Sambucus Nigra appears in 10 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 HC — The keynotes that separate this remedy from its nearest neighbours.
“Elder. (Caprifoliaceae.) Adapted to diseases of scrofulous children, which affect the air passages specially. Persons formerly robust and fleshy, suddenly become emaciated (Iod., Tub.). Bad effects of violent mental emotions; anxiety, grief, or excessive sexual indulgence (Phos. ac., Kali p.). Oedmatous swelling in…”
- Allen TF — The raw proving record — symptoms as the provers reported them, unedited.
“Sambucus nigra, Linn. Natural order , Caprifoliaceæ. Common names , Elder; (G.), Flieder, Schwarzer Holunder; (Fr.), Sureau. Preparation , Tincture of the leaves and flowers. Authorities. (Nos. 1 to 7 , from Hahnemann, R. A. M. L., 5, 61). Periodical delirium, saw frightful things on the wall, 1. Constant fretfulness…”
- Boericke — The quick clinical read — keynotes, modalities and the conditions it is actually prescribed in.
“Elder Acts especially on the respiratory organs. Dry coryza of infants, snuffles, œdematous swellings. Profuse sweat accompanies many affections. Sees images when shutting eyes. Constant fretfulness . Very easily frightened. Fright followed by suffocative attacks. Turns blue with cough. Red, burning spots on cheeks…”
- Boger (GA) — Which general headings this remedy belongs under — the analytical scaffolding.
“EXHALATION. Agg. LYING, Agg. MOISTNESS, fluidity, increased secretions in general, etc. (Comp. Dampness.) MOTION, Amel. RESPIRATION 3 P.M. 12 Night”
- Clarke — The widest entry — sources, provings, clinical uses, relationships and antidotes in one place.
“(Linn.). Elder. N. O. Caprifoliaceæ. Tincture of fresh leaves and flowers. Angina pectoris / Asthma / Chest, oppression of / Coryza, dry / Cough / Croup / Emaciation / Headaches, catarrhal / Hoarseness / Hydrocele / Ileus / Laryngismus / Perspirations / Phthisis / Scurf / "Snuffles." / Starting / Whooping-cough The…”
- Hering — Graded symptoms, each weighted by how often provers and practice confirmed it.
“Elder. Caprifoliaceæ. The European elder, Sambucus nigra, differs but slightly from the American, Sambucus canadensis. The tincture is prepared from the fresh leaves and flowers. Introduced and proved by Hahnemann, assisted by Franz, Gross, Hartmann, Langhammer and Wislicenus, R. A. M. L., vol. 5. CLINICAL AUTHORITIES.”
- Lippe (MM) — The strict Hahnemannian reading — the symptom picture without clinical interpretation.
“Periodical delirium, with visions and hallucinations. Very easily frightened; trembling, anxiety and restlessness. Fright followed by suffocative attacks, with bluish, bloated face. Tension in the head; when moving it sensation as if it were filled with water. Sudden jerks through the head. The head is bent backwards…”
- Lippe (Red) — Keynotes with the most-trusted ones marked as red-line symptoms.
“Common name: elder. We are often led to this remedy, when we find a great deal of perspiration, occurring with any other trouble, which may last all the time, or it may come and go in paroxysms (G.). Bad effects of violent mental emotions, anxiety, grief, or excessive sexual indulgence (Kali-P., Phos-Ac.) (A.)…”
- Nash — The comparisons — the remedy set beside the ones it is most often confused with.
“Is a prime remedy for “snuffles” in small children. It is of the dry variety, completely obstructing the nose, child must breathe through the mouth. It is also one of the best remedies for asthma millari. The attacks come on suddenly in the night; child turns blue, gasps for breath and seems as if almost dying. Then…”
