Category: Materia Materica

Jalap
(EXOGONIUM PURGA)

Causes and cures colic and diarrhœa. The child is good all day, but screams and is restless and troublesome at night.

Gastro-intestinal.–Tongue, smooth, glazed, dry, smarting.–Pain in right hypochondrium. Flatulence and nausea. Pinching and griping. Watery diarrhœa; thin, muddy stools. Abdomen distended. Face cold and blue. Anus sore.

Extremities.–Aching in arms and legs. Pain in large joint of great toe. Smarting at root of nail. Burning of soles.

Relationship.–Antidotes: Elater; Cann sat.

Compare: Camph; Colocy.

Dose.–Third to twelfth potency.

Brazilian Caroba-tree
(JACARANDA)

Has reputation as a remedy in venereal diseases and rheumatism. Morning sickness. The urinary and sexual symptoms are important. Rheumatic symptoms.

Head.–Vertigo on rising, with heavy forehead. Eyes pain; are inflamed and watery. Coryza with heavy head.

Throat.–Sore, dry, constricted. Vesicles in pharynx.

Urinary.–Urethra inflamed; discharge of yellow matter.

Male.–Heat and pain in penis; painful erections; phimosis. Prepuce painful and swollen. Chancroid. Chordee. Itching pimples on glans and prepuce.

Extremities.–Rheumatic pain in right knee. Weakness of lumbar region. Morning soreness and stiffness of muscles. Gonorrhœal rheumatism. Itching pimples on hands. Gonorrhœal and syphilitic arthritis.

Relationship.–Compare: Thuja; Corallium; Jacaranda Gualandai (in syphilitic symptoms, especially of eye and throat. Chancroids; atonic ulcers. Dark, painless diarrhœa).

Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

Jaborandi
(PILOCARPUS MICROPHYLLUS)

Pilocarpus is a powerful glandular stimulant and the most efficient diaphoretic. Its most important effects are diaphoresis, salivation and myosis. Hot flushes, nausea, salivation and profuse perspiration. The face, ears and neck become in a few minutes after a dose of Jaborandi deeply flushed, and drops of perspiration break out all over the body whilst at the same time the mouth waters and saliva pours out in an almost continuous stream. Other secretions, lachrymal, nasal bronchial and intestinal also but in less degree. The sweat and saliva produced by a single dose is often enormous in quantity, not infrequently half a pint.

Is homeopathic to abnormal sweats, and has achieved great success in night-sweats of consumptives. Acts upon the thyroid and its sudorific action may possibly be due to it. Exophthalmic goitre, with increased heart’s action and pulsation of arteries; tremors and nervousness; heat and sweating; bronchial irritation. A valuable remedy in limiting the duration of mumps.

Eyes.–Eye strain from whatever cause. Irritability of the ciliary muscle. Eyes easily tire from slightest use. Heat and burning in eyes on use. Headache; smarting and pain in globe on use. Everything at a distance appears hazy; vision becomes indistinct every few moments. Retinal images retained long after using eyes. Irritation from electric or other artificial light. Pupils contracted; do not react to light. Staring eyes. Near-sighted. Vertigo and nausea after using eyes. White spots before eyes. Smarting pain in eyes. Lids twitch. Atrophic choroiditis. Spasm of the accommodation while reading.

Ears.–Serous exudation into the tympanitic cavities. Tinnitus (Pilocarpin 2x).

Mouth.–Saliva viscid, like white of egg. Dryness. Free salivation, with profuse sweating.

Stomach.–Nausea on looking at objects moving; vomiting; pressure and pain in stomach.

Abdomen.–Diarrhœa, painless; during day with flushed face and profuse sweat.

Urinary.–Scanty; pain over pubes with much urging.

Heart.–Pulse irregular, dicrotic. Oppression of chest. Cyanosis; collapse. Nervous cardiac affections.

Respiratory.–Bronchial mucous membrane inflamed. Much inclination to cough and difficult breathing. Œdema of lungs. Foamy sputa. Profuse, thin, serous expectoration. Slow, sighing respiration.

Skin.–Excessive perspiration from all parts of the body. Persistent dryness of skin. Dry eczema. Semi-lateral sweats. Chilliness with sweat.

Relationship.–Compare: Amyl nit; Atrop; Physos; Lycop; Ruta. Pilocarpin mur, (Meniere’s disease, rapidly progressive phthisis, with free hæmorrhages, profuse sweating, 2x trit). Atropine is the antagonist to Pilocarpin, in dose of one one-hundredth grain for one-sixth of Pilocarpin.

Dose.–Third potency.

Non-Homeopathic Uses.–Chiefly as a powerful and rapid diaphoretic. It is of most service in renal disease, especially with uræmia, eliminating both water, and urea. Scarlatinal dropsy. Contra-indicated in heart failure, and in post-puerperal uræmia, and in senile cases.

Dose.–One-eighth to one-fourth grain hypodermically.

Blue Flag

Thyroid, pancreas, salivary, intestinal glands, and gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, are especially affected. Increases the flow of bile. Sick headaches and cholera morbus are a special therapeutic field for its action.

Head.–Frontal headache, with nausea. Scalp feels constricted. Right temples especially affected. Sick headache, worse rest; begins with a blur before eyes, after relaxing from a mental strain. Pustular eruption on scalp.

Ears.–Roaring, buzzing, ringing in ears, with deafness. Aural vertigo, with intense noises in ears.

Face.–Neuralgia after breakfast, beginning in infra-orbital nerve, and involving whole face.

Throat.–Mouth and tongue feel scalded. Heat and smarting in throat. Burning. Profuse flow of saliva; ropy. Goitre.

Stomach.–Burning of whole alimentary canal. Vomiting, sour bloody, biliary. Nausea. Profuse flow of saliva (Merc; Ipec; Kali iod). Deficient appetite.

Abdomen.–Liver sore. Cutting pain. Flatulent colic. Diarrhœa; stools watery, with burning at anus and through intestinal canal. Periodical night diarrhœa, with pain and green discharges. Constipation (give 30th)

Extremities.–Shifting pains. Sciatica, as if left hip-joint were wrenched. Pain extends to popliteal space. Gonorrhœal rheumatism (use Irisin).

Skin.–Herpes zoster, associated with gastric derangements. Pustular eruptions. Psoriasis; irregular patches with shining scales. Eczema, with nightly itching.

Modalities.–Worse, in evening and at night, from rest. Better, from continued motion.

Relationship.–Antidote: Nux.

Compare: Iris florentina-Orris-root–(delirium, convulsions, and paralysis); Iris factissima (headache and hernia); Iris germanica-Blue Garden Iris–(dropsy and freckles); Iris tenax-I. minor–(dry mouth; deathly sensation at point of stomach, pain in ileo-cæcal region; appendicitis. Pain from adhesions after). Pancreatinum-a combination of several enzymes–(Indicated in intestinal indigestion; pain an hour or more after eating. Lienteric diarrhœa. Dose.–3-5 grains, better not given during the active period of stomachic digestion). Pepsinum–(Imperfect digestion with pain in gastric region. Marasmus of children who are fed on artificial foods. Diarrhœa due to indigestion. Dose.–3-4 grains) (Diseases of pancreas, gout, diabetes); Ipec; Podoph; Sanguin; Ars; Ant cr.

Dose.–Tincture to thirtieth potency. Favorable reports from the very highest potencies.

The Metal
(IRIDIUM)

Intestinal putrefaction and septicćmia. Anćmia, increases red corpuscles. Epilepsy; lupus. Rheumatism and gout. Uterine tumors. Spinal paresis. Exhaustion after disease. Children who are puny, weak-limbed, and grow too fast. Nephritis of pregnancy.

Head.–Difficult concentration of thought. Sensation as if mind were void. Though confused. “Woodeny” feeling in right side of head. Right side of scalp sensitive. Profuse, watery coryza, better indoors. Ozćna.

Respiratory.–Hoarse cough, worse talking; posterior nares feel raw, inflamed, profuse, thick, yellowish discharge. Chronic laryngeal catarrh.

Back and extremities.–Weakness in the kidney region. Spinal paresis, especially for the aged and after disease. Pressing in groin and left thigh. Tension in both thighs, especially left. Dislocated feeling in left hip-joint and dull pain toward left gluteal region.

Relationship.–Compare: Iridium chloride (Produces salivation and stiffness of jaws followed by head and nervous symptoms. Congestion of nares and bronchi. Dragging pain in lower back. Headache worse right side, heavy feeling as of liquid lead).

Compare: Platina; Palladium; Osmium.

Dose.–Sixth and higher.

Ipecac-root
(IPECA)

The chief action is on the ramifications of the pneumogastric nerve, producing spasmodic irritation in chest and stomach. Morphia habit. The principal feature of Ipecacuanha is its persistent nausea and vomiting, which form the chief guiding symptoms. Indicated after indigestible food, raisins, cakes, etc. Especially indicated in fat children and adults, who are feeble and catch cold in relaxing atmosphere; warm, moist weather. Spasmodic affections. Hæmorrhages bright-red and profuse.

Mind.–Irritable; holds everything in contempt. Full of desires, for what they know not.

Head.–Bones of skull feel crushed or bruised. Pain extends to teeth and root of tongue.

Eyes.–Inflamed, red. Pain through eyeballs. Profuse lachrymation. Cornea dim. Eyes tire from near vision. State of vision constantly changing. Spasm of accommodation from irritable weakness of the ciliary muscle. Nausea from looking on moving objects.

Face.–Blue rings around eyes. Periodical orbital neuralgia, with lachrymation, photophobia, and smarting eyelids.

Nose.–Coryza, with stoppage of nose and nausea. Epistaxis.

Stomach.–Tongue usually clean. Mouth, moist; much saliva. Constant nausea and vomiting, with pale, twitching of face. Vomits food, bile, blood, mucus. Stomach feels relaxed, as if hanging down. Hiccough.

Abdomen.–Amebic dysentery with tenesmus; while straining pain so great that it nauseates; little thirst. Cutting, clutching; worse, around the navel. Body rigid; stretched out stiff.

Stools.–Pitch-like green as grass, like frothy molasses, with griping at navel. Dysenteric, slimy.

Female.–Uterine hæmorrhage, profuse, bright, gushing, with nausea. Vomiting during pregnancy. Pain from navel to uterus. Menses too early and too profuse.

Respiratory.–Dyspnœa; constant constriction in chest. Asthma. Yearly attacks of difficult shortness of breathing. Continued sneezing; coryza; wheezing cough. Cough incessant and violent, with every breath. Chest seems full of phlegm, but does not yield to coughing. Bubbling rales. Suffocative cough; child becomes stiff, and blue in the face. Whooping-cough, with nosebleed, and from mouth. Bleeding from lungs, with nausea; feeling of constriction; rattling cough. Croup. Hæmoptysis from slightest exertion (Millef). Hoarseness, especially at end of a cold. Complete aphonia.

Fever.–Intermittent fever, irregular cases, after Quinine. Slightest chill with much heat, nausea, vomiting, and dyspnœa. Relapses from improper diet.

Sleep.–With eyes half open. Shocks in all limbs on going to sleep (Ign).

Extremities.–Body stretched stiff, followed by spasmodic jerking of arms towards each other.

Skin.–Pale, lax. Blue around eyes. Miliary rash.

Modalities.–Worse, periodically; from veal, moist warm wind, lying down.

Relationship.–Compare: Emetine-principal alkaloid of Ipecac (A powerful amebicide, but is not a bactericide. Specific for amæbiasis; of remarkable value in treatment of amæbic dysentery; also as a remedy in pyorrhea, 1/2 gr daily for three days, then less. Emetin, 1/2 gr hypodermically, in Psoriasis. Emetin hydroch. 2x, diarrhœa with colicky, abdominal pains and nausea. Emetin for endamoebic dysentery. In physiological doses must be carefully watched. May produce hepatization of lungs, rapid heart action, tendency for the head to fall forward and lobar pneumonia. In hæmatemesis and other hæmorrhages, compare: Gelatin which has a marked effect on the coagulability of the blood. Hypodermically; or if by mouth, a 10 per cent jelly, about 4 oz, three times a day) Arsenic; Cham; Puls; Tart em; Squill. Convolvulus (colic and diarrhœa). Typha latifolia-Cat-tail flag (dysentery, diarrhœa) and summer complaint. Euphorbia hypericifolia–Garden Spurge–(Very similar to Ipecac. Irritation of the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tracts and female organs). Lippia mexicana–(Persistent dry, hard, bronchial cough–asthma and chronic bronchitis).

In Asthma, compare: Blatta orientalis.

Antidotes: Arsenic; China; Tabac.

Complementary: Cuprum; Arn.

Dose.–Third to 200th potency.

Iodoform
(IODOFORMUM)

Should not be forgotten in the treatment of tubercular meningitis, both as a local application to the head and internally (Bacil). Tuberculous conditions. Subacute and chronic diarrhœa of children.

Head.–Sharp, neuralgic pain. Head feels heavy, as if it could not be lifted from pillow. Itching of occiput. Meningitis. Sleep interrupted by sighing and cries. Very drowsy.

Eyes.–Pupils, dilated; contract unequally, react poorly. Diplopia. Failing sight due to retro-bulbar neuritis, central scotoma-partial atrophy of optic disc.

Chest.–Sore pain in apex of right lung. Feeling of a weight on chest, as if smothering. Cough and wheezing on going to bed. Pain in left breast, like a hand grasping at the base of the heart. Hæmoptysis. Asthmatic breathing.

Abdomen.–Scaphoid abdomen. Chronic diarrhœa with suspected tuberculosis. Abdomen distended; mesenteric glands enlarged. Cholera infantum. Chronic diarrhœa; stools greenish, watery, undigested, with irritable temper.

Extremities.–Legs weak; cannot stand and walk with eyes closed. Weakness of knees when going upstairs.

Dose.–Second trituration. Three grains on the back of the tongue will relieve attack of asthmatic breathing.

Iodine
(IODUM)

Rapid metabolism: Loss of flesh great appetite. Hungry with much thirst. Better after eating. Great debility, the slightest effort induces perspiration. Iod individual is exceedingly thin, dark complexioned, with enlarged lymphatic glands, has voracious appetite but gets thin. Tubercular type.

All glandular structures, respiratory organs, circulatory system are especially affected; they atrophy. Iodine arouses the defensive apparatus of the system by assembling the mononuclear leucocytes whose phagocytic action is marked, at a given point. Lead poisoning. Tremor. Iodine craves cold air.

Acute exacerbation of chronic inflammation. Arthritis deformans. Acts prominently on connective tissue. The plague. Goitre. Abnormal vaso-constriction, capillary congestion followed by œdema, ecchymosis, hæmorrhages, and nutritive disturbances are the pathological conditions at the basis of its symptomatology. Sluggish vital reaction, hence chronicity in many of its aspects. Acute catarrh of all mucous membranes, rapid emaciation, notwithstanding good appetite, and glandular atrophy call for this remedy, in numerous wasting diseases and in scrofulous patients. Acute affections of the respiratory organs. Pneumonia, rapid extension. Iodine is warm, and wants cool surroundings. Weakness and loss of breath going upstairs. Adenoid vegetations. Tincture internally and locally to swollen glands and rattlesnake bites.

Mind.–Anxiety when quiet. Present anxiety and depression, no reference to the future. Sudden impulse to run and do violence. Forgetful. Must be busy. Fear of people, shuns every one. Melancholy. Suicidal tendency.

Head.–Throbbing; rush of blood, and feeling of a tight band. Vertigo; worse from stooping, worse in warm room. Chronic, congestive headache of old people (Phos).

Eyes.–Violent lachrymation. Pain in eyes. Pupil dilated. Constant motion of eyeballs. Acute dacryocystitis.

Nose.–Sneezing. Sudden violent influenza. Dry coryza becomes fluent in open air, also a fluent hot coryza with general heat of skin. Pain at root of nose and frontal sinus. Nose stopped up. Tendency to ulceration. Loss of smell. Acute nasal engorgement associated with high blood pressure.

Mouth.–Gums loose and bleed easily. Foul ulcers and salivation. Profuse, fetid ptyalism. Tongue thickly coated. Offensive odor from mouth.

Throat.–Larynx feels constricted. Eustachian deafness. Thyroid enlarged. Goitre, with sensation of constriction. Swollen submaxillary glands. Uvula swollen.

Stomach.–Throbbing at pit of stomach. Ravenous hunger and much thirst. Empty eructations, as if every particle of food were turned into gas. Anxious and worried if he does not eat (Cina; Sulph). Loss flesh, yet hungry and eating well (Abrot).

Abdomen.–Liver and spleen sore and enlarged. Jaundice. Mesenteric glands enlarged. Pancreatic disease. Cutting pain in abdomen.

Stool.–Hæmorrhage at every stool. Diarrhœa, whitish, frothy, fatty. Constipation, with ineffectual urging; better by drinking cold milk. Constipation alternating with diarrhœa (Ant cr).

Urine.–Frequent and copious, dark yellow-green (Bovista), thick, acrid with cuticle on surface.

Male.–Testicles swollen and indurated. Hydrocele. Loss of sexual power, with atrophied testes.

Female.–Great weakness during menses (Alum; Carbo an; Coccul; Hæmatox). Menstruation irregular. Uterine hæmorrhage. Ovaritis (Apis; bell; Lach). Wedge-like pain from ovary to uterus. Dwindling of mammary glands. Nodosities in skin of mammæ. Acrid leucorrhœa, thick, slimy, corroding the linen. Wedge-like pain in the right ovarian region.

Respiratory.–Hoarse. Raw and tickling feeling provoking a dry cough. Pain in larynx. Laryngitis, with painful roughness; worse during cough. Child grasps throat when coughing. Right-sided pneumonia with high temperature. Difficult expansion of chest, blood-streaked sputum; internal dry heat, external coldness. Violent heart action. Pneumonia. Hepatization spreads rapidly with persistent high temperature; absence of pain in spite of great involvement, worse warmth; craves cool air. Croup in scrofulous children with dark hair and eyes (Brom opposite). Inspiration difficult. Dry, morning cough, from tickling in larynx. Croupy cough, with difficult respiration; wheezy. Cold extends downwards from head to throat and bronchi. Great weakness about chest. Palpitation from least exertion. Pleuritic effusion. Tickling all over chest. Iod cough is worse indoors, in warm, wet weather, and when lying on back.

Heart.–Heart feels squeezed. Myocarditis, painful compression around heart. Feels as if squeezed by an iron hand (Cactus) followed by great weakness and faintness. Palpitation from least exertion. Tachycardia.

Extremities.–Joints inflamed and painful. Pain in bones at night. White swelling. Gonorrhœal rheumatism. Rheumatism of nape and upper extremities. Cold hands and feet. Acrid sweat of feet. Pulsation in large arterial trunks. Rheumatic pains, nightly pains in joints; constrictive sensations.

Skin.–Hot, dry, yellow and withered. Glands enlarged. Nodosities. Anasarca of cardiac disease.

Fever.–Flushes of heat all over body. Marked fever, restlessness, red cheeks, apathetic. Profuse sweat.

Modalities.–Worse, when quiet, in warm room, right side. Better, walking about, in open air.

Relationship.–Yatren. Iod pathogenesis is similar to that of Carbol acid. Antidotes: Hepar; Sulph; Gratiola.

Complementary: Lycopod; Badiaga.

Compare: Brom; Hepar; Mercur; Phosph; Abrot; Nat mur; Sanic; Tuber.

Dose.–The crude drug in saturated solution may be required. Third to thirtieth potency. Ioduretted solution of Potass iod (35 grains Potassa and 4 grains Iodine to 1 oz of water, 10 drops three times a day) expels tapeworms dead.

Locally the most powerful, least harmful and easily managed microbicide. Ideal agent to keep wounds clean and disinfected. Bites of insects, reptiles, etc. Gunshot wounds and compound fractures, excellent. Great skin disinfectant.

Scabwort
(INULA)

A mucous membrane medicine. Bearing-down sensations in pelvic organs and bronchial symptoms are most marked. Substernal pain. Diabetes.

Head.–Vertigo on stooping; throbbing after eating, pressure in temples and forehead.

Respiratory.–Dry cough; worse at night and lying down; larynx painful. Chronic bronchitis; cough, with much thick expectoration, with languor and weak digestion. Stitches behind sternum. Teasing cough with much and free expectoration. Palliative in tubercular laryngitis.

Female.–Menses too early and painful. Labor-like pains; urging to stool; dragging in genitals, with violent backache. Itching of legs during menses, chattering of teeth from cold during menstruation. Moving about in abdomen, stitches in genitals. Chronic metritis.

Rectum.–Pressing toward rectum as of something extruding.

Urinary.–Frequent urging to urinate; passes only in drops. Violet odor (Tereb).

Extremities.–Pain in right shoulder and wrist; tearing in left palm, unable to double fingers; pain in lower limbs, feet and ankles.

Relationship.–Compare: Crocus; Ignatia; Arum dracontium (loose cough worse at night on lying down).

Dose.–First to third potency.

An active principle from the pancreas which affects sugar metabolism
(INSULIN)

Besides the use of Insulin in the treatment of diabetes, restoring the lost ability to oxidize carbohydrate and again storing glycogen in the liver, some use of it homeopathically has been made by Dr. Wm. F. Baker, showing its applicability in acne, carbuncles, erythema with itching eczema. In the gouty, transitory glycosuria when skin manifestations are persistent give three times daily after eating. Given a persistent case of skin irritation, boils or varicose ulceration with polyuria, it is indicated.

Dose.–3x to 30x.