Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves of the plant, Hepatica no- bilis Gars., which occurs in woodlands of South-East and Eastern Europe. N.O. Ra- nunculaceae.

The main indications are:

Pharyngitis, bronchitis. Clearing the throat. Tough sticky mucus.

Whilst Hepatica was recommended by doctors in the old days for liver diseases, in line with the Doctrine of Signatures, its leaves being liver-shaped, in the provings the principal action was found to be on the pharynx and bronchi, with roughness, scratching and tickling in the throat, and a sensation in the throat as if food had stuck there. It was possible to establish the presence there of an accumulation of thick, tough, sticky mucus, which caused frequent clearing of the throat.

There was also violent bronchitis with yellowish, creamy, very sweet, bloody and copious expectoration, with a painful sensation in the chest as if tied up tightly, ac- companied by a continual tickling, itching and scratching in the pharynx, very an- noying and aggravated by food and dust. Where the expectoration is sweet, in addi- tion to Stannum one should always think of Hepatica.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hepatica nobilis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for hepatica triloba: pharyngeal catarrh.

The attenuations are prepared according to Hahnemann’s directions. The main components are Calcium sulphide and other Calcium salts of various valencies of Sulphur such as Polysulphides or Sulphates.

With regard to its action, Hepar Sulph. stands between the two important antip- sorics, Calcium Carbonicum and Sulphur. Its characteristic symptom is hypersensi- tivity: to touch, to pain and to cold air, the patients being so sensitive that they may fall down in a faint at the slightest pain. Neither can they tolerate for example a cold draught on the affected parts. The exception to this is the headache, otherwise there is relief from warmth and warm wrappings. This is accompanied by a general irri- tability, hypersensitivity and hastiness. All conditions are aggravated in the evenings, including the symptoms of despondency, lack of courage and tearfulness. On the scalp there are pimples and bald patches with failing of the hair.

A further important pointer to Hepar Sulph. is the tendency to suppuration, or else to inflammation which rapidly changes to suppuration. In such conditions a dose of Hepar Sulph. in low potency (4X) may possibly accelerate the suppuration, whereas high potencies generally bring it back again. However there are exceptions to this.

On the skin too there is a tendency to fester, (skin slow to heal), the wounds being mostly flat with a pulsating sensation. The edges are sensitive to touch and often sur- rounded by pimples. The discharges are generally thick and purulent, with a charac- teristic odour of old cheese. The author saw such a case in a young female medical student with serious pustular acne – the whole body giving off the typical cheese odour, which refused to go away in spite of thorough daily bathing. With Hepar Sulph. 6X the condition quickly disappeared, never to return.

Boils and carbuncles call for Hepar Sulph. as well as for Mercurius. Hepar Sulph. is also indicated in empyema, unless one first uses Calcium Carbonicum, in order to avoid perforations, e.g. in empyema of the gall-bladder. In all conditions which pro-

ceed with suppuration, e.g. Meibomian cysts, styes, acne vulgaris, suppurating eczema, sycosis barbae and others, apart from Mercurius Solubilis one thinks first of Hepar Sulph.

Hepar Sulph. is likewise the remedy for chronic catarrhs of the respiratory organs with expectoration of purulent sputum and aggravation in the fresh air, likewise the croupy cough, formerly very common, where in spite of the rattling of the mucus the patient cannot expectorate it. Here Hepar Sulph. is more frequently indicated after Aconitum or Spongia. Hepar Sulph. will also cure a cough which appears when some part of the body is uncovered.

Because of its action in suppurations, Hepar Sulph. is the main remedy for ab- scesses of the lung, and also in abscesses of the tonsils; in such cases there may be a sensation as if a splinter or a fish-bone were lodged in the pharynx. Purulent, offen- sive discharge from the ears calls for Hepar Sulph. (possibly along with Graphites and other remedies).

Hepar Sulph. also has a wretched, empty feeling in the stomach, with a craving for sour things, alcohol and spices. The general state of the patient is ameliorated by eat- ing, but it aggravates the heaviness and pressure in the stomach. Even the blandest of food can cause complaints in Hepar Sulph. patients. There is usually constipation, with even soft faeces being difficult to pass.

Hepar Sulph. is also indicated in hypertrophy of the prostate. The stream of urine drops almost perpendicularly, is sluggish, and it takes time for the bladder to empty. Hepar Sulph. is also an important remedy for sweating, when the patient sweats day and night without relief. Here Hepar Sulph. is often indicated in alternation with

Mercurius Solubilis, e.g. in abscess of the tonsils, rheumatism etc.

In children Hepar Sulph. is indicated when there is sour diarrhoea, and the whole child may smell sour (cf. Calcium Carbonicum and Magnesium Carbonicum).

In contrast to Natrum Sulphuricum, asthma which is better in damp weather calls for Hepar Sulph. as its remedy. Hepar Sulph. may also act beneficially where there is a chronic tendency to catch cold (cf. Thuja), and in kidney diseases which occur in progressive vicariation after retoxic treatment of scarlet fever or sore throats.

The outstanding symptoms and indications of Hepar Sulph. may be categorised as follows:

1. Hypersensitivity to touch, pain and cold air. Amelioration from warmth and wrap- ping up warmly.
2. Irritable, hypersensitive, hasty, and also despondent, lacking in spirit and tearful. Aggravated in the evening.
3. Skin with scabs, slow to heal; flat ulcerations and tendency to form pustules. Falling out of hair. Odour of old cheese.
4. Tendency towards suppurations and abscesses. Boils, carbuncles, acne vulgaris. Purulent discharge from the ears. Tonsillar abscess. Pyoderma. Empyema.
5. Stomach complaints with a wretched, empty feeling, and constipation. Difficult defaecation, even of soft stools. Sour diarrhoea in children.
6. Hypertrophy of the prostate with problems of urination.

• 7.   Dry, hard cough or loose, croupy cough. Feeling of weakness in the chest. Hoarseness. Cough worse from cool draught, from uncovering a limb or drinking cold water. Asthma, better in warm, humid weather.
• Typical sensation of a plug or splinter in wounds or eruptions on mucosa.
• Retoxically treated illnesses, e.g. scarlet fever after sore throat. Protracted pneu- monia with danger of abscess formation.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hepar sulphuris calcarea, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for hepar sulphuris: inflammation and suppuration of the skin and mu- cosae such as furuncles, chronic purulent otitis media, and abscess of the palatine tonsils; for treatment of a disposition to lymphatic disorders; nervous hypersensitiv- ity.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the fresh liver of a pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

Liver damage and deficient detoxifying action of liver. Chronic eczemas. Neuro- dermitis. Psoriasis. Erythemas. Porphyria. Also in dermatomycoses, pemphigus and kraurosis vulvae. Male sterility. After-effects of X-ray. Hypoglycaemia. Anorexia nervosa. Frequently indicated as an intermediate remedy in cellular phases.

It is also indicated in deformative arthritis and frozen shoulder, in order to stimu- late the detoxifying function of the liver.

The drug picture of Hepar suis was composed in July 1995 by David Riley, M.D., Santa Fe (New Mexico), USA.

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

Essential Characteristics

Eruptions on the head, face, back, female genitalia, or extremities. Irritable, angry, and anxious. Increased physical energy on waking. Dull headaches. Nasal discharge. Eruptions on the face. Sore throat. Nausea.

Mind

IRRITABLE and angry. Anxiety with palpitations or felt in the stomach. Aversion to or desire for company. Suspicious. Euphoria even with sad news. Discontented with everything. Impatient, hurried, restless with anxiety, and thoughts intruding on each other. Sensitive to noise. Mental mistakes in writing and reading. DREAMS of water and owls. Mocking. Weeping over trifles. Pities herself. Desire to travel.

Generalities

INCREASED PHYSICAL ENERGY particularly on waking. Desire for and aversion to milk. Desire for salad. Aching pain in the extremities of the body.

Head

Hard eruptions above the ear. Sense of fullness in the vertex. Itching and prickling sensation around the head. Heaviness of the head. Sharp head pain in the afternoon better from cold applications. Dull headaches, in the forehead or vertex expecially in the afternoon. Forehead pain behind the eyes. Pain in the occiput, or vertex and ex- tending to the sides of the head.

Eye

Pressing pain in the eyeballs, worse in the right eye, or as from an internal pres- sure making the eyes bulge. Sensitive to the touch at the outer edge of the eye.

Ear

Sensation of fullness in and below the ears. Ringing in the ears. Aching pain, worse in or behind the right ear. Tickling of the left ear during throat pain.

Nose

Nasal congestion with discharge. Nasal congestion improves when lying. Dis- charge that is clear, copious and sometimes thick and yellow. Sneezing with coryza.

Face

ERUPTIONS on the face, boils and pimples on the cheek, nose, or chin. Increased perspiration as if the skin is greasy and dirty. Itching and prickling sensation espe- cially under the chin. Tension in the jaws is more relaxed.

Mouth

Tongue coated white. Dryness of the mouth. Swelling in the gums.

Teeth

Teeth sensitive to brushing and to the cold. Sensation of roughness in the teeth.

Throat

Pain in the throat. Inflammation of the tonsils with a white exudate. White coating and eruptions on the tonsils. Inflammation of the tonsils. Redness of the pharynx. Pain that is raw during post nasal discharge. Sore pain with a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Increase of thick, yellow mucus in the throat. Inflammation and swelling of the cervical glands.

Stomach

APPETITE is increased especially in the morning and afternoon, or decreased in the morning. NAUSEA, yet still has an appetite for food. Nausea aggravated during urina- tion. Sensation of emptiness in the stomach, not relieved by eating. Gurgling in the stomach. Eructations that are bitter. Flatulence. Thirstlessness.

Abdomen

Abdominal distention, particularly in conjunction with flatulence. Cramping pain

worse around the umbilicus and in the left inguinal area.

Rectum

Constipation. Diarrhea. Urging to stool.

Stool

Frequent stool. Watery stool.

Bladder

Frequent urination as if the bladder is incompletely voided. Increased urging.

Urine

Dark, yellow urine with a sweet odor.

Genitalia, Female

Itching eruption of the labia. Copious menstrual flow. Menstrual cycle comes too early.

Cough

Deep, hard cough. Dry cough. Cough with thick mucus in chest.

Expectoration

White mucus after drinking in the morning.

Chest

Constricting and tight sensation in the chest associated with palpitation of the heart that are worse in the afternoon. Burning and tearing pain, worse with coughing.

Back

Pain in the lumbar region while sitting. Spasms of back pain. Stiffness in the cer- vical region, especially on the right side or while turning the head. Cervical tension

associated with an occipital headache. Eruptions of pimples on the back between the scapula.

Extremities

Eruptions on the hand. Stitching pain behind the knee. Sore, bruised sensation of the right knee. Twitching in the right leg.

Sleep

Sleepiness, particularly in the morning or at noon. Waking from sleep toward the morning around five a.m. Waking after midnight. Difficulty in falling asleep.

Skin

ERUPTIONS that are papular or in blotches. Pimples. Eruptions which itch and must be scratched. Prickling skin.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh rootstock of the plant Chamaeliri- um luteum [L.] A. Gray, which occurs in North America. N.O. Liliaceae.

The main indications are:

Melancholia and depression. Albuminuria and diabetes. Prolapse of the uterus. Dark, offensive leucorrhoea. Vaginitis. Muscular rheumatism with burning pains, relieved by motion. Lassitude.

Throughout the whole remedy there runs an unaccustomed lack of energy, weak- ness and exhaustion, with irritable mood, irascibility, despondency and a predilec- tion for solitude. There is weakness of intellect, vertigo and pressing, pulsating headaches, a sensation of heaviness and tiredness predominating, especially in the sacral area and loins, with a spasmodic pain to the left of the spine as far as the iliac crest, nocturnal back pains, a lame pain in the whole back and violent pains in the right hip joint.

Thus Helonias Dioica is especially suited to states of exhaustion and weakness of the nervous system, in neurasthenia, and also in albuminuria from various causes and diabetes mellitus, and also in kidney and bladder conditions with urinary com- plaints, cystitis and weakness of the bladder (cf. Causticum). Also in amenorrhoea where lack of energy predominates.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Chamaelirium luteum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for helonias dioica: nephritis; prolapse of the uterus; exhaustion, emotion- al discord or upset.

The mother tincture is prepared from the carefull dried rootstock of the plant, Helleborus niger L., gathered in autumn or in springtime after the flowering period. The native of the Alps, the Balkans and Russia, is often planted in gardens because of its flowers, which appear at Christmas. N.O. Ranunculaceae.

The main indications are:

Melancholia. Psychoses. Fixed ideas. Apathy. Hunger-strike. Mutism. Stubborn si- lence. Consolation aggravates. Acute hydrocephalus. Lies on the back, unconscious, with the legs drawn up. The eyeballs are turned upwards, insensible, continual chew- ing motion. Quietly delirious. Encephalitis (post-vaccinial, after living-cell implan- tation). Acute and chronic nephritis. Oedema. Ascites.

According to experiments by V. Schroffs, Helleborein primarily affects the ganglia of the coeliac plexus and the heart, to the point of complete paralysis.

There is great heaviness and sensitivity of the muscles of all the limbs, with varied pains in different parts of the body. This is accompanied by the inability to rouse oneself to any kind of activity, with a dulling of sensation and an unaccustomed stiffness in the extremities.

Trembling, twitching of the muscles and convulsive movements, especially in sleep, are also characteristic, likewise spasms and sudden collapse or falling down without loss of consciousness and with cold perspiration on the forehead.

States of collapse with coldness of the limbs, slowed pulse, narrowed pupils and fainting attacks are mostly aggravated in the evening and ameliorated in the fresh air. Patients who need Helleborus usually exhibit a yellowish complexion, a pale sunken face, oedematous skin and swelling of connective tissue with painfulness of individual lymph-nodes. There is erupton of vesicles on the forehead and lips, pul-

sation of the arteries and congestion of blood in the brain.

In prominent conditions there is disgust for food with tendency to vomit, continu- al retching, abdominal distension with desire to urinate but scanty quantities passed, flatulence and difficult evacuation of hard faecal masses with pains in the rectum. By way of compensation there may, however, be violent diarrhoea with the faeces

stained by bile, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting being present, accompanied by involuntary defaecation with jelly-like mucus.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for helleborus niger, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for helleborus: meningitis and encephalitis; acute diarrhoea; nephritis; states of confu- sion; emotional distress.

The attenuations are prepared from the lava taken from Mount Hekla, a volcano on Iceland.

The main indications are:

Exostoses on the feet, also on the jaw and other sites.

Hekla Lava was taken into homoeopathic use because large-scale occurence of ex- ostoses was found on the jaws and other bones of sheep grazing at the foot of Mount Hekla on Iceland, and were therefore in continual very close contact with the solidi- fied lava of the volcano. The author has been able to verify the beneficial action of Hekla Lava on exostoses in numerous cases in his practice again and again, some- times in combination with Mercurius Iodatus Ruber which has a selective action on the periosteum. Thus in suitable cases one may take advantage of this combined ef- fect.

A most severe case of trigeminal neuralgia (mandibular division) reacted surpris- ingly rapidly and lastingly to Hekla Lava 6X after all the teeth had been extracted. The unbearable bone-pains in the lower jaw vanished within a few days, never to return.

Heinigke points out that the action of Hekla Lava has been verified in a wide vari- ety of bone diseases, including osteosarcoma, tubercular and syphilitic osteitis and exostosis. Thus Hekla Lava should be used in toothache, abscesses of the gum, swellings on the jaw and in difficult dentition.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hekla Lava, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for hekla lava: inflammation of bones and periosteum; exostosis.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh wood-free twigs of the plant, Hed- era helix L., gathered before or just at the beginning of flowering period, which climbs on trees and houses in Europe. N.O. Araliaceae.

The main indications are:

Acute and chronic catarrh of nose and sinuses. Icy cold, moist hands (“frog’s hands”) and feet. It has been used in the form of linctus. It has not been shown which of the constituent substances (iodine, saponin, helicin [a glycoside], carubin, resin, formic acid and oxalic acid) is responsible for the action.

According to the author’s experience, Hedera Helix is suitable in the treatment of various dyscrasias, whether rickets (which is hardly seen nowadays) or chronic si- nusitis or a deposition phase at a site of least resistance, e.g. as a hydrocephalus or a cataract.

Hedera Helix, possibly combined with other constitutional remedies, is able to take such fixed deposition phases back by a process of regressive vicariation to the acute stage. It should be possible to work out characteristic symptoms by viewing Hedera Helix from this angle.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hedera helix, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for hedera helix: acute inflammations of the respiratory passages and of the digestive organs; hyperthyroidism; rheumatic diseases.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh bark of the branches and roots of the plant, Hamamelis virginiana L., which grows in the U.S.A. – often wild – and in Germany is planted in many parks. N.O. Hamamelidaceae.

Hamamelis is particularly a remedy for the veins, and is used in venous stasis, varicose veins and passive haemorrhages of dark blood. One of the main symptoms is a painfulness, as if bruised, similar to Arnica; this painfulness is present not only in venous stasis, but may also be found in rheumatism.

Hamamelis patients feel better in warm, humid air.

The veins and varices of the lower leg are almost always sensitive to touch. Hamamelis is also indicated in thrombophlebitis and varicose ulcers. Haemorrhoids may bleed copiously with a sensation as if the back were about to break. Hamamelis is also the remedy for haematemesis with vomiting of dark blood. Likewise it will have a favourable action on dysmenorrhoea with profuse bleeding and a full, bruised feeling in the abdomen. If there is haematuria, there will usually be a dull pain in the renal area. In haemoptysis a full, bruised sensation in the floating ribs will indicate Hamamelis.

One should always think of Hamamelis if soreness and a bruised sensation are characteristically present in the affected parts, and particularly where there is a sen- sation as if the sacrum would break. There may also be a sensation of tiredness and stiffness in the lower limbs, with dull drawing pains in the legs. Hamamelis may also be indicated in inflammatory conditions of the oral cvity, such as tonsillitis with a dark red appearance.

The main indications are haemorrhages and varicose veins.

The symptoms of hamamelis may be set out in the following summarised form:

1. Venous stasis. Varices. Ulcers of the lower leg.
   1. Venous haemorrhages. Dark, passive flow.
   1. Epistaxis. Haematemesis. Bleeding haemorrhoids. Haematuria with kidney pains. Haemoptysis.
   1. Characteristic severe soreness of affected parts. Bruised sensation, as if broken.
   1. Dysmenorrhoea with severe venous haemorrhage and pain on the surface of the abdomen.
   1. Tonsillitis with dark red appearance and great thirst.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hamamelis virginiana, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for hamamelis: varicose veins; haemorrhoids; bleeding of the skin and mucosae.

The mother tincture is prepared from the resin which is melted out of the heart- wood of Guaiacum officinale L. or Guaiacum sanctum L. N.O. Zygophyllaceae.

Rheumatoid pains of a stabbing, tearing kind in various parts of the body consti- tute a major symptom of Guaiacum. Pronounced gouty affections of the joints also react to Guaiacum, especially if there is aggravation in the morning and evening with great sleepiness in the daytime, much yawning and a need to stretch the limbs. All the affected parts are sensitive to touch.

All the complaints are aggravated by warmth; however, pains which are localised in the bones, muscles or tendons are generally relieved by warmth.

Guaiacum can also act favourably on exostoses of the tibia, when there is sensitiv- ity on the slightest movement, and also in left-sided frozen shoulder.

Guaiacum is also indicated in neuralgias and facial pains with swimming in the head and vertigo, tearing pains in various parts of the skull and pulsating, stabbing pains in the temples. This is accompanied by weakness of memory and a peevish, irascible mood with taciturnity.

Fluent coryza may last for weeks. Guaiacum is indicated as a supporting remedy in laryngeal catarrhs, and bronchial catarrhs with difficult respiration and offensive expectoration, chronic bronchiectasis and also pulmonary tuberculosis.

Gastric complaints are characterised by empty eructations and nausea, and a sen- sation of pressure and heat in the stomach. These are accompanied by loss of ap- petite and disgust for food, with episodes of unaccustomed hunger and strong thirst. In the genito-urinary system there are inflammatory conditions with tenesmus of the bladder, urine passed drop by drop, and cutting pains in the urethra, also leucor-

rhoea and nocturnal seminal emissions.

Essentially Guaiacum is used in rheumatic and gouty complaints in the head and limbs, in catarrhal conditions, in bronchitis, tonsillitis and muscular spasms of the intestines and bladder.

If the main symptoms of Guaiacum are summarised, the result is the following typical remedy-picture:

1. Gout with sensation of heat. Movement and heat are intolerable. Muscles as if too short.
2. Exostoses (tibia). Sensitivity to slightest movement. Left sided frozen shoulder.
3. Facial pain and neuralgia. Swimming in the head. Weakness of memory. Peevish, irascible mood.
4. Gastric complaints. Burning and irritation of the mucosa (oral). Strong thirst. Pressure and heat in the stomach. Spastic intestinal movements and twitching of abdominal muscles. Rumbling in the intestines. Soft faeces or constipation with frequent flatus. Craving for apples, which ameliorate the gastric complaints.
5. Tenesmus of the bladder with urine passed drop by drop and cutting pains in the urethra. Nocturnal seminal emissions. Leucorrhoea.
6. Bronchiectasis. Bronchitis. Pleurisy. Supporting remedy in pulmonary tuberculo- sis. Cough with offensive expectoration.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Guaiacum, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for guaiacum: inflammation of palatine tonsils and pharynx; bronchial and pulmonary inflammationi rheumatism; gout.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried aerial parts, gathered when it is in flower, of the plant, Grindelia robusta Nutt., a native of North America, Brazil and Russia. N.O. Compositae.

The main symptoms are:

Bronchitis. Emphysema. Asthma with viscid expectoration.

A cutting pain in the spleen area can be an indication for Grindelia. There are also eruptions like roseola on the face and neck, sometimes all over the body, associated with itching and burning; there may also be vesicular and pustular eruptions.

There is a typical holding of the breath on going to sleep. The patient can only eliminate the tough mucus with difficulty, and must sit up in order to breathe, with symptoms of cardiac weakness.

Grindelia can be very useful in cases of moist asthma with copious expectoration which is difficult to shift, and concomitant digestive disorders; also in chronic bron- chitis, emphysema and cardiac asthma.

It is said to be specific in Cheyne-Stokes respiration, also in whooping cough, iri- tis and itching skin diseases. External appliation of the tincture, diluted 1:10, is said to be useful in pruritus and erythema.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Grindelia robusta, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for grindelia robusta: asthmatic diseases with viscous mucus.