Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The attenuations are prepared from Magnesium L-hydrogen aspartate dihydrate, the magnesium salt of L-aspartic acid C₈H₁₂MgN₂O₈ · 2 H₂O, MW: 324.5.

Magnesium salts are indispensible for numerous enzyme functions, e.g. for the Citric Acid cycle, but also for many intermediate conversions. Since aspartic acid also has an important part to play as an intermediate conductor, Magnesium aspar- tate is required in a wide variety of enzyme functions, such as e.g. the urea cycle, and also in transamination or as an ammonia donator for urea synthesis. In this, after deamination, aspartic acid can enter the citrate cycle, unless it is loaded with amino-groups by the transamination reaction, as is probable for a-ketoglutarate.

Thus Magnesium Asparaginicum is usually not used on its own, but in combina- tion with other enzyme-active factors.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Lycopus virginicus L., a native of North America. N.O. Labiatae.

The main indications are:

Heart tonic in thyrotoxicosis. Palpitations.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lycopus virginicus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lycopus virginicus: tachycardia, especially when associated with hy- perthyroidism.

The attenuations are prepared from the dried ripe spores of Lycopodium clavatum

L. N.O. Lycopodiaceae.

Lycopodium clavatum, club moss, is one of the most important polychrests in ho- moeopathy. In the last few years it has been gaining in importance, probably be- cause, as a specific liver remedy, Lycopodium is able to bring significant relief, and even cure, in liver damage, liver dysfunctions, and even in serious degenerative symptoms. This weakness of the liver function runs through the whole remedy.

It must also be borne in mind that a wide variety of symptoms depend on liver function, or else provide a false outlet for the elimination of homotoxins which, be- cause of disordered liver function, are not being adequately eliminated otherwise. These include, e.g., skin diseases such as urticaria or ulcers like boils with a bluish appearance, or also pityriasis associated with falling out of hair in patches, and erysipelas, scrofulous skin conditions with moist eczemas, otorrhoea, tonsillitis, in- flammations of the nipples or eyelids, sciatica, haemorrhoids and other intestinal problems, and particularly flatulence with spastic constipation and violent pains in the anus obliging the patient to interrupt defaecation. These secondary symptoms are mostly reaction phases.

This is especially true of right-sided sore throats which will not clear up under otherwise well indicated remedies, such as Belladonna, Mercurius Iodatus Flavus and others. In these cases the liver must be treated with Lycopodium, or with a bio- therapeutic remedy which contains it.

An important indication for Lycopodium came to light shortly after the currency- reform, when cream was once again widely available, and numerous patients be- lieved that they should undertake so-called cream-treatments to improve their weight. This, however, obviously placed a considerable strain upon their liver func- tion, resulting not in an increase in weight, but in a loss of weight with absolute loss of appetite. In these cases Lycopodium, given by injection, provided a permanent cure after a few weeks. It should be mentioned that states of this kind did not nor- mally respond to any medication.

Lycopodium patients are thin, especially in the upper part of the body, whilst the abdomen and legs are frequently swollen. There may also be ascites. There may be ulcers on the lower legs as well, exuding serous fluid.

The Lycopodium patient also tends strongly towards states of weakness and ex- haustion, and also to depression, the mental functions slowing down considerably, especially in old people, in whom the weakness of memory is particularly pro- nounced. The children too are weak, with well-formed heads but weak, sickly bod- ies. (Nash)

One of the most importants symptoms of Lycopodium is the tendency towards flatulence, with discharge of odourless wind, which collects particularly in the lower abdomen and also the left hypochondrium and the sigmoid flexure of the colon (cf. Lachesis).

Lycopodium is also said to work well in right-sided inguinal hernia. (Nash)

An important symptom of Lycopodium is red sediment in the urine, often a pre- cursor of renal colic.

Lycopodium can also be very effective in impotence, especially following mastur- bation and sexual deviations, when the libido is not reduced.

One thinks of Lycopodium for nasal catarrh with the nose completely obstructed, so that the patient has to breathe through the mouth, above all during the night; in young children, possibly Sambucus.

If cases of pneumonia reach a dangerous stage, especially during the resolution following the crisis, and the expectoration is difficult to expel, being possibly puru- lent and yellow or greenish-yellow and offensive and tasting salty, then Lycopodium in many cases is the remedy, since all right-sided conditions point to Lycopodium, and in many cases are attributable to a liver dysfunction. The right-sidedness applies to all symptoms: right-sided varicose veins, right-sided inguinal hernia, right-sided tonsillitis, (but left-sided spasms in the hypochondrium, like Lachesis), and the right foot is cold.

The aggravation of all complaints between 16:00 hours and 20:00 hours must es- pecially be emphasized, this modality often leading us to Lycopodium in symptoms which obviously have nothing to do with the liver or the symptomatology of Ly- copodium; nevertheless, they react well if this typical aggravation-time is present.

We may just refer also to a recommendation regarding Lycopodium in ileus and intussusception. Here Papaver Somniferum may at times be a life-saver, but it can develop an even better action in combination with Lycopodium or when followed by Lycopodium.

In such cases, where there is usually a chronic tendency to spastic constipation and a tendency towards symptoms of ileus, Lycopodium will normally thoroughly remove not only this tendency towards ileus but also the spastic constipation.

If we summarise the most important symptoms of Lycopodium, the following typ- ical remedy-picture is the result:

1. Weakness and exhaustion. Tendency to depression. Greyish-yellow complexion. Yellowish patches on the skin. Weak muscle development. Weak, sickly children with well-formed heads.
2. Uric acid diathesis. Red sand in the urine, (brick-dust sediment.) Tendency to gravel and renal colic.
3. Tendency to flatulence, especially in the lower abdomen, with cramping com- plaints in the left hypogastrium. Haemorrhoidal complaints. Spasm of the anal sphincter. Want of appetite. Feels full after the first mouthful.
4. Right-sided inguinal hernia. Lycopodium is a predominantly right-sided remedy. Right-sided tonsillitis. Liver problems with jaundice, hepatic enlargement, and greenish, bitter vomiting. Spastic constipation. Tendency to ileus.
5. Typical aggravation from 16:00 to 20:00 for all complaints.
6. Bronchitis with accumulation of mucus, rales, and dyspnoea, as well as pneumo- nia with difficult expulsion of expectoration. Chronic nasal catarrh with obstruc- tion of the nose and acrid, excoriating discharge.

• 7.   Moist eczema. Dandruff. Urticaria. Pityriasis versicolor. Erysipelas. Tubercular skin-diseases. Nipples inflamed, sore and bleeding.
• Right foot cold, left foot warm. Varicose veins on the right lower leg.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lycopodium clavatum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lycopodium: inflammations of the respiratory organs; general blood poisoning; sequelae of infectious diseases; inflammations and disorders of the hepa- tobiliary system; digestive disorders; metabolic disorders; inflammations of the uri- nary organs; nephrolithiasis; varicose veins; various chronic and acute dermal dis- eases; paramenia and inflammations of the female reproductive organs; other age-re- lated illnesses; behavioural disorders; emotional discord or upset.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts in flower of Lycopersi- con lycopersicum [L.] Karst ex Farw., syn.: Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. N.O. Solanaceae.

The remedy-picture shows a number of characteristic symptoms, such as headaches, weakness of memory, pains in the eyes with burning and a sensation as if the eyeballs were drawn together, contraction of the pupils with painfulness of the area around the eyes and swelling of the eyelids. The symptoms of an acute cold, such as profuse, watery, fluent coryza which makes the alae nasae sore and drips down into the throat, also makes the use of Lycopersicum in acute pharyngeal and nasal catarrhs expedient. There is also a rough voice with hoarseness and continual clearing of the throat, and possibly a deep, rough cough with constriction of the chest, shaking the whole body; at night-time it is a short, dry cough preventing sleep. By way of gastric symptoms there is a thick yellow coating to the tongue with thirst for large quantities of water and violent eructations of air with burning in the epigastrium. There are also urinary symptoms, with urging at night, weakness of the bladder and dribbling of urine in the open air with back-pains in the renal area. There are also stabbing pains in the right shoulder muscles and the abdominal mus- cles, rheumatic pains in the right elbow and wrist, violent pains in the lower limbs, neuralgias in the right leg and crawling in the right elbow, all of which rounds off the picture of an acute, painful cold-infection. There is aggravation in the open air and from continued movement, also from jarring and noise, and amelioration in a warm

room.

Lycopersicum has been used not only in rheumatism, in influenza with pains all over the body, especially in arm and leg muscles, and in eye problems, but also in headaches with congestion of blood from the slightest amount of dust, the remedy being used mostly in combination with other homoeopathic substances.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lycopersicon lycopersicum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Fed- eral Gazette) for lycopersicum: inflammations of the upper respiratory passages; myalgia; neuralgia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh hop stropbiles, poor of seeds, just before ripeness of the plant, Humulus lupulus L., a native of Eastern Europe. N.O. Moraceae.

The main indications are:

Diuretic. Sleepiness during the daytime.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Humulus lupulus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lupulus: nervousness; insomnia.

The attenuations are prepared from the dried fruit of the plant, Luffa operculata [L.] Cogn. (= L. purgans Mart.), which is found in Guyana, Brazil and Paraguay.

N.O. Cucurbitaceae.

The main indications are:

Purgative action, diuretic in oedema, cachexia, anaemia. Also in herpes zoster, amenorrhoea and catarrhs of all kinds. Rhinitis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Luffa operculata, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for luffa operculata: common cold; hay fever; digestive insufficiency.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant in flower of Lobelia in- flata L., a common weed growing by the wayside and in fallow fields in Eastern North America. N.O. Campanulaceae.

The main indications are:

Vertigo and nausea with cold sweat. Vomiting. Hyperemesis gravidarum, aggra- vated at night and in the mornings after sleep, ameliorated after eating. Dyspnoea and bronchial asthma, feeling of weakness in the pit of the stomach. Spasmodic cough, retching, vomiting, sneezing, eructations and stomach-pain, weakness per-

sisting. In asthma, only effective in combination with constitutional remedies (Sul- phur, Carbo Vegetabilis, etc.).

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lobelia inflata, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lobelia inflata: disorders of the autonomic nervous system, and of the respiratory centre with hypotension; hay fever; bronchial asthma; morning sickness (during pregnancy) with vomiting.

The attenuations are prepared from Lithium chloride, LiCl, MW: 42.2.

The main indications are:

Rheumatic and gouty illnesses. Arthroses. Coxalgia.

The attenuations are prepared from Lithium carbonate Li ₂CO₃, MW: 73.9.

The trituration and liquid potencies prepared from Lithium carbonate have a prominent action on the motor system, on bones, joints and muscles. Characteristic symptoms include lassitude, lack of energy and a feeling of weakness, associated with lameness and stiffness of all the limbs, the lithium salts acting particularly on gouty and rheumatic illnesses. Gouty complaints in the feet and the sacrum, linked with anxiety and restlessness, disturb the sleep.

Just as in the joints of the feet, so also in those of the hands and fingers there are stabbing and throbbing pains; pains also occur in the shoulders, sacrum and loins. The rheumatic complaints are often also coupled with heart complaints; in many cases this is caused by the taking of the usual pain-killing tablets, resulting in the un- loading of homotoxins onto the endocardium, signifying a progressive vicariation.

There is characteristic redness and swelling of the toe and finger joints, as in an acute attack of gout, catarrh often being found in the digestive tract also, with dis- tension, foetid diarrhoea at night and stabbing pains in the region of the anus and the perineum. Pressing pains in the bladder with dark-coloured urine possibly contain- ing significant deposits of mucus are also characteristic of Lithium Carbonicum.

Also typical of Lithium Carbonicum is the occurrence of violent cardiac pain on bending the trunk and during urination or menses. (Nash)

As a leading symptom, Mezger also mentions the frequent urination with burning in the urethra, cloudy urine with much mucus and reddish-brown sediment, and also the amelioration from eating (in head and stomach) and from urination (cardiac pain).

Stauffer refers additionally to the eye symptoms of Lithium Carbonicum, i.e. hemianopia from affections of the right-hand side of the retina. He also mentions that salicylates, such as e.g. Lithium Salicylicum – but also Lithium Benzoicum and others – and likewise mineral spring water containing Lithium, are more or less typ- ical remedies for various gouty affections, Lithium Benzoicum being particularly ef-

fective for acrid, cloudy urine, and also for subacute rheumatism and tophi, and for trigeminal neuralgia, if the corresponding urinary conditions are present. Stauffer also mentions that gouty patients must observe the strictest abstinence from alcohol. If we now sum up the main symptoms of Lithium Carbonicum, we have the fol-

lowing typical remedy-picture:

1. Gouty and rheumatic conditions. Acute attack of gout affecting the small joints of toes and hands.
2. Gouty and rheumatic conditions also of the large joints, especially of the hips and the shoulder girdle, and also of the knee joint.
3. Heart pains with a gouty or rheumatic basis, worse on bending the trunk, better from urination.
4. Tenesmus of the bladder with cloudy, mucous, brown sediment. (Pyelitis with uric acid stone formation).
5. General catarrhs of the alimentary canal (and the nose). Foetid diarrhoea at night.
6. Dimness of vision. Hemianopia (right side) from retinopathy, with irritation of the conjunctiva.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lithium carbonicum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lithium carbonicum: gout; renal diseases associated with increased uric-acid levels in the blood; rheumatic diseases.

The attenuations are prepared from Lithium benzoate, C₇H₅O₂Li, MW: 128.1.

The main indications are:

Rheumatism. Gout. Arthroses.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lithium benzoicum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for lithium benzoicum: rheumatism; gout.