Homeopathic medicine Stramonium is derived from the plant Thornapple. This plant belongs to the family — Solanaceae. This fresh plant undergoes potentization (process to prepare homeopathic medicines that arouse medicinal powers of its crude form) to prepare the homeopathic medicine — Stramonium. It is the best medicine to manage cases of schizophrenia and stammering.

The ‘Stramonium’ Constitution

This medicine suits youngsters mostly children very well, especially the ones who complain of mania, delirium, or chorea.

Drug Action

The most important action of Stramonium is on the mind and the brain. It also acts well on the mouth, head, eyes, and limbs.

Clinical Indications

Schizophrenia, delusions, mania, stammering, delirium, chorea, epilepsy, fears, meningitis, headache, strabismus

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Complaints Of The Mind & Brain (Schizophrenia, Delirium, Mania, And Fear)

The foremost action of Stramonium is on the mind. It is one of the best medicines to help manage cases of schizophrenia (a mental health condition in which various hallucinations and delusions occur and that affect thinking, emotions, behavior, and decision-making quality of a person). Hallucinations mean seeing or hearing things that do not exist for real. Delusions refer to fixed, false beliefs not based on reality. It suits well cases of paranoid schizophrenia in which delusions and hallucinations are marked. Those who need this medicine have terrifying hallucinations. They see ghosts, and animals jumping sideways or running at them. Another characteristic feature is hearing voices and talking with spirits. There may occur delusions about their identity. The sufferer believes he is suddenly taller, sees himself double or some of his/her body parts go missing.  A very important indication pointing its use is religious mania. Those who need it keep praying constantly and do inspiring talk. Its use is also prominently indicated for cases of delirium (sudden change in the brain leading to confused thinking, emotional disturbance, and reduced awareness about the environment). It is used when during delirium there is excessive talking all the time that is confusing and unclear, singing, laughing, and a desire to escape. It can be given in cases of mania. In such cases, its use is indicated when a person having mania curses and gets violent, tears clothes with teeth. Besides these, Stramonium is known to help with certain fears. It is useful in managing fears including fear of the dark, of being alone, and of shining objects. It is also a great medicine in case one fears water, medically termed hydrophobia. The sight of water tends to bring on spasms in those who need it.

Key Indicating Features

Paranoid schizophrenia

Terrifying hallucinations when people see ghosts, animals jumping sideways or running at them

Hallucinations of hearing voices, and talking to spirits

Religious mania is where a person keeps praying constantly

Delirium with excessive talking all the time that is unclear, singing, laughing, and desire to escape

Mania with cursing, violence, and tearing of clothes with teeth

Fear of the dark, of being alone, and of shining objects

Hydrophobia (fear of water)

2. Mouth (Stammering, Increased Salivation, Teeth Grinding)

Stramonium acts well on the mouth. It is highly recommended for treating cases of stammering. Those who need it have to exert themselves really long and hard before they can utter a word. It helps in cases of too much salivation. In those who require it, the saliva is sticky. The person constantly spits saliva. Besides, it is beneficial in treating those who keep grinding their teeth.

Key Indicating Features

Stammering, a person has to exert to begin uttering a word

Too much salivation with constant spitting

Grinding of the teeth

3. Head (Headache, Meningitis, Hydrocephalus)

It manages well cases of headaches. It is effective in managing headache that worsens from the sun. There occurs boring pain in the head preceded by unclear vision. In some cases, there occurs throbbing in the forehead and in the right temple. Sometimes the headache occurs in both temples that shoot to the back of the head (the occipital region). Nausea and vomiting may occur with the headache. It is effective for those who suffer from a periodical headache that locates over either eyebrow on the forehead beginning around 9 am until noon. Heat is felt in the entire head. This medicine is well-indicated for meningitis (inflammation of membranes that covers the brain and spinal cord). Here it is used when the eyes are red and inflamed accompanied by dilated pupils, headache, nausea, frequent lifting of the head from the pillow, and delirium. It can be used for managing hydrocephalus cases (fluid build-up in the ventricles of the brain). In such cases, the guiding features to use it are excessive talkativeness, teeth grinding, staring look, convulsive motions of the head and frequent raising up of the head.

Key Indicating Features

Headache due to exposure to the sun

Boring pain in the head preceded by an unclear vision

Periodical headache over either eyebrow on the forehead beginning around 9 am until noon

Meningitis with red, inflamed eyes, dilated pupils, headache, nausea, frequent lifting of the head from the pillow, and delirium

Hydrocephalus with excessive talkativeness, teeth grinding, staring look, convulsive motions of the head, and frequent raising up of head

4. Eyes (Strabismus, Eyeball Pain)

Stramonium is also good for the eyes. It is an excellent medicine for treating cases of strabismus (squint). Its action in managing diplopia (double vision) is also marvellous. Its use is also considered in the case of hallucination where everything looks jumbled to the sufferer. Objects may look crooked, small, large, or black. A very peculiar feature is pain in the eyeball from the change of light, especially while going from dark to light or vice versa. There is excessive sensitivity to daylight. Visual illusions are present. When one looks at an object a person feels he sees rats, dogs, cats, or insects in continuous motion. The black colour may seem grey. The objects may seem multiplied and in different colours. Another indication for its use is excessive watering from the eyes (lachrymation) with headaches. Lastly, it is well-indicated when convulsions (fits) occur from bright light exposure, the sight of water or a mirror.

Key Indicating Features

Strabismus (squint)

Hallucinations where everything looks jumbled to the sufferer, objects may look crooked, small, large, or black

Eyeball pain from the change of light, when going from dark to light or vice versa

Visual illusions – objects may seem like rats, dogs, cats, or insects in continuous motion, and black colour may seem grey

Convulsions (fits) from bright light exposure, the sight of water or mirror

5. Limbs (Chorea, Twitching, Hip Joint Pain)

It is helpful in managing cases of chorea (involuntary unpredictable body movements from muscle contractions). There is irritability, sensitiveness, and inclination to bouts of weeping and alternate laughing before the onset of chorea symptoms. Trembling occurs in one or more limbs. Twitching occurs either in a single muscle or a group of muscles mainly in the upper body part.  When chorea triggers from fright, this medicine is of great help. There appears creeping sensation in limbs followed by violent movements. In most cases, the movements occur in the left arm and right foot.  It is also well indicated when there occurs constant motion of hands and arms as if spinning.  It is useful for managing the trembling of hands and arms. Its use is also considered to manage hip-joint pain on the left side. It works magnificently in cases of abscess (a lump containing pus) of the left hip joint with excessive pain. Stramonium is also valuable to manage creeping sensations in thighs, feet, and toes. It can be administered in cases of paralysis of lower limbs as well. Twitching in hands and feet can be managed well with this medicine.

Key Indicating Features

Chorea preceded by irritability, sensitiveness, and an inclination to both weep and laugh

Twitching in a single muscle or group of muscles mainly in the upper body part

Chorea triggered by fright

Creeping sensation in limbs followed by violent movements

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from looking at shining objects, the surface of water, sun exposure, fright, touch, and pressure

Relieving factors: Complaints get better from bright light, in company, and warmth

Dosage

Its use is recommended in thirtieth and lower potencies in general. The potency is selected per every individual case based on the symptom presentation.

Relationship With Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Nux Vomica, and Camphor

It antidotes: Merc Sol and Plumbum Met

Homeopathic medicine Helonias Dioica is derived from the plant Unicorn Root also known by the name of ‘blazing star’. It belongs to family Melanthaceae. To obtain this medicine the roots of this plant have to undergo potentization (a process of preparing homeopathic medicines which arouses medicinal properties of its crude form). After this process, it is converted into a magnificent homeopathic medicine — Helonias Dioica. It is a highly valuable medicine in homeopathy and manages very well uterus disorders, especially, uterine prolapse, and backache.

The ‘Helonias Dioica’ Constitution

This medicine is most suited for the women who are nervous, and become easily fatigued by any kind of hard work either mental or physical. They may suffer from uterine prolapse. They frequently complain of backache, and a tired feeling in the back that goes down the limbs. It is also suitable for women who have aching, and burning sensation  in overstrained muscles.

Drug Action

Among its most notable results are its action on the uterus. Other than this it also acts well on the brain, urinary organs, and back.

Clinical Indications

Uterus disorders, pruritis vulva, leucorrhoea, uterus atony, menopausal complaints, painful menses (dysmenorrhoea), heavy menses (menorrhagia), intermenstrual bleeding (metrorrhagia), weakness, backache, depression, kidney pain, diabetes, impotency

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Female Problems (Prolapse Of Uterus, Vaginal Discharge, Itching, Backache, Weakness, Heavy Menses, Intermenstrual Bleeding)

This remedy’s sphere of action is mainly centered on the uterus. It is a highly suitable medicine to manage cases of prolapse of uterus and also malposition of uterus. There is uterine atony and relaxation of ligaments of uterus.  Weight, and heaviness is felt in uterus. A dragging sensation in pelvis, and sacral area may accompany. Excessive weakness, and fatigue accompanies. Sometimes there are ulcers in cervix. It is also accompanied by constant dark, and bad smelling vaginal discharge. There is also soreness, and tenderness in the uterus. A major guiding feature for its use is consciousness of the womb (a woman feels uterus is moving when she moves).

Its use is also recommended to manage itching in vulva (pruritis vulva), the itching may occur on labia, clitoris, and skin just outside vagina. The vulva itches intensely. It is also red and swollen. Heat and burning are felt in vulva. In some cases, there may develop ulcers on vulva.

Further, it is of great clinical significance to manage cases of leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge). For those who need it, the vaginal discharge is lumpy or curdled and has a foul smell. It is accompanied by pain in the lower back. There can be vaginal infections in women needing it since childbirth.

It is a well-indicated medicine to manage long-term weaknesses that women have since childbirth. Weakness after abortion or miscarriage can also be well managed with this medicine. Women who feel weakness during menopause can also be benefitted from this remedy. It proves highly effective in managing back pain among those women who might have encountered it after miscarriage.

It is also indicated for women who have a loss of sexual desire. Another important indication to use it is intermenstrual bleeding from lifting weights or from very little exertion. It can also manage well heavy periods. The menstrual flow is heavy and lasts too long accompanied by marked weakness. Bleeding gets worse from slight motion. Blood is dark and clotted, and it has a bad odour. Back pain and frequent palpitations can also be present.

This medicine is also suitable for managing painful menses (dysmenorrhoea). Women who require this medicine experience sharp, cutting, and drawing pain during menses. The pain passes from the back through the uterus. The ovaries are sore. The breast is swollen along with excessive tenderness. It is a highly useful medicine to reduce swelling of breasts and pain, and tenderness of nipples.

Key Indicating Features

Prolapse of the uterus with a dragging sensation in the sacral region

Malposition of uterus

A dragging sensation in the pelvis, and sacral area with excessive weakness

Consciousness of the womb

Itching in vulva (pruritis vulva)

Vaginal discharge – lumpy or curdled having a foul smell

2. Complaints Of The Mind (Depression)

Helonias also acts wonderfully on the mind. This medicine is suitable for managing cases of depression. Those who need it have profound sadness and a desire to be alone. There is an aversion to any conversation that seems unpleasant. Excessive irritability is present in them. They cannot bear even the slightest contradiction. They are restless and want to be moving continuously. They feel better while they are busy and the mind is engaged in doing some or the other work. In general, they have a fault-finding nature.

Key Indicating Features

Depression with profound sadness, desire to be alone, and aversion to any conversation

Cannot bear contradiction

Relief when one gets busy with work

3. Urinary Issues (Frequent Urine, Burning, Kidney Pain, Diabetes)

It can prove helpful in managing certain urinary complaints. Firstly, it can help cases of frequent urination. The urgency to pass urine is marked. There occurs burning and scalding while urinating. Secondly, it is beneficial in managing kidney pain. Along with this albumin may pass in the urine. The kidney on the right side may be sensitive to touch. The prominent symptom here to use it are burning sensation in the kidney region, the sufferer can trace the outline of the kidneys by constant burning. Weakness and weight is also felt in the kidney region. It is also well-indicated in managing cases of diabetes. There is profuse urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, irritability, and sadness in such cases where it is required. It is also indicated to manage numbness in feet that gets better by motion in cases of diabetes. Males having complaints of erectile dysfunction in the case of diabetes (inability to achieve or maintain erections firm enough to have sexual intercourse) may find this medicine quite useful.

Key Indicating Features

Frequent, urgent urination with burning and scalding

Burning sensation in the kidney region; the sufferer can trace the outline of kidneys by the constant burning

Diabetes – profuse urine, excessive thirst, weight loss, irritability, and sadness

Numbness in feet gets better upon movement in cases of diabetes

Erectile dysfunction in cases of diabetes

4. Back Problems (Backache, Burning, Weakness, Dragging)

It acts very well on the back. It is highly valuable in managing the pain in the back accompanied by weakness and tiredness in the back. Weight on the back is also felt. A characteristic symptom is a burning sensation in the lower back. It worsens mostly upon sitting. In some cases, pain from the lower back may extend down the legs. Stiffness is also there in the back. Among those who need it, the pain in the back worsens at night. This medicine can be considered in cases where aching, and dragging is felt in the sacral region in cases of uterine prolapse.

Key Indicating Features

Backache accompanied by weakness, and tiredness in the back area

The burning sensation in the lower back worsens upon sitting

Pain in the back worsens at night

Aching, dragging in the sacral region in cases of uterine prolapse

Modalities

Worsening Factors: Complaints get worse from touch, motion, stooping, and from fatigue

Relieving Factors: Complaints get better while one is busy when doing something (mental diversion)

Dosage

Depending on case to case, it can be used from low to high potency. It can be repeated often in low potency but in high potency, frequent repetition is usually not recommended.

Relationship With Other Remedies

It antidotes Kali Bromatum and Lilium Tigrinum

It can be compared with other remedies including Aletris Farinosa, Ferrum Met, Pulsatilla, Senecio Aureus, Stannum Met, Phosphoric Acid and Lilium Tigrinum

Homeopathic medicine Nux Moschata is derived from plant Myristica Fragrans commonly known as ‘nutmeg’. It belongs to family Myristicaceae. Powdered seeds deprived of mace of this plant are potentized as per homeopathic formula that extracts and intensifies its medicinal properties. Post-potentization it becomes a highly valuable homeopathic medicine called ‘Nux Moschata.’ It manages really well the cases of memory weakness, excessive drowsiness/sleepiness and dryness of mouth and eyes.

The ‘Nux Moschata’ Constitution

‘Nux Moschata’ is highly suitable to people who have dry skin, and do not sweat easily. Elderly people who have weakness, and have concern of acidity may find this medicine suitable.

Drug Action

This medicine acts well on the brain, mouth, eyes, and gastric system, and also women’s organs. Besides these, its role in treating certain sleep issues is highly recommended.

Clinical Indications

Memory weakness, Alzheimer’s disease, drowsiness, sleepiness, narcolepsy, dry mouth, dry eyes, pterygium, droopy eyelids, colic, flatus, diarrhea, constipation, worms, irregular menses, painful menses, uterine prolapse, leucorrhoea

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Complaints Pertaining To Brain (Memory Weakness, Alzheimer’s Disease, Change of Mood, Absent-mindedness)

Nux Moschata has a magnificent action on the mind. This medicine is of great clinical significance in managing cases of weak memory. Those who need it complain of sudden vanishing of thoughts while talking, writing or reading. On such occasions, they fail to get the right word and use wrong words instead. While writing they may omit letters in a word or write wrong alphabets. There is slow flow of ideas to the brain, and the person faces difficulty in comprehension. In some cases, there may be complete loss of memory about the past. It is also well-indicated in managing cases of Alzheimer’s Disease (a brain disorder where death of brain cells occurs leading to memory loss and destruction of thinking, behavioral and social skills). It is also helpful in cases of senile dementia (decline of memory in old age). This medicine also has a great ability to manage cases of sudden mood changes. Those who need it are happy one moment, and sad the next moment, and may even start crying. This medicine is also recommended for absent-mindedness. The person may not even answer simple questions, and could even be bereft of the knowledge of his present whereabouts.

Key Indicating Features

Weak memory with vanishing of thoughts while talking, writing or reading

Alzheimer’s Disease

Sudden mood changes with happiness, and laughter at one moment but sadness, and crying the next moment

2. Sleep Issues (Drowsiness, Sleepiness, and Narcolepsy)

Nux Moschata plays a very important role in managing certain sleep issues. First of all, it is a very beneficial medicine in case of excessive drowsiness, and sleepiness. There is overpowering sleep, and irresistible drowsiness. It is the main medicine for cases of narcolepsy (a sleep disorder causing excessive daytime drowsiness and sudden episodes of sleep). It is helpful when a person has tendency to wake up with a jerk from sleep. It is accompanied by sensation of shocks as if electricity is being passed through the body. Lastly, it is well indicated for people who have dreams of falling from high place.

Key Indicating Features

Excessive irresistible drowsiness

Excessive sleepiness

Narcolepsy

Tendency to wake up with a jerk from sleep with shock like sensation as from electricity being passed through the body

3. Mouth (Dry Mouth)

This medicine has a wonderful effect on the mouth. It is best suited in case of complaints of dry mouth. The dryness is so intense that the tongue sticks to the roof of the mouth. The dryness in the mouth gets worst at night. The lips, and throat get dry as well. But there is absence of thirst in spite of marked dryness. The saliva is produced in a very less amount, it is thick, and feels like cotton in the mouth. The tongue looks white. Bad smell in the mouth is present. Lastly, there is chalky taste in the mouth in the morning .

Key Indicating Features

Dryness of Mouth with the tongue sticking to the roof of the mouth

Intense mouth dryness but absence of thirst

Less saliva, feels like cotton in mouth

4. Eyes Complaints (Dry Eyes, Pterygium, Droopy Eyelids)

Use of Nux Moschata is considered well to manage complaints of dryness of eyes. It puts a hindrance in moving eyelids, and closing them. Next, it can be used in cases of pterygium (abnormal tissue growth on conjunctiva). Its last indication is drooping of eyelids (ptosis).

Key Indicating Features

Dry eyes causing hindrance in the movement of eyelid

Pterygium

Drooping of eyelids

5. Gastric Complaints (Bloating, Gas, Colic, Constipation, Diarrhoea, Worms)

It can be used to treat various gastric related problems. To begin with, it offers great help in cases of excessive bloating of abdomen. There is much gas in abdomen and it seems that the entire eaten food has turned into gas. Pressure in the pit of the stomach is felt as if there is obstructed gas. Burning, and heat is also felt in the stomach. This medicine is also suitable when there occurs pain in abdomen soon after eating. There is soreness of the navel. Pinching pain is felt in the navel region. Any outside pressure relieves it. Weight is felt in the upper part of the abdomen.

This medicine works well in cases of constipation as well as diarrhea. For constipation, its use is recommended when there is difficulty in passing stool. The stool is soft but requires much straining to pass. In cases of diarrhea, it is mostly used when loose stool is accompanied by loss of appetite, and excessive sleepiness. Stool is copious, offensive with a tendency to faint. During the passing of stool, stitching pain is felt in the anus. After passing the stool, the anus, and rectum both feel constricted. Diarrhea due to cold or drinking cold drinks in the summer can be managed well with this medicine. Lastly, it is a valuable medicine to deal with cases of worms in the children. Here, it is given when stinging pain in the stomach is present, and there is excessive sleepiness.

Key Indicating Features

Excessive bloating, and gas in abdomen as if entire food has turned into gas

Abdomen pain soon after eating

Stinging, and pinching in the navel region, get better when outside pressure is applied

Constipation when the stool (even if soft) is difficult to pass

Diarrhoea when loose stool is accompanied by loss of appetite, and excessive sleepiness

Diarrhoea due to cold or drinking cold drinks in summers

Worms in children with stinging pain in stomach and excessive sleepiness

6. Female Problems (Irregular Menses, Painful Menses, Uterine Prolapse, Leucorrhoea)

For women, Nux Moschata can be of great help in treating various ailments. Firstly, it is mainly helpful when the menses are irregular in terms of time and its amount of flow. These may come too early or too late. The menstrual bleeding may be profuse or scanty. When the periods are suppressed from fright or from cold this medicine is mostly indicated. Next, it is suitable when the periods last too long. The blood is dark, and thick. This medicine can be given to manage painful menses. There is bearing down in the abdomen and drawing pain in limbs, great pressure, and pain in the back along with weakness. Besides these, it can be used to manage cases of prolapse of uterus and vagina; cases in which there occurs passage of gas from vagina; and leucorrhoea (vaginal discharges). For those who need it, leucorrhoea may occur in place of menses. The discharge is muddy or bloody.

Key Indicating Features

Irregular menses in terms of time and the amount of flow

Suppressed menses from fright or from getting cold

Painful menses with bearing down in abdomen, drawing in limbs, and pain in back along with weakness

Prolapse of uterus, and vagina

Passage of gas from vagina

Leucorrhoea in place of menses

Vaginal discharge that are muddy or bloody

 Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from shock, emotions, alcohol, wind, motion, jarring, and dampness

Relieving factors: Complaints are better in warm room, from moist heat, and in dry weather

Dosage

Depending from case to case, the potency of this medicine varies from low to high. One should not repeat its high potency frequently while in low potency it can be taken frequently.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Opium, and Zincum Met

It antidotes: Arsenic Album, Laurocerasaus and Rhododendron

Followed well by: Antimonium Tart, Lycopodium, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, Rhus Tox and Stramonium

The remedy Cocculus Indicus is derived from a plant named ‘Indian cockle’ also known as Anamirta Cocculus. It belongs to family Menispermaceae. When powdered seeds of this plant go through potentization (process of preparing homeopathic medicines that arouses medicinal properties of a crude substance), it is converted into a brilliant homeopathic remedy Cocculus Indicus. It is a leading homeopathic medicine for managing certain health complaints like motion sickness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness and complaints arising from loss of sleep.

The ‘Cocculus Indicus’ Constitution

This medicine is well suited to sad, nervous, sensitive, fearful, timid people. It is suitable to handle complaints after mental and physical overexertion.

Drug Action

Cocculus Indicus acts wonderfully on the mind, gastric system, female organs, head and limbs. It is one of the best medicines for managing vertigo as well. It can manage well certain sleep issues too. Besides these, its action is noted on neck, back and ears.

Clinical Indications

Motion sickness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, sleep deprivation, sleep loss, nursing complaints from, jet lag, headaches, weakness, menstrual problems, heavy periods, painful menses (dysmenorrhea), vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea) colic, gas, hernia, constipation and diarrhea, meniere’s disease, joint pain

Scope As A Homeopathic Remedy

1. Mind Complaints (Mental Fatigue, Memory Issues, Depression, Fear, Anxiety)

Cocculus Indicus has marvellous action on the mind. To begin with it is a brilliant medicine to help cases of mental fatigue that follows loss of sleep. It is an excellent medicine for managing complaints that follow nursing others (taking care of someone who is ill). It is also beneficial for cases of memory weakness. Several memories are forgotten and the mind goes blank at times. This medicine works well in cases of depression also. The sufferer is immensely sad. They remain absorbed in deep sad thoughts. Mind dwells on disagreeable events that happened in the past.  Weeping spells can occur too. This medicine is very suitable for managing anxiety issues. Those needing it have excessive anxiety about the health of others. Its use is also recommended to manage certain fears. These include fear of death, ghosts, and danger. In general, those persons requiring it are highly sensitive in nature. They are most sensitive to noise, touch, insults and disappointments.

Key Indicating Features

Mental fatigue following loss of sleep

Complaints that follow nursing others (taking care of someone who is ill)

Anxiety about health of others

Fear of death, of ghosts, of danger

2. Vertigo

It is a very frequently used medicine for managing cases of vertigo. The most characteristic symptom for its use is vertigo attended with nausea and vomiting. It is also one of the best medicines for vertigo that occurs while travelling in a car or train. Vertigo gets worse on sitting and looking at the moving surroundings in a moving vehicle. A person who suffers from vertigo due to loss of sleep can also be highly benefitted with this remedy.

Key Indicating Features

Vertigo with nausea and vomiting

Vertigo while travelling in a car or train

Vertigo from loss of sleep

3. Gastric Problems (Motion Sickness, Nausea, Vomiting, Pain, Gas, Hernia, Constipation And Diarrhea)

Cocculus Indicus has wide action on the gastric system. It is a highly recommended medicine to manage complaint of motion sickness. It is a problem that can occur when travelling in car, train, aeroplane, boat causing symptoms including nausea, vomiting, dizziness and trouble maintaining balance. Cocculus offers great help when a person has nausea, vomiting, vertigo while travelling. Next its use is considered to help cases of stomach pain. It can be cramping, griping or lacerating type. Cramps are attended with excessive gas. This medicine can be given to manage nausea and vomiting. Nausea gets worse from cold. The vomiting is sour and emits a bad odour. Vomiting may be accompanied by headache.

Another complaint where Cocculus gives good results is gas in the abdomen with excessive rumbling and twisting type of pain. The abdomen is bloated as well. It is a well indicated medicine for managing hernia cases too.

It is suitable to manage inguinal hernia. It is also helpful to manage umbilical hernia attended with excessive constipation. With its action on rectum, it proves effective to manage diarrhea cases. It is majorly indicated when loose stool occurs in the morning soon on rising from bed. Stool is yellow, slimy, fetid and frequent. A sensation of stones rubbing together in abdomen is an important symptom that may be present. Burning and itching at anus may occur. Diarrhea gets worse on standing and better by sitting or lying on the sides. Lastly, it can be used in cases of constipation. There is ineffectual urge for stool. The stool is hard and is expelled with much difficulty.

Key Indicating Features

Motion sickness with marked nausea, vomiting and vertigo when travelling

Stomach pain that can be cramping, griping or lacerating type

Gas in abdomen with rumbling, bloating and twisting type of pain

Sensation of stones rubbing together in abdomen

Inguinal and umbilical hernia

4. Sleep Issues (Sleeplessness, Jet Lag)

It is a magnificent medicine for managing sleep issues. It offers great help in cases of sleeplessness (insomnia). Cocculus is selected when sleeplessness occurs from mental or physical exhaustion. Its use is further considered for sleeplessness from anxiety and restlessness. It is also best suited for helping complaints that arise from loss of sleep from nursing others (taking care of sick) or otherwise too. There is constant drowsiness next day after loss of sleep previous night. Besides these, it is a top listed medicine for cases of jet lag (temporary sleep issues experienced by those who travel across multiple time zones frequently).

Key Indicating Features

Sleeplessness from mental or physical exhaustion or from anxiety

Complaints from loss of sleep from nursing others (nursing means taking care of sick) or otherwise too

Jet lag

5. Head (Headache)

With its action on head, it has given great clinical improvements in headache cases. It is effective in managing headache that occurs from travelling in car, train, boat. It is also well indicated for migraine headache. Person cannot bear slightest light or noise. It may cause nausea and vomiting. Cocculus is also useful when headache occurs from sun exposure. In most cases that require this medicine, the pain is felt in the back of head (occiput) and nape of neck. A sensation of shutting and opening as well is felt in occiput area. Apart from these, it is highly valuable to manage headache experienced by women every time during menses.

Key Indicating Features

Headache from travelling in car, train, boat

Migraine headache when slightest light or noise is unbearable

Headache during menses

6. Female Problems (Excessive Weakness, Heavy Periods, Painful Menses, Vaginal Discharge)

This medicine is beneficial for managing various female problems. Among these the main is excessive weakness during menses where female is too weak even to stand. It is useful for cases of early, profuse and frequent menses. The menstrual blood is clotted along with pain. This medicine can be of great use in managing painful menses (dysmenorrhea). Cocculus can be used when there occurs cutting and cramping type of pain in uterus and ovaries during menses and menstrual bleeding is profuse and dark. Further this medicine is well indicated to manage vaginal discharges (leucorrhoea). The features to use it in these cases is gushing vaginal discharge with intense weakness. This discharge mostly appears in between menses and in some cases in place of menses.

Key Indicating Features

Excessive weakness during menses

Early, profuse and frequent menses with clotted blood and pain

Cutting and cramping pain in uterus and ovaries during menses with profuse and dark bleeding

Gushing vaginal discharge with intense weakness

Vaginal discharge in between menses or in place of menses

7. Neck and Back (Pain)

It also acts well on neck and back. Cocculus gives great relief in cases of pain and stiffness of neck. The neck muscles feel stiff on moving neck. Stiffness is attended with great weakness. A pressure is felt in the nape of neck as well. It proves effective for pain in the lower back with drawing sensation across hips. It prevents walking.

Key Indicating Features

Pain and stiffness in neck along with weakness

Lower back pain with drawing sensation across the hips

8. Ear Problems (Noises, Meniere’s Disease)

Cocculus Indicus is a very effective medicine for cases of ear problems. It is a useful medicine for managing noises in ears (tinnitus). The noises can be ringing, roaring or like that of rushing water. Hearing difficulty may also be there. It is a well-indicated medicine for Meniere’s disease. It is useful when there is ringing in ears, loss of balance and hardness of hearing.

Key Indicating Features

Noises in ear that can be ringing, roaring or like that of rushing water

Meniere’s disease with ringing in ears, loss of balance and hardness of hearing

9. Limbs (Joint Pain, Weak Limbs, Trembling Hands)

Lastly, it has a marked action on limbs too. It acts wonderfully on joints and helps to manage pain and stiffness in them. Persons needing it complain of pain shifting from one joint to another along with swelling, redness and stiffness. The pain gets worse from slightest touch and motion. It is indicated for cases where lower limbs are weak with unsteady and clumsy gait. Another indication for its use is numbness of hands while grasping objects. It is also useful in case of trembling of hands, especially while eating.

Key Indicating Features

Shifting pain from one joint to another attended with swelling, redness and stiffness

Joint pain worse from slightest touch and motion

Weak lower limbs with unsteady and clumsy gait

Hands numb when grasping objects

Hands tremble while eating

Modalities

Worsening factors: Complaints get worse from travelling in car, train, boat; from loss of sleep; from exertion; from touch, pressure, and jar; during menses and from nursing others (taking care of a sick person)

Relieving factors: Complaints improve by sitting, lying quietly and in a warm room

Dosage

Its use can be done in low as well as high potencies. The potency and repetition varies from case to case depending on the type and duration of complaint. In general, low potencies can be repeated often while high potencies should not be repeated frequently.

Relationship with Other Remedies

Antidoted by: Camphor, Chamomilla and Nux Vomica

Followed well by: Arsenic Album, Belladonna, Hepar Sulph, Ignatia, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Rhus Tox and Sulphur