Homeopathy I - Nux Vomica:

Question 1

Nux Vomica: Names

Answer 1

Names: Poison nut, Quaker buttons.
The impatient manager.

Question 2

Background:

Answer 2

• Prepared from the seeds of the poison nut tree.
• The seeds contain strychnine—an alkaloid that is poisonous in its crude form causing muscular spasm and death from respiratory failure.
• Strychnine is also very bitter. Bitter properties in plants are linked with the liver and bile flow. Liver-related conditions are a feature of Nux vom.

Question 3

Mental picture:

Answer 3

• The banker / businessman —lots on the go.
• The mover and shaker.’
• Competitive, impatient, irritable.
• Life is full of stress, there are so many things to do and everybody is so slow. Hates to wait in a queue. Things must be done fast.
• Sensitive to criticism (also light, noise, smell, draught).
• Easily stressed. Tends to drink and smoke to calm down.
• Desires stimulants of any kind.
• Gets depressed when things are not moving forward.

Question 4

General picture:

Answer 4

• Work hard and play hard, overindulge in rich food, coffee, alcohol.
• Pains are cramping and spasmodic.
• Suffer from digestive complaints.
• > rest, warmth, hot drinks: < in the morning

Question 5

Indications

Answer 5

(If they fit the symptom picture):
* No. 1 remedy after abuse of drugs and alcohol.
* Overindulgence = indigestion, heartburn, nausea / vomiting.
* Over-stimulated = migraines, insomnia (< 4 am).
* Constipation, haemorrhoids.
* Menopause Sx such as irritability, aggression, heartburn.

Question 6

Overindulgence / heartburn

Answer 6

Examples of administration, acute prescribing:
Nux vomica 30C take as a single dose. If symptoms haven’t resolved, repeat the dose every 30

Question 7

Chemotherapy

Answer 7

Examples of administration, acute prescribing:
Nux vomica 30C 3 x daily may be considered if arsenicum 30C does not provide relief from nausea and vomiting.

Question 8

Constipation

Answer 8

Examples of administration, acute prescribing:
Nux vomica 30C 3 x daily until there is a bowel movement (useful post-abdominal surgery, or as a result of a change in normal eating habits).

Question 9

Substance abuse / never well since drug use:

Answer 9

Stimulants (coffee, nicotine, alcohol) anaesthetic, drug overdose:
Constipation, better for eating, headaches, marked irritability from substance withdrawal.