Remedy of the Month (2)
Spongia Tosta - roasted sponge
Have you ever indulged yourself by bathing with one of those fabulous sea sponges – not sure it is politically or ecologically correct to buy into that arena, but they are lovely to use. It is hard to imagine that such a wonderful natural substance, that was once a living creature, can develop a feeling of disgust that prevails throughout this reemdy But Spongia tosta is disgusted with pretty much everything. Maybe it is to do with being a salt water creature, forever being cleansed by the lapping tides; maybe it is to do with being wrenched from its natural sea environment and gasping for air as it lands on terra firma, utterly lost with the knowledge of near death; maybe it’s to do with its after-life use as a cleansing aid; or maybe it is to with the toasting it gets to make this remedy.
Whatever the reasons, Spongia is a remedy of terrors. There are delusions of fire and feelings of desperation if they become heated (the toasting procedure!); visions of frightful images including ghosts; fear of evil and death; intense fear of suffocation; they become over cheerful and start singing as a distraction from the terror; they fear for the future, especially on waking, maybe showing surprise at still being alive; this fear develops during sleep – maybe there is a long lost memory link of sponges being used in the 13thC, dipped in a dilution of narcotic plant juices and placed over the person’s face to act as a primitive anaesthesia (spongia somnifera); sleep walking is common and when thoroughly weakened and wearied by all this terror they resolve to being timid, tearful, weary of life to the point of becoming suicidal.
Sponges like to cling to something and being full of holes (pores) they are amazing water pumps and although some might say it is shaky ground talking about remedies from the point of view of their signature, it won’t escape many that Spongia, the pump, is a truly wonderful heart remedy – the heart being a pump of life. Specifically, Spongia has an affinity to the heart valves and their possible dysfunction as in mitral or tri-cuspid valve regurgitation (usually right side of the heart is affected most).
As with nearly all the heart remedies there is an intense fear of suffocation that can bring on the throes of near death – the fear and anxiety itself can bring on these paroxysms – breathing becomes laboured and asthmatic; the larynx feels as if it has been grasped (often the person will do that themselves as if to grasp the throat and open it for extra air). Sometimes the larynx feels stopped because a goitre is present – Spongia, being a sea creature has plenty of iodine present and hence the affinity to thyroid problems as well. There is a sensation as if air is passing up and down the thyroid and cervical glands.
Spongia belongs in the sea and thus on land it cannot breathe, it suffocates with the dryness, every organ becomes dry, there is excessive thirst to compensate. But Spongia can never truly compensate for its loss, its total dislocation and so the feelings of disgust are really more about absolute dissatisfaction with everything. They fear living and act inappropriately to living with their fears but the expression on their face often shows the true feelings.
One extra point, although possibly insignificant to the symptom picture of this remedy, is that there is a compound present in sponges called Vidabarine and the allopaths use this in antiviral drugs especially for Herpes and even more important for the so called AIDS virus. Apparently this compound interferes with enzymes that are special to these diseased states.
We Are What We Eat
Not so much ‘remedy’ but ‘remedies’ of the month this time as we take a look at some remedies that have an affinity to digestive disorders that result in either diarrhoea or constipation or other gastric problems.
To help make these remedies stand out is a highlighted link between the digestive disorder and a disturbance that can also be recognised on the emotional or mental level as well any other curious symptom.
ABROTANUM - one of the Artemisias (wormwood) so think in terms of worms and the irritability they often cause
cross and irritable
emaciated but has a good appetite (think of marasmus in children)
distended abdomen
hard lumps in abdomen
alternate diarrhoea and constipation
bloody stools
frequent urging
stomach feels as if swimming in water
suppressed diarrhoea causes rheumatism (may present with this)
AESCULUS - horse chestnut (conker like stools)
irritable and depressed
haemorrhoids from engorgement - blind and bleeding – hence this rx is ‘blocked’ and engorged by the hard conker = bewildered and confused
sense of fullness
rectum feels full of sticks
prolapse
hard dry stools
burning in anus
weight of a stone in stomach
AETHUSA - fool's parsley (think of a connection between brain and rectum)
restless and anxious
connection with brain and gastro-intestinal disturbance (brain tumours)
cannot digest milk
always << summer
regurgitated food
colic with vomiting
undigested, thin green stool
stooling exhausts
cholera like sx
also obstinate constipation - all bowel action is lost
ALOE – aloe socotrina (used as a purgative so think of loss of some kind)
weary and lazy and/or hateful and repellant – these all relate to the ‘loss’
pulsation in rectum
wants juicy foods
lots of flatulence which burns
sensation of plug
constant bearing down sensation
bleeding > cold water
sense of insecurity in rectum - can't tell if will pass stool or gas
lumpy, jelly like stools
much mucous after stool
haemorrhoids like grapes
ARGENTUM NITRICUM - nitrate of silver
hurried and impulsive (think of rushing to toilet)
lots of flatulence
great craving for sweets, cheese and salt
distended abdomen
watery, noisy, green like chopped spinach stools
diarrhoea immediately after eating (gastro-enteritis)
fluids go right through
<< after any emotion
ARSENICUM ALBUM – (it is a poison and so often food poisoning is the causation)
restlessness with anguish, exhausted
overly concerned about germs and dirt etc (as if to overcome the toxicity)
cannot bear the sight or smell of food
ill effects of bad food and watery food (fruit, vegetables, meat)
craves milk or other liquid, ice water vomited immediately
burning pains in abdomen and rectum
small, offensive dark stools < night
dysentery and cholera like sx
haemorrhoids burn like fire
ASAFOETIDA - (think foetid)
extremely sensitive, irritable and always complaining and craves sympathy (think obstinate and needy all the way through)
obstructed flatulence
regurgitates fluid only
abdomen distended but feels empty
lots of gurgling
obstinate constipation
really offensive and foetid diarrhoea
BISMUTH – sub nitrate of bismuth
must have company, cannot be alone (it is weakly magnetic and thus needy)
very slow digestion
offensive flatulence and sour belchings
digestion > cold drinks
painless diarrhoea accompanied with great thirst
irritation and inflammation of whole alimentary canal
CARBO VEG - charcoal (think of imperfect oxidation)
stagnation of mind and body (in need of air to stimulate)
digestion very slow
loads of eructations and flatulence - rancid and sour
distended abdomen
cramping pains making one bend double
--- milk, meat and fat
even the simplest food distresses
flatus hot, burning, acrid, corrosive, moist
discharge of blood from rectum
painful diarrhoea
involuntary stools
white or blue haemorrhoids
CHAMOMILLA - chamomile
sensitive and irritable, always whining, always in pain
distention and griping in abdomen
flatulent colic with anger (with red cheeks)
hot, green, watery, slimy stools
stools look like chopped spinach and eggs (looks like the plant mashed up)
children have diarrhoea with dentition
CHELIDONIUM - celandine (being a liver rx everything is yellow, even the stems of the plant ooze a beautiful yellow liquid)
angry, irritable but anxious (like most of the liver rx)
<< change of weather conditions
tongue yellow
vomits yellow bile
> eating but only temporary
jaundice from gall bladder obstruction
fermenting in bowels
constipation with hard, round stools - like sheep's dung
stools bright yellow or pasty coloured
alternate constipation and diarrhoea
CHINA OFF. - cinchona (quinine)
extremely apathetic and dejected with discontent but the mind is extremely furtive as if to make up for the constant evacuation from the bowels
one of the most flatulent remedies
much distention not better for belching
marked periodicity - << every other day
fermentation and frothy bowels
whole digestive system sore and swollen
very slow digestion
yellow watery undigested diarrhoea
inky stools
excessive stools through the night or after food during day
colic with insatiable thirst
COLOCYNTHIS - bitter cucumber (similar to Cham. and Mag Phos)
angry and indignant with taciturnity (they have been humiliated and express this with anger and cramps – the anger matches the cramping pain)
agonising pain in abdomen making them bend double
violent cramp like colic
>> motion and stooling
diarrhoea from grief
wants to drink but cannot
grumblings in the abdomen
constipation or yellow green slimy stools
bleeding haemorrhoids
paralysis of the rectum
DIOSCOREA - wild yam
averse to company, irritable, confused and depressed (they actually fear people)
constant spasms of unbearable pain of bowels and stomach (>>> bending backwards, the reverse of Coloc – they feel pulled back and constricted)
twisting, writhing, lancinating pains - griping pains throughout digestive region
pains spread to distant parts
morning diarrhoea - drives them out of bed
much rumbling and flatulence
pain before stool
thin yellow stool
stool doesn't relieve pain
loose stools with much straining
during pregnancy there is alternate constipation and diarrhoea
GAMBOGIA - resinous gum tree
cheerful and talkative
profuse, watery diarrhoea – feels great relief after, hence the cheerfulness as if disconnected from the sticky resin
cutting pain before stool
much urging then sudden expulsion of stool
anus burns after stool
empty feeling in abdomen
rumbling in bowels
yellow green watery stool mixed with mucous
< night
>> motion
stools often accompanied by cutting pain round umbilicus
hard insufficient stool with prolapse of rectum
GRATIOLA - hedge hyssop (likes moist places), also called 'herb of grace' which defies its effect on the digestive system!
peevish and irresolute, very bad humour and apprehensive - can also be the complete opposite, loquacious and cheerful – they suffer from feeling small and worthless
violent colic with diarrhoea and bloody stools
enteritis and jaundice
cramping pains with much trembling
cholera like state
< during and after eating
summer diarrhoea from drinking too much water
burning in anus after stools
cold feeling in abdomen
yellow, watery, frothy sudden stools
involuntary stools without knowing it
constipation with haemorrhoids
rectum feels torn after stool - some oozing of blood
IRIS VERSICOLOUR - blue flag iris
depressed and fearful, censorious, laugh at their own actions as if to divert attention from their illness
stomach feels on fire
great rumblings with desire for stool
sense of sourness like vinegar
burning pains throughout digestive system
<< motion
colic > bending forward and discharge flatus
watery thin stool
stool can be mushy, yellow, painless, bloody
chronic diarrhoea with pain in lower abdomen
great prostration and emaciation (cancer)
constipation followed by watery diarrhoea
constipation with migraine
constipation with irregular menses
extremely apathetic and dejected with discontent but the mind is extremely furtive as if to make up for the constant evacuation from the bowels
one of the most flatulent remedies
much distention not better for belching
marked periodicity - << every other day
fermentation and frothy bowels
whole digestive system sore and swollen
very slow digestion
yellow watery undigested diarrhoea
inky stools
excessive stools through the night or after food during day
colic with insatiable thirst
COLOCYNTHIS - bitter cucumber (similar to Cham. and Mag Phos)
angry and indignant with taciturnity (they have been humiliated and express this with anger and cramps – the anger matches the cramping pain)
agonising pain in abdomen making them bend double
violent cramp like colic
>> motion and stooling
diarrhoea from grief
wants to drink but cannot
grumblings in the abdomen
constipation or yellow green slimy stools
bleeding haemorrhoids
paralysis of the rectum
DIOSCOREA - wild yam
averse to company, irritable, confused and depressed (they actually fear people)
constant spasms of unbearable pain of bowels and stomach (>>> bending backwards, the reverse of Coloc – they feel pulled back and constricted)
twisting, writhing, lancinating pains - griping pains throughout digestive region
pains spread to distant parts
morning diarrhoea - drives them out of bed
much rumbling and flatulence
pain before stool
thin yellow stool
stool doesn't relieve pain
loose stools with much straining
during pregnancy there is alternate constipation and diarrhoea
GAMBOGIA - resinous gum tree
cheerful and talkative
profuse, watery diarrhoea – feels great relief after, hence the cheerfulness as if disconnected from the sticky resin
cutting pain before stool
much urging then sudden expulsion of stool
anus burns after stool
empty feeling in abdomen
rumbling in bowels
yellow green watery stool mixed with mucous
< night
>> motion
stools often accompanied by cutting pain round umbilicus
hard insufficient stool with prolapse of rectum
GRATIOLA - hedge hyssop (likes moist places), also called 'herb of grace' which defies its effect on the digestive system!
peevish and irresolute, very bad humour and apprehensive - can also be the complete opposite, loquacious and cheerful – they suffer from feeling small and worthless
violent colic with diarrhoea and bloody stools
enteritis and jaundice
cramping pains with much trembling
cholera like state
< during and after eating
summer diarrhoea from drinking too much water
burning in anus after stools
cold feeling in abdomen
yellow, watery, frothy sudden stools
involuntary stools without knowing it
constipation with haemorrhoids
rectum feels torn after stool - some oozing of blood
IRIS VERSICOLOUR - blue flag iris
depressed and fearful, censorious, laugh at their own actions as if to divert attention from their illness
stomach feels on fire
great rumblings with desire for stool
sense of sourness like vinegar
burning pains throughout digestive system
<< motion
colic > bending forward and discharge flatus
watery thin stool
stool can be mushy, yellow, painless, bloody
chronic diarrhoea with pain in lower abdomen
great prostration and emaciation (cancer)
constipation followed by watery diarrhoea
constipation with migraine
constipation with irregular menses
periodicity
affinity to the pancreas
PODOPHYLLUM - may apple (plants are egg shaped so think of ball sensations and odours like eggs)
loquacious, restless and anxious but forgetful (they think they are going to die so avoid those thoughts)
profuse stools << early morning, 2-4 a.m.
rawness and burning like ice
alternating constipation and diarrhoea
painless or painful stools
much catarrh throughout digestive region
bilious constitution
sensation as if intestines falling down or something alive
violent retching and belching of wind
very sore liver - always rubbing it
gall stones and jaundice
griping, stitching pains
diarrhoea immediately after eating
yellow or bloody stools
muco-gelatinous stools
alternating diarrhoea and constipation
before stool = sudden urging and loud gurgling
during stool = heat and pain in anus
after stool = weakness and cutting pain
PODOPHYLLUM - may apple (plants are egg shaped so think of ball sensations and odours like eggs)
loquacious, restless and anxious but forgetful (they think they are going to die so avoid those thoughts)
profuse stools << early morning, 2-4 a.m.
rawness and burning like ice
alternating constipation and diarrhoea
painless or painful stools
much catarrh throughout digestive region
bilious constitution
sensation as if intestines falling down or something alive
violent retching and belching of wind
very sore liver - always rubbing it
gall stones and jaundice
griping, stitching pains
diarrhoea immediately after eating
yellow or bloody stools
muco-gelatinous stools
alternating diarrhoea and constipation
before stool = sudden urging and loud gurgling
during stool = heat and pain in anus
after stool = weakness and cutting pain
affinity to the duodenum
RHEUM – rhubarb (think sourness of body and mind)
indifference with restlessness and impetuous – cannot stay on track with anything because they feel very guilty = capricious
cutting and rumbling in abdomen
< standing and eating
colic not better for stool
urgent and frequent desire but with no result < walking
diarrhoea only when exercising
obstructed gas
sour smelling stools
stools slimy and loose as if fermented
greyish brown diarrhoea mixed with mucous
great burning in rectum
RHEUM – rhubarb (think sourness of body and mind)
indifference with restlessness and impetuous – cannot stay on track with anything because they feel very guilty = capricious
cutting and rumbling in abdomen
< standing and eating
colic not better for stool
urgent and frequent desire but with no result < walking
diarrhoea only when exercising
obstructed gas
sour smelling stools
stools slimy and loose as if fermented
greyish brown diarrhoea mixed with mucous
great burning in rectum
generally left sided
VERATRUM ALBUM - white hellebore
melancholy and inconsolable - can be delirious and seem quite mad – this evolves out of their uncertainly of their position within society
VERATRUM ALBUM - white hellebore
melancholy and inconsolable - can be delirious and seem quite mad – this evolves out of their uncertainly of their position within society
delusion is eating dirt = gastric disturbance
copious stools, copious vomiting etc which drain and leave exhausted
complete prostration
stools tend to be green or black
cramps beginning hands and go all over body
pains are followed by diarrhoea
stools large and hard - round black balls
pains come soon after eating
vomits vinegar like liquid
very thirsty with the pains
very painful abdomen when touched
colic, cutting, griping pains > after stool
burning sensations
constipation from inactivity of rectum
watery diarrhoea < motion
during stool great lassitude, perspiration and then collapse
copious stools, copious vomiting etc which drain and leave exhausted
complete prostration
stools tend to be green or black
cramps beginning hands and go all over body
pains are followed by diarrhoea
stools large and hard - round black balls
pains come soon after eating
vomits vinegar like liquid
very thirsty with the pains
very painful abdomen when touched
colic, cutting, griping pains > after stool
burning sensations
constipation from inactivity of rectum
watery diarrhoea < motion
during stool great lassitude, perspiration and then collapse
Other Writings to download
Aurum Metallicum.pdf - Heart of Gold
