Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The mother tincture is prepared from the inspissated juice from the leaves of sev- eral species of the genus Aloe, especially of Aloe ferox Miller (N.O. Liliaceae), which is sold as Cape Aloes.

Driven out of bed in the morning by urging to pass stool. Hot stools with lumps of mucus. Sensation of heat in anus and rectum. Incontinence of stool – the stool pass- es unnoticed with flatus and on urination.

There are also congested haemorrhoids with painful burning and urging with pulpy, loose stools.

The neck of the bladder also shows symptoms of irritation, with a burning sensa- tion on passing urine, copious urination and increased libido.

In women the menses are increased and there may be miscarriage.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aloe, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for aloe: gastrointestinal disorders; faecal incontinence; haemorrhoids.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh bulbs. The plant, a native of the Near East and Southern Asia is now cultivated in many countries. Allium sativum;

N.O. Liliaceae.

Digestive complaints from high meat-intake; with eructations and heartburn. Allium Sativum can also be of service in dry coryza (less so in fluent coryza, see

Allium Cepa); also in asthma with a rough, hoarse voice, scratching in the larynx and a dry cough (paroxysmal in smokers).

Coughing, occurring after meals, seems to come from the stomach. Coughing in the morning is characterised by copious expectoration of a viscid, tenacious mucus, of putrid odour (bronchiectasis).

There may also be digestive complaints, colic from distension, glossitis or gin- givitis, with a sensation as of a hair on the tongue.

Haemorrhoids and anal prolapse.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Allium sativum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for allium sativum: inflammation of the respiratory passages; gastric digestive insuffi- ciency; rheumatism in the pelvic region.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh root of the plant Aletris farinosa L., which is a native of North America. N.O. Liliaceae. (Also known als Blazing Grass or Colic Root.)

Hyperemesis gravidarum. Threatened miscarriage. Uterine displacement. Leucor- rhoea. Dysmenorrhoea. Weakness, debility.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aletris farinosa, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for aletris farinosa: dyspepsia and digestive insufficiency; gynaecological disorders accompanied by exhaustion.

The mother tincture is prepared from two parts (by weight) of the fresh flowering shoots, and one part of the bark of the tree Ailanthus altissima, which grows in India, China and Japan. N.O. Simarubaceae.

Septic reaction phases with infirmity, weakness and delirium.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Ailanthus altissima, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for ailanthus glandulosa: the most serious infectious diseases, with devel- opment to general blood poisoning.

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried, ripe fruits of common Vitex agnus- castus L., which grows in the Mediterranean countries. N.O. Verbenaceae.

Diminution of sexual energy in males. Leucorrhoea without discomfort. Mental depression. Thoughts of death. Hypochondria. Increases the flow of milk in nursing mothers. Coldness of genitalia (penis and labia).

The main symptoms of Agnus Castus always point to a depressive mood, fre- quently influenced by sexual hormones, resulting in either a flaccidity of the geni- talia with reduced libido, or an unusually and pathologically increased libido with persistent erections, emissions of prostatic fluid and drawing pains in the spermatic cords and testicles; in women drawing pains in the lower abdomen.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Vitex agnus-castus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for agnus castus: sexual disorders among men; dysfunction in normal milk flow; nervous emotional discord or upset.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh fungus, Amanita muscaria CL Hook., which occurs in woodlands throughout the northern hemisphere. N.O. Fungi

– Amanitaceae.

Sensitivity to cold air. Motor restlessness. Sensation of a lump in the upper ab- domen. Sydenham’s chorea, tics. States of agitation, epileptiform attacks, itching, crawling sensations, burning pains, sensations of numbness, as if frozen. Chilblains. Coppery discoloration of the nose in heavy drinkers.

The predominant characteristic is a hyperaesthesia of the whole body, the slightest pressure causing pain. General painfulness of all the limbs, especially the lower ex- tremities, marked on sitting or standing, gradually subsiding on walking. This is ac- companied by a feeling of coldness with paraesthesia (numbness and crawling sen- sation) and a sensitivity to cold air. The pains in the limbs may occur diagonally (right arm and left leg, etc.), and the general restlessness of the muscles with a com- pulsion to move in unusual ways (cf. Stramonium), may change to tetany and stupor. Ecstatic states as in drunkenness, singing, shouting, declaiming, general intensifica- tion of mental excitement to the point of rage and destructive fury, may reach the point of Korsakov’s psychosis (cf. Veratrum Album).

On the other hand, there may be dejection, irritability, faint-heartedness with re- luctance for any form of activity or work, a lack of initiative and a mood of despair.

On the skin there is evidence of peripheral circulatory disturbance, such as chilblains, cold hands and feet, and cyanosis.

Eye symptoms include photophobia, diplopia, and muscae volitantes (floaters). The circulatory system also shows signs of central under-function, with weak con-

tractions of the heart, and later on with heart-beats which are irregular or missing.

Liver symptoms include distension of the abdomen and discharge of large amounts of flatus which smells of garlic.

The oral cavity and stomach are affected by the same whitish, yellowish coating as is on the tongue; there are oesophageal cramps, stomach pains and nausea.

Agaricus is used less in acute, violent fevers, but more in low fevers with a ten- dency to collapse, gangrene and spasmodic states, the lower limbs in particular showing great weakness.

In Kamchatka, a decoction of fly agaric is drunk in order to induce a state of ec- static intoxication.

Agaricus should therefore be tried in cases of ecstatic nervous excitement, and in epileptiform attacks, especially too in excitement of the sexual drive with lack of ability and great exhaustion following coitus.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Amanita muscaria, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for agaricus: condition of excessive excitement, also with reduction of ex- citability of the nervous system; sequelae of drug and medication abuse; state of

confusion; cerebral seizure disorders; disorders in voiding the bladder and intestinal tract.

The attenuations are prepared from Agaricic Acid, C₂₂H₄₀O₇, MW: 416.6. This substance is isolated from the Larch sponge (Fomes officinalis). N.O. Polyporaceae.

Sydenham’s chorea. Epileptiform attacks. Paraesthesia.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh flowering plant including the unripe fruits, Aethusa cynapium L., found in Europe and Siberia. N.O. Umbelliferae.

The tincture of Fool’s Parsley produces considerable toxic effects, which are no- ticeable particularly in disturbances of the nervous system, with various kinds of spasms, dulling of faculties, or loss of consciousness; also in reflex vomiting and in gastro-intestinal symptoms without the presence of any noteworthy inflammatory symptoms; however great exhaustion ensues with a sensation of coldness and a ten- dency to develop vertigo and loss of consciousness.

Complaints are ameliorated in the open air and aggravated in an enclosed space. Oppressed mood with anxiety, restlessness and irritability, possibly also hallucina- tions, delirium and sleepiness, maybe to the point of unconsciousness. Epileptiform

spasms may also occur, dilated pupils and particularly great weakness of the lower limbs. There is also a typical feeling of coldness in skin and limbs, linked with hot flushes and thirstlessness. There may also be catarrhal symptoms, irritations with tickling in the larynx, and a feeling of heaviness with sighing and yawning.

Particularly typical of Aethusa is the vomiting, obviously originating in the nervous system. In serious cases it is combined with capillary paralysis, haematemesis, stom- ach cramps, tympanitic distension and sensitivity to being touched. Irresistible urge to pass stool, when a thin pale yellow and greenish fluid, mixed with much bile, is passed, and bruises may form on the skin of the abdomen. The nervous vomiting is characterised by spasmodic contractions of the oesophageal muscles and violent pains which shoot upwards from the cardiac sphincter.

Nash considers Aethusa to be one of the best remedies for vomiting in children, “of very sour curds, so large that it would seem almost impossible that the child could have ejected them”. Nash further mentions the Hippocratic face, which is typ- ically assumed in progressive illness, with its sharply defined linea nasialis (trans- parently pale upper lip bounded by the naso-labial folds), and with rapidly increas- ing exhaustion and anxiety. Patients often imagine that they see rats or mice running across the room. Nash considers this symptom a typical indication for Aethusa in worn-down, nervous women.

Summing up the symptoms, we have the following remedy-picture:

1. Acute gastric catarrh (of infants) with retching, vomiting and oesophageal spasms, possibly cholera infantum with consequent prostration.
   1. Gastroenteritis with feeling of coldness and weakness.
   1. Spasms with dulling of consciousness. Weakness of the lower extremities, vertigo and unconsciousness.
   1. Bruises on the abdominal skin. Hippocratic facial expression (nasolabial crease sharply defined).

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aethusa cynapium, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for aethusa: acute diarrhoea with vomiting; intolerance of milk; con- centration weakness, especially among children.

Aethiops Mineralis – Hydrargyrum Sulphuratum Nigrum

Equal quantities of Antimonium crudum and Aethiops mineralis are triturated to produce “Aethiops antimonialis”, and a mixture of mercury sulphide and sulphur are triturated to produce “Aethiops mineralis”. The attenuations are produced from these preparations.

Scrofulous inflammations, skin eruptions and discharges. Scrofulous conjunctivi- tis with marked photophobia and keratitis. Offensive discharge from the ears. Cra- dle-cap on the face. Mucous colitis. Oozing anal eczema.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum sulfuratum ni- grum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for aethiops mineralis: crusty inflammation of skin and the eye- lids.

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh ripe nut, not including outside shell. The tree, a native of northern and central Asia, is planted for decorative pur- poses in Europe and North America. N.O. Hippocastanaceae.

The principal indications are as follows:

Venous stasis, also in the portal system. Haemorrhoids. Varices. Paraesthesia. Lumbo-sacral pain.

Other noteworthy symptoms are: great sleepiness by day, and dull, heavy sleep with irritable mood.

Complaints are aggravated on waking from sleep, and ameliorated by movement in the open air.

There are headaches with a heavy sensation, as if numbed, especially above the eyes, with vertigo and especially with occipital pain, also accompanied by flickering of vision.

There is a typical constant pain in the sacrum and the hips, particularly pro- nounced on bending down and on rising from sitting. Ameliorated after walking. There is a paralytic sensation in the left hand and left arm, as well as pains in the knees and lower legs.

Burning and stabbing pains in the praecordium. Constriction in the chest. Fever with hot, dry hands.

Violent fluent coryza with burning discharge and excoriation of the nostrils. In- halation of cold air causes discomfort. Tickling in the larynx and air-passages with coughing and expectoration.

The tongue is coated with a yellowish-white mucus. Bitter taste. Nausea, retching, eructations, pains in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium, extending to the right shoulder. (Cholangitis.) Blind, knotty haemorrhoids.

Irritation of the male and female genito-urinary organs. Seminal emissions. Leuc- orrhoea. Contraction – like pains, radiating from the sacrum to the uterus.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aesculus hippocastanum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for aesculus: venous congestion with sequelae; haemorrhoids; sacroiliac distress.