Hydrochinon – Hydroquinone

The attenuations are prepared from Hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxy-benzene) C₆H₆O₂, MW: 110.14.

The main indications are:

Disturbances in oxygen utilisation. Impregnation phases. Pre-cancerous states. Bronchial asthma. Skin diseases.

Like all the quinones, hydroquinone is indicated in impregnation phases where dyspnoea, which is characteristic of disturbance in the respiratory chain, is observ- able. Thus hydroquinone is indicated alongside alpha-ketoglutaric acid and Benzo- quinone, to compensate for side-effects of allopathic drugs on the respiratory centre, and also for the progressive dyspnoea and cardiac weakness of lung cancer. The dose selected must not be too strong here, nor repeated too frequently, since it may lead to bloody expectoration with a strong, cheesy odour, (beware: internal haemor- rhage!), although the bleeding normally tends not to be dangerous, because Hydro- quinone obviously has a similar action on the vascular system to that of rutin.

In the course of relapses of cancer in the breast or abdomen, if haemorrhages of short duration are observed which improve the general state of health, then Hydro- quinone must be given at short intervals, say every two days, in order to cleanse the toxicity of the body. (Koch – Kastner – Seutemann).

Depressive states in youth and loss of powers of concentration can be helped by a combination of Aurum and Hydroquinone; likewise angina pectoris, heart condi- tions of the elderly and vascular sclerosis, most preferably in combination with Malicum Acidum.

Like all quinones, Hydroquinone is also indicated in toxicity of the liver, e.g. in jaundice from various causes, in chronic cholecystitis and in areas of disturbance in the gastro intestinal area, also in abuse of medicine and the associated kidney dam- age (after barbiturates and phenacetin).

A combination of Oöphorinum, Baryta Oxalsuccinica, Hydroquinone and Pitu- itary can do good work in underdevelopment of the genitalia with adiposity, and also after antibiotic treatment for gonorrhoea.

Like most quinones, Hydroquinone acts on chronic, dry eczema, especially if this is aggravated by the slightest dietary indiscretion. Typical are scales, itching areas of skin without being particularly red, also greasy facial skin and fissured, calloused changes in the skin and disorders in the jaw area. In the treatment of these the ap- propriate nosode should be used concurrently (Mandibular Osteitis Nosode, Granu- loma Dentis Nosode, etc.).

The drug picture of Hydrochinonum was composed in January 1997 by David Riley, M.D., Santa Fe (New Mexico), USA.

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

Essential Characteristics:

Several unique characteristics were noted with this remedy. Restlessness or fre- quent waking during sleep. Unrefreshing sleep improves. Eczema of the hands and

fingers especially on the right hand was also prominent. The eczema was dry and flaky and worse from moisture.

Mind

Active thoughts cause sleeplessness. Absent of thoughts when alone and while driving and startles when awareness returns. Vacancy of thought and must force the mind to concentrate while driving to avoid collisions. Daydreaming. Memory weak- ness and forgets what he is about to do or has just done. Feeling of being in a trance or as if in a dream. Dullness. Vivid or fragments of dreams or nightmares with dark- ness, desolation and bleakness, destruction, imprisonment, being among strangers, violence, and being whipped. Sensation of isolation or separation. Delusions that friends are looking down on her. Confidence in self. Strong irritability when skin lightly stroked or touched. Nail biting decreases.

Generalities

Increased physical energy while having decreased sleep. Food desires of cold ce- real, meat, especially a hamburger with cheese. Flushes of heat during the night re- quiring the blankets to be removed and replaced several times.

Head

Chronic daily head pain of 2 years duration, like a band or that is pressing, im- proves. PAIN. Sudden head pains. Usual sinus headache during menses is absent.

Eye

Photophobia during the day that causes squinting.

Vision

Foggy vision and incoordination.

Nose

Right sided epistaxis or coryza. Right sided epistaxis with bright red blood and on blowing the nose. Post nasal discharge that is bloody. Right sided coryza or epis- taxis.

Mouth

Dry mouth with thirst. Soreness of gums and tongue. Indented tongue. Sensation of swelling of tongue, as if too large for the mouth.

Teeth

Stitching pain while eating.

Throat

Boil-like eruptions on opposite sides of the neck of same size and location. Exter- nal sensation of swelling.

Stomach

Decreased appetite during clenching pain. Sensation of fullness or loss of appetite after only a few bites. Improvement of usual daily heartburn or morning acid. Thirsty.

Abdomen

Distention is decreased before menses or in the afternoon. PAIN that is clutching or

cramping and extends to the middle of back. Pain before or during menses improves.

Rectum

Feeling of incomplete evacuation after straining at stool. DIARRHEA that is urgent and sudden, or after eating, or anticipatory diarrhea improves. Improvement of flatus and diarrhea especially before a sports competition. Flatus. Cramping pain before stool.

Stool

Sudden and explosive. Watery stool.

Genitalia, Female

Absence of bloody discharge preceding the onset of menses. Menses stops sud- denly; followed by swelling of fingers, face, and breasts; then menses begins again shortly thereafter. Painful, aching menstrual cramps.

Larynx and Trachea

Burning sensation in the trachea after running a short distance.

Speech and Voice

Improvement of voice hoarseness and huskiness. Clearing throat improved hoarse- ness that prevented speech.

Back

Abdominal cramps extending into the thoracic region. Lower back stiffness on motion after sitting that is better with heat.

Extremities

Eruptions of eczema on the fingers, hand, or palm of hand. Eczema that is painful stinging or burning, itching, or desquamating. Eczema only on the right hand and worse moisture. Fingers sensitive and shriveled and small: appearing with the eczema and sensitive to pressure. Decreased palm perspiration with eczema. Eczema with flaky white dry skin. Itchy red rash in hollow of knee. Incoordianation with dropped objects or if hand eye coordination is necessary.

Sleep

Falling asleep difficult especially after waking. Perspiration during sleep. RESTLESS SLEEP or improvement from the usual tossing and turning. Sleepless from thoughts. Unrefreshing sleep. FREQUENT WAKING that is sudden or improvement of frequent waking.

Perspiration

Perspiration during sleep that mats the hair and soaks the pillow.

Skin

Eczema on fingers and hands that is dry, desquamating, and stinging. Eczema on fingers and hand that is dry, flaky, and worse moisture.