Coccus Cacti: Homeopathic Medicine — Its Use, Indications And Dosage

Coccus Cacti is a highly valuable homeopathic medicine for managing cases of cough. It has marked action on respiratory system and is predominantly a medicine to deal with cases of cough that end in vomiting (spasmodic cough). It is one of the best medicines to deal with cases of spasmodic cough that occurs on waking up in the morning. Other than this it helps in managing certain urinary concerns, throat issues and female problems.

Drug Action

This medicine manifests its chief action on the mucus membrane of respiratory system. It also acts wonderfully on the throat. Next it acts markedly on urinary organs and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Cough, bronchitis, vomiting, kidney pain, nephritis, kidney stones, menorrhagia (heavy menses), vaginitis, leucorrhoea

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Respiratory Complaints (Cough, Bronchitis)

Coccus Cacti is of paramount value in managing complaints of respiratory system. It has shown great clinical improvement in cases of cough. The striking feature to use this medicine is spasmodic cough ( attacks of cough ending in vomiting of mucus). There occur regular attacks of violent, tickling cough that ends in vomiting. Clear ropy tough mucus is expectorated. Cough may arise from rawness in air passages. The second noteworthy complaint to use this medicine is spasmodic cough which is at its worst on first waking or rising in the morning. It is mostly worse around 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Tough white mucus is expectorated with cough. There is severe headache along with cough. Its use is also preferred when cough is worse in warm room and gets better in cold air. It is also relieved by taking cold drinks. Its use is highly recommended for cough that happens from brushing teeth or rinsing mouth. It is also suitable to manage cough in alcoholics. It can also be used when there occurs barking type, tickling cough at night and morning.

After coughing for a while, there is expectoration of mucus like white of an egg, tough or whitish yellow that can be drawn into threads. It has a saltish taste. Coccus Cacti is also a good medicine when there is cough with expectoration of stringy, sticky, yellow mucus having sour taste. Other than this, it is beneficial for cough that gets worse from lying down. It can help relieve cough that occurs while exercising. Its use is also considered for bronchitis (inflamed bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs) . In such cases, it is helpful when there occurs expectoration of sticky mucus. The bronchial tubes are loaded with mucus.

Key Indicating Features

Attacks of cough ending in vomiting of tough mucus

Spasmodic cough worse on first waking or rising in morning

Cough arising from brushing teeth or rinsing mouth

Cough with expectoration of tough mucus or clear ropy mucus

Cough in alcoholics

Cough worse during exercise

2. Throat Issues (Sore Throat, Irritation In Throat)

Coccus Cacti is useful for treating cases of sore throat when attended with excessive dryness. Rawness and scraping sensation are present in the throat. There may also occur burning and constricted sensation in throat. A peculiar sensation as if a crumb, lump or hair is lodged in the throat behind larynx is the guiding feature to use it. The lump sensation causes the sufferer to swallow constantly. Another feeling of a thread hanging down the back of throat is also indicative of the use of Coccus Cacti. The uvula may feel elongated.  It can also be successfully used in cases where any sort of irritation in throat brings cough and vomiting. There is accumulation of sticky mucus in the throat,hawking causes cough and vomiting. Coccus Cacti is highly valuable to manage cough arising from scraping sensation in the larynx with expectoration of little balls of mucus.

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat with excessive dryness in throat

Sensation of a crumb, lump or hair lodged in throat behind larynx

Sensation of a thread hanging down the back of throat

Irritation in throat leading to cough and vomiting

Cough arising from scraping sensation in the larynx with expectoration of little balls of mucus

3. Urinary Concerns (Kidney Pain, Nephritis, Bladder Pain)

Use of this medicine is recommended for certain urinary concerns as well. It is a well indicated medicine for managing kidney pain. For using this medicine, the pain in kidney can be sticking, dull pressing, spasmodic or cramp like. It gets worse from pressure and motion. Along with pain there is copious urination. This medicine is indicated for nephritis (inflammation of kidneys) cases. Its use is next considered in cases of cutting type of pain in bladder. Pressure builds up in the bladder with a constant urge to urinate. Another notable feature to use it is lancinating pain extending from kidney to bladder with difficult, painful urination. Lastly, it can be used in cases of kidney stones and blood in urine (hematuria).

Key Indicating Features

Sticking, dull pressing, spasmodic or cramp like pain in kidney

Kidney pain worse from pressure and motion

Cutting pain in bladder, pressure in bladder with a constant urge to urinate

4. Female Problems (Heavy Menses, Vaginitis, Leucorrhoea)

The most salient feature to use this medicine while dealing with women-related problems is heavy menses with thick, black blood and dark clots with difficult painful urination (dysuria). The menses also come early. There is passage of large clots from vagina while passing urine. The clots also pass when rising up and when quiet. Next complaint where its use is recommended is inflammation of vagina (vaginitis). The lower part of vagina is tender with irritation. It gets worse while urinating. It is also effective in managing vaginal discharges (leucorrhoea) that consist of mucus. It is preceded by drawing pain in groin, bladder and pubic region.

Key Indicating Features

Heavy menses with thick, black blood and dark clots with difficult painful urination

Vaginitis with tenderness and irritation in lower part of vagina, worse when urinating

Vaginal discharges that consist of mucus preceded by drawing pain in groins, bladder and pubic region

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from the slightest exertion, from heat, lying down, in early morning, at night, from brushing teeth, from touch

Relieving factors: Complaints get better from cold drinks, from washing in cold water and from walking

Dosage

This medicine is generally recommended in low potencies though high potencies can be used as well. A general rule to be followed is lower potencies can be repeated frequently while higher potencies should be used in infrequent doses.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Coccus Cacti can be compared with medicine Kali Bichrome in case of sticky mucus in throat

It can be compared with homeopathic medicines Cantharis, Sarsaparilla, and Ocimum Can in case of urinary complaints