Minor Homoeopathic Remedies D

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Datura stramonium

Stramonium; thorn apple, devil's apple, stink weed, devil's trumpet, Jamestown weed, Jimson weed There are a number of species of Datura distributed throughout many countries of the world, and all are poisonous with highly narcotic effects. Datura stramonium is found in Europe, North America and Asia, often growing as a weed on waste ground. It is a large, bushy plant, usually about three or four feet in height and producing large white flowers. Later, pebble-sized capsules protected by thorns are produced that open when ripe to reveal black or very dark brown seeds. The flowers have a pleasant scent, but the rest of the plant, especially the leaves, give off an unpleasant, rank smell that is repellent to grazing animals.

The plant has been used in herbal medicine for many hundreds of years. Inhalation of the smoke from the burning piant was used as a cure for attacks of asthma, and sometimes a type of cigarette was made from the leaves for this purpose. Preparations of the plant were used externally to relieve painful rheumatism, neuralgic conditions such as sciatica, haemorrhoids, abscesses and boils, and other inflammations.

It has also been used for sedation and was eaten by soldiers in medieval Europe before going into battle to calm their fears. Juice extracted from the green parts of the plant before it comes into flower are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. It is used to treat nervous system disorders and is a useful remedy for children. Symptoms include muscular jerking, spasms and twitches, convulsions because of epilepsy, high fever in children or meningitis and strokes. Also, for physical symptoms suffered by a person who has sustained a severe shock or fright, night terrors in children, states of great anxiety and mental agitation.

A child may be terrified of the dark and the imagined creatures of the night. An adult may have a fear of water or is unreasonably afraid that he or she may suffer violence. The person often has a craving for drinks of an acidic nature and has an excessive thirst.

Symptoms are worse if the person is left alone and following sleep. Also, when the person tries to swallow liquids or food and if the weather is overcast and cloudy. The symptoms improve if the person has the reassurance and company of other people, particularly if the surroundings are light, airy and warm.

Delphinium staphysagria

Staphysagria; stavesacre, staphisagris, planted larkspur, lousewort
This plant has a long history of medicinal use going back to the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, being described by both Dioscorides and Pliny. It was used externally to destroy parasites such as lice and to treat insect bites and stings, and has continued to be employed for this purpose throughout history. It is highly poisonous and even in small doses causes vomiting and diarrhoea, acting as a purgative.

Staphysagria is a large, annual plant with hairy stems and leaves, which grows to a height of about four feet and is a native of southern European and Asian countries. It produces spikes of light blue/purple flowers and, later, seed pods containing dark-coloured seeds. The seeds are the part used in both herbal medicine and homoeopathy. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat neuralgic pains, toothache, pain from the incision of an operation, pressure headache, inflammation and infection of the eyes or eyelids, such as styes and blepharitis, cystitis and painful sexual intercourse in women.

It may also be used for painful teething in young children and for disorders of the prostate gland in men. Usually, the person who benefits has suppressed anger or resentment and is inclined to be irritable. Symptoms are made worse for suppression of feelings, following a sleep in the afternoon and after eating breakfast. They improve with warmth and by giving voice to the emotions. People suitable for staphysagria appear equable and mild on the outside but internally seethe with suppressed emotions, especially anger.

They are inclined to harbour resentment for supposed slights or insults and are somewhat driven, workaholic people. They often have a high libido and suppress their emotions because they are afraid of losing self-control, especially in front of other people. Body secretions may smell unpleasant, and they have a desire for alcoholic drinks and sweetened foods.

Digitalis purpurea

Digitalis; foxglove, fairy thimbles, fairy's gloves, witch's gloves, folk's glove The striking and attractive foxglove, with its deep pink-purple, long, bell-shaped flowers, is a familiar plant in Britain and other European countries. One of its oldest name, folk's glove, associates it with the 'good folk', or fairies, who were believed to inhabit the woods and groves where the plant commonly grows.

The name foxglove is derived from Anglo-Saxon, but the plant was given its Latin adjective of Digitalis in the mid-16th century, derived from digitabulum, meaning 'thimble'. The plant was used medicinally in ancient times as a cure for wounds and bruising. It was not until 1785, however, that its value in the treatment of dropsy (oedema, or fluid retention, which may accompany heart disease) was discovered by a Dr William Withering.

Its main use, both in modern orthodox medicine and homoeopathy, is as a major remedy for heart disorders. Liquid extracted from the new fresh green leaves collected in the spring is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. It is used as a treatment for a slow, faint or irregular heartbeat such as may accompany heart failure and other heart and circulatory disorders. The person often experiences a sinking sensation in the pit of the stomach such as occurs with fear and may feel that the heart is about to cease to beat altogether.

There may be additional problems, particularly with the liver or kidneys. The symptoms are made worse by listening to music, eating a meal and sitting in an upright position. They improve out in the fresh open air and. by not eating. The person who benefits from this remedy may feel nauseated at the sight of food.

Dioscorea villosa

Dioscorea; wild yam, rheumatism root, colic root, wild yamwurzel
This perennial plant is a native species of Canada and the United States, although there are many other varieties inhabiting most tropical countries. It has a twining habit with a long, twisted, branched root that is the part used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. Preparations of the root act upon the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, having antispasmodic properties. Hence the remedy is used to treat spasmodic colicky pains, bilious colic, morning sickness during pregnancy, abdominal wind and diarrhoea. Other types of spasmodic pain, such as neuralgia, may benefit from this remedy, and symptoms are relieved by gentle exercise and movement.

Dryopteris filix-mas

Male shield fern A common type of fern found in the United Kingdom, Europe and many other countries with a temperate climate. The plant has a stocky, short rhizome or underground stem just beneath the surface of the soil, with a tangle of roots protruding from its under surface. This part is collected and dried and used to prepare remedies both in herbal and homoeopathic medicine.

The root contains a liquid oleoresin and has been known since ancient times for its anthelmintic properties (anti-worm), being particularly useful for the expulsion of a tapeworm. One method, using the root of the fern, is described by Dioscorides, and the remedy continues to be used for this purpose today. If a tapeworm is present there may be little in the way of symptoms but abdominal cramps, slight bleeding and itching. One dose is usually sufficient to expel the parasite, and preparations have also been used in veterinary medicine.

Duboisia myoporoides

Duboisia; corkwood elm, corkwood tree This large shrub or small tree is a native species of Australia, producing large, white flowers and green leaves that are gathered when the plant is flowering to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. The preparation made from the leaves acts on the central nervous system, having an hypnotic and sedative effect. Applied to the eye it is a mydriatic, causing dilation of the pupil.

In homoeopathy, the remedy is used for eye disorders, particularly if there are one or more floating red spots (debris) causing disturbance of vision. Also, for painful, irritated and inflamed eyes such as may be caused by conjunctivitis. It may be used for symptoms of vertigo or where there are symptoms of mental confusion.