Minor Homoeopathic Remedies E

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Elaps corailinus

Corailinus; coral snake The attractive coral snake is a native animal of North and South America, especially Brazil and Canada. The snake has broad red and narrower blue bands of colour down the length of its body that are separated from one another by thin strips of white. The homoeopathic remedy is prepared from fresh snake venom and is used as a treatment for troublesome bleeding and strokes. The bleeding disorders that may benefit from Elaps include nosebleeds, heavy menstruation (menorrhagia), piles and strokes affecting the right side of the body.

The person may have a feeling of being chilled inside and desire cold drinks. However, cold foods and drinks, humid weather before a thunderstorm and getting too hot in bed make the symptoms worse. Also, they are worse if the person lies on his or her front or walks around. Symptoms are generally better during the night and for staying still. People who benefit from Elaps are usually afraid of snakes and fear being left on their own and do not like the rain. They are frightened of death and the possibility of having a stroke.

Equisetum hiemale, Equisetum arvense Equisetum; horsetail, scouring rush, pewterwort, bottlebrush, shave-grass, paddock-pipes The horsetails are a very ancient group of plants descended from species that grew during the Carboniferous geological period. Several species are found in the British Isles. Equisetum arvense is the most common of these and is also distributed in many other countries of the world. Equisetum hiemale is found in China and other eastern countries.

Horsetails produce two kinds of stems, fertile and barren, which are jointed and hollow. There are no leaves but long green spikes at the joints with jagged edges. The fruiting or fertile stem, which is produced early in the season before the barren stems appear, has a cone-like structure at the end containing numerous spores. The stems of horsetails are strengthened with silica, and the plants were formerly used for scouring and cleaning purposes (hence the names pewterwort, scouring brush, bottlebrush, etc).

There is a long history of medicinal use going back to ancient times, and the plant is described by Dioscorides as being good for the healing of wounds. While the plant continued to be used for wounds and ulcers, it was also believed to be helpful in the healing of ruptures and for bowel and kidney complaints. In modern herbal medicine, it is used for kidney disorders and fluid retention (oedema) as it has diuretic as well as astringent properties.

The fresh parts of the plant are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is used to treat an irritable bladder. The symptoms resemble those of cystitis but without the presence of infection. The bladder feels constantly full with an aching and dragging sensation. There is a continual feeling of the need to pass urine, which is usually released only in small amounts with pain at the end of urination. There may be kidney pain and slight incontinence.

Equisetum is a useful remedy for children who wet the bed when suffering from disturbed sleep because of nightmares. The symptoms are worse if pressure is applied to the painful part and with touch, exercise or movement. They improve if the person remains still and lies on the back.

Euonymus atropurpurea

Euonymus; burning bush, wahoo, Indian arrowroot
This shrub is a native species of the United States and grows to a height of about six feet. It produces attractive deep purple flowers and dark green leaves that are edged with a purple tinge. The bark of the roots and stems is used and, in small doses, the preparation has a stimulant effect on the digestive system. However, in large doses it has an irritant and purgative effect.

In herbal medicine, it is valued as a liver stimulant promoting the flow of bile juice. The homoeopathic remedy is used for digestive complaints with bloatedness and abdominal pain and swelling of the feet and ankles because of retention of fluid (oedema). There may be stomach irritation (gastritis) with diarrhoea or blood in the stools. The remedy is also used for mental symptoms of irritability or confusion.

Euonymus europea

Spindle tree, prickwood, skewerwood, fusanum, fusoria
The spindle tree grows in woods and hedges in the British Isles and other European countries. It produces clusters of white flowers tinged with green in early summer and, later, bright red fruits containing orange seeds. The leaves, fruits and bark are all harmful and are not touched by grazing animals.

The fruits cause severe sickness and diarrhoea if eaten, and the seeds are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. It is used to treat digestive disorders with severe abdominal pains and copious diarrhoea. Also, for symptoms of angina, including constricting chest pains and breath-lessness. Symptoms may occur mainly on the left side.

Eupatorium perfoliatum

Eupator; boneset, thoroughwort, agueweed, feverwort This perennial plant is a native species of North America, being common on damp ground in low-lying situations. It is a very important plant in herbal medicine and has always been valued for its medicinal uses, firstly by the Indian native peoples and later by European and African settlers. It has a thick hairy stem and abundant white flowers throughout the summer months. Preparations made from the plant act as a tonic or stimulant of the digestive system in small doses.

However, in large doses it causes sickness and diarrhoea, having a purgative effect. It is also valued for its fever-reducing qualities and, in addition, is diaphoretic, promoting perspiration. The whole green plant and flowers are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is given for feverish conditions such as colds and influenza. Accompanying symptoms include restlessness, severe aches and pains in the bones, hot, dry skin and little perspiration.

The person craves ice-cold drinks and foods, such as ice cream, and may have a painful, dry cough. Symptoms are worse for exercise and movement and in the early morning between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Also, they are worse outside in fresh clean air. They are better inside and for talking to other people and for vomiting bile.