Cocculus – Indian Cockle/Fish Berry

The mother tincture is prepared from the dried ripe fruits of the plant, Anamirta cocculus Wight et Arn., which is found in India, Sri Lanka and the Indo-Malayan countries. N.O. Menispermaceae, the content of Picrotoxinin, C₁₅H₁₆O₆, MW: 292.3 is not less than 0.8 %.

The tincture prepared from the fruits of Indian Cockle contains a poisonous bitter substance, Picrotoxinin, as well as fat, wax, resin, gum, menispermin and para- menispermin. The main action of Cocculus is on the central nervous system and af- fects primarily vagotonous states and symptoms of exhaustion, which may reach the point of paralysis or unconsciousness. There is weakness of the neck muscles with heaviness of the head, as if the muscles could not support the head. The patient also complains of a feeling of weakness in the sacrum, like paralysis, and also of great weakness and heaviness in the legs, with the knees giving away while walking. There may also be paraesthesias in the soles of the feet and in the hands, alternating between right and left. The thighs may be painful, as if beaten. Also typical of Coc- culus is a nocturnal paraesthesia, with the sensation as if the hand were swollen.

This exhaustioon, originating in the parasympathetic system, may also present as a headache, extending down the neck rather like a cervical migraine. The sensation as though the head were opening and closing is also an indication for Cocculus.

A further very important indication for Cocculus is sea-sickness, nausea and vom- iting while travelling, also after tobacco smoke, possibly associated with oe- sophageal cramps and convulsions. There may also be nervous or hysterical symp- toms at the beginning of and during the menses, and during pregnancy, and when menstruation has been suppressed in some way.

Cocculus can always be of help when Nux Vomica does not work, e.g. also in pressive, clamping stomach complaints. There is often an aversion to all sour things. The fruits of Cocculus, imported from the East Indies under the name “Cockle-

Seeds” were formerly used as a hop-substitute and for intoxicating fish, hence the other name: “Fish-seeds”.

The exhaustion of vagotonic origin, which may intensify into a state similar to in- toxication, also occurs after facing excessive demands and after over-exertion, par- ticularly night-watching. Therefore Cocculus is a good remedy for overwork and after stress, too.

Then finally, there is the characteristic vertigo, which occurs on travelling by train, by car, by aeroplane etc. Ménière’s syndrome with migraine-like symptoms and nau- sea and vomiting, also reacts well to Cocculus.

We must also mention the sensation of emptiness in the head, a feeling which may also occur in the abdomen, intestines, chest, and any inner parts or other organs and is a firm indication for Cocculus.

Nor must we omit to mention that Cocculus can also be of help in rheumatic and gouty conditions of the joints, which proceed without any significant inflammatory process and are linked with cracking sounds on movement. It may also help in neu- ralgia of the spermatic cord.

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

1. Vertigo with sensations of faintness and nausea. Sea , car, air and train-sickness. Menière’s syndrome with vomiting and nausea.
2. Great weakness and exhaustion with feeling of faintness and sensation of an empty space in a wide variety of organs and parts of the body. Consequences of sleep-loss and night-watching (as occurs in nursing staff and people on night- duty).
3. Headache in occiput and nape of neck; also weakness and pain in the sacrum, hips and knees, as if the limbs were on strike.
4. Vagotonia. Paraesthesias. Complaints originating from the spinal column in spondylitis.
5. Tendency to cramping symptoms, stomach cramps, vomiting and aversion to any- thing sour.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Anamirta cocculus, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for cocculus: vertigo of various origins; travel sickness; travel nausea; cerebral arte- riosclerosis; occipital headaches; spasmoid conditions and lameness; paramenia; nervous disorders and emotional discord or upset, also associated with sleeplessness.