by Henry N. Guernsey — Key-Notes to the Materia Medica
Head.--Stupor. Headache. Vertigo; dizzy when rising. Wants head low.
Urine.--Constant desire; strong horse odor.
Convulsions.--Epileptiform, preceded by trembling; unconscious, falls, bites tongue, foams, etc.
Is said to cure poisoning by mushrooms.
Similar to Alcohol, Bellad., Chamom., Hyosc., Stramon.
The effects of Absinth are much worse than of Alcohol, Opium, or Tobacco (C. Hering).
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Absinthium appears in 7 of the 21 classic books on Similia. Each was written to do a different job — here is what each adds on this remedy, with the opening of its entry.
“Artemisia absinthium, Linn. Common name , Wormwood. Nat. order , Compositæ. Preparation , Tincture from the fresh young leaves and flowers. The Swiss "Extrait d'Absinthe" (from the effects of which a few toxicological symptoms are obtained) is prepared from various species of Artemisia, viz., rupestris, mutillina…”
“Common Wormwood A perfect picture of epileptiform seizure is produced by this drug. Nervous tremors precede attacks. Sudden and severe giddiness, delirium with hallucinations and loss of consciousness. Nervous excitement and sleeplessness. Cerebral irritation, hysterical and infantile spasms come within range of this…”
“Artemisia absinthium, Linn. Common Wormwood. (Europe.) Not to be confounded with Artemisia vulgaris, which is also called Wormwood. N. O. Compositæ. Tincture of fresh young leaves and flowers. Brain, congestion of / Chlorosis / Dyspepsia / Epilepsy / Nervousness / Otorrhœa / Restlessness / Sleeplessness / Spine…”
“Absinthium, another form of wormwood, is of interest to you not only as a medicine, but also because you will meet with cases of its abuse in those who indulge in it as a drink. The first effect of Absinthe is an exhilaration of the mind soon followed by damaging results, among which is a horrible delirium. In this…”
“Wormwood. Compositæ. A bitter herb, a native of Europe, and cultivated in gardens, much used in France for a liqueur , the effects of which are very injurious. Most symptoms toxicological from French authorities. The only provings, Gybtchell, in Medical Investigator . After recovering from epileptic spasms no…”
“ArtemiBia AbaintMum. I. Provtngs. — 1. Dr. H. P. Gatchell gave unknown quantity to a lady of good health but nervous temperament. She reports — great tranquillity, felt soothed as if going into a beautiful dream, followed by apathy, foolish look, idiotic manner; tremor, then thumping of heart, felt towards back; feet…”
Kent's Repertory lists Absinthium in 112 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in MIND (36), GENERALITIES (14), STOMACH (10), EYE (7), MOUTH (7).
