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The remedy Dulcamara is derived from the plant ‘woody nightshade’ also known as ‘bitter-sweet’ that belongs to family Solanaceae. It is prepared by potentization (a process to prepare homeopathic medicines that arouses medicinal properties of a crude substance) from fresh green stems and leaves of this plant gathered just before flowering. It is a magnificent medicine to manage nasal problems predominantly for managing stuffy nose and various skin complaints mainly urticarial and warts.

The ‘Dulcamara’ Constitution

This medicine is well suited to people having irritable and restless nature who are very sensitive to cold and damp weather conditions.  They are prone to get infected by cold easily from exposure to cold damp environment or weather. Persons who suffer from health complaints as a result of living or working in damp, cold environment are ideal subjects for using this medicine.

Drug Action

This medicine has vast action on different body parts among which it manifests its chief action on nose, skin and joints. Other than these, its action is also seen on face, throat, glands, mucous membranes, muscle tissues, gastric system, neck, back, and female genitals. The most peculiar action of this medicine is to treat complaints arising from cold and damp, rainy, wet weather and also when days are hot and nights are cold towards the end of summer.

Clinical Indications

Nasal stuffiness, colds, nasal allergy, urticaria, warts, herpes, skin eruptions, hard swollen glands, itching, cough, asthma, joint pain, facial pain, tinea capitis (fungal infection of scalp), diarrhea, back pain, neck stiffness.

 Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

 1. Nose (Stuffy Nose, Cold, Nasal Allergy)

It proves to be effective in managing numerous nasal problems. It is one of the best medicines for managing nasal stuffiness that causes trouble in breathing through nose. It is most helpful when the nasal blockage worsens in cold rainy weather / from exposure to cold air. Second main indication where it is beneficial is if one is suffering from cold with thick yellow nasal discharge. There can be bloody crusty nasal discharge too. It suits well new-borns suffering from cold. Hay fever or nasal allergy can also be well managed with this medicine. For using it, constant sneezing and watery nasal discharge that aggravates in open air is a guiding feature. Copious eye discharge can attend. Sensitivity to newly mown (trimmed) grass is an important feature that can be present in persons needing it.

Key Indicating Features

Stuffy nose from cold exposure and in cold rainy weather

Cold with thick yellow or bloody crusty nasal discharge

Hay fever with constant sneezing, watery nasal discharge worse in open air

2. Skin (Urticaria, Warts, Itching, Eruptions, Eczema)

Dulcamara has extensive action on skin where it helps to rectify a number of complaints. The most important skin issue where it helps is urticaria which refers to red, itchy bumps (wheals) on the skin from an allergic reaction. For this complaint, it is selected when urticaria worsens from exposure to cold. Red spots appear on the skin, mostly on the entire body that is accompanied by intense itching. A pricking needle-like sensation is also felt. This medicine also offers benefits in cases of warts (small, painless bumps on skin caused by human papillomavirus). Large and smooth textured warts mostly indicate its use. The main location of these warts is on palms of hands and face. Another striking feature to use it is skin itching that increases in cold, wet weather. There can occur skin eruptions that are thick, covered with scales or crusts, sometimes these bleed too when scratched. Skin eruptions around menses especially on face, hands and arms is another peculiar indication for using this remedy. It is useful for eczema cases when eruptions occur on face and limbs. There appear vesicles (fluid-filled skin eruptions) that itch and pus may develop in them. These can get covered with crusts too. It can also be given for managing cases of eczema in infants. Besides these, it can be used for ringworm of scalp and fungal infection of scalp (tinea capitis).

Key Indicating Features

Urticaria from cold exposure

Warts on palms of hands and fingers

Skin itching in cold, wet weather

Skin eruptions on face, hands, arms around menses

3. Limbs And Joints (Joint Pain, Warts, Exostosis, Muscle Pain)

Dulcamara has wide action on limbs and joints. It works well in case of joint pain after exposure to cold or being wet for a relatively long time. The affected part feels as if beaten. The pain worsens if kept still in one position and gets better by moving about. A unique feature that indicates the use of this remedy is joint pain alternating with skin eruptions. It can also be given for cold feet, limb swelling and warts. The feet are icy cold. Swelling of limbs and calf muscles is present. It helps when warts appear on fingers and palms of hands. Apart from these, Dulcamara is indicated for exostosis (extra bony growth on the top of existing bone). It is a prominent medicine to dissolve extra bony outgrowths in arm bones and the upper part of tibia bone present in leg. It can be given for muscle pain and stiffness, attended with soreness. It gets worse from cold exposure.

Key Indicating Features

Joint pain after exposure to cold or wet

Warts on fingers and palms of hands

Muscle pain, soreness and stiffness from cold exposure

4. Face (Facial Pain, Herpes, Warts, Twitchings)

With its action on face, Dulcamara can manage well facial pain, facial neuralgia, skin eruptions, herpes, warts and twitchings. In case of facial pain, it begins around the cheeks and then radiates to eyes, ears and jaw. Pain increase from even little exposure to cold. External warmth reduces pain. It can be given for warts and herpes on the face. Herpetic eruptions (cold sores) appear on lips or around the lips. Skin eruptions appear on the face, especially on the cheeks. The bumps are thick that may be covered with brown yellow crust. Its use is also recommended for lip twitching that occurs in cold air.

Key Indicating Features

Facial pain that worsens from exposure to cold

Herpes eruptions on lips or around the lips

Warts on face

Lip twitching in cold air

5. Throat And Cough (Tonsillitis, Cough, Asthma)

Use of this medicine is also recommended for certain throat issues and cough. The foremost symptom pointing towards its use is tonsillitis from change of weather. It is primarily indicated for cough that worsens in cold, wet weather, and winter. The cough may be dry or lose rattling type. Cough may occur from tickling in the back of the throat. Tough green expectoration comes out. Cough worsening from physical exertion is also an important symptom to use Dulcamara. This medicine is very useful to manage cough in elderly people and in infants. It also proves to be effective in treating asthma that gets worse during wet weather with loose rattling cough with excessive phlegm expectoration, and difficulty in breathing.

Key Indicating Features

Tonsillitis from change of weather

Cough worse in cold, wet weather, winters and from physical exertion

Asthma worsens during wet weather

6. Neck And Back (Lower Back Pain, Neck Pain)

Dulcamara is of great value to manage back and neck complaints. It is beneficial to manage lower back pain. It worsens in damp, cold weather. Heat is felt in the back. It is used for neck pain and stiffness. The stiffness extends to shoulders which increases after getting cold or wet.

Key Indicating Features

Lower back pain in damp, cold weather

Neck pain and stiffness after getting cold and wet

7. Gastric Complaints (Stomach Pain, Diarrhea)

When it comes to gastric issues, Dulcamara is beneficial to manage stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. It helps to alleviate cutting type of pain felt in the navel region. Green, slimy stool follows pain. Vomiting is of green, yellow slimy matter or white thick mucus. It is prescribed when diarrhea mainly occurs during damp cold weather. The stool is watery, green, slimy, sour smelling. It may have undigested food particles.

Key Indicating Symptoms

Cutting pain in navel region followed by green, slimy stool

Diarrhea in damp, cold weather

8. Female Problems (Genital Herpes, Skin Rash, Suppressed Menses)

This medicine is also known to be helpful in managing some female problems. Dulcamara can help to heal genital herpes. There are eruptions on vulva in cases needing it. These get worse in cold and damp surroundings. Another notable symptom to use it is skin rash that appears specifically before menses. Not only this, it can also be given for suppressed menses in cold and damp weather and when menses are delayed and of too short duration.

Key Indicating Features

Genital herpes when eruptions get worse in cold and damp weather

Skin rash before menses

Suppresses menses from cold and dampness

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from cold, damp, rainy weather, sudden temperature change, from getting chilled while heated, when days are hot and nights are cold, from taking cold drinks or ice creams and at night.

Relieving factors: Complaints get better in dry weather, by external warmth and moving about

Dosage

This medicine can be used in both low and high potencies. One can repeat this medicine in low potencies frequently but in high potency, frequent repetition should be avoided.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor, Cuprum Met, Ipecac, Kali Carb and Merc Sol

Followed well by Belladonna, Calcarea Carb, Lycopodium, Rhus Tox and Sepia

The remedy Arsenicum Iodatum is derived from iodide of arsenic. To prepare this medicine, iodide of arsenic undergoes potentization . It is a process of preparing homeopathic medicines by arousing the medicinal properties of a crude substance. This process converts the iodide of arsenic into a very important homeopathic medicine Arsenicum Iodatum. This medicine is highly recommended to treat cases of nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis) and psoriasis (skin condition with inflammatory patches covered with silvery-white scales).

The ‘Arsenicum Iodatum’ Constitution

This medicine is mainly recommended for those having allergies mainly allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma.

Drug Action

Among the various organs, Arsenic Iodatum acts best on the nose. Its action on the nasal membranes helps manage the thin, burning, and excoriating nasal discharge. Another important action of this medicine is seen on the skin where it is of great help to manage skin inflammation and scaly eruptions. It also acts well on the lungs, throat, gastric system and breast.

Clinical Indications

Hay fever, cold, sneezing, psoriasis, ichthyosis, eczema, lichen planus, pimples, tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, cough, pharyngitis, goiter, diarrhea, leucorrhoea, breast tumor.

Scope as a Homeopathic Remedy

1. Nasal Complaints (Hay Fever, Runny Nose, Cold, Sneezing)

This medicine acts on the nose to manage different issues. It is one of the major homeopathic medicines for managing cases of hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis). Hay fever refers to an allergic condition arising from an allergic response to allergens such as dust mites and pollen resulting in symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose and itchy, watery and red eyes. The characteristic feature for using it in hay fever is thin watery irritating, burning nasal discharge that reddens the upper lip. The nasal membrane is sore. Those in need of it also report excessive sneezing. There is irritation or tingling in the nose with urge for constant sneezing. It’s also used in cases of long-term cold when the nasal discharge is thick, yellow and profuse. This may be sticky gluey like honey as well. There may occur post-nasal drip (dripping of mucus from back of the nose down in the throat). Burning sensation in the eyes may be present along with the above-mentioned symptoms.

 Key Indicating Features

Hay fever with thin watery irritating, burning nasal discharge causing redness of the upper lip.

Constant sneezing from irritation or tingling in the nose.

Cold with thick, yellow and profuse nasal discharge.

Burning sensation in the eyes.

2. Skin Problems (Psoriasis, Ichthyosis, Eczema, Pimples, Itching)

It addresses various skin-related issues effectively. To begin with, it has shown great clinical results in treating issues pertaining to dry scaly skin conditions. First among these is psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder in which one can see inflammatory patches on the skin covered with itchy, silvery-white scales. The main indication to use this medicine in psoriasis is dry, itchy and scaly skin when large scales fall off from the affected spots on the skin. It leaves raw surface underneath. Secondly, scaly skin condition where Arsenicum Iodatum seems to work well is ichthyosis. Ichthyosis also known as fish scale disease is an inherited skin condition characterized by rough, dry, scaly skin from the accumulation of dead skin cells on the skin surface in the form of thick dry scales. Other than scaly skin conditions, its role to manage eczema is noteworthy. Its use is recommended specifically for eczema under the beard. Those who need it may have watery oozing under the beard. It is accompanied by itching. Upon washing, the complaint of eczema under the beard gets worse. It also proves effective in cases of acne (pimples).

Here it works well when pimples are hard at the base with pus at the top. It can offer relief from itching on various body parts especially the back. Another important skin complaint where it proves beneficial is lichen planus (an inflammatory skin condition of auto-immune origin characterized by small flat-topped purple-coloured bumps on the skin). It is of great service to manage cases of venereal bubo (enlarged, swollen, tender lymph nodes in the groin area in case of sexually transmitted infections).

Key Indicating Features

Psoriasis with falling of large scales from skin

Ichthyosis

lichen planus

2. Lungs Issues (Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Asthma, Bronchitis And Cough)

This medicine acts well on the lungs. Here it is used for managing tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and cough. It is prominently used for the management of pulmonary tuberculosis (it refers to bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis) means tuberculosis of the lungs. It gives supportive help to manage symptoms along with the conventional mode of treatment in these cases. It is very effective in the initial stages of tuberculosis. In these cases, its use is suggested when there is hoarse coughing and excessive expectoration of pus, profuse night sweats, weakness and weight loss. Next it is helpful in the cases of pneumonia. Pneumonia refers to infection that inflames air sacs of the lungs. In pneumonia, it is administered when there is expectoration of mucus and pus, difficulty in breathing and sweating at night. In asthma, it is useful when there is wheezing while lying down. It is also used in cases of bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial tubes that carry air to and from lungs). For cough, it works equally well for dry as well as wet cough. Coughing increases during night hours. It also worsens from exertion. When cough is wet, phlegm of mucus and pus is expectorated. In some cases, expectoration is yellow-green colored having foul odor.

Key Indicating Features

Management of tuberculosis of lungs with hoarse coughing, excessive pus expectoration, profuse night sweats, weakness and weight loss

Pneumonia with expectoration of mucus and pus, difficulty in breathing and sweating at night

Asthma with wheezing on lying down

Cough at night and from exertion

4. Throat (Inflamed Tonsils, Pharyngitis, Goiter)

Vis-a-vis throat, this medicine acts well in cases of inflamed, swollen, enlarged tonsils. It is also given in cases of follicular pharyngitis. People who need it have rawness and burning pain in the throat. In some cases, throat is dry. Sometimes there is hawking of thick mucus and clotted blood from the throat. Voice hoarseness may also be present. Lastly, it is indicated for goiter (swelling in front of the neck from enlarged thyroid gland) cases.

Key Indicating Features

Rawness and burning pain in throat

Hawking of thick mucus and clotted blood from throat

5. Gastric Problems (Pain, Diarrhoea, Splenomegaly Means Spleen Enlargement)

For gastric troubles, it is mainly administered for managing stomach pain which worsens on getting up from a sitting position and from sitting down also. Pain mainly manifests in the afternoons. There is also heartburn (burning in chest felt behind the breastbone means sternum). Its use is also suggested for abdomen pain which one is relieved after passing stool. The abdomen is hard and distended with gas. Excessive wind-breaking may happen. Its use is also recommended for diarrhea with copious watery stool. Urge for passing stool occurs in the morning upon beginning to move about. Diarrhea does not occur at night. Lastly, it can be given in cases with long-term enlargement of spleen.

Key Indicating Features

Stomach pain worse on rising from sitting

Abdomen pain relieved after stool

Enlargement of spleen

6. Women-related problems (Vaginal Discharges, Breast Lumps)

Women may find this medicine useful to manage vaginal discharge. It is used when the vaginal discharge is yellow, blood-stained, irritating and foul-smelling. With this, there is swelling of the labia. Next, it also acts well on the breast and proves effective to treat cases of lumps in the breast. The lumps are painful and sensitive to touch, nipples are retracted. This medicine can also be recommended for the management of cancer of the breast after ulceration has started.

Key Indicating Features

Vaginal discharge that is yellow, blood-stained, irritating having foul odor with swelling of the labia

Lumps in breast that are painful and sensitive to touch

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse in dry, cold weather, windy, foggy weather, in room and from exertion

Relieving factors: Complaints get better after meal and also in open air

Dosage

Its use can be in both low as well high potencies. In low potency, one may repeat it often but in high potency frequent repetition is not advisable.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Arsenic Album and Bryonia

It can be compared to homeopathic medicines Allium Cepa, Arsenic Album, Tuberculinum and Sanguinaria Nitricum

Homeopathic remedy Chenopodium Anthelminticum is derived from the plant Jerusalem Oak which belongs to family Chenopodiaceae. This plant undergoes potentization (a process to prepare homeopathic medicines that extracts and intensifies the medicinal properties of a crude substance). In this way, it gets converted into a very important medicine Chenopodium Anthelminticum. It is a top-grade medicine in homeopathy to treat ear-related problems mainly tinnitus (noises in ear) and Meniere’s disease (a triad of tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo).

Drug Action

This remedy’s prominent sphere of action centers around the ears. Other than this, it has action on other organs too but in a very limited manner. These organs include throat, back, gastric system, urinary organs, respiratory system and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, deafness, otitis media, vertigo, worms, tonsillitis, scapula pain, asthma, suppressed menses, leucorrhoea

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Ear Complaints (Tinnitus, Meniere’s Disease, Deafness, Otitis Media)

The most prominent and well-defined action of Chenopodium is seen on the ears. It has shown great clinical improvement in many ear-related complaints. The foremost ear complaint for which it is one of the best medicines is tinnitus. Hearing noises in the absence of any external source is called Tinnitus. Chenopodium Anthelminticum is very effective in treating cases of Tinnitus and majorly works well when person hears noises that are roaring, ringing or buzzing in nature. This medicine is also well indicated for cases of pulsatile tinnitus. In this type of tinnitus, the sufferer hears noises that beat in sync with the heart.

Secondly, this medicine is highly beneficial for managing Meniere’s Disease. This disease refers to an inner ear disorder which is characterized by a triad of symptoms including tinnitus, vertigo and fluctuating hearing loss. This may be accompanied by sensation of ear blockage). In cases needing it, vertigo attacks also occurs which happens all of sudden. Chenopodium Anthelminticum is indicated for cases of hearing loss. The characteristic symptom to use it is deafness to human voice but sensitivity to distant sounds. Hearing is better for high-pitched sounds where this medicine is required. This medicine is also helpful for cases of weakness of the auditory nerve (eighth pair of cranial nerve). Besides, it is of great use when conduction of sound to the inner ear is either deficient or absent. Lastly, it can be given in cases of chronic otitis media which is an inflammation or infection of the middle ear.

Key indicating features

Tinnitus with hearing noises that are roaring, ringing or buzzing in nature

Pulsatile tinnitus where the noises beats in sync with heart

Meniere’s disease (triad of tinnitus, vertigo and hearing loss)

2. Throat Issues (Enlarged Tonsils)

Chenopodium also acts well on the throat. Here it is primarily valuable to manage the enlargement of tonsils, especially chronic cases. The tonsils are inflamed and painful as well. Besides, caseous (cheese-like) deposits are present on the tonsils.

Key indicating features

Chronic enlargement of tonsils

Caseous deposits on tonsils

3. Back Problems (Shoulder Blade Pain)

Chenopodium can manage pain under the right shoulder blade (triangular bone that lies in the upper back one on either side). It is attended with giddiness and ringing noises. It is also indicated for pain in between the angle of right shoulder blade, and through chest.

Key indicating features

Pain under the right shoulder blade with giddiness and ringing in the ears

Pain in between angle of the right shoulder blade near spine, and through chest

4. Gastric Concerns (Regurgitation, Worms)

This medicine can be used for certain gastric concerns as well. It firstly includes constant regurgitation (back flow of gastric juice and sometimes undigested food from the stomach into the food pipe) of yellow frothy material. There may occur disagreeable burps and nausea. Other than this, it is an important medicine to get rid of worms, especially roundworms.

Key indicating features

Constant regurgitation of yellow frothy material

Worms especially roundworms

5. Urinary Problems (Kidney Pain, Yellow Foamy Urine)

Chenopodium is beneficial for managing some urinary issues. This medicine is indicated to manage dull pain in the kidney. Urine may be yellow, profuse and frothy. Yellow sediments may be present in the urine in cases needing it.

Key indicating features

Yellow profuse frothy urine or yellow sediments in the urine

6. Respiratory Complaints (Cough, Rattling)

Chenopodium proves effective in managing cough that occurs along with rattling of phlegm and expectoration. There is difficulty in breathing, yellow frothy matter from the stomach rises to the throat. Rattling is felt in the trachea as if a ball is rolling in it.

Key indicating features

Cough with rattling of phlegm

Rattling in trachea

7.  Female Problems (Suppressed Menses)

Lastly, its action is noted on female genitals. Here it is well indicated for the treatment of suppressed menses. The major guiding feature to use it is vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea) instead of menses.

Key indicating features

Vaginal discharge in place of menses

Dosage

Use of this medicine can be done in low or high potency, though 30C potency is mostly used. In low potency, it can be repeated frequently but in high potency, it should be used infrequently.

Relationship with Other Remedies

It can be compared with some remedies including Chelidonium, China, Opium and Chininum Sulphuricum

Sabadilla Officinalis is sourced from plant Cebadilla. It belongs to the family melanthaceae (of the liliaceae). The seeds of the plant Cebadilla are subjected to potentization (process of preparing homeopathic medicines that extracts and intensifies its medicinal properties). Following this process, homeopathic remedy Sabadilla Officinalis is obtained which is of great service to treat nasal allergies, colds and recurrent sneezing.

Drug Action

This medicine principally acts on the mucus membrane of nose. Its action is also felt on lachrymal glands, throat, gastric tract, anus, head, eyes, skin and nerves.

Clinical Indications

Nasal allergy, sneezing, cold, runny nose, sore throat, lachrymation, blue rings around eyes, headache, itchy scalp, worm infestation, stomach pain, cough, earache, noises in ear, dry skin.

 Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Nose (Nasal Allergy, Sneezing, Runny Nose, Cold)

This medicine has an extensive action on the mucus membrane of nose. It treats complaints of nasal allergies, cold, influenza, runny nose, sneezing and nasal itching. It is one of the best homeopathic medicine for cases of nasal allergy also known as hay fever. It is a nasal condition in which cold-like symptoms occur, like runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes that happen from an over-reaction of immune cells to harmless substances like pollen, dust etc in a person having allergic tendency. Sabadilla is well indicated when there is runny nose, profuse watery nasal discharge along with sneezing. Tickling, tingling or itching in nose may be felt. Additionally, redness of eyes and watering from eyes may be there. At a given time, either of the two nostrils is blocked which causes difficulty in breathing. Snoring is experienced by the person. Next, frontal pain in head attends. Another peculiar indication for using this remedy is cold with runny nose/sneezing which get worse from strong odour like perfumes.

Key indicating features

Nasal allergy with runny nose, sneezing and nasal itching

Cold with frontal headache

Cold with runny nose/sneezing from strong odours

2. Throat (Sore Throat, Tonsillitis)

With its action on throat, it offers great help in managing cases of chronic sore throat. In most cases needing it, sore throat begins in the left side and then goes to the right side. The tonsils are swollen and inflamed. Pain in the throat is felt from empty swallowing. Cold air makes the complaint worse. Relief is noted by taking warm food or warm drinks. Stitching pain in throat is experienced while swallowing. There is feeling of a lump in the throat and person has constant desire to swallow it. Sometimes, a sensation of skin hanging loosely in throat is felt. Occasionally, it feels as if a morsel of food has got stuck in the throat leading to cough. The throat may feel dry or there can be tough phlegm in throat with need to hawk.

Key indicating features

Sore throat beginning on left side then going to the right side

Sore throat worse from cold air and better from warm drinks/food

3. Gastric Ailments (Worms, Stomach Pain)

Sabadilla is effective in dealing with gastric ailments. Firstly, it is used to treat worms, mostly tapeworms, pin worms and ascarides worms. It gives substantial relief in itching and crawling sensation felt in the anus due to worms.  It also helps in easing the burning sensation or pain felt in navel region. There may be changes in the bowel movement. The stool can be hard and scanty or there may occur diarrhea with loose, brown and frothy stool. Pinching pain around navel and loud rumbling can be felt before passing stool. There may be burning sensation in abdomen and rectum after passing stool.  Sometimes, blood passes with stool. There is excessive passage of gas. Other than these, Sabadilla is indicated to manage twisting/ turning type of pain in abdomen. Rest of the symptoms include bloating, cutting type of pain in the intestine, abdomen pain with a characteristic sensation of a ball moving in the abdomen, burning sensation in stomach and food pipe, and loss of appetite.

Key indicating features

Worm infestations include tapeworm, pin worms, ascarides worms

Itching, crawling sensation in the anus

Pain in navel region in cases of worms

4. Cough

This medicine has also shown clinical improvement in cases of cough. Sabadilla mostly helps in cases of dry cough that arises from roughness or scratchiness or scraping in throat. Coughing mostly worsens at night, as soon as a person lies down. In some cases, pain at the top of head (vertex) is felt along with cough. Sweating, vomiting and watering from eyes are other accompanying symptoms. Difficulty in breathing, burning sensation in chest and wheezing may also happen.  Sabadilla can also be given for cough that worsens from cold.

Key indicating features

Cough arising from roughness or scratchiness in throat

Cough worsening at night, as soon as one lies down and from cold

5. Ears (Earache, Noises In Ears)

This medicine also acts on ears where it is beneficial to manage cases of ear pain, noises in ears (tinnitus), itching in ears. Along with pain in the ear, there is pressure on the ear. Mostly stitching pain especially in left ear is felt. In case of tinnitus, a person hears humming or gurgling noises in ear. There can be difficulty in hearing too.

Key indicating features

Pain in ear with pressure sensation

Humming, gurgling noises in ears

6. Eyes (Redness Of Eyelids, Lachrymation, Blue Rings)

In case of eyes, Sabadilla can be given to manage redness of eyelids attended with burning sensation. Next, it can be used for excessive watering from eyes (lachrymation) while coughing, sneezing or walking in open air. It is also beneficial for cases of blue rings around the eyes.

Key indicating features

Redness and burning of eyelids

Lachrymation during sneezing, coughing and walking in open air

7. Head (Headache, Itchy Scalp)

Sabadilla is a useful medicine to manage headache. It is mainly preferred to manage headache that occurs with cold. The pain, in this case, is frequently experienced in frontal part of head.  There may be heaviness in the head usually in forehead and sides of head (temporal region) in case of nasal allergy. Next peculiar indication to use it is headache that follows excessive thinking or some intellectual thinking. The pain occurs on one side of the head or on alternating sides. It gets better by eating. Sabadilla can be given in cases of itching and burning on the scalp, crawling sensation can also be felt.

Key indicating symptoms

Headache in frontal part of head with cold

Headache from overthinking and intellectual work

8. Skin Complaints (Dry Skin, Crawling Sensation)

Last sphere of action of Sabadilla is skin where it is useful for dry skin. Burning sensation on skin can be present. It is also effective in managing crawling sensation like that of ants. Lastly, it works well in cases of thick, horny, deformed nails.

Key indicating features

Creeping, crawling sensation on skin

Thick, horny, deformed nails

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints are worse from cold air, cold drinks, strong odors, and mental exertion

Relieving factors: Complaints are better from warm food and drinks, heat, being wrapped up

Dosage

This medicine works well in both low and high potencies. In low potency like 30C, one may take it frequently around two to three times a day. But in high potency like 200C, 1M frequent repetition should be avoided.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor, Conium, Lachesis, Lycopodium and Pulsatilla

Followed well by Arsenic Album, Belladonna, Merc Sol, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla

Ipecacuanha is a homeopathic medicine derived from dried roots of plant Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. It belongs to rubiaceae family. The dried roots of this plant undergoes potentization (process of preparing homeopathic medicines that arouse medicinal powers of a crude substance). As a result, we get homeopathic medicine Ipecacuanha which is of great clinical significance. It is a leading homeopathic medicine to treat certain respiratory problems and gastric issues mainly nausea and vomiting.

 The ‘Ipecacuanha’ Constitution

This medicine is known to be suitable to adults, obese children and physically weak individuals with a tendency to catch cold in warm humid weather. Next, it is recommended for person having a history of nose bleeding or blood loss from any other body part.

Drug Action

It has a wide action on respiratory system and gastric system. Apart from this, it has favourable action on head, nose and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Cough, asthma, pneumonia, hemoptysis, bronchitis, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, hematemesis, gastric headache, migraine, nose bleeding, cold, heavy periods, frequent menses, menstrual cramps, fever.

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Respiratory complaints (cough, asthma, pneumonia, hemoptysis)

This medicine has a wide sphere of action on the respiratory system where it can treat numerous complaints. Firstly, it can give immense relief in cough. It is prominently indicated to manage spasmodic cough that ends in vomiting. The cough is paroxysmal which means it occurs in fits at regular intervals. The cough is loose, rattling cough with excessive mucus accumulation in bronchial tubes (which carry air from windpipe to the lungs). Chest feels full of phlegm and the mucus is expectorated with difficulty. Ipecacuanha is one of the best medicines administered to asthma patients for dry cough with wheezing, constriction in throat and chest, and difficult breathing. After cough, vomiting can occur. Person has shortness of breath, feels suffocated and rushes towards an open window and gasps for air. The face appears pale accompanied by sweating. Asthma worsens at the slightest movement. Ipecacuanha leads the chart of homeopathic medicines for treating asthma during damp weather or sudden weather change. Its use is recommended for cases of pneumonia (an infection that causes inflammation of air sacs of lungs). It is a wonderful medicine for managing suffocative cough in children where the child becomes stiff and face appears blue. Ipecacuanha can also manage bronchitis in children when there is spasmodic cough, accumulation of phlegm in chest, and feeling of suffocation. Besides, it is indicated for cases of hemoptysis (spitting of blood or bloody mucus from lungs). When it occurs with rattling cough or from slight exertion, Ipecac is very helpful.

Key indicating features

1. Spasmodic cough ending in vomiting

2. Asthma with dry cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, constriction in throat and chest

3. Asthma in damp weather or sudden weather change

4. Loose, rattling cough with excessive mucus accumulation in bronchi

2. Gastric issues (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea)

With its action on the gastric system, Ipecac can effectively deal with various complaints, most importantly nausea and vomiting. It has shown good results when nausea is constant, not relieved by vomiting also. Its use is recommended when nausea arises from smell of food, from any kind of movement (jumping, walking, etc) or occurs with cough. The vomit may contain watery fluids, mucus, food or even blood. It is accompanied with bad breath and thirst.  Nausea and vomiting during menses is another striking feature for using this remedy. It is also suitable for managing vomiting in infants who are breastfeeding. Next noteworthy complaint for which Ipecac can be used is stomach cramps accompanied by nausea and vomiting. It can also be given when there is cutting/ drawing/ griping type pain around the navel. Stomach pain following by eating ice cream, sour fruit, and unripe fruits or drinking cold drinks is also managed well with this medicine. Additionally, stomach pain from gas with loose stool is also relieved with it. Ipecac is known to treat diarrhea. The stool is green, yellow, brown, slimy and frothy with extremely unpleasant smell and comes out with excessive gas. It may have mucus lumps or bloody mucus in it sometimes. It has tendency to check diarrhea that follows eating fats, pastries, sweets, etc. This medicine is also beneficial for treating cases of cholera (an infection of small intestine caused by bacteria vibrio cholera) and food poisoning.  A characteristic feature in cases needing it is an absolutely clean tongue with no coating.

Key indicating features

1. Constant nausea not relieved by vomiting

2. Vomiting of watery fluids, mucus, food or even blood (hematemesis)

3. Clean tongue with no coating

4. Stomach pain after ice cream or cold drinks, sour fruit, unripe fruits

3. Head (gastric headache, migraine)

Ipecacuanha also manifests action on head where it acts best to manage gastric headache and migraine. The salient feature for using it is one-sided headache attended with nausea and vomiting. There is throbbing pain in head with sensation of heat being produced. Sometimes there is stinging pain with heaviness of head. It has given remarkable results when there is pain in the back of the head (occiput) and the nape of neck that goes down to the shoulders. Lastly, headache along with nose bleeding is a notable feature.

Key indicating features

1. Gastric headache and migraine

2. One-sided headache attended with nausea and vomiting

3. Headache along with nose bleeding

4. Nose (nose bleeding, cold)

Ipecac can successfully help in case of nose bleeding (epistaxis) when blood is bright red. There may be bleeding from nose with cold, cough or pain in head where it is well indicated. Next, it works well when there is dry cold with blocked nose. Besides, there is heaviness in the head and loss of smell. Itching in nose and sneezing can attend too.

Key indicating features

1. Bright red bleeding from nose

2. Dry cold with nasal blockage, heaviness in the head and loss of smell

5. Female problems (heavy periods, frequent menses, menstrual cramps)

If we talk of female problems, this medicine is effective in helping women with heavy periods, frequent menses, and menstrual cramps. The bleeding is gushing and bright red. Nausea accompanies it with pressure across the uterus. There is also shivering and weakness.  Menses may occur every two weeks. Uterine pain is felt from left to right side. It can help to relieve menstrual cramps attended with constant nausea.

Key indicating features

1. Heavy menses with gushing, bright red bleeding

2. Heavy menses with nausea, shivering, weakness

3. Menstrual cramps attended with constant nausea

6. Fever

Ipecac can be administered for treating fever. The most important symptom to prescribe it here is fever with nausea and vomiting. There is chill alternating with heat. A chilling sensation goes up and down the back. Excessive weakness is felt. Dry heat occurs in evening time.

Key indicating features

1. Fever with nausea and vomiting

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints are worse in warm damp weather, overeating, ice cream, fruits, in cold and winter

Relieving factors: Complaints are better from pressure, and in open air

Dosage

This medicine works equally well in both low and high potency. The action of this medicine lasts for about 7 to 10 days. If taken in low potency, it can be repeated frequently. When consuming in high potency, its frequent repetition should be avoided.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Antimonium Tart, Arnica, Arsenic Album, China, Ferrum Met, Laurocerasus and Sulphuric Acid

Followed well by: Antimonium Crudum, Antimonium Tart, Arsenic Album, Bryonia, Calcarea Carb, China, Nux Vomica, Podophyllum, Pulsatilla, Tabacum, and Veratrum Album.