homeopathy

Homeopathy

131. KALMIA
Kalmia latifolia
Mountain laurel, calico bush, ivy bush, lambkill.

Key Uses:
  • General muscle pain
  • Heart disease
  • Severe, sharp neuralgic pains in the muscles and joints

    Origin : Native to eastern North America.

    Background : This plant is notoriously poisonous: grazing on the leaves can kill cattle and sheep and cause the meat from the animals to become too toxic to eat.

    Preparation : The fresh leaves of the plant in flower are chopped and macerated in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : People for whom Kalmia is most suitable feel fine when lying down, but become dizzy and disoriented on trying to move.
    The remedy is usually given for severe, sharp neuralgic pains in the muscles and joints, and for general muscle pain. The pains are sharp and darting, and generally radiate downward. They are frequently accompanied by great weakness, stiffness, numbness, trembling, and a tingling sensation. Heart disease, especially if it develops after a history of neuralgic pain and stiffness, may also be treated with Kalmia.

    Symptoms Better : For eating; for remaining still.

    Symptoms Worse : For becoming cold; for movement; from sunrise to sunset.
  • 132. LAC DEFL
    Lac vaccinum defloratum
    Skimmed cow’s milk.

    Key Uses:
  • Anemia and weakness following chronic disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Diabetes
  • Headaches, especially those associated with menstruation
  • Water retention related to heart disease

    Origin : Skimmed cow’s milk.

    Background : Milk has had a checkered history of favor. It has been lauded as being full of healthy vitamins and minerals, yet is also linked to catarrhal conditions, tuberculosis, and Crohn’s disease.

    Preparation : The milk is dissolved in purified water, diluted, and succussed.

    Remedy Profile : Lac defl. is most effective for people who are claustrophobic, chilly, listless, and forgetful. They often have either an aversion to milk, or a tendency to drink large amounts, but show signs of lactose intolerance, which affects their nutrition and tends to make them thin or obese.
    Key symptoms associated with Lac defl. are weakness and anemia after chronic disease. Diabetes, water retention related to heart disease, and chronic liver disease may respond to the remedy, and it may also help headaches, particularly those associated with menstruation.

    Symptoms Better : For rest; for profuse urine flow.

    Symptoms Worse : For cold; for the slightest draft; during menstruation and pregnancy; for milk.
  • 133. LATHYRUS
    Lathyrus sativus
    Chickpea.

    Key Uses:
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Total loss of sexual function
  • Tremors
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Weakness and heaviness in the aftermath of influenza and other viral illnesses

    Origin : Found in the Mediterranean area, Africa, and central Asia.

    Background : These edible, pealike seeds have long been used in cooking, although there is little tradition of medicinal use.

    Preparation : The dried, green seed pods are macerated in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : This remedy focuses predominantly on the spine and lower limbs. Characteristic symptoms treated include pain in the lower back, urinary incontinence, tremors, and total loss of sexual function. Sharpened reflexes are further possible symptoms, as are burning heat in the legs and icy cold feet. Lathyrus has also been used for weakness and heaviness in the aftermath of influenza and other viral illnesses, and for multiple sclerosis. Symptoms may worsen rapidly following exposure to cold, damp night air.

    Symptoms Better : For undressing.

    Symptoms Worse : For damp, cold weather at night; for touch.
  • 134. LATRODECTUS MAC
    Latrodectus mactans
    Black widow spider.

    Key Uses:
  • Heart problems, especially angina
  • Restlessness, especially associated with acute angina attacks

    Origin : Found throughout North America, mainly in the southern US.

    Background : The name of this highly poisonous spider comes from the female’s habit of eating the male after mating.

    Preparation : The live spider is steeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.

    Remedy Profile : Latrodectus mac. is best suited to people who are tense and easily fatigued. They are often chilly but prone to hot flashes, and may dream of flying.
    The remedy is typically prescribed for heart problems, particularly angina, with cramping, unbearable pain in the heart area. The pain is violent, sharp, numbing, and radiates to the arms or shoulders on both sides of the body, although it is worse on the left side. There may also be extreme restlessness that is particularly associated with an acute attack of angina.

    Symptoms Better : For sitting quietly.

    Symptoms Worse : For damp weather; before thunderstorms; for changes in the weather; for the slightest movement; for light.
  • 135. LEDUM
    Ledum palustre
    Marsh tea, wild rosemary.

    Key Uses:
  • Black eyes and other eye injuries
  • Bleeding into the eye chamber after an iridectomy
  • Cuts and grazes
  • Insect stings
  • Open wounds, especially severe ones with bruising, puffy, purplish skin
  • Rheumatic pains

    Origin : Found in the Northern Hemisphere, especially Canada, the US, Scandinavia, and Ireland.

    Background : Marsh tea has traditionally been used in Scandinavia to eliminate lice. After the infamous tea tax of 1773, it was used briefly in the US as a tea substitute.

    Preparation : As the plant comes into flower, the tips of the leafy shoots are collected, dried, and steeped in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : Those who respond best to Ledum have a tendency to be angry, dissatisfied, anxious, antisocial, or even demented when ill.
    Ledum is best known as a first-aid remedy for cuts, grazes, puncture wounds, insect stings, and black eyes and other eye injuries. It is used to prevent infection in open wounds, especially in severe wounds with bruising, puffy, purplish skin, and stinging pains. It may help treat a slow-healing black eye. Ledum is also used for bleeding into the eye chamber after an iridectomy (removal of part of the iris). Other symptoms treated with Ledum include rheumatic pains that arise in the feet and move upward, and stiff, painful joints that feel hot inside despite being cold to the touch. The pain may be relieved by cold compresses.

    Symptoms Better : For cold compresses.

    Symptoms Worse : For warmth; at night; for touch.
  • 136. LOBELIA
    Lobelia inflata
    Indian tobacco, puke weed.

    Key Uses:
  • Breathlessness and asthma accompanied by great anxiety
  • Nausea with giddiness
  • Vomiting with profuse perspiration

    Origin : Found in North America, especially the eastern and central US.

    Background : This plant was used by native Americans as a tobacco substitute, and to induce vomiting or expectoration.

    Preparation : The whole, fresh plant in flower, including the seeds and roots, is finely chopped and macerated in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : This remedy is most appropriate for people who have an overexaggerated anxiety about their health, particularly those who fear death from a disease of the heart or lungs. It is commonly prescribed for breathlessness and asthma accompanied by great anxiety. Characteristic symptoms include a rattling sound in the chest, despite the presence of little or no mucus, and a feeling of oppression and constriction in the chest. Further symptoms may include excessive salivation, retching, hiccuping, a sensation as if there is a lump in the throat, nausea, and a sinking feeling in the stomach. Nausea with giddiness, and vomiting with profuse perspiration, may also be helped by this remedy.

    Symptoms Better : For warmth; for rapid movement; for small amounts of food.

    Symptoms Worse : After sleep; for the least movement; for bathing in cold water; for smoking tobacco; for beer.
  • 137. LITHIUM CARB
    Lithium carbonicum
    Lithium carbonate.

    Key Uses:
  • Arthritic conditions
  • Bones and muscles that are sore
  • Distorted, swollen, sore, tender, and red joints
  • Gout
  • Hip pain
  • Stiff limbs

    Origin : Occurs naturally in some mineral waters in Europe and the US, but is prepared chemically for homeopathic use.

    Background : This compound is used conventional medicine as a treatment for manic depression and hypomania.

    Preparation : Lithium carbonate is triturated with lactose sugar.

    Remedy Profile : People for whom this remedy is best suited are prone to anxious, excitable, and confused behavior.
    The classic symptom picture for Lithium carb. is of hip pain, gout, distorted joints, and arthritic conditions, possibly with associated heart problems. The limbs may feel stiff, as if they have been beaten, and the bones, joints, and muscles are sore. The joints, particularly the small joints, tend to be swollen, tender, and red.

    Symptoms Better : For movement; for urinating; for eating.

    Symptoms Worse : At night; during and after menstruation; if menstruation ceases.
  • 138. LYCOPUS
    Lycopus virginicus
    Bugleweed, Virginian horehound.

    Key Uses:
  • Overactivity of the thyroid gland, especially during menopause
  • Respiratory complaints in conjunction with heart problems
  • Weak heart, erratic pulse, or heart disease

    Origin : Found in eastern North America.

    Background : Bugleweed has been used in herbal medicine for various ailments, such as hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, coughs, and heavy menstruation.

    Preparation : The whole, fresh, finely chopped plant in flower, including the root, is macerated in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : People who respond best to Lycopus tend to be irritable when ill unless spoken to very softly. Their minds often wander from one thing to another, and they may experience increased mental and physical activity in the evening.
    Lycopus is associated chiefly with the heart, and is used to treat a weak heart and erratic pulse or heart disease. Additional symptoms may include a tendency to hemorrhage, and overactivity of the thyroid gland, particularly during menopause. Respiratory complaints may develop in conjunction with the heart problems. These include violent coughing in the evening or at night during sleep, with sweet-tasting mucus that recurs in cold weather, especially following exposure to cold winds. In addition, there may be an increase in appetite.

    Symptoms Better : For warm surroundings; for lying in bed.

    Symptoms Worse : For cold winds; toward sunset; in the morning; in the evening; for movement; for exercise; for walking; for climbing stairs.
  • 139. LUPULUS
    Humulus lupulus syn. Lupulus humulus
    Hops.

    Key Uses:
  • Burning in the urethra
  • Delirium associated with drunkenness
  • Greasy, clammy, profuse perspiration
  • Hangovers with nausea, dizziness, and headaches
  • Overexcitability
  • Rheumatic pains
  • Twitching, nervous tremors

    Origin : Native to Europe and Asia.

    Background : Hops have been cultivated in Europe since at least the 11th century to make beer. Medicinally, hops are used mainly as a sedative, often sewn into a bed pillow to aid sleep at night.

    Preparation : The fresh hops are finely chopped and macerated in alcohol.

    Remedy Profile : Appropriately enough for a remedy based on a plant used to make beer, Lupulus is often used to treat hangovers or the aftereffects of drinking alcohol, such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches. It may also be given for nervous twitches or delirium associated with drunkenness.
    Muscles affected by twitching, nervous tremors may also be treated by Lupulus, as may rheumatic pains that shift from place to place, mainly in the shoulders, arms, and hands. There may be a sensation of churning in the stomach, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Burning in the urethra when urinating and overexcitability are further possible symptoms, as is greasy, clammy, profuse perspiration.

    Symptoms Better : For open air.

    Symptoms Worse : For coffee; for alcohol.
  • 140. LYSSIN
    Lyssin hydrophobinum
    Rabies.

    Key Uses:
  • Choking sensation when swallowing, with profuse saliva
  • Excessive sexual energy
  • Fear, irritability, and a desire to pass stools or urinate, triggered by sight or sound of running water
  • Nervous system, throat, and sexual organ disorders, such as uterine prolapse
  • Pain during sexual intercourse

    Origin : Saliva from a rabid dog.

    Background : Rabies is an acute viral infection that affects both wild and domestic animals and, more rarely, humans. Transmitted by saliva, it is almost always fatal in humans.

    Preparation : The saliva is rendered sterile, then dissolved in purified water, diluted, and succussed.

    Remedy Profile : Lyssin is most appropriate for people who tend to be mentally excited and hyperactive, and have extreme sensitivity to stimuli such as light, noise, and odors. They may be affected by phobias and compulsive disorders associated with ritualistic behavior patterns and violence. There may be a personal or parental history of rabies vaccination in those who suit Lyssin.
    Physical symptoms generally affect the nervous system, throat, and sexual organs. Typically, the sight or sound of running water may cause fear, irritability, and a desire to pass stools or urinate, possibly involuntarily. On trying to swallow, there is a choking sensation, with profuse saliva that is spat out. In addition, the sight of glistening objects may cause distress.
    Further conditions that may be associated with Lyssin include excessive sexual energy and pain during sexual intercourse due to a sensitive vagina. There may also be uterine prolapse.

    Symptoms Better : For gentle rubbing; for steam baths.

    Symptoms Worse : For the heat of the sun; for the sound or sight of running water; for emotional stress; for bad news.