Homeopathy
231. VERBASCUM
Verbascum thapsiforme
Great mullein, Aaron’s rod.
Key Uses:Coughs Irritation and inflammation of the bladder, ears, or respiratory tract Neuralgic pains in the face and teeth Painful colds
Origin : Native to central and southern Europe and western Asia.
Background : Greek mythology relates that Odysseus used great mullein to protect himself from Circe, and in the Middle Ages it was thought to be magical. Today it is generally used in herbalism for coughs.
Preparation : The fresh aerial parts in flower, excluding the woody parts, are finely chopped and steeped in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Verbascum is of most benefit to those who are apathetic, lazy, and easily distracted by the varied thoughts that crowd upon them. The symptoms treated by Verbascum are often associated with painful neuralgic conditions, particularly of the facial area. Typical symptoms include neuralgic pains in the face and teeth, especially on the left side, with severe pain in the cheekbones. Irritation and inflammation of the bladder, ears, or respiratory tract may also be eased by the remedy.
In addition, Verbascum is given for painful colds with profuse discharge, watery eyes, and a sensation of the ears having been blocked up. The chest may be congested with catarrh, and the voice may be deep and hoarse. Coughs tend to sound hollow, deep, and hoarse, and occur mainly at night. An intake of breath may cause the coughing to die down.
Symptoms Better : For rising from sitting; for taking a deep breath.
Symptoms Worse : For drafts; for changes in temperature; for touch; for talking or reading aloud; for biting hard.
Great mullein, Aaron’s rod.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to central and southern Europe and western Asia.
Background : Greek mythology relates that Odysseus used great mullein to protect himself from Circe, and in the Middle Ages it was thought to be magical. Today it is generally used in herbalism for coughs.
Preparation : The fresh aerial parts in flower, excluding the woody parts, are finely chopped and steeped in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Verbascum is of most benefit to those who are apathetic, lazy, and easily distracted by the varied thoughts that crowd upon them. The symptoms treated by Verbascum are often associated with painful neuralgic conditions, particularly of the facial area. Typical symptoms include neuralgic pains in the face and teeth, especially on the left side, with severe pain in the cheekbones. Irritation and inflammation of the bladder, ears, or respiratory tract may also be eased by the remedy.
In addition, Verbascum is given for painful colds with profuse discharge, watery eyes, and a sensation of the ears having been blocked up. The chest may be congested with catarrh, and the voice may be deep and hoarse. Coughs tend to sound hollow, deep, and hoarse, and occur mainly at night. An intake of breath may cause the coughing to die down.
Symptoms Better : For rising from sitting; for taking a deep breath.
Symptoms Worse : For drafts; for changes in temperature; for touch; for talking or reading aloud; for biting hard.
232. VESPA
Vespa crabro
European hornet.
Key Uses:Constipation Disorders of the female reproductive organs Mucous membrane problems Premenstrual depression Red, swollen skin complaints, such as boils, itchy bumps, weals, and lentil-shaped spots Stinging, burning pains
Origin : Native to Europe.
Background : The female hornet has a severe sting, but it is rarely fatal.
Preparation : The whole, live insect is steeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.
Remedy Profile : People for whom Vespa is best suited are prone to insomnia, often due to anxiety. Their nerves and muscles are often sensitive.
Red, swollen skin complaints and disorders of the female reproductive organs are usually treated with Vespa. Typical skin symptoms include sore, stinging boils, raised, itchy bumps and weals, and itchy, lentil-shaped spots. Stinging, burning pains, as if the body is being pierced by something sharp, are another symptom associated with this remedy.
Vespa is also used for mucous membrane problems and complaints associated with menstruation, such as premenstrual depression, pain, and constipation.
Symptoms Better : For washing the hands in cold water; for bathing the affected area with vinegar.
Symptoms Worse : For closed, stuffy surroundings; for being by a source of direct heat.
European hornet.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to Europe.
Background : The female hornet has a severe sting, but it is rarely fatal.
Preparation : The whole, live insect is steeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.
Remedy Profile : People for whom Vespa is best suited are prone to insomnia, often due to anxiety. Their nerves and muscles are often sensitive.
Red, swollen skin complaints and disorders of the female reproductive organs are usually treated with Vespa. Typical skin symptoms include sore, stinging boils, raised, itchy bumps and weals, and itchy, lentil-shaped spots. Stinging, burning pains, as if the body is being pierced by something sharp, are another symptom associated with this remedy.
Vespa is also used for mucous membrane problems and complaints associated with menstruation, such as premenstrual depression, pain, and constipation.
Symptoms Better : For washing the hands in cold water; for bathing the affected area with vinegar.
Symptoms Worse : For closed, stuffy surroundings; for being by a source of direct heat.
233. VIBURNUM
Viburnum opulus
Cramp bark, guelder rose, bark elder, highbush cranberry.
Key Uses:False labor Painful menstruation Pains following labor Recurrent miscarriage Threatened abortion
Origin : Grows wild in Europe and eastern North America.
Background : Native American tribes such as the Meskwaki and the Penobscot used this plant to treat cramps, swollen glands, and mumps.
Preparation : The fresh, young bark is collected in fall, chopped finely, and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Specifically a women’s remedy, Viburnum best suits those who feel depressed, stupid, and disoriented, and are unable to decide where they are or what they should do.
The classic symptom picture for this remedy is of uterine problems, including painful menstruation, false labor, pains following labor, threatened abortion, and recurrent miscarriage. Menstrual pain may be so severe that it feels as if breathing and the heartbeat will stop. Pain extends into the thighs.
Symptoms Better : For open air; for rest; for pressure on the affected area; for moving around.
Symptoms Worse : In the evening; at night; during a snowfall; before menstruation; for fright; for jarring.
Cramp bark, guelder rose, bark elder, highbush cranberry.
Key Uses:
Origin : Grows wild in Europe and eastern North America.
Background : Native American tribes such as the Meskwaki and the Penobscot used this plant to treat cramps, swollen glands, and mumps.
Preparation : The fresh, young bark is collected in fall, chopped finely, and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Specifically a women’s remedy, Viburnum best suits those who feel depressed, stupid, and disoriented, and are unable to decide where they are or what they should do.
The classic symptom picture for this remedy is of uterine problems, including painful menstruation, false labor, pains following labor, threatened abortion, and recurrent miscarriage. Menstrual pain may be so severe that it feels as if breathing and the heartbeat will stop. Pain extends into the thighs.
Symptoms Better : For open air; for rest; for pressure on the affected area; for moving around.
Symptoms Worse : In the evening; at night; during a snowfall; before menstruation; for fright; for jarring.
234. VIPERA
Vipera berus
European adder, viper.
Key Uses:Phlebitis Recurrent nosebleeds Varicose veins
Origin : Widely distributed in Europe and Asia.
Background : Dark gray with black zigzags on its back, the adder has hollow fangs in the upper jaw for injecting venom.
Preparation : The fresh venom is triturated with lactose sugar.
Remedy Profile : Vipera is best suited to people with a rather dizzy, even delirious, state of mind. It is also associated with slow-developing children, and people who age prematurely.
Key symptoms associated with Vipera include inflammation and swelling of the veins, typically accompanied by faintness and collapse. The remedy is commonly used for recurrent nosebleeds, varicose veins, or phlebitis (inflammation of a vein).
Symptoms Better : For raising the affected limbs.
Symptoms Worse : For cold; for changes in the weather; for touch; for letting the affected limbs hang down; at the same time each year.
European adder, viper.
Key Uses:
Origin : Widely distributed in Europe and Asia.
Background : Dark gray with black zigzags on its back, the adder has hollow fangs in the upper jaw for injecting venom.
Preparation : The fresh venom is triturated with lactose sugar.
Remedy Profile : Vipera is best suited to people with a rather dizzy, even delirious, state of mind. It is also associated with slow-developing children, and people who age prematurely.
Key symptoms associated with Vipera include inflammation and swelling of the veins, typically accompanied by faintness and collapse. The remedy is commonly used for recurrent nosebleeds, varicose veins, or phlebitis (inflammation of a vein).
Symptoms Better : For raising the affected limbs.
Symptoms Worse : For cold; for changes in the weather; for touch; for letting the affected limbs hang down; at the same time each year.
235. VIOLA TRI
Viola tricolor
Heartsease, wild pansy.
Key Uses:Obstinate skin problems, such as impetigo, rashes, eczema, rosacea, and pustular eruptions Urinary problems, such as sharp pains in the urethra and bed-wetting at night
Origin : Native to Europe, north Africa, and parts of Asia.
Background : Heartsease is a member of the violet family, long renowned as a “purifier” and used as a treatment for eczema and itching.
Preparation : The fresh aerial parts in flower are chopped and steeped in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Viola tri. is best suited to those who feel discontented and capricious, and to children who are prone to disobedience.
Obstinate skin problems are typically treated with Viola tri. These include impetigo, rashes, eczema, rosacea, and pustular eruptions. The typical symptom picture is of intolerable itching and burning, especially at night. The skin does not heal easily, and is prone to thick scabs, which may crack and discharge yellow pus or fluid.
Viola tri. is particularly suited to skin symptoms in conjunction with urinary problems. Typical urinary symptoms may include cloudy, foul-smelling urine (like the urine of a cat), frequent, profuse urination, bedwetting at night, and sharp pains in the urethra.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For cold air; in winter; for movement.
Heartsease, wild pansy.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to Europe, north Africa, and parts of Asia.
Background : Heartsease is a member of the violet family, long renowned as a “purifier” and used as a treatment for eczema and itching.
Preparation : The fresh aerial parts in flower are chopped and steeped in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Viola tri. is best suited to those who feel discontented and capricious, and to children who are prone to disobedience.
Obstinate skin problems are typically treated with Viola tri. These include impetigo, rashes, eczema, rosacea, and pustular eruptions. The typical symptom picture is of intolerable itching and burning, especially at night. The skin does not heal easily, and is prone to thick scabs, which may crack and discharge yellow pus or fluid.
Viola tri. is particularly suited to skin symptoms in conjunction with urinary problems. Typical urinary symptoms may include cloudy, foul-smelling urine (like the urine of a cat), frequent, profuse urination, bedwetting at night, and sharp pains in the urethra.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For cold air; in winter; for movement.
236. WYETHIA
Wyethia helenoides syn. Alarconia helenoides
Poison weed, California compass plant.
Key Uses:Hay fever, with itching in the ears, palate, and the back of the nose, a scalding sensation in the mouth, and violent sneezing
Origin : Native to North America.
Background : This plant takes its Latin name from N. B. Wyeth, the naturalist who first discovered it in the mountains of North America.
Preparation : The fresh root is steeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.
Remedy Profile : Uneasy, nervous behavior is typical of people who respond best to Wyethia. They may expect a calamity to befall them.
The classic symptom picture for Wyethia is of hay fever with violent sneezing, dryness, and itching in the ears, palate, and the back of the nose, and a scalding sensation in the mouth. There is often a great urge to rub the palate with the tongue to relieve the itching.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : In the afternoon; for movement; for exercise that raises a sweat; for eating.
Poison weed, California compass plant.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to North America.
Background : This plant takes its Latin name from N. B. Wyeth, the naturalist who first discovered it in the mountains of North America.
Preparation : The fresh root is steeped in alcohol, diluted, and succussed.
Remedy Profile : Uneasy, nervous behavior is typical of people who respond best to Wyethia. They may expect a calamity to befall them.
The classic symptom picture for Wyethia is of hay fever with violent sneezing, dryness, and itching in the ears, palate, and the back of the nose, and a scalding sensation in the mouth. There is often a great urge to rub the palate with the tongue to relieve the itching.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : In the afternoon; for movement; for exercise that raises a sweat; for eating.
237. VINCA
Vinca minor
Lesser periwinkle.
Key Uses:Burning leg ulcers Cradle cap Excessive menstrual flow Itchy, burning skin Warm scalp with foul-smelling eruptions and corrosive itching Weeping eczema
Origin : Native to Europe.
Background : Lesser periwinkle was traditionally known as the “flower of death” by Italians, who placed it on the coffins of dead children.
Preparation : The whole, fresh plant, including the root, is finely chopped and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Vinca is most suitable for people who seem sad, weepy, weak, and faint. They may have an empty, hungry sensation, and possibly a feeling that they are going to die.
Skin problems such as eczema are key conditions treated by this remedy. It is used for weeping eczema that is infected with thick, foul-smelling crusts, for itchy, burning skin, for a warm scalp with foul-smelling eruptions and corrosive itching, for cradle cap, and for burning leg ulcers. Vinca is also given for excessive menstrual flow that causes great weakness.
Symptoms Better : For moving in the open air.
Symptoms Worse : For anger; for walking; for stooping; for swallowing.
Lesser periwinkle.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to Europe.
Background : Lesser periwinkle was traditionally known as the “flower of death” by Italians, who placed it on the coffins of dead children.
Preparation : The whole, fresh plant, including the root, is finely chopped and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Vinca is most suitable for people who seem sad, weepy, weak, and faint. They may have an empty, hungry sensation, and possibly a feeling that they are going to die.
Skin problems such as eczema are key conditions treated by this remedy. It is used for weeping eczema that is infected with thick, foul-smelling crusts, for itchy, burning skin, for a warm scalp with foul-smelling eruptions and corrosive itching, for cradle cap, and for burning leg ulcers. Vinca is also given for excessive menstrual flow that causes great weakness.
Symptoms Better : For moving in the open air.
Symptoms Worse : For anger; for walking; for stooping; for swallowing.
238. VISCUM ALB
Viscum album
Mistletoe.
Key Uses:Generalized tremors and uncontrollable jerking after a fright Neuralgic pains, especially headaches Seizures, including petit mal and epilepsy that may be accompanied by breathing problems Tearing joint pains
Origin : Native to Europe and northern Asia, and found growing as a parasite on host trees such as oak and apple.
Background : Revered in Nordic and Druidic legend, this plant has long been used in herbal VIOLA TRICOLOR (Heartsease)172 medicine and is currently being researched as a treatment for cancer.
Preparation : The fresh, leafy shoots and berries are harvested in fall, chopped finely, and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Fear and detachment from others is typical in those for whom Viscum alb. is most appropriate. They seem to dream constantly, both when awake and asleep, and may talk incoherently. They may be alternately cold and hot.
The classic symptom picture for Viscum alb. is of seizures, tremors, or epilepsy, tearing joint and neuralgic pains, and asthma. It is prescribed for generalized tremors, uncontrollable jerking after a fright, seizures, including “absences,” petit mal, chorea, and epilepsy that begins as a glow radiating from the head to the feet. Attacks may be accompanied by breathing difficulties or asthma, and followed by persistent dizziness and by twitching of the body that causes insomnia.
Neuralgic pains usually treated with Viscum alb. include headaches with a numb, tightening sensation and throbbing in the top of the head, as though the skull is being lifted off the body. Headaches are sometimes accompanied by eye pains, difficulty in opening the eyelids, and crackling noises or deafness in the ears.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For winter; for cold, stormy weather; for becoming chilled when hot; for movement.
Mistletoe.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to Europe and northern Asia, and found growing as a parasite on host trees such as oak and apple.
Background : Revered in Nordic and Druidic legend, this plant has long been used in herbal VIOLA TRICOLOR (Heartsease)172 medicine and is currently being researched as a treatment for cancer.
Preparation : The fresh, leafy shoots and berries are harvested in fall, chopped finely, and macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : Fear and detachment from others is typical in those for whom Viscum alb. is most appropriate. They seem to dream constantly, both when awake and asleep, and may talk incoherently. They may be alternately cold and hot.
The classic symptom picture for Viscum alb. is of seizures, tremors, or epilepsy, tearing joint and neuralgic pains, and asthma. It is prescribed for generalized tremors, uncontrollable jerking after a fright, seizures, including “absences,” petit mal, chorea, and epilepsy that begins as a glow radiating from the head to the feet. Attacks may be accompanied by breathing difficulties or asthma, and followed by persistent dizziness and by twitching of the body that causes insomnia.
Neuralgic pains usually treated with Viscum alb. include headaches with a numb, tightening sensation and throbbing in the top of the head, as though the skull is being lifted off the body. Headaches are sometimes accompanied by eye pains, difficulty in opening the eyelids, and crackling noises or deafness in the ears.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For winter; for cold, stormy weather; for becoming chilled when hot; for movement.
239. ZINGIBER
Zingiber officinale
Ginger.
Key Uses:Asthma Digestive disorders, including nausea, vomiting, and colicky pain in the abdomen, with chronic excess mucus production in the intestine
Origin : Native to southern Asia and grown throughout the tropics.
Background : Ginger has played a major medicinal and culinary role in many cultures for millennia, and is highly valued, especially for relieving indigestion and nausea and stimulating the circulation.
Preparation : The rhizome is dried and stripped of its outer layer, before being macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : People who benefit most from Zingiber are cheerful even when in great pain. They are nervous and fidgety, and often restless at night, despite being sleepy.
Digestive disorders are chiefly associated with Zingiber. Typical symptoms treated include nausea, vomiting, and colicky pain in the abdomen, with chronic excess mucus production in the intestine. The remedy is also prescribed for asthma that is marked by a total absence of any accompanying anxiety.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For cold air; for uncovering the body; for touch; for lying; for movement; for bread; for melons.
Ginger.
Key Uses:
Origin : Native to southern Asia and grown throughout the tropics.
Background : Ginger has played a major medicinal and culinary role in many cultures for millennia, and is highly valued, especially for relieving indigestion and nausea and stimulating the circulation.
Preparation : The rhizome is dried and stripped of its outer layer, before being macerated in alcohol.
Remedy Profile : People who benefit most from Zingiber are cheerful even when in great pain. They are nervous and fidgety, and often restless at night, despite being sleepy.
Digestive disorders are chiefly associated with Zingiber. Typical symptoms treated include nausea, vomiting, and colicky pain in the abdomen, with chronic excess mucus production in the intestine. The remedy is also prescribed for asthma that is marked by a total absence of any accompanying anxiety.
Symptoms Better : None known.
Symptoms Worse : For cold air; for uncovering the body; for touch; for lying; for movement; for bread; for melons.
