Nux Moschata: Homeopathic Medicine – Its Use, Indications And Dosage

Homeopathic medicine Nux Moschata is derived from plant Myristica Fragrans commonly known as ‘nutmeg’. It belongs to family Myristicaceae. Powdered seeds deprived of mace of this plant are potentized as per homeopathic formula that extracts and intensifies its medicinal properties. Post-potentization it becomes a highly valuable homeopathic medicine called ‘Nux Moschata.’ It manages really well the cases of memory weakness, excessive drowsiness/sleepiness and dryness of mouth and eyes.

The ‘Nux Moschata’ Constitution

‘Nux Moschata’ is highly suitable to people who have dry skin, and do not sweat easily. Elderly people who have weakness, and have concern of acidity may find this medicine suitable.

Drug Action

This medicine acts well on the brain, mouth, eyes, and gastric system, and also women’s organs. Besides these, its role in treating certain sleep issues is highly recommended.

Clinical Indications

Memory weakness, Alzheimer’s disease, drowsiness, sleepiness, narcolepsy, dry mouth, dry eyes, pterygium, droopy eyelids, colic, flatus, diarrhea, constipation, worms, irregular menses, painful menses, uterine prolapse, leucorrhoea

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Complaints Pertaining To Brain (Memory Weakness, Alzheimer’s Disease, Change of Mood, Absent-mindedness)

Nux Moschata has a magnificent action on the mind. This medicine is of great clinical significance in managing cases of weak memory. Those who need it complain of sudden vanishing of thoughts while talking, writing or reading. On such occasions, they fail to get the right word and use wrong words instead. While writing they may omit letters in a word or write wrong alphabets. There is slow flow of ideas to the brain, and the person faces difficulty in comprehension. In some cases, there may be complete loss of memory about the past. It is also well-indicated in managing cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (a brain disorder where death of brain cells occurs leading to memory loss and destruction of thinking, behavioral and social skills). It is also helpful in cases of senile dementia (decline of memory in old age). This medicine also has a great ability to manage cases of sudden mood changes. Those who need it are happy one moment, and sad the next moment, and may even start crying. This medicine is also recommended for absent-mindedness. The person may not even answer simple questions, and could even be bereft of the knowledge of his present whereabouts.

Key Indicating Features

Weak memory with vanishing of thoughts while talking, writing or reading

Alzheimer’s Disease

Sudden mood changes with happiness, and laughter at one moment but sadness, and crying the next moment

2. Sleep Issues (Drowsiness, Sleepiness, and Narcolepsy)

Nux Moschata plays a very important role in managing certain sleep issues. First of all, it is a very beneficial medicine in case of excessive drowsiness, and sleepiness. There is overpowering sleep, and irresistible drowsiness. It is the main medicine for cases of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing excessive daytime drowsiness and sudden episodes of sleep). It is helpful when a person has tendency to wake up with a jerk from sleep. It is accompanied by sensation of shocks as if electricity is being passed through the body. Lastly, it is well indicated for people who have dreams of falling from high place.

Key Indicating Features

Excessive irresistible drowsiness

Excessive sleepiness

Narcolepsy

Tendency to wake up with a jerk from sleep with shock like sensation as from electricity being passed through the body

3. Mouth (Dry Mouth)

This medicine has a wonderful effect on the mouth. It is best suited in case of complaints of dry mouth. The dryness is so intense that the tongue sticks to the roof of the mouth. The dryness in the mouth gets worst at night. The lips, and throat get dry as well. But there is absence of thirst in spite of marked dryness. The saliva is produced in a very less amount, it is thick, and feels like cotton in the mouth. The tongue looks white. Bad smell in the mouth is present. Lastly, there is chalky taste in the mouth in the morning .

Key Indicating Features

Dryness of Mouth with the tongue sticking to the roof of the mouth

Intense mouth dryness but absence of thirst

Less saliva, feels like cotton in mouth

4. Eyes Complaints (Dry Eyes, Pterygium, Droopy Eyelids)

Use of Nux Moschata is considered well to manage complaints of dryness of eyes. It puts a hindrance in moving eyelids, and closing them. Next, it can be used in cases of pterygium (abnormal tissue growth on conjunctiva). Its last indication is drooping of eyelids (ptosis).

Key Indicating Features

Dry eyes causing hindrance in the movement of eyelid

Pterygium

Drooping of eyelids

5. Gastric Complaints (Bloating, Gas, Colic, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Worms)

It can be used to treat various gastric related problems. To begin with, it offers great help in cases of excessive bloating of abdomen. There is much gas in abdomen and it seems that the entire eaten food has turned into gas. Pressure in the pit of the stomach is felt as if there is obstructed gas. Burning, and heat is also felt in the stomach. This medicine is also suitable when there occurs pain in abdomen soon after eating. There is soreness of the navel. Pinching pain is felt in the navel region. Any outside pressure relieves it. Weight is felt in the upper part of the abdomen.

This medicine works well in cases of constipation as well as diarrhea. For constipation, its use is recommended when there is difficulty in passing stool. The stool is soft but requires much straining to pass. In cases of diarrhea, it is mostly used when loose stool is accompanied by loss of appetite, and excessive sleepiness. Stool is copious, offensive with a tendency to faint. During the passing of stool, stitching pain is felt in the anus. After passing the stool, the anus, and rectum both feel constricted. Diarrhea due to cold or drinking cold drinks in the summer can be managed well with this medicine. Lastly, it is a valuable medicine to deal with cases of worms in the children. Here, it is given when stinging pain in the stomach is present, and there is excessive sleepiness.

Key Indicating Features

Excessive bloating, and gas in abdomen as if entire food has turned into gas

Abdomen pain soon after eating

Stinging, and pinching in the navel region, get better when outside pressure is applied

Constipation when the stool (even if soft) is difficult to pass

Diarrhoea when loose stool is accompanied by loss of appetite, and excessive sleepiness

Diarrhoea due to cold or drinking cold drinks in summers

Worms in children with stinging pain in stomach and excessive sleepiness

6. Female Problems (Irregular Menses, Painful Menses, Uterine Prolapse, Leucorrhoea)

For women, Nux Moschata can be of great help in treating various ailments. Firstly, it is mainly helpful when the menses are irregular in terms of time and its amount of flow. These may come too early or too late. The menstrual bleeding may be profuse or scanty. When the periods are suppressed from fright or from cold this medicine is mostly indicated. Next, it is suitable when the periods last too long. The blood is dark, and thick. This medicine can be given to manage painful menses. There is bearing down in the abdomen and drawing pain in limbs, great pressure, and pain in the back along with weakness. Besides these, it can be used to manage cases of prolapse of uterus and vagina; cases in which there occurs passage of gas from vagina; and leucorrhoea (vaginal discharges). For those who need it, leucorrhoea may occur in place of menses. The discharge is muddy or bloody.

Key Indicating Features

Irregular menses in terms of time and the amount of flow

Suppressed menses from fright or from getting cold

Painful menses with bearing down in abdomen, drawing in limbs, and pain in back along with weakness

Prolapse of uterus, and vagina

Passage of gas from vagina

Leucorrhoea in place of menses

Vaginal discharge that are muddy or bloody

 Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from shock, emotions, alcohol, wind, motion, jarring, and dampness

Relieving factors: Complaints are better in warm room, from moist heat, and in dry weather

Dosage

Depending from case to case, the potency of this medicine varies from low to high. One should not repeat its high potency frequently while in low potency it can be taken frequently.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Opium, and Zincum Met

It antidotes: Arsenic Album, Laurocerasaus and Rhododendron

Followed well by: Antimonium Tart, Lycopodium, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, Rhus Tox and Stramonium