation of inner cheek being swollen.

Throat

Tightness on swallowing. Parched and dryness on waking. Lymph nodes feel swollen on the sides of neck.

Stomach

Extremely thirsty and not quenched by drinking. Excessive appetite. Feeling of emptiness even after eating. Pain that is burning or cramping. Nausea.

Abdomen

PAIN. Cramping pain with diarrhea or after eating. Throbbing pain after stomach cramping.

Rectum

Flatus improves or is increased and offensive. Sharp pain shooting up the rectum before the stool.

Stool

Foul odor. Increased frequency. Hard stool.

Cough

Waking with dry cough.

Chest

Rapid heartbeat with feelings of nervousness or excitement. Red itchy eruptions better temporarily with scratching.

Genitalia, Female

Increased sexual desire. Watery leucorrhea.

Back

Aching in thoracic region on waking. Flushes of heat in head and neck. Red, raised eruptions that are itchy.

Extremities

Nervous fidgeting of hands and nails. Weakness and internal trembling in legs and fingers. Stiffness in knuckles on waking. Lower leg pain while sitting or when lifting the leg. Posterior left thigh and knee had a dull throbbing sensation. Sharp pain from buttocks to lateral thigh, or triceps to forearm.

Sleep

Sudden waking. Falling asleep late or interrupted sleep improves. Sleep disturbed from nasal congestion improves. Sleepiness in the early evening improves. Easy waking.

Perspiration Odor of onions. Skin

Eruptions on chest and that are red, raised, and itchy and temporarily relieved by scratching.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from fresh Medulla oblongata (the lowest part of the brain stem), removed from a healthy pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Parkinson’s disease. Progressive bulbar paralysis. Polyneuritis. Multiple sclerosis. Amyotropic lateral sclerosis. Tabes dorsalis. Spinal paralysis. Hypotension. Syden- ham’s chorea. Disorders of the autonomic nerves, bronchial asthma.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from the purulent urethral secretion of men suffering from gonorrhoea.

This nosode, prepared from purulent gonorrhoeal discharge, has been proving its worth for decades. (First published by Hering in 1891).

The picture of Medorrhinum presents several typical symptoms, which make it well indicated in the hydrogenoid constitution, in sycotic states, in skin diseases (es- pecially when they alternate with asthma), and in infectious, chronic, protracted ill- nesses (impregnation phases). Medorrhinum is also indicated as a constitutional remedy in vaccinosis, migraines, cancer (according to Julian in alternation with Thuja, Natrum Sulphuricum and Vaccininum), and especially also in chronic rheumatism, and in certain characteristic emotional disorders.

The Medorrhinum patient is weak, irritable and suffers from restlessness of the legs and feet, cannot sit still, is always moving hastily and is very sensitive to draughts and cold. He feels better when near the sea, especially with regard to his stiff joints, and a great restlessness torments him especially at night; although he is sleepy he cannot get to sleep until it is nearly morning.

His mood changes from one of the deepest sorrow and premonition of death to joyfulness. He becomes excited about trifles, complains of neuralgic, rheumatic headaches, especially in the occiput with heaviness and pressure on the vertex, the headache being aggravated by coughing. There is also violent itching of the scalp and severe dandruff.

This violent, incessant itching of the skin is typical, especially on the back and in the genital area; there may also be coppery red patches, becoming yellow to brown, and fading to leave clear skin behind, though a strong yellowing of the skin may also occur. Pedunculated warts occur like little mushrooms on various parts of the body. Chronic sinusitis with violent itching, or loss of sense of smell and swelling of the nose with obstruction of the posterior nares may be present. Medorrhinum can also have a beneficial action on hoarseness, loss of voice, stabbing pains in the lungs and incessant dry nocturnal cough, especially when there is a tickling underneath the sternum and painful coughing, as if the larynx would burst, there being copious mu-

coid sputum mixed with blood.

Whilst the Medorrhinum patient is better towards the evening, so that he is notably cheerful at night, (cf. Nux Vomica), all the nervousness returns in the mornings on waking.

There are also typical heart symptoms after the slightest exertion, with palpitations and fluttering, with pains radiating out from the heart which are aggravated by the slightest movement.

In the digestive organs too there is typically a metallic taste in the mouth, worse in the mornings, and with ulcerative stomatitis and dryness in the mouth, as if it were burnt, and a thick brown coating of the tongue.

There is a desire for salt, but also for sweet and sour things, with symptoms alter- nating. There may also be vomiting of clear mucus and frothy masses similar to cof- fee-grounds. There are biliary and liver complaints, dark-coloured stools and diar- rhoea, and likewise lumpy stools and extreme pruritus ani.

Rheumatoid complaints are also typical of Medorrhinum, burning pains the length of the spine, burning-hot hands and feet (cf. Sulphur and Sanguinaria), and a painful sensitivity of the heel and sole of the foot, also pains in the left hip and in the sacro- iliac joint, moving from the hips to the thighs. The acute rheumatism is aggravated on movement, whereas the chronic rheumatism is ameliorated by movement.

Pains of a neuralgic kind may suddenly occur and disappear again just as swiftly. There may also be deformity and stiffness of the finger-joints and even gonococcal arthritis.

In the genito-urinary area there may be renal colic with violent tenesmus and pos- sibly bed-wetting at night, also violent erections at night with burning pains in the urethra on urination, and heightened libido after the menses, which are offensive and profuse with dark, congealed blood. There is also a thin, acrid, excoriating vaginal discharge smelling of fish-brine, left-sided ophoritis, dysmenorrhoea, metrorrhagia, painful, sensitive breasts and especially genital warts.

A particularly typical symptom is the tendency to sleep on the abdomen, with the buttocks in the air and the head buried in the pillow, which is particularly common in infants.

In addition, extreme forgetfulness is characteristic of Medorrhinum, as indeed it is of Psorinum also, the forgetfulness being particularly for what has just been heard; this was pointed out particularly by Julian, (see “Homotoxin Journal” 7, 137–139 [1968]).

If the most important symptoms of Medorrhinum are summarised, the result is the following typical remedy-picture:

1. Hasty nature. Restlessness. Excessive nervousness and exhaustion, better at night, worse in the morning. Sensitivity to draughts. Pessimism. Emotional depression.
2. Frontal headache with sensation of constriction. Sleeplessness around midnight. Possible bed-wetting.
3. Extreme forgetfulness (for recent facts). Patient loses the thread of what he is say- ing.
4. Rhinitis and sinusitis with obstruction of the nose and anosmia. Painful, dry cough, worse at night. Glottal spasm and asthma, better by the seaside.
5. Desires stimulants and sweet things, as ice, beer and salt. Cramping stomach- pains. Constipation with stool which will not break off.
6. 6.   Renal colic. Cystitis and urethritis. Leucorrhoea. Genital pruritus. Female breast marbled and cold as ice, sensitive to touch.
7. Rheumatic complaints (monoarthritis). Gonococcal arthritis. Deformity of joints of fingers and hands. Burning heat and pains in hands and soles of feet. Sensitiv- ity of the heel. Pain in the hips. Neuralgic pains which come and go suddenly.
8. Damp, greasy, shining skin. Offensive sweat. Pedunculated warts. Pointed and broad condylomata. Chronic eczemas and skin diseases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Medorrhinum-Nosode, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for medorrhinum: mucosal inflammations of the urinary and reproductive organs, the respiratory passages, and the gastrointestinal tract; rheumatism; abnor- mal behaviour; premature ageing.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from stippled cysts from the breast of women.

Mammary dysplasia may in some cases be regarded as a pre-cancerous stage. In that case the nosode may be indicated in various complaints other than in the area of the female breast, such as dysmenorrhoea, and in referred pains, such as the drawing pains which may occur in the breasts at ovulation time. It may also be indicated in neuralgias or emotional changes connected with the secondary sexual characteris- tics, or in remote symptoms associated with neural treatment. In such cases the med- ical history will offer an indication for the use of the Mastopathia Cystica nosode, maybe combined in the short term with other antihomotoxics or biotherapeutic remedies.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from pus from an inflamed mastoid process.

The main indications are:

Retoxic damage to the hearing mechanism. Tendency towards recurrent otitis. Chronic otitis media with discharge. Osteoporosis. Sudeck’s atrophy. May be tried in chronic osteomyelitis. Chronic febrile states of all kinds. Chronic neuralgias (in trigeminal neuralgia with Granuloma Dentis nosode, otherwise with Psorinum or Gelsemium).

The use of this nosode produces anti-homotoxic results. These may be seen when the original focus of activity triggers off further conditions, possibly at remote sites,

through nerve reflexes (in which case it is best to inject into the scar with Procaine Hydrochloride 2X). They may also be seen in disorders of hearing, attacks of verti- go, kinetoses, neuralgias, heart conditions and irritations of the bladder. These may be connected with the source of the nervous reflexes, caused by similar activity, and may require the Mastoiditis Nosode as a specifically-acting antihomotoxic.