Minor Homoeopathic Remedies P

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Paeonia officinalis Peony

This plant is well known in the British Isles as a pretty, deep pink garden flower, but it has been used medicinally since ancient times. It is believed to derive its name from a Greek physician called Paos, who, according to mythology, used it to cure the gods, including Pluto, of wounds sustained during the Trojan War. Many ancient superstitions and charms were connected with the plant, which was believed to have come from the moon and to have divine origins.

The root of the peony has been used to prevent nightmare and epilepsy, as a cure for madness and to combat infection after childbirth. The fresh root, which is used to prepare both the herbal and homoeopathic remedies, has antispasmodic, sedative and antiseptic qualities. In homoeopathy, it is used as a remedy for itchy piles, or haemorrhoids, with discomfort and swelling. Also, it is used for sleep disturbance because of nightmares and indigestion and the need to sleep during the afternoons.

Papaver somniferum

Opium poppy, mawseed The opium poppy is a native of Asia but is widely cultivated in other countries. In the wild, the poppy flowers are a pale mauve colour with a deeper purple spot at the base of the petals. Cultivated flowers have a variety of colours, from white to red/purple. The unrip-ened green seed capsules that develop at the base of the flowers are the part used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy.

An incision is made into the capsule, and a milky white juice is exuded that darkens as it dries. This is collected by scraping the capsules. The principal constituents of the opium juice are the alkaloids morphine and codeine, which are widely used in conventional medicine for their potent analgesic properties. Opium was used by the physicians of ancient Greece and Rome as a painkiller.

It was probably introduced into India and hence to Europe by Arabian physicians. Dark grey poppy seeds, from the red/purple coloured flowers (called mawseed) are used in cooking and do not contain opium or morphine. They are also a constituent of bird seed. Opium has narcotic, sedative, hypnotic and antispasmodic properties. In homoeopathy the remedy is used to treat symptoms of mental shock following a severe emotional shock or frightening experience.

The symptoms may either be those of withdrawal and apathy, or of great agitation, excitement and sleeplessness with a greatly enhanced acute sense of hearing. It is also given for respiratory and breathing problems, constipation, alcohol withdrawal symptoms (delirium tremens) and following a stroke. Symptoms are worse for sleep and heat and improve with movement and exercise and in cool surroundings.

Pareira brava

Ice vine, velvet leaf This climbing vine is a native species of Peru, Brazil and the West Indies and has very large leaves and flowers. It has a twisted, knotty root, and it is this part that is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. Preparations made from the root have a stimulant effect on the kidneys and bowels and have diuretic and tonic properties. The homoeopathic remedy is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections and disorders including cystitis, urethritis, urine retention and urinary frequency. There may be hot, burning pains on passing urine with abdominal pain or discomfort.

Paris quadrifolia

One berry, true love, herba Paris This herbaceous, perennial plant flourishes in moist, shady conditions in woodlands throughout Europe and in Russia. A single stem is produced, which grows to a height of about ten inches or one foot, near the top of which are four pointed leaves. A single flower is produced in early summer, which is a whitish-green in colour and has an unpleasant rank smell.

Later, a purple-black fruit is produced, which splits to release its seeds when ripe. The whole plant is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, and it was first investigated and proved by Hahnemann. The plant is poisonous and has narcotic properties. If eaten in large quantities, it produces vomiting and diarrhoea, giddiness, dry throat, sweating and possibly convulsions and death.

In homoeopathy, it is used as an eye remedy for conjunctivitis and inflamed, irritated, itchy, watery eyes. Symptoms are mainly on the left side and the person is often excitable and talkative.

Parotidinum

The mumps nosode This homoeopathic remedy is derived from mumps-infected parotid salivary gland secretion. It is usually given as a preventative medicine to adults at risk of contracting mumps.

Passiflora incarnata

Passionflower, maypops There are a number of species of passionflower, which gain their name from the resemblance of the blooms to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus. The plant produces large, sweet-scented flowers that are white or whitish-peach coloured with tinges of purple. Later, large berries with many seeds are produced, which are edible. The green parts of the plant are used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies.

Preparations derived from the passionflower have sedative, narcotic and antispasmodic properties. In homoeopathy, the remedy is used for convulsions, as in epilepsy, and also for illnesses in which there are severe spasms, such as whooping cough, asthmatic attacks and tetanus. Also, for serious mental disturbance, including delirium tremens resulting from alcoholism, and excited manic states.

Pertussin

Coqueluchin This remedy is a nosode of whooping cough and is derived from material contaminated with the virus. It is given to treat the symptoms of whooping cough but also as a preventative measure for those at risk of contracting the disease.

Phellandrium aquaticum

Water fennel, fine-leaved water drop wort This plant grows in ditches or on the banks of rivers near to the water; the lower parts may be submerged. The plant produces fruits that yield a yellow liquid from which the herbal and homoeopathic remedies are derived. The preparations have expectorant and diuretic properties and are useful for treating chesty, bronchitic complaints. In homoeopathy, the remedy is used for chest and respiratory disorders, with symptoms mainly on the right side. Conditions treated include bronchitis and emphysema with breathlessness, a severe cough and the production of thick mucus. Headache is another common symptom.

Phleum pratense

Timothy grass This is a remedy for hay fever that is triggered by exposure to the pollen of flowering grasses. The person has the typical symptoms of watering, itchy eyes and running nose and sneezing. Breathlessness and asthma may also occur. The remedy is sometimes given to prevent the occurrence of an attack of hay fever.

Phosphoricum acidum

Phos. ac; phosphoric acid Phosphoric acid is a clear, crystalline substance that is obtained by a chemical process from a naturally occurring mineral, apatite. Apatite is rich in phosphate and occurs in various igneous (volcanic) and metamorphic rocks (ones altered by high temperatures and pressures) and mineral veins.

Phosphoric acid has various industrial uses in the manufacture of fertilizers and detergents. It is used in the food industry as a flavouring for soft drinks and in the refining of white sugar. Also, it is used in the production of various pharmaceutical drugs. In conventional medicine it is used in the treatment of parathyroid gland tumours, acting to reduce blood calcium levels.

The homoeopathic remedy was first investigated and proved by Hahnemann and is used to treat emotional and physical symptoms of apathy, exhaustion, listlessness and depression. These symptoms may arise from overwork or study or follow on after a debilitating illness that has caused dehydration. Other symptoms are a loss of appetite, feeling continually cold and shivery, dizziness, especially in the evening, and a feeling of pressure pushing downwards on the head. Phos. ac. is also given for growing pains in children or who suffer from sleep disturbance because of an awareness of sexual feelings. Symptoms are worse for cold, damp, draughty conditions and for loud noises. They improve following restful sleep and with warm surroundings.

Physostigma veneriosum

Calabar bean, chop nut, ordeal bean This perennial climbing plant grows to a height of about 50 feet and is a native species of West Africa. It was introduced into Britain (and grown in the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh) in 1846. It produces purple-coloured elongated flowers and later, dark brown seeds in pods about 6 inches in length. The seeds are extremely poisonous and were given as a test for witchcraft by West African peoples.

If the accused person vomited after being forced to swallow the seeds, he or she was deemed innocent, but if death was the outcome then the accusation of being a witch was upheld. The poison causes depression of the central nervous system, slowing of the pulse and a rise in blood pressure, and death may follow because of respiratory collapse.

Preparations made from the seeds are also miotic, causing a rapid contraction of the pupil of the eye, and its main use in herbal medicine is in the treatment of eye diseases. The ripe beans or seeds are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is given for serious disorders in which there are muscular spasms. These include tetanus, meningitis and poliomyelitis. Also, for other disorders characterized by muscular and nervous degeneration or paralysis including Friedrich's ataxia, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis. The remedy may also be given for diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, sweating, prostration, and palpitations in which the pupils of the eye are very much contracted.

Phytolacca deccandra

Phytolacca; Virginian poke root, garget, reading plant, pocon, branching grape, pigeon berry
This plant is a native species of the United States and Canada, but is also found in Mediterranean countries, China and North Africa. It has a striking appearance and produces white flowers followed by clusters of shiny black berries.

The orange-coloured fleshy root is the part used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, but both the root and berries are used in herbal medicine. Preparations derived from the plant have purgative, emetic and restorative properties. Native American Indians used poke root to cause vomiting and to encourage movement of the bowels and as a heart stimulant. It was also used as a remedy for skin disorders. Europeans used the plant to treat breast lumps and tumours and for mastitis (inflammation). In herbal medicine it is used to treat skin disorders, ringworm and scabies, chronic rheumatism, granular conjunctivitis (eye inflammation), ulcers and severe menstrual pain.

In homoeopathy the remedy is given for small hard lumps or tumours in the breasts, which may be either benign or cancerous, and for mastitis. The breasts may be hot, swollen and painful to touch with stabbing pains. Also, it is used to treat severe sore throats and swallowing difficulty in which there is great pain, redness and inflammation. These symptoms may occur with tonsillitis, pharyngitis and diphtheria. The symptoms are made worse by swallowing, movement, hot drinks and in cold, damp draughty conditions. They improve with warmth and sunny, dry weather, cold drinks and having plenty of rest.

Picricum acidum

Picric acid This poisonous substance is obtained by chemical reactions between nitric, sulphuric and carbolic acids. Since it was first investigated and proved for homoeopathic use in 1868, it has been used to treat extreme exhaustion with mental and intellectual indifference and apathy. It usually occurs after an extended period of intense intellectual activity such as may occur among students cramming for exams.

The person feels generally heavy and lethargic and is too tired to engage in conversation or to think clearly. Often, a numbing headache and aching eyes occur, or there may be a boil in the outer part of the ear. These symptoms may also arise as a result of grief. Symptoms are made worse with any physical or intellectual activity and in hot surroundings. They improve with rest and in cool conditions and if the weather is sunny but not hot.

Pilocarpus jaborandi, Pilocarpus microphyllus

Jaborandi The drug known as Jaborandi is extracted from the leaves of Pilocarpus, which are shrubs native to Brazil. The leaves contain a volatile oil, and the most important active constituent of this is an alkaloid substance called pilocarpine. Preparations made from the leaves have diaphoretic properties, causing sweating, and are also stimulant and expectorant. Pilocarpine is mydriatic, causing contraction of the pupil of the eve. In herbal medicine, Jaborandi is used to treat diabetes, asthma, skin disorders such as psoriasis, catarrh and oedema (fluid retention). Also it is used as a tonic in preparations to stimulate new hair growth in the treatment of baldness.

The homoeopathic remedy is given for various eye and vision disorders, sweating because of the menopause or in hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) and mumps.

Plantago major

Common plantain, broad-leaved plantain, way bread, ripple grass
This is a very familiar weed that grows throughout Britain and Europe and was introduced by colonists into the New World continents. The use of plantain in medicine goes back to ancient times, and it is described by Erasmus and Pliny. In Britain, plantain was an ingredient of many old remedies. It has been used in the past to treat wounds and external bleeding, for venomous bites and for disorders of the bowels and kidneys.

It was used as a remedy for piles, or haemorrhoids, and to treat diarrhoea. Plantain is still used to treat these ailments in modern herbal medicine and homoeopathy. The whole fresh plant is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is sometimes used as the mother tincture. It is given for piles, toothache and tooth abscess and facial neuralgia. It is also used in the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, characterized by large quantities of urine being passed. Most symptoms occur on the left side and are worse for movement, cold and heat and draughts. Platinum metallicum

Platinum Platinum was discovered in South America during the 1700s. It is regarded as a very precious metal and is used to make jewellery. It is used in the electrical industry, in dentistry for fillings, and to make surgical pins to repair fractured bones. The homoeopathic remedy is used almost entirely for female reproductive disorders that may have associated emotional problems.

These include pain in the ovaries, spasm in vaginal muscles, making it difficult for the woman to have sexual intercourse (vaginisimus), heavy menstrual bleeding, absence of periods and genital itching. The woman may experience feelings of numbness, chilling and constriction of muscles and has a great fear of gynaecological examinations and procedures. Symptoms are made worse by touch and physical contact and by tiredness. They are worse in the evening but are relieved by being out in fresh clean air.

Women suitable for platinum set themselves and others extremely high standards of achievement that are not possible to attain. Hence they feel let down by apparent failures and tend to become depressed and irritable, feeling that the past was better than the present. They may become cynical and contemptuous of the efforts of others.

Plumbum metallicum

Plumbum met.; lead Lead has been useful to humana for centuries and was used extensively by the Romans, especially to make pipes for plumbing systems. Lead continued to be mined and used throughout the ages, and has had many uses, e.g. in roofing, to make weights and lead shot, pencils, pottery glazes, paint and as an additive in fuel for vehicle engines. It has been known for some time, however, that lead is an insidious poison if present above a certain level in the human body.

Early symptoms of poisoning are constipation that persists, weakness of muscles, pale skin and a blue line (because of lead sulphide) along the margin of gums and teeth. There is intellectual dullness and impairment and behavioural changes, and these are especially noticeable in children. Later, there are severe abdominal pains of a colicky nature, drooping wrists and feet, tremors, increasing muscular weakness and paralysis. Convulsions and lead encephalopathy affecting the brain may occur, leading to death if not diagnosed and treated.

The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat long-term diseases of a sclerotic nature, i.e. leading to hardening of the affected tissues. These conditions include arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Also for colic, constipation, muscular weakness and tremor and retention of urine. Symptoms are made worse by movement and are more severe at night.

They improve with warmth and firm pressure or massage on the affected area. People suitable for Plumbum met. may have poor concentration and intellectual capabilities dulled by illness. They may have a poor memory and find it difficult to express themselves clearly. This intellectual impairment may make the person lethargic or short-tempered with others.

Podophyllum peltatum

Podophyllum; May apple, hog apple, American mandrake, duck's foot, wild lemon, racoonberry.

This herbaceous perennial plant is a native of the United States and Canada. The stalks grow to a height of about one or two feet and produce large, divided leaves and white flowers that have an unpleasant scent. Later, yellow fruits are produced that are edible although the leaves and roots are poisonous. The plant has a yellowish-brown rhizome and roots, and these are the parts used both in herbal medicine and homoeopathy.

Preparations made from the plant have purgative and emetic properties and act strongly on the liver and digestive organs. The plant was used by the native American peoples to eliminate parasitic worms and as a cure for deafness. The homoeopathic remedy is given for digestive disorders such as vomiting and diarrhoea in gastroenteritis, gallstones, colicky pain and flatulence. There may be alternate bouts of diarrhoea and constipation. Symptoms are worse first thing in the morning and during hot weather. They are better for massaging the abdomen and for lying on the front.

Primula veris

Cowslip, herb Peter, key flower, may flower, key of heaven, pargle, peggle This familiar and pretty wild flower is common in shady woodlands in Europe and Great Britain. It produces delicate yellow flowers, and it is these that are used to prepare the herbal and homoeopathic remedies. Preparations made from the plant have a sedative and antispasmodic effect.

The flowers have been used to make cowslip wine, and the leaves were once valued as a salad vegetable. The homoeopathic remedy is used for serious symptoms of high blood pressure and threatened stroke. These include confusion and giddiness, headache and a feeling of throbbing heat.

Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry laurel, cherry bay, common laurel This fairly small evergreen shrub is a native species of Russia but also grows in Europe and some parts of Asia. It produces dark green shiny leaves and white flowers followed by clusters of black, cherry-like fruits. The fresh leaves are used to prepare the herbal and homoeopathic remedies and give off a characteristic bitter almonds smell because of the presence of prussic acid. The shrubs are popular in gardens in Europe, having been first introduced in the late 16th century.

The leaves are mainly used to produce cherry laurel water in herbal medicine, and preparations have a sedative effect. They are used for coughs and spasms, particularly whooping cough and asthma. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat severe symptoms of breathlessness and cyanosis (a blue tinge to the skin because of lack of oxygen in the blood) with a spasmodic cough. The symptoms are caused by serious disorders of the heart or lungs.

Psorinum This remedy is derived from the fluid of scabies blisters and was first investigated and proved by Hahnemann. Hahnemann wrote extensively about the development of chronic diseases. He believed that in certain people the blisters produced in scabies were a manifestation of a deeper disorder. While the scabies blisters themselves might heal and disappear, this suppressed disease, or MIASM, still continued to cause disruption within the body and might even be passed on to subsequent generations. The symptoms or disorder associated with the scabies miasm are called psora and mainly affect the skin. The skin is dry, cracked and sore and there may be infections with pus-filled blisters.

Also, digestive upsets, particularly diarrhoea and indigestion, exhaustion, depression and a pessimistic outlook on life are believed to be common manifestations of psora. The psorinum remedy is given to treat the symptoms described above and also for some respiratory ailments, especially hay fever, and general debility. Digestive ailments treated include irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. Skin conditions such as eczema, acne, dermatitis, boils and ulceration may all respond to psorinum.

People suitable for this remedy are generally worried, pessimistic and gloomy, with a fear of all that may go wrong in life. They are very sensitive to cold and often feel chilled, even during the height of summer. They often experience a gnawing hunger and have a headache that is relieved by eating. They may feel that friends and family have deserted them. Symptoms are worse for cold winter weather and also for becoming too hot, either in bed or through physical exercise or wearing too many clothes. They improve in summer, with resting with the limbs spread out and with warm surroundings.

Ptelea trifoiiata

Wafer ash, swamp dogwood, hop tree, wingseed, shrubby trefoil, ptelea This small, shrubby tree, which grows to a height of six to eight feet, is a native species of the United States and Canada. The bark of the root is the part used to prepare remedies used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy. The bark has a fairly pungent smell and a bitter taste and has a tonic effect, acting mainly on the liver and digestive organs. The homoeopathic remedy is used mainly for liver disorders such as hepatitis and enlargement and tenderness.

There is discomfort and heaviness in the region of the liver. Also, for digestive disorders, particularly indigestion, and rheumatism. All symptoms are mainly on the right side of the body and are made worse if the person lies on his or her right side.

Pyrogenium Pyrogenium is a remedy introduced to homoeopathy by Dr John Drysdale in 1880. It was a mixture of raw beef and water left to stand for three weeks. After straining, a straw-coloured liquid, called sepsin, was left, which, when mixed with glycerine, was called pyrogen. Dr Drysdale believed that pyrogen had profound effects upon the blood if taken in large amounts, causing septicaemia or blood poisoning.

In modern homoeopathy, the pyrogenium remedy is given for blood poisoning and septic conditions in which the healing process is rather slow. Characteristically, the person is feverish and has aching bones, a rapid pulse with feelings of heat and burning. The person is uncomfortable and restless and may have considerable pain if suffering from a septic condition such as an abscess.

Symptoms are made worse by cold and draughts but improve with moving about.