Sanguinaria canadensis 200c
- VERMEULEN Frans,
Sang.
Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?
[Marcel Marceau]
Signs
Sanguinaria canadensis. Bloodroot. Red Puccoon. N.O. Papaveraceae.
CLASSIFICATION Sanguinaria belongs to the Papaveraceae, a plant family that is mainly native to the north temperate zone. The family consists chiefly of herbaceous annuals or perennials, and some shrubs. There are 23 genera [some taxonomic systems recognize 41 genera], of which Papaver is the largest - containing about 100 species - and Sanguinaria and Chelidonium the smallest - both containing 1 species only.
FEATURES All members of the Papaveraceae have stems and leaves that contain a well-developed system of secretory canals which produce yellow, milky or watery latex [red in Sanguinaria]. The large and often showy flowers are bisexual and possess two free sepals, which fall off before the flowers open. The four petals are rolled or crumpled when in bud. The flowers are short-lived, dropping very quickly when picked. The seeds of various species yield drying oils or oils important in the manufacture of soaps. Many species are cultivated as garden ornamental plants.
GENUS The genus Sanguinaria comprises one species. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb with blue-green, palm-shaped leaves [silvery beneath with orange-coloured veins] and solitary flowers appearing very early in spring and bearing 2 sepals, 8-12 white petals, and many golden-yellow stamens. It is low growing, with a thick horizontal rootstock which turns blood-red when cut. Both the budded stalk and the plant's single leaf arise together, with the leaf wrapped around the stem and bud, 'like a mother protecting its baby with a cloak.' As the leaf unrolls the flower stem pushes the bud up beyond the leaf where it slowly swells into a blossom. The leaf opens to the sun and curls itself up at night. Like many spring flowers, the blossom also closes at night and even stays closed on esp. gloomy days. The delicate petals last only a few days before falling off. After flowering the leaves increase in size. The plant is indigenous to sheltered woodlands, frequently near streams, in eastern North America.
CONSTITUENTS Isoquinoline alkaloids, including protopine [also found in the opium poppy], berberine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine [also found in chelidonium]. Due to the opium-like constituents, Sanguinaria has antispasmodic and sleep-inducing effects. It has expectorant, antiseptic, and local anaesthetic properties. The addition of sanguinarine to toothpaste [Viadent] and mouth rinse was launched in 1983 in North America as a 'promising plaque-fighter' and 'inhibitor of gum disease'. The results are controversial. A 1999 study showed that, after periodontal planing, 30 patients using sanguinarine-containing toothpaste and rinse had 32% fewer bleeding sites after 14 weeks compared with those using control toothpaste and rinse. In an earlier study of 34 people, on the other hand, dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria [and zinc chloride] gave no significant advantage in periodontal conditions. Other studies found 'some benefit', 'reduction of gingival inflammation with 17%', 'decreased supragingival plaque', or 'no benefit.' A retrospective review of 88 patients with oral leukoplakia found that 84% of them had used Viadent, whereas the prevalence of use was only 3% in 100 randomly selected adults [Damm 1999].
TOXICOLOGY All parts of the plant are toxic. Appearing within one to two hours after ingestion, symptoms include nausea, violent vomiting, thirst, burning and soreness in the throat, oppression of the chest, dyspnoea, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dizziness, swelling of limbs, erythema, pitting oedema, faintness, and cardiac paralysis resulting in death. "The physiological action of sanguinaria is pronounced. The powder, when inhaled, is exceedingly irritating to the Schneiderian membrane, provoking violent sneezing, and free and somewhat prolonged secretion of mucus. To the taste, bloodroot is harsh, bitter, acrid, and persistent, and, when swallowed, leaves an acridity and sense of constriction in the fauces and pharynx, and induces a feeling of warmth in the stomach. In small doses, it stimulates the digestive organs, and increases the action of the heart and arteries, acting as a stimulant and tonic; in larger doses it acts as a sedative to the heart, reducing the pulse, causing nausea, and, consequently, diaphoresis, increased expectoration, and gentle diuresis, at the same time stimulating the liver to increased action. If the dose be large, it provokes nausea, with violent emesis, vertigo, disordered vision, and great prostration. It also increases the broncho-pulmonary, cutaneous, and menstrual secretions. It is a systemic emetic, very depressing, causing increased salivary and hepatic secretions, and hypercatharsis may result. When an emetic dose has been taken, the heart's action is at first accelerated and then depressed. Poisonous doses produce violent gastralgia of a burning and racking character, which extends throughout the gastrointestinal canal. The muscles relax, the skin becomes cold and clammy, the pupils dilate, there is great thirst and anxiety, and the heart's action becomes slower and irregular. Spinal reflexes are reduced and paralysis of the spinal nerve centres follow. Lethal doses produce death by paralysis of medullary, respiratory, and cardiac centres, death being sometimes preceded by convulsions."1
MEDICINE "Emetic, cathartic, expectorant and emmenagogue, and of great value in atonic dyspepsia, asthma, bronchitis and croup. [The taste is so nauseating, that it may cause expectorant action.] Of value in pulmonary consumption, nervous irritation and helpful in lowering high pulse, and in heart disease and weakness and palpitation of heart of great use. For ringworm apply the fluid extract. Also good for torpid liver, scrofula, dysentery. It is applied to fungoid growths, ulcers fleshy excrescences, cancerous affections and as an escharotic. Sanguinaria root is chiefly used as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis and as a local application in chronic eczema, specially when secondary to varicose ulcers."2 "Bloodroot is useful in many troubles of the genital system. Amenorrhoea, esp. in anaemic and chlorotic patients, with chilliness and headache, is benefited by it, as well as dysmenorrhoea in debilitated females. Hysteria, when due to moral causes, or pain, has likewise yielded to sanguinaria. Haemorrhage of the lungs, depending on vicarious menstruation, has been controlled by bloodroot. In the male, it is a remedy for genital debility and seminal weakness, impotence, with seminal incontinence and relaxed sexual organs. Sanguinaria is 'a neglected' drug in respiratory disorders. Its action upon the pulmonary organs is somewhat similar to that of lobelia. It is important as a stimulating expectorant, to be used after active inflammation has been subdued. It may be employed in atonic conditions. It restores the bronchial secretions when scanty, and checks them when profuse. It is indicated in burning, smarting, itching conditions of the throat, larynx, and nares; tickling or burning in the nasal passage with abundant secretion, and an irritative, tickling cough; or when from atony the secretions are checked, it restores them, and removes the dry, harsh cough. It is useful in both acute and chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throat, and acute or chronic nasal catarrh. It acts as a sedative to the irritable mucous surfaces, promotes expectoration, and stimulates their functions. It has proved very valuable as a cough remedy in phthisis pulmonalis. It is further a valuable alterative. It has been successfully employed in various forms of croup, particularly mucous croup. It is serviceable in humid asthma and whooping-cough. Pharyngitis, with red and irritable mucous membranes, and burning, smarting, or tickling, is cured by it."3 The folk practice of treating warts, nasal polyps, and also skin cancers with sanguinaria, inspired the English physician J. Weldon Fell to develop a treatment for cancer [mostly breast cancer] in the 1850s. The therapy was based on the external application of a paste of bloodroot extract, zinc chloride, water, and flour coloured by cochineal. To the paste, ingredients such as stramonium were added for 'ulcerated cancers'. In addition, twice daily an internal remedy was given which consisted of bloodroot, hemlock, and arsenic iodide. The paste, smeared on a cloth was put on the tumour until it became encrusted [if healthy tissue covered the tumour, it was eroded with nitric acid]. Then cuts were made into the tumour and filled with the paste. Generally the cancer fell out in about 6 weeks leaving a flat healthy sore that usually healed rapidly. Fell's technique was perfected at the Middlesex Hospital, London, and remissions, if not cures, occurred in 25 breast cancer patients. Fell compared his method with that of surgery in 1857; 8 of 10 surgical patients returned within 2 years for further treatment, only 3 of 10 returned after using his therapy. Despite the fact that later the treatment was judged of very little use, the reputation lingered on, to revive in the 1960s when "dramatic success against superficial carcinomas, including those of the nose and external ear" is reported from the application of bloodroot plus zinc chloride. 4,5
INDIANS Bloodroot has a long history of both medicinal and ritual use among the North American Indians. These include such uses as: red dye for skin [war paint], clothing, and weapons; chewing of the root for heart trouble; wash for ulcers and sores; infusion with vinegar for ringworm; snuff for polyps; decoction of root for pneumonia and croup; sniffing of pulverized root for catarrh; decoction of root for stomach cramps; daily consumption of a piece of root as a general tonic; chewing of plant for colds, sore throats, sores and cuts; infusion of roots for coughs; infusion of roots as a spring emetic; decoction of powdered root as a wash for sore eyes; infusion of roots for rheumatism. A bachelor of the Ponca tribe would rub a piece of the root as a love charm on the palm of his hand, then scheme to shake hands with the woman he desired to marry. After shaking hands, the woman would be found willing to marry him in 5-6 days. Its use as a love charm was reported by John Smith in 1612: " ... and at night where his lodging is appointed, they set a woman fresh painted red with Pocones [bloodroot] and oile, to be his bedfellow." Such doings annoyed the chaplain of Byrd's survey party in 1729, who "observ'd with concern, that the Ruffles of Some of our Fellow Travelers were a little discolour'd with pochoon, wherewith the good Man had been told those Ladies us'd to improve their invisible charms."6
PROVINGS •• [1] Downey - 6 provers, c. 1803; method: substantial doses of powdered root, resin, leaves, or aqueous extract of root; effects observed for 30-90 minutes [!].
•• [2] Hering [collection of provings] - 6 provers [5 males, 1 female]; method: 1st dil., 6th dil., or effects observed from preparing the tincture and the 1st and 2nd dils.; manner [dose, repetition, etc.] not stated.
•• [3] Tinker - self-experimentation, 1866; method: tincture of dry root, 10 drops first and second days, effects observed for 4 days.
•• [4] Pilling - self-experimentation; method: tincture of fresh root, repeated doses for 18 days, increasing from 5 to 150 drops; after three weeks, tincture for 14 days, repeated doses of 25 to 500 drops.
[1] King's American Dispensatory. [2] Grieve, A Modern Herbal. [3] King's American Dispensatory. [4] Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, Medical Botany. [5] Crellin and Philpott, A Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants. [6] Vogel, American Indian Medicine.
Affinity
RIGHT SIDE [head; LIVER; chest; deltoid]. VASOMOTOR NERVES. Capillaries. Mucous membranes. Stomach. * Right side; right then left.
Modalities
Worse: Periodically [WITH SUN; weekly; night]. Climacteric. Odours. Jar. Light. Raising arms. Looking up. Motion. Lying down. Perspiration.
Better: SLEEP. Lying on back. Vomiting. Cool air. Passing flatus. Acids. Quiet and dark room. Profuse urination. Vomiting. Eructations. Sitting up.
Main symptoms
M Nervous sensation.
• "[Sanguinaria root] in large doses nauseates strongly; but independently of this effect usually occasions a quickly diffused and transient, but very peculiar nervous thrill, which pervades the whole system, and often extends to the furthest extremity." [Hughes]
Nervousness from sounds.
Feeling as if surrounded by rapid, confused chatter. [Gibson]
• "Hyperexcitation of auditory nerves; painful sensitiveness, esp. to sudden sounds; sensation as if she were in a railroad car or in some vehicle which was moving and jarring her, with a feeling as if all about her talked very rapidly and moved rapidly and confusedly; desires to be held in order to remove this nervous vibratory sensation through body; frequently in women in climaxis." [clinical symptom, Hering]
• "Pains in ears, with headache; every stroke of a hammer in a neighbouring blacksmith's shop is painful in right ear." [proving symptom, Hughes]
M Sensation of being unable to move.
• "Sensation as if paralyzed and unable to move while lying on her back, with full consciousness of her surroundings. With open eyes, one dream chases another; her thoughts constantly returning, however, to the one idea, which seems droll to her, 'What will become of my condition, shall I have typhoid fever, inflammation of the brain, or shall I remain paralyzed?' It seems to her as if the events that transpired in her dreams were not of hours' but of weeks' and months' duration." [clinical symptom, Hering]
[Opium has also the sensation as if time passes too quickly.]
G Pre-eminently a RIGHT-SIDED remedy.
G Lassitude during stormy or damp weather.
[Flower of Sanguinaria stays closed on gloomy days.]
G WARM-BLOODED.
G Craving for SPICY and PUNGENT food.
Aversion to butter ["which leaves a disagreeable after-taste"].
G Sensitive to ODOURS.
G < Daytime. G Burning heat and EBULLITIONS. [to head, chest, abdomen, etc.]. • "Streams of heat flowing from one part of the body to another." [Gibson] Puts feet out of covers. BURNING. [eyes, cheeks, tongue, throat, under sternum, stomach, spots, palms and soles] G Dry mucous membranes. [e.g. tickling cough and very dry throat]. G ACRID, offensive discharges. [nasal catarrh, vomit, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea] G Many complaints [e.g. headache] and SINKING, faint, all-gone sensation. Yet no hunger for food; "it is a false hunger". G Prickling internally. G Fluctuation of symptoms. • "Under Sanguinaria we notice a marked fluctuation of symptoms and to such an extent that I think it should be classed among the metastatic remedies. We find metastasis of gout or rheumatism to the heart caused by external applications; stomach complaints vanishing and diarrhoea coming on; cough or coryza is followed by diarrhoea; burning and pressing in the breast end in diarrhoea; on touching the painful part the pain vanishes to appear in some other part. Somewhat related to metastasis is alternation, and Sanguinaria has many alternating complaints. Constipation alternating with diarrhoea; pressure in the breast, with pain in the thigh; fluent with dry coryza; dryness of the mucous membranes alternating with burning of the same; shivering alternating with heat. Again, does not the usefulness of Sanguinaria at the menstrual climacteric suggest its metastatic nature, for is not the menopause a great metastatic period?"1 G Polypi. [nose; ear; larynx; uterus; rectum] G Hypertonia/hypertension + right-sided migraine + acne-rosacea-like redness of face. [This triad of symptoms is specific for Sanguinaria.]2 P c RIGHT-SIDED headaches, over right eye. Commencing in nape of neck or occiput. Starting with sunrise, growing more intense during the day, and declining with sunset. During menses. And Vomiting of bile. > Free urination; VOMITING; darkness; hard pressure.
> After sleep.
c Headache.
And BURNING in stomach.
And Flatulence [both up and down].
And Burning palms and soles.
And Sensation as if EYES would be PRESSED OUT.
c Headaches during climacteric period.
c WEEKLY headaches [Iris, Sulph.].
c Migraine alternating with [or accompanied by] diarrhoea or menorrhagia. 3
P Hay fever.
And Burning in nose and throat, as if dry.
Sensitive to flowers and odours.
P Coryza ceases, then diarrhoea.
P Asthma.
And Burning palms and soles.
P Itching axillae before menses.
P Pain in RIGHT DELTOID / SHOULDER.
< Raising or turning arm. < AT NIGHT; lying on right side. [1] Stanton, The Poppies - Natural Order Papaveraceae; Hom. Rec., Feb. 1905. [2-3] Unger, Sanguinaria als Homöotherapeuticum bei der cervicalen Migräne; Allg. Hom. Zeitung, 1961 Heft 12. Rubrics Mind Delusions, everything is moving rapidly and confusedly around her [1/1], he is paralyzed, when lying on the back [1*], all around her are talking rapidly [2/1]. Full of indefinite desires [1]. As if in a dream [1]. Desire to be held [2]. Hopeful of recovery [1]. Laziness in damp weather [1/1]. Rage after insults [1]. Recognizing everything but cannot move, in catalepsy [1]. Vertigo With tendency to fall on turning head [1*]. In cold weather [2]. Head Pain, morning, comes and goes with the sun [2], from fasting, if hunger is not appeased at once [2], from fat food [1], > passing flatus [1].
Ear
Noises, cracking, in right ear, when stroking right cheek [1*].
Nose
Coryza, from [smell of] flowers [1], followed by diarrhoea [2; Rumx.*]. Smell acute, sensitive to odour of syrup [1/1]. Sneezing from sunshine [1].
Face
Heat, flushes, on side of headache [1/1].
Mouth
Sugar tastes bitter [1]; butter tastes sweetish [1].
Throat
Pain, < sweets [1]; burning, > inspiration [of cold air] [2/1].
Stomach
Appetite, increased, with headache [1]. Pain, burning, during headache [2/1].
Abdomen
Flushes of heat, as if hot water were pouring into abdomen from chest, followed by diarrhoea [1/1].
Female
Menses, bright red, then foul [1/1]; too frequent, every fourteen days [2]; offensive [2]; pitch-like [1]; scanty, with acne [1/1].
Respiration
Difficult, caused by odours [1; Ph-ac.].
Chest
Pain, burning, mammae, nipples, after nursing [1].
Limbs
Pain, shoulder, at night in bed [2], at night when turning in bed [3], < lifting [2], > lying quiet [1], < motion of arm [2], < raising arm [3]; burning, soles of feet, during sick headache [2/1]. Sleep Waking with sensation of falling [1]. Generals Faintness from odours of flowers [1]. Pain vanishes on touch and appears elsewhere [1]. * Repertory additions [Hughes and Hering]. Food Aversion: [1]: Beer; bread and butter; butter; delicacies; fat; pungent; refreshing. Desire: [2]: Pungent; spicy. [1]: Beer; delicacies; refreshing things; sweets. Worse: [1]: Sweets. Better: [1]: Cold drinks; cold food; sour; vinegar.
 |
| Sanguinaria canadensis |
Sang.
Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us all without words?
[Marcel Marceau]
Signs
Sanguinaria canadensis. Bloodroot. Red Puccoon. N.O. Papaveraceae.
CLASSIFICATION Sanguinaria belongs to the Papaveraceae, a plant family that is mainly native to the north temperate zone. The family consists chiefly of herbaceous annuals or perennials, and some shrubs. There are 23 genera [some taxonomic systems recognize 41 genera], of which Papaver is the largest - containing about 100 species - and Sanguinaria and Chelidonium the smallest - both containing 1 species only.
FEATURES All members of the Papaveraceae have stems and leaves that contain a well-developed system of secretory canals which produce yellow, milky or watery latex [red in Sanguinaria]. The large and often showy flowers are bisexual and possess two free sepals, which fall off before the flowers open. The four petals are rolled or crumpled when in bud. The flowers are short-lived, dropping very quickly when picked. The seeds of various species yield drying oils or oils important in the manufacture of soaps. Many species are cultivated as garden ornamental plants.
GENUS The genus Sanguinaria comprises one species. This is a rhizomatous perennial herb with blue-green, palm-shaped leaves [silvery beneath with orange-coloured veins] and solitary flowers appearing very early in spring and bearing 2 sepals, 8-12 white petals, and many golden-yellow stamens. It is low growing, with a thick horizontal rootstock which turns blood-red when cut. Both the budded stalk and the plant's single leaf arise together, with the leaf wrapped around the stem and bud, 'like a mother protecting its baby with a cloak.' As the leaf unrolls the flower stem pushes the bud up beyond the leaf where it slowly swells into a blossom. The leaf opens to the sun and curls itself up at night. Like many spring flowers, the blossom also closes at night and even stays closed on esp. gloomy days. The delicate petals last only a few days before falling off. After flowering the leaves increase in size. The plant is indigenous to sheltered woodlands, frequently near streams, in eastern North America.
CONSTITUENTS Isoquinoline alkaloids, including protopine [also found in the opium poppy], berberine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine [also found in chelidonium]. Due to the opium-like constituents, Sanguinaria has antispasmodic and sleep-inducing effects. It has expectorant, antiseptic, and local anaesthetic properties. The addition of sanguinarine to toothpaste [Viadent] and mouth rinse was launched in 1983 in North America as a 'promising plaque-fighter' and 'inhibitor of gum disease'. The results are controversial. A 1999 study showed that, after periodontal planing, 30 patients using sanguinarine-containing toothpaste and rinse had 32% fewer bleeding sites after 14 weeks compared with those using control toothpaste and rinse. In an earlier study of 34 people, on the other hand, dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria [and zinc chloride] gave no significant advantage in periodontal conditions. Other studies found 'some benefit', 'reduction of gingival inflammation with 17%', 'decreased supragingival plaque', or 'no benefit.' A retrospective review of 88 patients with oral leukoplakia found that 84% of them had used Viadent, whereas the prevalence of use was only 3% in 100 randomly selected adults [Damm 1999].
TOXICOLOGY All parts of the plant are toxic. Appearing within one to two hours after ingestion, symptoms include nausea, violent vomiting, thirst, burning and soreness in the throat, oppression of the chest, dyspnoea, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dizziness, swelling of limbs, erythema, pitting oedema, faintness, and cardiac paralysis resulting in death. "The physiological action of sanguinaria is pronounced. The powder, when inhaled, is exceedingly irritating to the Schneiderian membrane, provoking violent sneezing, and free and somewhat prolonged secretion of mucus. To the taste, bloodroot is harsh, bitter, acrid, and persistent, and, when swallowed, leaves an acridity and sense of constriction in the fauces and pharynx, and induces a feeling of warmth in the stomach. In small doses, it stimulates the digestive organs, and increases the action of the heart and arteries, acting as a stimulant and tonic; in larger doses it acts as a sedative to the heart, reducing the pulse, causing nausea, and, consequently, diaphoresis, increased expectoration, and gentle diuresis, at the same time stimulating the liver to increased action. If the dose be large, it provokes nausea, with violent emesis, vertigo, disordered vision, and great prostration. It also increases the broncho-pulmonary, cutaneous, and menstrual secretions. It is a systemic emetic, very depressing, causing increased salivary and hepatic secretions, and hypercatharsis may result. When an emetic dose has been taken, the heart's action is at first accelerated and then depressed. Poisonous doses produce violent gastralgia of a burning and racking character, which extends throughout the gastrointestinal canal. The muscles relax, the skin becomes cold and clammy, the pupils dilate, there is great thirst and anxiety, and the heart's action becomes slower and irregular. Spinal reflexes are reduced and paralysis of the spinal nerve centres follow. Lethal doses produce death by paralysis of medullary, respiratory, and cardiac centres, death being sometimes preceded by convulsions."1
MEDICINE "Emetic, cathartic, expectorant and emmenagogue, and of great value in atonic dyspepsia, asthma, bronchitis and croup. [The taste is so nauseating, that it may cause expectorant action.] Of value in pulmonary consumption, nervous irritation and helpful in lowering high pulse, and in heart disease and weakness and palpitation of heart of great use. For ringworm apply the fluid extract. Also good for torpid liver, scrofula, dysentery. It is applied to fungoid growths, ulcers fleshy excrescences, cancerous affections and as an escharotic. Sanguinaria root is chiefly used as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis and as a local application in chronic eczema, specially when secondary to varicose ulcers."2 "Bloodroot is useful in many troubles of the genital system. Amenorrhoea, esp. in anaemic and chlorotic patients, with chilliness and headache, is benefited by it, as well as dysmenorrhoea in debilitated females. Hysteria, when due to moral causes, or pain, has likewise yielded to sanguinaria. Haemorrhage of the lungs, depending on vicarious menstruation, has been controlled by bloodroot. In the male, it is a remedy for genital debility and seminal weakness, impotence, with seminal incontinence and relaxed sexual organs. Sanguinaria is 'a neglected' drug in respiratory disorders. Its action upon the pulmonary organs is somewhat similar to that of lobelia. It is important as a stimulating expectorant, to be used after active inflammation has been subdued. It may be employed in atonic conditions. It restores the bronchial secretions when scanty, and checks them when profuse. It is indicated in burning, smarting, itching conditions of the throat, larynx, and nares; tickling or burning in the nasal passage with abundant secretion, and an irritative, tickling cough; or when from atony the secretions are checked, it restores them, and removes the dry, harsh cough. It is useful in both acute and chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, sore throat, and acute or chronic nasal catarrh. It acts as a sedative to the irritable mucous surfaces, promotes expectoration, and stimulates their functions. It has proved very valuable as a cough remedy in phthisis pulmonalis. It is further a valuable alterative. It has been successfully employed in various forms of croup, particularly mucous croup. It is serviceable in humid asthma and whooping-cough. Pharyngitis, with red and irritable mucous membranes, and burning, smarting, or tickling, is cured by it."3 The folk practice of treating warts, nasal polyps, and also skin cancers with sanguinaria, inspired the English physician J. Weldon Fell to develop a treatment for cancer [mostly breast cancer] in the 1850s. The therapy was based on the external application of a paste of bloodroot extract, zinc chloride, water, and flour coloured by cochineal. To the paste, ingredients such as stramonium were added for 'ulcerated cancers'. In addition, twice daily an internal remedy was given which consisted of bloodroot, hemlock, and arsenic iodide. The paste, smeared on a cloth was put on the tumour until it became encrusted [if healthy tissue covered the tumour, it was eroded with nitric acid]. Then cuts were made into the tumour and filled with the paste. Generally the cancer fell out in about 6 weeks leaving a flat healthy sore that usually healed rapidly. Fell's technique was perfected at the Middlesex Hospital, London, and remissions, if not cures, occurred in 25 breast cancer patients. Fell compared his method with that of surgery in 1857; 8 of 10 surgical patients returned within 2 years for further treatment, only 3 of 10 returned after using his therapy. Despite the fact that later the treatment was judged of very little use, the reputation lingered on, to revive in the 1960s when "dramatic success against superficial carcinomas, including those of the nose and external ear" is reported from the application of bloodroot plus zinc chloride. 4,5
INDIANS Bloodroot has a long history of both medicinal and ritual use among the North American Indians. These include such uses as: red dye for skin [war paint], clothing, and weapons; chewing of the root for heart trouble; wash for ulcers and sores; infusion with vinegar for ringworm; snuff for polyps; decoction of root for pneumonia and croup; sniffing of pulverized root for catarrh; decoction of root for stomach cramps; daily consumption of a piece of root as a general tonic; chewing of plant for colds, sore throats, sores and cuts; infusion of roots for coughs; infusion of roots as a spring emetic; decoction of powdered root as a wash for sore eyes; infusion of roots for rheumatism. A bachelor of the Ponca tribe would rub a piece of the root as a love charm on the palm of his hand, then scheme to shake hands with the woman he desired to marry. After shaking hands, the woman would be found willing to marry him in 5-6 days. Its use as a love charm was reported by John Smith in 1612: " ... and at night where his lodging is appointed, they set a woman fresh painted red with Pocones [bloodroot] and oile, to be his bedfellow." Such doings annoyed the chaplain of Byrd's survey party in 1729, who "observ'd with concern, that the Ruffles of Some of our Fellow Travelers were a little discolour'd with pochoon, wherewith the good Man had been told those Ladies us'd to improve their invisible charms."6
PROVINGS •• [1] Downey - 6 provers, c. 1803; method: substantial doses of powdered root, resin, leaves, or aqueous extract of root; effects observed for 30-90 minutes [!].
•• [2] Hering [collection of provings] - 6 provers [5 males, 1 female]; method: 1st dil., 6th dil., or effects observed from preparing the tincture and the 1st and 2nd dils.; manner [dose, repetition, etc.] not stated.
•• [3] Tinker - self-experimentation, 1866; method: tincture of dry root, 10 drops first and second days, effects observed for 4 days.
•• [4] Pilling - self-experimentation; method: tincture of fresh root, repeated doses for 18 days, increasing from 5 to 150 drops; after three weeks, tincture for 14 days, repeated doses of 25 to 500 drops.
[1] King's American Dispensatory. [2] Grieve, A Modern Herbal. [3] King's American Dispensatory. [4] Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, Medical Botany. [5] Crellin and Philpott, A Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants. [6] Vogel, American Indian Medicine.
Affinity
RIGHT SIDE [head; LIVER; chest; deltoid]. VASOMOTOR NERVES. Capillaries. Mucous membranes. Stomach. * Right side; right then left.
Modalities
Worse: Periodically [WITH SUN; weekly; night]. Climacteric. Odours. Jar. Light. Raising arms. Looking up. Motion. Lying down. Perspiration.
Better: SLEEP. Lying on back. Vomiting. Cool air. Passing flatus. Acids. Quiet and dark room. Profuse urination. Vomiting. Eructations. Sitting up.
Main symptoms
M Nervous sensation.
• "[Sanguinaria root] in large doses nauseates strongly; but independently of this effect usually occasions a quickly diffused and transient, but very peculiar nervous thrill, which pervades the whole system, and often extends to the furthest extremity." [Hughes]
Nervousness from sounds.
Feeling as if surrounded by rapid, confused chatter. [Gibson]
• "Hyperexcitation of auditory nerves; painful sensitiveness, esp. to sudden sounds; sensation as if she were in a railroad car or in some vehicle which was moving and jarring her, with a feeling as if all about her talked very rapidly and moved rapidly and confusedly; desires to be held in order to remove this nervous vibratory sensation through body; frequently in women in climaxis." [clinical symptom, Hering]
• "Pains in ears, with headache; every stroke of a hammer in a neighbouring blacksmith's shop is painful in right ear." [proving symptom, Hughes]
M Sensation of being unable to move.
• "Sensation as if paralyzed and unable to move while lying on her back, with full consciousness of her surroundings. With open eyes, one dream chases another; her thoughts constantly returning, however, to the one idea, which seems droll to her, 'What will become of my condition, shall I have typhoid fever, inflammation of the brain, or shall I remain paralyzed?' It seems to her as if the events that transpired in her dreams were not of hours' but of weeks' and months' duration." [clinical symptom, Hering]
[Opium has also the sensation as if time passes too quickly.]
G Pre-eminently a RIGHT-SIDED remedy.
G Lassitude during stormy or damp weather.
[Flower of Sanguinaria stays closed on gloomy days.]
G WARM-BLOODED.
G Craving for SPICY and PUNGENT food.
Aversion to butter ["which leaves a disagreeable after-taste"].
G Sensitive to ODOURS.
G < Daytime. G Burning heat and EBULLITIONS. [to head, chest, abdomen, etc.]. • "Streams of heat flowing from one part of the body to another." [Gibson] Puts feet out of covers. BURNING. [eyes, cheeks, tongue, throat, under sternum, stomach, spots, palms and soles] G Dry mucous membranes. [e.g. tickling cough and very dry throat]. G ACRID, offensive discharges. [nasal catarrh, vomit, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea] G Many complaints [e.g. headache] and SINKING, faint, all-gone sensation. Yet no hunger for food; "it is a false hunger". G Prickling internally. G Fluctuation of symptoms. • "Under Sanguinaria we notice a marked fluctuation of symptoms and to such an extent that I think it should be classed among the metastatic remedies. We find metastasis of gout or rheumatism to the heart caused by external applications; stomach complaints vanishing and diarrhoea coming on; cough or coryza is followed by diarrhoea; burning and pressing in the breast end in diarrhoea; on touching the painful part the pain vanishes to appear in some other part. Somewhat related to metastasis is alternation, and Sanguinaria has many alternating complaints. Constipation alternating with diarrhoea; pressure in the breast, with pain in the thigh; fluent with dry coryza; dryness of the mucous membranes alternating with burning of the same; shivering alternating with heat. Again, does not the usefulness of Sanguinaria at the menstrual climacteric suggest its metastatic nature, for is not the menopause a great metastatic period?"1 G Polypi. [nose; ear; larynx; uterus; rectum] G Hypertonia/hypertension + right-sided migraine + acne-rosacea-like redness of face. [This triad of symptoms is specific for Sanguinaria.]2 P c RIGHT-SIDED headaches, over right eye. Commencing in nape of neck or occiput. Starting with sunrise, growing more intense during the day, and declining with sunset. During menses. And Vomiting of bile. > Free urination; VOMITING; darkness; hard pressure.
> After sleep.
c Headache.
And BURNING in stomach.
And Flatulence [both up and down].
And Burning palms and soles.
And Sensation as if EYES would be PRESSED OUT.
c Headaches during climacteric period.
c WEEKLY headaches [Iris, Sulph.].
c Migraine alternating with [or accompanied by] diarrhoea or menorrhagia. 3
P Hay fever.
And Burning in nose and throat, as if dry.
Sensitive to flowers and odours.
P Coryza ceases, then diarrhoea.
P Asthma.
And Burning palms and soles.
P Itching axillae before menses.
P Pain in RIGHT DELTOID / SHOULDER.
< Raising or turning arm. < AT NIGHT; lying on right side. [1] Stanton, The Poppies - Natural Order Papaveraceae; Hom. Rec., Feb. 1905. [2-3] Unger, Sanguinaria als Homöotherapeuticum bei der cervicalen Migräne; Allg. Hom. Zeitung, 1961 Heft 12. Rubrics Mind Delusions, everything is moving rapidly and confusedly around her [1/1], he is paralyzed, when lying on the back [1*], all around her are talking rapidly [2/1]. Full of indefinite desires [1]. As if in a dream [1]. Desire to be held [2]. Hopeful of recovery [1]. Laziness in damp weather [1/1]. Rage after insults [1]. Recognizing everything but cannot move, in catalepsy [1]. Vertigo With tendency to fall on turning head [1*]. In cold weather [2]. Head Pain, morning, comes and goes with the sun [2], from fasting, if hunger is not appeased at once [2], from fat food [1], > passing flatus [1].
Ear
Noises, cracking, in right ear, when stroking right cheek [1*].
Nose
Coryza, from [smell of] flowers [1], followed by diarrhoea [2; Rumx.*]. Smell acute, sensitive to odour of syrup [1/1]. Sneezing from sunshine [1].
Face
Heat, flushes, on side of headache [1/1].
Mouth
Sugar tastes bitter [1]; butter tastes sweetish [1].
Throat
Pain, < sweets [1]; burning, > inspiration [of cold air] [2/1].
Stomach
Appetite, increased, with headache [1]. Pain, burning, during headache [2/1].
Abdomen
Flushes of heat, as if hot water were pouring into abdomen from chest, followed by diarrhoea [1/1].
Female
Menses, bright red, then foul [1/1]; too frequent, every fourteen days [2]; offensive [2]; pitch-like [1]; scanty, with acne [1/1].
Respiration
Difficult, caused by odours [1; Ph-ac.].
Chest
Pain, burning, mammae, nipples, after nursing [1].
Limbs
Pain, shoulder, at night in bed [2], at night when turning in bed [3], < lifting [2], > lying quiet [1], < motion of arm [2], < raising arm [3]; burning, soles of feet, during sick headache [2/1]. Sleep Waking with sensation of falling [1]. Generals Faintness from odours of flowers [1]. Pain vanishes on touch and appears elsewhere [1]. * Repertory additions [Hughes and Hering]. Food Aversion: [1]: Beer; bread and butter; butter; delicacies; fat; pungent; refreshing. Desire: [2]: Pungent; spicy. [1]: Beer; delicacies; refreshing things; sweets. Worse: [1]: Sweets. Better: [1]: Cold drinks; cold food; sour; vinegar.
Comments
Post a Comment
PLEASE WRITE YOUR SYMPTOMS HERE TO GET SUGGESTION.