Coccus Cacti is a highly valuable homeopathic medicine for managing cases of cough. It has marked action on respiratory system and is predominantly a medicine to deal with cases of cough that end in vomiting (spasmodic cough). It is one of the best medicines to deal with cases of spasmodic cough that occurs on waking up in the morning. Other than this it helps in managing certain urinary concerns, throat issues and female problems.

Drug Action

This medicine manifests its chief action on the mucus membrane of respiratory system. It also acts wonderfully on the throat. Next it acts markedly on urinary organs and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Cough, bronchitis, vomiting, kidney pain, nephritis, kidney stones, menorrhagia (heavy menses), vaginitis, leucorrhoea

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Respiratory Complaints (Cough, Bronchitis)

Coccus Cacti is of paramount value in managing complaints of respiratory system. It has shown great clinical improvement in cases of cough. The striking feature to use this medicine is spasmodic cough ( attacks of cough ending in vomiting of mucus). There occur regular attacks of violent, tickling cough that ends in vomiting. Clear ropy tough mucus is expectorated. Cough may arise from rawness in air passages. The second noteworthy complaint to use this medicine is spasmodic cough which is at its worst on first waking or rising in the morning. It is mostly worse around 6:00 am to 7:00 am. Tough white mucus is expectorated with cough. There is severe headache along with cough. Its use is also preferred when cough is worse in warm room and gets better in cold air. It is also relieved by taking cold drinks. Its use is highly recommended for cough that happens from brushing teeth or rinsing mouth. It is also suitable to manage cough in alcoholics. It can also be used when there occurs barking type, tickling cough at night and morning.

After coughing for a while, there is expectoration of mucus like white of an egg, tough or whitish yellow that can be drawn into threads. It has a saltish taste. Coccus Cacti is also a good medicine when there is cough with expectoration of stringy, sticky, yellow mucus having sour taste. Other than this, it is beneficial for cough that gets worse from lying down. It can help relieve cough that occurs while exercising. Its use is also considered for bronchitis (inflamed bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs) . In such cases, it is helpful when there occurs expectoration of sticky mucus. The bronchial tubes are loaded with mucus.

Key Indicating Features

Attacks of cough ending in vomiting of tough mucus

Spasmodic cough worse on first waking or rising in morning

Cough arising from brushing teeth or rinsing mouth

Cough with expectoration of tough mucus or clear ropy mucus

Cough in alcoholics

Cough worse during exercise

2. Throat Issues (Sore Throat, Irritation In Throat)

Coccus Cacti is useful for treating cases of sore throat when attended with excessive dryness. Rawness and scraping sensation are present in the throat. There may also occur burning and constricted sensation in throat. A peculiar sensation as if a crumb, lump or hair is lodged in the throat behind larynx is the guiding feature to use it. The lump sensation causes the sufferer to swallow constantly. Another feeling of a thread hanging down the back of throat is also indicative of the use of Coccus Cacti. The uvula may feel elongated.  It can also be successfully used in cases where any sort of irritation in throat brings cough and vomiting. There is accumulation of sticky mucus in the throat,hawking causes cough and vomiting. Coccus Cacti is highly valuable to manage cough arising from scraping sensation in the larynx with expectoration of little balls of mucus.

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat with excessive dryness in throat

Sensation of a crumb, lump or hair lodged in throat behind larynx

Sensation of a thread hanging down the back of throat

Irritation in throat leading to cough and vomiting

Cough arising from scraping sensation in the larynx with expectoration of little balls of mucus

3. Urinary Concerns (Kidney Pain, Nephritis, Bladder Pain)

Use of this medicine is recommended for certain urinary concerns as well. It is a well indicated medicine for managing kidney pain. For using this medicine, the pain in kidney can be sticking, dull pressing, spasmodic or cramp like. It gets worse from pressure and motion. Along with pain there is copious urination. This medicine is indicated for nephritis (inflammation of kidneys) cases. Its use is next considered in cases of cutting type of pain in bladder. Pressure builds up in the bladder with a constant urge to urinate. Another notable feature to use it is lancinating pain extending from kidney to bladder with difficult, painful urination. Lastly, it can be used in cases of kidney stones and blood in urine (hematuria).

Key Indicating Features

Sticking, dull pressing, spasmodic or cramp like pain in kidney

Kidney pain worse from pressure and motion

Cutting pain in bladder, pressure in bladder with a constant urge to urinate

4. Female Problems (Heavy Menses, Vaginitis, Leucorrhoea)

The most salient feature to use this medicine while dealing with women-related problems is heavy menses with thick, black blood and dark clots with difficult painful urination (dysuria). The menses also come early. There is passage of large clots from vagina while passing urine. The clots also pass when rising up and when quiet. Next complaint where its use is recommended is inflammation of vagina (vaginitis). The lower part of vagina is tender with irritation. It gets worse while urinating. It is also effective in managing vaginal discharges (leucorrhoea) that consist of mucus. It is preceded by drawing pain in groin, bladder and pubic region.

Key Indicating Features

Heavy menses with thick, black blood and dark clots with difficult painful urination

Vaginitis with tenderness and irritation in lower part of vagina, worse when urinating

Vaginal discharges that consist of mucus preceded by drawing pain in groins, bladder and pubic region

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from the slightest exertion, from heat, lying down, in early morning, at night, from brushing teeth, from touch

Relieving factors: Complaints get better from cold drinks, from washing in cold water and from walking

Dosage

This medicine is generally recommended in low potencies though high potencies can be used as well. A general rule to be followed is lower potencies can be repeated frequently while higher potencies should be used in infrequent doses.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Coccus Cacti can be compared with medicine Kali Bichrome in case of sticky mucus in throat

It can be compared with homeopathic medicines Cantharis, Sarsaparilla, and Ocimum Can in case of urinary complaints

 

Homeopathic medicine Ferrum Phosphoricum is prepared from iron phosphate which is inactive in its crude form. But after potentization (the process of preparing homeopathic medicines that arouse medicinal properties from its crude form), iron phosphate is converted into a homeopathic medicine — Ferrum Phosphoricum. It is a biochemic medicine, one among the 12 biochemic medicines also known as Schuessler’s twelve tissue remedies. Apart from several other health issues, it is a leading medicine to help manage cases of anaemia; the first stage of inflammatory conditions for example sore throat, tonsillitis, otitis media, and conjunctivitis; to control bleeding from various body parts like the nose, lungs, uterus, rectum; and it also helps manage weakness after blood loss.

The ‘Ferrum Phosphoricum’ Constitution

This medicine is very suitable for sensitive, nervous and anaemic people.

Drug Action

The most prominent action of Ferrum Phosphoricum is on the blood and it helps in cases of anaemia, and complaints like a weakness that occurs after blood loss. In general, it acts well to check inflammatory processes in different body parts, especially in the initial stages. Next, it acts well on the head, ears, eyes, face, nose, and throat. Its action is also marked on the respiratory system, limbs, joints, and female genitals.

Clinical Indications

Anaemia, haemorrhages, fever, headache, vertigo, ear disorders, otitis media, conjunctivitis, styes, cold, nose bleeding, profuse menses, painful menses, vaginismus, cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, hemoptysis, pleurisy, joint pains, sprains.

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Acts on blood

Ferrum Phosphoricum acts well on the blood. It is a top medicine to help in managing cases of anaemia. Anaemia is a condition characterised by a lack of enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to body tissues. As per the homeopathic therapeutics, this medicine is known to increase haemoglobin levels when given in 3 X potency. Secondly, this medicine helps control bleeding from various body parts. Some of these include the nose, lungs, uterus, and rectum. Besides these, it can be used to manage weakness that follows blood loss.

Key Indicating Features

Anaemia

To control bleeding

Weakness that follows blood loss

2. Head (Headache) And Vertigo

This medicine has marked action on the head. It is an important medicine to manage headaches. It is well-indicated for headaches with pressing and throbbing pain. Stopping and shaking your head makes it worse. The headache gets worse from small movements. A characteristic feature is a relief in headaches by applying cold. Along with the headache, the sensitivity of the scalp is present. There is also a rush of blood to the head. Another very peculiar feature indicating its use is a headache which starts from the top of the head and extends to the sides of the head which is then relieved by nose bleeding. The top of the head is also sensitive to cold air, noise, and jar. Its use is advised in cases of vertigo. The principal indication is vertigo in case of anaemia, with weakness. There is marked dizziness with a sensation as if everything around the victim is swimming.

Key Indicating Features

Headache with pressing throbbing pain

Headache worsens from stopping, shaking head, and from any movement

Headache gets relieved by applying cold

Headache from the top of the head to the sides of the head and subsequently gets better after the bleeding of the nose.

3. Ear Disorders (Otitis Media, Tinnitus, Hearing Difficulty)

This medicine acts well on the ears. It is most suitable for managing otitis media (inflammation or infection of the middle ear). Its use is highly recommended to manage acute otitis media, especially, in the first stage. Those who need it make complaints of throbbing pain in the ear along with ear discharge. This discharge consists of mucus and pus. Secondly, it manages tinnitus (noises in the ear in absence of any external source of sound). It is mostly used when the noise in the ear gets worse upon lying. Mainly ringing and roaring noises are heard in the ear due to the rush of blood to the head. Other than these, it is beneficial in managing deafness that arises from a cold.

Key Indicating Features

Acute otitis media in the first stage

Otitis media with a throbbing earache, and discharge of mucus and pus from the ears

Tinnitus which gets worse upon lying down

Deafness due to cold

4. Eye Complaints (Conjunctivitis, Styes)

This medicine also helps manage certain complaints of the eye as well. It is primarily indicated to manage cases of conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the transparent membrane lining the eyelid and eyeball). It can be given in cases of acute conjunctivitis cases when there is no mucus or pus discharge. The eyes are red, and inflamed accompanied by a burning sensation. There is a sensation of sand under the eyelids. This medicine also deals with cases of traumatic conjunctivitis (which means conjunctivitis that follows some injury). Its use is further recommended in cases of styes (red, painful lump on the edge of the eyelid). It mainly helps in curing styes that form on the lower eyelid.

Key Indicating Features

Acute conjunctivitis without any mucus or pus discharge

Traumatic conjunctivitis

Styes on the lower eyelid

5. Facial Problems (Facial Neuralgia)

If we talk of facial concerns its use is suggested to help cases of facial neuralgia (nerve pain in the face). The symptoms to look for while using it are nerve pain in the face of pressing, stinging or throbbing type which gets worse from stooping, shaking of the head, and upon small movements. It gets better by applying cold. The face becomes hot and red during pain.

Key Indicating Features

Facial neuralgia with pressing, stinging, or throbbing pain

Facial nerve pain worsens when one stoops, from shaking of the head and on any small movement

Facial neuralgia gets better by applying cold

6. Nasal Problems (Cold, Nose Bleeding)

It is most useful in handling cases of cold and nasal bleeding (epistaxis). It is mainly applicable during the first stage of cold with watery nasal discharge. In case of nasal bleeding, it can be used when there is bright red bleeding from the nose.

Key Indicating Features

The first stage of cold with watery nasal discharge

Nose bleeding of bright red blood

7. Throat Issues (Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Laryngitis)

It manages some of the throat issues quite well. It ensures clinical improvements in cases of sore throat and tonsillitis. It is very helpful when a sore throat occurs along with a cold. There is a pain in the throat that worsens from empty swallowing. The throat is red, and inflamed sometimes with ulcers in the throat. The tonsils are red and swollen, especially the one on the right side. It also acts well on the larynx. Here it is effective in managing laryngitis. It controls well hoarseness of voice mainly that occurs from straining. Much mucus is also felt in the throat. Use of this medicine is also recommended in managing bleeding, and soreness that follows an operation on the throat.

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat which occurs along with cold

Tonsillitis with red and swollen tonsils especially the one on the right side

Laryngitis with hoarseness of voice that occurs from straining the voice

8. For Fever

This medicine is recommended to manage fever cases. The predominant feature to use it are the cases of the first stage of inflammatory fever. It is very helpful in cases of fever that occurs in case of sore throat, cold, cystitis (urinary bladder inflammation). In those who need it, there is general heat with little thirst. Chill also occurs that returns at the same time every day around 1 pm.

Key Indicating Features

First stage of inflammatory fever (like in sore throat)

9. Female Problems (Profuse Menses, Painful Menses, Vaginismus, And Painful Intercourse)

Women may find this medicine helpful in managing various problems. Firstly, it offers help in managing cases in which menses occurs every three weeks with profuse bleeding. It is accompanied by pressure in abdomen and the lower back. Along with heavy menses there occurs pain in the head. During menses, a bearing down sensation is also felt. Ferrum Phos is a highly valuable medicine to manage painful menses (dysmenorrhoea). The most characteristic feature is painful menses accompanied by indigestion and vomiting. There is bearing down pain and marked pain in the lower back. This medicine can help cases of vaginismus (involuntary muscle spasm or contraction when something is trying to enter the vagina) as well. It can effectively deal with cases of pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). There is marked heat and dryness in the vagina in the patients who need it.

Key Indicating Features

Profuse menses every three weeks with pressure in the abdomen and lower back

Headache during profuse menses

Painful menses accompanied by indigestion, and vomiting

Pain during sexual intercourse

10. Respiratory Issues (Cough, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Hemoptysis, Pleurisy)

It treats well some respiratory issues. It is helpful in managing cough. It is well-indicated when the cough is dry, hard, short, and tickling type. Cough gets worse when one is exposed to the open air. It may be accompanied by vomiting. Soreness in the chest may accompany the cough. In some cases, the cough is accompanied by mucus rattling in the chest which worsens during the night. It can be administered in cases of bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the lungs), especially in young children. There is a short, hacking, tickling cough which is at its worse during the mornings and evenings. Its use is also well-indicated in the first stage of pneumonia (inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs). It can be used to manage blood spitting that originates from the lungs (hemoptysis). Besides all these, it is suitable to manage pleurisy (Inflammation of pleura means two layers of tissue that separate lungs from the chest wall) with sharp pain in the right chest. It gets worst on coughing and deep breathing.

Key Indicating Features

Dry, hard, short, tickling cough

Cough which gets worse when going into the open air

Bronchitis especially in young children

Blood spitting that originates from lungs (hemoptysis)

Pleurisy with sharp pain in the right chest, which gets worse on coughing and deep breathing

11. Limbs (Joint Pain, Sprains)

In the case of limbs, its action is mostly well-marked on the joints. It is prominently indicated for joint pains. The guiding feature to use it is joint pain involving one joint after another. The joints are swollen with little redness. Pain increases from the slightest movement. It proves most beneficial for shoulder joint pain. Pain may extend in two different directions – from the shoulder to the chest and to the wrist. The pain is sore and bruised in nature. It is also of great help in case of knee pain. The pain from the knees shoots down the legs. The pain worsens from every motion. The pain causes sleeplessness at night. An important indication suggesting its use is sprains (over stretching of ligaments – fibrous tissue band that connects one bone to another) of elbow.

Key Indicating Features

Joint pains attacking one joint after another

Shoulder pain extending to the chest and wrist

Knee pain which goes down the legs and gets worse from small movements

A sprain in the elbow

Modalities

Worsening Factors: Complaints get worse at night, in cold air, open air, touch, jar, motion, noise, and cold drinks

Relieving Factors: Complaints get better upon lying down, cold applications, rest, and from bleeding

Dosage

Its use is usually recommended from third to twelfth potency. Among these, the most preferred is 6X potency. In 6X potency it can be repeated three to four times a day depending on the case.

Relationship with Other Remedies

In cases of fever it can be compared with medicines — Aconite and Gelsemium.

It can be compared with medicines Kali Mur (in case of pneumonia) and Antimonium Tart (in bronchitis cases).

 

Lac Caninum is a very valuable medicine to treat several health-related issues. This medicine manages very well throat issues mainly sore throat, and tonsillitis. It is of great clinical significance in managing joint pains. The most notable use of this medicine is for joint pains that wander from one joint to another and from one side to another. It is also effective in managing depression, forgetfulness, and certain fears. It is also well-indicated for managing some women-related problems like vaginal discharges, mastitis, and breast pain.

Drug Action

The best action of Lac Caninum is on the throat. It also acts well on the mind and women’s genitals. Next, it acts on the head, nose, ear, limbs, and joints.

Clinical Indications

Sore throat, tonsillitis, depression, delusions, menses disorders, leucorrhoea, ovarian disorders, dysmenorrhea, galactorrhea, breast pain, mastitis, headache, migraine, cold, nasal bleeding, ear infections, joint pain, sciatica.

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Throat Issues (Sore Throat, Tonsillitis, Quinsy)

Lac Caninum acts wonderfully on the throat. Its use is firstly recommended to manage cases of sore throat. The most characteristic indication for its use is sore throat before or during menstruation. There is a pain in the throat while swallowing. The pain from the throat extends to the ears during swallowing. There occurs a pricking sensation in the throat as if it is full of sticks. Tickling and constriction are felt in the throat leading to a dry hacking cough. A lump is felt in the throat that goes down as one swallows but again returns. The throat also feels raw. There is dryness in the throat along with a scalding sensation as after ingesting hot fluid. In the throat, there may appear swelling of mucus follicles that are covered with whitish cream-colored mucus. The deposits in the throat look shining, glazed, and pearly white. Its use is considered in cases of tonsillitis as well. For those who need it, the tonsils are deep red, enlarged, shining, inflamed along with dryness in the throat. In most cases, the left-sided tonsil gets inflamed first then the inflammation is followed on the right. Pricking and cutting pain is felt in the tonsils on swallowing. White ulcers form on tonsils. This medicine can also help in managing cases of quinsy (pus collection behind the tonsils). This works well when the ailment starts from the left tonsil and then goes to the right.

Key Indicating Features

Sore throat before or during menses

Sore throat with throat pain while swallowing and it extends to the ears

Tonsillitis beginning in left tonsil followed by the right

Quinsy starting from left tonsil, and then it goes to the right

2. Mind Complaints (Forgetfulness, Depression, Fears, Delusions)

This medicine does wonders for ailments of the mind. It is of great value in managing cases of weak memory and forgetfulness. Those who need it make mistakes in reading, and writing. While writing one may not write the right words or may omit letters in a word. There is also difficulty in concentrating while reading or studying. Further, it is effective in managing cases of depression. The sufferer weeps several times in a day. This is accompanied by negative thoughts, and intense hopelessness. Self- loathing is present. There is sensation that there is nothing worth living for. In some cases, there is alteration of moods. Its use is also considered in managing certain types of fears. These include fear of disease especially heart disease and tuberculosis (a type of hypochondria); fear of going mad, fear of fainting and fear of snakes. Lastly, it is well indicated in managing certain delusions means rigid, false beliefs not based on reality. The first one is delusion of big eyes, and creeping things. Second is the delusion of entire body being filled with pus. Third is the delusion of snakes, insects, spiders.

Key Indicating Features

Weak memory, and forgetfulness with mistakes in reading, and writing

Depression with weeping episodes several times in a day, negative thinking and intense hopelessness

Fear of disease especially heart disease, and tuberculosis

Fear of going mad, fear of fainting and fear of snakes

Delusion of big eyes, and creeping things

Delusion of the entire body being filled with pus

Delusions of snakes, insects, spiders

3. Female Health Concerns (Heavy Menses, Vaginal Discharge, Painful Menses, Breast Swelling, Galactorrhea)

Its use is highly recommended in managing several women-related issues, such as heavy menses. Those who need it complain of early, and heavy menses. There are gushes of menstrual flow. It is also helpful in managing vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea). Its peculiar feature is that the vaginal discharge occurs only in the day time, and never at night. It is accompanied by foul smell in the genitals. Another complaint where its use can be considered is genital herpes (sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus). There are sores between labia, and the thighs where this medicine is required. These have a foul smell. It can also handle well enough the cases of ovary pain. It is well indicated for sharp pains in ovaries that traverse from one side to another. This medicine is of great help in managing complaints of painful menses. It can be given when pain is marked in the left groin during menses. The abdomen becomes very sensitive even to the weight of the clothes. Lac Caninum also acts well on the breast. Here it is found effective in relieving pain and swelling in the breast that occurs particularly before the menses. It gets better when periods are about to commence. Along with swelling and pain the breast is sensitive to touch and pressure too. It has also given good results in cases of mastitis (breast inflammation). It can be used when mastitis symptoms get worse upon slight movement. This medicine is also of great service in cases of hard lumps, knots, and tumours in the breast. It is an important medicine to help cases of galactorrhea (milky discharge from nipples that is not related to normal milk production of breast feeding). Lac Caninum is also known to help establish milk production when there occurs loss of milk in nursing females without any known cause. Last action of this medicine is to help those who feel the need to dry up the breast milk.

Key Indicating Features

Early and heavy menses when bleeding occurs in gushes

Genital herpes with sores between labia and thighs having a foul smell

Pain and swelling in breast that occur particularly before menses

Galactorrhea (milky discharge from nipples that is not related to normal milk production of breast feeding)

Helps to enhance lactation when there is loss of milk among nursing women without any known cause

Helps to dry breast milk wherever required

4. Head (Headache, Migraine)

This medicine manages headaches very well. The most characteristic feature for its use is headache accompanied by blurring of vision and nausea, and also vomiting. Headaches usually occur on both sides alternately. It is very effective in cases of migraine. One feels throbbing in the temples. Pain is darting, stabbing in nature. The pain may begin on the right or left side and always shifts from one side to the other. Pain in the head gets worse from noise or talking. It gets better when one goes quiet.

Key Indicating Features

Headache accompanied by blurring of vision and nausea, and also vomiting

Headaches occur on both sides alternately

Headache gets worse from noise, and talking and it is relieved by keeping quiet

5. Nasal Problems (Cold, Bleeding)

When it comes to nasal problems, it is a suitable medicine to manage cases of cold. It is administered when one nostril is stuffed up and the other has free discharges. The discharge is profuse pus-like or watery in nature followed by dryness. In some cases, the nasal discharge is a thick white mucus or of blood-stained pus. The nasal discharge causes rawness of nose and lips. It is also valuable in managing nose bleeding. It can be used when nose bleeding occurs while speaking or swallowing. Another peculiar guiding feature is bleeding from the right nostril at night.

Key Indicating Features

Cold with stuffed up one nostril, and discharge from another nostril

Nose bleeding while speaking or swallowing

Bleeding from the right nostril at night

6. Ear Complaints (Ear Infections, Tinnitus)

This medicine can be administered in cases of ear infections. It proves best when infections alternately take place in one ear or the other. There occurs green-coloured discharge from the nose. Ears feel full. There is pain in the ear. It can be used in case of tinnitus (hearing noises in the ears in the absence of any external source). It is helpful if there is ringing, and buzzing noise in the ears.

Key Indicating Features

Ear infections that takes place alternately in one ear or the other.

Green-colored discharge from the ears

7. Limbs And Joints (Pain, Joint Pains, Sciatica, Burning)

This medicine has a marked action on the limbs, and the joints. It works wonderfully in managing alternating pains in limbs as if one has been beaten. In case of joints, it is highly suitable when pain in the joints keeps shifting from one joint to another and from one side to other. The pain in the joints get better from cold applications. These get worse after movement and heat. It is also well-indicated to manage sciatica on the right-side (pain along the sciatic nerve that begins in the lower back and goes down the hips, back of the thigh, legs and up to the foot). There is intense pain in lower back radiating down the right buttock and the leg. This pain is severe enough to disturb sleep. Lastly, another striking feature for its use is burning in the hands, and the feet at night time.

Key Indicating Features

Pain that alternately takes place between the limbs as if one is beaten

Joint pain which shifts from one joint to another and from one side to the other

Joint pain gets better from cold applications

Sciatica on the right side gets severe enough and even disturbs sleep

Burning is felt in the hands, and feet at night

Modalities

Worsening Factors: Complaints get worse from touch, pressure, motion, cold, rest, after sleep, empty swallowing, during menses, and at night

Relieving Factors: Complaints get better in the open air, from cold drinks and walking

Dosage

It can be used in 30 C and higher potencies. As a general rule, its low potencies can be repeated often while frequent repetition of high potencies should be avoided.

Relationship with Other Remedies

It can be compared with some other remedies including Lachesis, Lactic Acid and Lac Vaccinum

 

Syphilinum is a strong and deep acting homeopathic medicine. It is a principal homeopathic medicine to deal with many health complaints which aggravate at night. Its use is mainly recommended as an intercurrent remedy in cases of treatment of chronic diseases when response of patient is weak or nil to the well indicated remedies already given. Among the various health concerns, it is frequently recommended for cases of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ulcers and shifting joint pain. Its use is also highly considered for cases in which there is intense weakness in morning.

Drug Action

Its major action is seen on the mind and female genitals. It also shows good results in ailments affecting eyes, mouth, male genitals and limbs.

Clinical Indications

Obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, memory loss, leucorrhoea, ovaries disorders, painful menses, ulcers, keratitis, eye pain, iritis, tooth decay, chancre, syphilis, sciatica, exostosis, joint pain, bone disorders

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Mind Complaints (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Memory Loss)

Syphilinum has remarkable action on the mind. The foremost complaint where this medicine is highly recommended is OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). OCD refers to mental health condition characterized by constant unwanted thoughts and fears leading to repetitive behaviour. Syphilinum is well-indicated when the sufferer has an intense fear of germs. They have marked fear of catching an infection. They keep on washing hands very frequently out of this fear. In such cases, Syphilinum has shown great clinical improvements.

Secondly, this medicine can be used to treat anxiety, especially marked anxiety about health. There is fear of suffering and pain, and fear of death. Hopelessness is there, the person sees no hope of recovery. Next this medicine is well indicated for cases of loss of memory. Persons needing it have loss of memory but all the occurrences prior to the disease are well remembered. Memory of ongoing occurrences, names, places, dates is lost. Lastly, its use is indicated for cases exhibiting depression, along with suicidal thoughts. The sufferer experiences extreme attacks of pain. There is marked sadness, irritability and aversion to company.

Key Indicating Features

OCD with fear of germs, of catching an infection leading to frequent washing of hands

Anxiety about health with fear of suffering, pain and death

Loss of memory, but all the occurrences before the onset of disease are well remembered

2. Female Problems (Leucorrhoea, Ovarian Pain, Ulcers, Painful Menses)

This medicine shows wonderful action on female organs. The most important complaint where it proves effective is vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea). The yellow discharge is thin, watery, very profuse that runs down the heels, and has an offensive odor. It is attended with itching in genitals. The discharge also causes inflammation of external genitals. The discharge gets worse at night from the warmth of bed. Itching and inflammation reduce during periods. Pain in ovaries also occurs along with vaginal discharge. The nature of ovarian pain is sharp knife-like; pain in ovary on right side gets worse at night time.

Syphilinum is beneficial for managing cases of ulcers on vulva and labia. Ovarian pain accompanies it. The ulcers are sensitive to touch. It is helpful in managing early menses and painful menses. The menses come early in every two weeks’ time. The menstrual bleeding is pink red, bright, profuse and have putrid meat like odor. This medicine also offers help in cases of inflamed, congested ovaries and also ovarian tumours. There is sore aching in the left ovarian region that extends to the right. Pain in ovary is felt at orgasm time during coitus.

Key Indicating Features

Vaginal discharge that is thin, watery, profuse, offensive yellow with genital itching and ovarian pain

Ulcers on vulva and labia that are sensitive to touch

Early menses in every two-weeks time and painful menses

3. Eye Problems (Keratitis, Eye Pain, Iritis)

With its magnificent action on the eyes, Syphilinum gives good results in cases of recurrent inflammation of cornea (keratitis). Phyctenules (small pustules means pus-filled eruptions) appear on the cornea of the eye. It is attended with redness in the eyes, pain, excessive eye watering and sensitivity to bright light. It is very helpful when eyes are very painful at night. It is an excellent medicine to help cases of photophobia (sensitivity to bright light) and excessive eye watering (lachrymation).  This medicine can manage well complaint of iritis. Inflammation of colored ring around the eye’s pupil.

Key Indicating Features

Inflamed cornea with small pustules, attended with red eyes, eye pain, excessive eye watering and sensitivity to bright light

Eye pain at night

Photophobia (sensitivity to bright light) and excessive eye watering

Iritis with sensitivity to bright light

4. Mouth Issues (Ulcers, Excessive Salivation, Coated Tongue)

By acting on the mouth, Syphilinum can handle mouth ulcers well along with marked burning and stinging. It is a prominent medicine for managing cases of excessive salivation. There is increased flow of saliva, saliva runs out of mouth while sleeping. Other than this, it is helpful for coated tongue with deep lengthwise cracks along center. It also acts on teeth and is indicated for tooth decay when decay occurs at the edges of gums.

Key Indicating Features

Mouth ulcers with marked burning and stinging

Increased flow of saliva, saliva runs out of mouth when sleeping

Coated tongue with deep lengthwise cracks along center

Tooth decay at the edges of gums

5. Male Problems (Syphilis)

If we talk of male problems, it is a leading medicine for managing cases of syphilis (a sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria treponema pallidum). Males needing it have chancre (an ulcer on genitals that form during primary stage of syphilis) on prepuce (foreskin). The ulcers have raised edges and is accompanied with burning sensation. It can be used to manage aching in genitals when the sufferer is not even able to sit still.

Key Indicating Feature

Chancre (ulcer on genital) on prepuce with burning in syphilis cases

6. Limbs (Sciatica, Exostosis, Joint Pain, Leg Pain)

Lastly, it acts well on limbs and joints. It is well indicated to manage sciatica (a pain that travels along the path of sciatic nerve that starts in lower back and radiates down the hip, back of thigh, back of leg up to feet). The guiding feature for its use is sciatica which gets worse at night and better at daybreak. It can effectively deal with cases of exostosis (also called bone spurs, referring to growth of extra new bone on the surface of an existing bone). In cases needing it, there is soreness and pain in the overgrown bone.

Syphilinum is also very helpful for treating joint pains. There is redness, swelling and heat in joints. There is shifting of pain from one joint to another. The muscles feel like hard knots. There is shoulder joint pain; its use is considered mainly when this pain gets worse from raising arm outwards or to the front. It can also be given in cases of pain and swelling in left-side wrist and big toe, which gets worse from sundown to sunrise. Other than this, Syphilinum is recommended for cases of pain in legs and in shin bone (it is tibia bone which is the larger of two bones in lower leg). A peculiar feature for its use is when relief sets in by pouring cold water on legs.

Key Indicating Features

Sciatica gets worse at night and better around daybreak

Exostosis with soreness and pain in the overgrown bone

Shoulder joint pain worse from raising arm outwards or in front

Pain in legs, in shin bone gets better from pouring cold water on legs

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse at night, from sundown to sunrise, from extreme heat or cold, motion, from dampness, thunderstorms, and during full moon.

Relieving factors: Complaints get better at high altitudes, mountains, during day, from heat application, and continued or slow motion

Dosage

The use of this medicine is recommended only in high potencies. It is strictly advised not repeat the dose frequently in any case.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Syphilinum can be compared with certain other homeopathic medicines having similar action like this. These includes Merc Sol, Nitric Acid, Aurum Met and Alumina.