Teucrium marum verum 200c

- VERMEULEN Frans,
Teucr.
Words are like water - the assumption being that it moves in any direction.
[Bernard Malamud]
Signs
Teucrium marum. Marum verum. Cat Thyme. N.O. Labiatae.
CLASSIFICATION Teucrium is a member of the Labiatae [Lamiaceae] or Mint Family, a large cosmopolitan family of mostly herbs and undershrubs. There are about 200 genera and some 3,000 species. Labiates generally are plants of open ground; only a few genera are found in tropical rain forest. "Few regions of the world lack labiates; they grow in almost all types of habitat and at all altitudes. Salvia, Scutellaria and Stachys are almost cosmopolitan. One of the regions of greatest concentration of species is the Mediterranean basin, where such genera as Micromeria, Phlomis, Rosmarinus, Sideritis and Thymus are characteristic components of the maquis and the garrigue."1

FEATURES "Most species are shrubby or herbaceous; trees are extremely rare. The stems often have a characteristic square shape. The leaves are mostly simple, opposite and decussate [each pair at right angles to the next] and are without stipules. The plants are often covered in hairs and glands that emit an aromatic fragrance. The flowers of all labiates are essentially bisexual, but in many species of Mentha, Nepeta or Ziziphora, for instance, up to 50% of the plants may have flowers in which the male organs are reduced and sterile and the flower is functionally female. In these flowers, the corollas are often smaller and paler coloured. There is a very wide range of corolla-shape and staminal position in the family. Usually, there is a clear division into an upper and a lower lip. In most of the temperate genera the upper, often hooded, lip consists of two lobes and the lower of three, forming a convenient landing platform for insects seeking nectar; the stamens are protected by, or included within, the upper lip. Terpenes are present in many members of the family. Generally regarded as one of the most highly evolved of all dicotyledonous families, the Labiatae is closely related to the Verbenaceae."2
GENUS The genus Teucrium [common name Germander] comprises some 200-300 species of perennial herbs and shrubs with typically aromatic, simple or pinnately lobed leaves and whorls of 2-lipped flowers in which the upper lip is often much reduced or even absent. The conspicuous lower lip consists of five lobes, whilst the stamens often are completely exposed. Several species and numerous cultivars are grown as ornamentals. The genus is cosmopolitan, with a concentration in the Mediterranean region. Its name is thought to derive from the Gr. Teukros, Teucer, the first Trojan king, who used the plant medicinally.
HOMOEOPATHY The repertory lists five species of Teucrium: Teucrium botrys [cut-leaved germander]; Teucrium chamaedrys [wall germander]; Teucrium scordium [water germander]; Teucrium scorodonia [wood germander]; and Teucrium marum verum [cat thyme]. Teucrium chamaedrys, in the form of infusions, has long been used to treat gout, rheumatism, stomach problems, fever, coughs, asthma and catarrh. It was a constituent of the famous gout remedy Portland powder. The plant has also been taken to aid weight loss and is a common ingredient in tonic wines and bitters. Teucrium scorodonia has uses similar to those of T. chamaedrys. In addition, its very bitter, hop-scented leaves have been used in brewing. Teucrium scordium grows in marshy places; it is an antiseptic and anthelmintic, has tonic and diaphoretic properties, and is the source of a yellow-green dye for cloth. Teucrium marum verum has been employed for gall-bladder and stomach problems. 3 In some countries, a ban has been imposed on the use of Teucriums, among them T. chamaedrys, because they contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
MARUM VERUM Native to the islands of the western Mediterranean region, Teucrium marum [verum] is a dense, twiggy, grey-foliaged, shrubby perennial covered in summer with masses of magenta flowers. The plant has a pungent, bitter taste, and a sharp, camphorish fragrance [due to a volatile oil termed 'marum camphor']. Its specific name marum is most likely a reference to its habitat near the sea [L mare, sea]. 'Verum' is an addition to the botanical name in homoeopathic literature and seems to suggest that this is the 'true' one. "Cat thyme, as its name suggests, is highly regarded by the feline population. Its aroma elicits the response associated with catnip [Nepeta cataria], but to an even greater extent. Often a cat's attentions will kill the plant unless steps are taken to protect it. Cats will search out a small piece thrown into long grass or hidden in a room. [Cats roll on the plant and chew on it, thus bringing themselves into a state of acute inebriation.] Cat thyme can be harvested, dried and used to stuff cat toys. Cat thyme's camphorish essential oil is highly volatile and is released by heat or by the crushing or rubbing of the leaves. To some people it is unpleasantly biting, causing the eyes to water and the nose to start running. The sneezing caused by smelling cat thyme is useful for clearing blocked noses and sinuses."4
MEDICINE Dried and mixed with other herbs, it was once used as a snuff to cure headaches. "The many species of Teucrium possess stimulant and tonic properties in varying degrees. Besides these properties, the Teucrium Marum is credited with diuretic, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue qualities. It has been used in amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, and chronic bronchitis, and with varying success in chlorosis, gout, dropsy, and scrofula. It is asserted to be of much value in whooping-cough, and, in powder, has been employed to cure nasal polypi. Dose of the powder, 20 to 40 grains, or the same quantity may be given in infusion."5
PROVINGS •• [1] Stapf - 5 [male] provers, c. 1836; method: unknown.
•• [2] Powell - 1 prover, 1911; method: "I suggested to one of my students that one of the best ways to study the materia medica was to prove the remedies or some of them himself, and gave him 21 doses of Teucrium marum verum 200 to take a dose morning, noon and night, commencing on April 14th."6
[1-2] Heywood, Flowering Plants of the World. [3] Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. [4] Fletcher, The Penguin Modern Australasian Herbal. [5] King's American Dispensatory. [6] Powell, Teucrium marum verum; Transactions of the Intern. Hahnemannian Association, No. 16, 1911-12.
Affinity
NOSE. Lungs. RECTUM. Fingertips. Toe joints. * Right side. Left side.
Modalities
Worse: Weather [changing; damp; cold]. In bed [evening; night; warmth of bed]. When walking. After nursing.
Better: Open air. Perspiration.
Main symptoms
M Exaltation.
• "Gradual exaltation of mind; special inclination to talk much, with increased bodily warmth; towards evening." [1 prover]
• "A few hours after medicine, an almost irresistible desire to sing." [2 provers]
Nervous excitement.
• "From slight nervous excitement, such as standing up before a body of people, drops of hot sweat run down the back of my thighs; it ceases in a few minutes." [prover Powell]
G Delicate and sensitive.
G Tubercular miasm.
• "Worms and polypi suggest a tubercular taint." [Clarke]
G UNUSUAL hunger, prevents sleep.
G Desire for OPEN AIR.
[Which does not fatigue him but improves his condition.]
G Irritability when TOO MUCH MEDICINE has produced an oversensitive state and remedies fail to act.
G WORMS.
G POLYPI [nose; ears; vagina; rectum; bladder].
P Obstruction of nose.
• "Soon after medicine [and frequently recurring], crawling in nose; feeling in r. nostril as if half blocked, has to blow, and sneezes, which, however, does not relieve obstruction." [Hughes]
Obstruction on side lain on; lumpy discharge.
Nasal catarrh with expectoration of solid chunks from the posterior nares.
CRAWLING in nose [without coryza]; must pick it.
• "Some irritation in my nose has caused me to pick it at frequent intervals. Occasionally small particles of dried mucus are removed." [prover Powell]
• "I have used this remedy and learned to feel a good deal of confidence in it, in certain catarrhal symptoms. It is particularly useful in children suffering from adenoids and the chronic catarrh that accompanies them. The symptoms often suggest worms and whether they have them or not, Marum helps. Patients needing it are pale, sickly-looking, and unable to breathe through their nostrils. They are better in the open air like Pulsatilla with a similar discharge except that it is thinner. The right nostril is more apt to be affected than the left."1
P Digestive complaints from drinking beer.
• "After partaking of pure light brown beer, some flatulent colic with discharge of very offensive flatus, then feeling of impending diarrhoea and evacuation of very copious pappy offensive stool." [Hughes]
P ITCHING of ANUS, evening in bed; prevents sleep; from ascarides.
P Ingrowing toenails.
• "Right big toe somewhat inflamed, left of nail and above, and painful, as if nail were growing in [which is not the case], better rather than worse from walking, returning when seated quietly in forenoon for several days, redness and pain disappeared p.m. "
[1] Stearns, in Discussion; Powell, Teucrium marum verum; Tr. of the Intern. Hahn. Ass., 1911-12.
Rubrics
Mind
Anger from hearing other people talk [1]. Excitement, after hearing horrible things [2]. Loquacity, changing quickly from one subject to another [1]. Sadness from becoming cold [1]. Singing, involuntarily [1].
Vertigo
With dilated pupils [1].
Head
Pain, > rising to standing position [1], < vinegar [1]. Nose Obstruction, while reading aloud [1]. Mouth Taste, offensive, after sweets [1P]. Stomach Heartburn, > cold drinks [1P], after vegetable soup [1P]. Nausea after cold drinks [1]. Retching after cold drinks [1].
Urethra
Pain, burning, when beginning to urinate [1].
Larynx
Voice, weak, from slight singing [1P].
Chest
Pain, stitching, region of heart, > pressure [1P].
Limbs
Pain, upper arm, > hanging arm down [1H].
Sleep
Disturbed, by heat [1], by hunger [1].
Generals
Change of position > [1]. Orgasm of blood after emotions [1].
* Repertory additions: [H] = Hughes; [P] = Powell [see above].
Food
Desire: [1]: Salt.
Worse: [2]: Cold drinks. [1]: Beer; bread; vegetable soup [P]; vinegar.
Better: [1]: Cold drinks [P].
* Repertory additions [Powell].