Thuja – Tree of Life

The mother tincture is prepared from the fresh one-year-old leafy shoots of the tree Thuja occidentalis L., which grows wild in Virginia, Canada and Siberia, and in Eu- rope is often grown in gardens. N.O. Cupressaceae.

The tincture prepared from Thuja occidentalis, the Tree of Life, is one of the most important polychrests in homoeopathy. Homotoxicology has codified the laws gov- erning the inter-relationships of the symptoms and particularly the modalities, and provides the best opportunity of understanding their many facets and variations. Thus Thuja is a remedy for the most varied range of retoxic impregnation phases, such as were formerly caused, in the pre-antibiotic era, if one may use that expres- sion, particularly by the suppressive treatment of gonorrhoea and other diseases with external medicaments, salts of silver, etc.

The manifestations and symptoms, which formerly resulted from suppressed gon- orrhoea, taking the form of impregnation phases, and given the name “Sycosis” by Hahnemann, can pose almost insuperable problems of treatment to anyone who is not familiar with the therapeutic action of Thuja. In such cases other remedies, even Sulphur and others, will not act, although they may achieve a certain degree of palli- ation. In such cases Thuja is indicated. Thuja is also indicated in cases of poisoning or lesions from animal poisons, e.g. of snakes or insects, or from vaccination, espe- cially against smallpox.

These earlier retoxically-caused impregnations, whether caused by the introduc- tion of deep-acting toxins such as bacterial toxins, etc. or by the medical inhibition of reaction phases – not only of gonorrhoea, syphilis etc., but also the suppression of a fever, influenza, throat infection etc. – these now become the object of an attempt by the body to re-direct them into regressive vicariation, eliminating the toxins through warts, scabby eruptions such as impetigo, asthmatic bronchitis with copious expectoration at night, or by off-loading them in the form of epithelial proliferations, such as fig-warts (cauliflower excrescences), Meibomian cysts, ranula of the sublin- gual gland, recurring Bartholin cysts, or in other appendages of the skin which are

themselves eventually eliminated, particularly in the case of hair and nails, the latter becoming “crippled” and breaking off easily; or else in the form of leucorrhoea.

On the basis of numerous observations of homoeopathic doctors and those practis- ing in a biological way, there also seem to be relationships between previous vacci- nations against smallpox and later adenoid growths. These enlarged adenoids may occupy the whole nasopharynx and nasal cavity, making it necessary to remove them. In order to avoid a relapse, Thuja is indicated, firstly in low potencies, e.g. 2X or even 1X, later rising by way of the 3X and 4Xto the high potencies (30X, 200X,

possibly 1000X).

Other kinds of general catarrhs may also be recognised as homotoxic elimination, particularly in the genito-urinary system. In women there may be violent pains in the left ovary. In contrast to the typical ameliorations of Zincum or Lachesis after the period begins, these pains persist during the menses, or even increase, extending into the thighs, so that the patient can no longer bear the pain and begins to scream. In men, suppression of discharges may lead to inflammations of the epididymis, which likewise require Thuja.

The impregnation phases which are characteristic of Thuja also find expression in the typical mood, which tends towards frequent angry outbursts, and also des- pondency and melancholia to the point of being tired of life. Patients are usually dis- contented, anxious and preoccupied with the future, also restless and peevish, but now and then, quite in contrast to their basic nature, they can be cheerful and pleas- antly stimulated, with an unaccustomed light-heartedness and indefatigable temper- ament.

The impregnation phases which are peculiar to the nervous system and require Thuja, are expressed in uncoordinated thinking and groping for the right expression or word, and also in imperfect recall of many concepts and thoughts, so that the pa- tient can only think and speak slowly. There is a general reluctance to communicate and deficient concentration.

Fixed ideas are also typical of Thuja, which means that Thuja can also be of great use in psychoses, e.g. schizophrenia, especially if it is used in conjunction with Psor- inum and other deep-acting constitutional remedies. The patients want to be alone. They have a sensation as if body and soul were separated, or as if the body, and par- ticularly the limbs, were made of glass and would easily break.

Female patients feel pregnant and experience foetal movements for no objective reason. They suffer from paranoia, as though someone were walking beside them. There is frequently an extreme irritability, particularly towards others in the house, and towards husband and mother.

In the peripheral nervous system Thuja symptoms present themselves as headaches in a small spot, as though a nail were sticking into the head, temples or forehead, aggravated by heat and lying down and ameliorated in the fresh air. Rheumatic headaches which call for Thuja are aggravated, however, in damp air, and by stimulant foods and drinks.

The Thuja patient gives an impression of being ill, and often the face is pallid and waxy, looking as if it were greased and often almost translucent. This symptom may

also be found in the cachexia of cancer, with a yellowish or often pale, cachectic complexion.

A very prominent Thuja symptom is the formation of warts. In low potencies Thuja is often not sufficient to deal with these. Stauffer and others recommend par- ticularly the high, even the highest, potencies, and the author can thoroughly confirm this. Any horny excrescences on the skin and any brownish warts on the abdominal skin constitute an indication for Thuja, and also large brown liverspots, but so do vesicular eruptions all over the body, herpes zoster on the chest, herpes labialis and herpetic stomatitis. According to Kent, in these cases Thuja should be compared with Rhus Tox., Graphites, Kali Iodatum and Mezereum.

Since the rheumatic complaints which are characteristic of Thuja are aggravated at rest and especially by the warmth of the bed, the Thuja patient is always tossing rest- lessly about. In such cases Rhus Tox. is not sufficient; Medorrhinum (nosode of gonorrhoea) and Thuja are also needed to achieve a lasting cure. Also typical of Thuja are sweats, especially on parts of the body which are not covered: thus particu- larly sweating of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and night-sweats which give relief. Heavy sweating of the genitalia also responds well to Thuja, especially if the sweat has an unpleasant odour like that of fish-brine. There is often itching and burning of the genitalia, also when urinating, and tumours like fig-warts are noticed. Tearing pains are present in the urethra, with a sensation as if drops of urine were constantly passing along it. There may also be a thick yellowish-green discharge,

both from the vagina and the urethra.

Likewise the Thuja picture includes sharp pains in the kidneys, possibly associat- ed with inflammatory symptoms, burning-hot urine, non-specific inflammations such as cystitis or urethritis, pyelitis and paralysis of the bladder. Symptoms of pro- statitis also indicate Thuja, if there is constant urging to urinate and yet the patient must wait a long time before being able to pass urine.

Intestinal activity is mostly slowed down, and there is typical constipation with hard, brown, lumpy faeces. The abdomen is curved outwards like a tortoise, some- what similar to Dr. Weiss’s (Mannheim) picture of mesenteric oedema, as presented at the Homotoxicology Congress of 1968.

Stauffer reports on an interesting proving which he carried out on himself with Thuja 30X, taking 5 drops in a small quantity of water each morning and evening. (“Arzneimittellehre”, pp. 966–967.) He began to experience palpitations and irregu- larity of the heart-beat with impatience and irritability, and restless nights, and at the same time unpleasant memories from his earlier life forced their way in upon him. This was accompanied by shivering with icy-cold hands and feet, extending over his back and into the extremities and not relieved by the warmth of the fire but making him want to sit in the sun. However, only the side which was facing the sun warmed up, the other side continued to shiver, and when it was rubbed there was goose-flesh with sensitive burning. By rubbing, he removed large quantities of skin-particles the size of millet-seeds. (Excretion phase.) Even in bed he was unable to warm up for hours, and the left leg was cold. Later heat and sweating set in and, at the same time, his mind was clear and active and he was thirsty for cold milk.

Now and then haemorrhoidal itching would occur, and also the sensation of a plug in the rectum, and later, on the pinna of the left ear, a warty growth appeared at the place where, 25 years before, a wart had been removed by cautery. (Regressive vic- ariation.) The complaints became so severe that the proving had to be broken off, since it was affecting Stauffer’s ability to do his work.

In contrast to the constipation which is usually present, mention should also be made of the morning diarrhoea (excretion phase), which is expelled as though under pressure.

The tongue is usually white with a painful tip. The gums may be swollen, and there may be ulcers in the mouth and throat, as well as swellings of the tonsils and glands, stomach-complaints with nausea and retching, dry hair with no sheen, soft, brittle, cracked nails, and in particular rheumatic complaints with cracking and creaking of the joints on stretching, as in Petroleum.

An important modality of Thuja is the aggravation in damp and cold, near water, in damp houses, in fog, at night and at rest; this becomes especially noticeable in chronic muscular and articulatory rheumatism, and in these conditions there may be deposits in the patient. Thus Thuja is indicated not only in Hahnemann’s sycotic constitution, but in Grauvogel’s hydrogenoid constitution.

If we sum up the main symptoms of Thuja, the result is the following essential remedy-picture:

1. Irritable mood, above all towards husband and mother, and also others in the house, possibly alternating with euphoric indifference and angry arousal.
2. Uncoordinated thinking; cannot find the word when speaking; difficulties of memory-recall.
3. Consequences of effects of bacterial and animal poisoning, vaccinations, snake- bites etc. Generally a remedy for chronic impregnation phases, particularly after retoxically treated gonorrhoea, likewise in cachexia and chronic illness. Waxy face. Hot night-sweats, which relieve, and during the day on uncovered parts of the body (feet, hands, possibly smelling strongly). Foetid genitals sweating. Burning and itching of the genitalia.
4. Great drowsiness in the afternoon and early evening, the sleep at night being restless with anxious, gruesome or lascivious dreams.
5. Skin diseases within the context of deposition or reaction phases, developing out of impregnation phases, especially warts, condylomata, papilloma, mucosal polypi, adenoid growths, epithelial proliferations in the glands, Meibomian cysts, ranula in the sublingual gland and Bartholin cysts. The nails are “crippled” and break off easily. The hair is lustreless and falls out easily. Scabby skin-erup- tions like impetigo.
6. Neuralgias limited to small, circumscribed locations (like a nail in the head, worse in a warm room, better in fresh air). Rheumatism, gout. Uric acid diathe- sis with shooting, stabbing neuralgias and creaking and cracking of the joints.
7. Fixed ideas. Absurd symptoms. Incipient psychoses. Feelings of duality (schizo- phrenia). Feels foetal movements without being pregnant.

• 8.    General aggravation in cold and wet conditions. Hydrogenoid and sycotic, also lymphatic, constitution, with aggravation from warm applications and from warmth of the bed, and especially from heat of the sun.
• Constipation with lumpy, hard stools. Abdomen like a tortoise (Weiss’s mesen- teric oedema). Violent diarrhoea in the morning.
• Genito-urinary diseases. Cystitis. Pyelitis. Urethritis. Chronic gonorrhoea. Left- sided oophoritis with violent complaints during the menses. Pruritus vulvae. Pointed condylomata. Bland, yellowish-green leucorrhoea. Menses arrive too early.
• There is a characteristic amelioration from regressive vicariation into humoral phases, when eliminative processes begin.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Thuja occidentalis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for thuja: dermal and mucosal diseases; digestive insufficiency; rheuma- tism; emotional discord or upset.