Archive for May 11th, 2010

BAPTISIA

Mary
May 11 |10:40

wild indigo roots closewKEY SYMPTOMS

Severe infection, confusion and stupor, sensation that the body is scattered in pieces,  aversion to open air, offensive-smelling discharges.

REMEDY PROFILE

Baptisia is prescribed almost exclusively for acute feverish illness with a characteristic set of symptoms. These include confusion
or even stupor, as though drunk. The lethargy or exhaustion brought on by illness is so profound that the person even falls
asleep during conversations. Nightmares and delirium are common, notably a sensation that the body is scattered in
pieces. This feeling can lead to difficulty in falling asleep, as can sensations of suffocation or breathlessness.

Typical physical symptoms include foul breath, a yellowy-brown tongue, and a bitter-tasting mouth. The face may be

swollen and flushed dark red, with drooping eyelids. First developed for typhoid fever, Baptisia is now used mostly for acute fever, severe influenza, and gastrointestinal infections, as well as for sore throats and septic infections.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN

Native to eastern North America, growing from Canada down to North Carolina. Generally found in woods and clearings, and prefers dry, hilly terrain.

BACKGROUND
Traditionally used in North America as a decoction for fever and infection, a wash for wounds, a poultice for snake bites, and a
gargle to soothe sore throats.
PREPARATION
Fresh root, including the bark, is pulped and left to steep in alcohol for eight days. The resulting tincture is then repeatedly diluted
and succussed.
COMMON NAMES
Wild indigo, indigo weed, horsefly weed, rattleweed.

 

BELLADONNA

Mary
May 11 |09:54

KEY SYMPTOMS

Hot, flushed, red face, high fever,  delirium,  desire for sour things, sensitivity to light, noise, and movement.

REMEDY PROFILE

Belladonna is a major remedy for acute illnesses of sudden, violent onset. It is usually given to people who are generally fit and
energetic, but restless and agitated when ill. They are prone to sudden, explosive anger, marked by the desire to strike out or even
to bite.

Typical symptoms linked with Belladonna include high fever, dilated pupils, flushed, dry skin, and throbbing pain, particularly
in the head, due to rapid blood circulation. There is often hypersensitivity to light, noise, and touch, and also to rapid
temperature changes. Belladonna is typically given for acute pain, inflammation, or infection, chiefly of the upper respiratory tract. It may also be used to treat menstrual pain, sunstroke, febrile convulsions, cystitis, nephritis (inflamed kidneys), teething pain, and mastitis during breast-feeding.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN
Native to Europe, western Asia, north Africa, and North America, but now cultivated worldwide. Thrives in chalky soil, woods,
and wasteland.
BACKGROUND
Used traditionally for swelling and inflammations, colic, and ulcers. It formed part of a sleeping potion in Chaucer’s time and, six centuries later, provides an anesthetic still used in conventional medicine.
PREPARATION
As it comes into flower, the whole fresh plant, including the root, is dug up. It is chopped and pounded to a pulp, then the juice is expressed. This juice is steeped in alcohol before being filtered, diluted, and succussed.
COMMON NAMES
Deadly nightshade, belladonna, dwale, devil’s cherries, sorcerer’s cherry, witches’ berry.

belladona1