28.01.03
Agaricus is famous in ear remedies because of its skin affections and peculiar sensations in auricle. Agaricus is the best remedy for chilblains, because in its proving the skin becomes red and inflamed with burning and itching. Sensation of cold needles piercing the skin, as if it is frozen, is one of the most important symptoms of Agaricus. All these skin manifestations may be seen in auricle, which is the indication for prescription of Agaricus whether they are due to frostbite or not. As is seen, Agaricus is mostly an external ear remedy.
The Fly Agaricus is an important homeopathic remedy for chilblains and nervous disorders in which jerking, twitching, trembling, and itching are predominant, for example in epilepsy, and chorea. It is also given for delirium tremens associated with alcoholism and for the effects of senile dementia, or when there is marked dizziness, an impulse to fall backward; redness and puffiness of the face without heat, and an increase in appetite. Those who need Agaricus are sensitive to the cold, particularly when ill.
The Fly Agaricus is an important homeopathic remedy for chilblains and nervous disorders in which jerking, twitching, trembling, and itching are predominant, for example in epilepsy, and chorea. It is also given for delirium tremens associated with alcoholism and for the effects of senile dementia, or when there is marked dizziness, an impulse to fall backward; redness and puffiness of the face without heat, and an increase in appetite. Those who need Agaricus are sensitive to the cold, particularly when ill.
27.01.03
Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is used to treat spider veins and varicose veins. An inherited weakness in the structure of veins, much more common in women than in men, predisposes a person to varicosities when veins are subjected to increased pressure over time. The best preventive measures are avoidance of prolonged standing, frequent elevation of legs when seated, and conscientious use of elastic support stockings if standing is necessary.
Conventional medical and surgical treatments are very invasive and often not successful. Horsechestnut is a promising alternative, primary used as a topical application. It is sometimes sold under the name escin. This herbal remedy is much better known in Europe than in America, but creams containing it are becoming available here. (European doctors also prescribe escin internally, but because of potential toxicity only topical use is recommended.)
Conventional medical and surgical treatments are very invasive and often not successful. Horsechestnut is a promising alternative, primary used as a topical application. It is sometimes sold under the name escin. This herbal remedy is much better known in Europe than in America, but creams containing it are becoming available here. (European doctors also prescribe escin internally, but because of potential toxicity only topical use is recommended.)
26.01.03
Aconite, also known as aconitum, is a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family, commonly known as aconite, monkshood, or wolfsbane, and embracing about 60 species, chiefly natives of the mountainous parts of the northern hemisphere. They are distinguished by having one of the five blue or yellow coloured sepals (the posterior one) in the form of a helmet; hence the English name monkshood. Two of the petals placed under the hood of the calyx are supported on long stalks, and have a hollow spur at their apex, containing honey. They are handsome plants, the tall stem being crowned by racemes of showy flowers.
Aconitum napellus, common monkshood, is a doubtful native of Britain, and is of therapeutic and toxicological importance. Its roots have occasionally been mistaken for horseradish. The aconite has a short underground stem, from which dark-coloured tapering roots descend. The crown or upper portion of the root gives rise to new plants. When put to the lip, the juice of the aconite root produces a feeling of numbness and tingling. The horseradish root, which belongs to the natural order Cruciferae, is much longer than that of the aconite, and it is not tapering; its colour is yellowish, and the top of the root has the remains of the leaves on it.
Many species of aconite are cultivated in gardens, some having blue and others yellow flowers. Aconitum lycoctonum, wolfsbane, is a yellow-flowered species common on the Alps of Switzerland. The roots of Aconitum ferox supply the famous Indian (Nepal) poison called bikh, bish, or nabee. It contains considerable quantities of the alkaloid pseudaconitine, which is a very deadly poison. Aconitum palmatum yields another of the celebrated bikh poisons. The root of Aconitum luridum, of the Himalayas, is said to be as virulent as that of A. ferox or A. napellus.
As garden plants the aconites are very ornamental, hardy perennials. They thrive well in any ordinary garden soil, and will grow beneath the shade of trees. They are easily propagated by divisions of the root or by seeds; great care should be taken not to leave pieces of the root about owing to its very poisonous character. Aconite has been ascribed with supernatural powers relating to werewolves and other lycanthropes, either to repel them or in some way induce their lycanthropic condition.
Aconitum napellus, common monkshood, is a doubtful native of Britain, and is of therapeutic and toxicological importance. Its roots have occasionally been mistaken for horseradish. The aconite has a short underground stem, from which dark-coloured tapering roots descend. The crown or upper portion of the root gives rise to new plants. When put to the lip, the juice of the aconite root produces a feeling of numbness and tingling. The horseradish root, which belongs to the natural order Cruciferae, is much longer than that of the aconite, and it is not tapering; its colour is yellowish, and the top of the root has the remains of the leaves on it.
Many species of aconite are cultivated in gardens, some having blue and others yellow flowers. Aconitum lycoctonum, wolfsbane, is a yellow-flowered species common on the Alps of Switzerland. The roots of Aconitum ferox supply the famous Indian (Nepal) poison called bikh, bish, or nabee. It contains considerable quantities of the alkaloid pseudaconitine, which is a very deadly poison. Aconitum palmatum yields another of the celebrated bikh poisons. The root of Aconitum luridum, of the Himalayas, is said to be as virulent as that of A. ferox or A. napellus.
As garden plants the aconites are very ornamental, hardy perennials. They thrive well in any ordinary garden soil, and will grow beneath the shade of trees. They are easily propagated by divisions of the root or by seeds; great care should be taken not to leave pieces of the root about owing to its very poisonous character. Aconite has been ascribed with supernatural powers relating to werewolves and other lycanthropes, either to repel them or in some way induce their lycanthropic condition.
