Minor Homoeopathic Remedies V-Z

 Advertisement

A | B | C | D | E | F | G-H | I-K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | V-Z

Valerian officinalis

Great wild valerian; all-heal, setwall, capon's tail
Valerian species grow throughout Europe and northern Asia, and Valerian officinalis flourishes in marshy, wet ground in ditches and near rivers and streams. The stems reach a height of three to four feet, producing dark green leaves and light pink flowers. The rhizome or root is the part used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy, and the plant has a long history of medicinal use. It was valued so highly in the Middle Ages as to be given the name allheal, while its Latin name may be derived from vale re, meaning 'to be in health'.

Preparations made from the plant have powerful effects on the central nervous system, acting as sedatives and antispasmodics. The homoeopathic remedy is given for excitable, mental symptoms including agitation and restlessness. Also, for muscular spasms, hysteria, headache and pains that may move from one part to another. The person may suffer from sleeplessness, headaches, diarrhoea and restlessness with gnawing hunger and nausea.

Veratum album

Verat. alb.; white hellebore This plant grows throughout Europe, although not in the British Isles, and produces a creamy-white flower. The rhizome or root is the part used in herbal medicine and homoeopathy, and it is extremely poisonous. If swallowed it causes diarrhoea and vomiting and may result in collapse, convulsions and death.

Preparations made from the plant have irritant and cardiac depressant properties. There is a long history of medicinal use going back to the time of Hippocrates, and the remedy was investigated and proved for homoeopathy by Hahnemann during the late 1820s.

The homoeopathic remedy is used for severe conditions of collapse and shock in which there is pallor, dehydration, chilling and possibly cyanosis (a blue tinge to the skin because of a lack of oxygen in the blood and tissues). The person may be cold with clammy skin because of sweating. Also, for diarrhoea, severe throbbing headache and mental symptoms of extreme agitation or severe depression, suicidal feelings, mania and aggression. It may be given for severe cramping menstrual pain or cramp during pregnancy leading to fainting, and collapse because of mental shock or trauma. Symptoms are made worse by movements and cold drinks, and also during the night. They improve with warmth, heat and hot meals and drinks. They are also better for rest and lying down.

Viburnum opulus

Guelder rose, high cranberry, dog rowan tree, cramp bark, snowball tree, rose elder The guelder rose is a bush or small tree found in copses and hedges in England, Europe and North America. It produces abundant heads of white flowers and, later, bright red berries that have a bitter taste. The bark, which contains a bitter glucoside substance called viburnine, is used to prepare remedies in herbal medicine and homoeopathy. Preparations of the bark are very effective in the relief of cramp-like pains and spasms. The homoeopathic remedy is used to treat menstrual cramps, pain in the ovaries at ovulation and prevention of early threatened miscarriage.

Vinca minor

Lesser periwinkle This trailing plant grows in Great Britain and other European countries, producing dark-green leaves and purply-blue flowers. Periwinkles have a long history of use in herbal medicine and were used to treat bleeding, cramps, piles and skin inflammations. There are also many ancient superstitions attached to the plant, and it was believed to ward off evil spirits. Preparations made from the plant have astringent and tonic properties. In homoeopathy it is used for heavy menstrual bleeding and haemorrhage and for inflammations of the scalp.

Viola tricolor

Wild pansy, love-lies-bleeding, love-in-idleness, heartsease, and many other country names
This pretty flower is abundant throughout the British Isles, with rounded green leaves and purple, yellow and white flowers. The whole plant is used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies that have a long history of medicinal use. The plant has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including asthma, epilepsy, skin disorders, convulsions, heart and blood disorders. Preparations made from the plant have diuretic properties.

In homoeopathy, the remedy is used for skin conditions such as infected eczema or impetigo. There is a thick pus-containing discharge and crusts and scabs on the skin. Also, the remedy is used to treat bed-wetting and urinary incontinence.

Vipera communis

Venom of the adder or viper This attractively patterned snake is a greyish colour with a dark zig-zag pattern down the length of its back. Its bite is painful but rarely serious, causing swelling, inflammation and bleeding in the veins, which then become enlarged. The homoeopathic remedy made from the venom of the snake, is used to treat phlebitis and varicose veins and ulcers with swelling, inflammation and pain. The leg feels heavy, as though it might burst. Symptoms are worse for touch, pressure or tight clothing and are relieved by raising the affected part.

Viscum album

Mistletoe This parasitic plant grows in the British Isles and throughout Europe, trailing over fruit and other trees. It produces white berries that ripen in December, but the leaves and twigs are used to prepare the remedies for herbal medicine and homoeopathy.

Preparations derived from the plant act on the central nervous system and have tonic, antispasmodic and narcotic properties. It has been used to treat epilepsy, spasms and haemorrhage. Many ancient superstitions are attached to mistletoe, which was a sacred plant for the Druids. In homoeopathy, the remedy is used as a last resort to treat extreme conditions of collapse, weak pulse and respiration and low blood pressure.

Vitex agnus castus

Agnus castus; chaste tree; monk's pepper, wild lavender
This aromatic shrub is a native plant of the shores of the Mediterranean and also grows in other part of Europe and North America. It has flexible fine twigs that are used to weave baskets, dark green leaves and fragrant flowers. Dark, purply-red berries are produced containing seeds, and these are used to prepare herbal and homoeopathic remedies. The plant was associated with chastity by the ancient Greeks.

The plant was used to treat muscular weak* ness and paralysis and is used in herbal medicine to stimulate hormone production during the menopause. The homoeopathic remedy is given for menopausal symptoms and for physical disorders arising from alcohol or drug abuse or sexual excess. Symptoms may include fatigue, depression, loss of sexual desire, apathy and inability to concentrate. Also for postnatal depression with loss of libido and drying up of the breast milk. Symptoms are worse in the morning and for exercise and movement and are relieved by firm pressure on an affected part.

Zincum metallicum

Zinc. met. Zinc is an essential trace element in the human body, being a constituent of digestive enzymes and essential for normal growth. Zinc is used in conventional medicine as a constituent of creams and ointments for a variety of skin complaints. It is also taken internally for some nervous complaints, spasms and neuralgia. The homoeopathic Zinc. met. remedy is prepared from zinc sulphide and is used for conditions of restlessness, agitation and nervous twitching.

The person is usually suffering from great mental and physical exhaustion and is irritable and highly sensitive to the least noise, interruption or touch. Symptoms are worse for suppression of natural discharges (e.g. by using a suppressant remedy in the case of a cold). Also, they are made worse by noise, touch, vibration and alcoholic drinks, particularly wine. Symptoms improve when natural body functions take place and are not suppressed.