LYCOPODIUM Homeopathic Remedy works on Digestive and Impotency

- A.W. Cowperthwaite.
Synonym. Lycopodium Clavatum. Natural order. Lycopodiaceae.

GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Lycopodium acts powerfully upon the vegetative system, depressing its action, and causing a slowly advancing weakness of functional power and decay of tissue. It acts especially upon the mucous membranes of the respiratory, digestive and genito-urinary organs and upon the skin, but shows its most important local action upon the liver and the digestive tract, where it produces a disturbed digestion, hepatic congestion, constipation, etc., and upon the kidneys causing the"uric acid diathesis." The lymphatic system becomes weakened, the glands, especially of the neck, swollen and indurated, and the skin sluggish and unhealthy. The chief characteristic of this remedy is an excessive accumulation of flatulence in the abdomen.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.

Lycopodium Clavatum

Mind. Depression of spirits; weeping; sad, melancholy, despondent (Natr. mur., Lob., Puls.); apprehensive. Great anxiety, as if in pit of stomach. Suspicious. Anthrophobia. Fretful, ill-hundred, irritable (Anac., Bry., Cham., Nux v., Hep. s., Calc. c.), Morose, peevish, vehement, angry, timid. Easily aroused to anger. Weak memory (Anac.); confused thoughts; speaks or writes wrong words and syllables (Dulc., Melil., Osm.). Confusion about every- day things, abut rational talking on abstract subjects. Disinclined to talk. Inability to comprehend or remember what is read. Stupefaction. Dullness. Head. Vertigo in the morning when and after rising (Alum., Bry., Cham., Nitr. ac., Phos.), so that he reels back and forth. Rush of blood to the head in the morning on waking. Head shakes on stepping hard. Confusion and heaviness in the head. Headache, with ravenous hunger, better from eating. Pressing, stupefying headache; worse from 4 to 8 P.M. Throbbing headache; on leaning head backward during the day; after coughing. Pressing or tearing frontal headache, especially in right of head; worse on rising up better on lying down. Pressive headache in the vertex. Frontal headache after breakfast; afternoon when riding in carriage, with pressure in stomach. Shattering pain in temples and chest during cough. Stitches in temples during difficult stool. Hair becomes gray early (Phos. ac.); falling out of hair (Graph., Natr. mur., Nitr. ac., Phos., Sep.). Eruption beginning on the occiput; crusts thick, easily bleeding; oozing a foetid moisture; worse after scratching, and from warmth (Graph., Hep. s., Merc., Nitr. ac.). Itching of the scalp. Eyes. Inflammation of the eyes, with itching in canthi, redness, and swelling of lids; distressing pain as if they were dry, with nightly agglutination (Alum., Calc. c., Merc., Puls., Graph., Sil., Sulph.). Sticking, worse mornings, without redness. Must wipe mucus from eye in order to see clearly (Euph., Puls.). Purulent mucus. Dryness and smarting in the eyes, as if dust were in them; difficult to open, mornings; burning itching. Styes on the lids, more toward inner canthi (Graph., Puls., Staph.). Ulceration and redness of lids, with acrid lachrymation (Merc., Sulph.). Photophobia; evening light blinds very much; can see nothing on the table. Sees only the left half of an object distinctly (Calc. c., Lith. Upper half, Aur.). Veil and flickering before the eyes; black spots before the eyes (Cycl., Merc., Phos., Sulph.). Ears. Hearing over-sensitive (Acon., Bell., Mur. ac.). Roaring in the ears (Acon., Bell., Cinch.). Purulent, ichorous discharge from the ears (Aur., Graph., Hep. s., Merc., Nitr. ac.). Nose. Violent catarrh, with smelling of the nose and acrid discharge (Ars., Cepa, Merc. cor.). The ichorous discharge from the nose begins in right nostril; scarlatina of diphtheria. Nose stopped up; at night; cannot breathe through it (Nux v.); with excessive dryness; evenings. Smell extremely sensitive (Acon., Agar., Bell., Coff. c., Colch., Hep. s.). Fan-like motion of the alae nasi in pneumonia. Face. Yellowish gray color of the face (Cinch.). Pale, sickly, puffy (Ars.). Flushes of heat in the face (Kreos., Sulph.). Tearing pains in the bones of the face. Ulcers on lips. Mouth. Humid suppurating eruption around the mouth; corners of mouth sore (ant. crud., Graph., Merc.). The lower jaw hangs down (Op.). Teeth excessively painful to touch, and when chewing; front teeth loose or too long (Carb. an., Merc., Nitr. ac.); drawing cramp- like pains, relieved by warm drinks; with swelling of gums. Gums bleed violently when cleaning the teeth (Merc., Nitr. ac., Phos.). Tongue coated white (Ant. crud., Bry., Nux v., Puls.). Ulcers and under the tongue. Vesicles on the tip of the tongue (Kali carb., Natr. mur., Mur. ac.). Dryness of the mouth and tongue, without thirst (Nux m., Puls.). Laxity and heaviness of the tongue. Accumulation of water in mouth. Saliva dries on palate and lips to a tenacious mucus. Tongue is darted out and oscillates to an fro; in sore throat. Tongue distended, giving patient silly expression; in angina or diphtheria. Sour or bitter taste (Cinch. Nux. v., Mag. carb.); in the morning; after eating. Food tastes sour. Throat. Accumulation of mucus in throat; hawking of bloody mucus; with inclination to swallow; small greenish yellow masses; granular. Choking provoking constant swallowing. Sticking; in region of right parotid. Dryness in throat. Soreness and pain on swallowing and coughing. Pain and soreness beginning on right side of throat. Feeling as if a ball rose from below up into the throat (Asaf., Physos.). Feeling of constriction in throat; nothing can be swallowed; food and drink regurgitate through the nose (Merc.). Swelling and suppuration of tonsils, going from right to left (Hep. s., Merc.). Sensitiveness of the submaxillary glands. Stomach. Excessive appetite; the more he eats the more he wants (Bry., Calc., Ferr., Merc.). Hunger, but a small quantity of food fills him up; constant feeling of satiety (Cinch.). Appetite lost; whatever she eats goes against her, even to vomiting. Aversion to coffee (Natr. mur., Phos. ac.), and tobacco. Eructations acrid; incomplete and burning hiccough (Bry., Cic., Hyos.). Sour taste extending to stomach, causing acrid gnawings. Heartburn; waterbrash (Led., Natr. carb., Nux v.). Nausea; in pharynx and stomach; in mornings; fasting. Distention and cramp in stomach. Vomiting of food and bile; vomiting after a meal with salivation; during menses; better in open air. Pressure and heaviness in stomach, as if distended; in evening after eating a little (Cough., Led., Sulph.). Slow digestion. Pit of stomach and sensitive to touch (Ant. crud., Ars., Bry.); anxiety in pit. Constriction and tightness in stomach and hypochondria. Abdomen. Sore, pressive bruised pain in region of liver, on breathing; aggravated by touch. Sensation of something heavy lying on left side of abdomen. Excessive fullness and distension of the abdomen from flatulence (Absinth., Cinch., Carb., Veg., Kali carb., Phos|); better from passing flatus. Much flatus accumulates here and there in the abdomen, in the hypochondria, in the back, in region of ribs and chest, causing and bubbling; relieved by empty eructations (Carb. v.). Griping. Tension and pain in abdomen from incarcerated flatulence (Cinch. carb., v.). Continuous rumbling and roaring in the abdomen (Agar., Aloe., Hep. s., Sulph., Zinc.). Brown spots on abdomen. Stool and Anus. Rectum contracted and protrudes during hard stool. Burning in the anus with frequent stools. Stitches and cramps in the rectum. Haemorrhoids protruding , very painful to the touch; painful when sitting. Discharge of blood during stool. Constipation; stools dry and hard (Bry., Sulph.), or first part lumpy, second soft; feeling as if much remained unpassed (Nux v.). Urinary Organs. Severe backache; relieved by passing urine. Passing only small quantities. Frequent desire to urinate. Burning during micturition. Red, sandy sediment in the urine (Arn., Cinch., Coccus, Natr. mur., Phos.). Turbid, milky urine, with an offensive purulent sediment; dull pressing in region of bladder and abdomen; disposition to calculi; cystitis. Incontinence; no urine secreted. Haematuria from gravel or chronic catarrh. Before passing water child screams with pain; red sand on diaper. Male Organs. Impotence; penis, small, cold, relaxed. Desire diminished (Agn., Baryt. c., Berb., Caps., Sulph.). Itching on inner surface of prepuce; on scrotum. Female Organs. Menses too profuse, and long protracted. Suppression of menses; also from fright (Acon.). Sense of dryness in vagina. Burning in vagina (Sulph.), during and after coition. Leucorrhoea like milk (Calc. c., Coni., Kreos., Puls., Sulph. ac., Sep.). bloody; corroding. Cutting across the hypogastrium; from right to left. Discharge of wind from the vagina (Brom.). Respiration of Organs. Hoarseness. Itching and tickling in larynx, compelling forcible cough. Shortness of breath, especially during sleep. Difficult breathing, as if he had inhaled sulphur fumes (Ars., Cinch.). Dyspnoea, as if the chest were constricted by cramp. Cough, dry, dry and night, with painfulness in region of stomach; in evening before going to sleep, from tickling in larynx as from a feather; as from sulphur fumes in larynx; from deep breathing. Cough at night, better before sunrise, affecting stomach and diaphragm. Violent cough with tightness of the chest (Phos.). Expectoration scanty; thick, yellow mucus; bloody; purulent; gray (Stan.); salty (Ambr., Calc. c., Carb. v., Phos., Sep.). Dull aching all over the lungs, with felling of constriction of the chest. Violent oppression of the chest. Stitches in left chest; also during inspiration. Heart. Palpitation of the heart (Acon., Ars., Spig., Sulph., Verat. alb.); in evening in bed. Accelerated pulse, with cold face and feet. Neck and Back. Stiffness of the neck (Chel., Rhus tox.). Drawing pain. Swelling of the cervical glands (Baryt. c., Calc. c. Iodi., Merc., Sil.). Tensive pain in nape of neck and occiput. Burning, as from glowing coats, between the scapulae. Pain in the small of the back (Bell., Nux. v., Puls.). Pain in back and right side, from congestion of liver. Stitches in region of kidneys, worse from pressure; extending into rectum. Tearing pain in region of kidneys. Limbs. Drawing tearing pains in all the limb s (Bry., Coloc., Merc., Sulph.). Stiffness and painfulness of joints. Upper Limbs. Swelling of the axillary glands (Baryt. c., Sil.). Tearing pains in elbows and shoulder joints. Arms and fingers go to sleep easily (Cham). Drawing pains in inner surface of arms. Finger joints inflamed, red and swollen. Lower Limbs. Swelling and stiffness of the knees. Soreness in inner of left thigh, with biting itching, extending to the genitals. Brown spots on inner side of thighs, inflamed with burning pain. Tearing pain in middle f right thigh. Swelling of the feet. Cramps in the calves at night. Pain in the soles when walking (Sulph.). Smarting sore pain between the toes. Cold, sweaty feet (Calc. c., Sil.). Feet sweet until they become sore. One foot hot, the other cold. Generalities. Weariness; weakness after every exertion; in morning on rising, with heaviness. Desire for the open air (Puls.) Discomfort in every position at night. Involuntary alternate extension and contraction of muscles. Emaciation and debility (Ars., Ferr., Phos.). Bones inflamed, mostly the ends; nocturnal bone pains. Softening of bones; caries. All symptoms aggravated from 4 to 8 P.M.; better after 8 P.M., but weak. 32 Skin Humid suppurating eruptions (Hep. s., Graph.). Itching "liver spots." Boils on nates. Itching pimples. Intertrigo; raw places, bleeding easily (Graph., Hydras.). Chronic urticaria. Skin unhealthy, corrosive vesicles. Naevus maternus. Vascular tumors. Sleep. Yawning and sleepiness during the day (Nux m.). Restless, uneasy sleep; full of dreams (Ars.). Starting up on falling asleep. Soporous sleep in typhoid and exanthematous fevers (Arn., Op.). Crying or laughing in sleep. On awakening, cross, scolds, unrefreshing. Fever. Creeping chills over the back in the evening. Slight chill, followed by long-continued heat, weariness, and pains in the limbs. Chill, alternating with heat; and redness and heat of cheeks. Flushes of heat over the whole body, mostly evenings. Flushes of heat over the whole body, mostly evenings. Sweats from least exertion (Calc. c., Hep. s., Phos., Sep., Sil.). Compare. Ars, Bell., Bry., Calc. c., Carb., Chel., Cinch., Cycl., Graph., Iod., Iris, Hep. s., Kali bi., Mag. c., Merc., Natr. mur., Nitr. ac., Nux v., Petrol., Phos., Puls., Rhus tox., Sep., Sil., Sulph., Zinc. Antidotes. Acon., Camph., Caust., Cham., Graph., Op., Puls.; also a cup of coffee. Lycopodium Antidotes. Cinch.
THERAPEUTICS.

Lycopodium Emaciation

The clinical range of Lycopodium is wide, and seems to have its origin in the sphere of nutrition, which is profoundly affected. It is of most use in chronic forms of disease, but occasionally is indicated in acute diseases, especially as an intercurrent remedy, somewhat like Sulphur, the symptoms of Lyc. being present. In conditions of malnutrition, where the patient becomes emaciated in spite of an enormous appetite, Lyc. is especially useful. Also in children who become emaciated and look wrinkled and prematurely old., Probably the most important use of Lyc. is in the treatment of chronic indigestion and gastric diseases in general characterized by an excessive accumulation of flatulence and much rumbling and rolling in the stomach and abdomen. Remembering these prominent general features of the clinical action of the drug, we may best refer to its special uses in the usual anatomical order. Useful in hypochondriasis and and melancholic resulting from indigestion and malnutrition; great mental weakness; loss of self-confidence; loss of memory, especially in old people. Has been used in chronic hydrocephalus, especially in anaemic children, with indigestion and malnutrition. Chronic ophthalmia, catarrhal or scrofulous ulcers a nd pustules on lids. Polypus. Lachrymal fistula. Cataract. Hemiopia. Asthenopia. Hemeralopia; resulting from chronic disease of the retina; retinitis. Polypus of the ear. Otitis media. Otorrhoea, purulent, ichorous, with impaired hearing, especially after scarlet fever. Polypus of the nose. Chronic nasal catarrh, with stoppage of the nose. Violent acute coryza, with swelling of nose and acrid discharge. Diphtheria, with stoppage of the nose, great dryness of throat, ichorous discharges from nose; tongue protruding; begins in right side. Tonsilitis going from right to left. An excellent remedy for an inordinate appetite, especially for sweets, delicacies, pastry, etc., also for the ultimate consequences of such an appetite and diet. Chronic dyspepsia; acid dyspepsia; atonic dyspepsia; gastralgia; chronic gastritis, etc., with characteristic flatulence, constant satiety, etc., already mention. Said to be especially useful in gastralgia and chronic gastritis occurring in peasants who subsist on heavy bread, sour small-beer and adulterated coffee. Indigestion from eating onions; from liquors, especially wine; from smoking. Scirrhus of the stomach, with great flatulence, Diaphragmitis. Gall stone colic. Jaundice with flatulence. Chronic hepatitis especially in children after Mercury. Fatty degeneration of liver. Atrophic nutmeg liver. Cirrhosis of liver. Ascites from liver diseases, especially after abuse of Alcohol. Palliative in strangulated hernia with flatulence. Flatulent colic. Enteritis in children from milk a nd farinaceous diet. Haemorrhoids, large, bleeding, do not mature, being hard, bluish, lumpy, chronic. Sometimes indicated in diarrhoea; but constipation usually accompanies Lyc. conditions, constriction of the anus and rectum with severe pain at stool being the chief characteristic. A valuable remedy in cystic and renal troubles, red sand in the urine (uric acid diathesis) being the chief indication. Gravel; urinary calculi. Renal colic. Haematuria, from gravel. Chronic cystitis. Chronic prostatitis. Diabetes. Bright's disease. An excellent remedy for impotence, sexual exhaustion and loss of sexual appetite in the male. Useful in a variety of female troubles, but is mostly indicated by the characteristic gastric symptoms. Ovaritis. Ovaralgia. Endometritis, with discharge of wind form the vagina; physometra. Cancer of this uterus. Leucorrhoea, milky, corroding. Menorrhagia. Chronic dryness of vagina. Varicose veins of pudenda. Sore nipples. Hard burning nodosities in mammae. Chronic bronchitis, especially in old people with dyspnoea; threatened paralysis of lungs. Subacute pneumonia, dyspnoea as from sulphur fumes, worse when lying on back, fan-like motion of alae nasi. Neglected pneumonia; threatening phthisis. Typhoid pneumonia. Phthisis, with gastric symptoms, oppressed breathing etc. Chronic cough. Hydrothorax. Hydropericardium. Angina pectoris. Carotid. aneurism. Torticollis (Lachn.). Lumbago, especially after Bry.; backache relieved by passing urine. Chronic rheumatism. Chronic gout, with calcarea deposits in joints. Hip diseased, suppurative stage. Varicose veins on legs. Old ulcers on leg. with nightly tearing burning pains. Mercurial ulcers Fissures on hands. Useful in a variety of ulcers, which are usually humid and suppurating, vesicular; eczema; herpes; psoriasis; impetigo; lupus; urticaria; intertrigo; eczema; herpes; psoriasis; impetigo; lupus; urticaria; intertrigo; naevus; boils; carbuncles. Liver spots. Glandular swellings. Caries. Useful in old broken down cases of malarial fever; sour vomiting between chill and heat; thirst after the sweating stage; paroxysms at 4 P.M., red sand in urine; also with typhoid tendency. Lyc. may be useful in typhoid fever if the indication for its use are present. Also in hectic fever during tuberculosis or other chronic suppurating diseases.