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Pharyngitis from Morrison's Desktop Companion
TONSILLITIS
Some important issues confront us when we consider treating throat infections with homeopathy rather than conventional medications. First of all, we often do not know the full extent of the condition. Is it simply a viral pharyngitis or a reaction to post-nasal drainage? What approach do we wish to take if the patient has a strep throat? After these decisions we must still find the correct remedy!
The vast majority of acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis cases are self-limited viral infections. The issue becomes more sticky when we are faced with a true strep throat. Though homeopathic treatment is effective in relieving the symptoms of throat pain, and though I know of no cases where rheumatic fever has occurred after homeopathic treatment of strep throat, there are no studies proving that homeopathy prevents the serious sequelae of streptococcal infection. Therefore, though I do not recommend withholding homeopathic treatment in strep throat cases, the patient should be made aware of these serious complications: Rheumatic fever. Nephritis. Rheumatic heart disease. Many patients when faced with these facts will decide to take antibiotics for the condition and should not be dissuaded. It is frustrating to know that the condition can be easily remedied, is very unlikely to cause any further trouble and yet antibiotics (which generally interfere with constitutional treatment) must still be used. The medicolegal issues are also not to be ignored.
In the beginning of this century and before, homeopaths were in an almost daily struggle with life-threatening throat infections: Diphtheria. Syphilis. Strep throat. A vast amount of time and energy went into gaining the knowledge and experience to deal with these illnesses which no longer confront us. Vithoulkas once said, "There are no new diseases and no lost ones, only new diagnoses and deeper, suppressed forms. The disappearing polio-related paralysis of our past is revisited in the recent proliferation of multiple sclerosis; the wasting of tuberculosis is reborn in AIDS." Thus, we must be prepared for the return of aggressive throat inflammation in the future, especially with antibiotic resistance on the rise.
Management
The first question we must ask ourselves when confronting a case of pharyngitis is whether this is a case for homeopathic treatment. Low-grade infections with only general characteristics - pain on swallowing, rawness in the throat, etc. - are not good candidates for homeopathy. Other conditions such as diphtheria or peritonsillar abscess can be treated effectively by homeopathy but such treatment should not be done without great precautions and consultation with specialists.
Therapeutic tips
Homeopathic
For most cases of acute pharyngitis a 30C potency given in 3 or 4 doses is sufficient to resolve the condition. In cases which are more chronic (e.g. recurring cases) or more aggressive (e.g. peritonsillar abscess), higher potencies are needed.
Do not give a remedy until the picture is clear. Many times from the desire to help or in response to patient demands, we give a remedy before we know either the nature of the condition or the full symptoms. We hear one clear modality - such as right-sided pain - and we almost by reflex give a remedy such as Lycopodium. The result is that the pain switches to the left side but the remedy is not truly curative.
We must force ourselves to wait until the full symptoms come out. If the condition resolves before a remedy is given, then a remedy was not required. If the condition worsens, it would have done so in any case with a wrong remedy, but the symptoms would have been obscured - making a good prescription impossible.
If the constitutional remedy is known, giving this remedy in a low potency such as 12C or 30C two or three times daily may effectively abort the infection, even if the symptoms of the acute illness are only partially covered by the remedy.
Naturopathic
There are several effective means for pacifying both the pains and the patient's anxiety that "something must be done." These include: Warm drinks. Slippery elm bark ("Throat-coat") tea. Chewable zinc lozenges (25 mg. BID). Vitamin C (1000 mg. BID). Echinacea tincture (15 drops in liquid BID).
Other adjunctive therapies include: Gargling with salt water (1 tsp. in 1 cup of warm water). Hydrotherapy (soak a towel in cold water, wrap the throat and cover with a warm, dry towel and leave in place for 20 minutes while lying). Cod liver oil (1 tsp. daily).
Allopathic
Be wary of the more serious condition, peritonsillar abscess. The presence of trismus (unwillingness to swallow saliva) should immediately bring this condition to mind. In this condition, homeopathic treatment should be given at the same time that appropriate allopathic consultation is sought.
Repertory
Most of the useful rubrics are to be found in the section, "Throat, Pain" and its many subrubrics. Our repertories place much emphasis on symptoms relating to diphtheria, a disease which greatly preoccupied our predecessors but which is virtually unknown in our culture.
Other throat rubrics
Throat, Abscess.
Throat, Aphthae.
Throat, Caseous deposits.
Throat, Catarrh.
Throat, Coated.
Throat, Deposits.
Throat, Discoloration (many subrubrics).
Throat, Enlargement, Tonsils.
Throat, Erosion.
Throat, Excoriation.
Throat, Fissured.
Throat, Gangrene.
Throat, Induration.
Throat, Inflammation (many subrubrics).
Throat, Inflammation, Phlegmonous (Peritonsillar abscess).
Throat, Irritation.
Throat, Membranes.
Throat, Pustules.
Throat, Suppuration.
Throat, Swelling, Tonsils.
Throat, Ulcers.
Throat, Vesicles.
External Throat, Induration, Glands, of.
External Throat, Pain, Cervical Glands.
External Throat, Pain, Burning, Cervical Glands.
External Throat, Swelling, Cervical Glands.
External Throat, Swelling, Cervical Glands, hard.
Other related rubrics
Mind, Delirium, Ulcers in fauces and tonsils, with.
Mind, Excitement, Examination of throat, too great to allow.
Mind, Fear, Choking, Inflammation of throat, in.
Mind, Sadness, Sore throat, in.
Mind, Unconsciousness, Sore throat, during.
Eye, Inflammation, Alternating, Sore throat, with.
Eye, Pain, Throat symptoms, with.
Ear, Pain, Sore throat, with.
Ear, Pain, Extending, throat, to.
Ear, Pain, Stitching, Extending, Throat, to.
Hearing, Impaired, Enlarged tonsils, from.
Hearing, Impaired, Hypertrophied tonsils and adenoids, from.
Nose, Coryza, Sore throat, with.
Mouth, Herpes, Mouth, tonsils and throat, in.
Mouth, Protruded, Tongue, Difficult, Sore throat, with.
Mouth, Salivation, Copious, Abscess in throat, with.
Mouth, Ulcers, Extending, Throat to roof of mouth.
Taste, Putrid, Pharynx, Hawking up mucus.
Stomach, Pain, Alternating, Pain, Pharynx, in.
Cough, Mucus, Throat, in.
Cough, Tickling, Throat, from.
Respiration, Difficult, Enlargement of tonsils, from.
Respiration, Impeded, Swelling, Tonsils, of.
Chest, Pain, Sternum, Alternating, Sore throat, with.
Back, Drawn over to one side, Sore throat, in.
Extremities, Perspiration, Foot, Suppressed, Throat affections from.
Sleep, Sleeplessness, Soreness, Mouth and throat, in.
Sleep, Yawning, Constriction of throat, from.
Chill, Concomitant, Throat pain, as.
Generalities, Convulsions, Throat irritation, from.
Remedies
Main remedies
Belladonna
The most important remedy in acute tonsillitis with rapid onset.
Throat: Mainly right-sided inflammation and burning.
Pharynx and tonsils bright red, swollen and angry. Aphthae.
Worse: Slightest touch of throat. Turning head. Motion.
Swallowing, especially liquids. Clearing the throat. Cold air.
Also considered a remedy for peritonsillar abscess.
Local: Tongue red or with a "strawberry" appearance.
General: High fever, flushed face, mydriasis, cold hands and feet.
Hepar sulphur
More advanced pharyngitis and tonsillitis usually suppurative.
Throat: Exquisite sharp pains, often like splinters in the throat.
Worse: Evening or night. Cold air. Cold drinks or food.
Yawning, stretching or turning the head. Swallowing.
Better: Warmth and warm drinks.
Pain radiates to ears upon swallowing.
Ulcerations of the throat.
One of the main remedies in peritonsillar abscess.
General: Patient feels he must keep bundled, especially covers the throat.
Lachesis mutus
For everything from mild sore throat to serious inflammation or abscess.
Throat: Left-sided pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
Inflammation begins on the left and goes to the right side.
Tonsils swollen, deep red or even purple.
Uvula swollen. Peritonsillar abscess.
Advanced cases with ulceration, excoriation or oozing blood.
Worse: Night in sleep or morning on waking.
On swallowing, yet constant desire to swallow (Merc-C).
Sweets or acids. Warm drinks.
Coughing or clearing the throat.
Touching the throat. Turning the head. Tight collars.
Better: Cold drinks. Better (for only moments) after swallowing.
Easier to swallow solids than liquids or saliva.
Lump or constricting sensation, returns just after swallowing.
General: Warm-blooded. Complaints in heat or from change of season.
Lycopodium clavatum
Right-sided pharyngitis or tonsillitis or beginning on right side.
Worse: Afternoon from 4 to 8 PM.
Better: Warm drinks, sometimes better cold drinks.
Mercurius solubilis
Acute or recurring pharyngitis or tonsillitis of any degree of severity.
Throat: Suppurative and dirty pharynx and tonsils, often right side.
Ulceration. Peritonsillar abscess.
Sensation of an apple core lodged in the throat.
Worse: Night. Heat of the bed. Heat or cold.
Swallowing, especially empty swallowing. Coughing.
Local: Tongue is coated and dirty-appearing.
Metallic taste on tongue.
Tongue swollen and teeth leave imprints.
Breath is almost always offensive.
Increased saliva, especially at night.
General: Both chilly and overheated.
Night sweats lasting all night long.
Swollen, painful, burning cervical lymph nodes.
Mercurius iodatus flavus
Right-sided pharyngitis or tonsillitis, slower onset than Belladonna.
Pain beginning on the right side and moving to left side.
Similar to Mercurius though may lack salivation as a characteristic.
Mercurius iodatus ruber
Left-sided pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
Has most of the modalities of Mercurius Vivus, though less salivation.
More frequently indicated than Merc-I-F.
Other important remedies
Aconitum napellus
Sudden onset of sore throat after exposure to cold or cold, dry winds.
General: High fever, flush, restlessness and often anxiety or fear.
Pharynx and tonsils bright red without pus: burning and mildly swollen.
Painful swallowing though intensely thirsty for cold drinks.
Ailanthus glandulosa
Severe pharyngitis and tonsillitis with approaching sepsis.
Throat: Deep red or even purple color.
Deep ulcers on tonsils, especially the left side.
Stuporous, confused, delirious.
Apis mellifica
Burning (less often stinging) sore throat, with marked redness.
Throat: Pain, inflammation and swelling, mainly on the right side.
Tremendous swelling, especially of the uvula but also tonsils.
Mucosa bright red and glistening.
Worse: Heat and hot drinks. Warm rooms.
Better: Cold food or drinks though not much thirst.
General: Often high fever; dry heat alternating with chills.
Argentum metallicum
Raw sore throat, often chronic, with mucus draining into throat.
Pain on coughing.
Worse: Exhaling. Swallowing. Yawning.
Hoarseness; especially in performers.
Argentum nitricum
Stitching or splinter-like pains in the throat.
Throat: Pain worse on the right side.
Worse: Inhaling over the raw spots. Swallowing.
Better: Cold drinks or cold air.
Thick mucus in throat; much clearing of throat.
Often accompanied by laryngitis and hoarseness.
Arsenicum album
Burning pain in the throat, often with small ulcerations or vesicles.
Throat: Right-sided burning pain, better from heat.
Worse: Cold or cold drinks.
Better: Warmth. Warm drinks.
Marked or even malignant inflammation, though swelling is mild.
Burning ulcers of mouth and throat.
Tongue almost always with a milky white coating.
Patient invariably chilly, often anxious or restless. Baptisia Tinctoria
Inflammation, remarkably painless, of pharynx and tonsils.
Throat: Tonsils and uvula enlarged, deep red or even purplish.
Mouth horribly offensive, tongue dirty, ulcerated throughout.
Face flushed and heavy; dull and confused. Septic states.
Baryta carbonica
Chronic and recurring tonsillitis, especially in children.
Throat: Tonsils hugely swollen, even if inflammation appears mild.
Worse: Night. Speaking.
Marked pain on swallowing, especially empty swallowing.
Pain or burning prevents swallowing of any solids. Trismus.
Peritonsillar abscess.
Large, hard cervical glands.
Hearing loss from huge tonsils and adenoids.
Baryta muriatica
Hugely swollen and inflamed tonsils, often suppurative.
Throat: Pain and swelling often worse on the right side.
Worse: After catching cold.
Better: Cold drinks.
Elongated uvula.
Almost always accompanied by markedly swollen, painful cervical glands.
Bromium
Left-sided pharyngitis or tonsillitis, often with inflamed larynx.
Throat: Clarke describes the throat as having a "net-like" redness.
Worse: Heat or in the summertime.
Stone-hard, swollen cervical glands.
Bryonia alba
Sore throat after catching cold.
Throat: Pharynx dark red; tongue coated white or brownish.
Worse: Any motion - swallowing, coughing, speaking.
Local: Tongue dry, coated a brown or dirty color in the center.
General: Sluggish inexorable onset with high fever.
Marked thirst, irritability, desire to be left alone.
Calcarea carbonica
Recurring pharyngitis and tonsillitis with marked swelling of glands.
Worse: Cold weather. Change of weather. Damp weather.
After eating. Menses.
Hard, painful cervical glands.
General: Chilly, sweaty, works into exhaustion and illness.
Causticum
Sore throat associated with laryngitis.
Mucus in pharynx or larynx with constant desire to clear throat.
Chamomilla
Pharyngitis or tonsillitis with ear pain, especially infants and toddlers.
Better: Warmth and from hot drinks.
Worse: Swallowing, from examining the throat.
Irritable and flushed, especially one cheek or the other.
Cistus canadensis
Recurring colds and pharyngitis with burning pains.
Throat: Pain worse every inhalation, especially of cold air.
Dryness of throat ameliorated by constant swallowing or sipping.
Marked swelling of cervical glands.
Patient is chilly and worse all winter long.
Dulcamara
Pharyngitis coming on in cold weather, especially cold, damp weather.
Sore throat from catching cold.
Ferrum phosphoricum
Tonsillitis; hot, markedly inflamed or even ulcerated throat.
High fever almost always present; patient prostrated.
No localizing symptoms or modalities.
Gelsemium sempervirens
Throat inflamed, gradually worsening over several days.
Throat: Pain extends to the ear on swallowing.
Pain on swallowing; throat feels too weak to swallow.
Worse: Warm food.
Patient weak, chills up the back, thirstless, droopy eyelids.
Ignatia amara
Acute pharyngitis with small aphthous sores all through throat.
Throat: Pain and lump or foreign body sensation. Especially right-sided.
Better: Only while or just after swallowing. Cold drinks.
Constant desire to swallow for relief.
Painful submaxillary glands, worse moving the head.
Kalium iodatum
Marked inflammation of pharynx, generally with much post-nasal mucus.
Throat: Swelling of tonsils and uvula.
Ulcerations of the throat.
Marked pain at root of tongue on protruding tongue.
Worse: Evening. Coughing. Swallowing. Talking.
General: Warm-blooded and better from cool air.
Lac caninum
Inflamed tonsils and pharynx, to point of ulcers and suppuration.
Throat: One of the main remedies in past times for diphtheria.
Pain alternates sides or location.
Worse: Warm drinks. During menses. Begins and ends with menses.
Better: Cold drinks.
Pains extend to the ears on swallowing.
An old keynote: Membrane on throat pearly white and shiny.
Lump sensation often distinctly on one side, with throat inflammation.
Mercurius corrosivus
Aggressive forms of pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Throat: Spreading, painful and bleeding ulcers.
Horrible burning pains, extending to the ears.
Worse: Swallowing, especially liquids. Pressure on the throat.
Burning pains which are worse from cold drinks (Ars).
Constant desire to swallow though it causes intolerable pain.
Swelling causes a feeling of suffocation.
Mercurius cyanatus
Particularly virulent pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Swelling, ulceration and grayish discharge.
Necrosis of the tissues of the throat and palate.
Nitricum acidum
Horrible pain, often stitching or described "as if a fish bone in throat."
Throat: Indurated, dark red tonsils and pharynx. Ulceration.
Worse: Swallowing, lowers head in order to swallow.
Cold air. Becoming chilled. Coughing.
Pain may extend to ears especially on swallowing.
Local: Offensive breath (similar to Mercurius but without salivation).
Cracks at corners of mouth or on tongue.
General: Offensive perspiration. Irritable and demanding.
Nux vomica
Upper respiratory infections settling in throat.
Throat: Pain in throat extends to ears on swallowing.
Worse: Coughing or swallowing.
Sensitive to the slightest draft or movement of air even when covered.
Phosphorus
Rawness in throat with marked hoarseness.
Throat: Marked swelling of the tonsils or uvula.
Worse: Cold air. Talking. Coughing or sneezing. Yawning.
Better: Cold drinks.
Colds descend to chest and throat.
Phytolacca decandra
Burning or soreness in throat, tonsils or root of the tongue.
Throat: Often described as "a burning ball of iron" stuck in throat.
Dark or purple inflamed tonsils. Peritonsillar abscess.
Diphtheria keynote: Membrane gray, looking like dry leather.
Worse: Right side; aggravated upon turning head to the left.
Night. Touch. Hot drinks. Cannot swallow a hot drink.
Better: Becoming cold. Cold drinks.
Pain extends to ears upon swallowing. Shooting pains in ears.
Hard and painful cervical glands.
Pulsatilla pratensis
Pharyngitis from catching cold.
Throat:Fullness or swelling sensation.
Thick greenish nasal discharge.
Rhus toxicodendron
In influenza and colds with annoying sore throats and vesiculation.
Throat: Pains begin on the left and extend to the right side.
Worse: Comes on during cold, damp weather. Straining voice.
Better: Warm drinks. Swallowing.
Pain on first swallowing, better after several gulps are down.
Local: Associated with hoarseness and laryngitis.
Tongue coated white, red tip to tongue, like a red triangle.
General: Aching and restlessness, better motion and warmth.
Sabadilla
Often left-sided pharyngitis or beginning on the left side.
Throat: Colds with tremendous sneezing and sore throat.
Better: Warm drinks.
Worse: Breathing cold air. Protruding tongue.
Silica marina
Recurring or chronic inflammation and swelling of throat and tonsils.
Throat: Nearly always with some purulence. Suppuration of tonsils.
Advanced infections. Peritonsillar abscess.
Worse: On becoming cold. Swallowing.
Hawking of putrid lumps of pus.
Stitching, pin-like or splinter-like pain in the throat.
Enlarged and very hard cervical glands.
Sulphur
Sore throat or tonsillitis, often after several remedies have failed.
Throat: Marked burning, rawness and dryness of throat.
Better: Warm drinks (opposite usual modality).
Old, lingering throat infections with offensive breath.
Suppuration. Peritonsillar abscess.
Local: Lips bright red and often chapped.
General: Sweaty, disheveled, greasy hair.
Chilled easily but averse to warm rooms.
Thyroid conditions
Many thyroid conditions can be alleviated with homeopathic treatment. Hypothyroidism is less responsive than hyperthyroidism in many cases because the preceding thyroiditis actually destroys the gland tissue. However, when thyroiditis can be treated in the early phase, good results are possible. It is important to understand and follow thyroid hormone blood levels while treating these patients or to work with a supportive specialist who can assist in the evaluation of the patient.
12/9/02 study group notes Influenza - From Morrison's Desktop Companion
Influenza
Worldwide influenza remains one of the leading causes of death, especially in the elderly and in people with compromised respiratory systems. Additionally, we see patients not infrequently who can date the onset of their long-term health conditions to a previous influenza - especially asthma and chronic fatigue syndrome. In the great influenza epidemic of 1918, many homeopaths reported fantastic results with almost no deaths occurring in patients under exclusively homeopathic treatment. The correct homeopathic remedy can help the patient to resolve an influenza more rapidly than seems credible.
The broad use of the influenza vaccine, though affecting the expression of the disease, has far from eradicated the illness because of the well-known capacity of the virus to mutate. Even many allopaths are not impressed with this vaccine which is aimed at strains of the virus already passed. Long-term consequences of the vaccine are not known. I have personally observed only a few cases of long-term health problems resulting from influenza immunization reactions. This number probably corresponds to the number who would have developed long-term health problems from the disease.
In our classic texts we see descriptions of "influenza" of a much more virulent type than generally found today. Many of these conditions would be described as viral pneumonias, secondary bacterial infections or sinusitis by today's clinicians. Thus, if a patient presents with a history of fever and chills followed by a severe cough, more helpful information might be found in the chapter on cough rather than in this chapter on influenza.
Management
Illness warrants. If a particular case is not severe and the patient is under constitutional treatment, then it is rarely advisable to give homeopathic treatment. Rather, the patient can be supported with fluids, bedrest, echinacea, vitamin C, garlic, zinc lozenges, etc. When the patient is more ill or if the patient is not under constitutional homeopathic treatment, then we should prescribe acutely.
Therapeutic tips
Homeopathic
Wait until the picture is clear for a specific remedy. It is generally futile to simply give Aconite or Ferrum Phosphoricum because one cannot identify a more clear remedy. These routine prescriptions can obscure the case and lead to chasing one remedy after the next.
If the patient is not under homeopathic constitutional treatment then the Influenzinum nosode or Oscillococcinum can be used prophylactically (before the prodrome has even begun). Once an actual illness has begun it is better to await definite symptoms.
It is convenient to prescribe the remedy in a 30C potency three times per day with instructions to stop once there is marked improvement or to call if there is no improvement after 24 hours.
If there is no improvement after 24 hours, most likely the remedy is incorrect and the case should be retaken. If there is marked improvement followed by a relapse, the remedy should be tried in a 200C potency. Also, in the advent of a relapse, the case should be retaken and a complementary remedy should be considered.
Even if the patient is markedly improved following treatment, it is best to recommend he stay home for one additional day to avoid a relapse.
In patients receiving constitutional treatment, we should consider repeating the constitutional remedy rather than an acute remedy.
Naturopathic
The patient should stay at bedrest for the duration of the illness.
Allow the patient to regulate his own temperature. For example, if he is too warm, do not force him to covere The organism knows its needs.
One exception to this rule is that all patients - thirsty or not - benefit from increased fluid intake.
At any stage we can support the patient with: Vitamin C (1000 mg. TID in adults). Echinacea (10 drops of tincture in juice TID). Garlic capsules. Zinc lozenges.
Allopathic
Aspirin or other antipyretics should be utilized only if the fever reaches a dangerous level (102° F for the elderly, 104° F for children). The fever promotes more rapid healing.
Children should never receive aspirin during influenza due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. If an antipyretic is necessary, use Tylenol.
If there are markedly painful symptoms, minor pain relievers do not generally antidote the constitutional remedy.
The use of Symmetrel for influenza type A does not seem to interfere with constitutional homeopathic treatment. For the newer antiviral drugs being used to shorten influenza, we have not enough experience to state their effect on constitutional treatment.
Repertory
There is no rubric specific to influenza in Kent's repertory, however, there is a rubric in the Complete repertory under:
Fever, Influenza.
General, Influenza.
Rather than be limited by these rubrics it is more helpful to repertorize the symptoms of the patient - fever, chills, throat pain, etc.
Other rubrics related to influenza
Mind, Anguish, Choking, From, Influenza.
Mind, Delirium, Influenza, in.
Head Pain, Influenza, with.
Head Pain, Bursting, Influenza, during.
Eye, Pain, Sore, Influenza, during.
Kidneys, Inflammation, Influenza, after.
Kidneys, Inflammation, Suppurative, Influenza, after.
Female, Abortion, Influenza, during.
Cough, Influenza, during.
Cough, Influenza, after.
Chest, Inflammation, Bronchial tubes, Influenza, from.
Chest, Inflammation, Lungs, Influenza, with.
Chest, Weakness, Heart, Influenza, after.
Extremities, Heat, Influenza, with.
Extremities, Pain, Influenza, during.
Extremities, Pain, Lower limbs, Sciatica, Left, Influenza, after.
Extremities, Pain, Lower limbs, Sciatica, Influenza, after.
Sleep, Sleepiness, Influenza, in.
Sleep, Sleeplessness, Influenza, after.
Generalities, Pain, Bones, Malaria or influenza.
Generalities, Weakness, Influenza, after.
Remedies
Main remedies
Arsenicum album
Influenza with gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea.
Fever: High fever (102° to 104° F) following a two to three day prodrome.
Face is hot, craves open air yet body chilled.
Worse: Midnight or 1 AM. Noon or 1 PM.
Fever followed by chills and rigor.
Chills: Marked chills and rigors.
Worse: Eating or drinking. Before stool. Motion. Exertion.
General: Thirsty for small sips of water.
Tongue coated with a thin white film.
Marked restlessness punctuated by collapse or weakness.
Mental: Marked anxiety.
Patient fears he may die from the condition.
Needs company at all times.
Bryonia alba
Slowly progressing influenza with severe aching.
Fever: Heat with marked perspiration.
Chills: After anger.
Begins in fingertips and toes or rarely the lips.
Right-sided chills.
General: Mainly warm and averse to warm rooms.
Tremendous thirst, wants large gulps at intervals.
Symptoms aggravated at 9 PM.
Worse: From the slightest motion. Jarring.
Restless feeling but intolerant of even slight motion.
Symptoms generally worse on right side, except the headache.
Local: Severe occipital or left-sided frontal headache.
Tongue coated white or dirty brown, especially in the center.
Burning coryza.
Chest and back pains.
Mental: Irritable, dull, averse to answering.
Desires to be left alone.
Delirious: Asks to be taken home. Talks of business.
Symptoms brought on by financial stresses.
Belladonna
Influenza with rapid onset and frighteningly high fever.
Fever: Fevers often as high as 105° F.
3 PM aggravation. Delirium.
Chill: Begins in arms or hands.
General: Face flushed red, pupils dilated, eyes glistening.
Worse: Jarring. Motion.
Hands and feet icy cold but face and body hot.
Thirstless.
Craves: Lemons and lemonade.
Local: Often severe headache with throbbing and bounding pulses.
Right-sided headache, eye pain or sore throat.
Mental: Rapidly developing delirium or hallucinations.
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Influenza with high fever and severe, unbearable aching.
Fever: High fever, generally over 102° F.
Chills: Chills begin at 9 AM.
Beginning in the lumbar region.
Chill with marked or even violent rigors.
Chills worse after drinking.
General: Chilly and sensitive to cold air.
Thirst for cold drinks (despite or even during chills).
Thirsty just before the chills come on.
Desires cold food and ice cream.
Perspiration is scanty.
General aggravation from 7 to 9 AM.
Restlessness with the pains; no amelioration from motion.
Terrible aching of muscles and especially bones.
Pains as if the bones would break open.
Local: Severe headache as fever peaks.
Heavy, aching head, lifts it from the pillow with his hands.
Much watery coryza during the influenza.
Nausea and vomiting; worse before the chill; worse motion.
Vomiting of bile between the heat and chill phase.
Excruciating low back pains.
Mental: Desperate and moaning with the pains.
Gelsemium sempervirens
Influenza with marked debility, weakness and sleepiness.
Fever: Slow, insidious onset of fever over one to three days.
Chill: Chills running up and down the back.
Chills alternate with flushes of heat.
Chills with fine tremors.
General: General aggravation at 10 AM.
Thirst is usually minimal.
Tremulous weakness and heaviness of the limbs, eyelids and head.
General sleepy feeling.
Local: Headache from occiput radiating to forehead.
Head heavy, hardly able to lift head from pillow.
Eyelids droopy or half shut.
Face flushed a dusky red color.
Yellow coating on tongue.
Mental: Low-spirited, dull, foggy.
Mercurius solubilis
(See below:Other Important Remedies)
Nux vomica
Influenza with marked sensitivity to all stimuli.
Fever: High fevers with rapid onset - all in the first day.
Face burning with heat but must remain covered.
Chill: Horrible, intense chills and rigors.
Chills from uncovering or from slight motions of air under the cover as the patient moves.
General: Generally chilly and ameliorated by heat.
Sensitive to light, noise, odors; even the skin is oversensitive.
Desires warm food and drinks.
Local: Severe headaches.
Sore throat with a raw sensation.
Nausea, markedly ameliorated after vomiting.
Body aches relieved by warmth.
Mental: Over-excited and over-sensitive.
May be markedly irritable.
Sleepless and unable to drop his preoccupation with work.
Pyrogenium
Influenza with high fever (over 103° F) and aches.
Fever: High fevers which change rapidly.
Chills: Chills beginning between the scapulae.
Chills felt deep inside or in the bones.
General: Soreness; even the bed feels too hard.
Worse: Cold.
Better: Heat. Warm bathing. Motion.
Marked restlessness during the fever.
Disparity between the pulse rate and the temperature. e.g. pulse rate is 140 with a mild fever or vice-versa.
Offensive perspiration or discharges.
Local: Muscle aches, better from motion.
Abnormal consciousness of the heart (Iber).
Mental: Feels as if scattered or double (Bapt).
Rhus toxicodendron
Influenza with anguish, aching and restlessness.
Fever: Moderate to high fever, often originates from getting chilled.
Chill: Marked chills especially from uncovering or from drafts.
As if dashed with cold water.
General: Aching through the whole body.
Terrible stiffness which makes him want to stretch.
Pains ameliorated by nearly constant movements.
Chilly. Much relieved by warm baths, applications or drinks.
Thirsty for small sips of warm or rarely cold drinks.
Local: Red triangle on the tip of the tongue.
Herpes lesions on lips with the fever.
Sore throat.
Better: Warm drinks. From constant swallowing.
Aching of muscles and joints, worse cold, better heat.
Mental: Anxiety and restlessness during influenza.
Other important remedies
Aconitum napellus
Sudden onset of influenza after exposure or shock.
High fever (over 104° F) with flushed face, constricted pupils, restlessness, desire for cold drinks.
Excitement, anxiety and fear may be prominent.
(See chapter, "Fever")
Apis mellifica
High fever (over 102° F) with hot red face and strong desire to uncover.
Dry, unremitting heat, the face is congested or swollen; no sweat at all, the patient longs for a good sweat.
Dry heat alternating with sweats.
Thirstless.
Severe pharyngitis with swelling of uvula, better from cold drinks.
All symptoms ameliorated by cold and cold applications.
Arnica montana
Influenza with terrible aching of the whole body.
Cannot find a comfortable position; the bed feels too hard.
Heat of head but body cold (Ars, Bell).
Offensive breath and eructations - rotten egg odor.
Asclepias tuberosa
Influenza with marked weakness on walking.
Shooting pleuritic pains during and lingering after influenza.
Worse: Lying, especially on left side. Motion of arms.
Deep inspiration.
Better: Bending forward.
Short of breath on walking.
Baptisia tinctoria
Advanced influenza with mental dullness or even stupor.
Patient falls asleep in mid-sentence.
Pharynx and tongue dry and coated or suppurating and very offensive though painless.
"Stomach flu" with putrid diarrhea and eructations.
Mastoiditis following influenza.
Soreness of the body, the bed feels too hard, can't get comfortable.
Causticum
Cough and respiratory symptoms in influenza.
General: Sore and bruised over whole body.
Thirsty for cold drinks which ameliorate the fever.
Local: Dull pressive headache.
Lacrimation during influenza.
Acrid coryza. Hoarseness.
Scantily productive cough; feels he must always cough just a
little deeper to get relief.
Sore chest from the cough.
Involuntary urination from cough.
Stiff neck; "crick" in the neck during fever.
Chelidonium majus
Influenza with combined lung and digestive symptoms.
General: Thirsty, mainly for warm drinks.
Aching of muscles, worse motion.
Local: Severe occipital headache or headache over the right eye.
Dry heat of the face
Dryness in nose, mouth and throat during influenza.
Tongue dry, brown and cracked.
Eructation and indigestion.
Dyspnea and tight chest, especially the right side.
China officinalis
Influenza with hypersensitivity during fever.
Especially the skin is exquisitely sensitive.
Marked headache, better from hard pressure.
Face deathly pale during the chill (or flushed red).
Marked debility with vertigo on attempting to rise from bed.
Bloating and diarrhea with influenza.
Typical fever begins with chill then thirst then heat then thirst again.
Eucalyptus globulus
Influenza with exhausting sweats.
Watery coryza and nasal obstruction; later a purulent discharge.
Aphthae in the mouth and pharynx.
Heaviness or pulsation in the epigastrium.
Respiratory illness following influenza. Severe, irritated cough.
Ferrum phosphoricum
Influenza with marked fever lasting for days.
High fever, prostration but few localizing symptoms.
Right-sided symptoms - headache, chest pains, pharyngitis.
Mercurius solubilis
One of Borland's favorite remedies in influenza.
Especially as the illness turns into purulent sinusitis or bronchitis.
Pharyngitis with offensive breath, excess saliva, dirty tongue.
Salicylicum acidum
More to do with sequelae of influenza than the actual attack.
Great debility following influenza.
Tinnitus which lingers after a severe flu.
During the influenza, severe pharyngitis.
Retinitis following influenza.
Sulphur
Influenza after several days illness but the patient is sinking into secondary infections, bronchitis, etc.
Chilly but yet often worse heat; even slight heat causes sweats.
Sticky, unkept, greasy hair.
Tuberculinum bovinum kent
Influenza with cough and severe joint pains.
Afternoon exacerbation of fever, worsening illness, nightsweats.
Marked joint (especially leg) pains during the fever.
Mild, persistent cough and oppressed chest.
PULSATILLA PRATENSIS (puls.)
MIND:
- FORSAKEN FEELING, often expressed in the need for attention.
They do anything to fulfil this need.
- CONSOLATION >.
- Yielding.
- EMOTIONAL, SYMPATHETIC, WEEPS EASILY.
- Often mild, but can be irritable.
- Changeable moods.
- Timidity, blushes easily.
- Jealous.
- Irritability before menses.
- Fears: men (i.e. opposite sex), dark, heights, narrow places.
- Fixed ideas, dogma's, can be of a religious kind.
- Praying.
GENERALITIES:
- CHANGEABLE SYMPTOMS.
- Hormonal disturbances.
- WARMBLOODED, < HEAT (but can be chilly).
- < SUN, WARM ROOM.
- < MENSES, PREGNANCY, MENOPAUSE, SUPPRESSED
MENSES.
- < Getting feet wet, twilight.
- > OPEN AIR.
- > COLD APPLICATIONS (Guai, Lac-c, Led, Sulph).
- > Slow motion (Ferr).
- WANDERING PAINS (Form, Kali-bi, Kali-s).
- Ailments from measles.
- Bland, yellow-greenish discharges.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
- Desire: Cheese, COLD FOOD, CREAMY THINGS, ICE CREAM,
(peanut) butter, hard-boiled eggs, sweets.
- Aversion: FATS AND RICH FOOD, butter, pork, warm food.
- < FATS AND RICH FOOD, ice-cream.
VERTIGO:
- < Menses, looking upward, on rising, after eating.
HEAD:
- Headache: < Sun, heat, hormonal changes, ice cream; > cold
applications.
EYE:
- CONJUNCTIVITIS, allergies. Pain, itching > cold application
(Sulph).
- Obstruction of lachrimal duct, yellow-greenish discharge (Kali-s, Sil).
- Styes (Staph).
EAR:
- OTITIS, < NIGHT, heat.
- Hearing diminished from otitis.
- Mumps extending to epididymis or mammae (Piloc).
NOSE:
- Hayfever, < open air or > open air, < warm room, evening.
- Bland or yellow-greenish discharge.
FACE:
- FLUSHES of heat. Blushes easily.
- One-sided perspiration.
MOUTH:
- Dry, without thirst.
TEETH:
- Pain > cold water.
STOMACH:
- THIRSTLESS.
RECTUM:
- Changeable stools.
- Diarrhea from ice cream.
BLADDER:
- Recurrent cystitis.
- Urination involuntary, < pregnancy, coughing, walking, sitting.
PROSTATE GLAND:
- Prostatis, enlargement of prostate gland.
MALE GENITALIA:
- ORCHITIS, EPIDIDYMITIS; from MUMPS or suppressed
gonorrhea,
< left side.
FEMALE GENITALIA:
- High desire.
- DELAYED FIRST MENSES.
- MENSES EASILY SUPPRESSED, < GETTING FEET WET.
- MENSES PAINFUL, DELAYED, IRREGULAR, CHANGEABLE,
SHORT.
- Sexual desire increased.
- LABOR PAINS INEFFECTUAL, CHANGEABLE.
- Malpresentation of fetus.
RESPIRATION:
- DYSPNEA, < Lying, evening and night, warm room, after
suppressed eruptions.
> Open air, sitting.
COUGH:
- DRY COUGH EVENING AND AT NIGHT, LOOSE IN THE
MORNING (squil).
- Cough < lying down in the evening, disturbing sleep, warm room,
exertion; > open air.
CHEST:
- Galactorrhea, especially in women who do not nurse a child, during
menses or in girls.
- Mastitis.
- Swelling of the mammae before menses.
BACK:
- SENSATION OF COLD WATER POURED DOWN THE BACK.
EXTREMITIES:
- WANDERING ARTHRITIS.
- PAINS, > COLD APPLICATIONS, SLOW MOTION; <
WARMTH.
- HOT FEET, UNCOVER THEM AT NIGHT (cham, Med, Lyc,
Sulph).
- Pains in the heels.
- VARICES, < pregnancy, warmth; > cold.
PERSPIRATION:
- One-sided, esp. left side.
SLEEP:
- Position: ON THE ABDOMEN OR ON THE BACK, ARMS
RAISED OVER THE HEAD OR ON THE ABDOMEN.
- Sleeplessness from activity of mind, SAME THOUGHTS
REPEATED (Thuj).
SKIN:
- Skin eruptions, itching < heat, night; > cold.
- Measles.
Compl: Calc, Fl-ac, Kali-s, Lyc, Sil, Tub.
DD: Arg-n, Calc, Calc-s, Kali-s, Lach, Med, Merc, Phos, Sil, Staph,
Sulph, Thuj.
Cases
A well-preserved, fresh-looking maiden lady, fifty years of age, came under my observation at the beginning of 1895 for incipient cataract, which began when the periods began to wane. For six months patient took Pulsatilla q, seven drops in water at bedtime. September 3rd, 1895 - Distinct improvement in her vision; left side of tongue swollen. The same remedy was again ordered and persevered in, with pauses, and the report in June, 1896, was : “Oh! I see very much better.” The Change of Life in Women and the Ills and Ailings incident thereto cover such a wide range that one hardly knows how to keep to the text. But it has to be done if we are to progress from the standpoint of the past, which comes out in the following narration : I once heard of an old physician who had a very kind heart, and also no end of other good qualities, who was wont to comfort folks in this wise : When a young girl had any obstinate ailment that kind heartedness and talky-talky could not cure, and that opening medicines would not carry off or tonics tone away, he would assume a happy aspect and cheerfully tell the girl’s mother, “It will all come right when she becomes a woman.” This little oft-repeated fable usually quite satisfied the mothers. When young ladies were brought to him with ailments of divers kinds, their mothers were comforted with the cheerful assurance that the patients would be all right after they got married, which sometimes came off, but more frequently their ailments became even more troublesome thereafter. When middle-aged ladies consulted him, he was very apt to console them with even greater confidence, by suggesting that all their troubles would be over after the “change of life”. And so this world wagged on very comfortably, and in the end he found himself the possessor of an ample fortune and a title conferred upon him by his gracious Sovereign for his distinguished services to medical science. Certainly he dispensed much cheery comfort during his long life, and was never known to shock the profession with any notions contrary to accepted views, and whenever he felt that he might have shown a leaning towards any question at all fraught with danger to the comfort or dignity of the profession, he would suddenly pull up and remark, that such at least had been the privately-expressed opinion of his late lamented friend and master, that distinguished gynaecologist, Sir Jasper Pessary, than whom no more learned or more honourable physician ever adorned our profession – he feeling it his duty to give the late Sir Jasper credit for this opinion. Indeed, the question was no less delicate than important, involving as it did the highest interests of our glorious profession. The question was eventually brought before the Medical Society of London, and was thus formulated : - Could a pessary introduced by a qualified homoeopathic practitioner be removed by a qualified regular practitioner without loss of professional dignity? Needless to say the question was answered in the negative. Personally I rather rejoiced at the decision, for I could not help saying to myself and to a few intimates, that homoeopathic practitioners who (other than very exceptionally) make use of pessaries might once in a way put the homoeopathic medical materials before their pessaries. In my next Part I propose to take the Ills and Ailings of the Climaxis a little more connectedly, to the end that they may be recognised and either cured or avoided in the earlier phases of the woman’s life, for this is the trend of much of what I here bring forward. When I first began this little volume, I intended to write a much more elaborate treatise on in the subject, but it has fallen far short of my original plan.
Pulsatilla pratensis Feb. 8, 1890. A brown haired woman, gray eyes, amiable, fat and forty, complains of pains constantly jumping about the head, on forehead, vertex, occipital, sometimes in the face. Worse in the evening. Worse in the house; going out of doors stops the pain. Weeps with the pain. The head feels sore all over. Aversion powders Pulsatilla 2c B. and T., a powder every three hours. A permanent cure followed.
TALK TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS on December 11, 2002 NYC, by michele Galante, MD
(mbgmd): I want you to know that today, I am going to give you a no holds barred, bare naked truth of how a homeopathic physician sees the treatment of the Mentally Ill. When I was a young boy, my religion taught me that If I didn’t know something was wrong, then I would not be punished for it. But, once knowing that something was bad, you did it, then you were held accountable.