Momordica

by John Henry ClarkeA Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica

balsamina. Balsam Apple. N. O. Cucurbitaceæ. Tincture of fresh ripe fruit.

Clinical

Colic / Dysmenorrhœa / Flatulence / Leucorrhœa / Menorrhagia

Characteristics

Momordica was introduced by Dr. Mercier, whose wife made the proving with twenty-four drops of the tincture, producing some very well characterised symptoms. Griping and colic declared its relationship to Colocynth. and Elater., as also severe pains in back and hypogastrium with painful and excessive menses. A peculiar sensation is: "As if the whole contents of the head had greatly diminished in weight." Farrington gives as a keynote (though it does not appear in the proving) "distension and rumbling in splenic flexure of colon," which he compares with the effects of Lyc.

2. Head

Dizziness, lightness in head; sensation as if whole contents of head had greatly diminished in weight. Slight headache.

3. Eyes

Sensation of occasional mist or cloud passing before eyes.

6. Face

Face at times red; but generally very pale.

11. Stomach

Slight sickness at stomach.

12. Abdomen

Griping, general colic pains, starting from back and spreading over whole abdomen; piercing, labour-like pains in hypogastrium. (Accumulation of flatus in splenic flexure of colon; rumbling.)

13. Stools

Two or three healthy stools [daily?] for several days.

16. Female Sexual Organs

Painful and too profuse menses, but listing only usual time. Labour pains during menses followed by gushes of blood. White, light mucous discharge between periods.

19. Heart

Pulse quick and weak.

20. Back

Pain at small of back at time of menses, sometimes very acute, beginning at sacrum and coming towards front of pelvis.

24. Generalities

Weak feeling, sometimes faintness.

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