by Henry N. Guernsey — Key-Notes to the Materia Medica
Intense itching of the skin with no appearance of swelling or rash. Constipation with this intense itch, but no rash. Jaundice, yellow in spots or all over, and itching excessively at night.
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Dolichos pruriens 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.
“Mucuna pruriens, D. C. (Dolichos pruriens, L.) Natural order , Leguminosæ. Common names , Cowhage, Cow-itch; (Fr.) Pois à gratter or pouillieux; (G.) Juck-borsten. Preparation , Trituration (or tincture) of the whole pod. Authority. Dr. Jacob Jeanes, N. Am. J. of Hom., "I took a portion of the 2d cent. dilution." A…”
“Cowhage (DOLICHOS PURIENS - MUCUNA) A right-sided medicine, with pronounced liver and skin symptoms. A general intense itching without eruption. Exalted nervous sensibility. Senile pruritus. Hæmorrhoidal diathesis. Pain in throat, worse swallowing, below right angle of jaw, as if splinter were imbedded vertically …”
“pruriens. Mucuna pruriens. Cowhage. Cow-itch. N. O. Leguminosæ. Trituration or tincture of whole pod. Cough / Dentition / Gums, neuralgia of / Herpes zoster / Jaundice / Jaundice, irritation of / Jaw, pain in / Neuralgia / Pruritus / Sore throat The most characteristic symptoms of Dolichos are . a general intense…”
“Cowhage, or Cowitch. Leguminosæ. A climbing plant, native to the West Indies and tropical America, synonymous with Mucuma pruriens, bears a fruit pod, about four inches long, covered with bristly hairs, from which the alcoholic tincture is prepared. Introduced and proved by Jacob Jeanes. CLINICAL AUTHORITIES…”
“Gums (upper) irritated, tumid, excessively painful; can scarcely take food or drink in the mouth. Pain in the gums prevents sleep. Painful sensation of the throat below the angle of the lower jaw on the right side; it was; as if a splinter of three-quarters of an inch in length was imbedded vertically in that spot…”
“Violent itching over the body, without any visible eruption; jaundice; white stools.”
Kent's Repertory lists Dolichos pruriens in 59 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in SKIN (11), COUGH (9), MOUTH (6), GENERALITIES (5), EXTREMITIES (4).
