Chamomilla
Overview:
Chamomilla, prepared from German Chamomile, primarily addresses acute conditions. It is indicated by extreme irritability, hypersensitivity, especially to pain, and pronounced anger or restlessness. Common uses include difficult teething, colic, and earaches where the patient is often capricious and demanding. A guiding physical sign can be one red cheek and one pale cheek. Symptoms characteristically worsen from heat or at night and improve when the person is carried.
C
H
A
M
O
M
I
L
L
A
C
C – Colic
Description: Chamomilla is indicated for severe, griping, or cutting colic, often centered around the navel. The abdomen may be distended with trapped gas (flatulence). The pain often makes the patient bend double and can be associated with extreme irritability or anger. Commonly seen during difficult teething in infants. Reference: [Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica by James Tyler Kent]
H
H – Heat, One-sided
Description: A highly characteristic symptom is one cheek being red and hot while the other is pale and cold. This striking contrast is a strong indicator. Additionally, patients may complain of burning heat in the feet at night, compelling them to uncover them. General heat with perspiration, especially on the head, can accompany pains or fever.
Reference: [Allen’s keynotes]
A
A – Alternating States
Description: Rapid alternations are keynotes. Besides the classic alternating hot/red and pale/cold cheeks, there can be shifting symptoms, like alternating chills and heat during fever, or moods alternating rapidly. This reflects the remedy’s general lack of equilibrium.
Reference: [Dictionary Of Practical Materia Medica (All 3 Vol.) By Clarke J. H.]
M
M – Mucus Green Stool
Description: The stool characteristic of Chamomilla diarrhea, especially during dentition, is distinctly green, watery, and often contains mucus. It frequently resembles chopped spinach or scrambled eggs mixed with greens. The stool can be hot and cause soreness (excoriation).
Reference: [The Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica by Timothy Field Allen]
O
O – Offensive odor
Description: Discharges, particularly the stool, have a markedly offensive odor. The diarrhea often smells intensely sour or like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulphide gas), indicating putrid processes in the gut. Offensive breath may also be present.
Reference: [A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke]
M
M – Much labor pain
Description: Intolerable labour pains; sends the doctors and nurse away, then calls again.
Reference: [Concise Materia Medica Of Hom. Remedies By S.R. Phatak]
I
I – Intolerable Pain
Description: Pains are excessively severe, seeming unbearable to the patient, leading to anguish, tossing, irritability, or even despair. Pains are often described as cramping, drawing, or tearing and may be accompanied by numbness in the affected part. Sensitivity to pain is extreme.
Reference: [The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica by Constantine Hering]
L
L – Loose stool
Description: Diarrhea is a prominent feature, frequently occurring during teething, after anger, or from cold exposure. The stools are typically frequent, watery, greenish, slimy, potentially containing undigested food, and are often hot and excoriating. (Distinct focus from ‘M’ on the frequency/cause/nature rather than just appearance).
Reference: [Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines by S. R. Phatak]
L
L – Little ugly child
Description: cannot return a civil answer. Child exceedingly irritable, fretful; quiet only when carried; impatient, wants this or that and becomes angry when refused, or when offered, petulantly rejects it [Bry. , Cina, Kreos.]; "too ugly to live"; cross, spiteful.
Reference: [Allen’s keynotes]
A
A – Aggravation at Night
Description: Many Chamomilla complaints, including toothache, earache, colic, rheumatic pains, fever, and restlessness, are significantly worse at night. A characteristic time aggravation is around 9 PM or from 9 PM to midnight. Heat, both external and internal (fever), also commonly aggravates the pains.
Reference: [Clinical Materia Medica by E. A. Farrington]
A
N
G
E
R
A
A – Angry Irritability
Description: The patient exhibits extreme peevishness, snappishness, and irritability, often flying into a rage over trifles. They are quarrelsome, easily offended, and display violent anger, often disproportionate to the cause. This ill-humour makes them difficult to interact with.
Reference: Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica by J.T. Kent
N
N – Nothing Pleases
Description: A marked capriciousness defines this state. The child or adult will demand various things but rejects them immediately upon being offered. They exhibit constant dissatisfaction, whining for things only to push them away contemptuously when received.
Reference: Leaders in Homoeopathic Therapeutics by E.B. Nash
G
G – Groaning
Description: Reflecting their inner suffering and discontent, the patient moans, groans, or whines constantly. This is often associated with pain but also stems from their general irritable and unhappy disposition, expressing their discomfort pitifully. Reference: Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines by S.R. Phatak
E
E – Extreme Sensitive
Description: There is an extreme oversensitivity, particularly to pain, making suffering seem unbearable. This hypersensitivity extends to external impressions; they cannot bear being touched, looked at, or spoken to without reacting irritably.
Reference: Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory by W. Boericke
R
R – Restlessness
Description: The patient displays marked physical and mental restlessness, often tossing about anxiously. Children constantly want to be carried, which may provide temporary quietude, but the underlying agitated state persists. This restlessness accompanies their irritability and suffering. Reference: A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica by J.H. Clarke
Introduction
Constitution
Clinical
Mental Symptoms
Guiding Symptoms
Characteristic
Therapeutic Value
Modality
Remedy Relationship
Dose
Terminologies
Reference
Also Search As
Introduction
Introduction of Chamomilla
Common name:
Matricaria Chomomilla[1]
Synonyms
German Chamomile, Blue Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, True Chamomile, Manzanilla, Matricaire
Family / Group / Class / Order
Compositae
Habit and habitat / Description
It is found in Europe, India and Australia. It is quite a
troublesome weed in Australia but cultivated in Germany and Great Britain. It is an annual herb. The terminal flowers are yellow and white and bloom from May to August. The leaves are numerous alternate and sessile. The upper leaves are
simple.[2]
Name of prover
Dr Hahnemann in 1805
Introduction and history
Ugliest remedy
This is the ugliest remedy in our materia medica – ugliest in the sense that nobody likes the company of our Chamomilla
patient, if it is the father, the child is afraid to approach him, he is so snappish;
and if it is the child, everybody else in the house except the parents, would rather have him dead. If it is the husband, the wife soon gets tired of him. But it is a very useful medicine of homeopathy especially in many diseases of children.
Wild plant
It is an annual wild plant growing wild in cultivated fields amongst paddy and
wheat. As the weed grows in a paddy field, it causes great miseries, anger and
pain to the farmers. The same type of symptoms are produced by this remedy
which is prepared from the same plant. It is an anger and pain remedy which
causes turmoil in temperament.
Corn–Fever-Few
Chamomilla is a plant which is also called Corn–Fever-Few. Chamomilla has been
used as a domestic remedy since very early times. German botanist Bock named the plant Chamomilla from two Greek words-‘chamoemelum’ and ‘matrix’, meaning ‘apple on the ground’ because the plant grows close to the ground and has an odour which was thought to have a resemblance to that of apples.
Parts used
The whole fresh plant is taken when in flowering condition to prepare the mother tincture. Higher potencies are prepared from the mother tincture.
Active principles
It primarily contains
volatile oils, the bitter principle, anthemic acid and a yellow colouring substance
apigenine, free and is in the form of glucosides.
Constitution
Constitution of Chamomilla
Physical make up
Persons, especially children, with light brown hair. One cheek red and hot, and the other pale and cold.[3]
Temperament
Choleric3,Nervous2[4]
Diathesis
Nervous
Relation with heat & cold
Chilly
Miasm
Psora
Clinical
Clinical conditions of Chamomilla
Acidity. Anger. Asthma (from anger). Blepharospasm. Catarrh. Coffee, effects of. Colic. Convulsions. Cough. Cramp. Croup. Dentition. Diarrhoea. Dysmenorrhoea. Dyspepsia. Earache. Eyes: blepharitis, ophthalmia. Eructations. Erysipelas. Excitement. Excoriation. Fainting fits. Fevers. Flatulence. Flatulent colic. Gout. Gum-rash. Headache. Hernia. Influenza. Jaundice. Lienteria. labour: disorders of, after-pains. Mastitis. Menstruation, disordered. Miliary eruption. Milk- fever. Miscarriage. Mumps. Neuralgia. Parotitis. Perichondritis. Peritonitis. Pregnancy, disorders of. Red-gum. Rheumatism. Salivation (nocturnal). Sciatica. Screaming. Sensitiveness. Spasms. Speech, affections of. Toothache. Ulcers. Uterus, diseases of. Waking, Screaming on. Whooping cough.
Sites of action / Pharmacodynamics
Mind, nerves, mucous membranes,
digestive tract, liver, sexual organs, brain, etc
Causation (Causes / Ailments from)
Cold, coffee, anger, narcotics, dentition, etc.
Physiological action
1. This drug is a diaphoretic and an emmenagogue.
2. It produces a marked impression, it acts on sensory motor nerves and
produces clonic spasms of intestines and uterus.
3. When taken in large doses it induces epistaxis and emesis with excessive
mental irritability.
4. It is widely used in the form of ‘Chamomile tea’ as a domestic remedy
among German families and by midwives.
5. In France there is a great demand for it from the licensed herb stores.
6. Potter says, ‘The homeopaths find in it a remarkable power in pains
aggravated by night and by heat, irritability of teething children, flatulent
colic, etc.’
Patho-physiological changes / Pathogenesis
1. It acts on the nervous system causing intense irritability, spasms and
convulsions.
2. It acts on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines producing
inflammation of the mucous membrane setting in diarrhoea and dysentery.
3. It acts on the brain causing susceptibilty to morbid impressions and in motor
spheres giving rise to general exhaustion and prostration.
4. Through the nervous system it acts prominently upon the liver and respiratory
mucous membranes producing irritation and giving rise to congestion and
catarrh.
5. It acts on joints and causes rheumatic or neuralgic pains.
6. It probably has some specific influence on the pulp of teeth, also on the
gums.
7. Since the bitter principle has stomachache property, its action as a carminative
is well known
Mental Symptoms
Characteristic Mental Symptoms (psychology) of Chamomilla
1. Patient is very sensitive, ill-humoured, inclined to weeping.
2. Patient is very irritable, peevish, uncivil, spiteful, sudden and snappish.
3. Patient is very restless, oversensitive, anxious, cross and impatient, quite
only when carried.
4. Child becomes stiff, screams, throws away everything, wants this and that
but refuses them when offered.
5. Irregular convulsions, child will neither stand nor walk, cries piteously.
Wishes to be carried.
6. Aversion to talking, cannot bear to be spoken to, cannot endure anyone near
him, behaves in an uncivil manner and answers peevishly.
7. Omits words when writing or speaking.
8. Dullness of senses, diminished power of comprehension.
9. Imagines that he hears the voice of absent persons, at night.
10. Great impatience, everything seems to go slowly.
11. Confusion of the head, painful pressure on the eyes, in the afternoon.
Guiding Symptoms
Guiding symptoms of Chamomilla
Generalities
The chief guiding symptoms belong to the mental and emotional group, which lead to this remedy in many forms of disease. Especially of frequent employment in diseases of children, where peevishness, restlessness, and colic give the needful indications. A disposition that is mild, calm and gentle; sluggish and constipated bowels contra-indicate chamomilla. Chamomilla is SENSITIVE, IRRITABLE, THIRSTY, HOT, AND NUMB. Oversensitiveness from abuse of coffee and narcotics. PAINS UNENDURABLE, associated with numbness. Night-sweats.[5]
Head
Throbbing headache in one-half of the brain. Inclined to bend head backward. Hot, clammy sweat on forehead and scalp.
Eye
Lids smart. Yellow sclerotic. Spasmodic closing of lids.
Ears
Ringing in ears. EARACHE, with soreness; SWELLING AND HEAT DRIVING PATIENT FRANTIC. Stitching pain. Ears feel stopped.
Nose
Sensitive to all smells. Coryza, with inability to sleep.
Face
ONE CHEEK RED and hot; the other pale and cold. Stitches in jaw extending to inner ear and teeth. TEETH ACHE WORSE AFTER WARM DRINK; worse, coffee, at night. Drives to distraction. Jerking of tongue and facial muscles. Distress of teething children. [Calc. phos.; Terebinth.].
Mouth
Toothache, if anything warm is taken, from coffee, during pregnancy. Nightly salivation.
Throat
Parotid and submaxillary glands swollen. Constriction and pain as from a plug.
Stomach
Eructations foul. Nausea after coffee. Sweats after eating or drinking. Aversion to warm drinks. Tongue yellow; tastes bitter. Bilious vomiting. Acid rising; regurgitation of food. Bitter, bilious vomiting. Pressive gastralgia, as from a stone. [Bry.; Abies n.].
Abdomen
Distended. Griping in region of navel, and pain in small of back. Flatulent colic, after anger, WITH RED CHEEKS AND HOT PERSPIRATION. Hepatic colic. Acute duodenitis. [Kali bich. (chronic).].
Stool
Hot, GREEN, watery, fetid, SLIMY, with colic. Chopped white and yellow mucus like chopped eggs and spinach. Soreness of anus. Diarrhoea during dentition. Haemorrhoids, with painful fissures.
Urinary Organ
Dragging down the ureters like labor-pains, with very frequent urging to urinate.
Burning in the neck of bladder when urinating.
Urine : yellow, with flaky sediment; burning in urethra while passing; scanty, turbid, clay-colored soon after passing; turbid, gets thick when standing, sediment yellow.
Sexual Organ
Uterine haemorrhages. Profuse discharge of clotted, DARK BLOOD, WITH LABOR- LIKE PAINS. Labor pains spasmodic; press upward. [Gels.] Patient intolerant of pain. [Caul.; Caust.; Gels.; Hyos.; Puls.] Nipples inflamed; tender to touch. Infants’ breasts tender. Yellow, acrid leucorrhoea. [Ars.; Sep.; Sulph.].
Respiratory System
Hoarseness, hawking, RAWNESS of LARYNX. IRRITABLE, DRY TICKLING COUGH; suffocative tightness of chest, with bitter expectoration in daytime. Rattling of mucus in child’s chest.
Neck & Back
Insupportable pain in loins and hips. Lumbago. Stiffness of neck muscles.
Extremities
Violent rheumatic pains drive him out of bed at night; compelled to walk about. Burning of soles at night. [Sulph.] ANKLES GIVE WAY IN THE AFTERNOON Nightly paralytic loss of power in the feet, unable to step on them.
Skin
Unhealthy, every injury suppurates.Exanthema difficult to heal.Red rash on the cheeks.Skin inclined to inflammation.Burning and smarting pain in the ulcer, at night, with crawling and painful oversensitiveness to touch.Itching pimples covered with scurfs, and ulcerating around the ulcer.Severe itching of the sweating parts.Skin yellow, jaundiced.
Sleep
Drowsiness with moaning, weeping and wailing during sleep; anxious, frightened dreams, with half-open eyes.[6]
Fever
Chilly yet easily overheated; hence takes cold. Coldness of one part, with heat of another worse uncovering. Alternate chill and heat. Feverish from suppressed discharges. Sweat on head. Thirst during fever.[7]
Characteristic
Important characteristic features of Chamomilla
Keynotes / Redline
1. Highly irritable, peevish, ugly, uncivil. Mental calmness contraindicates Chamomilla.
2. Pains; unendurable with numbness of affected parts.
3. One cheek red and hot, the other pale and cold.
4. Toothache < warm drinks.
5. Dry cough at night during sleep which does not waken the child.
Guiding
C.N.S.-Convulsions in children from nursing, after a fit of anger in the mother [Nux-v] [After fright in mother – Opium].
Oversensitiveness; irritable, thirsty, hot, numb.
Pains-Unendurable, excessive sensitiveness to pain, becomes mad with pain < night.
Mental and physical symptoms appear in paroxysms; irritability, restlessness, colic.
Complaints at the time of dentition.
Tendency to spasm, convulsion from anger, during dentition.
Flatulent colic; after anger, with red cheeks and hot perspiration.
PQRS
One cheek red and hot, the other pale and cold.
Capriciousness (demands things, then rejects them).
Amelioration only from being carried passively.
Unbearable pain leading to extreme anger or snappishness.
Green, slimy stool like chopped spinach or eggs (especially during teething).
Confirmatory
1. Mental irritability with oversensitiveness.
2. Pains- terrible, unendurable, associated with numbness.
3. Hot sweat with pains.
Nucleus symptoms
-Indicated in oversensitive states from abuse of coffee or narcotics.
-Pains are unendurable, cause anger and numbness.
-Especially useful in diseases of children where peevishness, restlessness, colic and convulsions are the important indications.
-A disposition that is mild, calm, gentle, sluggish, constipated bowels, contraindicates Chamomilla.
Therapeutic Value
Therapeutic Value
Abdominal affections, Abortion, Acidity, Colic,
Convulsions, Cough, Breast affections, Dentition, Diarrhoea, Eructation, Eye
affections, Fever, Headache, Hysteria, Insomnia, Labour, Miscarriage, Mumps,
Nausea, Pregnancy disorders, Rheumatism, Spasms, Suppression of milk,Toothache, Ulcers, Uterine affections, Vomiting, Whooping cough.
Modality
Modality of Chamomilla
Aggravation
Evening, in the open air, before midnight, heat, by eructations,anger, coffee, dentition.
Amelioration
Fasting, from being carried, warm wet weather, after sweat, etc.
Remedy Relationship
Remedy relationship
Complimentary
Bell, Mag-c, Puls
Follows Well
Acon, Arn, Bell, Bry, Cact, Cocc, Merc, Nux-v, Puls.
Inimical
Zinc, Nux-v.
It Antidotes
Acon, Alum, Borx, Camph, Chin, Cocc, Coff, Ign
Comparison
Bell, Borx, Coff, Bry, Sulph, Puls.
Dose
Dose
3rd to 30th potencies
Potency
3x, 6x, 12x, 30, 200, 1000
Duration of Action
20-30 days
Terminologies
Terminologies of Chamomilla
Main terms
Remedy:
Refers to the homeopathic medicine itself, in this case, Chamomilla.
Potency:
Indicates the degree of dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking) the original substance has undergone. Examples include 6C, 30C, 200CK, 1M. Lower potencies (like 6C) are less diluted, while higher potencies (like 1M) are more diluted. The choice of potency depends on the case specifics.
Materia Medica:
A reference book or database detailing the symptoms and characteristics associated with various homeopathic remedies, established through provings and clinical experience. An article on Chamomilla would draw heavily from its Materia Medica entry.
Repertory:
An index of symptoms. Homeopaths use repertories to find remedies associated with specific symptoms presented by the patient. You might look up symptoms like "Irritability, teething during" or "Pain, unbearable" and find Chamomilla listed.
Proving:
A homeopathic experiment where healthy volunteers take repeated doses of a substance (like Chamomilla) and meticulously record all the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms they experience. These recorded symptoms form the basis of the remedy’s Materia Medica entry.
Law of Similars (Similia Similibus Curentur):
The foundational principle of homeopathy, meaning "like cures like." A substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can be used in potentized form (as a remedy) to treat similar symptoms in a sick person. Chamomilla is given because the patient’s symptoms match those known to be produced or cured by Chamomilla.
Totality of Symptoms:
The complete picture of the patient’s condition, including mental, emotional, and physical symptoms, along with their specific characteristics and modalities. Homeopathic prescribing aims to match the remedy to this totality. For Chamomilla, this totality often includes extreme irritability, pain sensitivity, and specific physical signs.
Keynote Symptoms:
Striking, unusual, or characteristic symptoms that strongly point towards a specific remedy.
Modalities:
The factors or circumstances that make a symptom or the patient’s overall condition better (amelioration) or worse (aggravation). Modalities are crucial in homeopathy.
Mental/Emotional Symptoms:
Symptoms related to the patient’s mood, disposition, behaviour, and cognitive state. Chamomilla has very strong mental/emotional symptoms, primarily extreme irritability, anger, impatience, and restlessness.
Physical Generals:
Symptoms relating to the body as a whole, such as body temperature preferences, appetite, thirst, sleep patterns, and energy levels. A Chamomilla patient might be very thirsty, hot, and have difficulty sleeping due to pain or restlessness.
Particular Symptoms:
Symptoms related to specific parts or organs of the body (e.g., earache, toothache, colic, diarrhea). The character of these symptoms (e.g., type of pain, appearance of stool) is important.
Acute Prescribing:
Using homeopathy to treat short-term illnesses or conditions, like teething pain, colic, or earaches, where Chamomilla is frequently indicated.
Constitutional Prescribing:
Selecting a remedy based on the person’s overall physical, mental, and emotional makeup and long-term health patterns. While Chamomilla is often used acutely, someone might also fit Chamomilla as their constitutional remedy if its core picture matches their enduring personality and susceptibility.
Individualization:
The process of selecting a remedy that matches the unique and specific symptom pattern of the individual patient, rather than just the disease name. Even among children teething, only those exhibiting the characteristic Chamomilla symptom picture (irritability, one red cheek, etc.) would receive this remedy.
Other terms
Physical Generals:
Symptoms relating to the body as a whole, not confined to a specific part. Examples include sensitivity to pain, body temperature regulation, sleep patterns, energy levels, and overall reaction to environmental factors. Chamomilla‘s hypersensitivity to pain and general restlessness are key physical generals.
Particulars:
Symptoms related to specific parts, organs, or functions of the body (e.g., head, stomach, bowels, ears). For Chamomilla, particulars include teething problems, specific types of colic, earache (otalgia), and the characteristic green diarrhea.
Law of Similars (Similia Similibus Curentur):
The fundamental principle of homeopathy, meaning "let like be cured by like." It states that a substance capable of causing a set of symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in a sick person when given in a potentized dose. Chamomilla is prescribed when the patient’s symptoms closely match those observed in Chamomilla provings.
Vital Force (or Life Force):
A conceptual energy or principle believed in homeopathy to animate the living organism and maintain health. Disease is seen as a dynamic disturbance of the vital force, manifesting as symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are thought to stimulate the vital force to restore balance and health.
Reference
Reference
[1] Allen’s keynotes
[2] Gems textbook of materia medica by Dr.Patil
[3] Textbook of materia medica by Dr.S.K.Dube
[4] Zomeo
[5]Boericke materia medica
[6] Condensed Materia Medica By Hering C.
[7] Concise Materia Medica Of Hom. Remedies By S.R. Phatak
Also Search As
Also Search As
1.General Search Engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo):
This is often the easiest starting point. Use specific search terms:
"homeopathic article Chamomilla"
"Chamomilla materia medica"
"Chamomilla homeopathic remedy profile"
(or for other conditions like colic, earache, irritability)
"Homoeopathy Chamomilla" (using the alternative spelling)
2. Specialized Homeopathic Websites:
Look for reputable homeopathic organizations and educational resources online. Many publish articles or remedy profiles:
National Center for Homeopathy (NCH, USA):
Search their website for remedy information.
Faculty of Homeopathy (UK):
May have resources or links to journals.
Hpathy.com:
A large portal with many articles, case studies, and discussions (quality can vary, so check author credentials).
Websites of Homeopathic Colleges/Schools:
Educational institutions often provide learning resources.
Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH, India):
Since you are in India, the CCRH website is a key resource for research and publications based in India. Search their publications section.
3.Online Materia Medicas:
These are essentially digital versions of the reference books detailing remedy symptoms. Searching within these is like reading a detailed article on the remedy. Search for "online homeopathic materia medica". Websites often allow you to look up Chamomilla directly. Classic authors like Boericke, Kent, Clarke, Allen often have their Materia Medicas available online.
4.Academic and Medical Databases:
While often focused on conventional medicine, databases sometimes index homeopathic research or reviews, especially those looking at clinical trials or specific effects.
PubMed Central:
Search for "Chamomilla homeopathy" or "Chamomilla homoeopathy". You might find studies, although the volume may be less than for conventional treatments.
Google Scholar:
A broader academic search engine that may pick up articles from various homeopathic journals or books.
5.Homeopathic Journals:
Search for specific homeopathic journals online. Some may offer free articles or abstracts. Examples include:
Homeopathy (published by the Faculty of Homeopathy)
American Journal of Homeopathic Medicine
Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy (relevant for India)
Look for journal archives on their websites or publisher sites (like Thieme, Elsevier for some).
6.Books and E-books:
While not strictly "articles," chapters on Chamomilla in homeopathic Materia Medica books are the most comprehensive sources. Look for digital versions or summaries online. Search for authors like:
William Boericke (Materia Medica with Repertory)
J.T. Kent (Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica)
John Henry Clarke (A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica)
Samuel Hahnemann (Materia Medica Pura – the original provings)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What specifically triggers the intense irritability in a Chamomilla state?
Trigger factor
Often, unbearable pain acts as the primary trigger for the extreme irritability and anger characteristic of Chamomilla. However, simple opposition, being looked at, spoken to, or even minor discomforts can provoke disproportionate rage due to the patient’s underlying hypersensitivity. Consequently, their reactions seem excessive for the situation.
Are there specific times Chamomilla symptoms typically flare up?
Aggravation time
Yes, many Chamomilla symptoms show a marked aggravation at night, frequently around 9 PM or between 9 PM and midnight. In addition, symptoms like toothache or earache often worsen significantly from heat, whether it’s warm drinks, warm applications, or simply the warmth of the bed. Conversely, being carried or gentle motion sometimes provides temporary relief for children.
How does Chamomilla compare to Belladonna for fever or pain?
Comparison
While both remedies address intense, sudden onset conditions with pain and fever, Chamomilla patients display extreme irritability, whining, and often demand things only to reject them. Belladonna, in contrast, typically presents with high fever, bright red face, dilated pupils, throbbing pains, and sometimes delirium, but usually lacks Chamomilla’s characteristic peevishness and capriciousness. Furthermore, Belladonna pains often come and go very suddenly.
Can adults effectively use Chamomilla, or is it mainly for children?
Adults absolutely can benefit from Chamomilla when their symptoms match the remedy’s picture. This includes situations involving unbearable neuralgia (nerve pain), toothache, menstrual cramps, or rheumatic pains, especially if accompanied by the keynote irritability, anger, and extreme sensitivity to pain. Therefore, its use extends well beyond pediatric teething issues.
Besides pain and irritability, what other physical complaints does Chamomilla address?
Uses
Chamomilla also targets specific types of cough, particularly dry, hacking coughs that worsen at night and may be triggered by irritation in the throat or chest. Additionally, it can address certain menstrual problems characterized by severe, labor-like cramps, irritability, and dark, clotted flow. It also has applications in some forms of insomnia stemming from pain or restlessness.
What kind of personality most often needs Chamomilla?
Individuality
Individuals needing Chamomilla often exhibit hypersensitivity on both mental and physical levels. They react strongly to stimuli, especially pain, becoming easily overwhelmed and expressing their distress through anger, whining, and restlessness. They possess a low pain threshold and often feel inconsolable during acute suffering.
What is homeopathic Chamomilla mainly used for?
Uses
Homeopathic Chamomilla is primarily used to treat conditions characterized by extreme irritability, hypersensitivity (especially to pain), and restlessness. It’s frequently indicated for difficult teething in infants, colic, earaches, fevers, and certain types of diarrhea, particularly when accompanied by a peevish, angry, or capricious temperament.
