Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The attenuations are prepared from the careful dried venom of the Fer-de-Lance (Yellow Viper), Bothrops jajaraca (Wied). N.O. Crotalidae.

The prominent symptom of Bothrops lanceolatus is aphasia, such as is always found in cerebral apoplexy. However, haemorrhages of every kind are also an indi- cation for Bothrops, especially those from orifices of the body, e. g. difficulty in ar- ticulation without any tongue-complaint and without preceding apoplexy.

Further symptoms include amaurosis and retinal haemorrhage, day-blindness and subconjunctival haemorrhage. The face is swollen and puffy, with a ‘foolish’ expres- sion and possibly nervous trembling.

The neck feels bound up, with difficulty in swallowing, especially when drinking. Gastric haemorrhage and haematemesis.

Bloody stools. The skin too is swollen, livid and cold with haemorrhagic infiltra- tions and possible gangrene, swollen lymph-glands and possibly malignant erysipelas.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Bothrops jararaca, Lachesis lanceolatus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for bothrops lanceolatus: haemorrhages; blood coagula- tion disorders; vascular disorders; general blood poisoning.

The attenuations are prepared from triturated Disodium tetraborate, Na₂B₄ O₇ · 10 H₂O, MW: 381.4.

Vertigo on downward motion. Aphthous stomatitis. Chronic otitis externa. Sum- mer diarrhoea of infants. Psoriasis. Every injury festers.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Natrium tetraboracicum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for borax: disorders of the oral mucosa; skin affections; acne vulgaris; eczema and psoriasis; nephrolithiasis; abnormal discharge; galactorrhoea; painful mammary glands; nervous hypersensitivity among children; vertigo upon rising.

The attenuations are prepared from the triturated whole cockroach, an insect oc- curring in the whole of Europe and North Africa. Blatta orientalis L. N.O. Blattidae.

The active ingredients of the cockroach were formerly known as Antihydropin. At that time a precise pharmacological and chemical analysis was not yet possible, but for generations it had been used in Russia as a folk-remedy for dropsy. In homoeo- pathic potency it has given good service in bronchial asthma.

According to Dr. Ray (Calcutta) it has a specific action on the vagus nerve, like other well-known asthma-remedies (Ipecacuanha, Cuprum Aceticum, Lobelia), by dissolving mucus and reducing attacks.

Blatta is said to be more suited to corpulent patients, and in cases which are ag- gravated in bad, rainy weather. In acute asthmatic attacks the lower potencies are to be preferred, and in chronic cases rather the higher ones.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Blatta orientalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for blatta orientalis: bronchitis; asthma.

The attenuations are prepared from basic Bismuth nitrate, whose approximate composition is BiO(NO₃) · H₂O. The content of Bi, AW: 209.0, calculated on the dried substance corresponds with the current Pharmacopoeia.

Sensation as of a heavy load in the stomach, burning, cramps with pressure to- wards the spine. Must bend over backwards. Vomiting immediately after eating. Gastralgia. Cholera infantum. Gastric and duodenal ulcers, cancer of the stomach.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Bismutum subnitricum, pub-

lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for bismutum subnitricum: ulcerous inflammations of the oral cavity and of the gums; organic and nervous gastric disorders; acute diarrhoea.

The attenuations are prepared from Potassium Bismuth iodide solution, K[BiI₄], MW: 755.7.

Bismuth Potassium Iodide, as a double salt, contains important therapeutic factors which can reinforce and extend the action of indicated remedies in consequences of syphilis, particularly disorders in the area of nervous functions, in the syphilitic con- stitution, and also in the early stages of organic brain disease with suspicious symp- toms of delusions of grandeur and syndromes resembling paralysis. Such combina- tion-remedies are of great therapeutic significance in the treatment of cellular phas- es and degenerative symptoms, and also in long-term treatment of neoplasm phases, even if generally some time is required before the action becomes clear. However, in contrast to this, positive action may be expected possibly after only a few days when treating fresh bouts of schizophrenia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the sap, obtained by boring into the trunks of sturdy young birch trees in spring. Betula pendula Roth. N.O. Betulaceae.

Gastritis. General catarrhs of the mucosa.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh, flowering herb Stachys officinalis [L.] Trev. N.O. Labiatae.

Besides a beneficial effect on catarrhal colds, Betonica has also helped in pains in a variety of parts of the body, such as: stabbing pains in the right temple with inabil- ity to concentrate, pains in the abdomen, especially in the liver area and transverse colon, also extending to the gall-bladder, in the right groin and the spermatic cords. There is a typical shooting pain in the back of both wrists, with flaccidity of the hand. The remedy is also good in pains in the right popliteal space, extending down

the leg with a lame sensation in the whole leg.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Stachys officinalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for betonica: epigastric pain.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh beetroot, Beta vulgaris ssp. vul- garis var. conditiva Alef. N.O. Chenopodiaceae.

Beta vulg. rubra, according to Seeger, is one of those substances which reactivate the cell-respiration and can regenerate blocked respiratory enzymes, and is therefore indicated in all cellular phases (impregnation, degeneration and neoplasm), and also in viral diseases, viral influenza, poliomyelitis, etc.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried bark and small twigs of the plant Mahonia aquifolium [Pursh.] Nutt, a native of North America, often cultivated in Europe as a decorative shrub. N.O. Berberidaceae.

Psoriasis, pityriasis eczema.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Mahonia aquifolium, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for berberis aquifolium: dry rashes; liver and gallbladder affections.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried bark of Berberis vulgaris L. N.O. Berberidaceae.

The active ingredients of the mother tincture are the alkaloids berberine, oxyacan- thine and berbamine.

Some characteristic indications for Berberis are irritations and inflammations of the urinary system; also pronounced renal pains, extending in all directions, espe- cially down the ureters, tearing, stabbing, burning or cutting pains, possibly pro- ceeding to the point of bladder-pain and tenesmus, even extending down the urethra and into the testicles, states which are frequently found in renal colic and urinary gravel. Thus Berberis is one of the main remedies against renal calculi, and has proved its worth generally in other conditions of the urinary tract, e.g. in cystitis and pyelitis, although other remedies are also indicated for this.

Even without colic or other pains, it may have a stiffness and feeling of numbness in the renal area, possibly in the whole back, linked with great weakness.

Weakness and exhaustion, in particular, are further symptoms of Berberis, possi- bly linked with a battered feeling and prostration as well as a stiffness of the limbs and lameness.

Sweats may be present, with the impression that these sweats occur especially when one is weak and mentally exhausted, and on every exertion. There is a familiar vicariation of symptoms between skin and kidney. In lowered kidney function there is a vicariating dermal secretion.

The general reluctance to work, exhaustion and weakness are accompanied by an ap- athetic, tearful and despondent mood, along with mental fatigue with swimming head, deep contemplation, inability to think, possibly to the point of incapacity to work.

Years of observation have convinced the author that Berberis has a pronounced ac- tion not only on the renal system, but also on the adrenal glands. The blue rings which occur below the eyes in states of exhaustion are likewise helped by Berberis, as are other symptoms of a depressed functioning of the adrenal cortex, which ex- press themselves in a gouty, rheumatic state, linked with pains in the joints, prostra- tion and heaviness of the limbs, drawing and tightness in the muscles, and also skin symptoms, which may express themselves in a flushed face with red, burning patch- es and eruption of itching red nodules, vesicles and pimples, with subsequent desquamation.

Liver and bile symptoms also belong to Berberis. Thus it is indicated in cholangi- tis with pains in the right hypochondrium and pressure below the right ribs, and possibly also on the left side in the lineal flexure; also bitter eructations with flatu- lent distension and possibly icterus.

Occasionally there is a painful blister on the tip of the tongue. In the stomach there can be a sensation of coldness with pressure and eructations. Chronic digestive dis- turbances with a tendency to diarrhoea will also be helped by Berberis, if the gener- al symptom-picture agrees. The urine frequently tends to be dark red, murky and of a thick, slimy consistency.

In women there may also be leucorrhoea with dysmenorrhoea and venous stasis in the pelvis and lower abdomen, possibly also with endometritis and oophoritis.

There may also be haemorrhoids with itching and burning in the anus and the raw feeling so typical of Berberis, and with pulsating stabbing in the sacrum, as well as anal fissures.

Although extracts of Berberis are generally considered to be non-toxic, it was possible to demonstrate a toxic action in experiments with Berberine (C ₂₀H₁₇NO₄), also known as Jamaicin or Xanthopicrite. Doses of one to three grammes were in- jected intravenously into dogs and rabbits, and the effects included salivation, nau- sea, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty in respiration, trembling and finally fatal paraly- sis. On internal administration, diarrhoea has been observed.

On summing up the main symptoms of Berberis, we have the following typical remedy-picture:

1. Pains from renal calculi, especially renal colic; also other diseases of the genito- urinary system, cystitis with pyelitis, urinary tenesmus with cloudy, mealy, red or flaky urine.
2. Liver-affections, cholangitis, cholecystitis, gallstone colic, icterus.
3. Haemorrhoids with itching and burning in the anus and hard, bloody stool; tenes- mus and pulsating stabbing in the sacrum.
4. Diarrhoea, gastritis with pressure in the stomach. Blisters on the tip of the tongue. Pre-cancerous states.
5. Adrenal exhaustion. Stress. General exhaustion and depressive mood. Blue rings around and below the eyes.
6. Gouty, rheumatic illnesses as an expression of deficient renal secretion and low- ered adrenal function. (Direction of connective tissue function.) Linked with this:
7. Skin problems with itching vesicles, pustules etc.
8. Neuropathic condition. Mental fatigue. Inability to think. Exhaustion with lame- ness and stiffness in all joints.

Berberis is always indicated when there is general homotoxic over-loading which makes itself known through overloading of the excretory organs, such as kidneys and liver, possibly also skin, and which can lead to the most varied symptoms through homotoxins linked with deposition phases. Here it is possible for reverse ac- tion on the mesenchyme and the autonomic nervous system to take place because of the toxic weakness of the adrenal function.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Berberis vulgaris, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for berberis vulgaris: renal and urinary-tract disorders, especially nephrolithiasis; gout; rheumatism; disorders of the liver and gallbladder; dry skin disorders; fistulas.