Homeopathy LibraryNux Vomica
Reason for use
Nux Vomica acts preeminently upon the spinal cord, including the motory and sensory centers at the base of the brain ; affecting chiefly that portion of the spinal tract which presides over reflex functions.
The condition produced is one of excessive irritation and excitability, giving rise to incoherent muscular action, which, in the extreme, constitutes violent tetanic contractions, and which finally may end in entire cessation of muscular movement, or paralysis.
These tetanic convulsions affect particularly the limbs and trunk ; the former being rigidly flexed, and the body arched as in opisthotonos, the respiratory muscles rigidly contracted, rendering breathing laborious, even to asphyxia, while at the same time there are present spasmodic conditions of the face, jaws, throat, oesophagus, and of the intestinal and urinary tracts.
The entire condition thus presents a horrible aspect, but through it all the mind is unaffected, though it is probable that little pain is experienced.
The paroxysms are usually interrupted " by periods of calm, from which, however, the least noise, a breath of air, or the lightest touch, may act with the suddenness of lightning to renew the scene." ( Stram .) Death finally results, either from asthenia or asphyxia.
In addition to this remarkable action upon the muscular system, Nux Vomica affects profoundly the organs and functions of nutrition, the secretions being altered, the functions perverted, and the organic substance changed, giving rise to a long train of symptoms, presenting accurate pictures of gastric, hepatic, and intestinal affections, which may be only appreciated and understood by a careful study of the pathogenesis of the drug.
The same character of irritation which, in the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract, gives rise to dyspeptic symptoms and aids in the production of constipation, produces in the respiratory sphere a dry catarrhal condition, giving obstruction in the nasal passages, and dry cough.
Nux Vomica also affects prominently the genito-urinary sphere, producing at first an increased activity of these organs, followed by depression and relaxation.
The chief peculiarity of Nux is its adaptation to disorders of digestion, especially when resulting from long-continued errors of diet, from highly seasoned foods, stimulating drinks, hot medicines, and drug mixtures in general, and especially when occurring in persons of sedentary habits.
Characteristic symptoms.
▲ Worse
From mental exertion; in the morning; after eating, especially after dinner; from motion; from slight touch; in open air; in dry weather
The full Cowperthwaite text, by section
Mind
(Nux vomica)
Quarrelsome, even to violence ; ill-humored ; finds fault and scolds ; irritable ; morose ; stubborn. (Agar., Alum., Borax, Caps., Bry., Cham.)
Careful, zealous persons, inclined to get excited and angry, or of a spiteful, malicious disposition.
Over sensitiveness to external impressions ; cannot tolerate noise, talking, music, strong odors, or bright light . (Bell., Colch., Stram .)
Over sensitiveness, every harmless word offends (Caps., Staph.) ; every little noise frightens (Op.) ; anxious and beside themselves ; cannot bear the least, even suitable, medicine.
Hypochondriac mood, worse after eating ; especially in persons of sedentary habits, or in those who dissipate, with abdominal sufferings and constipation.
The time passes too slowly. (Alum.)
Great anxiety, with inclination to commit suicide ( Aur ., Naja), but is afraid to die ; much lamentation and weeping.
Great dread of, and incapacity for literary work (Aloe) ; cannot think correctly. (Aeth., Cimic., Gels., Phos. ac.)
Disinclination to bodily labor. (Cinch., Phos., Phos. ac.)
Head
(Nux vomica)
Intoxicated confusion in the head (Cinch., Graph.) ; stupefaction. ( Op .)
Vertigo after dinner , as if the brain were turning in a circle (Alum., Arn., Bell., Bry ., Coni), with momentary loss of consciousness ; dizzy, reeling while walking, as if he would fall to one side or backward. (Bell.)
Intoxicated, dizzy heaviness in the head in the morning . (Kreos.)
Headache in the morning in bed (Kali bi., Natr. mur., Nitr. ac.) ; in middle of brain, felt before opening the eyes ; in forehead ; in occiput, as if the skull would burst ( Bry., Natr. mur .) ; as if the head had been beaten with an ax ; as if he had not slept ; makes him stupid ; disappears after rising.
Pressive, boring pains in the head, commencing in the morning ; worse after eating, with nausea and sour vomiting , toward evening, after lying down.
Drawing, tearing, jerking, burning, or pinching pains in the head, especially in morning and after eating.
Heaviness and pressure in the head after dinner, especially on moving the eyes.
Pressing, as if something heavy were sinking forward in the head, on stooping.
Headache, as if the brain were bruised or beaten. (Mur. ac.)
Pressing pain, as if a nail were being driven deeply into the side of the brain. (Arn., Coff., Ign.)
Violent jerking or dull stitches in left side of brain, from orbit to parietal bone or occiput.
Tension in the forehead , as if it were pressed in, at night and in the morning ; worse on exposing head to cold air.
Sensation as from a bruise in back part of head.
Small, painful swelling on the forehead.
Scalp sensitive to the touch (Acon., Baryt. c., Cinch., Merc., Mez., Natr. mur., Natr. carb., Nitr. ac.), or to wind ; better from being warmly covered.
Head symptoms worse in the morning, from mental exertion, exercising in the open air, after eating, and from wine (Zinc.) and coffee ; better in the warm room, and from sitting quietly or lying down.
Eyes
(Nux vomica)
Photophobia ; much worse in the morning.
Vision cloudy. (Caust., Gels .)
Inflammation, with swelling, red streaks in the whites, and pressive tensive pain.
Painless injection of the whites of the eyes ; ecchymoses. (Arn.)
Burning and smarting, as from salt, with lachrymation. (Natr. mur.)
Margins of lids and canthi itch and burn, as if rubbed sore, especially in the morning.
Smarting, dry sensation in inner canthi, in the morning, in bed.
Ears
(Nux vomica)
Itching in the ear and through the Eustachian tube.
Ringing, roaring, and hissing in the ears. (Bell., Cinch ., Merc., Sulph .)
Tearing, sticking pains in the ears ( Puls .) ; worse in the morning in bed.
Nose
(Nux vomica)
Profuse discharge of acrid mucus from the obstructed nostrils.
Coryza ; fluent in the morning ; fluent during the day, and stopped at night (Amm. carb., Natr. ars.) ; in the morning and after dinner ; with scraping and crawling - in the nose and throat, with frequent sneezing, especially in morning in bed ; with headache, heat in the face, chilliness. (Acon.)
Coryza worse in the warm room, better in the cool air . ( Puls .)
Nostrils internally painful, as if ulcerated.
Face
(Nux vomica)
Paleness of the face.
Twitching and spasmodic distortion of the facial muscles. (Agar., Bell ., Cic ., Ign.)
Tearing and drawing pains in the face, extending into the ear.
Tetanic contraction of the jaws ; trismus . (Absinth., Cic., Hyos., Laur.)
Pimples on the face, from excessive use of spirituous liquors.
Painful desquamation of the lips.
Intermittent neuralgia ; worse in infra-orbital branch of trifacial ; always worse in morning ; better sometimes when lying in bed, especially after abuse of coffee or liquors.
Mouth
(Nux vomica)
Drawing, tearing toothaches ; worse from mental exertion, from cold or cold things, after eating (Ant. crud., Lach., Staph.) ; from coffee or wine ; relieved by warmth. (Bry.)
Stinging in decayed teeth ; in whole row of teeth.
Tongue coated thick white (Acon., Ant. crud., Bry., Puls .) ; blisters on tongue. (Borax, Merc., Nitr. ac .)
Heaviness of the tongue, with difficult speech. (Caust., Gels ., Lach.)
Internal mouth, tongue, and palate are slimy, and feel raw and sore.
Dryness of the mouth, without much thirst (Apis, Nux m., Puls.), but with much accumulation of saliva ( Merc .) in the fauces .
Bad taste in the mouth in the morning (Puls.), though food and drink taste natural ; taste sour (Calc. c., Cinch., Mag., Nitr. ac.) ; bitter . ( Bry., Coloc., Cinch.,. Puls., Sulph .)
Offensive odor from the mouth. (Arn., Aur., Iodi., Kreos., Nitr. ac .)
Small aphthous ulcers in the mouth and throat, with putrid smell ; bloody saliva runs out at night ; gums scorbutic ; spits coagulated blood.
Throat
(Nux vomica)
Throat raw (Arum, Sang .), sore, rough, as if scraped (Arg.), principally when swallowing, and when inhaling cold air.
Pharynx constricted ; swallowing impeded (Alum.) ; pain on empty swallowing, as from a plug in throat. (Natr. mur.)
Stitches in ear when swallowing.
Allays irritation caused by topical applications, especially if rawness and scraping are present.
Stomach
(Nux vomica)
Hunger, with aversion to food, especially bread (Lyc., Natr. mur.), water, coffee, and tobacco.
Bitter, sour eructations. (Alum., Carb. v ., Phos., Sulph .)
Violent hiccough. (Cic., Hyos., Lyc .)
Heartburn (Lyc., Natr. mur.) ; waterbrash (Led.) ; after eating.
Nausea in morning (Calc. c., Puls ., Sulph .) ; after eating ( Ars .) ; from tobacco (Ign.), with faintness. (Ant. tart.)
Vomiting of sour mucus ; of food and drink ( Ipec ., Phos ., Podo.) ; of bile (Grat., Iris, Podo.) ; of blood. (Ham., Op., Podo., Stan.)
Retching as if to vomit, while hawking mucus from fauces.
Region of stomach sensitive to pressure.
Clawing, cramping pains in the stomach. (Bell., Coccul.)
Tension and fullness in the epigastrium.
Pressure in stomach an hour or two after a meal (Puls.), with dullness of head and hypochondriacal mood.
Bloatedness, and pressure as from a stone in the stomach (Ars., Bry., Puls .) ; especially after eating .
Disordered stomach from overeating ; from debauchery ; from high living ; from drugs ; from sedentary habits.
Scraped sensation in pit of stomach. (Puls.)
Abdomen
(Nux vomica)
Stitches in the region of the liver ; worse from contact or motion. ( Bry ., Cinch.) Throbbing pain as from hepatic abscess.
Jaundice (Chel., Merc.) ; aversion to food ; fainting turns ; gall stones. (Cinch.)
Loud rumbling and gurgling in the abdomen ( Lyc .), in the morning.
Flatulent distension of the abdomen after eating . (Cinch., Lyc., Nux m., Rhus tox.)
Colic: flatulent ; from indigestion ; from overeating ; as from a cold (Dulc., Merc.) ; cutting pains as from stones ( Coloc .) ; griping, pinching ; periodical after breakfast, or after meals ; making him bend together. (Aloe, Caust., Coloc., Iris, Rheum.)
Pressure under short ribs as from incarcerated flatulence. (Carb. v.)
Bruised, sore pain in the intestines. (Merc.)
Sensation of weakness in inguinal ring, as if a hernia would occur ; or pain as of a hernia would become incarcerated. (Alum., Nitr. ac.)
Jerking and twitching in the abdominal muscles.
Stool And Anus
(Nux vomica)
Blind haemorrhoids ; with sticking, beating, or pressive pain in rectum and anus ; after stool, after a meal, and after exerting the mind.
Constipation, with frequent and ineffectual desire for stool (Ambr., Coni., Nitr. ac., Sil., Sulph .), and sensation of constriction in rectum.
After stool, sensation as if more remained ( Aloe , Lyc .), but could not be evacuated.
Alternate constipation and diarrhoea. ( Ant. crud ., Card. m., Cimic., Natr. ars., Podo.)
Discharge of bright-red blood with feces, with sensation of constriction and contraction in rectum.
Diarrhoea, especially in the morning, of a dark color. (Rumex, Sulph.)
Small stools of a slimy, bloody mucus, with much urging, ceasing after stool.
Urinary Organs
(Nux vomica)
Painful, ineffectual urging to urinate ( Canth .) ; urine passes in drops ( Acon ., Bell., Canth .), with burning and tearing in urethra and neck of bladder . ( Apis , Canth ., Can. sat., Caps .)
Urine pale, later thick, whitish, purulent ; reddish, with brick-dust sediment.
Tenacious mucus passes with the urine, without pain.
Male Organs.- (Nux vomica)
Easily excited desire (Coni.), painful erections, especially in the morning.
Nightly emissions, with lascivious dreams ; from high living, etc. ; bad effects of sexual excesses.
Female Organs.- (Nux vomica)
Menses too early and too profuse (Alum., Ambr., Amm. carb., Bell ., Calc. c.) ; flow dark.
During menses, nausea in morning, with chilliness and attacks of faintness.
Pressure toward the genitals, especially in the morning.
Contractive uterine spasms ; colic, with discharge of coagula. (Caul., Sec .)
Respiratory Organs.- (Nux vomica)
Hoarseness, with roughness, and scraping in the throat (Caust.) ; provoking a cough.
Accumulation of tenacious mucus in upper part of trachea. (Bry., Rumex.)
Itching and tickling in the trachea, exciting a cough. (Baryt. c.)
Oppressed breathing ; tightness of breathing from spasmodic constriction of lower part of thorax (Ign., Laur.) ; especially when walking and ascending.
Dry, fatiguing cough (Rumex), from midnight till daybreak ; in the evening after lying down ( Coni ., Hyos., Mez ., Puls .), or very early in the morning.
Violent cough before rising in the morning, with expectoration of clotted blood ( Puls .), and soreness in the chest . ( Arn .)
Cough, causing bruised pain in abdominal walls ; headache as if skull would burst. ( Bry., Natr. mur .)
Cough worse after eating or drinking (Cinch.) ; after mental or physical exertion ; when lying on the back ; from cold ; from tobacco.
Pressing in the chest, as from a heavy load. ( Ferr., Phos .)
Intercostal neuralgia, better when lying on the well side.
Roughness, rawness, and scraping in the chest . (Cham.)
Congestion in the chest, with heat and burning.
Heart and Pulse.- (Nux vomica)
Palpitation ; on lying down after dinner ; after eating ; from coffee ; from protracted study.
Back and Neck.- (Nux vomica)
Heaviness and stiffness in the neck.
Tearing pain in nape of neck and in back.
Pain in back and small of back, as if bruised or broken. (Aloe, Bell ., Cimic., Kali c., Natr. mur., Plat.)
Back spasmodically curved, like an arch. ( Cic ., Op.)
Cervico-brachial neuralgia, neck stiff, worse in the morning, or after eating, and from touch.
Limbs
(Nux vomica)
Bruised pains in the limbs and joints, worse in the morning in bed.
Trembling of the limbs, and jerking of the heart.
Great weariness and relaxation in all the limbs, after taking the open air.
Sensation of sudden loss of power in the extremities, in the morning.
Falling asleep of arms, hands, and soles of feet.
Lower Limbs.- (Nux vomica)
Tottering and unsteadiness of the lower extremities ; knocking under of the knees ; drags the feet.
Paralytic drawing in muscles of thighs and calves, painful on walking.
Painful swelling of the knee.
Stiffness and tension in hollows of knees, especially after standing ; sensation as if tendons were too short, on arising from a seat.
Numbness and deadness of the legs.
Cramps in the calves at night. (Calc. c., Nitr. ac., Sulph.)
Generalities
(Nux vomica)
Great debility with over sensitiveness of all the senses. (Cinch.)
Emaciation. (Ars., Ferr., Graph., Phos., Iodi., Natr. mur .)
Stitches in jerks through the whole body.
Trembling all over ; mostly of hands ; especially in morning ; in drunkards.
Violent contractive painful sensation through the whole body.
Greater weariness in the morning after rising than in the evening on going to bed.
Sensitiveness and aversion to open air. (Amm. carb., Aur., Coccul., Phos., Rumex , Sep., Sil.)
Fainting fits after walking in the open air.
Wants to sit or lie down.
Convulsions, with tetanic rigidity of nearly all the muscles of the body, with interruptions of a few minutes, during which muscles relaxed.
Spasms renewed by the slightest touch. (Stram.)
Paralysis, with numbness and coldness of the paralyzed parts, caused by apoplexia, alcohol, sexual excesses, etc.
Sleep
(Nux vomica)
Much yawning and sleepiness during the day. (Nux m.)
Irresistible sleepiness after eating, for several hours. (Kali carb., Sil.)
Sleepy in the early evening, but sleepless at night.
Awakens at 3 A. M., lies awake for hours, with a rush of thoughts, falls into a dreamy sleep at daybreak, from which it is hard to arouse, and then feels tired, weak, and averse to rising.
Sleeps mostly lying on the back.
Loud snoring respiration during sleep. (Laur., Op )
Dreams, with frightful visions, causing fear.
Fever
(Nux vomica)
Chilliness and shivering over the whole body, with blueness of the skin, especially the hands and nails.
Chill in evening on lying down (Nitr. ac.), followed by heat in head and face.
Chill not relieved by heat ; aggravated by motion.
Dry heat, which does not tolerate covering, or else desires it, yet chilly on being uncovered.
Heat precedes the chill, and is renewed after the chill.
Sweat after midnight and in the morning ; sour, offensive (Arn., Ars., Carb. an ., Hep. s., Sil.) ; cold, clammy on face. (Camph., Verat. alb .)
Aggravation
Therapeutic Range.- (Nux vomica)
Bad effects from highly seasoned foods, coffee, tobacco, and spirituous liquors ; from all kinds of drug mixtures, hot medicines, and nostrums ; from overexertion of the mind, sedentary habits, overeating, loss of sleep ; periodical and intermittent affections ; gastric, bilious, and intestinal disorders, especially dyspepsia, indigestion, jaundice, constipation, etc. ; hernia ; hepatitis ; hemorrhoids ; hypochondriasis ; apoplexia ; catarrhal affections-nasal, bronchial, intestinal, vesical ; menorrhagia ; prosopalgia ; rheumatism ; gout ; convulsions ; paralysis.
Conditions
(Nux vomica)
Fiery, excitable temperaments.
Suits thin, irritable, choleric persons, with dark hair, and persons who make great mental exertion, or lead a sedentary life ; debauchers who are irritable and thin.
Compare
(Nux vomica)
Amm. mur., Amm. carb., Ars., Bell., Bry., Calc. c., Carb. v., Cham., Cinch., Coccul., Coff., Cupr., Ign., Ipec., Lyc., Merc,., Op., Phos., Puls., Rhus tox., Sep., Sulph.
Its relations are : Ars., Ipec., Phos., Sulph. precede Nux v. well, while Bry., Puls., and Sulph. follow it well.
Antidotes
(Nux vomica)
Acon ., Bell., Camph., Cham., Coff ., Coccul., Ign., Puls.
To large doses : wine, coffee, Camph., Op.
Nux Vomica Antidotes.-
Ars., Cham., Cinch., Coccul., Coff., Op., Phos., Puls.
It is also an antidote to aromatics, drastics, "hot medicines," narcotics, coffee, and alcohol.
Copyright © Robert Séror 2003
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