Minor Homoeopathic Remedies S

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Sabadilla officinarum

Sabadilla; Asagraea officinalis, cevadilla, cebadilla, Veratum sabadilla These rushlike plants grow in the southern states of the United States, Mexico and Central America (Venezuela and Guatemala). The seeds are used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies, and these have been known in Europe since the 16th century. The preparations can be poisonous if taken internally, causing severe vomiting and diarrhoea.

They were formerly used in Europe to kill intestinal parasitic worms and to eliminate lice. They were also used to treat rheumatism, gout and neuralgia. Sabadilla produces respiratory symptoms, resembling those of a cold, i.e. sneezing, running nose, watering, itchy eyes, coughing, headache and a painful sore throat. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat these symptoms and also to eliminate an infestation of threadworms. The symptoms are worse for cold and draughts and better for warmth and wearing warm clothes.

Sabal semilata

Sabal; the sabal palm, saw palmetto, palmetto scrub This palm-like tree grows to a height of six to ten feet and has a crown of large, serrated leaves. It grows in the coastal regions of South Carolina and Florida and in southern California. Irregularly shaped, oval, dark brown berries are produced containing seeds, and these are a source of fatty oil. They are a valuable food source for wild animals, promoting weight gain. The fresh berries and seeds are used to prepare the remedies used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy, and they have sedative, tonic and diuretic properties.

The homoeopathic remedy is mainly used to treat enlargement of the prostate gland, causing difficult, slow urination with sharp pains. Sexual intercourse may be painful, and there is general tiredness and loss of libido. Also, for inflammation of the testicles and breasts (mastitis) with heat, swelling and tenderness. People who are suitable for sabal are afraid of going to sleep, and their symptoms are made worse by cold, damp conditions and the sympathy of others. Symptoms improve with warm, dry weather and surroundings.

Sabina cacumina

Savine; savine tops The shrub or small evergreen tree Juniperus sabina is a native species of the northern states of North America and some European countries. This plant is grown in gardens in Britain, and the fresh spring growth is used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies. Preparations derived from the plant are irritant and poisonous in large doses and have powerful effects upon the uterus, causing bleeding.

In herbal medicine the remedy is used externally for skin conditions, especially to encourage the drawing out of infection. In homoeopathy the remedy is given for rectal and uterine bleeding with pains that may be stabbing or burning. Also, for cystitis, heavy menstrual periods and varicose veins.

Salvia officinalis

Sage, garden sage Sage is a familiar garden herb that has been cultivated in Europe for many centuries. There are several varieties, but the wild form of sage is found in the warmer parts of Europe and along the Mediterranean coast. Sage has long been valued as a herb for flavouring food and to make a form of 'tea'. It has been used medicinally since ancient times and was used to treat liver diseases, wounds, ulcers and bleeding, especially the coughing up of blood, headache and rheumatic pains, throat infections, as a remedy for snake bites and to strengthen the brain and memory. The homoeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves and flowers, and preparations derived from sage have astringent and tonic properties and calming effects on the digestive organs. The remedy is used to treat hoarseness and sore throats, mouth ulcers or ulcerated throat and bleeding or infected gums.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Sanguinaria; red puccoon, blood root, coon root, sweet slumber, snakebite, Indian paint This attractive, perennial plant is a native species of North America and Canada, growing in rich soils in woodlands. It produces beautiful, white flowers and has thick, bulbous fleshy roots containing orange-red sap. This juice was used by the native Indian peoples as dye for clothes and body paint. The root, green parts of the plant, fruit and seeds are used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies.

The plant contains a potent alkaloid substance called san-guinarine, which forms colourless crystals. This is toxic in large doses, causing burning in the stomach with vomiting, thirst, giddiness, disturbed vision and possible collapse and death. In smaller doses the preparations have emetic and expectorant properties and also act on the uterus, promoting menstruation. In both herbal and homoeopathy, the remedies are used for chest and respirator}' ailments, including bronchitis, pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), asthma and polyps (small, fleshy projections) in the nose or throat.

Symptoms include dryness and soreness, thirst, chest pain that may extend to the right shoulder, and croup-like cough. Also, for whooping cough, colds and influenza, hay fever, severe migraine-like headaches with visual disturbance and rheumatic pains in the right shoulder. Symptoms often occur mainly on the right side and are worse if the person lies on that side of the body. They are made worse by cold, damp weather, touch and movement and by eating sweet foods. Symptoms improve in the evening and following sleep and if the person lies on the left side.

Sanicula aqua

Sanicula Sanicula is a spring of water in Ottawa in Canada and Illinois in the United States of America. The water contains various salts and minerals that are themselves used to make homoeopathic remedies. The sanicula remedy is mainly given to children with delicate stomachs and a tendency to suffer from constipation or diarrhoea after eating, vomiting and sickness, travel sickness and wetting the bed. Children who need this remedy are usually thin in spite of eating heartily and may have rapidly changing moods. Often there is a tendency for the head and feet to be hot and sweaty. Symptoms are made worse by downward, falling movements but improve if the child rests with little clothing or covering.

Secale comutum

Secale; ergot, spurred rye The condition known as ergot is a form of fungus that grows on rye, wheat and various other grasslike cereals. The spores of the fungus germinate and grow on the stigmas and ovaries of the head of the grass. They form small, curved, black seed-like bodies (sclerotia, singular scle-rotium) that eventually fall off when the ears of the cereal crop are ripe.

The sclerotia are collected when immature before the grain is ripe to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. Ergot has been known as a poison for many centuries. Cases of poisoning occurred because of eating foods made from contaminated cereals. Ergot contains several potent alkaloid substances, and symptoms of poisoning include burning pains, a crawling feeling on the skin, delirium, convulsions, gangrene, collapse and death.

The substances have a powerful effect on the uterus and other smooth muscle, causing it to contract, and also on the central nervous system. In modern homoeopathy the remedy is used to treat spasms in the arteries, as in Raynaud's phenomena (numbness and blanching, redness and burning in fingers and toes), cramp-like pain in leg muscles, uterine pains and contractions leading to bleeding irregularities, and ineffective contractions during labour.

The person has cold, numb skin but feels hot and burning inside. (In orthodox medicine, ergot is used to control postpartum haemorrhage following childbirth or abortion). Symptoms are worse for any form of heat or covering and better in cool, fresh air and surroundings.

Senecio aureus

Golden groundsel, life root, golden senecio, squaw weed
This perennial plant, which grows to a height of one or two feet, is a native of North America and Canada and also grows in Europe. It produces golden yellow flowers, and the whole plant is used to prepare the remedies used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy. Preparations made from the plant have astringent and diuretic properties and also act on the uterus, chest and lungs. The homoeopathic remedy is used for absent or suppressed periods that may be accompanied by pain, chesty catarrhal complaints, urinary problems such as kidney stones and cystitis, and bleeding problems, e.g. nosebleeds.

Smilax officinalis, Smilax medica

Sarsaparilla; red-bearded sarsaparilla, Jamaica sarsaparilla
The unusual name of this plant was derived from two Spanish words, sarza for 'bramble' and parilla for 'vine'. The plant has prickly, thorny stems and is a native of Central and South America. It is thought to have been exported via Jamaica to Europe, but it does not grow in the West Indies. It was once used as a treatment for syphilis, and smoke from the burning plant was considered beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Preparations made from the plant have diuretic and tonic properties and promote perspiration.

The fresh root is used to prepare the herbal and homoeopathic remedies. In homoeopathy sarsaparilla is used to treat bladder, kidney and urinary disorders, especially kidney stones causing renal colic and cystitis. There is a frequent need to urinate, although only small amounts may be passed, and sharp burning pains. The urine frequently appears cloudy, containing small deposits or stones.

There may be a slight degree of incontinence of urine, especially if sitting down. The remedy is also used for rheumatism with pains that are .worse at night and in cold, damp, draughty conditions. Also, for eczema and dry skin with painful deep cracks and fissures. People who benefit from this remedy feel cold and have a tendency to have dry scaly skin and spots. Skin conditions are worse in the months of spring. Symptoms are worse at night and in cold,damp,draughty conditions.They improve if the person is standing and uncovers the chest and neck.

Solanum dulcamara

Dulcamara; woody nightshade, scarlet berry, bittersweet, felonwort, felonberry, violet bloom
This rambling, trailing plant grows over bushes and hedges, extending for a considerable distance and supported by other plants. It is a native species of many European countries, including Britain. The young stems of the plant are green and furry, but they become more woody and smooth with age. The plant produces purple-blue flowers and, later, berries that are bright red when ripe.

The stems taste bitter at first if chewed and then sweet (hence, bittersweet). Felon is an old name for a whitlow (an abscess on a finger or toe) and the name felonwort refers to the fact that the plant was used to cure these. Woody nightshade has a long history of medicinal use going back to ancient times.

It has been used to treat a wide variety of disorders, especially skin complaints, asthma and chesty, catarrhal conditions, rheumatism and absent menstruation. The young shoots and twigs, leaves and flowers are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy. This is given for ailments that are made worse, or are brought on, by exposure to cold and damp or sudden cooling, including colds and coughs, catarrhal complaints and conjunctivitis. Also, for skin conditions such as eczema, itchy rashes, ringworm, nettle rash (urticaria) and warts. Symptoms are worse for cold, damp weather and changes of temperature. They improve with exercise, movement, warmth and heat.

Solidago virgaurea

Golden rod, woundwort, Aaron's rod, solidago This familiar garden plant grows in Europe, Asia and North America. It produces green leaves and golden yellow flowers and has long been valued as a remedy for kidney and urinary disorders, especially kidney stones. The green parts are used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is used to treat problems of urine retention and lack of urination and renal colic,Spigelia anthelmia Spigelia; pink root, annual worm grass This perennial plant is a native of the northern countries of South America and the West Indies, and a related type, Spigelia maryiandica, grows in some states of North America.

It was used by the native Indian peoples to expel intestinal parasitic worms, and is narcotic and a potent poison if taken in large amounts. The fresh plant has an unpleasant smell and is gathered and dried to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is given especially for left-sided symptoms and particularly heart disorders. These include angina and coronary artery disease with severe pain. Also given for neuralgia, left-sided headache and migraine, iritis (inflammation of the iris of the eye), all of which are accompanied by sharp pains.

People who benefit from this remedy have a phobia about long, pointed, sharp objects, e.g. needles. Symptoms are worse for lying on the left side, cold air, touch and movement, and during the approach of a thunderstorm. They improve with warm, dry conditions, lying on the right side, in the evening and for having the head raised when resting.

Spongia tosta Spongia; natural sponge Natural sponge has been used since the early Middle Ages to treat the enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as goitre, that results from a deficiency in iodine. The condition may result from a dietary lack of iodine or by some disorder of metabolism or of the thyroid gland itself. In more recent times, scientists discovered that sponges are naturally rich in iodine.

Roasted sponge is used to prepare the homoeopathic remedy, which is used to treat thyroid gland disorders and goitre. There may be symptoms of palpitations, flushing, sweating, breathlessness, heat intolerance, anxiety and nervousness. Also, for heart disorders, including an enlarged heart or disease of the valves. Symptoms include palpitations, pain, breathlessness, exhaustion and a feeling of being crushed by a heavy weight. The person may be flushed and anxious with a fear of death.

The Spongia remedy is useful in the treatment of a hoarse, dry sore throat, as in laryngitis, and particularly where respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis are associated with the family. Symptoms are worse for movement, touch, trying to talk and for cold drinks and cold surroundings. They improve with warmth and warm meals and drinks, and for sitting propped up. People suitable for Spongia are often thin with a fair complexion and light-coloured hair.

Stannum metallicum

Stannum met.; tin Tin is obtained from the mineral cassiterite, which occurs as dark-coloured crystals in such rocks as pegmatites and granites and in the alluvial deposits of streams and rivers. Tin is a soft, silver-coloured metal that has long been useful to humankind and has had many industrial uses. Medicinally, it was once given to expel intestinal tapeworms. In modern homoeopathy, the remedy is used for severe catarrhal chest complaints, including bronchitis, laryngitis, asthma and inflammation of the windpipe (tracheitis).

There is a thick, yellowish catarrh and a hoarse, dry cough. The person is sometimes weak and debilitated, suffering from loss of weight and exhaustion with associated depression and weepiness. The remedy is also given for neuralgic pain and headache, particularly on the left side. The pains may have a gradual onset and also be slow to disappear. Symptoms are made worse if the person lies on his or her right side and drinks warm fluids. They improve for coughing up catarrh and for firm pressure on the painful part.

Sticta pulmonaria

Sticta; lungwort, oak lungs, lung moss, Jerusalem cowslip
This plant, which is familiar in gardens in Great Britain and other European countries, has rough, oval green leaves speckled with white, reminiscent of lungs. The stalks grow to a height of about one foot, and the flowers are a pinky-red at first but purply-blue when fully open. Preparations of the plant have astringent properties and act on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

The homoeopathic remedy is prepared from the whole fresh plant and is used to treat colds, asthma, lung inflammation and rheumatic disorders. The catarrh is difficult to cough up and persistent. Symptoms are worse at night and for cold, damp conditions. They are worse for lying down and better for warmth.

Strophanthus kombe, Strophanthus hispidus

Kombe seeds These climbing plants are native to tropical parts of East Africa. The name is derived from two Greek words, strophos, 'rope' or 'twisted cord', and anthos, 'flower'. They produce seeds that are extremely poisonous, and the poison was used on arrows for hunting by African tribal peoples. The most active constituents are a glucoside substance called strophan-thin and an alkaloid, inoeine. Preparations made from the seeds have a similar effect to digitalis, and are used to treat heart and circulatory disorders. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat palpitations, irregular heartbeat and breathlessness. It is a useful remedy for those whose health has been compromised by smoking or drinking alcohol.

Sulphuric acid This remedy is used for mental exhaustion and depression, the person being restless and agitated. There is a tendency for skin problems to occur, including ulcers and boils. Other symptoms include mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and depression.

Symphoricarpus racemosa

Snowberry, wolf berry, coal berry, wax berry Preparations made from this North American plant have emetic and purgative properties. The homoeopathic remedy is used for cases of severe vomiting and nausea, including morning sickness in pregnancy. There is a loss of appetite and there may also be a loss of weight.

Syphilinum This remedy is derived from materia! obtained from a syphilitic lesion. Syphilis is a serious sexually transmitted bacterial disease that has plagued humankind for centuries. Hahnemann believed that syphilis was one of three main MIASMS, having an inherited element from earlier generations affected with the illness. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat chronic ulcers and abscesses, especially in the genital area.

Also for menstrual pains, neuralgia, varicose ulcers, constipation and inflammation of the iris of the eyes (iritis). The person may experience pain in the long bones and have weak teeth. Symptoms are worse for great heat or cold, at night, near the sea and during a thunderstorm. They improve with gentle walking and through the day and for being in a mountainous region.

People suitable for this remedy tend to be anxious and on edge, with nervous mannerisms such as exaggerated blinking or a muscular twitch or tic. They may show obsessive behaviour, such as a need to recheck constantly on something or to keep on washing their hands. They may find it difficult to concentrate and have a poor memory. They may have a problem with alcohol, drugs or smoking.