COCCUS CACTI

COCCUS CACTI

(Cochineal)

The clinical application of the symptoms of this remedy, place it among the medicines for spasmodic and whooping coughs, and catarrhal conditions of the bladder; spasmodic pains in kidneys, with visceral tenesmus. Anuria, anasarca, ascites.

Mind:- Early morning or afternoon sadness.

Head:- Suboccipital soreness; worse after sleep and exertion. Headache, worse from lying on back, better with the head high. Dull pain over right eye in morning. Sensation of a foreign body between upper lid and eye ball. Distress from cinders lodged in eye.

Respiratory:- Constant hawking from enlarged uvula; Coryza, with inflamed fauces; accumulation of thick viscid mucus, which is expectorated with great difficulty. Tickling in larynx. Sensation of a crumb behind larynx, must swallow continually; brushing teeth causes cough. Fauces very sensitive. Suffocative cough; worse, first waking, with tough, white mucus, which strangles. Spasmodic morning cough. Whooping cough attacks end with vomiting of this tough mucus. Chronic bronchitis complicated with gravel; large quantities of albuminous, tenacious mucus, are expectorated. Walking against wind takes breath away.

Heart:- Sensation as if everything were pressed toward the heart.

Urinary:- Urging to urinate; brick-red sediment. Urinary calculi, haematuria, urates and uric acid; lancinating pains from kidney to bladder. Deep-colored, thick urine. Dysuria.

Female:- Menses too early, profuse, black and thick; dark clots, with dysuria. Intermittent menstruation; flow only in evening and at night. Large clots escape when passing water. Labia inflamed.

Modalities:- Worse, Left side, after sleep, touch, pressure of clothing, brushing teeth, slightest exertion.

Better, walking.

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A Case of Cough cured by Coccus Cacti

TWELVE REMEDIES IN HEADACHE, WITH COMPARISONS By W. A. Dewey

 THE

HOMOEOPATHIC RECORDER.

Vol. X. Philadelphia and Lancaster, Feb, 1895. No. 2.

TWELVE REMEDIES IN HEADACHE, WITH

COMPARISONS

By W. A. Dewey, M. D., 52 West 25th Street, New York.

I. Belladonna. 

Belladonna is probably the first remedy thought of in headache; 

its symptoms, however, are so clear that by rights it should 

only be thought of when indicated. Of course throbbing is the 

great keynote, but violent shooting pains in the head, so severe 

as to drive the patient almost wild, are scarcely less characteristic. 

The patient cannot lie down, must sit up, nor can he bear 

light, noise or jarring; this last is most characteristic. The 

location of the ache is mostly in the frontal region or right side, 

flushed face, dilated pupils accompany. Glonoine is the only 

remedy having throbbing as characteristic as Belladonna. Glonoine, 

however, does not have such a lasting effect as Belladonna, it 

is more relieved by motion, the face is not so deeply flushed and 

there is aggravation from bending the head backwards, all of 

which will serve to distinguish the two remedies. Cinchona also 

has throbbing, but here it is due to anaemia. Belladonna has 

also a symptom common to both Nux vomica and Bryonia, 

namely, a feeling as if the head would burst. The headaches of 

Belladonna are usually worse in the afternoon. 

II. Nux vomica. 

Probably, taken all in all, Nux vomica is more often indicated 

in headache than any other remedy; this is, presumably, 

due in the main to the causes of headache calling for Nux 

vomica; thus, we have headache from the excessive use of alcohol, 

the morning “big head,” tobacco, coffee, headache from digestive 

troubles, constipation, bilious derangement. These are all common 

causes of the Nux vomica headache. The ache is situated 

over one or the other eye, usually the left, or else in the occiput. 

It is apt to begin in the morning and last all day until night, 

and is accompanied with sour taste and perhaps nausea and 

violent retching. The dull, wooden, bursting feeling of the head 

following a debauch is most characteristic of Nux vomica. Head- 

aches of high livers call for Nux. 

There are some modalities to the Nux vomica headache that 

should be carefully noted, as this point will sometime aid greatly 

in making a selection, for instance: Stooping and coughing aggravate 

the headache; it is worse in the morning; moving the 

eyes and motion in general makes the head feel worse. What 

relieves the Nux vomica headache is not so clear; certain headaches 

calling for Nux will be better by wrapping the head up warm 

and by rest, but these conditions are rare ones calling for the 

drug. In general, nothing relieves the Nux vomica headache, 

but it will often disappear after rising and being about for a few 

hours. This is a characteristic point in those headaches due to 

alcoholic excesses. 

III. Sanguinaria 

Genuine sick headache calls for this drug, and the symptoms 

in brief are these: The pain begins in the morning and in the 

occiput; it comes up over the head and settles in the right eye. 

The pain increases in severity until there is vomiting of food 

and bile, then oftentimes the ache is relieved. Noise and light 

are unbearable, and sleep relieves. The pain will be so intense 

at times that the patient will frantically bore her head into the 

pillow for relief. Belladonna may be easily differentiated by the 

following points: It has hot head, more throbbing, flushed face 

and cold feet, and the pain coming up from the occiput is not so 

marked as under Sanguinaria. The Sanguinaria headache is 

relieved by lying down, Belladonna by being propped up in bed, 

and Sanguinaria is more useful in the gastric form of headache. 

There may be also profuse micturition with Sanguinaria relieving 

the headache, as we find under Gelsemium, Ignatia and in 

a less degree under some other drugs. 

IV. Iris Versicolor. 

The Iris headache characteristically commences with a partial 

blindness or blurring of vision, being similar here to Gelsemium, 

and it is especially a remedy for gastric or bilious headaches. 

It is a useful remedy for Sunday headaches, not, however, in 

that form which sometimes occurs as a convenient excuse for 

non-church attendance, which is incurable, but that form which 

occurs in teachers, scholars, professors, etc., in whom a relief of 

the strain for the preceding six days produces the headache. 

The pains are mostly located over the eyes in the supra- orbital 

ridges, usually on one side at a time. The pains are throbbing 

or sharp, and when at their acme, vomiting occurs which is apt 

to be bitter or sour. Especially characteristic is vomiting of 

matters so sour that the teeth are set on edge. The headache of 

Iris is aggravated by motion, cold air and coughing; moderate 

exercise in the open air relieves. In sick headache with continuous 

nausea it is one of our most useful remedies, and if 

indicated closely by the above symptoms it will not fail. 

V. Gelsemium. 

Gelsemium is another remedy which has a headache commencing 

with blindness, and especially it is a remedy for headaches 

due to eye strain. Onosmodium is another. The ache under 

Gelsemium commences in the occiput or nape of the neck. Comes 

up over the head and settles in an eye like Sanguinaria. There 

is a feeling as if a band were about the head, the patient is dull 

and apathetic, and there is great soreness in the eyes when moving 

them. Occipital headaches often find their remedy in Gelsemium. 

Cocculus is another remedy for these conditions. 

Remember the copious urination which relieves the headache, 

and that the headaches are accompanied with visual troubles, 

such as double vision, squinting and dim sight, and Gelsemium 

will be easily recognized. 

Gelsemium headaches are also relieved by sleep, and dizziness 

may accompany. 

VI. Cocculus. 

Another remedy for occipital headache is Cocculus, and it is a 

most excellent one; the symptoms are these: The ache occurs in 

the lower part of the occiput and extends to the nape, and it is 

nearly always associated with vertigo, the head feels numb, 

empty and stupefied, and with this vertigo there is constant 

nausea. Among the causes of headache calling for Cocculus may 

be mentioned riding in the cars or a carriage. A peculiar symptom 

of Cocculus is the sensation as if the occiput were opening 

and shutting like a door. Cannabis Indica has the sensation as 

if the vertex were opening and shutting. This is one of the 

most characteristic symptoms of Cannabis. 

The headaches of Cocculus in general are worse from mental  

effort, and are better indoors and during rest. 

VII. Spigelia. 

This remedy holds about the same relation to the left side of 

the head that Sanguinaria does to the right side. The pains are 

neuralgic in character and settle over the left eye, and they are 

apt to follow the course of the sun, beginning in the morning, 

reaching the acme at noon and subsiding at sunset. There is 

often a sensation as if the head were open along the vertex. 

Noise and jarring of the bed as under Belladonna aggravates the 

pain, stooping and change of weather also make the pain worse. 

The pure neuralgic character of the pain, and its left side preference, 

should lead to the remedy. 

VIII. Cimicifuga 

This is another remedy for the neuralgic form of headache, 

and it has some valuable symptoms. There is first a sensation 

as if the top of the head would fly off. There are sharp, lancinating 

pains in and over the eyes, shooting to the top of the 

head. The brain seems to move in waves, and there may be the 

symptom of a sharp pain extending from the occiput to the 

frontal region, as if a bolt was driven through the head. Headaches 

which are reflex or dependent on some uterine irritation 

are met by this remedy. When there is a feeling as if the 

patient would go crazy it is especially indicated. Many of the 

pains begin in the occiput and shoot down the spine; there is a 

tendency to bend the head forward, which relieves somewhat. 

IX. Silicea

Silicea is a very useful remedy in headache, but one not very 

often used. When a patient with headache has her head tied up 

with a towel or handkerchief it will probably indicate one of two 

remedies. Argentum nitricum if the head be tied up tightly, for 

here we have relief from pressure, and Silicea if the head is tied 

up simply to keep it warm. The headache of Silicea is nervous 

and caused by excessive mental exertion. It is supra-orbital 

and worse over the right eye, the pains coming up from the back 

of the head. Noise, motion and jarring aggravate. Warmth 

relieves. Menyanthes is similar in some respects to Silicea, but 

pressure rather than warmth relieves, and on going up stairs 

there is a sensation of a heavy weight on the vertex. The 

headache of Silicea, like Ignatia and Gelsemium is relieved by 

copious urination. 

An additional indication for Silicea is an extreme sensitiveness 

of the scalp. 

X. Argentum nitricum. 

A characteristic of this drug is that the head seems enormously 

large. There is much boring pain in the left frontal 

eminence. Thuja has a sensation as if a nail were driven into 

the frontal eminence. Ignatia and Coffea have these sharp, 

nail-like pains also. The pains under Argentum nitricum 

increase to such a degree that the patient seems as if she would 

lose her senses. Tying the head up tightly relieves the headache 

of this drug, it being the pressure that relieves. 

XI. Melilotus alba. 

A remedy often overlooked in the treatment of the congestive 

forms of headache is Melilotus. With this remedy there is a 

sensation of bursting; it seems as if the brain would burst 

through the forehead; the pains are intense and throbbing and 

almost drive the patient frantic. The eyes are bloodshot and 

the headache tends to recur every afternoon. Sometimes the 

headache culminates in nosebleed, which relieves. There is 

with this drug, which reminds of Cimicifuga, an undulating 

sensation in the brain. 

XII. Natrum mur 

The headache of Natrum mur. is as if there were little hammers 

beating in the skull, worse from moving the head or eyeballs. 

It comes on in the morning, is worse about 10 A. m., and 

is preceded by partial blindness, as we found under Iris and Gel- 

semium. The little hammer sensation is also found under 

Psorinum. Natrum mur., as well as Calcarea phos., is an excel- 

lent remedy for certain headaches in school girls during menses. 

A malarial basis for a headache will sometimes suggest this 

remedy. 

To read more medicines for headache read Homeopathic medicines for Headache and Migraine.

Homeopathic medicines for Headache and Migraine

Compiled By:

Dr Ravinder S. Mann

Dr. Vandana Patni

Homeopathic medicines for Headache and Migraine

Tweleve remedies in Headache By W. A. Dewey

For prescribing Homeopathic medicines to any patient we need to chose a strict similimum criteria, it means a patient need only that medicine which exhibit the very similar symptoms and signs during the proving of medicine.

Every homeopathic medicine is proved on humans. The signs and symptoms; which every medicine exhibit during proving are recorded in Text Book of Homeopathic Materia Medica. Every Homeopathic medicine exhibit the sign and symptoms of more then one system, it means every medicine has capability to cure diseases of more then one system.

So matching the sign and symptoms, of a patient with medicine, for purpose of prescribing needs lot much expertise. 

Following homeopathic medicines with short indications in headache are just few from long list of medicines.

Aconite – Headache due to Sunstroke, sleeping in direct sun-rays. Burning headache as if brain were agitated by boiling water. Aggravation by noise, light, motion. Amelioration by lying in a dark room, by nosebleed  and by copious urination.

Aethusa Cynapium – Violent pain, as if the brain were dashed to pieces; headache ceases with discharge of flatus downward; distressing pain in the occiput, nape and down the spine, better from bending stiffly backward; sensation as if she were constantly pulled by hair; hemicrania ( One side headache) driving the patient into open air, which relieves; desire to have a band fastened tightly around the head.

Agaricus – Headache from overwork at the desk. Pain as if sharp ice touched the head or cold needles pierced it. Pain remains confined to very small spot. Pain as if fine splinters were driven into the brain.

Agnus Castus – Headaches from sexual debility after sexual excesses or subject to seminal emissions, persons suffering from nervous debility, melancholia and has hypochondriac mood, keeps repeating that he will die. Pains just above the right eye  and temple better by looking at one point.

Allium Cepa – Headache as if whole head is wrapped in hot clothes. Headache ceases during menses and returns back just after cessation of menses. Headache with coryza, lachrymation (watering from eyes), sneezing. 

Aloes – Headaches alternating with low back pains ( Lumbago). Headache increases with every footstep, headache from insufficient stool (defecation), can’t bear mental labor, perfect relief after complete stool. Patients who have headache in winters and diarrhea in summers.

Argentum Nitricum – Headaches of dyspeptic persons. Migraine; headache with sensation as if the head is enormously large; Pain increases by taking coffee and better by eating dinner and taking wine. Patient feel as if his skull bones are separating apart and pains better by pressure and tight bandaging. Pains gradually increasing and then ceases suddenly.

Arsenicum Alb – Hemicranias (one side head pains), Headaches better by cold applications. Anxiety, thirst, fears are another clinical feature.

Belladona - Pains starts suddenly, gradually increase to great severity and then ceases suddenly. Headaches are throbbing, especially on right side, with intolerance of light and noise, hot head and cold feet, headache aggravates when lying down with head low and in open air, pains better by bending head backward and by covering the head.

Bryonia – Headache with vertigo and confusion of mind on slightest motion; sticking, jerking, throbbing pain from forehead backward to occiput. Pains aggravated by any kind of motion, on opening eyes, from stooping, on coughing, on stepping hard, slightest motion. Pains ameliorated by closing eyes, external pressure, by tying up the head. But pain in head always shifts to the side lain on.

Calcarea Carb – Icy coldness in and on head; Headache better by closing eyes and from tight bandaging.

Camphor – Pains ceases when thinking of it.

Carbo Veg – Headache with congestion of head from overheated rooms. Associated symptoms with headache are important here as burning pain in epigastrium, disgust for fat food and milk, belchings and borborygmi offensive, insatiable thirst for cold water.

China – Headaches better by moving the head especially up and down. Headaches caused by loss of fluids eg. Hemorrhage.

Colocynthis – Intermittent and paroxysmal headaches, Pains better by lying on painful side and hard pressure.

Crocus Sativus – Headache and all other symptoms are worse at time of menses.

Gelsemium – Vision lost just before headache, dislike to speak or be spoken to during headaches. Pains better by copious urination and after sleeping.

Gloninum – Violent headache with menses, headache from exposure to sun; sunstroke; Pains worse by motion and better by bandaging head.

Iris V – Great medicine for migraine, sick headaches of gastric and hepatic (liver) origin. Head pains always beginning with blur before eyes and followed by sour vomiting.

Kali Bichrom – Blindness before headache which disappears as headache increases. One sides pains in small spots, sharp stitches in bones of head.

Kalmia – Sun headache, shooting from nape up into head; especially right side better by profuse urination.

Lachesis – Head pains relieves as soon as menses starts; burning on vertex in climacteric; aggravations during and after sleep.

Lycopodium – Headache of intellectuals, headache from brain overwork. Pains worse by from rising up, from stooping, followed by weakness, from warmth of bed, mental exertion, mainly of right side, extending down to neck, pains better by lying down, from open cold air and from uncovering the head.

Magnesia Carb – Headache relieved by wrapping up the head, pains worse when among many persons, pain on top of head as if hair were pulled, aggravations standing and ameliorates sitting.

Melilotus – Congestive headaches with violent palpitations, especially in winters. Sensation as if brain would burst through forehead. Pains are severe better by nosebleed, frequent urination.

Natrum Carb – Sun Headaches, chronic effects of sunstroke. Head pain starts every time patient exposes to heat of sun, pains increases during a thunderstorm and from electric changes in atmosphere, headache from working under gaslight, pains from turning head rapidly and mental labor increase the pain.

Natrum Mur – Periodically appearing frontal headaches of great severity as if bursting and beating from little hammers. Pain aggravated from moving head and eyes, increases in forenoon, by warmth and motion, pains better by sitting, lying and perspiring; headache from sunrise to sunset; head pains before, during and after menses.

Nux Vomica – Congestive and abdominal headaches, with nausea and vomiting, worse by coughing and stooping; pain as from a nail driven into the brain. Head pains worse towards morning on waking, after eating, in the open air, pains on stopping and on motion, pain after drinking coffee.

Many more medicines can be described here, but prescribing true similimum to any case of headache need very expertise. Some more medicines are named here:-

Nitric Acid, Opium, Palladium, Phosphorus, Phosphoric acid, Phytolacca, Picric acid, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Rhus Tox, Sabadilla, Sanguinaria, Selenium, Sepia, Silicea, Spigelia, Sulphur, Thuja and more.