Hydrastis Canadensis

Pain and very weak, faint, gone feeling in stomach, which is sometimes actually sunken. Affections of the mucous membranes, where there is a viscid stringy discharge: stomach, bronchi, uterus, etc. Chronic constipation, that is remarkable for its absence of any other symptoms.

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This is a more celebrated remedy with the eclectics than with us. They especially value it for what they call its tonic properties and its specific action in the way of healing ulcerations in mucous membranes. We have also found it useful in such cases, but we have more decided indications for its use. For instance, in stomach troubles, where they attribute its curative powers to its tonic properties, we find it especially valuable only when we have this symptom present: “Dull aching pain in stomach which causes a very weak, faint, gone feeling in the epigastrium.” The stomach is sometimes actually sunken (objectively). There are two other remedies that have this symptom to a degree almost equal, viz., Sepia and Ignatia, but Sepia is generally in connection with uterine affections, while Ignatia is purely nervous. Hydrastis is a good remedy for chronic constipation. E. M. Hale taught that it must be used in tincture or very low dilution. I have found it most efficacious in the 200th (B. & T.). I once cured a case that was of years’ standing, had worn cathartics out, and all the way she could live (her words) was to swallow a spoonful of whole flaxseed with every meal. I have used it in infantile constipation successfully, and it is most useful when all other symptoms aside from the constipation are conspicuous for their absence. Again, Hydrastis is indicated in affections of mucous membranes where there is a viscid stringy discharge. This is like Kali bichromicum, but the other symptoms of these two remedies are not much alike. Chronic bronchitis of old debilitated people is sometimes greatly relieved by it; also leucorrhœa, with the stringy discharge as above described.