Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

Carcinoma Hepatis Metastasis – Nosode of Cancer of the Liver

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from surgically removed human liver-cancer tissue.

Liver damage and pre-cancerous conditions of the liver. May also be used as an in- termediate injection in various kinds of impregnation and degeneration phases. Also in early cases of cancer with a tendency to metastasis.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from surgically removed tissue of in- testinal cancer.

Carcinoma Coli is used in pre-cancerous states of the tissue concerned, or accord- ing to the Law of Similars in similar indications, e.g. in carcinoma uteri. However, the Carcinoma Coli nosode can also be used in cancer of the large intestine itself, isopathically, in which case violent reactions may occur.

The attenuations of this nosode are prepared from material obtained during sur- gery: excised bronchial carcioma.

For auxiliary/additional therapy in bronchial carcinoma (particularly post-opera- tive); chronic bronchitis and smoker’s catarrh (in this connection bronchial carcino- ma should not be over-looked).

The attenuations are prepared from Carbolic acid (Phenol), C₆H₅OH, MW: 94.1.

Septic ulcers in stomatitis. Foul-smelling discharges. Acid dyspepsia. Hypereme- sis. Ulcer and cancer of the stomach. Diarrhoea with mucus and blood, pungent and foul-smelling. Rhagades, copious perspiration, prostration, itching eczema. Nephrot- ic syndrome. Neuralgias.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Phenolum (Acidum car- bolicum), published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for acidum carbolicum: inflammations; suppuration and ulceration of the skin, the oral mucosae, the pharynx, and the gastrointestinal tract; geriatric pruritus.

The attenuations are prepared from well-burnt charcoal from red Beech or Birch wood.

Carbo Vegetabilis, wood charcoal, is well-known as a general absorbent and detoxifying remedy, with which numerous poisons, e.g. alkaloids, but also albumin etc. can be antidoted. A similar detoxifying action may be seen in the homoeopathic preparation of charcoal, even though here it is not simply a question of adsorption of the toxins, but as in all homoeopathic remedies, a question of stimulating the major defensive system. When Carbo Vegetabilis is given in homoeopathic potency and di- lution, these adsorption factors obviously no longer play a direct part; it seems rather that, by means of the dynamisation of Carbo Vegetabilis, especially in the highest potencies, defence mechanisms with specific adsorptive action on poisons are acti-

vated, such as e.g. the reticulo-endothelial, which is well-known for its storage mechanisms.

Thus Carbo Vegetabilis is homoeopathically indicated when severe toxic states are present, i.e. when states of exhaustion arise as a consquence of toxic overloading in some serious disease, no matter whether it be a heart disease, apoplexy, typhus, whooping cough, asthma, emphysema, ulceration of the lower leg, or some other symptom. In such cases, Carbo Vegetabilis in a suitable potency (experience shows that high potencies work best here), can save lives; this has been shown again and again. There is a special leading symptom, which is icy coldness of the skin in col- lapse, of the body also, and yet a desire for fresh air, such as may appear in cases of incipient respiratory paralysis. These patients, no matter whether it is asthma, weak heart, or collapse of some other origin, e.g. even after accidents, often lie there un- covered and appear to feel well, even demanding air, although the weakness in ciru- clation is obviously only being worsend by it. In such sick people or accident-vic- tims the autonomic centres of the mid-brain and the bone-marrow are almost ex- hausted. The breath is cold, the pulse ceases or is thready, and cold sweat breaks out on the limbs, as in Veratrum Album. A bluish discolouration of the skin may also occur similar to terminal cyanosis, a result of weakness in circulation and exhaustion of the sympathetic nervous system with consequent stagnation of arterial blood and inability to satisfy the need for oxygen through respiration, e.g. also in asthmatic at- tack. Ecchymoses and bruises are also possible. Despite this extinguishing of his vital warmth, the patient still constantly craves for cool air and must be fanned; he is right on the brink of ultimate physical exhaustion. In such cases, e.g. when severe in- fectious diseases such as typhus etc. are present, haemorrhages may also occur from the gums, intestines and mucosa. However, these are not the decisive factor in the prescription of Carbo Vegetabilis, but the Hippocratic countenance, the exhaustion, the collapse, from all of which the patient can often surprisingly be rescued by Carbo Vegetabilis.

There are other states of collapse, e.g. post-operative or after implantation of fresh cells, or in shock-symptoms of any and every kind, where Carbo Vegetabilis is called for quickly, and even more obviously in combination with Veratrum Album; indeed one could describe this combination of Carbo Vegetabilis and Veratrum Album, par- enterally administered, as the homoeopathic circulatory injection. So long as the body’s powers of resistance are still capable of arousal, this will often be achieved with Carbo Vegetabilis and one will witness the recovery of patients whose situation was otherwise clearly hopeless, and this even in cases of collapse and lowered vital- ity, in asthma, whooping cough, accidents etc.

It is an astonishing thing that such a deep-reaching homoeopathic remedy, and one which is virtually fail-safe, is no longer in use in general medicine. It may be that for many colleagues the high potencies (12X, 30X) are a stumbling-block, and it is these which must be used in such cases. In spite of this, it is precisely in such cases that one can demonstrate the value of the higher potencies, with the same results re- peatedly occurring on the same indication.

Carbo Vegetabilis has a considerable number of other symptoms which have noth- ing to do with collapse, such as degenerative, spongy gums which bleed on touch or when sucked and which separate from the teeth, as one finds in periodonitis. Carbo Vegetabilis will also have a beneficial effect in a sensation of weakness in the stom- ach, lined with hyperacidity and heartburn, especially in cases where Pulsatilla is not effective. Flatulence is characteristic of Carbo Vegetabilis, especially when it occurs in the epigastrium. Carbo Vegetabilis will also be beneficial for burning in the stom- ach, such as one finds in neoplasm phases or in a pre-cancerous state. It will likewise be beneficial in laryngitis and hoarseness, which is worse in moist air and occurs mainly in the evenings; by contrast, hoarseness in the mornings will be helped by Causticum. In bronchitis and asthma in elderly people with an exhausted constitu- tion Carbo Vegetabilis is often a life-saver, e.g. also in incipient or full-blown pul- monary oedema. It is only natural that Carbo Vegetabilis should offer excellent as- sistance in bronchial asthma, especially in status asthmaticus, where it is best pre- scribed along with Sulphur and Bryonia.

Carbo Vegetabilis should be used in asthma if there is rattling respiration and the patient cannot raise the mucus, and also, as already mentioned, in pulmonary oede- ma. It will also often relieve burning, as from glowing coals, with a sensation of tiredness on the chest, in the stomach and in other organs.

Apart from cold breath and cold, damp skin, cold knees are also symptomatic of Carbo Vegetabilis, especially at night, causing the patient to wake.

The Carbo Vegetabilis patient cannot tolerate alcohol which causes dyspeptic symptoms. Aphthous glossitis, often so difficult to relieve, is likewise an indication for Carbo Vegetabilis, also protruding haemorrhoids, bluish and knotted. Carbo Veg- etabilis has also done good work in ulceration of the lower leg.

A good alternating remedy to use with Carbo Vegetabilis is China, which is like- wise a remedy for weakness, though better indicated in chronic states.

Carbo Vegetabilis is one of the remedies which offers the possibility of classical experimental demonstration of the action of high potencies with proof, especially in cases which can no longer be reached by orthodox therapy: the most serious cases of exhaustion and collapse. When the situation appears hopeless, when death from cir- culatory failure is obviously only a matter of minutes away, when stimulants no longer have any effect, even in cases of a general nature with no obvious indications for Carbo Vegetabilis, then let one more attempt be made with this great polychrest, whose effects are often so incredible as to cause the medically-trained practitioner embarrassment when telling of them.

The Carbo Vegetabilis effect really spurs us on to further attempts to explain the working of the high potencies through untiring research, even though so far only hy- pothetical explanations exist which are not sufficient to explain the experimental re- sults. However, the impossibility so far of a precise explanation is in no way an ob- stacle to the use of such highly effective preparations in high potency, for the results achieved with high potencies of Carbo Vegetabilis in suitable cases are clear for all to see.

If we now categorise the symptoms of Carbo Vegetabilis once more, the following remedy-picture emerges:

1. Remedy for coldness: cold damp skin, cold breath, cold knees.
   1. States of collapse in a wide variety of illnesses, in typhus, apoplexy, cardiac weakness, states of shock (after road accidents), etc., with demands to open the windows. Palpitations.
   1. Cardiac muscular weakness with typical dyspnoea, and possible pulmonary oedema and incipient respiratory paralysis.
   1. Bronchial asthma with air-hunger, cold sweat, collapse.
   1. Flatulence in the stomach with burning in the epigastrium.
   1. Aphthous glossitis with bleeding, shrinking gums. Periodontitis.
   1. Bluish haemorrhoids, protruding and knotted.
   1. Whooping cough at night with suffocative sensation and desire to be fanned.
   1. Intolerance of alcohol, dyspepsia, flatulence and distension after it, especially in the stomach.
   1. Laryngitis with hoarseness in the evening.
   1. Ulceration of the lower leg with burning.
   1. General exhaustion and deterioration of vital energy, also in neoplasm phases.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Carbo vegetabilis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for carbo vegetabilis: varicose veins; inflammations of the respiratory passages; hoarseness; insufficiency of digestive organs accompanied by flatulence; mucosal bleeding; cardiac and circulatory insufficiency.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried ripe fruits of the plant, Capsicum annuum L., which is a native of Central America. N.O. Solanaceae.

The essential indications are:

Ulcerative glossitis. Aphthae. Pharyngitis, blood-red mucosa, raw sensation, con- striction, aggravated by not swallowing. Tonsillitis, mastoiditis. Acute otitis media. Malaria, great chilliness. Chronic urethritis.

Capsicum is said to be a remedy for home-sickness, which is of course difficult to objectify. The mood is irritable and changeable, alternating between laughing and crying. With this, great restlessness and excessive busyness, also anxiety.

Further indications of Capsicum are:

A strange symptom, which may lead one to Capsicum in many cases is that of feverish states, in which great thirst occurs mostly only in the preceding chilly stage, but is lacking during the heat.

There are also rheumatic pains in the joints with creaking, groaning and cracking of the joints, and clamping pains and stiffness of various joints, especially the knee and ankle. These pains are especially marked on first movement. (cf. Rhus Toxico- dendron).

Neuralgias of a stabbing or tearing kind in various parts of the body, particularly in the region of the arm and the sciatic nerve.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Capsicum annuum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for capsicum: mastoiditis; purulent otitis media; mucosal inflammations of the mouth, pharynx, gastrointestinal tract, urinary bladder, and urethra.

The attenuations are prepared from the careful dried, if possible undamaged in- sect, Lytta vesicatoria Fabricius. N.O. Meloideae.

Cantharis exhibits a few characteristics symptoms, which principally affect the mucosa of the genito-urinary organs. Here Cantharis brings about violent inflamma- tions with states of irritation, and similar symptoms in the mucosa of the gastro-in- testinal tract and respiratory organs, and in the serous membranes, (haemorrhagic in- flammations). As a consquence of the toxic action objects appear yellow. Addition- ally however there is a powerful action on the nervous and vascular systems and the perception of burning, especially in the mucosa, such as burning in the mouth, phar- ynx and stomach, possibly linked with colics, violent thirst and discharge of white or pale reddish tough mucus, like scrapings from the intestines, streaked with blood. Burning pains in the ovaries and peritonitis with burning pains, and also burning and stinging in the larynx, burning in the chest and in the skin in erysipelas, are charac- teristic of Cantharis. Cantharis can have a beneficial effect on chronic bronchitis with difficulty in raising the mucus, if Kali Bichromicum does not help and there are possibly urinary symptoms (Nash).

In the throat there may be a sensation of cramping constriction, such as is found in hydrophobia, just as the urinary symptoms are frequently accompanied by cramp- ing, spastic contraction, linked with continuous violent urging to urinate. The urine is only passed in drops and the patient has the sensation of molten lead passing down the urethra, linked with violent burning and pains persisting afterwards, ex- tending possibly as far as the sacrum.

Formerly poisoning with Cantharis was frequent, because the Spanish fly was used as an aphrodisiac to arouse the sexual drive. Thus Cantharis is indicated in gonorrhoea with violent irritation and erections, also in purulent and bloody dis- charge from urethra and vagina. Cantharis is also especially useful in cases where – as was formerly general practice – the catarrhs of the urethra or the gonorrhoea were driven back by injections into the upper areas of the genito-urinary tract: an unnatu- ral form of treatment.

In women there is nymphomania with severe symptoms of bladder irritation, and there are also dark-coloured, early and copious menses. Additionally Cantharis can be used to promote the expulsion of moles, etc.

The skin symptoms also reveal Cantharis to be a useful remedy in vesicular erup- tions, above all after burns, when blisters form on a yellowish base, and also in her- pes zoster, although here other substances such as Ranunculus, Rhus Tox., Mez- ereum and others have a more rapid and deeper-reaching action. Cantharis may also be indicated in infected blisters.

The throat-pains of Cantharis are important, occurring as they do in connection with paralysis and the inability to swallow solids, and especially water in rabies (hy- drophobia) and in bulbar palsy. Here Cantharis can be an important symptomatical- ly effective remedy, at least reducing these symptoms. (Otherwise use Medulla ob-

longata sarcode.) Also in the symptom-picture of Cantharis are inflammations like erysipelas with vesicles on the skin, above all on the face, hands, arms and chest, itching and burning strongly and showing increased discharge.

Cantharis characteristically illustrates the Reversal rule of large and small doses. Whilst the lower potencies, given when there is irritation of the genito-urinary tract, may produce violent aggravations, the medium and higher potencies (in accordance with the Reversal effect) have a calming and healing action. So reports Dr. Orlowski (Berlin), who had developed a procedure for curing premature ejaculation, involving cautery of the colliculus seminalis of the urethra with subsequent silver nitrate cautery. Severe bleeding always occurred, which he was able to stop quickly with Cantharis 6X, having previously experienced the most serious complications, day and night every time, because of persistent haemorrhaging. Cantharis is also spe- cially indicated in haematuria, (also in intestinal bleeding with passing of mucous shreds), so that it is an important remedy in renal calculi with haematuria, and in ir- ritative conditions in the genito-urinary tract.

If we summarise the main symptoms of Cantharis, the following typical remedy- picture results:

1. Special action on the mucosa of the genito-urinary tract with urging to urinate and violent tenesmus, passage of urine by drops, and haematuria. Burning pains on urination and sacral pain. Strong arousal of the sexual drive. Nymphomania. Purulent, burning leucorrhoea. Menses too early, dark and copious.
2. Vesicles on the skin, filled with excoriating fluid. Skin burns like fire. Scalds. Herpes zoster. Erysipelas (on bridge of nose).
3. Intestinal inflammations with evacuation of blood-streaked mucus, cutting and burning in the anus. Burning along the whole alimentary canal.
4. Oesophageal cramps. Hydrophobia. Rabies. Throat symptoms (difficulty in swal- lowing) in bulbar paralysis. Laryngeal and tracheal catarrhs with bloody expecto- ration.
5. General tendency to haemorrhagic inflammations and gangrene (penis). Haemor- rhagic pneumonia. Dysentery. Ulcerative colitis. Meningitis. Haematuria.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Lytta vesicatoria, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for cantharis: acute inflammations of the mucosae, the urinary organs, the reproductive organs, the gastrointestinal tract, and the skin with formation of blisters; effusions in cavities of the body.

The attenuations are prepared from D-camphor, C₁₀H₁₆O, MW: 152.2, which is ob- tained from Cinnamomum camphora T. Nees et Eberm. N.O. Lauraceae.

The essential indications are:

Initially abortive cure in influenza. Main remedy for cholera. Violent fever with subsequent prostration. Irritation of the bladder. Cramps and neuralgias.

Camphor serves as an antidote for a wide variety of remedy-aggravations.

Typical Camphora symptoms are burning pains in the gullet and stomach, retching and vomiting, and effects on the circulation. These are seen first of all in slowing of the pulse, pallor of the skin and lowering of the body temperature; later there is a re- action, with quickening of the heart-beat and raising of the body temperature. With this there are heat and flushing of the face and palpitation in the carotid arteries.

Camphora is also indicated at the beginning of colds, e.g. in acute fluent coryza with increased discharge of watery mucus from the nose, with or without sneezing. However, it is also indicated in congestive coryza and catarrhal irritations of the la- ryngeal and tracheal mucosa, with short dry coughs and constriction of the chest.

Camphora is always indicated when death threatens through rapid depression of neural activity or of pulmonary or cardiac activity, e.g. in drowning. In such situa- tions of collapse it is on a par with Carbo Vegetabilis.

Camphora also has a reputation in bladder problems arising from the abuse of Spanish-fly blisters. Such bladder symptoms would otherwise indicate prostate dis- ease. There is frequent urging to pass urine, the urination being painful and difficult, the urine passing drop by drop with burning pains. There is also urging from holding the urine, and tenesmus of the sphincter vesicae.

A rare symptom may be mentioned: that the bladder is pressed out over the pubic bone, rather as if a rupture had occurred.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Camphora, published the fol- lowing indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for camphora: common cold; syncopal attacks.

The attenuations are prepared from Adenosine cyclic-3’,5’-(hydrophosphate) C₁₀H₁₂N₅O₆P, MW: 329.2.

cAMP has become known as a significant intracellular regulating factor, which is produced in the cell-membrane as the result of stimuli which proceed in part from the surrounding connective tissue. During this production, cell-differentiation takes place and other hormonal stimuli are transmitted. cAMP is antagonistic towards cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate), through which undifferentiated cell growth is promoted, i.e. cancerous tumours. The cancer cell is distinguished – apart from disturbance in respiration and mutation – by unlimited growth of undifferenti- ated cells (without the usual inhibiting factors).

cAMP is used principally for stimulative reactivation in enzyme-blocks (cell- membrane enzymes such as adenylate cyclase), in cellular phases, iatrogenic dam-

age, and may be tried experimentally in virus diseases and as a supportive treatment in cancer.

For expediency, it is given in the form of injections, and the further to the right of the Biological Section the phase is orientated, the higher the potencies. e.g. in tu- mours 30X and 20X, in inflammations (reaction phases) 6X or 8X, whilst the 12X represents a medium potency which may also be indicated in tumours.

The drug picture of cAMP was composed in June 1996 by David Riley, M.D., Santa Fe (New Mexico), USA.

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

Essential Characteristic

This remedy affected sleep and the mucus membranes in the head i.e. mouth and nose.

Improvement of the normal prover symptoms of: snoring, difficulty in falling asleep and poor sleep, and sneezing in cold air. Vivid dreams. Fatigue. Desires burnt meat or milk. Dull headaches. Pain like a band. Head pain that extends to other areas. Aphthae on the gums. Sensitive teeth. Throat pain on waking. Gurgling or cramping pain in the abdomen. Diarrhea. Cramping pain with stool. Constipation with straining. Frequent stools that are hard or watery and soft. Pain during urina- tion. Leucorrhea. Menstrual pain. Menstrual bleeding too short. Rash on chest. Pre- menstrual breast tenderness. Back pain before menses. Difficult to fall asleep or waking from sleep.

Mind

Anguish. Nail biting. Self confidence improves. DREAMS vivid, remembered, nu- merous, scorpions, or of work. Time passes too slowly. Sadness before menses.

Generalities

Energy increased. Weariness in afternoon or before menses. Many food desires and cravings: cereal, eggs, ice cream, burnt meat, milk, oranges, potatoes and gravy, sausages, and sweets. Aversion to meat before menses. Aggravated by tobacco.

Head

Hair falling out or sore and tenderness of scalp during washing. Heaviness of head. Constricting head pain like a band. Pain extending to jaws or neck. Pain in small spots. Pain on waking. Pain in forehead, occiput, or vertex. Varied pains that are dull, pressing outward, or throbbing. Left sided headache behind eye. Sore scalp. Improvement of headaches that are behind the eyes.

Eye

Sticky eye discharges in the morning on waking.

Ear

Flashes of stitching pain in right ear. Tickle in left ear while lying.

Nose

Coryza. Watery discharge in morning. Dryness inside nose and compelled to blow. Sneezing in cold air is diminished.

Face

Chapped and cracked lips. Pimples on nose and rash on the chin. Stitching pain in the cheek bones and around the left eye.

Mouth

Aphthae on gums or tongue.

Taste

Water tastes bitter or metallic.

Teeth

Sensitive to air or coldness of front teeth or right sided teeth.

Throat

Pain that is burning or sore on waking. Tingling up towards my ears.

Stomach

Gurgling, rumbling, and churning as if turning over. Movement of flatus. Nausea after eating or stool improves. Thirst in evening.

Abdomen

Sensitive to clothing due to distension. Flatulence. Distention from flatus. Gur- gling while lying, or rumbling. Cramping pain before menses or after midnight. Cutting or stitching pain in epigastric region or lower quadrants.

Rectum

CONSTIPATION with STRAINING or difficult stool. Diarrhea with cramping. FLATUS before or during stool. Pain that is cramping or during stool.

Stool

Oblong pellet stool. Blood in streaks or spots. Dark. FREQUENT stool or improve- ment from that symptom. Hard stool. Soft, or watery stool or improvement of this. Small, long, or fishy smelling.

Bladder

Heaviness in pelvis during urination. Pain stitching or burning during urination.

Frequent urging with little urinary output. Involuntary urination while laughing.

Urethra

Pain during urination.

Urine

Dark color. Strong odor.

Genitalia, Female

Menses frequent. Vaginal itching during menses. LEUCORRHEA that is offensive, bloody, copious, or mucousy. Dark menstrual blood or pale. Pain during menses. Menses scanty and too short. Dysmenorrhea.

Respiration

No snoring for several weeks.

Chest

Cracking in whole of sternum. Rash on chest and face. Acrid odor in axilla. Im- provement of pre-menstrual breasts and soreness and swelling.

Back

PAIN is aching in sacrum or lower back or before menses. Neck tension better rub- bing.

Extremities

Dryness of skin that causes cracking in fingers. Cramps in right or left calf. Aching on the back of right hand.

Sleep

DIFFICULTY FALLIN ASLEEP or improvement of this. Waking from dreams or from warmth. Sleepiness in afternoon. Sleeping on abdomen.

Skin

Dryness of skin that causes cracking in fingers.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant, Caltha palustris L., which grows in ditches and water-meadows in Europe, Asia and North America. N.O. Ranunculaceae.

Caltha Palustris has done good work in gastric symptoms with abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, especially when headache and singing in the ears are pres- ent, with possible urinary tenesmus also. We may also see favourable action in cel- lulitis, and in pemphigus vulgaris with bullae surrounded by a ring with much itch- ing. Caltha Palustris (in tincture or low potencies) may also be tried in great swelling of the face, especially around the eyes, and in itching eruptions on the thighs with pustules. Good action is said to have been observed in uterine cancer.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Caltha palustris, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for caltha palustris: rashes.