Hyoscyamus Niger

Where do we obtain data concerning Hyoscyamus ?

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura ; British Journal of Homoeopathy , Vol. VI.

What is Hyoscyamus and how is the tincture prepared ?

It is the Henbane , and a tincture is made from the whole herb gathered just before flowering or after the seed pods are formed and the summit of the plant still flowering according to the manner described under Millefolium . The tincture is clear brownish color and unpleasant, slightly bitter taste and acid reaction. It should be imported.

What is its alkaloid ?

Hyoscyamine which is chemically similar to Atropine .

What is the general action of Hyoscyamus ?

It disturbs the nervous system profoundly. It causes a perfect picture of mania, of a quarrelsome and obscene character. Muscular twitchings and spasms, with delirium ; weakness and nervous agitation are very marked.

What are its mental symptoms ?

Full of hallucinations and imaginings ; imagines the medicine is poison, that he is pursued by a devil or an imaginary foe, from whom he tries to escape ; objects look unnatural, the eyes are glassy ; the patient talks and mutters all the time, and jumps from one subject to another ; pupils are dilated and sleep disturbed. Patient is jealous, obscene and talkative.

Besides the above symptoms, which are mainly maniacal, are there any symptoms of Hyoscyamus which indicate the opposite or a stuporous condition ?

There is sometimes debility and prostration ; he answers questions slowly or irrelevantly ; there is a quick pulse sordes on the teeth ; snoring, breathing and dropping of the lower jaw ; there is a constant picking at the bed clothes and at objects in the air.

What are the symptoms of Hyoscyamus in nymphomania ?

The patient acts silly and idiotic ; is lascivious and lewd ; throws the bed clothes off and makes lewd and ridiculous gestures.

Persists in stripping herself and uncovering genitals.

It is also a remedy for jealously.

What is the cough of Hyoscyamus ?

Cough which is aggravated lying down at night and relieved by sitting up ; aggravated from eating, drinking and talking ; cough from an elongated uvula.

How does Conium compare ?

It has a cough at night aggravated by lying down ; but it is caused by a dry spot sensation in the larynx, and the patient has to sit up. Worse when patient retires.

What drugs have a cough relieved by lying down and aggravated by sitting up ?

Ferrum met . and Manganum .

Give the indications of Hyoscyamus in sleeplessness in children.

They twitch and scream out in their sleep as if frightened, the brain is full of bewildering images.

What are the convulsive symptoms of Hyoscyamus ?

Epileptic spasms with jerking, twitching and frothing at the mouth followed by sleep ; patient bites his tongue.

What is there characteristic of the stools of Hyoscyamus ?

They are involuntary in low delirious conditions.