Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh rootstock, including roots, of Cheli- donium majus L. N.O. Papaveraceae.

The plant Chelidonium majus, the greater celandine, a member of the papaver- aceae family, grows in Europe, Southern Asia and Africa as a weed in hedgerows, at the edges of fields and on rubbish tips. If one breaks off the light yellow petals, the leaves, the stems or the cylindrical, multi-headed root with numerous long threads attached, a yellowish milky sap runs out, which accounts for the popular belief that the celandine has a healing action in liver and biliary conditions. The yellowish milky sap looks similar to bile, which results in certain relationships between Cheli- donium and diseases of the biliary system in the context of the doctrine of signa- tures.

One of the main symptoms of Celandine, as established in the homoeopathic prov- ings, is in fact a liver/bile symptom, namely a violent, sharp or dull persistent pain at the lower inner angle of the right shoulder-blade. The pains extend possibly as far as the area of the right side of the rib-arch, or may extend on from there. In Chelido- nium we find particularly right-sided complaints, which seem to have some connec- tion with the liver. A rheumatic pain in the right shoulder-joint also often responds well to Chelidonium, just as in many cases a right-sided supra-orbital neuralgia de- mands Chelidonium as its remedy. Chelidonium is also helpful in right-sided pneu- monia, which may occur as a consequence of liver disturbance or be complicated by it. It will also help in rheumatic complaints which extend to the hips, thighs and feet and occur in particular on the right-hand side, the right foot often being icy-cold while the left, on the contrary, has its natural warmth.

As a further symptom of Chelidonium we must mention the bitter taste, likewise a symptom of liver-involvement, when the tongue frequently has a thick yellow coat- ing with red edges, showing the imprint of teeth, similar to Mercurius.

Icterus, associated with violent itching of the skin, and other evidence of biliary colouring (in the urine etc.), is likewise an indication for Chelidonium. Thus Cheli- donium is also indicated when the stools are clay-coloured or golden yellow, or when the urine is lemon-yellow or dark brown, because of the presence of biliary colouring. This is often accompanied by loss of appetite, linked with disgust for food, nausea and vomiting of bile. The patient vomits everything except hot drinks. Chelidonium is also a characteristic liver-gall remedy, with a typical therapeutic range, indicated as a basic medicament in cholangitis, cholecystitis and cholelithia- sis, with the higher potencies having often done better work than the more usual low

ones, especially also in painful crises and colics. If we outline the symptom-picture of Chelidonium, the following table is the result:

1. Liver and bile remedy. Cholelithiasis. Cholecystitis. Cholangitis. Mucous icterus and icterus in biliary obstruction.
2. Pains below the angle of the right shoulder-blade and below the right side of the rib arch, possibly moving about and extending. Biliary colic. Pains are ameliorat- ed by hot drinks.
3. Bitter taste. Vomiting of bitter quantities of bile. All food is vomited; hot drinks are kept down.
4. Rheumatic complaints in the right shoulder-blade and neuralgic pains above the right eye and in the right temple.
5. Migraine on the right side occuring after dietary indiscretion, vexation, etc.
6. Right-sided pneumonia and other right-sided complaints, e.g. of a rheumatic kind in the hip and right leg.
7. The right foot is cold, the left is warm with normal circulation.

In liver and biliary illnesses of the kind described, which pathologically may be at- tributed in almost every case to ingestion of sutoxin and which are maintained by continuing consumption of sutoxin, Chelidonium is one of the most important reme- dies, bearing in mind the pattern of food-consumption in the widest sections of today’s population. Certainly Chelidonium can do good work in the low potencies,

e.g. 2X to 4X, but especially in the chronic cases which we encounter in large num- bers, and also in colics, a better action is obtained from the use of higher potencies. Good complementary and following remedies for Chelidonium are Lycopodium and Belladonna. Both remedies are mainly right-sided, Lycopodium improving the liver- function and Belladonna combatting spastic and inflammatory symptoms. Thus it is recommended in many cases to use these two remedies in alternation with Chelido- nium, possibly also in combination, thus reinforcing the effect.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Chelidonium majus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for chelidonium: inflammations, lithiasis, and chronic affections of the hepatobiliary system; inflammation of the respiratory organs; pleurisy; rheumatism.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole plant when in flower. Chamomilla recutita L. N.O. Compositae.

The homoeopathic remedy Chamomilla is made from German Chamomile, well- known as one of the most important home-remedies in folk medicine (e.g. as chamomile tea.) Chamomile is particularly suited to states of nervous agitation as a tranquillising remedy. Patients are irritable, bad-tempered, irascible, spiteful and im- pertinent: an emotional state which is found in naughty children of every age, and especially in teething infants. In the latter, one cheek is red and the other pale. The children scream at the slightest cause, maybe incessantly. There may often be asso- ciated fever or diarrhoea. The typical mood of Chamomilla is often found in vague headaches and earaches, for which Chamomilla is then a specific remedy. The typi-

cal moodiness of Chamomilla is not only found in sick children, but in every age- group. When the emotional state is characterised by anger and vexation, the choice lies between Colocynthis, Bryonia, Aconitum, Ignatia, Nux Vomica and Staphis- agria, besides Chamomilla, which is often the preferred remedy.

It follows that pain is an indication for Chamomilla, and typically the pain bears no relationship to the severity of the case. For Chamomilla patients are particularly hypersensitive and cannot bear pain. In such cases, moreover, all analgesics, pain- killers and suchlike usually fail completely. However, if Chamomilla is the similli- mum – and such cases are by no means rare – then Chamomilla will usually work faster and more thoroughly than even morphia. After one dose of Chamomilla the pains usually die away in a very short time.

The painful states in which Chamomilla can successfully be used are not restricted to neuralgias, but may also occur in childbirth, toothache, catarrhs of the middle ear, rheumatism and others. Chamomilla can always be used when patients exhibit the typical hypersensitivity of the Chamomilla patient; this often occurs in coffee drinkers and after the abuse of stimulant drugs.

A further characteristic of the typical Chamomilla pains is that they may be ac- companied by a certain numbness, which Nash too picks out as typical of the reme- dy. The typical Chamomilla pains may also be accompanied by states of paralysis. An important modality of the Chamomilla picture is the peculiarity that the pains are aggravated by warmth and that they are not ameliorated by cold applications, as would be the case in typical Pulsatilla pains. Generally the Chamomilla patient is ex- tremely sensitive to cold. Indeed, complaints may be directly caused by cold. Sleep- lessness too is susceptible to Chamomilla, if it is coupled with great restlessness, as is also found in Aconitum, Arsenicum and Rhus Tox. The Chamomilla patient must run around at night-time, rather like the Ferrum Metallicum patient. Children will not settle down until they have been picked up and carried around.

The characteristic nervous hypersensitivity of Chamomilla is extremely promi- nent in small children and infants. In this respect there are similarities between Chamomilla and Calcium Carbonicum, such as head-sweats, wetting the hair; how- ever, unlike the sweat of Calcium Carbonicum, it is warm. Abdominal pains are also part of the Chamomilla picture.

The typical Chamomilla earaches are pressive and tearing, forcing the patient to cry out, and the ears are especially sensitive to cold air. The typical Chamomilla toothache is aggravated by warm drinks or food. Facial sweating after eating or drinking is also a characteristic Chamomilla symptom.

When toothache is present, there is also a sensation as if the teeth were too long. During teething there is diarrhoea with hot, green stools which are watery and exco- riating and smell like rotten eggs. Chamomilla is indicated in intertrigo of infants, and in inflammatory illnesses such as otitis media, glandular swellings, umbilical colic, biliary colic and irritation, and cramping labour-pains. The pain is so unbear- able that the patient is obliged to cry out.

In Chamomilla patients there is often a bitter taste, the tongue is coated and there

is halitosis. Rheumatic complaints are also in the picture, and Chamomilla is indi- cated for arthritis of the shoulders.

If we briefly sum up the symptoms of Chamomilla, we have a remedy-picture of many aspects:

1. Hypersensitivity to every pain, with irritability, spitefulness, irascibility, and pos- sible numbness and a paralysed sensation.
2. Inflammatory illness (reaction phases), with emotional overtones, e.g. dentition, otitis media, gastroenteritis, dyspepsia, umbilical colic, and other painful condi- tions, e.g. arthritis of the shoulder-joints, cramping labour-pains. Children in these states want to be carried about.
3. One cheek is hot and red, the other cold and pale. Head-sweats in which the hair is wet-through.
4. Neuralgias, rheumatism and pains oblige the patient to cry out.
5. Bitter taste. Coated tongue. halitosis. Stools like chopped eggs or chopped spinach, excoriating.
6. Metrorrhagia with dark, coagulated blood and attacks of cramp. Menstrual colic after vexation.
7. Labour-pains pressing upwards and along the inside of the thighs, with rigidity of the os and unbearable pain. Unbearable after-pains.
8. Dry, tickling cough in sleep, which does not wake; worse in winter and wet weather. The body is cold and chilly, whereas the face and breath are hot (oppo- site of Carbo Veg.).
9. Otitis media with violent episodes of pain. Glandular swellings as in scrofula, and umbilical colics. Biliary colic with unbearable pains and irritation. Aggra- vated by vexation, agitation and warmth. At the same time, sensitivity to cold.
10. Mainly suited to children and women, but can be used in males where indicated.
11. Restlessness, must get out of bed at night, running about. Can get no rest on ac- count of the rheumatic neuralgic pains.

The prescription of Chamomilla according to the indications given above is often overlooked because, in spite of the emotional overtones, Chamomilla states may occur along with quite grave indications. This, even though Chamomilla is, in prin- ciple, a nerve-remedy, indicated for easy agitation without any pre-existing organic problem, and although in almost all Chamomilla cases the decision to give Chamomilla is based on the discrepancy between the objective findings and the pre- senting emotional state of the patient. The action of Chamomilla takes effect in most cases so convincingly and characteristically that, in doubtful cases, it ought to be tried experimentally at least, before serious measures such as surgery are resorted to. If the action does not take place instantly, or after one or two doses, then there is still time for further therapeutic measures to be undertaken.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Chamomilla recutita, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for chamomilla: inflammation of the respiratory organs; teething prob-

lems; inflammation and cramps of the digestive organs and of the female reproduc- tive organs; intense conditions of pain; irritable emotional discord or upset.

The attenuations of this remedy are prepared from a trituration of Cerium(III)-ox- alate, Ce₂ (C₂O₄)₃ · x H₂O, MW: 544.3.

The main indications are:

Chronic vomiting. Hyperemesis.

Cerium Oxalicum has also proved its worth generally in chronic vomiting, above all when undigested food is vomited. It should also be tried in sea-sickness and in vomiting of T.B. and cancer patients who are said no longer to be able to keep down any food.

Cerium salts also have the quality of promoting the utilisation of oxygen in the tis- sues. Thus Cerium oxalicum may also be used generally as an intercurrent remedy in the treatment of neoplasms, of pre-cancerous states, and in degeneration phases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Cerium oxalicum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for cerium oxalicum: vomiting; paroxysmal coughing; dysmenorrhoea.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from tissue from the whole fresh brain of a healthy pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

Indications are as for Cerebrum or Cerebrum Frontalis.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from tissue from the fresh posterior brain of a healthy pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Vertigo. Disturbances of vision originating in the C.N.S.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from tissue from the fresh frontal half of a healthy pig’s brain (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

Disturbances of the intelligence and intellect. Developmental disturbances of chil- dren.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from the fresh cerebral brain-tissue of a healthy pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

The main indications are:

States of mental exhaustion and disturbances in development. Functional weak- ness and circulatory disturbances of the brain. Progressive paralysis (retrospective treatment). Paraplegia. Arteriosclerotic dementia. Encephalomalacia.

The attenuations of this sarcode are prepared from brain-tissue from the fresh cerebellum of a healthy pig (Sus scrofa domesticus).

Cerebellum is indicated in cellular phases in the cerebellum. The main indications are therefore as follows:

Diseases of the motor system. Menière’s syndrome. Vertigo. Hyperemesis gravi- darum. Sea and travel sickness. Sleeplessness.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh bulb of onion, Allium cepa L. This is cultivated in kitchen gardens. N.O. Liliaceae.

The main indications are:

Acute fluent coryza. Acute cystitis. Laryngitis with violent, rending pain on coughing, must grasp the larynx with the hand. Thread-like pain in facial neuralgia. Panaritium with violent pains. Causalgias.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Allium cepa, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for cepa: cold with runny nose; inflammations of the respiratory passages; flatulent colic; neuralgia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the cotelydons of the ripe seeds of the tree, Simarouba cedron Planch., which is native to tropical America. N.O. Simarubaceae.

The main indications are:

Neuralgias and intermittent fever recurring with precise periodicity.

In America Cedron was formerly used as a reliable antidote to rattlesnake poison, being used internally and externally immediately after the bite. It also has a reputa- tion there in marsh fever and in intermittent fever, i.e. in symptoms which recur pe- riodically, including trigeminal neuralgia, especially on the left side and around the eye. However it also has a beneficial effect in nerve-pains of the arms and legs, and in the neuralgic complaints that accompany iritis and glaucoma. One should not omit to use Cedron in malaria with tumour of the spleen, anaemia and dropsical symptoms, and particularly in fevers which recur daily between 13:00 and 18:00.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Simarouba cedron, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for cedron: periodic neuralgia; fever; intermittent episodes of fever.