Ephedra Vulgaris

E. vulgaris. N. O. Gnetaceæ. Tincture of branches and flowers.

Clinical

Exophthalmic goître / Headache

Characteristics

Ephedra has been proved in Russia by Dr. B. H. Mouravow (Universal Homœopathic Annual, p. 56). It produced symptoms when twenty drops of a strong alcoholic extract were taken five times a day; fifteen drops four times a day having been taken without apparent effect. Extreme apathy was produced, stiff-neck, and backward pulling of whole body on turning the head. There was also starting of the eyes from the orbits as if pushed out. This suggested exophthalmic goître to Mouravow, who considered that the drug acted on the ganglions of the sympathetic nerve, and caused congestion of the spinal cord.

Relations

Compare: Ferr., Iod., Lycopus v., Spong., Thyroid. (exophthalmos).

1. Mind

Extreme apathy.

2. Head

Violent headache, nausea, general weakness; slow pulse. L. side hemicrania with numbness of entire l. arm.

3. Eyes

Heavy eyes, starting from their orbits, as if pushed out, pain in the eye (after second dose on third day. On fifth day exophthalmos was increased).

12. Abdomen

Dull pain in region of spleen.

14. Urinary Organs

From early morning great fatigue, retention of the urine (fourth day).

19. Heart

Abatement of pulse (from 68 to 62 in one case), notwith standing increased rapidity of action of heart. Strong heart-beat with weakening of pulse; respiration accelerated.

20. Neck and Back

Stiffness of neck (with exophthalmos). Stiffness of neck and backward pulling of all the body on turning head and a dull pain in region of spleen.

21. Limbs

Towards evening heaviness in all the limbs.

22. Upper Limbs

Numbness of entire l. arm, with l. side hemicrania.

24. Generalities

General weakness; from early morning great fatigue.

26. Sleep

Longing for sleep.