Homeopathy LibraryAgnus Castus
Clarke - Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · John Henry Clarke · 6,386 chars
General
Agnus Castus.
Verbena verticillata. Vitex agnus castus (Linn.). The Chaste Tree. (Shores of Mediterranean, Provence, and Greece.) N. O. Verbenaceae. Tincture of ripe berries.
Clinical
Agalactia. Anus, excoriation and chaps of. Ascites. Dislocations, Gonorrhoea, secondary. Gouty joints. Gums, ulcerated. Impotence. Knees, coldness of. Leucorrhoea. Mouth, ulcers in. Rheumatic nodes. Spleen, swelling of; induration of. Sprains. Sterility. Testicles, swelling of; induration of. Toothache.
Characteristics
As its name implies, Agnus Castus produces its chief effects in the sexual sphere, causing depression of function. General debility and depression of vital power are marked. There ire very characteristic symptoms in the mental sphere. Great sadness with a fixed idea of approaching death.
This fear is not of immediate death as with Aconite, but the patient thinks it is sure to come after a while, and there is no use in doing anything. When this mental state is found after confinement and the milk fails to appear, Agn. c. is the remedy. Absent-mindedness. Drowsiness.
It corresponds to lymphatic constitutions. Premature old age, with apathy and melancholy, self-contempt from sexual abuse. Nervous debility in unmarried persons. Impotence and gleet in old offenders.
Among other peculiar symptoms are: Illusion of smell as of herrings; or musk; ulcers in mouth and on gums. Tearing pain in lower jaw. Toothache from hot food or drink. Swelling and induration of spleen.
Rumbling of flatus during sleep. Discharge of prostatic fluid whilst straining at stool. Suppressed menses with abdominal pain. Leucorrhoea staining yellow.
Sterility. Deficiency of milk, with despair of recovery. Pain as if dislocated in joints. Joints easily twisted.
Rheumatic and gouty nodosities on joints.
Relations
Agnus is the only proved member of the Verbena family, though the Labiatae or Mint family are closely allied. It is antidoted by: Camphor, Nat. mur. (headache); strong solutions of table-salt. It is followed well by: Ars., Bry., Ign., Lyc., Pul., Sul., Selen. Compare: (Leucorrhoea staining yellow), Nux, Chel., Carb. an., Kreas. Teste groups it with Mur. ac. and Hyo.
Causation
Sexual excesses. Repeated attacks of gonorrhoea or gleet. Sprains or over-lifting.
Mind
Extreme absence of mind; unable to recollect things; finds it difficult to read or keep up the train of thought.—Despairing sadness; low-spirited; fears of death; keeps repeating that she will soon die.
Head
Tearing pain, with pressure in the temples and forehead (in the brain);
< during motion
Pain in the temple, as from a blow
Heaviness in the head, and pressure, as if the head would fall forward
Pain in the vertex, as from staying in a room filled with a thick and smoky atmosphere
Tension and chilliness in the scalp, which is warm to the touch.
Eyes
Corrosive itching or gnawing itching over and on the eyebrows, on the eyelids and under the eyes;
> by scratching, but it soon returns
Dilated pupils (and photophobia).
Ears
Roaring in the ears.—Hardness of hearing.
Nose
Odour before the nose, like herrings or musk
Hard, aching pressure on the dorsum of the nose;
> by pressure.
Face
Corrosive itching of the cheeks, under the eyes, and on the chin
Formication in the cheeks
Rending, tearing pain under the alveoli of the r. lower jaw.
Mouth
Ulcers in the mouth and on the gums.—The teeth are painful when touched by warm food or drink.
Appetite And Taste
Thirstlessness and aversion to drink.—Metallic, coppery taste.
Stomach
Nausea in pit of stomach when standing; later in the abdomen, with a sensation as if the intestines were pressing downwards; constant inclination to support bowels with the hands.
Abdomen
Abdomen sore to touch
Swelling and induration of the spleen, esp. after intermittent fevers
Ascites
Rumbling of flatulence during sleep
Fear as if entrails were sinking down; constantly wants to support bowels with hands.
Stool And Anus
Difficulty of passing soft stools
When pressing at stool, discharge of prostatic fluid
Sensation as of subcutaneous ulceration near the anus, only when walking
Corrosive itching of the perineum
Rhagades at the anus
Deep fissures of the anus, often giving pain when walking.
Urinary Organs
Frequent micturition.
Male Sexual Organs
Diminution of sexual power
The penis is small and flaccid; so relaxed that voluptuous fancies excite no erection
Feeble erections without sexual desire
The testicles are cold, swollen, hard, and painful
Impotence, with gleet (esp. with those who have frequently had gonorrhoea)
Gleet, without sexual desire or erections
Emission of prostatic fluid when straining at stool; during micturition
Drawing along the spermatic cords
Pollutions from irritable weakness with prostatorrhoea
Itching of the genital organs
Yellow discharges from the urethra
Gonorrhoea, with suppressed sexual desire.
Female Sexual Organs
Transparent leucorrhoea; parts very relaxed
Leucorrhoea spotting linen yellow
Sterility, with suppressed menses, and want of sexual desire
Milk scanty or entirely suppressed
Deficient, secretion of milk in lying-in women
Swelling and inflammation of the uterus
Retained placenta.
Chest
Hard pressure in the region of the sternum, esp. during a deep inspiration.—Cough in the evening in bed, before going to sleep.
Upper Limbs
Hard pressure in right axilla and upper arm; worse from touch and motion.—Swelling of the finger joints, with arthritic, tearing pains.
Lower Limbs
Lancinating pain in the right hip-joint
Heaviness of right foot, as from a weight
Stitches in the legs (left big toes)
Tearing pain in joints of toes; worse when walking.
Generalities
Great debility.—Inflammatory, rheumatic swelling of the joints.—Gouty nodosities.—Sprains, bad results from lifting too much.—Feet turn under when walking.
Skin
Corrosive itching on different parts of the body, > by scratching, but it soon returns.—Itching around the ulcers, in the evening.
Fever
Pulse small, slow, imperceptible
Chilliness, internal with trembling, the external skin is warm
Much chilliness, with cold hands
Flushes of burning heat, principally in the face, with cold knees in the evening in bed
Perspiration almost only on the hands, when walking in the open air.