Nux Vomica

Constitution

Physical make up :

• Especially suited to people who are thin, nervous and extremely susceptible to external impressions. They are dark haired, debauched and lead a sedentary life. Indicated in jealous, hypochondriacal males.

Temperament :

• Nervous, spiteful, malicious, irritable, sanguine

Diathesis :

• Scrofulous

Relation with heat & cold :

• Very chilly patient

Miasm :

• Psora, syphilis, sycosis (1)

Clinical Features

Clinical conditions

In Homeopathy Nux Vomica medicine use by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of following Disease Conditions

• Alcoholism, Angina, Arrhythmia, Arthritis, Asthma, Behaviour disorder, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Colds, Colic, Constipation, Crohn’s disease, Cystitis, Endometriosis, Fibrositis, Headaches, Haemorrhoids, Hypertension, Inflammatory bowel disease, Influenza, Insomnia, Irritable bowel syndrome, Lumbago, Multiple sclerosis, Neuralgia, Peptic ulcer, Premenstrual syndrome, Prostates, Pyelonephritis, Rectal fissure, Renal calculi, Sciatica, Ulcerative colitis. (3)

Sites of action / Pharmacodynamics

• The main action of this drug is upon the gastrointestinal tract. It also acts upon muscles, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, mind, nerves (1)

Causation (Causes / Ailments from)

• Anger, coffee, alcohol, masturbation, sexual excesses, injuries, hot medicines, rich food, sedentary habits, night keeping, mental exertion, sitting on cold stones, stress and strain of modern life. (1)

Physiological action

• The physiological action of Nux vomica and Strychnine are so nearly alike that they are commonly considered to be identical.
• In small doses, Nux vomica stimulates the entire digestive system, promoting gastric, pancreatic and biliary secretions. But, like other bitter tonics, when used over a long period of time, it deranges digestion and produces constipation.
• In larger doses, the most marked feature of its action is increased reflex excitability of the spinal cord and other reflex centres, especially the vasomotor and respiratory.
• In full doses the pupils are dilated, the limbs jerk, respiration becomes spasmodic and the jaws stiffen; shuddering and anxiety soon follow.
• Toxic doses induce powerful contractions of tetanic character with dyspnoea, suffocation, cyanosis and opisthotonos, although consciousness persists until death occurs from carbon dioxide asphyxia (1)

Patho-physiological changes / Pathogenesis

• The chief action of this drug is of a stimulating nature. It produces tetanic convulsions, causing death from asphyxia.
• It stimulates the vasomotor center and thus increases blood pressure and the pressure of arterioles. It causes vasomotor spasms, constipation and piles.
• Acts pre-eminently upon the spinal cord including the motor and sensory centres at the base of the brain affecting specially the region of reflex function. The condition produced is one of excessive irritability and excitability giving rise to paralysis.
• Acts profoundly on the organs and functions of nutrition, the secretions being altered, the functions perverted and the organic substance changed.
• It acts upon the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract, giving rise to dyspeptic symptoms and constipation.
• It acts on the respiratory system producing a dry catarrhal condition obstructing the nasal passages. Also produces dry cough (1)

Characteristic mental symptoms (psychology)

• Patient is inclined to suicide but is afraid to die.
• Ill-humoured, finds faults and scolds.
• Irritable, careful, jealous people inclined to get excited and angry
• Over sensitiveness to external impressions; cannot tolerate noise, music, talking, strong odours and bright light.
• Hypochondriacal, after eating, affected by the slightest thing.
• Defective memory; manner shy and awkward.
• Disinclined to work and great lassitude or weakness in the morning, loss of energy.
• Time passes too slowly.
• Hypochondriacal mood, especially in people having sedentary habits with abdominal complaints and constipation.
• Great laziness and aversion to work.
• Muttering delirium, cannot think correctly; mental derangement in drunkards.
• Gets angry easily and loses temper even at trifles.
• Cannot bear the least contradiction. (1)

Guiding Symptoms

The common name of Nux Vomica is ‘Poison Nut’-and thus allow me to impress you the totality through its common name.

• P-Persons who are very particular.
• O-Oversensitive to external impressions.
• I-Ineffectual desire for stool and urine: the general concomitant.
• S-Sleep: cat-nap: awakes tired.
• O-One of the best remedies with which to commence treatment: after much drugging.
• N-Nervous temperament. (Ref. Nash)
• N-Nausea if I could vomit, I would feel better,
• U-Universal antidote.
• T-Tendency to faint from odours; after labor pains (7)

Generalities of Nux Vomica

• Nux-v. is an everyday remedy. – It corresponds to many diseased conditions to which a modern man is prone to.
• It is useful to those persons who lead a sedentary life, doing much mental work; or to those who remain under stress and strain of prolonged office work, business cares and worries.
• Such persons in order to forget their worries are apt to indulge in wine, women, rich stimulant food and sedative drugs; and ill effects from which they are apt to suffer.
• The typical Nux. patient is rather thin, spare, quick, active, nervous and irritable.
• It affects the nerves, causing hyper-sensitiveness, and over-impressionability, mentally and physically.
• Produces Digestive Disturbances; partial congestion and hypochondriacal states.
• Dyspeptic persons who always select their food for experimenting, that is digested little.
• He is subject to spasms, convulsions, and fainting.
• The patient seems to be always out of tune; The Action is Violent, often irregularly fitful or inefficient.
• Fainting, after stools, vomiting; after labour pains etc.

Head of Nux Vomica

• Vertigo; brain and other objects turn in circle; with momentary loss of consciousness; with black spell; on empty stomach.
• Bruised sensation of the brain.
• Dizzy and faint in a crowd or where many lights are burning.
• Headache in the sunshine.
• Sensitive scalp.
• Swelled forehead.
• Head seems larger than body.
• Takes cold amel. wrapping head warmly.
• Frontal head ache with desire to lean it on something.

Eye of Nux Vomica

• Bloodshot.
• Lachrymation from affected side.
• Atrophy of the optic nerve. – Photophobia.
• Paresis of ocular muscles.
• Lower eyeballs yellow.
• Loss of vision due to alcohol and tobacco.
• Exudation of blood from eyes.
• Spring conjunctivitis.

Ears of Nux Vomica

• Itching in ear through Eustachian tubes.
• External meatus dry and sensitive.
• Pain; stitching when swallowing.
• Loud sounds are painful.

Nose of Nux Vomica

• Oversensitive to strong odours; even fainting.
• Nose stopped, but runs water; on one side.
• Snuffles; of the new born.
• Nose bleed during sleep; from suppressed flow of piles, from coughing.
• Sneezing violent, abortive; from intense crawling in nostrils (left).
• Coryza, fluent by day, and in open air, dry at night.

Face of Nux Vomica

• Red, turgid or yellowish agg. about nose and mouth.
• Left angle of the mouth drops.
• Infra-orbital neuralgia; with swelling of cheek, intermittent; amel. when lying in bed.
• Jaws, snap shut; stiff.
• Acne from eating cheese.
• Pimples from excessive use of liquors.
• Child passes its hand constantly over face (brain disease).

Mouth of Nux Vomica

• Teeth chatter.
• Toothache amel. warm drinks.
• Foetor orris; sour.
• Small aphthous ulcers in the mouth.
• Taste; bitter; sour, bad in a.m. low down in throat.
• Itching palate; eustachian tube.
• Gums; swollen white, and bleeding.
• Needles at edges of tongue agg. after eating; washing face in cold water.

Throat of Nux Vomica

• Rough, raw; as if scraped.
• Putrid taste in; on coughing.
• Small ulcers in the throat; pain agg. during empty swallowing.
• Stitches into ears.

Stomach of Nux Vomica

• Craves piquant food; beer; fat food, chalk; stimulants.
• Hiccough: From over eating; from cold or hot drinks.
• Violent retching agg. hawking.
• Eructations, sour.
• Heart burn.
• Water brash.
• Nausea; amel. if he can only vomit.
• Violent Vomiting; bilious, sour, wants to vomit but cannot.
• Food lies like a heavy knot in stomach.
• Gastralgia; pain go into back and chest; amel. vomiting and hot drinks, agg. from food.
• Hunger; yet aversion to food.
• Eructations; difficult; sour; bitter.
• Severe pain in stomach from injury, agg. least food.

Abdomen of Nux Vomica

• As of a hand about waist, clothes oppress it.
• Bruised soreness of abdominal wall.
• Liver sore, enlarged; sticking pain.

Rectum & Anus of Nux Vomica

• Rectum; spasms of; flatus retained in; constant uneasiness in.
• Piles itching, blind, bleeding, amel. cool bathing.
• Dysentery; stools amel. pains for a time.
• Diarrhoea; with jaundice; after debauch during fevers.
• Colic in nursing infants from stimulating food taken by the mother.
• Colic from suppressed haemorrhoidal flow.
• Prolapse of rectum from diarrhoea.

Stool of Nux Vomica

• Strains hard at stools; feeling as if part remained unexpelled; passes small quantity at each attempt.
• First part of stool soft, last hard.

Urinary Organ of Nux Vomica

• Renal colic (right), extending to genitals and legs; with dribbling urine; amel. lying on back.
• Painful ineffectual urging to urinate.
• Spasmodic strangury.
• Haematuria from suppressed haemorrhoidal flow or menses.
• Spasmodic urethral stricture.
• Paralysis of bladder; urine dribble; in old men, with enlarged prostate or gonorrhoea.
• Involuntary urination when laughing, coughing, sneezing.

Sexual Organ of Nux Vomica

• Desire easily excited.
• Penis becomes relaxed during an embrace.
• Bad effects of onanism; sexual excess.
• Premature ejaculation.
• Cannot be in female society without having emission.
• Desire too strong; with burning in vulva.
• Menses; profuse, early and prolonged; intermittent; of dark lumpy bloody; irregular; with fainting spells.
• Dysmenorrhoea; cramps extend to the whole body; with constant urging to stool.
• Leucorrhoea; foetid; staining yellow.
• Inefficient labour pains; faints at every labour pain.
• Profuse bleeding after abortion.
• Prolapse of uterus; from straining or lifting.
• All the old symptoms are agg. after menses.

Respiratory System of Nux Vomica

• Cough; violent; throwing the patient down; paroxysmal; whooping; with splitting headache; has to hold his head.
• Shallow respiration.
• Oppressed breathing.
• Asthma: from disordered stomach; with fulness of stomach.
• Hoarseness, with painful roughness in larynx and chest.
• Cough; with sensation as if something torn loose in the chest.
• Intercostal neuralgia agg. lying on painful side.
• Asthma; with feeling as if clothing were too tight, amel. belching.
• Desire to eat during cough.

Heart & Pulse of Nux Vomica

• Palpitation on lying down.
• Heart feels tired.
• Angina pectoris; patient lies on knee with body leant backwards

Neck & Back of Nux Vomica

• Cervico-brachial neuralgia; painfully stiff neck; pains down shoulder (right) agg. touch.
• Wry neck from cold or nervous shock.
• Lumbar ache, as if breaking; must sit up in order to turn in bed.
• Crawling along spine.
• Acute lumbago.
• Sacral region as if unimpressive; after parturition

Extremities of Nux Vomica

• Arms go to sleep, numb, stiff feeling.
• Tense cramp in calves and soles, must stretch feet; or stand still while walking.
• Feet feel clubby and raw.
• Shooting from toes to thighs; agg. after stool.
• Drags his feet while walking, (chorea); legs tremble; unsteady gait.
• Knee joints as if dry; cracking during motion.
• Paralysis of lower limbs from over exertion or from being soaked.
• Automatic motions of hand (R) towards mouth (Apoplexy).
• Legs stiff.

Skin of Nux Vomica

• Goose skin.
• Skin red and blotchy.
• Urticaria with gastric derangement.
• Bluish spots

Sleep of Nux Vomica

• Sleepy in the evening or sleepless from rush of ideas.
• Awakes too early, cannot go to sleep again; finally sleeps but on waking feels wretched.
• Better after a short sleep, unless aroused.
• Nightmares.

Fever of Nux Vomica

• Chill with thirst, and heat without thirst.
• Easily Chilled, Can Not Uncover, agg. motion; drinking even during the heat.
• Body burning hot esp. face, but unable to move or uncover without feeling chilly. – Excessive rigor with blue finger nails.
• Sweat sour; one sided; warm, on upper most side, en lying down. (3)

Important characteristic features of Nux Vomica

Keynotes / Redline symptoms:

• Extremely chilly – sensitive to cold air.
• Frequent, ineffectual desire for stools.
• Convulsions with consciousness.
• Snuffles of infants > Open air.
• Inclination to vomit, feels ” If I could vomit, I would feel better”.
• Stools ameliorates complaints for some time.
• Asthma gastric in origin.
• Sleep- early in evening, awakes 3-4 a.m., falls into dreamy sleep at day break which is hard to arouse.
• Must be covered in every stage of fever.
• Backache must sit up to turn in bed. (2)

Guiding symptoms:

• Patients who are chilly; always taking cold.
• One of best remedy to commence treatment in cases who are drugged by strong allopathic treatment. Oversensitive to all external impressions.
• Fainting tendency from odours, after eating, after labour, with pain.
• Convulsions with consciousness, by anger or emotion.
• Violent pains – lighting like, twisting, jerking.
• Bruised soreness in abdomen, brain, larynx, throat.
• Head-Gastric headaches.
• Sensation as if nail were driven into head.
• Sensation as if head was beaten with axe > pressure.
• Drunken confusion in head.
• Constipation with constant, ineffectual urging for stool.
• Ineffectual urging for stools, as if part remained unexpelled (Caust).
• Passes small quantities of stools at each attempt.
• Sleep-Sleeps before bed time, awakes 3-4 a.m., falls into a dreamy sleep at day break, from which is hard to arouse.
• Short sleep ameliorates. (2)

PQRS symptoms:

• Inclination to died by suicide, but lack of courage.
• Convulsions with consciousness (Strych.).
• Cannot keep from falling asleep in the evening while sitting or reading hours before bed time.
• Catarrh<in warm room and relieved in cold air (though a chilly pt.).
• Labor pains: violent, spasmodic pain <in back.
• Fever: great heat whole body burning hot (Acon.), face red and hot (Bell.), yet the patient cannot move or uncover without being chilly. (5)

Confirmatory symptoms:

• Anger, irritability and violent anger.
• Oversensitive to all impressions, like noise, touch, etc.
• Ineffectual desire for stools > temporarily after stools.
• Convulsions with consciousness.
• Inclination to vomit, sensation as “If I could vomit, I would feel better”.
• Sleeps early in evening, awakes 3-4 a.m.
• Must he cover in every stage of fever. (2)

Nucleus symptoms:

• It is suited to persons who are quarrelsome, spiteful, malicious, addicted to wine, narcotics, coffee, highly rich food, living a sedentary life.
• Mentally overworked, over sensitive individuals, suffering from gastric complaints or have been drugged by allopathic or other non-homoeopathic drugs.
• The nerves are in a state of irritation, with over sensitiveness, over impressionability.
• This produces a tendency to twitching, cramps, convulsions, causing a constant urge for stool. (2)

Therapeutic value of Nux Vomica

• Angina pectoris, Apoplexy, Asthma, Cirrhosis of liver, Conjunctivitis, Constipation, Coryza, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Dyspepsia, Gastralgia, Gastritis, Gonorrhoea, Haemorrhoids, Hernia, Hyperaemia of the liver, Jaundice, Mental strain, Metrorrhagia, Morning sickness, Neuralgia, Renal colic, Rheumatism, Torticollis, Venereal ulcers, Whooping cough. (1)

Modality of Nux Vomica

Aggravation:

• Overeating, mental exertion, anger, rich food, narcotics, after eating, touch, noise, odours, bright light, spices, dry weather, cold air, in the morning, waking at 4 am.

Amelioration:

• In damp wet weather, lying down, while at rest, in the evening, lying on one side, strong pressure. (1)

Remedy Relationship of Nux Vomica

Complimentary

• Sep, Sulph, Kali-c.

Follows Well

• Sep, Sulph, Phos, Ip, Ars, Bry, Bell, Cact, Hyos, Lyc

Inimical

• Zinc, Ign, Acet-ac.

Antidoted By

• Acon, Bell, Camph, Cham, Cocc, Mez, Op, Pal, Plat, Puls, Stram, Thuj

It Antidotes

• Acon, Ars, Bell, Op, Puls, Thuj.

Comparison

• Acon, Aesc, Agn, Ambr, Apis, Ars, Asar, Bell, Bism, Calc, Camph, Carb-an, Carb-v, Cast-eq, Cham, Chel, Chic, Cic, Cob, Cocc, Coloc, Con, Cur, Dig, Hep, Hydr-ac, Ign, Kali-c, Kreos, Lyc, Mag-m, Mosch, Nat-m, Nat-s, Nit-ac, Nux m, Nux-m, Oci, Op, Phys, Phyt, Pic-ac, Prun, Puls, Sep, Sulph, Tab, Thuj, Zing (1)

Posology of Nux Vomica

Dose

• Single dose, maybe repeated when the symptoms call for it.

Potency

• 3x, 6x, 12x, 30, 200, 1000

Duration of action

• 1 to 7 days (1)

Frequently Asked Questions

Qu.1 Mention Banerjea’s reference for irritable family.

Ans.

An irritable family:

Father:

Mr. Nux Vomica.

Mother:

Mrs. Natrum Mur.

Three children

i) Firstly, Master Chamomilla. ii) Secondly, Master Cina. iii) Thirdly, Master Antim Crud.

The maid-servant of the family

i) Mr. Bryonia.

Thus, a classical composition of a horrible family.

Qu 2. Bilious temperament’ – what does it indicate, compare in reference to other temperaments? State what do we mean by temperament?

Ans.

Temperament

1. Firstly, The psychological-physical organization, peculiar to the individual.
2. Secondly, In influences the metabolic processes, manner of thought and action, and general views of life.

Qu 3. Patient have suicidal impulses-mention three medicines.

Ans.

i) Aurum Met. i.e.

Constantly dwelling on suicide.

ii) Argentum Nit. i.e.

Wants to died by suicide by drowning.

iii) Nux Vomica. i.e.

Inclination to died by suicide but is afraid to die.

Qu. 4. Literary, studious persons’-mention three medicines?

Ans.

i) Firstly, Lycopodium. ii) Secondly, Nux Vomica. iii) Thirdly, Sulphur.

Qu. 5. ‘Over sensitiveness’-mention some medicines with indications?

Ans.

i) Arnica Montana i.e.:

a) Firstly, Nervous, cannot bear pain. b) Secondly, Whole body oversensitive.

ii) Apis Mel. i.e.:

a) Extreme sensitiveness to touch.

iii) Belladonna i.e.:

a) Firstly, Women and children of delicate skin, sensitive nature. b) Secondly, Sensitive to drafts of air. c) Thirdly, Skin is oversensitive; extreme sensitiveness to touch.

iv) Hepar Sulph i.e.:

a) Firstly, Oversensitive, physically and mentally.

b) Secondly, Extreme sensitive to cold air, imagines he can feel the air if a door is opened in the next room.

v) Lachesis i.e.:

a) Firstly, Great sensitiveness to touch.

b) Secondly, Cannot bear bed-clothes or night dress to touch throat or abdomen, not because sore or tender as in Apis and Belladonna, but clothes cause an uneasiness, makes her nervous.

vi) Nux Vomica i.e.:

a) Oversensitive to external impressions; to noise, odours, light or music.

vii) Phosphorus i.e.:

a) Over sensitiveness of all senses. b) Secondly, To external impressions: light, noise, odour, touch.

Qu. 6. State the particular symptom where Nux Vom. has reverse modality?

Ans.

Introduction i.e.

Though Nux Vom. is awfully chilly patient, yet then, in coryza and catarrh, it has reverse modality.

Catarrh and Coryza i.e.

Agg. in warm room.

Amel. in cold air.

Qu 7. Alternate constipation and diarrhoea-mention three medicines.

Ans.1) Firstly, Antim Crud 2) Secondly, Nux Vomica 3) Thirdly, Sulphur.

Qu 8. State the labor pain of Nux Vomica.

Ans. i) Firstly, Violent labor pain.

ii) Secondly, Spasmodic

iii)Thirdly, Causes urging to stool or to urinate.

iv) Fourthly, Labor pain especially felt in the back; Agg. in back

v) After that, Patient prefers a warm room.

vi) Lastly, Pains are sticking, tingling, aching; worse from motion and contact. vii) Tendency to faint after every labor pain.

Qu 9. What is the best time for Nux Vomica dosing?

Ans

i)Firstly, Nux Vomica should be best given on retiring.

ii) Secondly, But what is better, several hours before going to bed.

iii) Thirdly, It acts best during repose of mind and body.

iv) Fourthly, Dr. Boericke says. Nux is said to act best given in the evening.

Qu 10. State the mental symptoms of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

1) Irritability i.e.

i) Very much irritable, quarrelsome, spiteful, malicious persons, Master Hahnemann says, Nux is chiefly successful with the persons of an ardent character; of an irritable, impatient temperament, disposed to anger, spite or deception’.

2) Anxiety i.e.

i) Firstly, Anxiety with irritability.

ii) Secondly, Nervous, melancholic.

3) Suicidal tendency i.e.

i) Inclination to died by suicide, but is afraid to die.

4) Over sensitiveness i.e.

i) Oversensitive to external impressions: to noise, odour, light, or music, or from touch,

6) Ill-humoured i.e.

i) Firstly, Trifling ailments unbearable.

ii) Secondly, Every harmless word offends.

iii) Thirdly, ill-humoured, finds slightest fault of every body and scolds them,

7) Mood i.e.

i)Firstly, Hypochondriac mood, wants to be alone.

ii) Secondly, Incapacity to literary work.

iii) Thirdly, Hypochondriac.

Qu. 11. State the gastric symptoms of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

a) Causations i.e.

i) Firstly, From the bad-effects of taking coffee, tobacco, alcohol etc.

ii) Secondly, From highly spiced, seasoned foods.

iii) Thirdly, From over-eating, irregular diets.

iv) Fourthly, From aromatic, patent or purgative medicines nostrums etc.

v) After that, From mental over-exertion.

vi) Lastly, From night watching, sexual sedentary habits, etc.

b) Character of Symptoms

1) Nausea and vomiting i.e.

i) Firstly, Sour taste, constant nausea in the morning after eating.

ii) Secondly, Vomiting especially in the morning, patient feels, ‘If I could only vomit, I would be so much better’,

iii) Thirdly, Ineffectual urging for vomiting.

iv) Fourthly, Vomiting gives relief, so wants to vomit by inducing the finger into the mouth

v) Lastly, Wants to vomit, but cannot, so induces the finger.

2) Hungry i.e.

Very hungry: ravenous hunger, especially about a day before an attack of dyspepsia. (Ref. Boericke).

3) Desire i.e.

i) Firstly, Loves fat and tolerates them well. (Ref. Boericke).

ii) Secondly, Stimulants, bitter things, alcohol etc.

4) Aversion i.e.

i) Firstly, Aversion to foods.

ii) Secondly, Dyspepsia from drinking strong coffee.

5) Sensation i.e.

After two and three hours of eating sensation of a pressure appears in the stomach, as from stone; with tightness.

6) Mouth i.e.

i) Firstly, Foetid odour and sour taste, especially in the morning.

ii) Secondly, Small aphthous ulcers, with bloody saliva.

7) Tongue i.e.

Anterior half clean; posterior half slightly coated, with deep fur, white, yellow cracked edges.

8) Liver i.e.

i) Firstly, Non-functioning liver in beer and alcoholic drinkers.

ii) Secondly, Enlarged liver, chronic hepatitis with stitches and colic.

iii) Thirdly, Bruised soreness of abdominal walls; with upward pressure, causing short breath and desire for stool.

9) Abdomen i.e.

i) Firstly, Bruised soreness of the abdomen walls.

ii) Secondly, Weakness of abdominal ring region, strangulated hernia.

iii) Thirdly, Umbilical hernia of infants.

c) Modalities i.e.

Agg. In the morning, after eating.

Amel. In the evening, while in rest.

d) Concomitants i.e.

i) Firstly, Ineffectual urging for stool and urination which gives temporary relief.

ii) Secondly, Mentally very irritable and oversensitive.

Qu.12. Describe the abdominal colic of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

a) Causation i.e.

i) Firstly, From the bad-effects of taking coffee. tobacco, alcohol, beer.

ii) Secondly, From highly spiced, seasoned foods

iii) Thirdly, From over eating, irregular diets.

iv) Fourthly, From purgatives, patent, aromatic medicines.

v) Lastly, From mental over-exertion, night watching, sedentary habit etc.

b) Character of pain i.e.

i) Firstly, Sensation of weight, as from a stone with pain in the stomach, an hour or two after eating.

ii) Secondly, Colic from indigestion, pain around the umbilicus.

iii) Thirdly, Very much over sensitiveness to the pain.

iv) Fourthly, There is tightness in the abdomen; must loosen the clothing.

v) After that, Cannot use mind for two or three hours after a meal; sleepy after dinner,

vi) Then, Region of stomach is very sensitive to pressure.

vii) Lastly, Flatulent distension, with spasmodic colic, colic from uncovering. (Ref. Boericke)

c) Modalities i.e.

Agg. Immediately after eating, in morning, before stool.

Amel. At bed time, during rest, after, stool.

d) Concomitants i.e.

i) Firstly, Ineffectual urging for stool, but passes little with temporary relief of suffering and pains.

ii) Secondly, Tendency to vomit, which gives relief, so wants to vomit by inducing the finger inside the mouth. Patient says, ‘if I could vomit, I would remain better.”

Qu. 13. State the constipation of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

a) Causations i.e.

i) Firstly, From the bad-effects of tea, coffee, tobacco etc.

ii) Secondly, From beer, alcohol, brandy.

iii) Thirdly, From highly-spiced, seasoned foods etc.

iv) Fourthly, From irregular diet, over-eating.

v) After that, From mental exertion, night watching.

vi) Lastly, From aromatic, parent, purgative medicines, hot medicines, nostrums etc.

b) Character of stool i.e.

i) Firstly, Large, hard, difficult stool.

ii) Secondly, Scanty small amount of stool passes at each time

iii) Thirdly, Constant ineffectual urging; incomplete and unsatisfactory.

c) Sensation i.e.

i) Firstly, Sensation as if not finished.

ii) Secondly, Feeling as if part remained unexpelled.

iii) Thirdly, Constriction of rectum with irregular, peristaltic action, hence frequent ineffectual desire, or passing but small quantities at each attempt.

iv) Fourthly, Constipation: Desire felt at rectum.

d) Modalities i.e.

Agg. i) Firstly, In the morning after rising.

ii) Secondly, After mental exertion etc

Amel. i) After every stool, with temporary satisfaction.

e) Concomitants i.e.

i) Firstly, Alternate diarrhoea and constipation.

ii) Secondly, Blind piles may protrude.

Note: -Dr. Boericke says, ‘absence of all desire for defecation is a contraindication’.

Qu. 14. State the piles of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

a) Types i.e.

Blind piles those are chronic in nature.

b) Causation i.e.

i) Firstly, Due to bad-effects of over-use of purgatives.

ii) Secondly, From bad-effects of aromatic, medicines etc.

c) Character of haemorrhoids i.e.

i) Firstly, Stitching, burning pain.

ii) Secondly, Itching in the anus.

iii) Thirdly, Cutting, aching smarting pain.

iv) Fourthly, Constant uneasiness in the rectum (Ref. Boericke).

d) Modalities i.e.

Agg. i) Firstly, Before stool. ii) Secondly, In morning. iii) Thirdly, After taking purgatives, drastic drug (Ref. Dr. Boericke).

Amel. After stool.

e) Concomitant i.e.

i) Ineffectual urging for stool is a common concomitant.

Qu. 15. State the morning diarrhoea of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

1) Causation i.e.

Debauchery, abuse of alcohol, spirit, from night watching, spoiled seasoned foods, excessive mental and physical exertion, using aromatic patent medicines, irregular diet, etc.

• Time i.e.

Urging for stool in the morning, after rising. Nash says, after having some foods.

• Sensation i.e.

‘As if not finished sensation’.

• Quantity i.e.

Scanty stool with mucus.

5)  Character i.e.

Stool is watery and offensive, passes little quantity at a time with temporary satisfaction. Diarrhoea of dark colour; stool with blood (+). mucus (++++).

• Before stool

Gripping pain and tenesmus in abdomen.

7) During stool i.e.

Great tenesmus (++).

8) Modality i.e.

Agg. in the morning at 5 a.m. Amel. (temporary) after evacuation.

9) Concomitant i.e.

i) Firstly, Mental irritability.

ii) Secondly, Dyspepsia with inclination to vomit.

iii) Thirdly, Ineffectual desire for stool and urine: is a general concomitant.

Qu. 16. State the urinary symptoms of Nux Vomica.

Ans

a) Character of urine i.e.

i) Firstly, Frequent dribbling.

ii) Secondly, Dirty, yellow sediment in the morning.

iii) Thirdly, Haematuria: bloody urine.

b) Before urination i.e.

i) Firstly, Ineffectual urging for urination, spasmodic and strangury.

ii) Secondly, Dr. Tyler refers, patient says, that he would be better if he could pass water.

iii) Thirdly, Renal colic extends up to genitals.

c) During urination i.e.

i) Firstly, Pain in the neck of bladder, violent straining without being able to pass a single drop.

ii) Secondly, Itching in urethra.

iii) Thirdly, Irritable bladder, from spasmodic sphincter.

d) After urination i.e.

i) Firstly, Pain in bladder is ameliorated by passing of urine.

Qu. 17. Describe the menstrual symptoms of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

1) Time i.e.:

i) Firstly, Too early; irregular, never at right time.

ii) Secondly, Flow occurs every two weeks interval.

2) Chilliness i.e.:

i) Firstly, Repugnance to cold or cold air.

ii) Secondly, Very much chilly, always wants to cover up; due to chilliness.

iii) Thirdly, Wants to cover up at every stage of fever, cannot move or uncover without being chilly.

iv) Fourthly, Chilly on least movement.

3) Over sensitiveness i.e.:

Oversensitive to external impressions; to noise, odours, light, music, etc.

4) Ineffectual desire i.e.

Frequent and ineffectual desire for stool and urine is a general concomitant of Nux Vomica; as it accompanies with almost all symptoms thus it is regarded as a characteristic indication. Dr. Boericke refers, ‘absence of all desires for defaecation is a contraindication’ of Nux Vomica.

5) Mind i.e.

Very much irritable, quarrel-some, zealous, spiteful, malicious, and nervous disposition.

6) Sleep i.e.

i) Firstly, Cannot keep from falling asleep in the evening, while sitting or reading hours before bed time.

ii) Secondly, Awakes at 3 to 4 A.M. and again falls into as dreamy sleep at day-break,

iii) Thirdly, It is hard to arouse and then feels tired and weak.

iv) Fourthly, Cat-nap sleep; better from a nap if allowed to finish (Ref. Boericke).

7) Ailments from i.e.

i) Firstly, High living.

ii) Secondly, Night watching.

iii) Thirdly, From anxiety, worry.

Duration i.e.

Long lasting, lasts for several days.

Quantity i.e.

Profuse.

d) Character of blood i.e.

i) Firstly, Dark, black, offensive.

ii) Secondly, Intermittent flow stops and starts again.

e) Before menstruation i.e.

i) Firstly, Excessive sensitiveness to external impressions: oversensitive to light, odour, noise, music.

ii) Secondly, Anxious, excited, irritable disposition.

f) During menstruation i.e.

i) Firstly, Irritable and quarrel-some mood.

ii) Secondly, Dysmenorrhea with pain in sacrum, and constant urging to stool. (Ref. Boericke) g) Modalities Agg. All complaints aggravate during and after menstruation. Old symptoms reappear.

h) Concomitants i.e.

i) Firstly, Anxious, taciturn, angry.

ii) Secondly, Wants to be alone.

iii) Thirdly, Constant ineffectual desire for stool and urine.

iv) Fourthly, Dr. Tyler refers, cramps in abdomen with nausea in the morning, accompanying with chilliness and attacks of fainting.

Qu. 18 State the characteristic symptoms of Nux Vomica.

Ans.

1) Universal antidote i.e.

“One of the best remedies with which to commence treatment of cases that have been drugged by mixtures, bitters, nostrums, quack remedies especially aromatic and hot remedies, but only if symptoms correspond.

2)Modalities i.e.

Agg. In the morning, waking at 4 A.M., after mental exertion, after taking spiced foods, after over eating, dry weather; in cold air, in clear fine weather. Amel In evening, while at rest; in damp wet weather.

Note: Dr. E.B. Nash’s sum up i.e.: Spasm, nervous sensitive ness and chilliness are the three general characters of Nux Vomica. (6)

References of Nux Vomica:

1. Textbook of homoeopathic materia medica by Dr. J.D. Patil 2013, Section II, chap Nux vomica
2. Zomoeo Lite chap Nux vomica
3. Phatak materia medica chap Nux vomica
4. Synoptic memorizer MM by Dr. S.K.Banerjea Vol- 1, Chap- 2,> Nux vomica
5. Synoptic memorizer MM by Dr. S.K.Banerjea Vol- 1, Chap- 3,> Nux vomica
6. Synoptic memorizer MM by Dr. S.K.Banerjea Vol- 2, Part-1 ,> Nux vomica
7. Synoptic memorizer MM by Dr. S.K.Banerjea Vol- 2, Part-2 ,> Nux vomica