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Plant · Cucurbitaceae · simple

Elaterium Officinarum

Ecballium elaterium
ELAT · 10 entries across 10 books
PreparationTincture of unripe fruit. Trituration of Elaterinum, C20 H28 O5. Clarke
3X–30X
Third to thirtieth potency. As a hydragogue cathartic to produce free discharge in dropsies, Elaterin 1-20 of a grain. Palliative onlyDose · Boericke

Reason for use

The "signature" of Elat. is too obvious to be missed: Profuse watery stools, coming out with a gush, which is the main characteristic of the drug, is plainly typified in the explosion by means of which the ripe fruit scatters its seeds. Elat. has been used with good effect in scurvy of which gushing diarrhoea is a marked symptom. Beriberi, also a scurvy disease, has been greatly helped by Elat. according to Cooper. Dull olive green discharges; and frothy stools are also characteristic. Many cases of cholera, cholerine, and infantile diarrhoea are met by Elat.; also the jaundice of the new-born with bilious stools. The property of Elat. to cause draining of the tissues of their watery contents has been used to cause the absorption of dropsical fluids. Minute doses will often effect this. Gaping and yawning are well marked, and when present with fever before the chill or before the chill of cholera, Elater. is indicated. The yawning lasts all through the chill. Elat. promotes the opening of abscesses and boils. Sensations as if a splinter in left eye; as if posterior nares and upper part of oesophagus were enlarged. Effects of damp weather or standing on damp ground; < by damp.

The full Clarke text, by section

General

Elaterium.

Ecballium elaterium. Momordica elaterium. Squirting Cucumber. N. O. Cucurbitaceae. Tincture of unripe fruit. Trituration of Elaterinum, C20 H28 O5.

Clinical

Abscesses. Bilious fever. Bladder, affections of. Boils. Cholera. Colic. Cramps. Diarrhoea. Dropsy. Dysentery. Erysipelas. Intermittent fever. Jaundice. Measles. Nettle-rash. Neuralgia. Rheumatism. Sciatica. Scurvy. Vomiting. Yawning.

Relations

Compare: Bry. and Coloc. (sciatica); Verat. (neuralgia); Colch., Crot. t., Verat. (choleraic affections); Sec. (olive-green diarrhoea); Canth. (dysenteric diarrhoea with painful micturition); Apis, Hep., Ign., Rhus t. (urticaria during intermittent fever).

Mind

Depression of spirits.—Irresistible propensity to wander from home.

Throat

A feeling as if the posterior nares and upper part of the oesophagus were enlarged.

Stomach

Nausea; vomiting of a watery substance, or of greenish, bilious matter, with great weakness.

Abdomen

Cutting, griping pains in the bowels.

Stool And Anus

Copious liquid stools.—Discharges from the bowels of frothy water; coming out with a gash.—Squirting diarrhoea.—Dull olive-green discharges.—Bleeding of haemorrhoidal tumors.

Lower Limbs

Shooting, also dull aching pains in the course of l. sciatic nerve to the instep and toes.

Sleep

Incessant gaping.

Fever

Chilliness, with continual gaping, as if an attack of intermittent fever were approaching.—Before the chill, gaping.—During the chin, pain in the head and limbs.—Fever, with violent tearing pains throughout the head; increased pains in the bowels and extremities; pains shooting to the tips of the fingers and toes, and then shooting back into the body.—Perspiration relieves all the symptoms.—If the intermittent fever is suppressed, urticaria break out all over the body.

Complete text of the Elaterium Officinarum entry in Clarke - Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica; origin and preparation from Clarke. Historical text from the classical materia medica (1828–1950). Not medical advice, and not a claim that any remedy works.
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More on Elaterium Officinarum

Simple remedy · Plant

10 entries across 10 books · abbreviations: ELAT · Family: Cucurbitaceae

Remedies said to end or reduce the action of Elaterium Officinarum, for example if it has caused an unwanted reaction. What is an antidote?

Antidoted byNo antidote recorded in these books

Remedies whose action Elaterium Officinarum is said to end or reduce.