Physostigma

by H.C. Allen — Keynotes And Characteristics With Comparisons of some of the Leading Remedies of the Materia Medica

Calabar Bean. (Leguminosae)

Uncommon mental activity; cannot stop thinking . Vision dim; from blur or film; objects mixed. Pain after using eyes; floating black spots, flashes of light, twitching of lids and muscles of eyes (Agar.); mystagmus. Great prostration of muscular system; impaired locomotion (Gels.). Tremors or trembling of young persons from mental or physical disturbances. Idiopathic or traumatic tetanus; brought on or < by slightest breath of air from a person passing (Hyper., Lys., Nux, Strych.).

Relations . - Compare: Bell., Con., Cur., Gels., Hyper., Strych.

Physostigma across the other classic books

Physostigma appears in 7 of the 13 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.

Allen TF — The raw proving record — symptoms as the provers reported them, unedited.
“Physostigma venenosum, Balfour. Natural order , Leguminosæ. Common name , Calabar bean. Preparation , Triturations of the whole bean. Authorities.”
Boericke — The quick clinical read — keynotes, modalities and the conditions it is actually prescribed in.
“Calabar Bean This remedy and its active principle, Eserine , form a valuable addition to Materia Medica. Stimulates heart, raises blood pressure, and increases peristalsis. Causes contraction of the pupil and of the ciliary muscles. Induces a condition of short-sightedness. Spinal irritation , loss of motility…”
Boger (Syn) — Generals and modalities in a short analytical portrait rather than a symptom list.
“Spinal motor nerves. Eyes. Muscles. Left side. Change of temperature. Eyestrain. Injury. Bathing. Heat and cold. Descending. Motion. Lying with head low (Ver-v.). Exerting the will. Weakness ; muscles won't respond or draw into knots; extending legs. Numbness at womb. Offensive odor from hands. Sweat in excitement…”
Clarke — The widest entry — sources, provings, clinical uses, relationships and antidotes in one place.
“venenosum. Calabar Bean. Eséré. N. O. Leguminosæ. Trituration of the bean. Astigmatism / Bathing, effects of / Blepharospasm / Chorea / Ciliary spasm / Climacteric / Constipation / Coccygodynia / Dentition / Diarrhœa / Dyspepsia / Epilepsy / Eyes, affections of / injuries of; strain of / General paralysis / Glaucoma /…”
Hering — Graded symptoms, each weighted by how often provers and practice confirmed it.
“Physostigma venenosum. Leguminosæ. Triturations of the whole bean. First mentioned by the missionaries to the western coast of Africa ; in 1846 by Daniel ; in 1855 investigated by Christison ; in 1862 first observations by Frazer on the contraction of the pupil (also by Workman) ; used and abused since by many…”
Lippe (Red) — Keynotes with the most-trusted ones marked as red-line symptoms.
“Common name: calabar bean. Contraction of the pupil (Acon., Bell., Chin-S., Daph., Euphr., Gels., Hyos., Merc., Nat-M., Op., Plb., Puls.) (D.). Night blindness (Chin., Hyos., Lyc., Merc., Nit-Ac., Nux-V., Puls., Ran-B., Stram., Verat., Zinc.) (Bl.). Twitching of the ocular muscles (Agar.) (Bl.) MYOPIA (Arg-N., Calc…”

Physostigma in Kent's Repertory

Kent's Repertory lists Physostigma in 676 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in HEAD (114), EXTREMITIES (107), GENERALITIES (50), EYE (44), STOMACH (44).

VISION - FLASHES
GENERALITIES - TENSION - muscles
VISION - MYOPIA
VISION - COLORS before the eyes - black - spots - floating (muscae volitantes)
EYE - TWITCHING - lids
EAR - NOISES in - singing - night - lying down,after
EXTREMITIES - NUMBNESS - Upper Limbs - evening - 7 p.m.
MIND - FEAR - mischief,he might do,night on waking
VISION - ACCOMMODATION defective
BACK - SPASMS
EXTREMITIES - JERKING - falling asleep
EYE - PAIN - sore,bruised,tender - moving the lids - eyes
EYE - PAIN - sore,bruised,tender - lids
BACK - PAIN - Dorsal region - scapulae - right - under
VISION - CONFUSED (vision)
FEMALE GENITALIA - LEUCORRHOEA - milky
STOMACH - AVERSION to - water
VISION - BLURRED
CHEST - TREMBLING - Heart
EXTREMITIES - CRAMPS - Hand

Search all 7 classical repertories

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