KEY SYMPTOMS

Materialistic nature with fixed ideas, complaints that are triggered by suppression of sexual feelings, tendency to develop tumors.

REMEDY PROFILE
Conium is prescribed for people whose minds are dulled by illness, so that they seem mentally paralyzed, tired, and depressed, with “fixed” ideas and an aversion to company. These people tend to be very materialistic when young, but ultimately lose interest in possessions.

The remedy is prescribed for cysts or tumors in the reproductive organs. It is used if physical symptoms, such as gradual stiffening of the legs, “mirror” the mental paralysis. Conium may help if illness is due to mental strain, grief, or old age. In the elderly, it is thought to restore vitality and counter premature aging. It is also used for giddiness, as well as for emotional and physical problems due to sexual excess or suppression of the sex drive.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN

Common in hedges, damp meadows, along river banks, and on waste ground throughout much of Europe, Asia, and North America.

BACKGROUND

Used in ancient Rome for epilepsy, mania, chorea, swellings, and tumors. In 19thcentury Europe, hemlock was given as a painkiller.

PREPARATION

The fresh flowering plant, including the root, is macerated in alcohol and then diluted and succussed.

COMMON NAMES

Hemlock, spotted hemlock.

KEY SYMPTOMS

Irritability, hypersensitivity to pain, children want to be carried, teething problems, one cheek red and the other pale, greenish diarrhea.

REMEDY PROFILE

Chamomilla works best for those exhibiting an extremely low pain threshold, as well as anger, marked irritability, and hostility. Often hypersensitive, they are bad-tempered, easily offended, and impossible to please. They flush easily when angry, and hate being touched.

Bad temper, anger, or stress exacerbate physical symptoms. Chamomilla is often given to children who are snappy, wail when ill, and are pacified only if being carried and cuddled by someone walking around. Typical Chamomilla symptoms are great irritability and pain that seems unbearable. The remedy is given for teething pain, fever, stomach pain with diarrhea, menstrual or labor pains, and sore, inflamed nipples during breast-feeding.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN

Grows wild in much of temperate Europe and nor th Africa, and is naturalized in the US.

BACKGROUND

Used to treat disorders of the digestion since the 1st century CE. Chamomile tea is well known as a calming drink that aids sleep.

PREPARATION

The whole fresh plant is harvested when in flower. It is finely chopped and macerated in alcohol, before being filtered, diluted, and succussed.

COMMON NAMES

German chamomile, corn feverfew, wild chamomile.

KEY SYMPTOMS

Overstimulation leading to sleep problems, oversensitivity to pain, restlessness and nervousness.

REMEDY PROFILE

Drinking too much coffee produces symptoms that are very similar to those treated by Coffea. Homeopaths often prescribe it for those with overactive minds and thoughts that race uncontrollably. This is generally accompanied by restlessness and nervousness.

Coffea is also useful for those who experience overly excited or ecstatic states, perhaps precipitated by narcotics, a series of
events, or a sudden shock, such as very good or very bad news. Such states can frequently trigger excessive exhilaration or despair, with an inability to calm down and insomnia or headaches. The nerves are taut, and the senses may be so acute that fresh air, noises, smells, and tastes seem unbearable. Hypersensitivity to pain, to the point where pain causes intense despair, is not unusual. Coffea may also help insomnia, palpitations, overexcitement, and flushing during the menopause.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN

Native to Ethiopia, but now grown in tropical areas worldwide. South America and African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania supply the bulk of the world’s crop.

BACKGROUND

Originally an African stimulant and drink that spread to Arabia and was used by Muslims to stay awake in all-night prayer. In England, the Church linked it with the devil.

PREPARATION

Ripe, unroasted coffee beans are macerated in alcohol for at least five days before being filtered. The resulting liquid is then repeatedly diluted and succussed.

COMMON NAMES

Coffee, Arabian coffee.

KEY SYMPTOMS

Depression, neck and back pain, fear of death, overexcitability, menstrual irregularities.

REMEDY PROFILE

Primarily a women’s remedy, Cimicifuga is particularly suited to those whose emotions swing between overexcitement and depression. They tend to have very intense emotional lives, possibly marked by fears of death and insanity.

Emotional symptoms often alternate with physical ones, such as chilliness and sharp pains, especially on the left side of the body. Symptoms may intensify during menstruation.

Cimicifuga acts upon the nerves and uterine muscles. It is prescribed mostly for gynecological problems; for head, neck, and back pain; and for emotional symptoms.

SOURCE DETAILS

ORIGIN

Indigenous to Canada and eastern parts of the US, but now also grown in Europe. Prefers moist, shady conditions, such as those to be found in woods and hedgerows.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally used by native Americans for health problems in women. Used in contemporary herbal medicine as a sedative and antidepressant.

PREPARATION

Fresh root and rhizome are harvested in fall. They are pounded to a pulp, then mixed with alcohol and left to stand before being strained, filtered, and succussed.

COMMON NAMES

Black cohosh, black snakeroot, rattleroot, cohosh bugbane, squawroot.